2011's Top Ten!

We didn't get a family photo taken this year (believe me, we tried, but after making 3 attempts we decided to give up and try again next year).  We  didn't get a Christmas letter written either, so here's a look back at the year through the "eyes" of our blog:

In February, we took  a family vacation up to Pinetop, AZ   and the kids skiing for the first time.  Emma and Bennett especially loved it!

In February I got to take my first sisters' weekend EVER -- well, since being married.  It was a definite highlight!

In May the kids all finished up another school year (and preschool for Sarah).  They all are wonderful students and continue to learn and grow.

Emma has discovered VOLLEYBALL - she loves it and was even able to attend the summer volleyball camp at the University of Arizona.

Bennett discovered KARATE this year - he loves it and has worked up to green belt.  In  two more days he gets to try his hand at board breaking!

Briant and Sarah took swim lessons all summer - they did a great job!

In July, we welcomed back Nana and D from their 3 year mission to Little Rock, Arkansas -- we're so thankful for their service and example to our family!

We were able to travel to Utah this summer for a DREWES family reunion -- lots of fun with cousins and aunts and uncles.  We're so thankful to know that families are forever!

Next month Dave will complete his 2nd year as bishop.  He is amazing -- he continues to juggle SO many responsibilities and still be a great father and husband!

We all agree that the biggest highlight of 2011 was the birth of Chloe in October!  She is a sweet, fun baby and we all adore her!  She has been a real blessing to our family already!                          

Another Day to Celebrate!

 
S turned 5 last week!  She loved having Grandma and Aunt Suzanne her to help her celebrate her big day.  Five has become a magical age for her, and she is suddenly very grown up -- and old enough to do new things like brush her teeth without standing on her stool, reach things high in her closet by herself, and (some days) she feels a new power to do things without even being asked!

I love this little monkey!  Here are FIVE things I just adore about her (in no particular order):

1.  I love her energy!  She is almost always the first person awake -- she goes and goes all day without a nap.  Oh that I could siphon just a bit of that energy!
2.  I love to watch her dance!  She can't seem to help herself when she hears music she's just got to boogie -- and she's actually quite good!
3.  I love to watch Miss S as a big sister -- every day she says to me, "thank you for letting us have a baby sister."
4.  S is a determined little girl.  She has been in speech therapy since age 2 1/2 and has come such a long way!  She has worked so hard!!
5.  She is very curious -- sometimes it leads to things being broken as she takes them apart to investigate them -- but mostly it's fun to watch her mind work! Lately, she has become very interested in putting letters together and reading them.

Special Day

 Yesterday was C's Blessing Day.  Here in AZ baby blessings tend to be big family affairs due to lots of extended family in the area.  Since our family is spread out all over the country I thought I'd post these pics so you can be here "virtually."  We loved having my parents here, and feel so grateful for our sweet baby.

Feeling Loved

Today is C's 4 week "birthday" and tonight I will be making dinner for the first time since her birth -- actually since before her birth since my mom insisted I stay out of the kitchen as soon as she and my dad got into town.  My parents were SO wonderful and helpful while they were here for 2 1/2 weeks, and I have to admit I felt overwhelmed as they pulled out of town.  Then to my surprise, we started receiving nightly dinners.  I have felt so loved by the outpouring of friends (and meals) that have made their way to our door this month!  I'm blogging this to say thank you and also as a reminder to myself of the lesson I have learned this month.  That is, to be more aware of others and to remember that even what I might consider a simple dinner could be so appreciated by someone in need.  We have been given elaborate meals (note the baby cookies), and also what friends have called "simple" meals, but honestly we have loved every one!  Thank you, thank you to everyone -- and especially to my dear friend Tina who took it upon herself to arrange it all!

Growing . . .

C seems to be getting SO big - 3 1/2 weeks has flow by!  The first time we gave her tummy time at 3 weeks she rolled herself back over onto her back TWICE!  But, it was a fluke and she hasn't been able to do it again - thankfully:)  We sure love her!!

Happy Halloween

She's Here!!

Miss Chloe has arrived!  We are so thrilled to have her here healthy and beautiful!  Getting her here (the labor) was surprisingly long and hard for being our 5th, but she's so worth it!

A Big Day

Today was a big day for our E -- she turned TWELVE and entered the Young Women's Program at church.  It was happy and emotional.  I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming!  Here are TWELVE things that I especially enjoy about her (in no particular order) --

1 - I love that in this modern age her biggest birthday wish was to get a crafting center for her room -- she is so creative!
2- I love that she has the same passion for reading as I do and that we can share books and get into series together!
3 - I love that she is SO very excited for Miss Chloe to arrive -- even though that means often poking my tummy to awaken the little babe.
4- I love that she is sporty -- I never was and always wished I could be more sporty.  I love watching her play volleyball and ski and run and just go out and try new things.
5 - I love that she doesn't feel the need to conform to others' ideas of what is right or cool.
6- I love that she is a hard worker.  She sets goals for herself and then works hard to meet them.
7 - I love that she enjoys shopping -- we could literally spend hours shopping together and never get tired -- if only we could do it more often:)
8 - It makes me smile that she grosses out at soggy bread just like her Aunt Jen :)
9 - I love that she is so helpful around the house!
10 - I love that she is old enough to babysit now!!  Ah, the freedom -- I don't have to clean the house now before picking up the babysitter every Friday night:)
11 - I love her laugh -- I can pick it out a mile away.  Well, maybe not a mile, but I was at the school last week and before I could see her I could hear her laughing!
12 - I love her beautiful eyes - the windows to her soul!

Finally, my turn!

My little S has waited for 4 weeks now as her siblings have gone off to school each day.  This week she finally got her turn!  She started at "Sister Jackson's Preschool" (as all the older kids call it -- they all went when they were younger).  She LOVED it!  She cried the next day when it wasn't her turn to go.  I'm so proud of her -- I wasn't sure how she'd do because she didn't know anyone else who would be attending.  But she went in happily and started making new friends right away.  She's growing up!!

Here she is outside her preschool just waiting to go in!

My B

At our family celebration at  Airworx yesterday ( an indoor trampoline gym)

 Happy 10th Birthday, B!  What can I say?  He's such a great guy!  Here are 10 things to love about this birthday boy:

1.  He is wise beyond his years.
2. He is determined to be his best.  When he recognizes that he's doing something he doesn't feel good about he works very hard to change that behavior/habit, and keeps at it until he's happy with where he's at.
3.  He is patient --  he is so patient and helpful with his younger siblings and even their friends. 
4.  He is so artistic!  I love to watch him draw -- he has such hand control!
5.  He is easy to please!  Yesterday his dad asked him what he wanted for his birthday, and B said, "Ah, a punching bag (to practice karate)  and two other things I can't remember anymore.  I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever I get."
6. He has a great laugh!  I love to hear him laugh when he thinks something is really funny -- it's contagious!
7.  He is very loving.  Even though he doesn't enjoy getting kisses from mom anymore -- he puts up with it -- and is always very vocal in letting me know how much he loves me.
8. He has a great sense of adventure --  he loves being in the great outdoors!
9.  He is sensitive -- to others' feelings and to the impressions of the Spirit.
10.  He is so much like his dad -- I'm so thankful he has his dad for a role model -- he's growing into an incredible young man!! 

Nesting

This post is for you Jen . . . the quilts are done (check) -- I actually had a lot of fun with them.  My friend Sarah Bisel wrote a wonderful quilting book called Fast, Flirty and Fun.  She inspired me to start the birthday and garden quilt a year ago, and it's taken me this long to get them finished.  I was scared of the machine quilting and binding process -- new to me.  There was a little something about being sick for several months that stopped my progress as well :)  Anyway, in May the girls and I went to see our friends the Jarmans and Wendie walked me through the machine quilting process - it really is forgiving -- thanks Wendie!!  I followed the instructions for binding in Sarah's book and I was surprised at how easy it actually was!!! Thanks Sarah!  The rag quilt is for the baby and I just found instructions on-line.  I'm in love with the nubby fabric on the back, but unfortunately it doesn't fray as well as flannel -- hopefully that will come more with time and washings. (Sorry for the crazy sideways pics once again!)

My kids are definitely learning the definition of "nesting" as I've now moved on to attacking the house -- big black trash bags dejunking every corner!  Today's goal -- my closet (agh)!

The end of Summer

Well, I suppose this means summer is officially over.  The 3 big crazies (kids) all headed back to school yesterday.  The end of summer is bittersweet for me.  I love having the kiddos around all day.  We had a lovely summer -- lots of swimming in the pool, Friday field trips, play dates, exploring, and most exciting -- welcoming Nana and D home from the mission field and our family reunion.  BUT, for the most part they came home happy and excited for the new school year -- and that makes me happy.  And now the nesting can begin as we countdown the next 10 or so weeks until our sweet babe arrives --  my goals for the next 2 (maybe 3) weeks include getting all the scrapbooks updated and finishing 3 (small) quilts that are in various stages of completion.  I better go get busy!! 

It's a . . .

GIRL!  

We had our ultrasound yesterday and our baby GIRL looks HEALTHY and a little ahead of schedule!  We are all excited and can't wait to have our little CHLOE join us!!

Welcome Summer

We've been in summer mode for 9 1/2 days now.  I do love the summertime - having the kids around me all the time, having a more relaxed vibe.  The beginning of the summer is always a little tricky while we try to get our schedule all worked out.  This summer my goal (out of necessity) is to have a simple summer.  I have been reading and hearing of others who are doing such amazing things with their kids this summer -- I hope someday we'll be able to do those things, too.  BUT, this summer I'm working on growing a baby, so we're keeping it simple. 

Last Thursday was the kids' last day of school.  We said good-bye to 3 FANTASTIC teachers!!  We will miss them!  The kids had a great year academically, and I'm so proud of how hard they've worked and how well they've done!

This first week out of school was a busy one -- B went to Cub Day Camp on Monday and Tuesday.  He LOVES day camp and looks forward to it year round.  The theme this year was "Night at the Museum" so they had a grand time building catapults, doing archery, putting together airplanes, making masks, painting dino neckerchief slides, and more . . . Dad was able to go up with the pack on Monday which was  extra nice for B!

E went to a 3 day volleyball camp down at the U of A in the middle of the week.  She worked long and hard (9-3 every day) and learned a lot.  One of the highlights for her though was being given a meal ticket and getting to pick out her own lunch at the student union -- that's big stuff!

 

 Back at home we had friends over every day to play in our new pool.  Yes, this year we got a pool -- it's just a simple set-up -- above ground, 4 ft x 18 ft.  BUT, it makes being outside and staying active SO easy!  Again -- trying to make life simple this summer -- so much easier than packing the pool bag and heading over to our local YMCA.  We had great neighbors move away last summer -- all the way to Texas -- and they came back to visit family and squeezed in a visit with us!  What a treat!

 

 

 Then Daddy didn't have to go into work Friday -- a wonderful surprise -- I had forgotten that they changed the way holiday weeks work this year.  Anyway, he joined us for National Donut Day at Krispy Kreme and our Friday Field trip to DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun! 

 

Here's one last little pic that made me smile.  Saturday BR went running by me with his race car driver mask and cowboy boots.  He said,"I'm going to ask Dad to show me how to mow the lawn!"  Sure enough he got to learn to mow the lawn -- oh, that he'll always be this excited to mow the lawn!

Our Little Graduate

S graduated from our little "Mom's Preschool" this past week.  We've had a great year with these sweet kids-- they've learned so much --- letters, numbers, shapes, social skill, etc . . . so we had to celebrate!  They were each given a "diploma" and a book of craft pages that they've worked on throughout the year.  We had a yummy picnic and pulled out the slip-n-slide.  Way to go S!! 

Big News

We have some big  news!  Most of you have probably seen E's blog or heard the surprise announcement last Sunday, but I didn't want to miss anyone so thought I'd post our big news, too!  And here it is . . .

Yes, we're having a baby!!!  Due in October and we can't wait!! 

Seven years

BR turned seven last week.  I don't think he slept much all week in anticipation of the big day.  Even though his plans for a water slide and water balloons were thwarted by cold, windy weather, we had a "funtastic" time at our local miniature golf place and soup and salad bar.  BR was really excited, too, because he's now big enough to drive his own bumper boat AND go as a passenger in the go-carts!

 

 

It was a wonderful day to spend time as a family and celebrate BR.  I am so thankful to be his mama.  He is such a great guy -- full of affection, creativity, silliness, and deep thoughts.  He is a light in my life!

April Foolishness

Happy April Fool's Day!  This holiday has (happily) morphed for us.  A few years ago the kids would plan months in advance what tricks to play on April Fool's Day.  Well, some of them weren't always nice -- and so we began to focus more on FUN tricks NOT hurtful tricks -- and they usually involve food.  This morning we woke up to a "Donut Seed" breakfast compliments of E (its was really froot loops). 

 The kids had an early release school day so they came home in time for lunch.  YUM!  Mini hamburgers -- April Fools -- it was hamburger cookies -- but who doesn't like to eat dessert first?

Tonight we'll have our (now traditional) CRAZY DINNER.  I found the idea in a magazine last year and the kids loved it.  I'm sure you've heard of or done something similar in the past.  You have 16 items on your "menu" -- This year ours will be cup, napkin, straw, fork, spoon, hamburger patty, hamburger bun, cheese slice, lettuce leaf, ketchup, mustard, french fries, cantaloupe, lemonade, cookie, ice cream.  You write each item down on a strip of paper for each member of your family and fill a cup with all 16 choices.  There are four courses and each member pulls out four strips of paper for each course. . . and that's what they have to eat until the next course.  They can decline to eat anything, but they will not have the chance to eat it later.  The kids' favorite last year was having the lemonade poured directly into their mouths from the pitcher because they didn't get a cup and lemonade in the same course.  We'll see what craziness happens tonight!

HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY!!

March Madness

March has passed by in a blur . . . with a large part of the month taken over by illness.  We've had some weird "stuff" pass through our home this month -- a weird cough and cold that hung around FOREVER(well, maybe not forever, but at least 5 weeks - really!), eye infections, ear infections, and even pneumonia (that one was BR).  But, I really can't complain because everyone was a trooper and thankfully everyone is better now!  We did manage to roll out of bed long enough to do a few things worth mentioning . . .

B joined his fellow 5th graders in a wonderful concert at the beginning of the month.  He even played the bells on several songs . . .

Our Spring Break trip to the White Mountains was canceled "due to illness", but thankfully D and E were able to get away for a few days to Flagstaff for some wonderful Daddy-Daughter Skiing.  E LOVES skiing -- she even tackled the blue hills - and this was only her second time skiing! 

(Meanwhile the rest of us "sickies" had a "stay-cation"at home -- we managed to take a 3-5 hour outing each day and then came home to collapse on the couch and order take-out dinners -- it was actually quite relaxing and enjoyable!)

Our month ended with a BANG when B earned his Bear in Cub Scouts.  He earned his badge along with 3 of his bear buddies.  In honor of this special occasion our cub master led them in a Polynesian War Dance -- B really got a kick out of it!!  (He and D are on the far left of the screen).

 

February . . .

Well, I guess now that it's March I better post about February.  E asks me everyday when I'm going to update our family blog - won't she be excited when she gets home from school today and finds that I FINALLY have!  That's really the only thing motivating me to update rather than lie down on the couch and read while Sarah is napping:)  Other than on my  mission, I've never been a good journal writer.  When I started this blog it was for the kids and to show myself that I could keep a journal . . . and now it's down to one "entry" a month . . . tell me it's better than nothing!  (AND feel free to skip all the words and just skim the photos -- I know it's wordy). 

So, here goes . . .  E has started a new season of volleyball and loving it.  E experienced her first Science Fair -- and enjoyed it (for the most part) -- she even earned "honorable mention!"  She also attended New Beginnings at the beginning of the month!!!!!!  Yes, those are exclamation points because that means that my little E will be entering Young Women's this year -- AND she's not so little anymore - almost as tall as me (but not quite). The New Beginnings program was FABULOUS and she is SO excited for September when she will be able to start attending!  We took a little family vacation up to the White Mountains over Rodeo Days at the end of the month and E skied for the first time.  She LOVED it!  In fact, after her first attempt down the bunny hill I couldn't get video of her because she was so fast -- okay, it was still a snow-plow, but a fast and controlled one!  She's so much braver and more courageous than I ever was!! 




B is really loving karate. He's really taking it to heart and learning so much.  He continues to excel in school, too.  AND he'll be earning his BEAR badge at our pack meeting in a few weeks.  He enjoys cub scouting, but really he can't wait for BOY scouts when he can go camping, hiking, rock climbing, etc . . . He also LOVES skiing.  I was so proud of him as I watched his progression through the day.  When he first went up the ski lift he was rather timid coming down the mountain.  After he got down the first time I took S and BR inside to warm up.  We were gone maybe a 1/2 hour.  When we came back I was SHOCKED to see B confidently skiing down the mountain -- no falls -- just ski lift, down, back to the ski lift over and over again.  I'm so proud of him for overcoming that fear!! 



BR had a big  month --he lost his first tooth,  he also learned to ski, and he bore his testimony in sacrament meeting for the first time!  He wasn't sure about skiing initially, but with a little help from Mom and Dad he was doing really well with his snow plow.  Then he took a class and did not enjoy his teacher ( a full bladder and getting his fingers caught in the bathroom door may have been contributing factors) -- a bit of a downer.  BUT, he is excited to try again.  With any luck there will still be snow at Sunrise during Spring Break so we can give it another try. 

He is probably the last of his friends to loose a tooth,  despite his delay he was holding on to it for dear life.  No one was allowed to touch it, wiggle it, tie it with a string -- nothing.  But he did complain daily of his sore tooth and was unable to eat certain foods, etc . . . Well, the morning we were leaving Pinetop I was doing one last check to make sure we hadn't left anything behind and I spotted his tooth in his bed!!  His patience paid off - no blood, no pain, just out :) 

Here's how our conversation in the middle of Fast and Testimony went:
BR:"Mom, how old do you have to be to bear your testimony?"
Me: "Would you like to bear your testimony?"
BR:"Yeah."
Me:  (Slightly conflicted because I vaguely remembered a letter read over the pulpit some years ago encouraging primary age children to practice bearing their testimonies in primary, and that they should not participate in the sacrament meeting sharing of testimonies unless able to do so by themselves.) "Well, that's a good idea.  How about we talk about testimonies tomorrow in Family  Home Evening, and then you'll be all set to share next month?"
BR: "Tomorrow?"
Me: "Yeah, how does that sound?"
Quiet, Quiet, Quiet, Quiet . . . .for several minutes
BR:"Okay, Mom, I've thought about and I'm ready - I know what I'm going to say."
Me: "Oh?  What are you going to say?" He told me and I thought just a moment before I said, "Okay, do you want to go up and sit on Daddy's lap while you wait?"And then I had to hold him back while he waited for the person who was already up there to sit down.

When it was his turn he stood up and said, "I want to bear my testimony.  I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ created the Earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."  As he was talking I a memory from about a year ago flash through my mind.  He had been in primary and they were talking about the Creation.  He announced, "I know Heavenly Father and Jesus didn't create the Earth - I watched NOVA."  I was so thankful that the teacher (my friend Jaimee) shared this with me.  She was so cute about it and laughed as she told me.  That night as I was putting him to bed I shared my testimony with him about the Creation (and cautioned him about believing everything he hears on NOVA while making a mental note to be a little more selective with his NOVA choices).  Then he said to me, "Okay, Mom - I believe it now.  I know Heavenly Father and Jesus created the Earth."  The faith of a little child.  It touched me as I recalled that incident to realize what an impact that had on him.

 
 Our little S is as energetic as ever.  She tags along with me wherever I go -- even to grade papers at school -- and she's so quiet and does her little art projects while I mark away.  She continues to enjoy "Mommy Preschool" and has a good memory for her letter sounds.  She's also doing very well in her speech therapy.  She is becoming more and more easy to understand, and is a regular chatter box.  Multiple times a day we hear this from her, "Mommy, I have a idea - you the Mommy, I the little sister (or sometimes baby), E is the big sister, B is the big brother, BR isn't playing" (he does not enjoy this game -- and if Daddy is home he's always the Daddy).  I know, it calls on our acting skills, but it's a game we play at our home multiple times a day.  She did not try skiing, but she did go sledding.  Initially she wanted nothing to do with the cold white stuff, but once she tried her first ride with Daddy she was hooked! 

We've passed the one year anniversary of D's being called as bishop.  It's been a year of highs and lows for sure, but I feel so grateful for all that we're learning and for the tender mercies that have been sent our way.  I feel so grateful to be married to a man who honors his priesthood, who lives with integrity, who seeks to do the Lord's will, and who tries ceaselessly  to juggle everything so that he can have as much time with our family as possible.  (We gave him this quad for his birthday and it has become a great source of entertainment for  him and the kids:)



AND I got to get away for a few days to have a Sisters Weekend with my dearest Jen (and even got some Brother time in with my awesome Pete and sister-in-law time with my incredible Cristin as they joined us for lunch and the temple).  Jen and I have not gotten together on our own without kids since E was born 11 years ago!  When Jen first picked me up at the airport it seemed surreal, but we quickly adapted!  We went out to eat, shopped, and of course scrapbooked -- 30 layouts each! It was rejuvenating!