Happy Valentine's Day!

Jainie wants to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day . . .

and show off her new fancy do - she is excited her hair is so long!

Happy New Year 2012!

I have to admit I am not a big fan of New Year's but it's fun for the kids, so we try to party. :)  We headed over to Mom and Dad's and invited the Henderson's, who came for a bit, and played games and the Wii.  It was great and I was tired but we welcomed in a new year, hopefully less health problematic than 2011 was.  :)

CHRISTMAS!

Well, finally made it to Christmas - which was wonderful!!!  I always love Christmas and especially when it's on Sunday, my favorite.  I love the focus of Christ on Christmas and sometimes when we get wrapped up in the hype it is hard to remember to take a few minutes to really single in on what matters most.  

On Christmas eve we went over to Oldroyd's first and played some really fun "Minute to Win It" games.  And, we had dinner, which was yummy.  Then, we headed to Thalman's where we acted out the nativity.  Jaxon got to read this year, which was great.  Then, it was back home to open our Christmas eve p.j.s.  Which was actually a mess because the kids were all tired and wanted to open something different - they wanted to choose whatever present they wanted, which was not going to fly so after giving them a lecture and threatening them with not opening anything - ever - we all settled down and it ended up just fine. . . 

Well, until pictures and then Jainie got her feelings hurt somehow and Josie was trying to make her smile so we could get pics over with and the boys, well, they are just boys.  (Our pajama theme this year was hot pink and black - which we went with because I found some super comfy pjs for myself that fit my big prego belly that were hot pink and black :)).

The next morning we didn't wake up til 7:30ish.  Baby J woke me up by a good kick in the ribs at about 5:30 and we couldn't fall back asleep but no one else was up so we stayed and waited patiently in bed.  The kids finally came in all excited and ready to go, but Jared wasn't so cooperative and it took him another 1/2 hour to get up.  Then, we headed into the living room to read about the birth of Christ in the scriptures and have family prayer - my favorite part of Christmas.  Then, we headed down to mayhem.  Jared and I had stayed up the night before making breakfast casserole, overnight french toast, & a special scrambled egg thingy so after looking at what Santa brought we headed upstairs to eat our brunch.  It was really good and made me think I should make breakfast more often.  Usually we just have cold cereal on Christmas morning because Santa brings each of the kids their favorite cereal, no matter the cost or sugar content, but this year we decided to switch it up a bit.  Anyway, then, it was time to open a few presents - I had to make sure that all the church clothes got open before we had to go to church!  So, every time it was my turn to choose someone to open a present, I would try to find one of those.  And, we made it!  As soon as the last person opened theirs, we called a break and headed up to get ready for church, which wasn't until 1:00.  It was a wonderful program and I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and enjoying the wonderful music, grateful I wasn't in charge of anything.  :)

Yes, Jake has a monocle in his eye - well, a made up one, at least.  What do you expect?  A decent family picture with three boys, someone always has to be goofing off, right?  

So, back at home, we changed clothes and headed to Gwood to visit the fam.  We went to see Gma Leila, which was nice and took her our present, then visited and enjoyed seeing what she received for Christmas.  Then, we headed up to U. Ralph and A. Alta's and enjoyed visiting with them before heading back to Mom and Dad's.  There we opened more presents and gave our presents out and visited with Stephen's family a little bit.  And, then, it was time to head to Thalman's for dinner and more presents!  We are very spoiled!  It was great fun - one of the best things about Christmas is enjoying all the family we get to see and hang out with.  We are very blessed to be able to live by both families and enjoy everyone.

After this, everyone was pooped so we headed home to bed.  So, the next day, luckily, Jared had off of work so we woke up and finished opening our presents.  We usually take a couple days to do this, not because we get so many presents but because we are really SLOW! - which suits me just fine.  :)  

As you can see, it was a wonderful Christmas and everyone loved it.  We all got to enjoy each other and had fun playing games and building legos and playing on new electronics.  So, thanks to everyone for the fun Christmas cards, gifts and enjoyable company - I can't imagine a better life!

JOSIE'S 12!?!

How did this happen?  I mean, really? How did she get so grown-up?  How did she get old enough for Young Women's?  Where has the time gone?  Jared and I had a talk about this just yesterday - how we need to freeze time for just, oh, a year or so, so we can get caught up on all the things we are supposed to be doing but the day-to-day gets in the way and slows us down.  On the other hand, it seems Jos has been with us forever - she was such a beautiful, petite, bronzed baby (thanks to the bilibed).  And, she still is - well, beautiful and petite.  :)  I honestly can't imagine life without her.  

So, her birthday dawned and Josie is our early riser - our alarm clock, but I had to get up and make breakfast in bed, before she woke up.  What a challenge!  As I have mentioned, I am a sleeper.  However, since pregnant, less of a sleeper, unfortunately.  Anyway, I beat her up and got her breakfast ready - her request biscuits and gravy.  (She is definitely not my daughter in the eating department - she is not picky at all!  She will eat anything, really, she is the BEST eater in our family).  

She was pleased as punch with her breakfast, which is always nice.  And, somehow, she lucked out - she is pretty lucky - and didn't have school on her birthday!!!  It just happened to be a parent-teacher conference day!  But, just for her and Jaxon, all the other three still had school.  It made it pretty fun.  After opening her present - clothes - we got ready for the day, I had a big day planned.  :)  I decided to take her to get her first pedicure.  We had so much fun - we got pedicures and then splurged and got gel toes.  A first for both of us.  It did take a LONG time - hours!  Josie got to choose her colors first and decided to go festive - with french tips.  But, hers took quite awhile so I decided to go full color - we both LOVED the way it turned out.  However, I had my pedicure first so my nails were soft and 3 of them only stayed on for 1 week - they were supposed to stay on at least a month.  Josie's stayed on much longer - a month or so.  So, if you go to get yours done, don't let them fool you into thinking it doesn't matter if you have the pedicure first or after the gel toes - definitely better to happen before the pedicure.  :)  Either way, they were definitely cute and festive.  And, Josie LOVED her first pedicure!

As you can see, another thing Josie got from her daddy, his toes!  :)  Jared says having the 2nd toe longer than the big toe is a sign of royalty - I say, whatever it takes to make him feel better.  :)

As soon as we got done, Jared and Jaxon were waiting for us.  Josie had decided that for her birthday she wanted to go to the temple and participate in baptisms.  So, off we went to Manti - it was so awesome.  We have never gone just as a family before but I had called a bit before to set up an appointment and off we went.  Jared got to baptize both Jaxon and Josie and I got to hold towels and mop the floor up.  It was such a special experience, one I know I will never forget and I don't think Jos will either.  It was actually pretty funny because Jaxon was about 5'9" at the time and Josie is, well, I will have to check, substantially shorter so Jaxon was a lot more challenging to baptize, whereas, the water went up to Josie's chest, almost, just standing in the water.  The temple workers even commented on it, how all she would have to do is bend her knees a bit.  Anyway, they both also got to have some confirmations and, although, a bit overwhelming for Josie, I know she loved it.  I can't imagine something better you could do on your 12th birthday!  And, neither could she.  :)

Well, how could we top that?  We couldn't so we didn't even try, but we did stop for a treat at the candy store - I got fudge and we shared it.  But, we were in a hurry to get home because both Josh & Jaxon had basketball games that night. 

So, in between the two games we went out to dinner - Josie chose "Pepperbelly's" and it was just the 3 of us.  It was delightful - she is such a fun girl!  This pic is of her ready to go out - in her new birthday outfit.  I don't think it is her favorite, luckily, she can pull off anything.  :)

  

 After Jaxon's game we finally got to have the rest of her party - you can see she was thrilled with her present.  She really wanted a flip camera so she could make diaries for the new baby "J" - like on "Good Luck, Charlie" - it is a wonderful idea and I hope she will make at least a couple - she would give great advice as she is a wonderful older sister.

Some facts about Josie:

                     Favorite color: brown, pink, & purple

                     Favorite animal:  horse

                     Favorite subject in school:  Reading & Spelling

                     Favorite hobby:  Dancing & gymnastics

                     Favorite thing about turning 12:  going to Young Women's & going to

                            temple

                     What she wants to be when she "grows up":  disneyland dancer, disney 

                            princess or elementary teacher

                      Favorite food:  chicken pillows & biscuits and gravy & dad's cooked 

                            salmon

                      Loved being 11 cause she was the oldest in Primary

                      Favorite movie:  "Phantom of the Opera"

                      Favorite actress:  Audrey Hepburn

Caroling Party!

Every year our friends have a caroling party.  I think it is such a fun tradition.  We all get together and eat appetizers, yummy soups, & desserts.  Then, we bundle up and go out caroling to other neighbors and friends.  It is just a great Christmas experience and I am so glad we are always included.  I love that the kids get to experience it.  Always growing up I would go caroling with our extended family and we would go on a hay wagon, which I always loved.  This reminds me of that except we just walk, which is just as fun.  Anyway, I never get pictures because we are usually just too busy walking around but this year, I took the camera out and got pics of everyone except Jaxon, who I couldn't get to cooperate with me.  Maybe next year.  :)

You can see we all have a lot of fun and just enjoy the wonderful season we get to experience each year because of our wonderful Savior.  It's always best to go out and feel you are giving of yourself at least a bit during this magical season.

Recitals, Programs, & One Party

Christmastime is always a wonderful time of year!  I absolutely love it, I could do without a bit of the craziness, but for the most part I adore it.  This year we were running every night as usual, but I love the Christmas music and wonderment so it is always worth it.  We even got in a few nights of reading Christmas books as a family.  

It all started with Christmas Tree lane.  It was on the 7th and both Josie and Jainie danced in it - their tap dances.  Jainie danced to "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" and Josie danced to "The 12 Days of Christmas."  They both did an excellent job and had lots of fun.  I am glad they both enjoy performing.

Then, we moved to Jainie's singing recital.  She decided to take a singing class last year, but we only got in about 3 lessons before the year was over.  This year we started on time and she has loved singing Christmas songs.  She is a really good little singer and sang "Said Samuel Within 5 Years" as a solo!  She was so brave and did an excellent job!  She is the youngest in the group but is very brave and holds her own.  I wish some of my other kids would do this.  I think Josie would but she does NOT want to sing a solo in front of people so says she won't.  And, they boys are simply not interested. 

 This was on the 11th, which was the same night as our Primary Baptism Preview, which I needed to conduct and Jake got to attend with Jared and I.  So, while Jared, Jake and I left early, Jainie got to stay with Gpa and Gma to finish the program.  Jared, Jake and I had a lovely time at the Baptism Preview and Jake is VERY excited to get baptized in March.  He is also SUPER excited about Scouts and asked if he couldn't go that week.  I think he will love scouts and enjoy every single activity.

We got a little reprieve at this point in December and only had basketball games and work parties, well, I am sure there were other things, but I can't remember them right now.  ;)

On the 20th I got to go to Ilene's cookie exchange party, where I made fudge, and a couple other kinds of cookies, which I don't remember what they were.  (I am sure they were fantastic. :)).  Also, Ilene, Debbie, Katie, Emily, Alissa, & Leslie made some tasty treats - really they were yummy.  And, I got to bring a whole tin home, which was perfect because then we let each child choose one kind of cookie to leave out for Santa.  Then, I didn't even have to make any cookies on Christmas Eve.  

That evening was pretty packed - first up we had Josie's band concert - this is her first year of flute and she is loving it.  Not enough to practice much, but enough to keep playing.  :)  Josie played "African Noel," "Diary of a Grumpy Elf," and one other she can't remember.  She did a great job and looked oh so professional.

 This is her and her friend Kassie

We had to leave a bit early to get to our Ward Christmas party, which had the Primary Christmas program first.  So, off we went, except for Jaxon who had a basketball game.  Jared left the party early to get to the game as well.  But, the kids did a great job.  Jainie and Jake didn't have actual parts but sang their best to the Christmas songs.  I have to say I am getting tired of dealing with these programs and told the Bishop that next year maybe we (the primary) should just sing a couple songs.  :)  I know the kids like dressing up though, so we might have to add that in.

 Jainie and her friends Harper and Malia as angels.

 Jake as a shepherd - looking somewhat subdued.

 This is the first time Josie sang with the YW - I think she had practiced once with them.  Jared and Jaxon were supposed to sing with the YM, but were at the game.

 The oldest primary class always gets to be Mary and Joseph and we have about 8 girls in the class who all wanted to be Mary and 4 boys who none of them wanted to be Joseph.  Consequently, none of the boys showed up.  So, Josh got to help out.  I think these pictures are pretty funny, you can see how happy he is to be playing the part.  :)  He literally grimaced the entire time.  But, Mary looks beautiful and serene.

 This was his real part - one of the kings - you can see he is really happy about it as well.  It's hard being so cool, I guess.

We left the ward party early so that we could get Jainie and Josie to the first night of the Nutcracker performance, which we made just in time for Josie's and Jainie's dances.  Ah, what a night!

 The next day was Joshua's 4th grade program - which was great this year.  Unfortunately, Josh was on the back row and we couldn't see him at all.  It didn't help that he bent his knees and hunched so that no one could see him - boys, sometimes I wonder.

 Later that night, Jaxon had his chorus concert.  This is the group of boys in the choir, there are girls on both sides - at least double as many girls.  Jaxon has had a good time in choir and is happy he decided to take it.  He says he only took it for the girls but I think he really likes singing too.  And, he really has a nice voice.  You can see that this year he has grown to be one of the tallest boys in his grade.

 And, then, right afterward, we went back to the Nutcracker with the girls.  This year Josie was the Spanish and Jainie was the Gumdrops - they both looked and danced so beautifully.  And, they LOVE their outfits this year, which is another bonus.

 Unfortunately, all the pictures of Jainie by herself turned out blurry.  But, Jos has a nice pose in this one.

The next day we headed to Jake's 2nd grade program - "The Polar Express."  He is the best boy performer at this age that we have had.  Luckily, he had a good seat and we could see him throughout.  And, he sang.  Jaxon always yawned throughout his programs and Josh just hides and tries to mouth the words.  Jake sat up and tried hard and was so cute doing the "Macarena."  He was supposed to sit by his cousin Emma during the performance, but then Emma ended up being needed elsewhere so he was a bit bummed about that.  But, he survived and was a cutie pie.

 Just to note:  We never have new pajamas until Christmas, when we get a couple pair.  However, they are always needed right before Christmas and Jake had none - that fit or matched.  So, I went out and bought him a brand new pair for the program and he couldn't find them that morning.  We spent a lot of time searching and nope, nowhere.  (We did find them the next day.)  Anyway, luckily, Josh had already gone to school and I had just washed these so we threw them on Jake - they fit him pretty well actually and made his pretty blue eyes look even bluer!   So, nope, they are not Christmasy at all, but I am just glad he found matching pajamas.

 He thought it was great that his wreath fit perfectly on his little round face without him even having to hold it on with his hands.  He is such a funny little guy.  Oh, and notice his 2 front teeth are still missing - they were coming in, but he liked singing "All I Want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth" because it fit so well.  ;)

 The next day were class parties and I got to help with Jainie's Kindergarten class.  They were all so cute and had so much fun.  This was the cookie she frosted and decorated all by herself.  Sometimes it's nice to not have adults telling you can't do something.  She only had one bite before saying she didn't want anymore and throwing the rest away.  Silly girl, at least she had fun decorating.

This is her and her good friend, Lucas.  She plays with him at about every recess and thinks he is oh so funny.  She knew he was giving her bunny ears and thought it was great.  I think she has played with too many boys since birth, she prefers playing with boys to girls every time.  Hopefully that will change a bit.

Her favorite game at her party was a snowball fight - where she got to wad up paper and throw it at whomever she chose.  She chose her teacher most of the time and the two of them had quite a battle.  :)  It was a fun party and it was great to see her interact with her class, she really is quite a jokester.

Ah, I need to take a breath - even writing this is overwhelming - it was crazy but with five kids, what do you expect?  It was lots of fun and the month of December flew by, as it always does.  But, I wouldn't change it for the world.  It is so much fun being a mother and especially a mother of these wonderful children that I have - I think I am the luckiest person alive!  Well, most days.  :)

Guess who's SIX?

Jainie Elizabeth Belle 

I can't believe my little chippy is 6 years old.  She is such a little squirt.  Just yesterday I was eating a piece of fudge and she looks at me with questioning eyes and says, "Mom, are you sure you need that?"  So, I looked at her and said, "What do you mean?"  She replied, "Well, you know it will just make you bigger" as she pats her tummy.  Well, I didn't even know what to say, I just laughed.  Keep in mind I am 7 1/2 months pregnant.  The nerve of some people.  At least she keeps me on my toes.  Jared too.  She is always telling him what he needs to do better.  

On Jainie's real birthday we woke up to a breakfast in bed - a Thalman tradition.  My problem is that I like to sleep a bit more in mornings so I am telling you it is a real sacrifice to wake up and get the breakfast made.  I think since Jared brought this tradition along he should be the one to wake up and make breakfast, but I am a wonderful, caring, supportive wife (just ask him :)) so I ALWAYS get the breakfast making job.  :)  Usually I do not look too spectacular because I literally pull myself out of bed and drag myself to the kitchen.  

She LOVES pop-tarts, who doesn't?, and hot chocolate and pink lemonade.  I tried to make the pancake into the shape of a "6" because Jared and I had her convinced that we thought she was turning 5.  She was a bit worried about it, so I wanted to show her we knew how old she really was even if we aren't happy about it.

 Good morning baby girl!

 The kids all know that the first and usually only present they get to open in the morning ends up being clothes - something new to wear for the day.  Doesn't everyone like wearing something new for their special day.  Jainie was thrilled with every single present.  This one was a church outfit with this cute unicorn purse.  Unicorns are one of her favorite animals.

And, her new fancy hair flower - which she loves.

We don't have church til 1:00, so after waking up, she decided to work on her poster for school.  We worked on this poster for days - she loved it.  (I don't have any pictures in her school, but I went in and showed a couple pictures of her and then the kids got to ask her questions, we explained her poster and then she wanted cupcakes - blue and pink - so every girl got pink and every boy got blue whether they wanted it or not.)

This was one of her favorite presents - she and I have been working on it for a year!  We finally finished her Disneyworld book - she chose the pictures and told me what to write for the whole thing.  Initially, each child was supposed to get one, but these are a lot of work.  I told Jaxon, Josie and Josh they could choose their own pictures and put them in a file and then I would help them.  And, I told Jake that I would start with Jainie's then move to his - this is as far as I got.  It is super cute though, wish I would have done more. She hasn't changed a lot, has she?

After we got home from church, Grandpa Thalman, Grandma, and Garrison came over to visit and Jainie loved showing them her book.  Notice her bun - she loves having long enough hair to have one - even though it is sparse.  :)

Jainie's favorites:

                          Color: pink

                          Animal: unicorn and giraffe

                          Friend:  Malia Moss & Lucas Foster

                          Book:  Big Sister and Little Sister

                          Food:  mac n cheese

                          Movies:  Barbie movies

                          Princess:  Ariel & Belle

                          Thing to do:  draw!

                          Thing about her birthday:  opening presents and getting cake!

She really is a joy in our lives and I am grateful everyday that she is a part of our family.  She definitely keeps us all on our toes and will tell us exactly what she thinks.  We couldn't survive without her.