We WILL get along!

New Year's Eve...and we're all itching to be in our own space!

The trouble with that is, it's harder to keep your hands to yourself, and you're likely to be a little more irritable than normal, and well, when mom doesn't come to the rescue as you're duke-ing it out, you'd better resolve the issue at hand before....

...you get to wear the "WE WILL GET ALONG" shirt!

Thank you, Pinterest!

Did I mention the fighting, arguing, and general contention started well before 6 am this morning???  No???  Oh, I must have been tired and forgot to mention that this 'incident' was ongoing for just under 3 hours.

Let me paraphrase:  Kids woke up, fought over something, squabbled over something else, and finally got yelled at around 6 am.  While I finished feeding the baby in my warm bed, they settled down briefly, before I was yet again woken up by contention in the living room.  After breakfast and making quite an effort to keep a happy disposition, the fighting would.not.cease.  They got time out.  Had to say 10 nice things to each other, while facing each other as I listened at the kitchen sink....they had to say 10 nice things multiple times....coming up with a new list each time.  When time out didn't sink in, they got to wear THE SHIRT, and when they ripped down the middle, they returned to time out.  Boy, did I have a clean kitchen when I was finished with them!!!  They were not allowed out of time out till Ryan came home from his first shift...around 10am....and luckily for them, they were getting along, playing a made up game at the kitchen table at 9:45...so I let them continue to play PEACEFULLY!

What a morning!!!

We spent some time in the afternoon running errands and stopping for a quick and brisk walk along the greenbelt downtown.  I insisted they wear their hats, they insisted they sit on the horse....WIN-WIN.

As one of my sister's pointed out, I'm SO glad Pinterest wasn't around when my mom was mothering us as young children.  LOL!  We would have killed each other.  Ha!

Making Christmas Memories

We made it to grandma and grandpa Crandall's just in time for their ward Christmas party, where two middle children (ahem) made a spectacle on stage, singing for Santa.  Between punches, Kortlen picked his nose and ate it while Taylor kicked and flicked his little brother in the ear.  Grandpa and I were slumped down in our seats, dying a slow and burning death (my face was SO RED!).  Tanner gave Santa a letter even I wasn't allowed to read, and thus started our Christmas Eve Night.

After a quick acting of the Nativity at grandma and grandpa's, complete with costumes and a nekkid baby Keetley (sorry, no pictures of the acting crew....even though it was AWESOME!), everyone retired to their beds, nestled under the covers and waiting to hear sleigh bells ring.

Much to our surprise, Santa DID stop I'm pretty sure his sleigh tipped over in Grandma's living room!  

Some pictures from the morning:

 

LEGOS!!!!!

Electric Circuit boards!

RIBBON!  (go figure)

The boys' electric circuit boards were a HIT!!!  They played with them for two days straight, and still pull them out every day.  :)  So much fun to be had by all!

Thanks for letting us stay for Christmas, and enjoy our toys at your house, grandma and grandpa!  

We have much to be thankful for, and look forward to the memories we'll make as we spend time together, becoming a more loving family with what we're given.  

We {heart} Scouting

I have waited a long time for this day, and it has come, and my heart is full!

Part of Tanner's birthday gift was a whole lot'a scout stuff!  We took some time after school working on the Bobcat Badge (memorizing the Scout Promise, Motto, Handshake, meaning of Webelos and other character traits).  In the beginning, memorizing the Scout Promise was a little daunting, but first thing Tuesday morning, we could hear Tanner reciting it and practicing each of the phrases to get them just right.  At 5 am, we assumed he was talking in his sleep, as he often does, but he was working very diligently to prepare for his first day of scouts!  He watch intently as I carefully stitched badges in their proper places.

Tanner is so excited for this new adventure that we know scouting will bring to his life (and ours!).  He came right home from school and put on his brand new crisp cub scout shirt.  I handed over the rest of the uniform necessities, and he spent a good while getting everything perfectly buttoned, tucked in, and straightened out so he'd be ready for scouts in four.long.hours.  :)  He was so excited, he even wore his uniform to group piano lessons!

Taylor and Kortlen were both a little envious of their older's brother new milestone.  I overheard Taylor admiring, "Wow, Tanner!  You look really sharp!  That's such a cool shirt!"  Or Kortlen eyeing the cool new belt and asking if he could try it on.

We discussed his really neat patch that his Grandpa Crandall got him at the Church History Museum earlier this year.  There is a FANTASTIC scouting exhibit there  commemorating 100 years of scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This patch is a really fun souvenir that Tanner is really proud to wear.  I feel like it also represents an amazing scouting heritage that he has.

I am so proud of Tanner and share in his enthusiasm.  I hope we can keep the positive attitude throughout this wild ride, and enjoy it thoroughly!  In his first den meeting, they talked all about different tools.  The boys then took the 10 quilts they tied at Pack Meeting last week (which Tanner was so excited to be able to go, TWO DAYS before his birthday!  LOL!) to a men's shelter downtown.

After den meeting, he carefully hung up his shirt and tucked the neckerchief in the shirt pocket (along with the belt and slide) so it would all be ready for the next meeting.  This prompted me to make a fun little Christmas gift for him that will hopefully be useful and help keep us organized.

So....to prevent THIS from happening...

(It pained me to remove Tanner's neatness to make this mess!)

I made THIS fun and simple caddy for uniform paraphernalia.

Seriously simple.  I wonder how many of these I could crank out in an hour and sell, all proceeds going to future scout camps, of course.  Hahaha!

Gift of Music

Music has been, and I hope it continues to be, a big part of my life.  My mother and father worked hard and sacrificed to put us all in piano lessons, and I started at the early age of 3.  My mom patiently sat with us, practicing with us each day.  There were many days we fought her on it, and many days we lost out on playing in the pond or out in the snow...but we got our practicing done, even if it took us 3 or 4 hours!  There weren't many mornings when my dad didn't wake me up before the sun so I could be the first to get my time in on the ivory keys.  I loved that he cared enough to wake up a grumpy girl so she would have time to practice, THEN get ready for school!

I will forever be grateful for my mom's persistence and my dad's encouragement.  I hope that my children will come to love music as much as I do!

:::

We are very fortunate to have a great piano teacher.  She teaches my boys and I teach her girls and it has worked out pretty well, for us to be held 'accountable'.  :)

I am so proud of Tanner and Taylor for working so diligently in learning and memorizing their Christmas pieces!  Their songs weren't the usual melody being played with both hands.....they had more challenging pieces where the melody was in the right, and the left harmonized with chords and simple patterns.  It was a pretty big deal at our house, and they even complete a 100's chart the week before and the day of the recital (a 10x10 grid that when a specific task was practiced, they got a sticker.....all the way to 100 stickers!!)

Tanner played "Away in a Manger"...

Taylor played "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing"...

Kortlen even sang in the little Mozart's group and was so cute!

Way to go, boys!  You made your mama proud!

Living life and loving it

If she could walk, Keetley would be toddling down the catwalk, winning me some more material!

I started this little gem at 10 pm Saturday night.

But when the jumper's zipper didn't go in perfectly (1/16th of an inch off...and with plaid, it was REALLY noticeable), I decided to go ahead and make the jacket to go with the dress....It was all cut out anyways, and baby girl really needed it to make THE LOOK.  I started with a pattern, but after realizing it wasn't what I really wanted, I drafted my own. (Thank you, "true major" required classes!)

I am in love with this fully lined, dropped waist, pleated, invisible zipper, scalloped edge, frog toggle and peter-pan collar ensemble!!!  Long enough to cover legs in tights, but short enough so when Keetley starts to crawl, she won't be too frustrated (which I anticipate will be happening before I can get her New Year's dress done!).

I won the plaid wool at my very first "Make It With Wool" contest when I was 13 or 14.  I think I might have cried when I opened my paper bag prize, and saw this horrid piece of material!  I have held onto it for over 17 years knowing I'd someday make a darling Christmas Dress with it.

The red wool came from a large 'donation' to the 4-H office when I worked there.  The majority of the fabric came home with me, including all the gingham, wool, vintage rick-rack and a handful of zippers.  I was floored that the club leaders didn't want to deal with it.  Didn't I get LUCKY?!

I finally turned off the sewing machine at 4:32 am.  Took this picture, and decided to shower, then head to bed for a cat-nap before getting ready for Church.

:::

I was asked to prepare a piano number for Sacrament Meeting.  Found a little ditty on Sally DeFord's website, and practiced every day for the 5 days notice I got.  Being as sleep deprived as I was, I am so proud of myself for getting lost on line two and ending up at the end of page two, without having to stop and start over.  Quite honestly, I don't even remember playing the song once I got to the piano, so to say I made it through, was pretty special.

:::

Every once in a while we have to just live a little.  Since I've re-dedicated my life to motherhood and am more focused on being at home and with my children, we decided to cut 'er lose and enjoy our Christmas decorations!

Yay for trains, exploring, pajama pictures, nativities, and ornaments that roll like balls!

Tonight we drew names.  Not to buy gifts, but to do acts of service.  Taylor excitedly wrote the name of each family member on a piece of paper and with Kortlen, they folded and placed in a bowl.  Our family could use a healthy dose of service and humility, especially since we seem to have a bad case of the gimme-gimme's.  I'm excited to see how this all unfolds in the morning!!!  We seemed to be off to a good start after dinner, and I hope it goes well.

Birthday Boys

December is always a whirlwind of craziness and parties!

Between Ryan's, Tanner's and Taylor's birthday, we were all caked out when Grandma and Grandpa came to celebrate.  We opted for cupcakes from Albertson's instead....and I had to laugh when only 3 were eaten.  No surprise!

Go figure that this is the only and likely the silliest moment I was able to capture....Ryan and Tanner both in mid-gasp/sentence.

Happy Birthday, you fine, outstanding young men! 

A little Christmas Cheer

Let's be honest.  There's no way I have time to run down and get these printed, let alone addressed and stamped and taken to the post office.

This will have to do.

Merry Christmas, from our house to yours!

Matchy-Matchy & more

We had our Primary Program today, and at the 11th hour, I decided to make Keetley a dress.

I had made awesome "ugly" ties for my brother's wedding last year, and had a tiny scrap leftover....so I turned it into a dress.

It was a quick sew, and it SO much cuter in person, but this fast snap I was lucky to get as we walked out the door will have to suffice.

Trust me, when I say that our boys have suits that fit.  LOL!  They all jumped on the couch and slid down to where they are sitting, hence the highwaters.

And after church, we got a picture with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was fun to have them in Sacrament Meeting to help with the littles, as I was the pianist for the program. The boys did really well, and overall, the program was great!

G & G Crandall came up yesterday to watch the practice program, and afterwards, I went to the temple with them.  Such a welcome break from the crazy days at home!  Clay and Deseret stayed home to babysit, and made a MONSTEROUS snowman!  

For reference, that yellow shovel is a kid shovel, and that snowman is HUGE!!!

this little girl

She is so much fun, we don't know what to do with her!  She loves blowing raspberries, and sticking her cute little tongue out, mimicking us, if we're up for the challenge.

She's always sucking on her hands, her shirt, her blanket, her binky, her headbands, her shoes...well, you get the idea.  She loves exploring!

She's found her toes, and loves looking at them.  She's very inquisitive about patterns on her sleeve cuffs, or clothes.  She will hold her hands up and look at her fingers for hours if we let her.

She's got the sweetest disposition, always happy, rarely crying, and is developing an attitude of her own.  If I walk past her and don't pick her up, she lets me know!  Most of the time she is content to just "BE".

She's a rolling maniac....I can set her down, put something away in the next room, and come back to find her gone!  I often find she's rolled off our one step and is in the next family room.  It's like her personal playground, with one step and two rooms full of brothers' toys!

She is such a lovely part of our family, and we don't know what we'd do without her!!!

♥♥♥ We love you, Keetley Ann! ♥♥♥

Learning Gratitude

As a mother, I strive to teach my children to be grateful.  To say "Thank You", and to show appreciation.

One evening, I grabbed an old roll of Christmas wrap, that was brown on one side and started in on it with a pair of scissors.  I wasn't sure how well I'd turn out a tree, but it worked out well enough.

I snatched some construction paper from the craft box, and Tanner's water colors.  I had quite a fun time making such colorful leaves (purple paint on red paper, red paint on orange paper, and green paint on yellow paper), and cutting them out was even more fun, as I instantly had a pile of colorful papers for us to write on.

Each day (or whenever we remember) we write what we are thankful for.  On occasion, I find leaves with little boys' handwriting that says "I luv mom", or "I am a child of God", and my heart swells.  Each member of our family has a leaf.  We even have leaves for oxygen, flushing toilets, forks, and whipping cream, matching socks, soap and books.  Anything we can think of, really.  

Hopefully we'll find so many things to be thankful for, that I'll have to cut more leave out and buy more tape!  Hopefully our children learn gratitude; to be thankful for all that we've been given.  To be grateful that we have good health so we can work hard, love each other, and learn and grow.

Halloween {2013}

We started such a fantastic tradition LAST year, that we couldn't resist carrying it out this year.

Firewood.  We use it to heat our home, but it heats more than once, in our case!  By the time we bring it out of the mountains (which we didn't help too much with this year!), cut it, chop it, stack it, haul it, re-stack it and if need be we chop it again, we are warmed upwards of five times.

This year didn't disappoint!  While it was a bit colder, we still got our stack and the Raft River stack cut and split.  Hauling will be another day.

Since we drove down the night before, we got to wake up to a gorgeous sky.  The clouds were ever-changing all day long, and at times, I was sure we'd get snowed on!

Ryan got right to work...and off in the distance, those dark clouds just got darker!

And then they passed us by...

Tanner and Kortlen were too wimpy to handle the cold, so they headed back into the house to be with Keetley and Grandma.  Taylor was a trooper and helped me split with the log splitter.

Efforts to be good helpers were rewarded by a quick trick-or-treat at Grandma's front door before we had to head back so daddy could get to work on time.

Ryan went to work, and the rest of us got suited up for the ward trunk-or-treat.  Since we were cutting it close on time, I went as a stinky witch (loaded up on that deodorant and figured my braids taken out would make for fantastic witch hair!  Keetley was the cutest, warmest, snuggliest pumpkin ever, and the boys went as the "Where's Waldo" crew.

Tanner is the Wizard Whitebeard, Taylor is Waldo, and Kortlen is Odlaw.  Waldo's nemesis.  The plan was for Ryan and I to go as citizens 'hidden' with red and white stripes, but the hard working husband foiled that plan.  No big deal though!  

Halloween Recital

While teaching preschool at Apple Athletic Club, I met an astounding woman, who became a dear friend.  We taught together the first year, and our second year, she took on the music portion of preschool.  Jeanne is so talented and amazing, and I'm so glad we're friends!

She is teaching piano to about a dozen students, and a while ago, as we were both lamenting how hard it is to teach our own kids, we came up with a great idea!

I teach her girls, and she teaches my boys.  So our kids still have a 'teacher' to be accountable to, but we're also accountable to each other.  For the last few months, it has worked GREAT!  I hope it continues to work out for both of our families.

Here's the one shot I got of my boys in their costumes.  I must have been tired, because I didn't get any of them at the piano, or of her girls, or even a GROUP shot of all the students!

Can you tell who we are??

Pride

The kids and I had the chance to watch my brother, Clay, and sister, Deseret, swim at their high school district meet here in Idaho Falls.

As my van-load drove the 8 blocks to the pool, I gave them all a warning:
"You will get along.  You will not fight.  You will not argue.  You will not run up and down the bleachers.  You will be obedient.  You will behave.  You will be kind.  It will be hot.  It will be crowded.  It will be long.  But we will stay as long as you're good!  The moment one misbehaves, we all leave."

And then we pulled into the parking lot where I proceeded to take the last available non-space...exactly where cars are to pull in and out of said parking lot.  Okay, so my back end was sticking out a little, but hey..at least cars could get past me!!

Can I just say, that my kids were SO AWESOME!!!  for 3 hours and 45 minutes, they sat quietly, colored, visited civilly, and asked for our treats politely.  They returned promptly from using the bathroom, instead of the normal lingering and messing around.  I am SO thankful for such AWESOME kiddos!  Aside from marker EVERYWHERE, they did great in our little cramped bleacher-bench.

To top it off, Clay and Deseret had AMAZING swims!  They're going to do so well at state.  I'm so proud of them and their hard work, and the dedication they put into their sport!

Way to go, NORTH GEM!!  Couldn't be prouder.  If you can't hear me, I'll yell a little LOUDER!

...wait....did I just type out an old cheer?!  Oh, boy....

Anywhoo....Guess you could say I finally genuinely have school pride.