Cousin Visit - common day

So much of the visit has been hangin' here at home.
The kids need little help in finding things to do or to keep them occupied.


These are Guitar Hero Pictures. Everyone has been involved and everyone has their favorite: to sing, drum, guitar or bass. We've enjoyed jammin' as a family. I have to say - the adults have stayed up too late most nights and played this. One day Aerie even said to the Dad's - I can't wait for you to go golfing tomorrow so we can have Guitar Hero to ourselves! The Big Dunn Bro's have had a great time playing together.

And you know how I mentioned they don't need a lot of help to find things to do?
They all sleep downstairs on the hide-a-bed. One morning Coco said she could slip under the bed under the couch part. That turned into an "Oh yeah, well I. . ." and the next thing I knew the couch was eating all the little people of the house. I know you can't tell from the pictures exactly what was going on - so let me explain. They would all sit on the part of the bed that connect to the couch so that it would tip up. One of the kids would then slide down between the mattress and the couch and end up on the floor "under" the couch. Then everyone would "climb" the mountain to the other side of the bed and lock the person "in" the couch. It didn't so much work like "locking" as they all were to excited for it to be their turn as soon as they locked someone in, I'd hear, "My turn, me next!" and they would start the process over by freeing the person and someone new going in. While Noble was under the couch Auntie Shauna, who is fun, ticked him from behind the couch and he screamed - I'm so glad that's Shauna!" (implied - and not a mouse!)

Cousin Visit - Sea World

Hooray! The Cousins came to visit!
These children adore each other.
The love that they have, the instant relationship and friendship that spring up when they are together are almost magical.



(L-R) Sophia, Sallie, Aerie, Liam, Malachi, Coco, Henry, Hewy, Noble

The day we went to Sea World it was very mild weather. Warm enough to walk around, not hot enough to sweat. Most of the family went on the River Ride and most did not get wet - but some did!

This is my darling niece, Sallie, and Hewy. They were not tall enough to go on very many of the rides so they hung out with me. They are only about 5 months apart.

Other great pictures from Sea World.

unlikely source for a good quote

We all know that I love, love, love me a good quote. I stumbled upon this one while reading muphfsswmeklee. (What you didn't catch that? I said muphfssmeklee. You know muphfssmeklee.) Okay, okay. OK. It was US Weekly.

Yes, I have been known to read a gossip magazine or two now and then.

Like I said in the title, unlikely source.

So here it is:
"Let's be real. Sometimes I end up having to wipe my kids nose on my shirt so it can't be silk and cost $800!" -Keri Russell

She has a point.
I have had to wipe a nose or two on my shirt from time to time. Not that even my best clothing costs $800, but she makes a good point. Good to see celebrities keep it real too. :)

Because on the very same page Ms. Paris Hilton is quoted as saying: "Once I've worn a dress, I can never wear it again."

That makes my head spin when I think about church! I am thankful to find a dress or skirt that doesn't have snot on it to wear each Sunday let alone having to wear a different one every time I went out.
That is a reality I just don't comprehend.

holiday misc

I think one of the favorite things Hewy got for Christmas was a mini play-doe machine. It's one of those travel size games - we all got one or two in our stockings, and his is a play dough maker that came with a mini thing of play-doe. He played with it for hours.


Our traditional Christmas Morning treat -
Monkey bread / pull-a-parts
baked in my new bundt pan from my sweetheart.


Okay, this is just a "rewind" moment.
In all the hub-bub of the crazy month of December I think I forgot to mention that Noble got his retainer! He loves it and is very diligent about wearing it. It will pull his front teeth in and back. It was his choice to get as it is purely cosmetic, the orthodontist is delighted with how much "room" Noble has in his mouth. However, kids were teasing him about his crazy front teeth so he asked if we could get them fixed. He doesn't hide his smile nearly as much as he used to - it's so good to see him smiling!

Christmas morning

Okay, the house is tidied. Not clean by any means. But tidy.
Tidier than it was an hour or so ago anyway.

These are Christmas Morning pix.



Noble's loot



Hewy's loot


Liam's loot


I loved how gracious my kids were. "Thank you ____ it's just what I wanted.'
I also loved that Hewy was "in to" ripping open presents! He didn't care who's it was or who it was from... he loved ripping into them!!!!

Sampling of Christmas

You have all been so patient, thank you.
Christmas has come and gone despite the craziness of life.

Alec's parents, Val and Laura, came and spent Christmas with us and today Alec's brother Brent and his family come in - so the craziness continues! :) Nothing like having family around though.

So, I don't have much time, but wanted to get something new up today. I am not over my grief, but I also have had much joy this week, so I needed to update the blog!

These are pix of me and the boys. We went to breakfast at Le Peep Christmas Eve Morning. They have one of my favorite breakfasts, Eggs Benedict. Yummy.



Did these end up too small? Can you make the pictures out?
This is the fam making reindeer food.
Oatmeal, carrots and glitter.
Both sets of Grandparents and Henry joined us.



And here we have Christmas Eve delights.
The boys always get new jammies and Alec reads T'was the Night Before Christmas.


And here is a sampling of what my house looks like now, which is why I need to go clean up. Having another family of seven join us for nearly a week, I need to start out "on top of" the clutter. :)



I love you all.
Thank you for all your prayers and love.
I've needed it to survive this week.

grief is the natural by-product of love

I made the comment, and mistake, of saying to Alec last Sunday (almost a week ago) that we were booked for the next few weeks. I like to leave "white space" in our schedule for unexpected hiccups. I told him there was no room for anything. I had planned time I knew I would need to make phone calls, time to make visits, time to make sugar cookies. . . but by time I put everything in that needed to be taken care of as a Mom creating blissful Christmas memories with her kiddos, as a homemaker that knows how easy it is for the house to get out of control during the holidays, as the super-women that needed to make and deliver holiday treats, knowing as the Relief Society president that gifts needed to be delivered - food orders filled out - etc. etc. I knew we were busy. I knew the stress level would be high. I knew I could get it all done if I was diligent.

What I didn't know, but should have, is that when we think we can't do anything more, there is always more to give.

Sadly a dear friend of mine, someone that I referred to as Sunshine to my soul, and a Sister in my Relief Society that I loved dearly and felt responsible for - returned home to our Father in Heaven this week, leaving us in a very tragic way.

The depths and levels of emotion that I have felt the past two days have been surprising and indescribable. The peace that I have felt, the comfort of the Holy Ghost, the testimony I have of the Plan of Salvation, the ache of a grieving heart. My favorite quote about grief is this:

"Grief is the natural by-product of love. One cannot selflessly love another person and not grieve at their death. The only way to avoid the grief would be to not experience the love. And it is the love that gives life its richness and meaning"
-Lance B. Wickman

As I have counseled with so many others the past couple of days as their spiritual leader, as I have allowed the wings of angels to carry me, so that I may assist others understanding of this trying time, as words that are not my own have flowed from my mouth and I was able to offer comfort and love to others - I have been strengthened. In spirit, in testimony, in physical and mental health and energy.

"Things" have had to fall to the wayside, but honestly - I am still getting quite a bit done. I can make the holiday goodies while I talk on the phone with someone who is grieving. I can read the materials I need to in order to prepare to teach a lesson when my own grief overwhelms me - allowing me to not only prepare for the lesson but to strengthen my spiritual reserves. I can focus on the Savior even more in this trying, yet blessed time of year that celebrates Him.

My husband. My kids. My parents. My friends. Have all stepped up to not only support me and to carry some of the burden. I am touched by their love, compassion and desire to serve me.

I am grateful for the grief I feel, for it also means that I know love.

If I go absent from the blog for a time - it is because in addition to being "booked" and crazy with the holiday, I am also planning a funeral and coming to terms with losing a friend. Never think that you are too busy - because more will be needed of you. :)

I love you all.

marbles - they're not lost, they're. . . (you don't want to know)

It was one of those days. One of those days that you have plenty to do. And just the right amount of time to get it done. And then someone goes and swallows a marble.

Yeah, you read that right. . . a marble. And not like all the other times when he actually chocked on the marble, this time he swallows it and it gets stuck in his throat. I know, because I felt it there. And so did my friend, Ally.

We were having a kids holiday craft day. It's a good thing too because I just kinda walked out the door and took my youngest to the ER. I just kind of had that "you can figure things out from here" mentality. I know where you live if you take my other kids home with you or not - they can fend for themselves.

By time I had sat through the three lights between my house and the ER (stupid new hospital that is only a block or two away isn't open yet, I had to sit through THREE lights, can you believe that?) I had called my parents (so they wouldn't be the last to know or find out about here on the blog), and texted Bishop, Diane and Brad - who then texted/emailed about half the rest of the ward. By time I had signed us in I had 7 emails and 3 phone calls asking what they could "do" - I am lucky to be surrounded by such do-ers. There wasn't much to do. But I hear it's the thought that counts.

So the marble. It went down. It's in his tummy or somewhere between there and "out" so we are waiting. They listened carefully to his lungs to see if it was there - but he is breathing fine, and they x-rayed him to make sure it wasn't metal marble or (yikes) magnetic - it must be glass as it didn't show up.

Kids I tell ya.
We have been throwing all the marbles we find away - I didn't think there were anymore... but Hewy has a knack for finding them and swallowing them.

Legendary Christmas

A tradition we started here in Texas last year was attending the Legendary Christmas the Westin La Cantera. It starts at Sundown and is usually held outside and includes ringing the mission bell. However, Monday night it was freezing and that just won't do for most Texas bloods! This night - they held it all indoors in the beautifully decorated Hotel.

Most people must of thought it was too cold - so it was a low attended event. Our kids got to get up and sing with "Makin' Dust" for every song. Everyone that attends receives a bell to ring and keep.

And the Legend of Christmas - you can make it snow if you just believe.
Even in San Antonio.


After the snow fall, they serve cider and cookies.
Then you wander down the hall and decorate gingerbread men with Mrs. Clause.


Grandmama and Grandpa joined us this year.
Afterwards we went to Dinner and warmed up with Hot Chocolate.

Neighborhood Santa

Neighborhood Santa visit.
He gave everyone books.


H. received The Napping House

Liam received Beast Quest

Noble received A Year Down Yonder

Fun family continued

So after the golf adventure we decided to keep on having a good day together - which means we blew off everything else we had to do that day, but we did have a good time being together.

Noble's teeth turned red from the gaterade and not brushing that day.



Liam's hair was just out of control all day. I asked him to comb it before we left and even before he wore his hat - it just looked crazy. It was at lunch at Red Robin when I asked, did you put gel or something in your hair? he said no - and then all the lights went on at the same time, Daddy, Mommy, Liam and Noble all said "Whipped Cream" at the same time. Liam and Noble had had a whipped cream fight the night before. Liam says he showered and washed his hari - but I think that was the "issue" with his hair.



Hewy just had too much fun. He tried to fall asleep at the movie we went to see, Bolt in 3D, but that was too exciting. Needless to say he crashed on the couch at home later that day.


Here are the boys and I at the movie we saw on a whim. Bolt in 3D

A family that golfs together. . .

Alec was taking the boys to the driving range on Saturday and Noble asked if I would go - he really wanted a family activity. So, I tagged a long. I didn't let Alec bring me clubs, I just sat back and took pictures.

This was a temper tantrum ala H. He was screaming so I had to take him to the car as not to disturb the other golfers and break golf ettiquette.

See I really was there - I am wearing Liam's hat because he got too hot with it on but the wind was blowing my long hair every which way.

Daddy and H golf

This was a by chance catch on video. I had been taking short clips of Alec's swing for him to watch later. As I watched them today I realzied just how cute this one is. Hewy is in his Dad's shadow, swings at the same time and says "ready set go!"

child labor - or - at least there was cake - or - get thee to the cannery

My Super Cool friend Sarah is the Emergency Preparedness leader in our ward. She does a great job of getting all of us to the cannery and I do have to say our food storage has double in the last few months. On one of our recent trips I asked the missionaries that run the cannery what the age limit was and they said there wasn't one! So for today's assignment I took all my kids to the cannery!


I was so happy when I walked in with my three kids and they were delighted to see them. They went right up to Hewy and said "We've got a job just for you!" and taught him how to put the dry-pack packages in and the lids on the cans and then I passed them to the "canner" who was Sarah today. Hewy did a great job and did his job dutifully for an hour as we canned about 200+ cans today. I think his favorite was the dry milk and the hot cocoa. The dry milk he would push his packet down until his whole hand was covered in dry milk. We had canned wheat before that and he had put a wheat pearl in his mouth and wasn't too happy with that so - I think that kept him from putting anything else in his mouth. Until we were on the last can of hot cocoa and he licked his hand - he looked up at me with this look of "This is Chocolate - did you know that?!" He asked me for more.

Cool pix of cool peeps at the cannery.
Noble and Liam both had jobs that they did willingly and happily.



And there was cake.
It is Bro and Sis Johnson's last real month serving at the cannery and they have been so good to us this year - so Sarah brought them a cake. It was a good reward for my kids - because when we were all finished Liam asked, so how much do we get paid? He assumed he had worked he would be paid. In blessings maybe, and he will have food to eat if the world comes to an end. At least there was cake.

SPUR of the moment

Alec takes care of the firms tickets for Spurs games and other events. Because he is the contact person for the firm sometimes he get extras thrown his way. Wednesday the Spurs guy called Alec to say he had a Courtside Suite that wasn't going to be used - would he like it! Of course!!!

So we had a SPUR of the moment family outing.
(Grandpa and Grandma and the Robert's joined us)

We met at Cheesy Jane's for dinner. Since they closed the Cheesy Jane's near our home we don't get to eat their often. It was just as yummy as the first time we ate there all the way back in our intern summer 2004!!!



Random pix from the game
A Courtside Suite is about 12 rows up from court - with soft leather chairs and room to move around.


Grandpa and Hewy are always friends!



We love our SPURS - and we love SPUR of the moment family outings.