kid's pictures

Saturday morning the kids threw on some nice tops (while still wearing pj pants!) so I could take pictures for our annual Christmas card.

I loved last years card so much that I think we will do them the same every year so we can easily see how much the kids change from year to year.

I let each kid pick their picture for the Christmas card, but I'll wait until after Christmas to post those ones. 

in the meantime, here are some of the others, unedited.

these kids are so beautiful!!!

being brave

last night was the Granville Elementary School 

Second Grade Thanksgiving Program!

Charlie had a speaking part.

he was very prepared and had practiced his line for a long time.

but he was still NERVOUS!

he kept saying, "there is going to be over 400 people there. over 400 people!"

on our way there, he had the extreme giggles and couldn't talk any quieter than the volume of a megaphone. I guess that's how his nerves present themselves for Charlie.

but he did it!

and he did amazing!!!

he said "reminding us to share our goodwill each and every day"

way to be brave, Charlie-man

 we are SO proud of you

snow? already???

early last Thursday, (like 5 am early) I got a call from the school district saying that we had a 2 hour delay start for school due to icy road conditions.

the kids thought it was amazing!

well, after they realized that they hadn't actually slept in, they were excited. 

Charlie and jack both had a mild panic attack when they saw their clocks saying 7:30 and thought they had overslept.

im not the kindest mom in the morning and I have always made my kids make their own breakfasts. so usually someone is having cereal while someone else has toast or a bagel and someone else makes oatmeal. but with the delay I was able to make pancakes and scrambled eggs and the kids played outside with all the icicles dripping from the leaves, car and every other overhang you can think of. they really loved their two hours!

once they were on the bus, Owen and I pulled out the winter clothes and boots because snow was in the forecast for Friday. 

only Owen had boots that fit.

 these guys are growing too fast!

on Friday we woke up to a light blanket of very wet, icy snow!

kids = happy

Chris = happy

mom= not happy

in Arkansas, this would've cancelled school. so the kids cheered and danced until I had to share the bad news that we still had school and that the days of school closings due to snow were long gone haha.

Owen and I had so much fun for a couple hours before preschool. we realized quickly that snowballs made with wet icy snow hurt. so we stuck with snow angels and sledding down our little hill in the backyard and had a blast together! 

there are a bunch of hay bales at the bottom of our hill and now we know why!

after one or two runs of me taping Owen while he went down, I couldn't help but have a turn. after about 5 or 6 times down, Owen asked if we could make a movie together and I'm so glad he did!

the snow was all but gone by the time the big kids got home from school, so they are anxiously awaiting more snow. it tried to snow this morning, but nothing stuck. but I really didn't mind. take your time snow, take your time.

we've been busy getting ready for thanksgiving!

I made some rolls for a friend in the ward who is having a big group from out of town visit to help lighten her load a bit. plus, I just like making rolls around thanksgiving and because I don't have to make them for our dinner, it was fun to make them for someone else.  Denise is making our rolls this year and I can't wait... she makes the best rolls ever!

Chris has had his heart set on making some gumbo for an appetizer. not sure why gumbo on thanksgiving, but I know everyone will enjoy it nonetheless! so he made his own beef stock and his dark roux over the weekend.

this morning I made a pumpkin swirl cheesecake and a salted caramel sauce to go on top. fingers crossed it turned out ok.

although this totally unrelated, I feel the need to include this little snippet somewhere. I found this on my phone last night while going through my camera roll. I guess sometimes it pays to let your kids play on your phone lol!!!

guest post by: ELLIE

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be squished in a boy sandwich? Well, I'll tell you one thing, it is pretty crazy!

 

I really hate it when Owen gives punches and kicks. They are surprisingly VERY painful!

I don't like it when Charlie gets angry. When he is angry he is scary.

I really hate it when Jack thinks I can't do things that he can....and when he throws snowballs. I also really hate it when they (all) purposely try to make me mad.

But I am still very thankful for each one! Sometimes they're a pain in the rear end, but thy are still pretty awesome! 

Having all brothers means that I never get to have quiet time. Especially with Owen screaming! When I don't need quiet time, it is so much fun to play with those crazy boys.

When I want to watch T.V., I basically never ever get to watch what I want to watch. It is always "Batman" or "Ninjago". I really don't like most of the things they like. 

Charlie and Owen at times "team up" and then start driving me crazy! It always happens when I am trying to read! Of course! 

My favorite thing about them all, is that they are all pretty funny.

Somethings that I like is that I don't have to share my things too much and they have some pretty cool toys too! 

The thing I like the most about having all brothers is that I get my own room! I think I have too many things like a big bed, like 15 pictures on my walls, and a ton of clothes.

I am glad I have an older brother that helps with confusing math problems, homework, and all other hard school troubles. 

I am excited for when they are married and I get 3 new sisters. I cannot wait until Charlie and Owen get the priesthood. I can't wait until they go on missions and have funny stories to tell and how many cool things they will see.  It will be so fun to have Sunday dinners and a whole bunch of Family.

     

our big O is the big 4!

Owen turned FOUR on November 7th!

we started celebrating the night before with the dinner of his choice, which was wings, rolls, and root beer (i added some fruit and veggies in there for good measure!).

the next morning he opened a couple gifts from grandparents and aunt rik and uncle Andrew!

he was spoiled at school that afternoon by his teacher and he took a sucker for each of his classmates.

he asked if he could take a balloon for each person and I thought that was a great idea so I asked his teacher and she told me I had to check with the office because they had "special rules" about balloons. the head office lady said "oh boy. no way. absolutely not. balloons are one of the leading causes of death in children. why would we put our children in harms way for someone's birthday?" 

alrighty then! candy it is ;)

Owen asked for a root beer float cake. 

you got it, buddy!

root beer cake, with root beer buttercream layers, root beer ganache layers, and whipped cream on top!

MVI_4146 from Lisa Brower on Vimeo.

MVI_4132 from Lisa Brower on Vimeo.

he has been asking for a new bike since moving from Arkansas and picked this one out a while ago. it has a handle that revs like a car, super awesome! that and a captain underpants book were the only things he repeatedly asked for leading up to his b-day.... even though he can't read lol!

MVI_4131 from Lisa Brower on Vimeo.

he also had a piñata because jack's was so cool he couldn't stop talking about having one too! he asked specifically for a dinosaur piñata 

IMG_6110 from Lisa Brower on Vimeo.

Owen is such an independent, determined little kid. he knows what he wants, when he wants it, which can be good and bad :) he has a hard time understanding that he's not an adult and can't always do the things he wants to. he's still obsessed with all things sports related and can't wait to start baseball. his cheeks are so kissable, we just can't resist them! he makes us all smile repeatedly through out the day with his gnarly grin and he definitely completes our little family. happy birthday, our baby boy!