Spring

FINALLY, it is finally starting to feel like spring, minus those crazy cold days that keep popping in, like today... BUT, it is still starting to feel like spring. I feel renewed. I loved when the weather warms up, and I can feel the warmth of the sun! I'm looking forward to a fun Easter weekend, and Spring Break next week. It's all down-hill from here! Yipee!

Great Grandma Whatcott

Last Wednesday, we got the call that Cameron's Grandma Whatcott had passed away. What an amazing woman she was? Though we were so sad that she would not be with us anymore, we were relieved that she would feel no more pain. We are so glad we stopped by to see her just a few weeks ago, and our kids had a chance to be with her. She was such a great example of love and was quite a spit-fire like Cameron and Katelyn. We will miss her.

These pictures are from our last visit.


Grandma loved holding the babies... (Grandma with Emmy)

Grandma always had this green bucket full of toys for the kids to play with when they visited her... the older girls thought it was good place to put the Loo!

Coupon Craze

So, about a month ago, I decided that I would jump on this coupon craze bandwagon to see if it really worked. Cameron and I are trying so hard to be self-reliant and work on our food storage, so we decided that we would spend around $50 a month to try to build up a good storage. My good friend, Ellen (who is the coupon QUEEN... really), came over and showed me what to do. Our first few shopping trips were a big fiascos, as we were trying to get the right amount of things to get the discounts and to organize our coupons and all. I think I finally have some of this down... Yesterday I even got up early to go get a good deal on Huggies diapers (and I treasure my sleep, so that is huge for me!). In the end, I only spent $2.99 on jumbo packs of diapers, and got several boxes of cereal for $.50 a box. I got a bunch of other stuff too. I can't believe I ever paid full price for anything at the grocery store before. It's pretty fun to watch the total due drop to less than half every time I go to the store. Cameron made fun of me at first, but he is on board now, and our new Sunday night ritual is sitting in bed when the kids have gone to sleep clipping coupons and organizing them, then going through the ads to see if there is a dang good deal. So, if you see me at the grocery store, you may not want to get behind me in line, I most likely have a coupon for EVERYTHING I am buying. :)

Antibiotics

Well, I know I say it every time, but my life is just so chaotic, I just get so behind on this blogging thing. Mostly, we have been dealing with illness around our house. I swear there is always a kid sick in the winter... it started out with Spencer getting strep at the end of January, just as he got better, Camille got strep, then a bunch of people in my family got an awful 24 hr. flu bug, that laid us out flat!!! When we got over that, Spence was back at the doctor with an ear infection. Katelyn started coughing, baby got stuffy, Camille was congested... on and on. Then last week, Emmy got a fever of 105 all of the sudden, she had been fine all that week. Cameron (who is usually very calm when dealing with the kids) grew concerned when she was unresponsive last Thursday night. She would not look at us, and was limp, and shaking... we rushed her to the ER. They stripped her and started putting lots of wet rags on her body to cool her off. They did chest x-rays, blood work, urine samples, the works... they said they suspected some type of pnemonia, which I was surprised about because she wasn't even congested... she gave her some IV antibiotics and her pediatrician had her continue them orally. She seems to be feeling better, but gave us a scare. I can't wait until there is no more antibiotics in my fridge... it has been over 2 months since there hasn't been any in there. ARRR! All I can say is that I am looking forward to warm weather, and NO illnesses. AMEN!

Kate's Birthday and other stuff

Well, my little Kate gets less and less little. She just turned six a few weeks ago, and I just can't grasp how fast time is flying by. She is such a blessing to our family, and keeps us entertained and on our toes. When I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday party, she said she wanted to have a pillow fight... leave it to Kate to come up with something so great and simple. So we invited all the girls in her Kindergarten class and neighborhood and had a happenin' pajama party with pizza, popcorn, a movie and a pillow fight. A great time was had by all, and Kate was pleased with the turn-out and the gifts.



Over the long weekend, I begged Cameron for something I have been wanting for a really LOOOONG time... one day at home without the kids so I could clean and organize some things that have been BUGGING me for a while. He was nice enough to take the Monday holiday to bring the kids (minus the baby) to Kanosh to meet up with his dad. The two of them took the 3 kiddos to the Freemont Indian State Park, so Camille could do some research for her Native American Report.

They had a great time, and I am pleased to report that with the help of my sister Nathalie, we accomplished the following:
1) Completely dejunked and clean the girls room (we threw 2 boxes full of "treasures"' away that I'm sure the girls won't even miss).
2) Took everything out of their closet to shuffle what fits and doesn't fit and what we don't need anymore after going through 2 girls already.
3) Cleaned Spence's closet and did the same and cleaned and organized his dresser. I also dusted and vacuumed his room and hung up some things that I have been wanting to hang forever!
4) Put away all the baby clothes that Emmy has already grown out of and got rid of stuff that I don't think will make it through any other kids.
5) Hung pictures in Emmy's room from her first photo shoot. SOOOO cute!
6) Washed sheets.
7) Cleaned and organized the hair thing drawer (wow, that is a big job, my girls leave hair things all over the house).
8) Washed and folded, and put in it's place 12 FULL loads of laundry (no joke!!! I was REALLY behind).
9) Cleared off my dresser and put clothes away.
10) Vacuumed all the upstairs rooms.
11) Cleared and cleaned all the vanities upstairs.

Man it felt great! Then Cameron came home and said, "You didn't get anything downstairs done?" He OBVIOUSLY didn't realize how bad I felt the upstairs was. :(
Anyway, so I'm feeling better that I have a handle on things, and have vowed to never have that much laundry waiting for me again. I'll let you know how it goes. I hope everyone is having a good 2009 and enjoying every minute with all the stinkin' cute kids out there who grow up way too fast.

Wow... Time Flies!

Wow! It has been a while... I am happy to report that Santa did, in fact, make it to our house this year. Our little people were blessed to have received exactly what they asked Santa for...
Milly - A cleaning kit (yes, really, she wanted stuff to clean with... broom, rubber gloves, a small vacuum, sponge, etc) and Dance stuff (leg warmers, bun holder, foot undies).
Kate- An American Girl Doll
Spence- More cars and a race track
Loo- Things to chew on.
It was a great success, and the kids were so happy. Cameron and I agreed not to get anything for each other, but I did manage to get a good, long back scratch... exactly what I wanted. We were so blessed to be able to have a great Christmas. We loved spending time with cousins and visiting with family and friends. We are so lucky to have so many great people in our lives.

This is the time of year I always dread... I hate when winter turns cold after the holidays... I know that doesn't make sense, winter is cold. I mean, after the anticipation of the holiday is over, there is this time when the new year excitement has faded, and instead of fresh lovely snow, the snow just freezes and it gets really cold, and everything gets boring and you can't go outside, and the kids get sick, and there really isn't anything cool to look forward to for a while... that is the the time of year I dread, and it happens right about now.

School is good. I finally feel like things are normal... the move is out of the way (though I still can't find everything) and Christmas break is over. It is time to get going with the learning stuff. I've got to teach these kids everything they need to know in just 4 more months. Yikes!

My kids are great! I can't believe how fast they grow... I am already dreading that in 10 years Milly will be 18, and if I blink I might miss something great.

Cameron has picked up a few remodel jobs, so things are looking up. We hope that the trend continues as we move into Spring.

Until next time... the Christmas Pics.

Christmas morning

Spence's Race Track
American Girl Doll
My favority little Loo

The kids had some killer games of Guitar Hero!

Ice Skating and Sledding with the cousins

Little Dudes! It's funny, they always start getting along great just as they are about to leave.

Camille's class came to watch her performance in the Nutcracker. It was fun to have them come to support her...

Milly with her class.

The Bon Bons

Mini Party Girl

Camille and her teacher

Merry Christmas

Well, it's hard to believe that Christmas is here again. I love this time of year. There is so much excitement in the air at an Elementary School, and with my own kids, it is so much fun. I love that we finally got some good snow, and that the world seems a little magical out there. We did survive the Nutcracker, and the girls did great! They were so cute!




We had a great time on our annual chop down the Christmas tree trek. The tree is perfect for our space.


You gotta love when the kids decorate the Christmas tree, and there are clumps of ornaments where they can reach... they actually did a pretty good job this year.




Spencer turned 3 last week, and had a great time at his 2 parties. He had a Spiderman Party with his friends, and Cameron prepared a huge "Thanksgivingish" feast to celebrate with family. Spence had a great time, and we appreciate everyone who came or wished Spence well.

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family, we feel so blessed to know you! We are so excited to spend time with family over the break, and get caught up with cleaning.