Charles' Family Birthday Party

On April 3, we invited all of the family for a birthday party. Charles wanted to make sure that everyone was involved in helping him celebrate. We visited and the kids played with Aunt Sherri and Dinah. It was so much fun. The party got cut a little short due to snow and everyone having to drive home. It was great to have them here to help celebrate. The gift that seemed to be the favorite was the art set from Aunt Sherri and Dinah. Even today this set is out and being used. Thanks!

Charles' 7th Birthday Party

I cannot believe that my baby boy is 7!! It seems like yesterday when we brought him home from the hospital. He has grown into a very wonderful boy. He loves Legos and playing video games on the Wii or Nintendo DS. Charles really loves school, especially PE and art and math. He is a good student. Charles is our quiet child. Most of the time he is happy to do quiet activities or read. He has a very sweet spirit and seems very wise in spiritual matters. He has a soft heart for others and enjoys making others happy. For his birthday we did a "Hot Wheels" theme. He really wanted Harry Potter, but we had trouble finding stuff that fit. Maybe next year. On his birthday we had some of his friends over for pizza, games, and cake. We played several car related relay games and a couple of inside quieter car games. This game seemed to be the hardest, but made mom laugh the most. We gave each of the boys a hot wheels car and a drinking straw. They had to blow through the straw to make their cars go. It was hilarious. Charles was bound and determined that his cake be shaped like a car. This is my poor attempt. It was a fun evening with all the kids. We had a great time and enjoyed it thoroughly.

A Dragon

Our home teacher came over on the last Sunday of March. He brought in a box wrapped in a towel. This happens occasionally and we never know what he is bringing over for the kids to look at. After his message he asked the kids if they had seen "How to Train Your Dragon". It just so happened that we had watched that movie the night before. He then asked them if they had ever seen a real dragon. When they said no, he uncovered the box and pulled out a bearded dragon. Charles was timid as usual and Michelle was so excited she wanted to hold it right away. Here are a few pictures of the adventure.

Bennett's First Haircut!

Well, this morning before church I did a very hard thing: I cut Bennett's hair. I have never had to cut my kids' hair this early before, but he had such a bad comb over. He sat in the chair like the biggest boy and never cried or anything while I used the clippers to cut his hair. Bennett was actually trying to watch the clippers. When it was time to clean things up with the scissors, Bennett was not happy. He cried and Gabe had to hold him down. Needless to say, his first hair cut is not perfect, but it is done. The sad part is he looks like a whole different kid. See what you think!

Crazy Hair Day 2011

It was time for crazy hair day at ballet for Michelle. She was so excited. She decided to put little "nubs" all over. The very back got to thin and sensitive for "nubs" so we did braids. What do you think?

Dena Graduates

Our trip to Utah was for a wonderful reason. I graduated from college!! We had so much fun, we shed tears, and we laughed way too much. I was so excited to be done with school. I am even more excited to now be an example to my children of how important a college degree is!! One of the neat things about my college graduation was I graduated from high school in the same building in 1993.

Getting ready to process in.

My wonderful family!!

My sister Resa, brother Roy, and mom!!

My wonderful Aunt Carol!!

After graduation we all went to lunch at Chuck O Rama. It was a weekend full of excitement and fun.

Before bed, Charles asked what the difference was in the graduates because some got special things put over their heads and others didn't. I explained to him that some people had graduated with a Master's Degree and others a Bachelor's. I tried to explain the difference in terms he would understand. He sat and thought for a minute. His reply was, "Well mom, when are you going to get your Master's Degree? I think it would be cool to see you get one of those things put over your head". I really didn't know what to say. I am afraid that he will start pestering me about my Master's Degree. I guess the question is do I want my Master's Degree and if so, how can I work it in with three little children? Who knows what the future holds!!

Salt Lake Children's Museum

We went to Salt Lake the 10th of February to visit family. We stayed with Aunt Carol and she took us down to the Children's Museum. The kids had an absolute blast. We played songs together on the bug shaped xylophones. Charles and Michelle enjoyed pretending to be construction workers. There was also a playhouse and a grocery store. Here are Carol, Bennett, and Gabe waiting while we played. Charles was a monkey on the climbing wall. He made me a little nervous being so high on the wall. Michelle hooked up with some kids from a school and was part of a play they made up. Bennett waiting patiently to have a turn to play. He was so good. Bennett and Carol watching out the window. The kids pretended to take me for a ride in the helicoptor. It was scary. Charles and Michelle tried their hands at being news anchors and doing the weather. We spent forever in the building section. There were so many different things to build with.

It was a wonderful day full of family and fun!!

Holidays 2010

We love Christmas at our house. It is full of traditions, treats, Christmas stories, service, and trying to focus on the true meaning: Christ. This year started out like most others. We had all the decorations up and ready by December 1st. We began reading Christmas stories each night and having a Christmas "kiss" before bed. The neat thing was how much the kids tuned into the Savior this year. We had many wonderful discussions about how blessed we are and how much the Savior means to each of us and why. It was truly wonderful. Of course we attended the annual Ward Christmas party complete with a visit from Santa. Bennett was too busy chewing on his pacifier and too leery of going to a complete stranger with a beard to sit on Santa's lap. CHRISTMAS EVE - we spent at home just the five of us. We had our special Christmas Eve dinenr and enjoyed time together. We read the nativity story and did our trip to Behtlehem. Then the craziness began: presents. Bennett was not sure what things were all about, but soon got into the fun trying to pull off wrapping paper. What Christmas wouldn't be complete without the jammie tradition!! Charles was so excited to get the Nintendo he had been hoping for all year long. He played and played and played and played. Michelle was excited to receive a Barbie house. Bless Gabe for taking hours to put it togetherr and having it done before she went to bed on Christmas Eve. My crafty sister Resa made these hooded towels for Charles and Michelle. They were so adorable and the kids were so excited to have towles of their own. CHRISTMAS DAY - we awoke to excitement and anticipation to see what Santa had left. Charles got Legos. Michelle got Barbies Bennett got a highchair. After the kids had some time to play with their gifts from Santa, we got ready and headed to Canon City to celebrate with Gabe's family. Normally we get together before Christmas and celebrate, but this year Christmas Day was when everyone could come. It was a lot of fun. There was no snow, so we played outside. We ate wonderful food, played charades, ready "Twas the Night Before Christmas" together, and opened gifts. It was a lot of fun.