Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cookies!

Merry Christmas Picture

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Meet Mattie!

Brad came home one day and "told" me that we might be getting a dog. A member of our ward posted on FaceBook that her son's dog needed a home. I have succeeded in avoiding dog ownership for over 12 years and he knows it is a touchy subject with me. I am not a dog lover and I certainly do not need more to be responsible for or clean up after.  We even had a close call not too long ago when we were given a puppy. It lasted only a few days as I was not "in on it" and it proved to be more than anyone else wanted to take on. Well, Mattie's owners were moving and not able to take her. Brad promised me that she was trained and as a Mini Australian Shepherd a very good dog by nature. He gave me the "The kids need a dog to love and learn responsibility" speech and my tried and true put- off of "Can we at least wait until all of the kids are potty trained?" had expired. And so I gave in. We have had her for a week now and I must say he was right. She is the most peaceful, calm, loyal, loving dog I have ever been around. I have not heard her bark even once. She is trained to do her business outside and even uses the doggie doors Brad and Harker installed. I can leave her home for hours and my home is just how I left it. She will follow me to the car and jump right in; I can walk her without a leash and she stays by my side. She knows she can not get on my bed. She sits under the table while we eat family dinner and does not beg. As I type she is content to sit under my chair and be near me. I took her to get groomed and now she is even clean and all trimmed up. So my friends it looks as if Mattie will be here for a while.

The Suit Stands Alone!

Sorry Mom! I totally forgot to take pictures of the kids before we left for church yesterday. Since Brad leaves 3 hours before us I was not rushed and at least remembered to snap one of him. It helped that he was wearing his new custom made suit that he is so proud of!

42 Years!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

So Many Blessings!

I ambushed all of my children separately and asked them what they are thankful for:
Harker: My bed and the family and the heating.
Hyrum: My life, my family, my nice home and nice parents.
Natalie: Family!
Nathan: God and Jesus.

See Katie! I told you!

Katie...Hurry on back from Hawaii!!! Something came for you!

My kiddos enjoying the first snow of the season. This picture was taken at 7:45 a.m. Sorry neighbors, I know they were kinda loud.

Dear Mitt Romney:

I was cleaning the boys' room today when I came across a couple of folded up notebook papers on the floor. I opened them to see if they were important and found the contents to be quite surprising. The first paper was a letter written by Harker:

Dear Mitt Romney:
      I think that you should have won the election. My mom and dad voted for you. I would have voted for you except I am 11.  I am the oldest of us 4 kids. We are also Mormon too!

Your Pal
John Harker


So funny. Then I opened the other paper to find a large tombstone that he had drawn and on it was written:    R.I.P.
            USA

Across the top of the paper was a squiggly line and under it he had written the words: US heart rate: eighteen.

Who says kids don't care?

Carousel Pose & Special Hose

We took a trip to Albuquerque yesterday and of course we had to go to the mall. The kids rode the carousel and it just cracked me up that Natalie struck this pose. We were on a mission to find Brad some church shoes and we ended up with a few more things. The best part of the mall visit was when we exited the elevator Nathan saw the Santa Set (yes- already!) and yelled out "HI GRANDPA!" You should have seen the look on that Santa's face! Priceless. I also visited with the vascular surgeon and he gave me a prescription for compression hose. I have to say that at the medical supply clinic I was the only one under sixty getting the hose. So funny! I am very interested to see if they work. The lady that measured my feet and calves took forever to try and  break it to me gingerly that she was going to have to order from the men's stockings! I had to laugh and told her I have to buy men's socks all the time and that I really didn't mind. She was so relieved! I am going to go in for an ultrasound on my legs in a couple of weeks. The last time I had an ultrasound I found out I was having another boy. This time is sure to be less exciting.

Growing too fast!!!

Natalie

My kiddos are growing too fast! I came across these two pictures today and almost cried! I'd better go take more pictures...



Nathan

Little John as "Little John"

After we had Harker's Halloween costume all figured out and ready, he popped it on me that he needed to dress up for his literature class. They had to sign up to come as a character from a book they had read and he signed up for Little John (second in command of the Merry Men) from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. He told me that he was going to get a grade for a speech he needs to make and also for dressing up. I am not one to procrastinate but this I put off simply because I had no idea what to do. After a trip to GoodWill and WalMart today, this is what we came up with. I am happy to have it finished and the best part is that Harker loves it. His speech is written and it is most clever. My favorite part is, "I have an adjective in my name that does not adequately describe me." It is so fun to see him growing up.

FHE Activity

The activity for FHE this week was pumpkin carving. This year the kids all had their own. Brad helped Natalie and Nathan but the big boys carved solo. They loved it of course, and Nathan has taken many breaks throughout the day to chat with his.

Halloween Party 2012

 

We held our annual kids Halloween party yesterday. We had 11 kids and played all kinds of games and had all kinds of fun. I really enjoyed watching the kids get excited but my favorite part was watching Brad playing DJ for the pass the pumpkin game. It was pretty hilarious watching him grove to Justin Bieber and teasing the kids with when he would stop the music. Then he made all the kids get up and have a dance party before they could collect their prizes. We are thankful to have kids that allow us more opportunities to be goofy and store up many great memories.

Ninja Power!

Little Miss Dorothy

A Ninja came early to make sure everything was ready for the party.

Dynamite!

Mummy Rap

Donut on a String

Every year the best part for the kids is always hide and seek in the dark.

Corn dogs and Bingo

Trunk or Treat 2012

Ninja Nathan

Brave Natalie

Harry Hyrum

Nocturnal Harker

 Julius & Cleo

Info and Thoughts

Info: I checked my kids out of school an hour early today. They were so excited because they "NEVER" get checked out early. They were so jolly and thought themselves all kind of lucky until I told them I was taking them to get their flu shots.

Thought: I am such a mean mother! HA! HA! HA! Actually, I did take them to Sonic for ice cream so I guess I am not that mean. Harker said it was worth it.

Info: Brad got set apart Sunday as the Second Counselor in the Bishopric.

Thought:  Man, I really need to get him some new shoes and some new white shirts!

Info: I went to the dermatologist this week and among other things he referred me to a vascular surgeon for my varicose veins.

Thought: I am getting old and that six hour train ride in Poland to the Czech border where I had to stand the whole way might not have been worth it.

Info: I spent six hours at the ER yesterday with my sister as she was having esophageal spasms.

Thought:  I was so sorry for her and the wait was not fun but I am so thankful it was not me in pain this time!

Hyrum's Field Trip

Hyrum got a digital camera for Christmas that I am very protective of and hardly let him use. He asked if he could take it on a field trip to El Morro National Monument. I relented and told him that it was a good opportunity to be responsible. He had a great time and was so excited to show me his pictures. Not only did he bring the camera back but my little photographer did a great job!

Grandma Martin's Blog 1984

I finished typing another of my Grandma Martin's journals this week. I just added a couple of pictures to the blog and I thought I would put them on my blog as well.

Grandpa and Grandma Martin
Heber Bruce and Virginia Nell Martin

Children from left to right (youngest to oldest)
Steve, Tony, Neva, Randy, Larry, Charlie, Johnnie, Patsy, Audrey, Bruce

Heber Martin Family

Bowling Bash

The bowling alley near our home requires you to be at least six years old to bowl. So as you can imagine Natalie has been on a mission for the last two months to get me to take her now that she is six.

Brad had a few days off so we took the kids after school this week. We all had a good time but Natalie was especially excited.

Natalie thought I should use a girly ball.

Nathan still has a couple years to go but he was more than content to eat Cheetos and watch everyone.