Fire! Fire! Fire!

Mckell had a preschool field trip today at the Fire Station. It is really fun to see how your kids actually act in a classroom setting. I have loved seeing this with Hunter when I go help in his class every week, and I loved seeing it today with Mckell. It really made me realize how different Hunter and Mckell are. For example, today the kids watched a Rescue Rangers video about Fire Safety. After the video the fireman asked for a volunteer to show him what to do if you are on fire. Mckell's hand was the first one up (actually I think it was the only one up, she is definetly not afraid to volunteer, which is totally opposite Hunter :) When she went up I thought forsure that she would need help knowing what to do, but to my surprise she didn't. She got up front and said STOP, DROP, and ROLL and she dropped to the floor rolling around, she even covered her face like she was supposed to, and she didn't need any help telling her what to do. I hate to say that I was surprised. I guess I don't give her enough credit. What a Smart Little Cutie!

Then with every other question the fireman asked, Mckells hand was up. The fireman finally had to say, "Let's give someone else a turn to help sweetie" Which there again totally not like Hunter. You would have to ask him directly for him to answer a question in front of a group. :) Then when the fireman told the kids they could have a chance trying on a fireman coat and hat, who do you think ran ( I do mean ran) to the front of the line? Mckell. She did this throughout the entire tour of the fire station, and then when it was time for a group picture she posed for the camera. I mean hand on hip with shoulder forward pose. She cracks me up!

I love being able to share in these experiences with my kids. That is one of the perks of being a stay at home mom.




While we were there, the firemen got a call about a fire and had to leave. It was cool to see them all quickly dress up, get in the fire truck, and drive away with the sirens blaring. The kids all stood against the wall and waved good-bye to the fire truck. When we got home, Mckell told Hunter that the firemen had to go "save the day". Kids say the darndest things!

Called to Serve

My little brother, Christian, left yesterday to serve in the Birmingham, England mission. We are so excited for him and know that he will be a great missionary! Sending him off was a litttle different than the normal missionary experience Normally the whole family drives down to the Provo MTC, where you watch the beloved video and all sing "Called to Serve". That experience is all very painful because you know what is going to happen after that. The missionaries out one door and families out the other. You only have time for a very brief goodbye, and everyone leaves bawling their eyes out. After my brother Rich left on his mission, my Dad swore that he was not going to go through that again. He constantly teased my brother Christian that when he went on a mission, my Dad would say his good byes at home and not go down to the MTC with him. Well, my Dad's prayers were answered because he didn't have to do the MTC thing. We just dropped Christian off at the airport to go to the MTC in Preston, England. It was a whole different experience, and not nearly as emotional as the Provo, MTC experience. I'm really not sure which one I liked better. With the airport, it really didn't seem like he was leaving for 2 years. It was just like he was going on a vacation, but we were all there to send him off. It really hasn't hit me yet that he is gone, but I know it will the next time I need a quick baby sitter. Christian was always willing to watch the kids when he could. He was my "3:00 a.m. After Thanksgiving Sales" babysitter, my "Have to go help in Hunter's Class" babysitter, and "want to go get a quick tan" babysitter. He even filled in for me as a volunteer in Hunter's class right after I had Lexi, I mean what 19 year old would spend every Thursday for about a month helping in his nephew's classroom. Christian did, and he really enjoyed it. My kids absolutely adore Christian. Mckell always says that she is going to marry him :), and Hunter loves having someone to wrestle with or play games with when we go over for Sunday dinner. He will truly be missed, but we know he is where he is supposed to be.

The whole week before Christian left, we did something every night, as a family. We went bowling, out to dinner, had game night , etc. It has given us some good memories!

My mom, Susan, Christian, and my brother Rich.

Top row: Cassie (sister-in-law), Rich (brother), Me, Dave, Mitch (brother, and he is single so if you know any cute girls :)

Front row: Mckell, My mom Susan, Christian, Lexi, Hunter, and my dad Kerry

Lexi's Blessing

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me such a sweet little angel. Lexi is such a good baby. She rarely cries, smiles a lot, and loves to cuddle. I just can't get enough of her. I don't know what it is, me not working, being a little bit older and wiser :), or just that I realize how fast the time goes by but I can truly say I am enjoying this baby stage much more with Lexi than I did with Hunter and Mckell. Now don't get me wrong, I loved the baby stage with Hunter and Mckell but with Lexi I seem to be enjoying it more.We had Lexi blessed on December 7. Dave gave the most beautiful blessing. I am so thankful that my kids have such a great dad :) We had so many family members there to support us. Grandparents, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, and uncles. I hope Lexi always knows that her family is there for her. A friend commented to Dave and I if our aunts and uncles were there. We both said, "Yes of course" I think I take for granted how close and supportive our families are. They support everything. Baby blessings, baptisms, missions, weddings, and just a monthly get together. We have great families whom we love very much and would do anything for, and I'm so grateful to know that they all feel the same.

Hunter is 6 !

Wow! I can't believe that I have a six year old. Where does the time go? We barely recovered from Christmas when it was time to celebrate Hunter's birthday. It was a pretty exciting birthday for him though, he lost his first tooth and went skiing for the first time all on his birthday. We ended the day with a family party. He said that it was the best Christmas and birthday ever.

Mckell loved playing with all of her cousins. All girls. Poor Hunter is the only boy.

Being 2 days after Christmas, I really wasn't in the mood for making a birthday cake, so I decided to make a donut man instead. I think he turned out pretty cute :)

Lexi was all partied out.

Christmas Eve at Home

Usually on Christmas Eve we go out to parties, but this Christmas Eve we decided just to have a relaxing evening at home. Dave took the day off of work (which was nice) and he and the kids played in the snow, went sledding, and we all watched "A Christmas Story" (one of my fav's).

There's just something about a man that will get out and play with his kids :)

Before the kids went to bed, I let them open up one present. Hunter couldn't wait. All night he kept asking, "Can I open my present now?" He was very disappointed when he finally opened the present I had pre-selected for each one of them to open. It was pajama's! Mckell thought it was great, but Hunter didn't :)