I miss these guys....

In some ways this week as FLOWN by.  Everyday has been so packed with appointments, meetings, lunches, scouts...BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.  But looking back on these pictures it seems like it has been a LONG time since I took them.  Ryan went to California for business and took these two little gremlins with him to visit their Nana and Papa.  I took these pictures on the way out the door.  

(They all had to wear green because even though they would be in the car for 12 hours, it was St Patricks Day.)

All ready to go...

Talking about the fun drive ahead.  (I don't think they remembered what they were in for.)

Sophie wasn't into saying goodbye too much.  She was more into her yogurt. 

BYE BYE, MOM!  (Good thing there is no one taking a picture of me because this was the part where I was bawling my eyes out.)  

Letting my kids leave always feels SOOO wrong.  This could be due to several factors:

A.  The Spirit is guiding and prompting me that maybe this is the wrong decision for some unforeseen reason.

B.  It's too long a drive, what if it is too much for Nana and Papa, it might be so hard, maybe it would just be easier to keep them here.

C.  I am a crazy, psycho  (but I maintain normal) mom.  

Ryan assured me that the correct answer is C. 

And with that, I let them go.  Looking back I think the "unforeseen" reason COULD have been that my sweet mother-in-law has had the flu all week so I feel really bad about that.  Besides that, however, it sounds like the girls have been having a ball!  And I have to be honest, it has been nice to be able to focus all my attention on the four boys.  The girls are really good at soaking up that attention stuff.  I have had so much going on that it would made for a really stressful week even with Ryan here and the girls.  Knowing they are being watched and cared for while I run all over the town has been wonderful! Thank you Nana, Papa, Michele, and Dad!

Plus, they are doing lots of fun things like this...

Eating popcorn and watching a movie with Papa and cousin, Presley. 

Thank Goodness Aunt Michele was visiting so she could help with the girls a bit while Nana was sick. She posted this online with the caption, "Here comes trouble!"  I am so glad the girls were able to spend time with them as well. 

I am ready for them to come running through the door though!  

Annie...I miss your help around the house!  

Sophie-the boys miss wrestling and playing with you.  Even Joshua has been complaining after school, "It's just too quiet around here."  

Who ever thought that with all these boys things would be TOO quiet?

MISS YOU GIRLS!  

And of course, WE MISS YOU TOO, DAD!

Citizenship in the Nation

Man, this picture was taken this summer and I can't believe how much these guys have grown in the past six months!  Joshua's Eagle is right around the corner....and I am realizing he is just the beginning of our Scouting journey with three more boys to follow.  Yikes!

Even though that seems like a bit of a nightmare ...I am really glad my kids have the opportunity and the encouragement of those around them to do Scouting.  They are learning the good old fashioned things that all boys should know, but in our age of gadgets and gaming get left behind. 

Every year for the past three years I have been teaching the "Citizenship in the Nation" merit badge for  the boys in our Stake.  It is one of the required merit badges that they really are not excited about and come to the class because they "have" to.  I will be honest, there are times when I HATE teaching the class.  I gain a WHOLE new appreciation for Jr High teachers.  Seriously.  

I also gain a new appreciation for these young men.  Of course they can be obnoxious, rude at times, and seem disinterested.  But they are also sweet, eager to learn, and can be very endearing. 

And of course, I re-gain my love for our Country!  It is really a crash course in American Heritage/Pol. Sci 101/American Government all combined into one.  If anything, I just hope the boys leave with a love for their country and a desire to serve and make it better.  

We talk about the Constitution and the Establishment Clause...

Freedom of Religion

“Congress shall make no law respecting an ESTABLISHMENT of religion or prohibiting the free exercise there of…”

The 19th Amendment and the Women's right to vote...I have to get my little feminist speech in there when I can! Kidding....sort of. 

Of course, the boys favorite Amendment is always the Second...

They didn't think that joke was that funny.  Sheesh, kids these days. 

I try to talk about politics around the world a bit, just so they can see that not every one enjoys the freedoms that we often just take for granted.  

 I try to keep things positive and focus on the good things about our country since they will get enough of the bad from their liberal college professors.  Just kidding, but really...sometimes there are some things that you just can't sugar-coat especially when it comes to good old politicians.  They are at the age where they already have learned that no matter what their political leanings are...there are some politicians out there that don't make the best of decisions.  

I ask, "Who knows who are Senators from Idaho are?"  

Usually, most don't know James Risch.  (Sorry, James!)  Some do know that Michael Crapo is one of them.  They ALL seem to think it is so funny to say...

"Oh, I know one, Michael CRAP-o."  This happens every time.  This time that was followed by, 

"Wasn't he the guy that just got arrested for Drunk Driving?"  

"Oh, ya, I remember that!"  

"Ya, what WAS he doing?"  

Then I get to tell the boys that one of their requirements is to write a letter to one of their trustworthy Representatives about a bill, or a concern, or even a letter of thanks.  

Dear Senator Crapo, 

Thanks for getting buzzed while you were in Washington DC and then driving back to your place while under the influence.  We appreciate your fine example.  We are just glad you had your pants on when you got pulled over. Things could always be worse. 

We are learning about the Amendments.  I bet you are grateful for Amendments 4-8, guaranteeing the rights of the accused.  I hope they let you know what you were being charged with when you were pulled over, and I hope you know that you have the a right to an attorney.  Did you plead the fifth at that time?  We want to know all the details!  Let us know how it is going!  

Thanks,  Your Local Boy Scouts of America in Idaho

Just kidding.  We didn't write any such letter, and I am sure justice was carried out. 

We go over several famous speeches....

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live

 in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of 

their skin but by the content of their character."

Martin Luther King

"General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if 

you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern

 Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this 

gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!Mr. Gorbachev, 

tear down this wall!'"

Ronald Reagan 

  "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

John F Kennedy

Those are just a few of the speeches...but they give me the chills every time! 

I think this sign from the time around the 18th Amendment is so funny.  Funny and sweet. 

"Please help me to keep him pure..."

And then I thought this one celebrating the 21st Amendment was kind of catchy.  I tried to sing the words to the boys but they didn't really appreciate it.  

 Did you know that the Idaho Capitol building is the only Capitol heated with Geothermal Energy.  The hot water comes from 3000 feet below the ground.  And all this time people think that we are just a bunch of rednecks...um hello, we are like the original environmentalist here in Idaho! 

  

Did you also know that our Capitol has over 50,000 sq. ft of marble inside it. 

Well,  if you stuck with me through this whole blog post you should earn your Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge.  If you would have come to my class you would have gotten Chocolate Chip Cookies too.  I am not above bribing the kids to listen to me, not one bit!

The best day...

This past Thursday I had the best day.  My Dad came over the night before and asked if I wanted to take Annie skiing with him the next morning.  He was also going to ask Isabelle since she needed some help too and we had room for one more boy.  Since James has not been able to go for a month or so we took him along!  It was my kind of ski day....a whooping 55F on the mountain.  Awesome.  

However, before I can tell you about that day, I will start off with a trip I took with my parents and Annie the week prior.  

I forgot my socks at home.  Just testing out to see if a glove would work???

This was Annie's first time skiing.  We had a great time and it was a good introduction to the whole concept.  However, she never really "took off" on her own. I mostly skied with her in between my legs or she would crash because she could not stop.  It was still a fun day!

So Thursday when my Dad suggested we take Isabelle and Annie skiing I was expecting her to improve a little but didn't have huge expectations.  I was SHOCKED when the first run of the day she said, "I want to do it myself!" and off she went.  I don't know what clicked but she got it!

These two were such a great little pair.  I think they both helped each other.  

They were so excited to see a moose skiing on the mountain.  We had to snap a picture!

It was great to have James along for the day.  Because of his Seizures he has not been able to do any skiing.  However, we decided since the medication has been controlling them for the most part, and we were not doing any of the crazy skiing he usually does..it would be fine.  I think he enjoyed missing a day of school and being up in the fresh air and sunshine.  I think he also missed skiing with Joshua, Abigail, and Sadie. They like to tear it up on the black diamonds and whatnot.  

I took these movies of Annie skiing...I realize as her Mom I probably get the biggest kick out of them.  But, I also post them for Grandma, Nana, and Papa!  I sent one of these to Ryan while we were up on the mountain and he said Sophie watched it 20 times.  

 What an awesome day!  THANK YOU Grandpa for taking us.  I could not have been more proud of Isabelle and Annie!  They did so great and were so much fun to be with.  It was also so nice to be able to be with James away from the regular grind of school and chores.

I love Spring Skiing! 

It's like Halloween around here...

A couple weeks ago was our school's annual Read-A-Thon.  For some reason...and I am still not quite sure why, they all dressed up as clowns that Friday.  This outfit was from when I was a little kid.  My mom made it for one of us.  She was good like that.  He decorated his face at school so I can't take responsibility for that one...

The first graders and Kindergarten could also wear their PJs.  (Pajama/Clown Day, I know I was confused too.)  Luke won this big container of Loot and he was pretty excited about it!  I love Pajama Day and would not mind if they had it once a week. I remember back when "Dr Laura" was on the air she occasionally ranted about Pajama Day's at school and how they were trying to sexualize our children.  She advised to NEVER send your child to a school that would do such a thing.  I am sorry, Dr Laura, I can't go there with you on that one. I love Pajamas and I don't think any little kids are wearing sexy PJ's to school.  My kids usually wear something involving flannel pants and a cozy top.  What is not to like?  My favorite go-to outfit if I am being honest. 

Michael wanted to be a clown/soccer player. 

That same night Annie got invited to her first Princess Birthday Party and to say she was excited would be an understatement.  Luckily she found some costume items that Nana had sent her and she was all ready to go the ball! 

 It is too bad this picture was blurry...but I just love it anyway.  This was her RUNNING in excitement to go the party. 

This is Annie's friend Keisha.  Keisha is seven and Annie is only four, but they are still great friends.  Keisha is so sweet to Annie and takes her under her wing.  She even invited Annie to the big girl party so Annie was double-excited.

Hooray for dressing up in March!

Right now I am dreaming of days like this....(taken at Bear Lake).  

Or a day at the Beach sounds pretty nice....

Speaking of days at the beach with Nana...it was Nana's Birthday this weekend (along with Heidi and Grandma C's).  My kids are sure missing Nana and Papa lately and keep asking when we can go out and see them.  I wish we could all just jump in the car and forget about school for a week!

While reminiscing about warmer weather I ran across this little gem.  This was Luke right before moving from California.  He is so squishy and cute.

Here is Michael...not as squishy but every bit as cute.  He is about two feet taller now. 

Every February/March I decide I want to move.  Then I have to remind myself....you do this every year at this time.  The snow is slowly melting.  I am pretty happy about it. It still looks like the lone and dreary world out there.  It is muddy and there are no leaves on the trees.

Now I better run.  I just heard Michael yell, "Why is my brother trying to ruin my life?"  I hear a fight brewing.  I better stop dreaming of the beach and stop a war.  :)  Happy Monday!

What a month...

 I am so glad for MARCH to come! I know that March isn't really the beginning of Spring around here...we should be in for more snow, but it means it is around the corner! Here is some of the good and bad from this past month...

On the 6th, James knocked out three of his front permanent teeth.  Our great dentist fixed him up like new...but it brought to our attention that James has been having Absent Seizures...so instead of just going to the dentist, we went to the doctor, the hospital for an EEG, and the neurologist.  Didn't expect this when the month began, but we are glad we now know what is going on. More on that later...

That same week I was driving the kids to school and THIS happened.  We purchased new tires a month or so ago and keep having trouble with them keeping air pressure. We have had to make SEVERAL trips to Big O this month and hopefully have it all worked out. The good news?  For once I wasn't in my bathrobe when I drove the kids to school, and I even had my hair combed.  Good thing. 

I taught my last trampoline class for a while and it is kind of a relief.  I love doing it, but it will be a good break until we do it again in the spring or summer.  In the meantime, I have been doing Insanity video's at home and walk/running with the dog.  I decided since Sophie is now two, it might be time to get back in shape. 

Daisy graduated from her class at Pet Smart.  She really was the star student.  She would do everything the instructor told her to do and learns really fast.  She still has a ways to go! 

On President's Day I took this crew to the Idaho Falls Museum.  The Museum was celebrating their 10th birthday and so admission was free.  Note to self-usually when things are free to the public it is not worth going.   It was PACKED.  This is us standing out in the COLD line. 

I still pinch myself everyday that I have these two...mostly I am so glad they have each other.  Sophie hates when Annie is not home and they love to play together.  Annie dressed them both up here.  They make me laugh and smile everyday. 

On Sunday it was so sunny and I was really feeling Spring Fever.  I wanted to go on a walk, but the boys said it was too cold.  I didn't believe them.  The girls were up for it.  

Annie was so excited to ride her bike.  

When we got to some hills, she wanted to me to push/pull her.  I didn't have gloves on and my hands were FREEZING from being on the metal of the bike with an icy cold wind.  I didn't realize that it was not even 20F and WAY colder than I had imagined.  Sometimes the sun can deceive you! We decided to stop at Grandma and Grandpa's and hitched a ride back home in Grandpa's truck.  Sometimes you just have to get outside, cold or not!

The Elementary School is having their annual Read-a-thon and these guys have been reading around the clock.  This is on the way home from the Library...thank goodness for books to keep them busy.

Good bye, February!  Can't wait to see what March brings...