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Wow! Can I just say I cannot believe it is the end of November and Thanksgiving is almost here, never mind Christmas! The blanket of snow as we came out of church was a reminder we are all ready in winter up here in Idaho! Yikes, I hate Idaho winters and I have only lived through one ( if we could just convince them to plow and salt the roads I would be a happy woman). But I am determined to enjoy this winter and not hide out in my house. When my kids were younger I constantly wanted an excuse to leave the house, so I would often take them out to just drive around or go get a drink (since I recently stopped drinking soda- that is not as much fun as it used to be). But now all though I still love to get out, I can spend the whole day in and never notice the outside world. Just the regular routine during the school week with all three kids seems to take a lot more time than it used to.

This year homework takes on a whole new meaning. I feel like the kids do almost all their school work at home! We (I include myself because it is WORK) spend a couple of hours a night to get it all done. Most of that time is spent helping Emmett learn to read and I am so grateful for his determination, but he moves at a MUCH slower pace than me and I have to use a lot more patience than I have, to sit next to him and keep at it. But he really is making incredible progress and I am so happy about that. Madey just really learned to read on her own and I don't remember any struggle. It seems everything Emmett learns takes a while to really sink in, but his patience and determination are unmatched by anyone I know. I really think these qualities will eventually serve him well in his education. Madey has been doing a lot of creative writing for her homework and I really feel for her there. (sometimes just putting thoughts to words for this blog can be painful for me). But thankfully she seems to be taking after her dad and writes really well. I do love her history homework though. Sometimes I sneak her history book out of her backpack so I can read it too. Conner is writing his name! YEAH! I love good preschool teachers! He does love school but still tells me every Tuesday and Thursday morning that he is NOT going to school. You have to love the kid for his persistence.

Emmett just finished is physical therapy! YEAH! He met all his goals, but one (the bike). He did really great and I can really see the difference it has made. I think it has helped him with his reading. I know that sounds crazy but its true. He is still in speech and is making great strides in that as well. He still has a while to go in that but I am thinking of pulling him out and trying to do it on my own. Our insurance doesn't cover it as well as we thought and speech therapy is three times the cost that physical therapy is. Crazy. But I think I can do it. He has been taking it for a while and I have a lot of information on it. Emmett has been learning so much this year, its a wonder he gets "free time" at all.

That's my beef with all the homework. Once the kids come home, do all the homework and reading, do there chores, and anything else they have going on like piano and speech (which are the only two things our family has outside of school) how are they supposed to have down time or hang out with friends and family?? Let's just say we have a celebration every Friday!! It's just a faze I know... there's a time for everything.

All that complaining aside, I just have to say I love Thanksgiving. And I love this time of year. I am incredibly grateful for all I have. I have three beautiful kids that I get to help teach. I have a wonderful best friend and husband in Cory. And I have a wonderful family. The example of my mother and sisters these past few weeks has had a life changing effect on me. I hope I can live up to their example. I am grateful for prayer and faith and that those principle were taught and are still being taught to me through example, by many. I am very thankful for Cory's family and so happy that Lily is here to complete it.
And So.. Happy Thanksgiving to All

More Pics

Just more photos of the fam, since I could not get some of these to down load yesterday.

Family Photos

We finally had family pictures taken and they turned out SO Great! I love them. They were taken by Lennie Hanson of LM Photography.

I Love you, I really really do!

So, yes I am just posting something Conner said - again. But this a great way for me to document it and you might enjoy it too. Madey took Conner outside to try out a new bubble blower with a giant wand(it sort of resembles a magic wand). As the giant bubbles got carried upwards with the ever present Idaho Falls wind, he said "The magic bubbles are going to heaven." Madey said "Yes." Very thoughtfully Conner said "I want to go to heaven." Madey said "Why?" and he said "Jesus Christ lives there, I want to live with Jesus Christ." Later when we were telling his dad this story in the car he said it again and he asked me if I wanted to live in heaven with Jesus Christ (he always says His full name) and I said "Yes I would like to, some day and I would like to live in heaven with Madey, Emmett, Conner and Cory." He said "you would?! why?"
"Because I love you," I said and he said "You do??" in his shocked little voice! He sounded so suprised. "You love all of us??" So I guess you can say it a million times a day and there still might that moment when they are suprised by it. I Love you Conner, I really really do!!!

"Old Lady"

So I know it's been a really long time since I posted anything, so today I am going to blog just to blog. I don't even have any pictures to include. So you just get my ramblings. Today Conner got really mad at me (as he does every day) and as he walked away he said "You... You... Old Lady!" Cory and I looked at each other and said "What the ...?" I tried so hard not to laugh but he heard me and now he's been saying it all day. I don't even know where he heard it. He usually tells me "You not a boss" (since he always says "a" instead of "the") or "I'm going to spank your butt Mama!" I am glad he's finally got new material.

Grandma's, We wish we could see them everday!

Madey Emmett and Conner spending a little time with Grandma over Christmas. Emmett is the one who loves puzzles and is very good at them. Conner just has to be involved in everything. Don't ever try to leave him out!! Madey and Emmett are wearing the pj's I made them for Christmas Eve. Don't look too close, Madey's sleeve is all ready coming out! Looks like I need more help, Mom.
I wish the kids could spend more time with their Grandparents. I remember spending half my life at my Grandma Phyllis'. I learned soo much from her and my Aunt Marilyn. I guess we just have to soak in all the memories when we are there. That's why I love how both Grandparents try to spend quality time with them when we are in Utah! We love you all!

Christmas Extras

My Snow Girl!

Madey LOVES the snow and wants to live outside in her snow pants. Even better if she could hang out in Taylor's snow fort all day! She got to try Snow Boarding at Kelly Canyon two weeks ago and had the time of her life. They went up on a bus full of 4th, 5th and 6th graders. She had a one hour lesson and then got to try it out on her own with her friends. She said they snowboarded all the way to the lodge, where she ate a dinner of nachos and doritos(so healthy!!). Oh and a hot chocolate that a boy bought her!!
I love Madey's zest for the outdoors. She is always the one to get the neighborhood kids outside playing in the snow or mud. She will push or pull the kids in a sled, wagon, stroller or whatever she can find in the garage.

Cutest Smile in Town

Emmett spent all day Sunday trying to pull out his front tooth. His Dad finally got it out and now I smile every time he talks. It's so stinkin cute!! He is so excited for himself and he wants to pull out the other front one (also very loose) just so he can "get more money."

The best part of Christmas

This Christmas was perfect! We had so much fun with the kids all day. We stayed in our p.j.'s and built a Lego truck, boat, airplane and even spongebob squarepants. Later in the day we got to ride behind Tom and JoAnna's 4wheeler on our still snow covered streets. (Definantly a white Christmas in Idaho!). Everyone even like the Christmas dinner of fish sticks and french fries that night. We woke up the next morning and headed (a little slowly) to Utah to see everyone we love. Madey said we had Christmas for 3 days in a row and we really did. Everyone was still around and we got to celebrate all over again. These pictures are of the kids in their new dress clothes from Grandma Dalton.

It's about time I start a Blog

Well I've finally done it! I started this blog a week and a half ago and I guess it's time to bite the bullet and actually post something on it. I have been wanting to start doing this for a while now but as with everything else in my life, it's taken a REALLY long time to actually get on it. I think it will be fun and my kids will love to see themselves on the computer (since they will be the major content of this blog!). I'm mostly doing this for everyone in Utah (and so I can play with my new camera), since I wish you all could be a part of our everyday lives. But I know no one is moving to Idaho anytime soon, so this will have to do. I know I can't blog like the others (mm.... Robyn and Kelli) but I'll still have a good time trying.