Sports update

Carter finished his school basketball season a month or so ago, his NJB team finished their season last week, and church basketball ended last week too. He is already going through withdrawals. I, however, am enjoying the short break from running him all over the place. He wants to play in their spring season, so my break will probably be short lived. It's really okay, I love basketball and love that he is finally playing it.

His NJB team had a rough time at the beginning of the season, but had started to work together and play fairly well towards the end. Carter improved a lot and and it was a good experience for him. His team played an undefeated team in their second and last playoff game. And while they still lost, it was only by nine points. This same team, they played their first game of the season and were creamed. So it was something to be proud of .

I may not be shuttling Carter around, but Brendan started back up with lacrosse practices over a month ago. He practices several times a week. Their first season game was last week too. 

He really enjoys it and it is fun to watch. All I know is that they run a lot. A lot. And it's hard to keep track of him on the field. I went and bought him some neon socks for the next game to help that situation. 

Grand Canyon

For so many years, Corey would have been in the middle of busy season, and would have never thought of taking President's day off with the rest of us. But no more, so we took advantage of it and decided take a trip to the Grand Canyon. It's another place that is not too far, but the kids and I had never been, we knew we needed to see it. Corey had been there as a kid, but it had been a quick trip.

We woke up early and set out on our way. We stopped at the main visitors center and then took the drive down and stopped at many of the lookouts along the way. We just took our time and enjoyed it all.

Such an amazing view to see. We were all in awe. 

 (I asked Corey on the way about there being fences/ barriers. Of course, I knew there would be, but it still made me nervous and let's be honest, Emery is the type of person that they build the barriers for in the first place. She had me on edge the whole time.)

At the end of the day, we decided to drive to Flagstaff and stay the night. It was a beautiful place. And it's in the mountains and quite cool. That surprised me. Another reason it's fun to travel places, I always thought of Arizona as a just a desert. The kids had a great time swimming at the hotel and we even found a Chik Fil A to enjoy before we headed home. We all had fun and it was a great way to spend a day off from school and work.

Around here

I've been terrible about taking pictures around here again or feel like when I do take them they are just not turning out very well, even on my big camera. I've got to get out of this rut though because I do miss having the pictures to look at.  Here are the few that have been taken on my phone over the last month or so.

 1. Carter and Emery. Still a pretty tight bond between these two. She just loves to be around him.

2. These two either play really well together or they are fighting. This morning they were having a great time together. 

3.We run around a lot. I get sick of it. I've said it before, but it seems to be the story of our life right now. Emery loves to be on the go, but she also takes advantage of the days we are home. She loves to stay on her PJ's and take some time to play with her toys. I have been trying to make sure we have more mornings like this. We always try to stay home in the afternoon too and enjoy our time before the kids gets home and the craziness starts.

4. My kitchen helper.I can't do anything without her right in the thick of it. That afternoon we decided to make chocolate chip scones.

 5. Emery's dog is still a big part of our life around here. Her attachment is not quite as strong as it was, we can usually at least leave the house without anxiety now, but when we are home, the dog is not far from where she is. And he has to be there for bedtime for sure.

6. This is so typical Emery. She insisted on having three pieces of cinnamon bread for breakfast. She took a bite from each one and then was done. 

7. A new rug for my living room. I have wanted one in there for years I just couldn't ever find one for the $$ I was willing to spend. But this one, was the perfect choice and a great deal at Costco. I love it, it changed the whole room. 

8. My girls ask to watch the Frozen clips on YouTube at least once a day. They have the songs memorized and are dying for it to come out on DVD. It is definitely one of their most favorite movies they have ever seen.

9. I love my toy room. I love having a space that they can play. Most of the time I don't let the mess get to me because it's upstairs and not under our feet. But there are times I have to just shake my head. In this picture, it was clean literally fifteen minutes prior. Emery makes quick work of it some days. Right not it is a lego disaster and has been for weeks. 

10. Corey will love this, but this was on a Friday night and it was even late. It was before nine even, and he was out. He parties too hard at work. 

11.Hailey working hard on her Valentine cards. Most years I have made cute homemade stuff. I just never got it done this year. We had to settle on store bought ones.

12. Hailey brought home and early Valentine card from a boy. The message on the back was hilarious.("Javen loves you, don't tell"). She always has a long list of boyfriends.

15!!!

We always start the new year around here by celebrating Kayden's birthday. He is always pretty easy to please and doesn't want to much. 

We started with his birthday breakfast.  I made him cowboy cake and scrambled eggs. His favorite foods are breakfast foods and he pretty much ate them all day. Then we opened his presents. All he wanted was cash to get a new DS. His old one was stolen at school and he wanted a new one to play while he is on the bus. He spent the rest of the morning on it.

 His choice for his birthday dinner/breakfast #2 was IHOP. They had all you can eat pancakes. He can really eat quite a bit, but I think he only made it through 3 pancakes. Of course that was in addition to his bacon, sausage and eggs.

Then for his 3rd breakfast, he wanted doughnuts this year instead of cake. We picked some up and went home to finish celebrating with the rest of the kids. 

 

I just kept thinking that only a teenage boy could put away that much sugar and be okay. But he loved it all. Good thing his birthday is only once a year or he might go into a sugar coma.

He had a good day. He definitely keeps us on our toes, and are so glad to have him in our family.

Our Holiday

We spent our holiday together at home. On Christmas Eve, Corey and I took the kids to pick presents for each other, that was the only shopping I had not gotten done. Then we came home and made cookies for Santa. We had already made, decorated, and delivered several batches to friends, but we needed some just for us.

I love when I can get all the kids together involved in the same activity. It is so rare anymore.

We ate homemade chili with cornbread, read Christmas stories, and opened our new pj's.

Santa came in the night. And I'm glad he got my note about keeping things small this year. We have enough stuff around here anyway.

Christmas morning came and, of course, the kids were so excited. Surprisingly though we did get to sleep until after 7 before the chaos began.

 

I always have to make them wait a little longer and take a picture before I let them go downstairs. 

Emery was at the best age this year, she was just so excited, and all she wanted was Barbie stuff. That was a first around our house, but she has loved them so far.

 Hailey asked for an art kit, the movie "White Fang" and a stuffed wolf. Santa came through and then some. The only thing she didn't get was some seaweed (?). It was a late addition to her list though. Santa was probably already done with his shopping.

 Kayden was simple this year. He asked for a game and a back brush. Santa also brought him some shirts since he always seems to be growing out of his clothes.

 Carter wanted some headphones and was thrilled with his new Miami Heat shirt and hat too. Santa always brings some great surprises.

 Some new clothes that hopefully she won't fight to wear because Santa brought them.

 For Brendan, it was a Lego Chima Christmas. His new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book has been a hit with everyone too. I heard Kayden giggling in his room while reading it last night. 

Corey and the kids surprised me with a new Kindle Fire HDX

This is my 3rd one. It even says at the top, "Lindsey's 3rd kindle." My first one met an untimely end when I left it on the bumper and it fell off a couple blocks away. (Yes I left it on my bumper while watching the kids outside, and yes it stayed on there for a couple of blocks until it fell off and it was actually fine until another car ran over it.) My 2nd kindle is just fine and I loved it. We had been thinking of getting one for the younger kids to use. Corey just decided to get me the newest one and let the kids use my other one. I am just glad I get it to myself without someone constantly bugging me to use it.

Another great Christmas. I love having the time to spend together as a family and build memories together.