Tis the Season to be Jolly

These boys make me jolly.  They fill my heart with joy overflowing.  Shockingly, I took a nice winter stroll before the bus came and managed to lull them to sleep.   

We have had two snowstorms.  One when we were in Michigan. Two soon after we got back and it didn't bring much snow, but the boys still had to play in it.  It was a much needed sanity break for mommy who has been in the house way too much this month.

Reid's first real experience with snow.  He wouldn't keep his gloves on and was close to pulling his hat off many times. 

My little 5 eyed monster!!

That smile says it all....7 years old and still eats the snow like its candy.  YUCK!  I don't know how to get him to stop.

For our ward Christmas party I made snowman cupcakes and Gavin and Xavier helped me make the snowmen's faces.

They did a great job!

After many attempts to get 3 wiggly boys to smile this is as good as it's getting.  I'm one lucky mama! I definitely complain more than I should about the messes, the noise, the dirt they get on everything, the constant demand for my attention and the inability for me to have any sort of space, but when I look at all of them together I quickly repent and realize how lucky I am.  God knew I needed boys to help me lighten up and realize the silliness, the unpredictability, and the magic that a little boy brings into the world.

They make me laugh and smile every day!

Big cheese bombers!

Santa with 3 good little boys.

Gavin also performed in his school's Christmas program.  

We got lots of smiles our way.  Giving us a thumbs up.  He was ready to go.

Our shining star had the biggest smile and the biggest voice tonight.  He sang his little heart out and performed like a million dollar kid.

After the program everyone gathers for milk and cookies.  Reid held his cookie until we got home.  Then he decided it was time to eat it.

Xavier was happy to see his little bro do such a great job tonight.

We had to steal a couple shots by our Christmas tree.

This was a great kick off to our holiday festivities.

Flag Football Begins

Wrestling is the only winter sport our boys can play at this age.  Xavier decided a couple years ago it wasn't for him (thank goodness because it wasn't for Tim and I either)

I signed the boys up for a fun flag football class at the YMCA.

This is Gavin's second experience in a sport-type class.  The first week he absolutely loved every minute of it.  The second week he was very hesitant and nervous to jump in and participate.  He didn't like playing this game called sharks and minnows because they took his flags.  We had to explain to him that that's the point of the game.  After some nudging we got him to keep playing.  

Sorry for the low quality photos.  Our phones don't take great pictures in low lighted areas.

Xavier had a blast too.  It also helped having his best buds Jacob and Michael in the class too.  

The first or second week in the class he scored a touchdown when they scrimmaged.  He thought that was pretty cool.

One thing is for sure.  It doesn't matter what these boys do, as long as they are active, they are happy.  Which also means mommy is  happy.

Thanksgiving 2014

This year was a memorable year!  Our trip started 

at Jen's house.  We were able to visit the temple along with James and Kathryn.  

I always tell myself I don't get to the temple enough, but it's such a wonderful blessing to go when I have the opportunity.  I am filled with so much peace and freshness of hope and the desire to keep trying to be better.

We also got to see Dave's family (who would not be at Thanksgiving this year)  So Xavier and Gavin were stoked about seeing Kameron at least for a little bit.

Our second stop was Joe and Amy's house.  Xavier was in awe watching Gabe play Pokemon and he probably took notes the entire time.  Gavin hung with the girls most of the time.  Unfortunately, the first night we were there all three of my boys came down with a stomach bug.  Gavin was the first to get hit and threw up late evening.  We kept him on the couch so we could keep an eye on him.  Then I went to bed and got woken up by Xavier not too long after falling asleep.  He had thrown up all over the many layers of sleeping bags that were cushioning him on the floor.  After I got all the bedding cleaned up as well as Xavier I layed back down.  Soon after another one bit the dust.  Poor Reid was the last to get it. It was 5 am at this point and I felt like I had been hit by a train.  I was just hoping Tim and I and Joe's family wouldn't be the next victims. 

Xavier has thrown up twice in his entire life. Knock on wood.  Gavin, about the same.  So to have kids throwing up when we are not at home has got to be the worst.  Amy was an angel and such a good sport.  I think we dirtied every blanket they owned.  She was so gracious and wonderful through it all.  I'm grateful for her help and support.  The throw up didn't last and the kids were fine the next morning. Phew!  And Joe and Amy's family didn't get it.  Double PHew!

Our next stop was John and Reva's house.  The boys had a blast pulling out all of Zach and Eli's old Star Wars, Transformers, and Bionicle toys.  Zach and Eli had some fun times re-living their little boy years with their young cousins.  Xavier and Gavin thought Zach and Eli were the coolest kids on the planet.  Of course,  Xavier loved hanging out with Abbi too.  They always have so much fun together.  It's great to see how well they get along.

We also managed to stop by our dear friends, the Prossers house.  It is always so neat to see that even when months and months pass the kids had oodles of fun playing together and the grown ups had a great time catching up on family news.

We went to see an MSU basketball game with John's family, Joe's family, and James' family.  It was totally awesome!  Reid LOVED loved loved....(did I say loved?) the basketballs.

Next stop, Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Xavier definitely loved his baby cousin Regan lots.  He was so gentle and sweet with him.  The youngsters helped make the stuffing for the turkey.

As tradition would have it Tim sported his Movember look.  I think I might be in a food coma here.

Kathryn and I went running Thanksgiving morning together.  It was nice to get some girl time and some exercise.  I am determined not to gain weight over the holidays!  We then did our usual eat, shoot clay pigeons, family football, and lots and lots of talking and laughing.  A few families were not with us this year: Cory and Suzy, Dave's family, and John's family Poor Abbi was throwing up which I think we passed to her.  I felt so bad. (On a side note; the stomach bug finally caught up to me too.  I didn't throw up but my stomach was not right for the next two days.  Not a fun way to end a trip.  But I made the best of it. )

Tim and I left Xavier and Gavin with Grandma and Grandpa for a sleepover.  Tim, Reid, and I rented a hotel room along with Joe and Amy.  We then went Black Friday shopping.  First we went to breakfast.  Reid got the cutest pig pancakes ever and a smoothie.

Then off to shop, shop, and shop some more.  Reid was a great shopping buddy.  He's great at keeping secrets too.

Tuckered out and it was only 10 am.

Mall pit stop to run around a bit.

I may look happy, but man it's not fun to shop when you're nauseous and your stomach feels like crap!  Thanks to Amy.  She was a lifesaver once again and gave me one of her anti-nausea pills to get me through the shopping day.  (and no I am not pregnant.  It's all related to the stomach bug. :)

We at a late lunch and got to meet up with Tim's buddy from MBA school Carlos and his wife Ali.  They just had a baby girl this year and it was wonderful to meet Isla and see their cute little family.

We picked up the kids at Tim's parents and headed back to Joe's house for our last night.  9 days were here and gone in a flash.  It's so wonderful seeing family and enjoying their company when we are able.  I just wish it was more often.  I am so grateful to have such a BIG family with so many wonderful and amazing people in it.  I am so very blessed in so many ways.  It is my hope that I am ALWAYS grateful for each day, each breath, each moment God grants me with these wonderful people I call family.

Fun times with X-man

Four times a year the PTA at Xavier's school hosts Kids Night Out.  This year I wanted to volunteer my time to this fun night.  It was fun to see Xavier with all of his friends and spend some time with him.

 They had to relay with this broom and ball up and down the court.  It's harder than it looks.  They also did many other energetic activities to burn off some energy.

 They went to a room where they did puzzles, toss games, stacking games, etc.

 Then they had a snack.  This is one serious conversation Xavier is having with his buddy Zaki.

 Then they went to the art room to create wreaths of things they were grateful for this year.  Xavier put his family, his friends, his nintendo DS, nature, animals, and books.  I had a blast getting to know a lot of the kids Xavier goes to school with and to see my little guy in his element.

 Xavier is also taking a Robotics class.  He first builds something out of legos and then uses the computer to program it to perform actions.  This alligator he did had a motion sensor that would chomp his mouth if something moved in front of it.  The lion he made would lay down and also roar.  Such neat things he's learning to do on the computer.  I'm definitely feeling a little technologically inferior and my son is only 7.  I can't even imagine what I won't know when he's in high school.

Forks Phoenix

Our township was able to have this season's soccer all done in-house

meaning we didn't have to travel for games at all.  Every game was at our community park about 5 minutes from our house.  Score!

This year Xavier's team was called the Phoenix.  Guess who thought of the name?  X-man.  He's really into Harry Potter right now, which is where he got the idea.

At the end of the season Forks held a U8 tournament.  It was all day and the kids played 4 games.

I made some fall themed cupcakes for the kiddos. 

Xavier's soccer team.  Coach Joe and Coach Tim

Xavier practiced hard, was dedicated, and was a good team player.  He has great sportsmanship and enjoys being part of a team.  This was the last year where they didn't keep track of goals or wins/losses.  Next year is when it starts to be competitive.  Go Forks Phoenix!