Dance, Girlfriends, and More Snow!

Taylors dance recital was last night...woo-hoo! She did such a good job. It made me want to join her dance group just so I could wear cute, tight leather pants too!

It has been snowing ridiculous amounts of snow and so instead of trudging back home after the rehearsal, I stayed at the school and let the kids run and run and run in the school gymnasium.

All of a sudden, Blakey is going through an "I Love Girls and want to chase them EVERYWHERE" phase. Seriously! Who knew this was coming? At the school he met, and fell in love with little Emma. He chased her and chased her and hugged her and hugged her and when it was time to go he would not let go of her! He cried for her all the way out of the school.

Look at that sad face!
It continued to snow ALL NIGHT LONG! Luckily, it stopped long enough to build our first snowman! I forgot how hard it was to roll snow balls in the snow, but it was worth it!
And, "Ta Da" Luke is so proud!!

Wii Giveaway

With all of the snow we have been receiving, we have been spending A LOT of time indoors! We've made lots of cookies, colored lots of pictures, and watched lots and lots of movies....

Then, I heard Amber over at Mile High Mamas is giving away a Wii and Wii Fit!

Having one would definitely make the winter more bearable, don't you think?

If you want to enter click here!

I hope I win.... because I would much rather be doing this...

Then and Now

It's hard to believe last year at this time we were living in warm, sunny San Diego! Now that it is snowing and FREEZING cold, I am in complete culture shock!!
Right now I am missing:

• The Beach
• Capris and Flip Flops
• Good Mexican Food
• A warm day at the park hanging out with friends
• Christmas Tree Lane

Right now I am greatly disliking:

• 32 degrees with a wind-chill factor of 15 or less
• Icy roads
• Snowy roads and hills that my 2-wheel drive car cannot climb
• The fact that it takes almost 10 minutes, per child, to get dressed to go outside
• Ice cold toilet seats and bed sheets
• Scraping ice and snow off the windshield
  

However, I am totally LOVING:

• That it (for once in 6 years) is actually really beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!
• Watching my babies love the snow and playing in it
• Kissing their rosy cheeks after coming in from the cold
• Warm blankets, socks, and hot chocolate
• Cute, festive storybook and Christmas lights parades in town

It's amazing how much life can change in a year...this year was a drastic one...can I move back now, please?!

Adventures

Uncle Curtis warmed up the helicopter yesterday and took us all for a ride. Taylor, Blake, and myself all got to go....here we are strapping in and getting ready to take off.
Now, the pictures are all jumbled and out of order...but here we are safely landing and putting our feet on the ground.
Luke and Devon didn't ride. Devon was too nervous and since Luke has had the flu, I couldn't imagine anything worse than throw-up--especially in a confined space hundreds of feet above the ground...so he didn't go, but he had a blast watching the helicopter take off and land.
Here we are coming in for a landing...whew! Look at that sunset!
These are the first two pictures of us taking off. Neither Taylor or Blake screamed...they loved it! Blake kept waving out the window. I, on the other hand, was okay until we were in the air. It is way different looking out the window of a helicopter than an airplane because the window goes all the way to the floor...it takes your breath away!
Luckily, for me, since the kids were with me, Curtis spared me of his dare devil ride! My stomach was queasy enough as it was. The canyons were beautiful and the ride was awesome! Thanks Curtis!

A Reason for the Season

Dear friend in need of a coat,

I would like to personally thank you for so kindly taking my daughters brand new coat and leaving her without one. Each day the weather has been getting colder and colder. My daughter was sad, however, I promised her we would buy her a new coat after school.

It's not every day you attend a church function (Christmas church function that is), hang your coat on the donation (oops, I mean)/coat rack and return to find it missing...gone!

Perhaps it was taken by mistake. Perhaps you and your family are in greater need of a new coat at this time. Whatever your circumstances may be...the coat is yours and I hope it serves you well this winter.

It is cold today and snowing. I thought of you. My plan was to go to town to buy my daughter a new coat. To much surprise, a friend, aware of her newly donated coat, bought her a new one and dropped it off at our house. I was overwhelmed by her compassion and kindness. It softened my heart and made me realize there are so many more important things in life than a coat. A coat is just a coat and can be replaced, but human compassion, love, and kindness will last forever!

It's not every day I get to teach my children so many different important life-lessons. Through this experience I have been able to teach them the importance of being honest, compassionate, kind, forgiving, giving service, and much, much more! I thank you for that! My 4-year old is convinced it "could not have been an adult because they know better than that." Isn't child-like innocence a wonderful thing?

Please. Enjoy the coat. It's yours. I hope you like it and I hope it keeps you warm.

Sincerely and Merry Christmas,

Kimberly

All I Want for Christmas...

Okay, so last night was the annual church Christmas party. Since it was Sunday dress, I wanted to snap some quick pictures of the kids in front of the tree.

I used all kinds of bribery to get them to sit, smile, pose, hold still, etc.

When I finally pulled out the M&M's, Blake would only sit still long enough to chew his candy and then ask for another.

Why is this always such a feat?

Seriously! What's the deal with all the open mouths, hands on the face or in the air, and so on?

I just wanted 5 minutes with a few good pictures...is that too much to ask? Geez!

Christmases Past

A couple of nights ago we set up the Christmas tree, turned on our favorite Christmas tunes, and watched the kids decorate the tree.

Watching them decorate the tree reminded me of how my dad would always get a little teary as he lovingly watched my brother and sister and I decorate the tree.

Since then I have been reflecting on Christmases past and remembering the ones that have been extra special and meant the most in my life.

The picture above is of Devon and I at Temple Square, in Salt Lake, seven years ago. I was approximately 22 (or so) weeks pregnant with our daughter Taylor.

Being pregnant at Christmastime, to me, is such a magical experience. It made the whole nativity story more emotional and meaningful to me. I can't imagine riding on a donkey pregnant, sleeping in a barn pregnant, or delivering a baby in a barn among farm animals...amazing!

The gift of life is a miracle in itself! Now, seven years later, I feel so blessed to have three little ones of my own--they are so precious! Yes, they all have their quirks, at times, but every time I look at their tiny hands, sweet faces, and interact with their fun personalities, I am reminded, especially at Christmastime, how blessed I am!

Give Thanks

These last 10 months have been filled with numerous ups and downs, however, with Thanksgiving just around the corner I wanted to remind myself of all my blessings and what I am thankful for...

• I am thankful for a daughter who kindly reminds me that all of the other moms put notes in their kids' lunches at school and that she would like to have one as well.

• I am thankful for the 70's. Had the 70's not existed, I would not have been born AND Disco would have never been invented!! Without Disco, my substitute teaching life would be completely boring and I would not be the Rockstar on campus that all the kids make me out to be. The Rockstar image really suits me well...the second I am spotted, on campus, the kids start screaming my name and rush to hug me...it's a great self-esteem booster!

• I am thankful for the Jig-A-Lo game I learned at Cheer Camp back in 1992! One of these days I'll post a video...it's hilarious!

• I am thankful I read the entire TWILIGHT series and could attend the midnight movie premier with a bunch of screaming teens and my hubby!
  

• I am, seriously, thankful for cookie dough, doritos, and One Life to Live! On a bad day, those things always make everything better!

• And, last, but not least, I am thankful for an amazing husband, children, family and friends! Nothing feeds the soul more than good family and friends and knowing they are there for me when I need them!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Family Art

This is our most recent family project. Devo is finishing up his first semester, and, in preparation for his art final presentation, we all took turns throwing and flicking paint onto these three canvases.

Our little artists had a ball. In fact, I admit, it was pretty dang therapeutic throwing paint at the canvas!!

Who Me?

I admit it! I am either having bloggers-block, or my life has turned completely boring...which explains the lack of posts.

I could write and tell you about Disco Dancing with 4th Graders, today's Primary Program {{Luke memorized his part--very cute}}, or my NEW Vinyl Lettering hits!

I could also tell you about my friends dog getting shot for stealing a chicken {{I told you I can't relate to this place}}, getting my hair cut and high-lighted by a newbie at the salon, being invited to my first official "girls night out" here in CC {{maybe there is hope for me here after all}} and visiting, in person, with one of my best friends from SD this weekend {{w00-hoo}}

However, I figured since I have been tagged numerous times...it was time to make good on one of those tags. So. Here it goes, 6 Quirks about me!

1. I cannot go to bed without brushing my teeth or washing my face! No matter how tired I am, I always force myself to cleanse, tone, and moisturize my face and brush and floss my teeth!

2. I have said this before, but I L.O.V.E. musicals and teenage flicks. When I was in Elementary School, I really wanted my life to be a musical. I would skip around the playground, at recess, singing "dumb dog why are you following me...," or "do a deer a female deer, ray a drop of golden sun...."

3. When showering and getting dressed, I always do everything in the EXACT same order. I always put on my makeup BEFORE drying my hair. When applying my makeup, I always start on the right side of my face and can't put on eyeliner before eyeshadow, etc. I also, always, wear makeup! It's a rare thing if you see me without it or with just mascara on.

4. I workout everyday. Sometimes twice a day...those are the days that I teach at the gym. If I don't workout I start to feel stressed out and anxious. Exercise always calms my anxieties. Also, when I jog on the treadmill, my mind can't handle it if I don't start on my right foot, and, if I increase the speed or incline on an odd minute. For example, I can't increase the speed at 1:58, it has to be on 2:00 EXACTLY.

5. I can't sleep in. This is an inherited curse from my father {{thanks Dad}}. My brain starts to wake up before the kids do and once my brain is awake, there is no turning back!

6. I love dogs, but extremely dislike cats and rabbits. I'm not sure why, but holding a cat or rabbit disgusts me. I can't stand how you can feel their bones through their skin when you're holding them. I think I must have grown up around a lot of scary neighborhood cats when I was a kid or something....anyway?!

Halloween Birthday Style!

It is no secret, Halloween is my Birthday, and this year it was GOLDEN! Aaahhh, yes, I have officially entered my 30-somethings!
It was an emotional and happy day! Emotional because many of my friends from back home called to wish me happy birthday (and I miss them), and happy because so many people remembered me and texted me, emailed me, called me, and sent me fun, fun, fun packages in the mail!
It was full of lots of surprises and good times! One being my brother, Michael, came to visit...he is my favorite, and one and only, brother who I love and adore and love spending time with!
We ate at Costa Vida for dinner and, before Trick or Treating, came home to celebrate my birthday in High School Musical fashion! Yes, my husband knows me all too well and treated me to an HSM birthday party. He really knows how to make me feel young! Love ya Honey!
For Halloween, Luke was Darth Vader, Taylor was a Princess, and Blake was Spider Man, or, as he likes to say: "Spidey!"
The rest are pictures from our fun day! The kids had a blast trick or treating and are still coming down from their sugar high..ha ha!
All weekend we played games, watched movies, and went to see HSM3...yay!

Michale and Kimberly

Darth Vadar, Luke, at preschool

Blakey, or should I say...Spidey!

Twilight Giveaway

Are you counting down the days until the Twilight Premier?

OOooh, I can't wait!

Tell ALL your friends to check out my Twilight Shirt featured on Natalie's Sentiments and also enter to win my Giveaway!!!

Only 21 more days...

Pumpkin Patches and Carving

Truthfully, it's a miracle that these pictures made it to the blog! Life, as usual, has been extremely busy and it doesn't help when the kids come down with a viral, infectious disease-like looking rash all over their bodies (which explains all of the rosy cheeks in the pictures).

Anyway...
October wouldn't be the same without visiting a true "redneck" pumpkin patch which included a redneck trampoline, slide, swing, and spray-you-with-mud-all-over cow train! I never knew getting sprayed with mud could be so much fun! Also, Blake met his true match...a REAL ROOSTER...oh, yes...who do you think can puff out their chest better and claim his territory?!

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for taking the kids to Panguitch (hopefully I can post pics of that later) to get their pumpkins while we were away...the kids had a blast carving them! Oh, and thanks Darcie for the cute hair ribbons and hair-do ideas...if you blow up the middle picture, you can see how cute Taylor's hair looks...I just love doing little girls hair.

Luke's Cape

For weeks, Luke has gone back and forth trying to decide what he wants to be for Halloween.

When he decided he wanted to be Darth Vader, Grandma offered to make him a cape.

When she told Luke she was going to start making his cape, Luke immediately started drawing up plans of his own.He brought grandma tiny little drawings of what he expected his cape to look like. When he presented his instructions to grandma. His instructions were filled with buttons and holes and all kinds of intricate designs.

Grandma was extremely impressed with Luke's design, but told him it was too hard for her to make and so she was just going to make him a simple, black cape.

When the cape was finished, I, excitedly approached Luke and told him how cool I thought his cape was.

He said, somewhat disappointed, "Yeah, I know, but she didn't follow my instructions!"

The next thing I know, he's upstairs, cutting fabric, gluing buttons, cutting holes, adding rope, etc.

So, this is Luke's cape...he designed it himself, and followed his own instructions! It's a little too small to wear, but he is so proud of it!

Just the Two of Us

For our birthdays, Devon's parents watched the kids while we took off to sunny, warm, St. George.

It's funny how dramatically life changes after having kids. Looking back, it's hard to remember what we talked about or did together before having them.

This weekend away was much needed and it was good to experience being just the two of us again.

It's surprising how much you can do when you're not towing around three little ones with you everywhere you go.

• We saw two movies
• Were able to eat out without feeling rushed to hurry and finish before the kids started getting restless. It's amazing how much greater the food tastes when you actually get to chew AND swallow.
• Shop. Oh, how I miss shopping. Shopping is not the same when you are looking for little ones hiding in the clothes racks, chasing them down the isles, or wrestling with one in your arms while you try to pay the bill.
• Hold hands.
• Stay up late and watch movies without feeling worried about being woken up during the middle of the night.
• Sleep in
• Shower without being interrupted by screaming/fighting children and having to negotiate with them to get along while washing my hair.
• Quiet car rides.

Needless to say, we had a great time together...but we really missed the kids and were anxious to get home to see them!

• 
  

Goodbye Summer, Hello Winter

Goodbye warm, summer mornings at the park...

Hello 32 degrees and hot chocolate...
Goodbye flip flops, barefeet, shorts, and playing with the hose and mud in the backyard...

Hello, snow, winter coats, sweatshirts, long pants, socks and close-toed shoes...


Goodbye beach {{oh, wait. we already said goodbye to that}}, suntans, and air conditioning...

Hello, heated indoor pools, snowballs, snowmen, rosy cheeks and noses, and extra blankets...

Goodbye popsicles, green leaves, bright flowers, blue skies, and bicycles...

Hello, bare trees, runny noses, fireplaces, slippery roads, and snow sleds.

Bug Catchin' and Smores!

Taylors teacher, Mrs. Clark, invited all of the families from her class out to her parents home in New Harmony for a cookout and to catch bugs.

Mrs. Clark's dad is a bug scientist and loves to teach the kids about bugs. Of course, I had nothing to do with the bugs, but had fun watching the kids catch them.

It was so much fun meeting the other families from Taylors class and getting to know her teacher. In San Diego, we would have never experienced a teacher inviting us over to her house for a cookout...I love it!

Boys Will Be Boys

Have you ever heard the saying: "Life is not measured by the breaths you take, rather the moments that take your breath away."

This picture definitely demonstrates one of those moments that takes my breath away.

In that brief,breathless moment, I am grateful I have no neighbors within eye sight to judge me for letting my kids run around like this. At the same time, I am thinking..."you know you're a red neck when...(you can finish the sentence)."
Ay-yay-yay!

So You Want to be a Helicopter Pilot?

Uncle Curtis, next door, is a Helicopter pilot. He recently flew his helicopter back from Mexico and before cleaning it up and flying it back to the hangar, he let the kids take a look and hang out in the cock pit.
Obviously, Luke and Blake LOVED it!
It's not every day you get to hang out in a helicopter for fun! Cool, huh?
Thanks Uncle Curtis!