Going to see Santa 12/11/10

We went to Caliente to see Santa and cousins.

(sorry some of the pictures are blurry).

Benson and Kensley just smiled at Santa. Tanner asked to be surprised and then said maybe a new beanie too.

Elementary Christmas Program 12/15/10

Because Tanner went to pre-school for a few weeks during December he was able to be in the Christmas program. His class did a dance and he was so cute. He had a lot of fun. This is him right before the program began. I took a video but left it on my parents computer. But it was to the song that goes, "Slide to the left, slide to the right, cris-cross". Tanner's favorite move was when he bounced up and down with his hands rubbing his thighs to knees. It was a cute dance. Good job buddy!

Evers came to visit in Nevada! 12/17/10

The Evers came to visit!!!

We of course went to Cathedral Gorge to show them some of the caves. The weather didn't allow us to stay more than a 1/2 hour because it got so cold. But everyone had fun and wished they could have stayed out longer. Mitch climbed to the top and we couldn't see him anywhere, (hoping he didn't fall in a hole). But he made it down safely.

Me and Allie making dinner in our rockin' aprons.

From the time my family left Omaha to today Benson asks to go to "E's house" almost everyday. I try to explain he isn't just across the street from us anymore. So when "E" arrived at Grandma's house he couldn't be happier.

Sorry Mitch but this is the only picture I had.

Andrew did take Mitch out shooting for the first time and I am pretty sure he loved it.

Just like old times. :)

My dad wanted my brother up and told all the boys to go and jump on him. He didn't think they would really do it. Never underestimate 2 to 5 year old boys and being allowed to do something like that.

Saying "Good bye" is never easy. Even though we knew we would see them in a few weeks.

We were so glad the Evers made the 5 hour trek from Salt Lake all the way down to Panaca just to see us. The weather wasn't the best while they were here so we didn't get to do as much as we had originally hoped. But we still had a blast getting to be with them and letting the kids play.

Time spent with family in December

I love getting together with my family when we haven't seen each other in so long and just talking. Then grandma read the kids stories while we all listened and just enjoyed each others company.
Kensley hung out with Grandpa P

Kensley helped Grandma get ready for Christmas by putting bows on all the gifts. Grandma had fun putting them on her.

For my dad's school Christmas party he cooked TWO of these HUGE prime rib roasts. They were cooking for hours in the oven smelling up the house all day. Smelling so yummy and tasting even better. Yes... we got some too. I told him he better save some for whose most important.

Tanner's favorite spot to hide while at my parents house was in a blanket rack. The first time I went looking for him I couldn't find him anywhere. I heard a little peep and found a little nose sticking out of the heart. Such a goober! I even found him trying to watch a movie from that spot another day.

Relaxing

Washing hands before a cousin stole his chair to get down.

I was trying to fold clothes and decided to let Kensley be serenaded by Ronei while I worked. She liked it a lot. The boys decided to jump in and dance.

One of all the grandkids favorite things to do while we were there was tackle Ronei and Bart. Who knew who was the ones to ever start it but someone was being tackled or wrestled every day.

Bart and Ronei

My parents exchange students from Holland and Brazil.

If they weren't sleeping, eating, or wrestling with kids, this is what they were doing ALL day every day. TEXTING!!!! I have never seen anyone text more than they did.

I am glad I was able to meet them. They are fun boys and my kids loved to play with them. Luckily Bart and Ronei enjoyed it too and kept my kids busy a lot.

12/4/10

Happy Birthday Mom!

For my mom's birthday she wanted my brother-in-laws homemade BBQ ribs. He cooked them all day, and by the taste it was worth every hour. They were soooo yummy. This big platter fed the troops and still had left overs. Yum!

Grandpa and Kensley.

My Dad says his belly is magic and can put any baby to sleep. So far he hasn't been proven wrong.

Don't mess with these to fearsome boys. I don't think I have even been shot so many times by a Nerf gun then I was while staying at my parents.

Pre-K at Grandpa's school 11/30/10

While we were in Panaca all the cousins Tanner's age were in school. One of my sister-in-laws said I should see if Tanner could go while we were there. So I talked to the Preschool teacher and got it worked out so he could go. He was so excited to get to go to school. But not just any school "Grandpa's school". My dad is the principle at Elementary. The first day I went to go pick him up he was gone. I found him with Grandpa making the rounds. :) Grandpa even pulled out a cool Spiderman backpack that had been tossed out but was good as new for Tanner to keep.

I have never had a happier 5 year old.

Grandpa+school+awesome backpack= Happy Boy!

"Thanks Grandpa- I had fun at your school!!"

The 2 day trip to Nevada 11/24/10

In the hotel after the first day of driving. It was 11 pm. -the boys were wired because we were in a hotel room. Andrew was wired because he could watch cable TV. :) And Kensley and I were tired and wanted to go to bed.

I am surprised I am smiling in this picture. I will not say much about the trip. Two days of driving in a car sun up to sun down doesn't sit well with me. After about hour 10 of the first day I just can't take it anymore. Turning around every 5 seconds to hand a kid food, drink, toy, same toy again because it dropped, stop a fight over a toy, etc. I would like to jump out of the car while it is still moving. Andrew has learned to just not answer people when they ask, "So how did your trip go?" if I am around.

Where ever we end up moving. It better be under a 5 hour drive or over a 20 hour drive so we would just fly.

On day 2 we hit snow and drove in it about 2 hours. For an hour we only drove 25 mph behind a huge snow plow. Then for about a half an hour we "blazed our own trail" (in Andrew's words). Our Pilot showed us what it could do as other cars were pulled over onto the side of the road.

Pre-Thanksgiving 11/21/10

Before we left Omaha to go to Nevada for six weeks for Andrew to do a rotation we wanted to have a Thanksgiving dinner with some of our good friends. We had the Evers and Smiths over. Another family wasn't able to come and were missed. With the Evers it was one of the last HOORAHS! They moved while we were out west. Once Tanner found out they were moving he was done with Omaha and ready to move on too.

Tanner turns 5!!!! 11/18/10

Tanner wakes up on his own around 7:30 usually. But not for his Birthday. He was up and dressed before it was even 7 o'clock. He was surprised to find the kitchen decorated, donuts from "The Donut Stop", and presents sitting on the kitchen table. Tanner got to open two in the morning so he could play with them throughout the day. Then we saved one to open that night with the cake and ice cream.

Tanner taped the lid to one of his toys on his chest and said he was Ironman!

Of course a trip to the Omaha Children's Museum was a must.

Tanner's snap shot of Anakin Skywalker

Andrew made fun of my attempt at decorating Tanner's Spiderman cake. He said my hand writing looked like his Grandma's. I am no cake decorator- it's a lot harder than it seems it would be.

We spent the night as a family. Tanner wanted Famous Daves for dinner. (Same as his last birthday). But instead we made our own BBQ boneless pork ribs at home. And they were just as yummy... or not. But they were still good.

Andrew and I can't believe we have a 5 year old. The time has flown by. Tanner's whole personality is changing from little boy to a kid ready to move on and start school. He is such a big helper with Benson and Kensley. And even me around the house. I appriciate all he does!

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY TANNER!

We love you!

Kensley 3 Months old 11/14/10

Kensley Nicole at 3 months old

Height: 23.75 in. (60%)

Weight: 12 lb. (39%)

Head circ: 39.3 cm (27%)

Kensley is a good baby and has been sleeping through the nights since about 2 months old. She loves being talked to and will "Coo" and "kkeeyyy" back to you.

Mid- November

I am pretty sure I have a picture of all three kids laying on their bellies staring at this dog. They all have loved it.
Kensley smiling at Daddy while he does his homework.

Tanner has turned into a monkey and LOVES climbing trees. He was so high up one day that a few people walked by and asked what on earth I was looking at because he was so high up. They couldn't see him until they were right under him.

Tanner had been up in the tree for about 20 minutes one day when I told him we needed to go in and eat dinner. He came down, ate, and asked if he could head back out. I told him it was getting too dark and he would probably have to wait until tomorrow. He placed his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand and said, "Yeah, but I just got to get back up in that tree." Then sighed knowing that his chances were slim to none.