Battle of the sexes...

Scott and I really never battle over the big ticket items in our home, it it the small stuff we banter about...time allocation, order of daily priorities, and Dish Network vs old fashioned antenna (aka bunny ears).

Mom Wins

Mom came out of the boxing ring victorious in our current battle. We officially are without any cable T.V. (unnecessary expense) in our new home. The only reason we ever had it was because we shared it with my parents on our joint property. Yes, I will miss DVR but who needs that big of a time saver when you can sit through commercials...hmmm? Scott says I will have to put the gloves back on when football season starts up again, but for now he is happy to make occasional stops at Redbox. On a more positive note look at the T.V. stand my Dad designed and spent hours building. He is really good with his hands.
Dad Wins
Parenting seems to be the tricky topic...how much freedom, how much work, best way to handle the disagreements. Dad is an avid believer in encouraging courageous acts of foolish Dare Devilish behavior. Mom is a believer in Age Appropriate acts of foolish fun!!!
Take a look at Scott encouraging Gideon to climb a tall ladder. On the bright side he spent Saturday evening teaching Eliza and Thomas to ride two-wheelers on the bike trails. There are several speedy hills that our kids just fly down. I'm glad they love life just like their Dad.

We are having the fever, cough, and runny noses make their rounds again. Thomas slept most of Sunday but still looked handsome and was happy in Sacrament.
Eliza has had it for days and just has not felt well. It makes me so sad when the little ones become so sick that they are lethargic for hours and pale. Eliza slept for 5 hours one of the afternoons. I kept checking to see if she was still breathing. It always makes me grateful for the healthy days and is a good reminder that I cannot take my children for granted.

Happy Valentines Day

Valentines Day can be celebrated in so many romantic ways and I am happy to have spent my evening at the temple after a fabulous meal with family. I had fun preparing the night before for a little morning breakfast surprise.The kids were surprised to find a note and little treats at each of their spots. We had yummy pancakes and hash browns followed with a walk through our common area in our new neighborhood. They love the streams, ponds, big rocks, ducks and trees to play by.

Queen of the rock and there ain't nothing you sissy boys can do about it!

Birthday Bliss

Eliza (AKA Tweety) Bird is five.

Eliza has a new outfit she picked out herself and refuses to wash it and take it off. It is her new favorite. I think she wore it for three days. I figured it was her birthday outfit and I would pick my battles. Grandma spent the afternoon with Eliza making cupcakes for all the family. She loved her outing with Grandma Stevens. Granny gave her a fluffy cute pig she has slept with ever since her birthday.

While the cats away the mice will play. Eliza produced about 100 pictures on her birthday. We had a picture of everything including shampoo bottles and dirty laundry.
It is hard to believe that this adorable little guy could be so agile and mischievous.He has conquered all obstacles and can currently climb into any sink and turn on the water. He table dances often and has recently developed the skill of escape out the back door.

James Kyle had a birthday also. He turned 12 on February 15th. He received the Aaronic Priesthood was welcomed into the Young Men's program and completed every goal for his Faith in God award. We cannot believe we have a son that old. He is such a mature, thoughtful boy and we are really proud of the way he handled his big day.
Kyle has a birthday outing with his Grandma Stevens and Granny playing tennis with his new Prince racquet and has a paintball B-day party coming up.

Choir concerts

Scott went to Micah's choir concert at North Star Charter School. He always raves about the sophistication of the choir director and the education our boys are getting in music and voice.
Kyle had quite the honor in being asked to perform at the commemorative dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial downtown at the Capitol building.

He harmonized with three other students in a beautiful rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic. They also performed one of Abraham's favorites "Dixie". Gina came with me downtown and we pushed the four little ones in strollers a few blocks to listen to the Idaho Senate and Commission speak followed by the North Star Choir. I think Kyle felt the honor of his special moment and was excited to see his Aunt Gina and family there to support him.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Awards Banquet

We attended the annual awards banquet at the top of the BSU Sky Box in the beginning of February. I think it was the first awards show without a baby.The top ten received distinguished awards and a little pep talk and pat on the back from the General Manager. Scott still is so dapper at 35 years old. I am always proud to be by his side.

We were among the few non-drinkers so we were fully entertained by the end of the night watching the dance floor come alive. Kyle managed the home and did a great job so that we could get out for the night.

Worker Bees

I have never been afraid of hard work and a little elbow grease but moving, packing, and cleaning a 3600 sq ft, 4 car garage home on two acres with 9 people living in it is a chore above me alone. The past two weeks have been daily long hours of work apart from Valentines Day. Scott has been really busy at work. So...every morning I get a call about 8 A.M. from Scott's sister Gina, who lives over a half an hour away, telling me that she is on her way into town and I better be prepared to put her to work.
She is such a diligent sister and a great dig in and get it done kind of a girl. Most days she packs large amount of snacks to share for all the little kids. David and Gideon enjoy each other and get really excited to have a partner in crime to play with.

I have been so grateful for all the help not only from Gina but several friends who would just show up and take my kids for an hour or volunteer to take pre-school kids to school. My own Mom has washed many walls and we have gone through more Mr. Clean magic erasers then I can count. The process is no where near done but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Moving

We are in the middle of a move, doctors appointments, wrestling, choir concerts, two birthdays, and Valentines Day parties. I can hardly see past the boxes and cleaning projects in two homes.

January Klondike Derby

Kyle and Scott at there first Klondike Derby together.
Kyle loved all the competitions and games.

He got to ride in the sled and earn bonus points for starting a fire while driving the sled.
There are benefits to being the lightest and smallest.

The Eagle 2nd team took 9th out of over 60 teams.

Dad was really the best part. Scott made the boys a snow fort, fixed a blown out tire, saved a burning tent, and made sure everyone survived the cold over night.

This morning Thomas, Gideon, Eliza and Mom were doing some impressive Latin Salsa moves to Marc Anthony's remix of I Need To Know. Eliza misunderstood the words "I need to know" and announced "Mom, they are singing about Dingos!". I am so proud of Eliza for already picking up Stevens' Lingo, although I am not sure I am proud of the fact that she is so familiar with the term 'Dingo' or in other words a person being, acting, or saying something unintelligable.
Future terms she will eventually embrace: 'Grunt' expression used in a frustrating moment, 'bunch of poop' exasperating circumstances, prefacing sentences of strong emotion with 'Honestly' to emphasize a point, and describing delectable food as 'Awesome' or 'Davine' at every meal!
One of the many cultural differences Mom has accoladed herself too, being part of such an "Awesome" extended family!