Christmas Recitals/concerts and Card

Andrew had his first Orchestra concert this last week. He started playing the Viola in September. Luke says he wants to play the cello when he starts 4th grade so it looks like we may have a whole orchestra in the family. Although I'm not sure if Andrew is going to stick with it.

The same night we had to run to the University for Luke's piano recital. He has been taking since September and is cruising. It was pretty chaotic as five minutes before we were suppose to leave for Andrew's concert, Jonathan fell and split his lip. Ahhh good times.

Andrew and Luke also had the singing program for the school this week. They spit it up and had the 1st and 2nd graders on one day and the 3,4,and 5th graders the next day. So I was at the school for three performances because Andrew performed with the orchestra for the school the third day. Let's just say it's not fun to keep a 20 month old and 4 year old entertained through those programs. I have Jacob's kindergarten one to attend this week, here's hope things run smoother.

Here is our Christmas Card this year. Flare wrote our Christmas letter.

Hi, I'm Flare, the Westwood's new dog. They let me write the Christmas letter this year because...well because I'm cool. I've had 6 great months with these people and they treat me really good. Even when I steal food out of the hands of the littlest one. Let me tell you about my people.

Dad: He's gone quite a bit, I'm not sure why but he's always in a suit. I've been a good outlet for him to release some anxiety since he switched from his job that he's been at for 11 years. I can tell he likes his new job by the way he pets me.

Mom: She's the one who gets mad at me for stealing food. One time she left some raw chicken on the counter to thaw and left to  pick up a couple kids. The oldest boy let me in and I stole one of them. I've never seen a white woman turn so red. Other than that she is nice and plays with me when the kids are off to school. 

Danika: She comes outside sometimes and plays me her violin. I like it.

Andrew: He lets me in when he's not suppose to so I like him  a lot.

Luke: He likes to do tricks with me. I can sit, jump, roll over, shake and bark.

Jacob: Ya know he just mauls me. He's my friend.

BriLynn: I don't like it when she sticks her face in my face, just sayin'.

Jonathan: Well what can I say, he's my pal. I like to lick his face. The big people especially don't mind when he has a runny nose. That way they don't need to use a tissue. 

I like my family and I'm glad they chose me from the Humane Society to be a part of their family. You should come and visit me, I would love to lick your face.

Love Flare the Dog

PS Bring me treats.

Santa Clause is Coming to town!

Our ward Christmas party was this week. 

Can you tell Jonathan really didn't want to sit on Santa's lap.

 I absolutely LOVE this picture. Her age is the best at Christmastime!

 The kids were dancing to music.  Lorisa Pulotu came to sing to us.

It was a great night! Attending these kind of events get me more in the mood for Christmas!

BriLynn is FOUR!!!

Our baby girl is FOUR today. She is a girly girl and it was so fun to watch her opening gifts. We planned a birthday party but had to cancel because she got sick. She wasn't too hurt about it which was good. I figure we will have to do one when she is five. We LOVE our BriLynn!

Parenting Wo's

I really thought children would get easier as they got older. I'm finding out that you just face different challenges. We have struggled with our kids bickering. Sure they always play fight but now they can really hurt each other and it turns into real fighting.  Kevin and I went to the temple tonight with full purpose. The answer we received: Love them more. Praise them more. 

It's so hard to do that when they are doing something that drives you crazy.  When I can't think of anything nice to say I think of what Glen Lathem says in his book The Power of Positive Parenting. "GOOD BREATHING SON". 

Our new family scripture: D@C 121:43

So there will by more hugs and love shown by this Momma and more complements/praise.

I CAN DO BETTER

I WILL DO BETTER because

OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER.

Jump Zone

For our FHE activity this week we went to the Jump Zone trampoline park. Holy cow it was fun! 

 Andrew thinks it's fun that we both can back flip together.

 At a couple of the foam pits they had a camera that would replay a minute or two after so you could watch yourself jumping into it.

 We had a good game of dodge-ball. Although maybe it was more of an attack daddy game.

 Even little Johnny had a great time. 

We will definitely be doing it again.

Piano Guys are amazing!

Danika and I went to the Piano Guys concert tonight. It was supposed to be a date night for Kevin and I. We decided to take Luke and Danika since they are in piano lessons but when I called to get tickets for them they were sold out. 

Danika is suppose to attend two concerts for her orchestra class per trimester. We planned on her using her recital but, she couldn't count them and since the trimester was ending next week Kevin said she could take his ticket. (I have the best hubby ever) 

We were on the third row....wooo hoooo

It was kinda fun too since they asked if there was anyone in the audience who was a professional Jazz piano player and Kevin Olson (The Youth Conservatory director, that's where I take the kids for piano) Got up and played with Jon. 

It was great too because we were the first in line to talk and get an autograph from Steven.

He said he started out as a violin player which we though was neat.

Jon played upside down for the kids. Danika got a kick out of that as well. 

Seriously the BEST concert I've ever been to, it was so entertaining. 

Problems keep coming

I have had an overwhelming feeling of sadness lately. There are so many problems going around with family and friends. Financial, physical, emotional problems. I wish I could fix it all. I've told Kevin many times how I feel guilty because we've been so blessed.
I feel like Satan is trying harder and harder to break families apart. A couple of friends have recently divorced. I feel for their children. I see contention rising in our home and it scares me. Everyday I pray for the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Then there is sickness. There is absolutely nothing you can do to help with this but it's hard to see those you care for in pain. I just pray for them, that they will be healed. 
I may be sad about things but I know Our Heavenly Father  wants us to be happy. I know Satan would want me to dwell on the problems. I'm not going to let him win.

Fun time videos

I can upload video from my phone but not my video camera, go figure.

Doughnut eating contest with the kids at the YC Halloween Carnival

I love it when kids play so well with each other. For example:

Double O

O number 1= Orchestra. Danika had her Halloween Howl concert last night. Although we couldn't see her very well (she is bit short, and behind people) it was neat, they did a great job.

She went as a cat- get it, the cat and the fiddle.

Unfortunately the videos won't upload...tis the story of this blog. I never can get them to work from our Kodak video camera. Anyway as for the other O...Organization. I should have done this years ago.

I used to have all the gloves in a bin with the boots for wintertime. I bought a shoe organizer for eight bucks, cut it in half  (because there are hooks for jackets it would hit) and viola, the gloves are organized. Now hopefully the kids will put them back together when they are done playing so we don't have to search for missing ones. 

Pumpkin Walk 2012

Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without  a trip to the pumpkin walk. To see the Witch and get a cookie.

Chocolate cookie plus 18 month old = very messy baby!

 You can't tell in the picture but BriLynn was pretty excited about the little mermaid cutout. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Danika's Recital

Danika and Luke have been taking piano lessons this year up at the University's Youth Conservatory.  Danika's first recital of the semester was tonight. I think any kind of instrument is so beneficial to kids. Although at times I feel bad, since she is also playing the violin in middle school. I don't want her to feel pushed into things and be a nag but she is a trooper with her practices.  I remember playing clarinet for a few years but I quit when I got into high school.  I took piano while in elementary school but my piano teacher quit after a year and I never took them after that. I wish I would have found someone because it's a lot harder to learn when your an adult. I thought the bishopric was crazy when they called me to be the Relief Society pianist a few years ago since I only had a year of piano and that was 20 or so years ago. I had to teach myself and I'm thankful they issued the call because I pushed and pushed to learn the hymns. I only had the calling for about a year but I learned so much. 

Danika did a great job tonight and I hope she continues to enjoy it. 

Sorry for the bad quality, I used my phone camera.

Venting session

First: Do you ever wish you could change a situation and you can't? The reason you can't is because it's not your situation to change but it still affects you and those in your family. I'm not perfect but I know that the decisions we make will affect our happiness. I really wish this situation would change, but it takes forgiveness which has to happen on both sides not just one.
Okay onto the next topic: Visiting teaching. I spoke with my Mom today and gained some great insight that I'd never thought about. I love to go visiting teaching but it's still a good  reminder. My Mom is a visiting teaching supervisor  in her ward and she says the numbers have dropped and the men are doing better. She mentioned that as we are in the temple we make covenants. We covenant to give of ourselves and to build up the kingdom and we can do that through our callings. So if you don't fulfill those callings you are breaking your covenant.  I never thought about it that way but it makes sense. So how can those who are temple recommend holders not fulfill their visiting teaching calling?
I love visiting teaching handouts. This is a poem I'm attaching to a bag of goodies for this month.

Halloween is coming with it's ghosts, ghouls and sweets.

And everyone is searching for the best of tricks and treats.

But take a moment now, and lend a listening ear,

For there is a special ghost, that always lingers near.

The Holy Ghost is a companion, who will guide you on your way.

He will be there for comfort, be it night or brightest day.

So listen for the promptings, of your quiet special friend.

He will always be there, On him you can depend.

Have a Happy Halloween,

Love your Visiting Teachers.

Halloween fun

I am not crafty. I wish I had a knack for decorating and beautifying things but alas I'm not. Thank goodness for Pinterest and friends.  It was super easy to do and fun. 

Making Memories

Going camping is a fond childhood memory of mine. That was all we did on our vacations. It was family togetherness at it's best.
When Kevin said he wanted to have one last camping trip of the year my first thought was "Ohhh" and "Are you sure? We are going to freeze". Plus, it's not the easiest thing to take six kids camping. It's a real headache! Then I remembered how excited I got when my family went camping. I always looked forward to it. Sure kids don't realize how much work it is but it's the memories that count! I know these times we are together as a family will be times they remember. Hopefully they look on them fondly. Especially since this was the first camping trip with the dog!

Goodbye

Today we moved Jonathan out of his crib and into a toddler bed. A family in our ward needed one and Kevin offered ours. He went to bed like a charm for his nap and tonight he didn't try to get out once. A part of me is excited to move on but a part of me is sad to see it go. I know that it won't take long before he realizes that it's easy for him to crawl out of the toddler bed. I guess I wanted to hold onto the baby stage as long as I could with him but alas all babies grow up. So....goodbye crib.

I had Lasik done on Thursday and it was amazing. I am amazed at  how quick and painless it was. I also have to admit how much I enjoyed the Valium he he. So goodbye contacts and glasses....you on the other hand will not be missed.

We did it!

We finally finished reading the Book of Mormon as a family. It's taken us awhile.....like 3 years. Some mornings we were only able to get a few verses in. As a reward we decided as a family to go to Boondocks. It was lots of fun and a good memory for the kids. 

The kids are already planning where we will go when we finish it a second time. 

Andrew got his Bear finished and was awarded his patch and arrows at the pack meeting in August. 

Also this last week BriLynn did a mini clinic with the High school's dance team. They danced at halftime during the football game, she was so cute.

I tried to upload the video but it wouldn't work but here is a picture of here in her Hi Lo shirt.

Temple Open-house, Jacob's first day and WHAT IS THAT!

Last Saturday we attended the Brigham City Temple Openhouse.

It was hard to keep the children from playing in the water fountain. Where there is water....children will be right?

 My sisters, parents and Grandma and of course our family (which takes up the bulk)

My Dad hates getting his picture taken. He didn't think I could take the picture fast enough but I got it with him sticking his tongue out he he. 

Grandma didn't want to turn and smile for the picture.....well I know where my Dad gets it from. 

Jacob started Kindergarten this week. He was soooooo excited. 

He has the same teacher as the other three kids have had.

It seems like I can't get the camera away from the kids lately. They love to take video and pictures of the themselves. 

UMMM I wonder who this is...............

YIKES....YEP...I'm keeping this one for bribery.