Cart, Cart is 6!

It's gotta be rough to have your birthday 4 days after Christmas. I try really hard to make his day feel special and I'm sure to him it is, but to me I always feel like it's so Ho-Hum. This year, like we do every year, Carter opened his birthday presents on Braden's birthday. He got the game,Sorry and a dog pillow pet.

The day before his birthday Gramma Bo and Pappy came to our house and we played games together and ate a Super Man ice cream cake! Carter was also able to open one more present from mom and dad, a new hat.

The next day, Carter's actual birthday, we got in the car and drove to California to visit our cousins. Before arriving at their house we stopped to get some lunch at In-n-Out and after we arrived we went to the movies. We also planned several other fun activities for each day we were there. We went to Scooter's Jungle to jump and slide and to Paint Pals where the kids got to pick out and paint a ceramic figure of their choosing. While at Paint Pals the kids played with a giant bubble maker and in their shadow room. We also went through a fun black-out maze.

Christmas 2014

The Saturday before Christmas we took the kids on the Santa Train hosted by the Southern Nevada Railroad. It was a really fun little event allowing the kids to ride on a real train and to see Santa. Braden had a bad attitude about it at first but perked up quickly once the train started to go. 

 My sister, Megan and her daughter Navy drove down arriving late Saturday night and then a few days later her hubby joined us to celebrate Christmas with us. I was so happy they came to join us. It made Christmas so much more meaningful. The night before Christmas we acted out the nativity, gave gifts to jesus and then read a story about how Santa is a symbol of Jesus.

The next morning, Christmas day, the kids were crazy excited. They had a hard time containing their excitement since I made them wait until Navy woke up to see their presents.

Braden, my little sensitive soul, cried when he saw that he got the morph suit that he asked for. He wore this all day week long. He also received a sling shot and an air soft rifle and pistol.

Carter got a bow and arrow, a crazy fort set, and a hand controlled helicopter.

Miss Riley got a Micky and Minnie Mouse plush as 

well as this "new to her" kitchen set. She loves it!

Riley also got big girl panties (she's not so sure about them yet)...

... a dolly, kitchen accessories (food, dishes, pots and pans, etc.), 

a sleeping bag, and her very own chapstick.

It really was a fun day and I am so glad the Cope's joined us making the day so much more fun, I'm just sad they had to leave too soon.

And The Award Goes To...

My boys have been doing so well in school. They each are learning and excelling in all subjects. I have been amazed at how much they each have grown academically this year. Braden has turned into a little reader and begs to read longer and longer each night before bed and Carter is a math wiz. They have an online program the kids use to supplement their learning in math and Carter reached 100% in the second month of school being the first in Kindergarten to finish. Because of this achievement he was able to go do lunch at IHOP with the principal.

During each quarter the teachers select one student from their class who excels in writing. The process of choosing the student is rather rigorous and certain criteria must be met to receive the Patriot Writer Award. This quarter both my boys were chosen and honored during a special lunch with other writers, their parents, teachers, and school staff. They boys were able to read their writing out loud and received an award. They were also treated to a pizza lunch.

Thanksgiving

We did a lot of traveling during the last part of November through December. We spent Thanksgiving eating three different dinners; one in St. George, one in Bountiful and the last in Alpine. You would think we may have gotten sick of turkey, potatoes and stuffing but we didn't. It was all so, so yummy.

After dinner in St. George most of us went to Squeeze Rock and Dixie Rock. This is the first time I have taken the boys. They both were so excited to explore and climb around.

 I love this view of the valley.

While up north I had the wonderful opportunity to visit my grandmother. She had a stroke early Thanksgiving morning and after she was finally settled into a room at LDS hospital, I went up to see her. It was hard knowing I could talk to her but she wasn't able to talk back. She tried so hard but nothing really came out. It was wonderful just to sit with her and hold her hand. Just before leaving her I kissed her and told her I loved her. She tried to talk back and was able to get a few words out. She said something about two men, later it was four, and pointing to the corner of the room. I asked her, "Is it Grampa? Do you want to go with him?" Instantly she leaned forward to stand up and get out of bed. I told her she needed to wait and to rest and that she could go with them soon. It was a beautiful way for me to know she was ready to go. (She went home from the hospital the day we headed back home and passed 3 days later.)  After getting home I talked with by boys about Gramma Dee being sick and that she would probably die soon and then a week later telling them that she had passed. I had so many thoughts run through my mind when I got the news but the thing that really struck me was knowing how hard this must be on my mother. I put myself in her shoes and thought about what it would be like to have her gone and my heart just broke. I rely so much on my mom and I hate that she is not near me where I can visit with her anytime I want. I shared these feelings with my boys and my sweet Carter who has been working on saying his prayers by himself even now still asks Heavenly Father each time he prays to "bless Grammy Bo that she will be safe without her mommy."

I was also able to visit my Gramma Jackie. My kids call her Gramma Great and she truly is great! I just love being near her. She is so calming and has a way of making me feel better than I really am. 

These little girls were really fun to watch as they interacted together during our visit. They are totally "frenimies!" They love to hug and kiss each other and are happy to see each other but once the hello's are said the sizing up begins. They fight over the toys and who gets to sit in Grammy's lap. If one has something the other will automatically want it, even if it's something less than desired. I think this picture totally sums up their relationship...although, I must say, Riley is more of the bully than Navy.

Grandma Dee

Delores Hansen Auger

Nov. 24, 1922 - Dec. 3, 2014

My Grandma Dee had a stroke on thanksgiving day 3 days after celebrating her 92nd birthday and passed just shy of a week later. She was a very special lady and was always so great at making me feel so special as if I may have been her favorite grandchild even though in reality I had to share the favorite spot with 41 grandchildren and 74 great-grandchildren. Her memory was sharp and she had a smile that won hearts. I will miss her greatly but am so happy she is now with my grandpa whom she has been separated from for nearly 11 years. I  am also very grateful I was able to see her and say goodbye before she passed.