Metal mouth

We have known for a while that Clayton would need braces and finally the day had come.  I was nervous for him, and he was too (although he'd never admit it).  He chose blue braces and already his teeth are looking straighter and even.  He had an under bite and a front tooth that went behind the bottom teeth.  It's amazing to see the transformation and it's only been 6 weeks.  

For Heavens sake

My blogging has become non existent lately, which is sad really because as a family we completely love going back and reading out blog posts.  So I hope to do a good job of back tracking the summer of 2014 and the fall of 2014 at least give the highlights anyway. 

Vacations - This year was the first year we didn't take a big vacation.  It wasn't too difficult because we took several little trips during the summer, and really we have a pool.  It's a vacation in my backyard.   But we did make a couple of trips, we went to the zoo when Julie, Bryan and Avery came to visit.  The boys got a real kick out of me being terrified of Dinosaur Island, and we all enjoyed the new exhibit in the Safari. 

We also visited Kirkland this year when Julie was here.  We have lived in Ohio for over 10 years now and haven't visited this beautiful place yet.  Kirkland is special in my faith because that's where the first temple was built, where Joseph Smith lived for a short time, where the school of prophets was.  It was a wonderful experience to take the boys to.  Cregan even got to read in the room of the school of prophets.  Also while we were on the Whitney tour, Julie noticed someone from across the room and whispers, I think that's Maury's sister (an college friend).  And of course it was!   She and her family were visiting from Chicago and lo and behold they happened to be in our tour group.  This happens to Julie ALL THE TIME!  She will go all over the world and meet up with someone she knows.  It's her gift, I suppose. 

Right before school started, I decided to take the boys on an impromptu trip to Niagara Falls.  And my good friend Amber (who is ALWAYS up for travel) and her kids came with us.  We had a great time visiting the Canadian Niagara and the US side.  Ofcourse the boys were like, this is all?  can we go play the Ipad now?  But after some convincing, we went into town on the Canadian side and went to Rainforest Cafe, and an arcade and walked back late to the car and got to see the Falls lite up which was amazing too.  When they get a little older, I'd like to take them back and take the ships, but they didn't seem interested this time.

Collin's Baptism

My youngest baby got baptized this year.  It's hard to believe that he old enough to be baptized, in my eyes and probably forever it will be this way, he is my baby.  My sweet, little boy who gives the best snuggles and cuddles.

But none the less, he turned 8 and his Papa baptized him into the 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I was unbelievably happy. 

Kayla conducted the music, and Tanya played the piano.  Megan Atwood gave the talk of baptism and Rachael gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Zack and Scott were the witnesses.  It was a wonderful day for me, and of course because I have my boys, a funny one.  Cregan made sure to explain that Collin was going to be PERFECT right after baptism and that he would have NO SINS.  As soon as he was baptized and they were getting out of the font, Collin dives down and swims to the stairs (this isn't that big of a font, like the size of a jacuzzi) but none the less, he swims and we are all laughing and Cregan says loud enough to get a snicker, well there's his first sin, NOT PERFECT anymore... 

But you know what, he is PERFECT to me...

Last day of school

The last day of school is always filled with such excitement and this year is no exception.  The kids woke up early and were ready to go well before the buses got there so instead of waiting for the bus, I piled them all up and took them to Tim Horton's for donuts (sugar them up) and chocolate milk!   Once at school, I started the arrangements for the after school party!  I was just so excited!  Silly string, water blasters and all kinds of treats later, the kids finally got home and got to run through their Welcome to Summer 2014 sign and have a pool party!

Christmas 2013

This year had started like most others with intentions of lost weight, lower bills and Christmas shopping done before December, but alas none of the before mentioned happened.  Christmas Eve, Josh and I were out shopping... Christmas cards weren't mailed until a few days prior to that... I.must.do.better.next.year!!

But at least we were able to go and do my favorite part of Christmas which is to have the kids reenact the nativity scene with their cousins and sing carols. 

Happy 10th birthday Cregan

Cregan turned 10 and wanted to have a minecraft party. 

So decided to make them work for their dinner, they had to "kill" the pigs for hotdogs

Other food was Sweedish fish for fish and licorice for TNT

And then the cake which was layer of cake and brownie and cake and brownie again...

This filled the wall, it's from green, light green and black plates

Overall, his 10 birthday went off with much sucess, he had a wonderful time and is now in double digits!!

Trips to Georgia

I love Georgia

the smells of Gardenia
the cotton that is everywhere even in the road in the fall
the genuine smiles from people you don't know
the peace of just being home

I even love the stifling humidity, I don't prefer it... but it's got it's comforts too...

But the main reason I love Georgia is because that's where Tonya and Julie and family are

...

Surprise party

It's hard to believe but this year Clayton turned 12.  It feels like 12 years have just flown by, I remember finding out I was pregnant with Clayton.  We had tried to get pregnant for many years and had gone to see specialist and I'd even tried medication to help speed things along per say, but nothing helped.  It probably didn't help that Josh's army schedule never matched up with my ovulation one.  Never the less, when we got a positive pregnancy text, I think it's safe to say we were both tremendously excited.  We waited and waited for Clayton, and finally 2 weeks after his due date on July 20th, he got here... all 9 lb, 6 oz and 22 1/2 inches of him...

This year though we told Clayton he wasn't having a party, but instead we surprised him.  His Aunt took him to lunch on his birthday and to Target and while he was gone, his friends showed up and helped decorate and when he showed up we all jumped out of the bushes and surprised him.  Then we had a pool party, and ice cream cake.  It turned out to be a blast and he was shocked!   

Pool makeover

A few years back a huge tree limb fell in the pool and tore a few holes in the liner.  Josh patched the holes and we went on our merry way.  Then Josh went to Afganistan, I didn't open the pool that year, and then this spring when the pool was opened, we discovered water under the liner and pulling the liner down so there were gaps in the edge of the pool and the liner.

We decided to just replace the entire liner.  Josh tore all the plastic and padding off and drilled a hole from the top of the pool (through the concrete and into the side of the pool, to drain the water in the future, if water ever got under the liner again.  It was a process.  Removing and cleaning and drilling and so on and so forth.  The day the liner was put in, Josh and about 7 buddies (one of which used to own a pool business) worked all day putting the liner on and then we had water delivered in to fill it immediately.  It's so blue and pretty... and inviting, but still cold....

Kindergarten Graduation

. 

Collin graduated kindergarten this year, being my youngest, it was bitter sweet.  In his school, kindergarten is only 1/2 day, so most days he was home with me by 12:30, and to know that he will be in school all day from now on, is both exhilarating and saddening.  But not to him, he says, "I'll always be your baby, mama, don't worry"