It's great to be 8!

Josie will be turning 8 on Friday Jan. 29th and so in anticipation of the "big baptism day" we teamed up with some friends and met with a photographer and the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan. It was freezing cold, and Josie is seriously lacking in the "meat" department...so needless to say, she was shivering quite violently and her lips were a pretty shade of violet! But, it was great fun to have her in a beautiful white dress sitting/standing on the temple grounds. I told her that someday she could even come back to this same temple in another white dress and get married! She wasn't so excited about that idea, simply because boys are still "gross" but hopefully the seed was planted and it will be a goal of hers for the future! She is such a blessing to our family, and I am so lucky to be her mom! And of course, I told her that many people pay big bucks for highlights in their hair that are naturally hers. What a sweet little angel..and I still can't believe she's already 8 years old. It seems like yesterday Alan and I were blessed with the first little girl in our family. It was another snowy and cold day when she came into the world....in Colorado Springs....love you Josie!

A New Year...can you believe its 2010??

I can't believe its 2010!! Wow...its truly amazing to me how fast time flies!! Joshua celebrated his 17th birthday....on Jan. 2nd...and Josie is getting ready to celebrate her 8th birthday and get baptized! Grandma Colleen called us today and excited us all with her news that she'll be coming for a short visit the first week in Feb., and to see Josie get baptized. The kids are all excited...they haven't seen Grandma Colleen since last April..too long! Anyhoo...wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year! Hope you are sucessful in achieving your goals for the year...I need all the luck I can get to achieve mine (they are always daunting..yet for some reason, I feel confident that this is THE year I'll finally be able to achieve them!! yeah, I know...keep dreaming!) I'll post some new pics soon....as one of those daunting goals is to finally organize all my pictures!!!

Merry Christmas to all!

We had some new family pictures taken in October...so I thought since its been a LONG time since I've posted something on our blog, that I would put a picture on for all to see (all those who haven't given up on me ever blogging again!) The kids are getting so big and so handsome/gorgeous!!! Joshua will be turning 17 in about 2 1/2 weeks..can't believe it. He's doing really good in school, driving, dating a teeny bit (hey, I'm not complaining about that!) and he's a great kid. Jonah is 13 going on 17- at least he wishes...he's in 8th grade...and life is pretty smooth...great kid, very funny and great with his siblings when they aren't fighting!! Jeremy is in 6th grade...11 turning 12...soon all three of the boys will be priesthood holders and blessing and/or passing the sacrament...so cool. Jeremy is the funniest kid...he always has some funny word to say, or some sarcastic remark...he's a cool kid. The girls are so precious...Josie is turning 8 in January and getting baptized. I'm trying to convince her to pierce her ears, but her dad is throwing a fit about it..so we'll see who wins the battle. She's a great little reader and is doing well in 2nd grade. Joely is enjoying her Kindergarten year...she's a little bored b/c a lot of what they do she already knows. She is so busy...constantly going, going, going! Jenna Grace is no baby in our house...I can finally say she is potty trained (only took us til age 4....whew!) and she is so much fun. She goes to preschool with me, is learning to read really well and is busy just like her sisters and brothers. She is a gem...we all spoil her rotten!

I love this time of year....but I miss being close to my family. I've enjoyed sending out Christmas cards this year, and doing a couple of cookie exchanges and a secret santa. The time goes by so quickly, there isn't enough time to do everything I want to do, so I try to pick the things I REALLY want to do, and then try to find time to squeeze it in. Life has been good to us...we have been so blessed...we have our family, our friends, our health and the gospel of Jesus Christ...like my other friend posted on her blog....what more could we ask for??? Hope this post finds all of you happy and healthy and enjoying this Christmas season. Love to you all!!

Hello Monday Morning!

No, this isn't my exact kitchen sink this morning, but trust me, its close! Does anyone else feel like the weekend just isn't long enough to get everything done, let alone, keep up with the dishes!! It was a typical weekend full of soccer, football and softball games, shopping for groceries and just relaxing....but dang if it isn't unpleasant to wake up Monday morning and see this waiting for you downstairs....what happened to my bright and brillant parenting that incorporates my children helping with the chores around the house??? Being the "Brady bunch" (six kids- 3 of each- minus coming from different families) what we really need is an Alice...but I know that's never going to happen. Oh well...let the fun begin!!!

Joely's 1st day of Kindergarten

My little Joely Elizabeth on her first day of Kindergarten! She is so excited!

Now for the girls!

Here are Josie and Jenna on their first day of school!!! Josie is in 2nd grade this year...so happy that she got the teacher of her choice...Miss Christensen! Jenna is at Learning Dynamics Preschool for the 4 year old program with me...MWF in the afternoons. Joely will start Kindergarten this year, at the end of the week, so I'll have to be sure and post her first day picture or she'll feel left out!!! Cute little girls...love them so much!!!

Some pics of the kids.....man they have grown!

First day of school for Jeremy Spencer--big sixth grader at Lakeview Academy...his last year at the charter school...next year the new Jr. High opens and its goodbye forever to the school uniform..doesn't he remind you so much of Buddy?

Jonah Michael...barely paused for me to take this picture as he was walking out the door for the first day of 8th grade....He is my "Mr. Fashion"...he was so fun this year to shop for...we had to hit the mall of course, but then he discovered Ross and got all his cool namebrand t-shirts for a pretty good deal! What a kid!

Here is my big "man" on his first day at the new High school!! Wouldn't smile to show off that perfect "braces" free smile....but isn't he cute???

He's really got a load this year...2 AP classes and 2 UVU classes that he gets high school and college credit for...you all know what a smarty pants Josh is....I challenged him to graduate valedictorian....I know he can do it!!!

This year is another one of those years with all 6 of the kids in school and all 6 in different schools...Josh at the new Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs...Jonah at Willowcreek Middle school and Jeremy at Lakeview Academy. I love how big they are getting, how smart they are and how much they HATE for me to take their pictures!!!

I'm amazed at how time flew by this summer and now we're back in school! Note to self....enjoy each moment because they come and go too fast!