THANKSGIVING!!!

This year we did something for Thanksgiving we have never done before, and had the time of our lives. We drove up to Wisconsin to Jon and Merges. Jeani, David and Burke flew in from Utah. The trip was so much fun! I would highly recommend visiting them, they are the greatest hosts of all time.
Some things we did were, saw the incredible Lake Michigan, toured Kenosha, went swimming, played games, went to a basketball game (the boys did), went to the movies, ate great food, celebrated Birthdays, went to the dog races, toured a few musemns and YES...hit the black Friday shopping trip.
Jeani and I are HUGE black Friday shoppers however, never again at Merges!!! That was a huge nightmare.
By the end of the trip we came to the conclusion...if they invite us all back we are going.

Everyone Breathe I am updating my Blog:)

Since I have been catching such crap about my lack of blogging here you go....I will try my best to remember all our moments and funny story (heaven knows we have those w/ Kenzie)I am including this picture to calm your nerves! Enjoy the view:)

Bad Advice

The other day I picked the kids up from school and Tayler says "mom I need to call Papa Kenny, I had a bad day at school" as she starts to cry. I look over at Chadd and he to is almost in tears. So I ask what happened?
Come to find out a little boy had been chasing and tormenting Tayler all day and wouldn't leave her alone. I would usually let it go but Chadd told me in pick up line he was grabbing her leg and the little twit had twisted her ankle.
So I say to Chadd, Why didn't you stand up for your sister?
Well he had this big story about this and that and so on. In the meantime Tayler has the phone and she is talking to my dad. When she gets off the phone she says papa told her not to take crap from this kid...and to punch him. Funny thing is when Deke got home from work he told the kids the same thing.
These two talks gave Chadd a boost of energy, he thought that was a great idea(for Tay). The next day at school Tayler and I talked to Mr. French about Tay's leg and about what went on. I thought everything was good and left.
Yesterday when I picked up the kids Chadd gets in and says..."Papa and dad both have bad advice, really bad advice." I started laughing!
What happened was Chadd got called to the office as Taylers witness because the little boy said he never touched Tay. Chadd must have splipped about the punching and was told that was "bad advice, very bad advice!"

Daisy Girl Scouts

Tayler has recently started Daisy's. She loves having her very own thing to do. She joined about a month ago and she already has earned 3 badges. Right now she is selling toasted and chocolate covered nuts, but she is really excited about selling the famous cookies.(I on the other hand am not excited to sell either.) I do however think she is very cute in her uniform:)

HALLOWEEN... and our halloween parties!

This year we went all out for Halloween! Our halloween started off with decorating the unfinished part of our basement. Once it was as spooky as the kids could take it, it was time to PAR-TAY!
First Chadd had a birthday/halloween party on Friday the 30th. 11 kids from school and church come over and played games. I have to say I was glad we only scheduled that for 1 hour.
On the night of Halloween 7 families and the missionaries from the branch came over. We had 14 kids here and Chadd was the oldest. It was so much fun!

We played games and ate tons of great finger foods. Our favorite game was digging worms out of whip cream with our mouths. The missionaries were great sports!


The party started at 6:00 and our last guest left about 10:00. I think we may have started a really fun tradition.

This year the Chadd dressed up as the Swine Flu, Tay was Hannah Montana, and Kenzie was Cinderella. When the night was over I realized that I didn't have a picture of Tay in her costume:( Maybe next year!

Pack Meeting

Chadd had his first Pack Meeting since we have been here in Missouri. He was really "Freaked Out" because he had to post the flag for the first time. He did a great job! He loves Scouts and has worked really hard. That night he recieved 3 metals to put on his belt and 3 beads. He is now looking forward to his next project...building a bird house!

The Little Chicken Who Grew To Big!

Kenzie was determined she was going to be a chicken for Halloween this year. I was fine with her idea, but there was a problem. Her chicken costume is 6-12 months. I tried to tell her it was going to be to small but she just had to try it on for size. Well here it is;



After about 10 minutes she decided that I was right and she should save this costume for our next baby! Let's hope that costume never gets worn again!