Here's a review of my resolutions from 2009....
1. Complete a Sprint Triathlon. (Yeah, uh, well, um, cough, cough, uh, about that one.....)
2. Send birthday cards to my siblings, nieces and nephews, parents, and grandparents. (I think I got this one! Some were late, but I think everyone got a card! And I have to say, it really was this resolution that spurred me forward each month...)
3. Live more "in the moment" with my kids. (Did pretty so so on this one. Better than in years past. Hmmm...now that I think about it, I've done a lot better on this one. I don't think I've really recalled this resolution much, but somewhere in my subconscious, it was there. It's been a good year with the kids).
So, what? 1.6 out of 3? Decent.
31 December 2009
Those Perfect Moments
Had one this morning. Just when I needed it with ChloeBird. We've been having some issues again lately and I had a good, sincere prayer in her behalf last night.
Story time.
Kiki was tending last night and apparently Lily had a hard time going to bed. She cried a lot. If I know Lily, it wasn't sad whimpering crying, but loud, obnoxious scream-crying...the kind where you really don't feel sorry for her. Kiki knows our rule of just ignoring this. I digress...
Kiki didn't mention this to us (mostly because she wasn't there when we got home, Nate & Jaden were -- prearranged by me due to prior plans of Kiki's). I digress. Again...
Fast forward to this morning. Lily & Brig were up early. Chloe didn't come upstairs until about 8:30. That's really late for her or any of the kids. I heard her yell from the stairs: "Lily, come down here!" Lily was eating an apple and didn't want to come, but finally caved. She was all excitement when she saw what Chloe was showing her. "Lily, look what the Stop Crying Fairy put under your pillow!!! She gave you a dollar!!!" Lily came running up the stairs, 'dollar' in hand, all excitement. It was actually a 10-dollar bill. I thought maybe Kiki had been the fairy and had plans of returning that $10.
Chloe came over and whispered, "Don't tell Lily, but I was the Stop Crying Fairy. I told her last night that the Fairy would come if she'd stop crying and then got a dollar out of my bank to put under her pillow this morning." She was grinning and so thrilled with herself. I have to admit, I was, too.
Love when she surprises me with selfless little acts like that, even if it costs 10 bucks.
I love this first picture because I can see the magic in Lily's eyes. Those fairies are amazing.
That little fairy is amazing.
Story time.
Kiki was tending last night and apparently Lily had a hard time going to bed. She cried a lot. If I know Lily, it wasn't sad whimpering crying, but loud, obnoxious scream-crying...the kind where you really don't feel sorry for her. Kiki knows our rule of just ignoring this. I digress...
Kiki didn't mention this to us (mostly because she wasn't there when we got home, Nate & Jaden were -- prearranged by me due to prior plans of Kiki's). I digress. Again...
Fast forward to this morning. Lily & Brig were up early. Chloe didn't come upstairs until about 8:30. That's really late for her or any of the kids. I heard her yell from the stairs: "Lily, come down here!" Lily was eating an apple and didn't want to come, but finally caved. She was all excitement when she saw what Chloe was showing her. "Lily, look what the Stop Crying Fairy put under your pillow!!! She gave you a dollar!!!" Lily came running up the stairs, 'dollar' in hand, all excitement. It was actually a 10-dollar bill. I thought maybe Kiki had been the fairy and had plans of returning that $10.
Chloe came over and whispered, "Don't tell Lily, but I was the Stop Crying Fairy. I told her last night that the Fairy would come if she'd stop crying and then got a dollar out of my bank to put under her pillow this morning." She was grinning and so thrilled with herself. I have to admit, I was, too.
Love when she surprises me with selfless little acts like that, even if it costs 10 bucks.
I love this first picture because I can see the magic in Lily's eyes. Those fairies are amazing.
That little fairy is amazing.
29 December 2009
It's 8:23 AM
It's 8:23 am and I know where my children are.
Chloe is in her room reading a book out loud.
Lily & Brigham are in Brigham's room with the door closed -- happily playing with the toys and table that now reside in his room.
Cannon is right next to me exploring my bedroom.
This is the post-Christmas afterglow.
I love it.
Chloe is in her room reading a book out loud.
Lily & Brigham are in Brigham's room with the door closed -- happily playing with the toys and table that now reside in his room.
Cannon is right next to me exploring my bedroom.
This is the post-Christmas afterglow.
I love it.
26 December 2009
Sledding
We took the kids sledding the day after Christmas. It was the first time they'd ever been sledding. Ever. First time for everything, though, right?
Cannon had fallen asleep before we even got to the hill. Is he not adorable?
After he woke up, he was way into the whole snow and sledding thing. He was awesome.
In fact, do you see what's going on in the background of this picture of Chloe heading down the hill? Go ahead and enlarge it. That's me lunging toward Cannon who was pushing himself off the hill, ready to head down on his belly.
Brigham heading down. He was so fun to watch and totally fearless.
Lily heading down kamikaze. She was so fun to watch. She loved every second of sledding and was a total trooper heading up the hills.
Stanton's pictures from this outing were really fun, too. He shot continuously all the way down with each of the kids so we have a fun little stop motion video of each of them sledding down the hill.
She didn't pull him up the entire hill, but she got pretty far. He looks ready for some fun, doesn't he?!
I was pretty nervous to go down the hill. I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with skiing. I have this fear of voluntarily flying down steep things with no control. Somehow, even after this ridiculous ride down the hill with me, Cannon was ready for more.
The long trudge back up the hill.
I think he took those boys down at least 8 or 9 times. Brigham did great on his own and I think Cannon might have, too, if we'd let him! Stanton is so fun during adventures like these. He makes it so fun for the kids.
Cannon had fallen asleep before we even got to the hill. Is he not adorable?
After he woke up, he was way into the whole snow and sledding thing. He was awesome.
In fact, do you see what's going on in the background of this picture of Chloe heading down the hill? Go ahead and enlarge it. That's me lunging toward Cannon who was pushing himself off the hill, ready to head down on his belly.
Brigham heading down. He was so fun to watch and totally fearless.
Lily heading down kamikaze. She was so fun to watch. She loved every second of sledding and was a total trooper heading up the hills.Stanton's pictures from this outing were really fun, too. He shot continuously all the way down with each of the kids so we have a fun little stop motion video of each of them sledding down the hill.
She didn't pull him up the entire hill, but she got pretty far. He looks ready for some fun, doesn't he?!
I was pretty nervous to go down the hill. I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with skiing. I have this fear of voluntarily flying down steep things with no control. Somehow, even after this ridiculous ride down the hill with me, Cannon was ready for more.
The long trudge back up the hill.
I think he took those boys down at least 8 or 9 times. Brigham did great on his own and I think Cannon might have, too, if we'd let him! Stanton is so fun during adventures like these. He makes it so fun for the kids.
25 December 2009
Christmas Day
The kids slept till 7:30ish on Christmas morning. Well, Brig woke up at 6:00 to go to the bathroom, but he'd forgotten about Christmas so it doesn't count.
The girls came up stairs so excited and found a note from the Big Man himself. Chloe still has it on her windowsill.
We set up the blanket barrier and sent everyone in youngest to oldest. They were in awe. I don't think Lily even noticed the dollhouse for a good ten minutes.
Gifts from Grandma Judy and Grandpa David (who came back over for the first half hour or so of Christmas morning). This fits Lily to a T.
One of Chloe's favorite gifts was a book from her teacher.
Cannon was WAY into the present opening. It was adorable.
Briggy opening his gifts from Dave & Judy -- Hot Wheels tracks. We didn't take any pictures of his favorite present (and the one ALL the kids have played with non-stop) -- Santa brought him an Imaginext BatCave with all the accessories. It is so cool and entertains all of us.
Chloe, our little animal lover (who used to be our animal fearer) got a Furreal kitten named LuLu and a huge dog she named Big Joe. She was super happy.
Stanton surprised me with probably my favorite gift ever -- the A&E romance collection. It's got THE Pride & Prejudice on it, as well as 24 hours of other great films. The kids already call P&P "that movie we watch when you fold laundry." Yes, it is now a weekly watch. Oh, love love love this. And I love that Stanton thought of it. Every once in a while I think he's just not that kind of guy who thinks of thoughtful surprises and then he goes and does things like this. I'm pretty sure I cried...can't tease my mom anymore about crying over gifts.
We lived in Christmas chaos for a couple of days and then had to organize before we all went insane.
It was such a super fun Christmas. We relaxed and took our sweet time opening presents. The kids had fun playing with each thing before we opened more (present opening lasted from 7:30 to noon!). The kids were grateful, sweet, and excited. This will definitely go down in our family history as one of the funnest Christmases ever.
The girls came up stairs so excited and found a note from the Big Man himself. Chloe still has it on her windowsill.
We set up the blanket barrier and sent everyone in youngest to oldest. They were in awe. I don't think Lily even noticed the dollhouse for a good ten minutes.
Gifts from Grandma Judy and Grandpa David (who came back over for the first half hour or so of Christmas morning). This fits Lily to a T.
One of Chloe's favorite gifts was a book from her teacher.
Cannon was WAY into the present opening. It was adorable.
Briggy opening his gifts from Dave & Judy -- Hot Wheels tracks. We didn't take any pictures of his favorite present (and the one ALL the kids have played with non-stop) -- Santa brought him an Imaginext BatCave with all the accessories. It is so cool and entertains all of us.
Chloe, our little animal lover (who used to be our animal fearer) got a Furreal kitten named LuLu and a huge dog she named Big Joe. She was super happy.
Stanton surprised me with probably my favorite gift ever -- the A&E romance collection. It's got THE Pride & Prejudice on it, as well as 24 hours of other great films. The kids already call P&P "that movie we watch when you fold laundry." Yes, it is now a weekly watch. Oh, love love love this. And I love that Stanton thought of it. Every once in a while I think he's just not that kind of guy who thinks of thoughtful surprises and then he goes and does things like this. I'm pretty sure I cried...can't tease my mom anymore about crying over gifts.
We lived in Christmas chaos for a couple of days and then had to organize before we all went insane.It was such a super fun Christmas. We relaxed and took our sweet time opening presents. The kids had fun playing with each thing before we opened more (present opening lasted from 7:30 to noon!). The kids were grateful, sweet, and excited. This will definitely go down in our family history as one of the funnest Christmases ever.
24 December 2009
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was great. We got to spend it at home with Dave and Judy. We ate cold smoked turkey, Judy's delicious homemade rolls, and our favorite appetizers. It was delish.
We had a short program (repeats of the Park Valley party) and then had the Nativity.
The only time I ever think I might want more children is when we try to do the Nativity and can't fill all the parts. Then I realize I'd have to have about 5 more to fill all the parts and I decide we'll just invite cousins next time.
Cannon was our Wise Man and kept his cape on for approximately 3.7 seconds. He would only hold still for this picture because Grandma Judy was holding him.
Lily was our little Mary. Cutest.
Chloe was our angel and was very helpful with Cannon. Thanks, Sweetie.
Brigham was Joseph and was actually as cute as he appears here. (Very. Cute.)
After the Nativity, we headed downstairs to open jammies, slippers, and a book. I was really sneaky this year and had the kids pick out their own jammies under the pretense of shopping for others. It worked, but had a few fatal flaws: 1) They'll never let me get away with it again, as they are totally onto me and recognized them the moment they opened them. 2) Probably not a great way to teach the whole "better to give than to receive" concept...
But they're surely adorable and the girls were tha-rilled to get slippers. They've been wanting slippers and bathrobes for a long time now.
We read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed. (That outfit got a lot of traction during the holidays, I'm realizing...) I love that story and the kids did, too. It was the only moment of the night where they were the least bit subdued.
Everyone went to bed happily after laying out cookies and milk for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. Chloe hand-wrote Santa's note this year, which was a great new moment for us as parents.
The beginning of the best Christmas yet. The kids are at such fun ages this year.
We had a short program (repeats of the Park Valley party) and then had the Nativity.
The only time I ever think I might want more children is when we try to do the Nativity and can't fill all the parts. Then I realize I'd have to have about 5 more to fill all the parts and I decide we'll just invite cousins next time.
Cannon was our Wise Man and kept his cape on for approximately 3.7 seconds. He would only hold still for this picture because Grandma Judy was holding him.
Lily was our little Mary. Cutest.
Chloe was our angel and was very helpful with Cannon. Thanks, Sweetie.
Brigham was Joseph and was actually as cute as he appears here. (Very. Cute.)
After the Nativity, we headed downstairs to open jammies, slippers, and a book. I was really sneaky this year and had the kids pick out their own jammies under the pretense of shopping for others. It worked, but had a few fatal flaws: 1) They'll never let me get away with it again, as they are totally onto me and recognized them the moment they opened them. 2) Probably not a great way to teach the whole "better to give than to receive" concept...But they're surely adorable and the girls were tha-rilled to get slippers. They've been wanting slippers and bathrobes for a long time now.
We read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed. (That outfit got a lot of traction during the holidays, I'm realizing...) I love that story and the kids did, too. It was the only moment of the night where they were the least bit subdued.Everyone went to bed happily after laying out cookies and milk for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. Chloe hand-wrote Santa's note this year, which was a great new moment for us as parents.
The beginning of the best Christmas yet. The kids are at such fun ages this year.
23 December 2009
You Know, Stuff...
We've been doing a lot around here. Seriously. Maybe that's why the blog is completely barren lately? That and I still can't find my camera. Stanton got a fancy pants one for Christmas and has been taking lots of pictures, but they're just not "on the computer" yet. So.....
Highlights:
Lots of family parties
Matt & Sara and kids in from Florida
Lots of cousins
Annual Christmas movie making
Candy making
School's out
Shopping and wrapping
The best movies ever
Sacrament Meeting Christmas Program done
Lowlights:
Crazy holiday stress (first time I've ever felt it)
Not enough hours in the day or sleep at night
Hammered kids from traveling so much
I'm certain that the highlights far outweigh the lowlights. Absolutely certain. It's been such a fun holiday season and I'm looking forward to the best Christmas ever. Seriously. Our kids are going to be a blast on Christmas morning.
Pictures someday.
Highlights:
Lots of family parties
Matt & Sara and kids in from Florida
Lots of cousins
Annual Christmas movie making
Candy making
School's out
Shopping and wrapping
The best movies ever
Sacrament Meeting Christmas Program done
Lowlights:
Crazy holiday stress (first time I've ever felt it)
Not enough hours in the day or sleep at night
Hammered kids from traveling so much
I'm certain that the highlights far outweigh the lowlights. Absolutely certain. It's been such a fun holiday season and I'm looking forward to the best Christmas ever. Seriously. Our kids are going to be a blast on Christmas morning.
Pictures someday.
20 December 2009
Rose Family Christmas Party
This was the driving and driving and driving weekend. After we drove home from the Park Valley party, we attended (and led and sang in) the Christmas Program in Sacrament Meeting. Then we threw everyone back in the car and drove to Blackfoot for the Greg Rose Family Christmas Party. More time with Matt & Sara and all the rest. It was great.
Grandma J was there. She is the best grandma. Love her.
Gavin (of the Florida clan). He was so cute and comfortable with everyone everywhere. He would walk up to everyone and say, "What's your name?"
One of my fave conversations of the week:
Gavin to Lily: What's your name?
Lily mischievously: Lightning McQueen.
Gavin: No it's not! Your name is Lily!
Gavin to me: What's your name?
Me mischievously: Susan.
Gavin: Oh. Walks away...
Luke, who is growing up faster than he has my permission to do. I think he is so handsome.
There was a point where I thought I might agree with the over-population theory. Then I looked at my nieces and nephews and thought, "Nah, those people haven't been around these kids."
You know, maybe there's a reason he's so grumpy all the time....
Lily & Jordyn with their matching purple magnet boards that my momma made for all the granddaughters (not all purple, of course).
Not only is he a beautiful child,
He's also quite possibly the funnest child to give gifts to. Ever.
And my mom is the funnest adult to give gifts to. Ever. Seriously. She cries at everything so you really feel like you've given her the perfect gift every time. This time, it actually was the perfect gift. Regan, niece and granddaughter extraordinaire, had every grandchild either write or dictate to her their favorite thing/memory about Grandma and Grandpa. She decorated a box and put them all inside. It was super cute and so thoughtful. And Mom & Dad cried.
I miss them like crazy.
My sissies. Lori in the background. Cindy in the foreground. Kamryn the cutest.
How you doin'?
All in all, it was such a super great day. I love love love my family.
Grandma J was there. She is the best grandma. Love her.
Gavin (of the Florida clan). He was so cute and comfortable with everyone everywhere. He would walk up to everyone and say, "What's your name?"One of my fave conversations of the week:
Gavin to Lily: What's your name?
Lily mischievously: Lightning McQueen.
Gavin: No it's not! Your name is Lily!
Gavin to me: What's your name?
Me mischievously: Susan.
Gavin: Oh. Walks away...
Luke, who is growing up faster than he has my permission to do. I think he is so handsome.
There was a point where I thought I might agree with the over-population theory. Then I looked at my nieces and nephews and thought, "Nah, those people haven't been around these kids."
You know, maybe there's a reason he's so grumpy all the time....
Lily & Jordyn with their matching purple magnet boards that my momma made for all the granddaughters (not all purple, of course).
Not only is he a beautiful child,
He's also quite possibly the funnest child to give gifts to. Ever.
And my mom is the funnest adult to give gifts to. Ever. Seriously. She cries at everything so you really feel like you've given her the perfect gift every time. This time, it actually was the perfect gift. Regan, niece and granddaughter extraordinaire, had every grandchild either write or dictate to her their favorite thing/memory about Grandma and Grandpa. She decorated a box and put them all inside. It was super cute and so thoughtful. And Mom & Dad cried.
I miss them like crazy.
My sissies. Lori in the background. Cindy in the foreground. Kamryn the cutest.
How you doin'?All in all, it was such a super great day. I love love love my family.
19 December 2009
Park Valley Christmas Party
We had the Rose Family Christmas Party Extravaganza on the 18th of December. It was so stinking fun. Those parties always are. It was made even more awesome than usual by the attendance of Matt & Sara, my Florida family!
The food was, as always at any Rose function, amazing. Seriously. If you haven't been to a Rose Family Function, you don't know what amazing food is.
A slew of pictures:
With my sisters. Lori on top, Cindy in the middle. Sara on the bottom.
Oh, how I love these people. My best friends in the world.
Fun games, courtesy of the Paynes.
The program. Everyone was so great. Chloe sang, "Cactus Christmas Tree", Lily sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and Brigham sang, "Spiderman." Regan organized and rehearsed a cousins number -- that's the pictures above. She played the piano and they all sang (a fancy arrangment). It was awesome.
Welcome home, Chris! Be so good to Chrystal. I love her. I think you will be...look how cute you are with Cannon!
Speaking of cute. Is this child not adorable? He is. Even when he's a demon sleeper who wakes up four times a night. I want to throw him out the window at 3:23 am, but at 3:23 pm? Oh, he's gem.
"Brigham in heaven." That's a Batwing. Notice the Batman shirt. Yes...Heaven.
Grandma & Grandpa Rose give pajamas to everyone every year. While these pictures were uploading, I counted how many pair that is. 65, people. Sixty-five pair of pajamas. They are incredible. This is them with all the cousins and second cousins.
These four boys were born within 13 months of each other. Oh, they are cute together. L to R: Kaleb James Teichert, Gavin Gregory Rose, Brigham David Allen, Jack Henry Wilson. Together: Trouble. Actually, they're not at that stage yet, but I can only imagine it's not far off.
The food was, as always at any Rose function, amazing. Seriously. If you haven't been to a Rose Family Function, you don't know what amazing food is.
A slew of pictures:
With my sisters. Lori on top, Cindy in the middle. Sara on the bottom.
Oh, how I love these people. My best friends in the world.
Fun games, courtesy of the Paynes.
The program. Everyone was so great. Chloe sang, "Cactus Christmas Tree", Lily sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and Brigham sang, "Spiderman." Regan organized and rehearsed a cousins number -- that's the pictures above. She played the piano and they all sang (a fancy arrangment). It was awesome.
Welcome home, Chris! Be so good to Chrystal. I love her. I think you will be...look how cute you are with Cannon!
Speaking of cute. Is this child not adorable? He is. Even when he's a demon sleeper who wakes up four times a night. I want to throw him out the window at 3:23 am, but at 3:23 pm? Oh, he's gem.
"Brigham in heaven." That's a Batwing. Notice the Batman shirt. Yes...Heaven.
Grandma & Grandpa Rose give pajamas to everyone every year. While these pictures were uploading, I counted how many pair that is. 65, people. Sixty-five pair of pajamas. They are incredible. This is them with all the cousins and second cousins.
These four boys were born within 13 months of each other. Oh, they are cute together. L to R: Kaleb James Teichert, Gavin Gregory Rose, Brigham David Allen, Jack Henry Wilson. Together: Trouble. Actually, they're not at that stage yet, but I can only imagine it's not far off.
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