Happy Birthday Sody!!

You read it here first; Cody is SEVENTEEN today.

 Seventeen years ago, I was miserable with flu-like symptoms, exhausted from hours of pushing; and on cloud 9! What a beautiful baby. Jet black hair, blue eyes and PERFECT in every way; my first born. I remember coming to the side of his hospital crib; dark outside, dark in the room, and looking over to see these blue eyes just wide awake, I could see snow falling under the lights outside the hospital and it was such a surreal moment for me; I was a MOTHER. And nothing has been the same since.

Cody, I have learned more in YOUR 17 years than I have my own 39. I love you.

Mom

Little Pilgrim girl

Callie's class had a Thanksgiving feast in school on Wednesday; and her teacher asked that they come dressed as a pilgrim or an indian, now I didn't really have attire for either, but I made her a hat with feathers and she word a dress with some brown in it and her boots with faux fur; which she said some of her classmates made fun of her for wearing; and I wanted to go up there and POUND those children; oh, um, yeah, she looked adorable and I believe she was the CUTEST DANG PILGRIM GIRL EVER!!!

Makin' a list, checkn' it twice......

           Here is my Ethan with all the Christmas ad's; getting his "wants" all organized!.......

Happy Birthday Hopper!!

Yesterday was Spencer's 15th birthday. Hard to believe it's been 15 years. I am amazed at Spencer's ability to learn, and I'm impressed that he is so naturally disciplined in his schoolwork and assignments, I do not have to police him. I am one lucky Mother to have such a smart, handsome, (at moments) tender hearted young man.

We've had one tough year, but I am SO GRATEFUL for my Spencer. He was like an angel given to me 15 years ago, and I'm excited for the adventures of the next 15. 

Happy Birthday, son.

I LOVE you....

Mom

Power plotting....

Cody is learning about the stock market and his class was given 10,000 to "invest". He was checking on how he did and he and Doug sat down to plot the biggest market takeover in HISTORY! Cody is fascinated in the potential of the stock market and in investing in real estate as a way of steady income, he has really taken in all the information that Doug has to offer on the subject and wants to apply the principle early. Cody is one smart boy and I've no doubt he will be able to accomplish his dreams. 

I am his Mother; and completely BIASED. His counselor at school today told Doug Cody is doing very well, he's very, very smart and will be able to take more advanced classes next year where he can do more applied learning, getting his feet wet so to speak. I am so very interested to see what the next 17 years hold for my first born, I am honored to have a front row seat.

Into the woods; part two

Cody and Spencer both have November birthday's, and since "Woods" is here, and it's not likely to come again soon; I took them for their present. We had a nice evening, just me and my "big boys" we went to dinner then hung around at Kohl's where Spencer picked a present, then off to the play. One of the highlights was going to the sale items counter and seeing "The Muppets Christmas carol" on DVD, the boy's and I  went CRAZY!  If you've never seen it; you need to, it's the sweetest Christmas movie.

Tubby time

How cute can one boy be I ask you?

1st preschool program

My Ethan had his very first preschool program last Thursday; we COULDN'T find the camera, so I had to take a few with my phone camera, only one turned out ok and just to give you some background, if you look at his face; NOT HAPPY. He had been REFUSING to go just before we walked out the door, and I was getting worried when he was insisting that he WOULD NOT do it! as we pulled into the parking lot I advised him there would be ice cream afterward if he would "be happy" and the picture was the first attempt at just that! He did manage to cheer up, he sang and did his speaking part all very well, it was all A*D*O*R*A*B*L*E; what a joy this little boy is.

Poor dog.....

Halloween night

Heading out for the night; Hannah ditched her hair!
Ethan with Sister Tenario ( And Stuart)

The first picture is Lydia, Max Callie and Ethan

2nd picture is with just ONE of the many people who ADORE Ethan. Many people fasted and prayed for Ethan before, during and after his surgery; she absolutely loves our little boy.

Sundance trick or treating.....

A DRUNK dude?



Ms. Martin LOVES Callie

Halloween

Me and little E

 Hannah BEFORE her hair

.......AFTER!

Ethan and his FAVORITE friend; Stuart

The first activity was the Trunk-r-treat; the ONLY time I've attended this activity was in '04 when I was pregnant with Ethan. It was bitter outside and I could only stay for about an hour as I had to go back to work; which is where I've been for this activity for TEN YEARS. When we got there I was responsible for passing out the treats for the primary booth since I am in the Primary Presidency and I said to Doug "Do you want to take them trick or treating and I'll stay at the van"? he said "NO! I've done it for ten years....you go"

It was nice, in part because the weather was so nice, we all stayed and the kids trick or treated and I visited with my ward members; some of who said "it seems like you just dropped off the face of the earth"! I know, right? It has been SO nice to know that no matter what night it is; I can go/do or see with my family.

Here is what our Halloween looked like.