A fish for all

A new tradition is in the making...last weekend we went to the Sportsmen show here and let the kids each fish in the kiddie fishing pool. I can remember for the longest time when I was young going and fishing at the show. I never was a big fan of eating the fish but I loved fishing for them. This year when the show came around we had all the kids and David had the day off. It was meant to be! We let the older two go first in catching with Wyatt of course leading the pack. He quickly caught a small trout and then it was Paytens turn. Payten has been fishing before but to my knowledge has not caught a fish herself. She snagged a big one but it got off her hook before she could reel it in. within seconds of that she then caught a trout the same size as Wyatt. Next up was Allyxis which was her first time fishing ever. she was so eager to see in the water and hold the fishing pole. Its a good thing David was holding the pole too though because she caught a fish twice the size of the other two kids. She was excited until the fish splashed her and then she was wanted down from the stool. once the fish was unhooked she just wanted to stare at it. Overall a big success. following catching fish Wyatt and Payten also shot pellet guns and did a little archery.

 

By the time we finished at the show everyone was hungry so we headed to lunch just in time to catch the football game on T.V. We ate lunch and hung around to watch the Seahawks win their playoff game to move on to the superbowl. This happen to be just past nap time and Allyxis just couldn't keep her eyes open. she fell asleep right there on the table of Bruchis. David then layed her down and she was out for a couple of hours.

After watching the game we hurried home to get dinner going before Wyatt had to go back to moms. Want to guess what was for dinner? you guessed it...Fish! David and I decided that since the kids caught the fish they should help prepare it to be cooked. They all gathered together in front of the sink and went to town. Payten did not want to touch any of it but she stood there the whole time watching David as he worked and talking about it. Wyatt on the other hand didn't last long before leaving the room saying the smell was gross and he was going to throw up. Not something I was expecting from him but we brushed it off. David grilled the fish up and we sat down for a dinner the kids provided. The two older ate some but Allyxis loved it and ate almost a whole fish by herself. note to self fish for dinner a little more often.

6 Years old and still growing!

With January here the birthdays seem to never end. First there was my little Allyxis turning two and then the next week it was my dads birthday. Following that was our little mans 6th birthday. We lucked out this year in that our weekend with all the kids fell on Wyatt's birthday. So yet another weekend we gathered everyone together to celebrate a birthday but this time at Shakey's Pizza. With less people and good food it was the perfect place for his birthday. Like all the kid's birthdays he got completely spoiled by grandma and grandpa.  so after a couple of hours of playing games, eating pizza and Wyatt opening presents we ate some good cake. I made him a camo cake that came out so cool. it took a couple of hours to make but was all worth it when I saw his face light up when he realized what it was. It was such a great evening with family and friends. We are so incredible blessed to have all of you guys. David makes the comment often that he cant believe how everyone in my family has accepted him and Wyatt. He says its a great feeling to be part of the family.

I have to add... Allyxis sure loves the men in her life. when we are all together she always want to be with either papa, uncle Cody or David. It must me because she has them all completely wrapped around her little finger. the pictures of her and them were just to cute not to post.

A new 2 year old on the block

My Allyxis... How is it possible that it has been two years already?! Well whether I liked it or not my little precious Allyxis turned two a couple of weeks ago. For her birthday we went where else but to Chuck e Cheese. She yet again got totally spoiled by everyone with all the presents. With Christmas and her birthday so close together she has come to expect presents. Every time someone else gets a present now she runs to it and says "mine?!". it is quiet funny! that's a habit we will have to break. 

Events of the past couple of months

With Christmas last month I got a little behind on the blog. now that all the busyness of Christmas and our two kid birthdays right after let me tell you what we have been up to. Back in November, the weekend after thanksgiving David and I went up to Albany, OR to visit David's family and see Wyatt at his hockey tournament in Portland. David managed to get a couple of days off so we hit the road to his sisters house in Albany. We stayed with her and had a great time catching up with all his family there. The bad news...David's truck (that he insisted on driving despite the horrible gas mileage) decided to blow its transmission right when we got there so we had to have my parents come rescue us. (thank you thank you!!) Dez (David's sister) luckily had the weekend off and was able go with us to watch Wyatt's hockey in her car. Wyatt thought it was so cool for us to be there to see him and in the end we got to have him half the weekend as his mom decided to go home early. His team played 6 games while we were there and did pretty good, only loosing one game and tying one. He even made a goal! Once all the hockey was over we spent some more time with family before making our way home. We could not find a trailer big enough to fit the truck so we ended up towing it to my uncles house in Olympia. After a quick bite to eat with my uncle and aunt which was great we headed home.

In the midst of the hockey we did manage to go to OMSI. Saturday afternoon we had a break between hockey games and so we went and had fun at OMSI (for you who don't know what that is, it is a interactive science center).

 

A few weeks before Christmas I went into Payten's class and helped her make a gingerbread house (aka graham cracker houses). There was so much candy for them to put on them it was crazy! me and payten made a very cute house if you ask me.

 

just about the same time as the gingerbread houses payten was also in a Christmas program at church. They practiced for weeks during their class time on Wednesday nights and I have got to say I was very impressed considering there was only three of them  up in front of a whole church. my little angel.

So that is what happened before Christmas and now I am caught up to the new year. just a few more to go and I will be caught up to the present day. more to come...

Christmas has come and gone already!

I cant believe Christmas is over already and we are back to normal life almost. we had a great Christmas with family and hey even David got Christmas day off so he was able to be there with us. Like every year the kids were completely spoiled and had a blast at all their Christmases. How lucky are they to get at least two Christmases each year?
 We started our Christmas day off with a Christmas morning at our house. Wyatt was brought to us in the morning before we opened presents so we were all together and he even got to spend the night. As a family we opened presents from each other. Payten was tickled to get her bow and arrows that she had been asking for all December long. Wyatt was excited to receive his remote control tuck and Allyxis thought her Minnie Mouse quad she can ride on was very cool. David loved his new toolbox and I was very surprised to receive a fancy jewelry box.

Once we were done at our house we headed to mom and dads to spend time with family and yes you guessed it open more presents. Grandma and papa made it a great time and like always spoiled their grandkids. We had the privilege of having my grandparents down to celebrate with us. Knowing that the years of them being around are becoming shorter makes these moments with them so sweet. I cant tell you how many times payten asked the weeks before Christmas when she would see great grandma and great papa again. She sure loves her papas! Once all the present opening was done and we all had sat down for a wonderful Christmas dinner together we stuffed my car up to the top with all our new things and kids to head home for a good night sleep.




















The days following consisted of lots of toys being played with and even more boxes and packaging being picked up all day. I cant even begin to explain how blessed I feel to have my family together to share great memories. I look forward to many more years to come.

A Month to be thankful

Each year in November I try to make it a point to focus each day on something that we are thankful for. Ideally we really should be doing this every day of every month but with the hustle and bustle of everything we don't always do that. So each day after homework was done we colored a feather and then wrote what we were thankful for. As of today this is what our turkey looks like. He is getting pretty full! only three day left. here is what we are thankful for( in case you cant read it in the picture):

1. Crafts: crafting is a big thing in our family and I personally do crafts as a nice stress release as well as them being fun

2. Pets: We don't have nearly the amount of pets we used to too but we love the few we have left. I am also thankful that they are all easy to take care of.

3. Brothers and sisters: The kids have said many times that they are thankful for each other. I know me and David are sure thankful for our sister and brother. They are the first friends we really have and are still.

4.Our house: We have had quiet a crazy last year and a half and are thankful that we have ended up in a house where we feel safe and comfortable.

5.Parents: the kids said they were thankful for me and David and all we do for them. We also are thankful for our parents. I love spending time with them.

6. Toys: the kids were very thankful to have toys to play with. David and I are thankful that we can provide toys for the kids to play with and be entertained.

7. Flowers: Payten decided that the flowers are very important and that they keep outside pretty.

8. Christmas: We are thankful for all aspects for Christmas. We are thankful for the true meaning of Christmas and also for the joy of giving presents to others.

9. Spending time with family: Family is a very important aspect of our lives and are fortunate to have some family close enough we can stop and spent time with them often.

10.Calendars: Payten said this one but I think I am the most thankful out of all of us in the family. My calendar is normally packed full and I am glad I have somewhere to write things down so I don't loose track of things going on.

11.The bible: we are might thankful for the great bible that we could read about Jesus and learn from him.

12.Good weather: We all have a different idea of what good weather is but me and kids like warm weather but David likes cold weather. I guess that makes at least one of us happy with the weather all year long.

13. Teachers: Payten and Wyatt are thankful for their teachers that teach them so much. They are such wonderful people who really have a passion for teaching young children. thank you!

14. T.V.: We probably spend too much time watching it but I am thankful for educational show I can put on for the kids that they can learn form instead of just watching crud. I am also thankful for the time me and David get to sit down and watch a show together after the kids go to bed. sometime it the only time I get with him all day.

15. Santa: can you guess who put this up their? while we go back and forth with the whole Santa thing I think it is nice for the kids to have an imagination and enjoy a little Christmas magic as long as they understand why we celebrate Christmas.

16.Our car/truck: while I think I am more thankful for my car as it has been reliable this year and the truck has had a rough time I am thankful that we are able to have vehicles and that most the time we have one to take David to work without me having to get the kids up at 4:30 to take him their.

17. Grandparents: My kids sure have some awesome grandparents. They love spending time with them and they sure spoil them. I couldn't ask for any better of grandparents for them. The kids love you to pieces!

18. America: we are thankful to live in America where we are free and  are thankful for all the military who keep it that way

19. God: we are thankful for god and all he has done for us. we pray to him and thank him regularly.

20.Our church: The last year has been interesting at our church but with a new year comes new blessings. we look forward to it all. we are thankful for all the friends we have made and also for having a place to go to worship our great god.

21. Food: we are thankful for the food we can put on our table each day. We often forget how many people go without simple because they don't have any other choice.

22. Running water: I cant imagine not having water readily available. it sure makes laundry, cleaning and cooking easier.

23.Electricity: I am a very cold person so I am very thankful for having heat in my house and being able to have lights so we can stay up past 3 in the afternoon these days.

24. Homework: Payten said this one and I wasn't surprised. She loves coming home and doing homework and I figure lets take advantage of it while she still likes it.

25. School: I am thankful that their are school that we can take our kids to to learn. I just don't have the patients to homeschool so I am thankful they can teach and I can just help work on it at home.

There is still three days left so our turkey will get three more feathers.

From our house to yours we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Operation Christmas Child

For many years our church has participated in a ministry called Operation Christmas Child. This ministry provides shoe boxes filled with small toys and personal items along with a story of Jesus to children around the world that otherwise would not receive anything for Christmas. Payten's children's group this year decided to host a packing party at the church for everyone to join together and pack these presents for the children. Payten and I found many things we donated and also asked grandma if she had anything she would like to donate. Once at the packing party Payten packed four different boxes for four different children. One for a 5 year old girl, one for a 15 year old boy, one for a 14 year old girl and a last one for a 2 year old girl. After packing each box we sat down and wrote a letter to the child describing herself and what she liked and what her family was like. We put our address on the letter so that if they wanted to they could write us. The experience was amazing and it felt good to know we were helping someone else. As we do not have a lot of money we were thrilled to be able to contribute without breaking the bank. We look forward to participating in the ministry for years to come and next year hope to be able to give more then we did this year.

 Here she is picking out toys for her 14 year old girl. they could pick one bigger toy and two small toys along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, Kleenex, stuffed animal, small notebook, pencil, crayons or colored pencils, gloves, hair ties and a small bag of candy.

 Here Payten is writing her letter to her 14 year old girl. She wrote her name, what she liked to do, what country, state and city she lived in, her favorite color, food and drink, who was I her family and what pets she had and her address in case they wanted to write her.

 Here she is writing her letter to her 2 year old girl. as you can see her box was full.

This was the last box she did. It was for the two year old girl. In this box was all the usual things she put in all her boxes but also a ball and a baby doll which she was so excited to put in there.