Dec. '17- Week 1- Hotel Night, Gymnastics Shows, Ward Christmas Party, LPA Christmas Concert, "Be There," 6 Months Pregnant

Friday we had Lizzie over to play in the morning.  We packed everyone's stuff in the afternoon and after McKenna's choir practice, we had dinner at Red Robin then spent the night at a hotel!  The kids love swimming and having a "sleep over."  Of course no one really sleeps well, but it's still fun memories. ;) 

Saturday we had breakfast at the hotel then went straight to Ben and Anna's gymnastics shows.  They both did great and had a lot of fun!  Mickelle, Jonathan, and Grandma and Grandpa Webster all came to show support!  

Ben is loving his Ninja Zone class! 

After gymnastics McKenna went to Johanna Lewis's Harry Potter BD party.  Dan went to help Sam with his basement and I took the younger three grocery shopping.  I went to the church early to practice singing with the women's ensemble, then we all enjoyed our ward Christmas Party! 

The primary children sang a couple songs, my women's ensemble sang two songs "Marshmallow World" and " We Need a Little Christmas", and there was a male quartet that sang a funny version of "Oh Christmas Tree." 

Bethany loved Santa. ;) 

Dan loved wearing his crazy blazer! So festive! 

Sunday we had a normal day at church then enjoyed the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and I went to stake Prelude Choir practice.  

Monday we got some good snow.  I cleaned up and organized the laundry room and coat closet.  That evening McKenna and Ben had their school Christmas concert.  The decorations were so cute and the kids did a great job! 

Ben- I'm a Little Star/Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Ben- Holly Jolly Christmas

McKenna- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer 

McKenna- Deck the Halls/Where are You Christmas?

We went to McDonald's afterwards for ice cream cones and Mickelle came along too.  

(The red dress picture is my 6 month pregnancy picture.)

Tuesday was a normal day.  In the evening we watched a Christmas movie together "How Murray Saved Christmas."  Then I finished my UEN class!  Dan helped Sam again with his basement.  

We also saw some news coverage of President Trump visiting Utah and visiting with our church leaders (Grandfather being one of them) and touring Welfare Square.  

Wednesday morning, both girls wanted their Rapunzel braid from Grandma Kelly in their hair.

I babysat Clara and Charlie in the morning and also went to a "be there" activity at Anna's preschool.  

Thursday I did some Dollar Store Christmas neighbor gift shopping while Anna was at music.  When we got home, we unfortunately didn't have any water due to a water main break, which was repaired a few hours later.  

That evening we enjoyed the Stake Christmas Open House at Dan's Parents' house.  The kids watched a show in the basement in their jammies and then came up for treats at the end of the party.  

Nov. '17- Week 4- Thanksgiving, Decorate, Thompson Thanksgiving, Utah Football Game, Festival of Trees

Wednesday we had a chill day at home.  Ben played a lot of Legos, the girls worked a little on their Christmas lists.  I worked on my class.  Dan helped Sam with basement remodel stuff.  We did a little yard work in the afternoon because it was actually warm enough outside! We did boy haircuts and baths that night and I finished my UEN class.  

Thursday was Thanksgiving!  We spent the morning watching the Macy's parade and going through and organizing the kids' toy boxes.  We went to Mom and Dad's house by 1pm.  

Lara made these darling place settings!  After our delicious feast, Grandma had a turkey craft and we painted some of the girls' nails.  And of course there was some napping to be had.  Grandfather stopped by to say hi and gave everyone their early Christmas money.  We also played some ping pong and Cover Your Assets.  

We stayed till dinner time, ate leftovers, and the kids watched the "Peanuts" movie.  

I truly have so much to be thankful for!  An unconditionally loving spouse, my healthy, active  and smart children, my home, our free country, and Dan's job that provides for our family.  I'm also eternally thankful for my testimony and belief in my Savior, Jesus Christ!  I strive to be more like Him everyday!  

Friday we spent the morning setting up all of our Christmas decorations.  

We met at Tony Burger for lunch with Mom and Dad, Jake and Ailin and fam, Sam and Lara and fam, and the Stewart fam.  Dan and Ben worked outside in the afternoon to hang our Christmas lights while I worked on a grocery list then later a little more yard work.  Mickelle babysat that evening while Dan and I went to a Utah basketball game.  

Saturday we had the Thompson Family Thanksgiving!  We don't see my extended side of the family very often, so it was great to be with everyone.  

The weather was still nice enough for the kids to ride bikes in the parking lot and play outside.  

We napped some in the afternoon and then finished decorating our Christmas tree.  After dinner Dan took Ben to the Utah football game with the Holdstocks.  

The girls had showers and I vacuumed.  I also worked on refurbishing a fake poinsettia decoration we had by adding on to it.  Then I worked on cutting and sorting Box Tops for the kids' school.  

Sunday there was a combined YM/YW lesson about self reliance and saving for college.  We had Webster family dinner that night then Prelude choir practice.  McKenna also had one of the worst nights' sleeps ever!  She was having major anxiety about going back to school after a week off from Thanksgiving.  

Monday morning I took McKenna in for her 9 year well check (I posted her stats back in her BD post in October) then I let McKenna skip school that day for a "mental health" day since she very much needed some sleep after her rough night.  We went straight to Anna's gymnastics.  I cleaned the duck bathroom and Anna went to preschool.  I listened to my book club book and also cleaned the down stairs bathroom and worked on laundry.  That evening we invited two families over for dinner, the Pugsleys and the Jarvises.  We had a quick FHE about Jesus Christ being our rock.  I also had my family conference call and then singing practice for the women's ensemble for the ward Christmas Party coming up.  

Tuesday I took Anna for her 4 year check up.  We got way off with her well checks once we had Bethany.  So it's more like a 4.5 year check up.
Anna's Stats
Height: 40.2in (3in increase in a year) 45th percentile
Weight: 36lbs (4lb increase in a year) 50th percentile

Here's a darling video of Bethany singing her new favorite song Head Shoulders Knees and Toes.  She's talking lots more!  We just need to work more on articulation.

I had book club that night at Melissa Smith's about the book "One True Loves."

Wednesday Dan went to the temple first thing in the morning.  After Anna got home from preschool we headed to Festival of Trees.  Love Bethany's silly face.  

Here are some of our favorites.  

Cinderella and Utah/BYU

Disney castle and Death Star gingerbread houses.  A tree for our friend's baby, Derek Cordon, and a half and half tree with Utah/BYU.  

Pokemon and Sesame Street.  After the Festival, we picked up some dinner and went and visited Grandma Pat.  Bethany made a cute set up to talk on the phone.  

After we got home, Dan left for mutual and Bethany decided to go poop in the little potty!!  

Thursday I went with Anna to music (Brynn babysat Bethany) then gave the girls a bath.  Velda babysat in the evening and Dan and I went to his work Christmas dinner.  

Nov. '17- Week 3- Grandma Jeanne, Jonathan's BD, Grandpa Paul's Funeral, LPM recital, Ben Lost Two Front Teeth

Wednesday I babysat Ivy Roth for a bit, then I showered and did some cleaning.  After dropping off Anna at preschool, I picked up my sister Emily at the airport who flew in for the funeral.  After dinner that night we visited my dad's mom, Grandma Jeanne.  She was so cute to show us and share her baby doll.  She knew who my dad was, but didn't really know the rest of us.  

Thursday, while Dan was doing carline, I got to do books and breakfast with McKenna and Ben at their school.  Anna then had music and I went visiting teaching to Amy Pugsley.  And here's just a couple pictures showing that my children don't understand "personal space."  ;)  They sure love having other grown ups around-- especially aunts and uncles and grandparents.  

Dan was home from work that day so he ran some errands for me and then with me later on.  Thursday evenings and afternoons are kinds crazy with running kids around, so I was super grateful to have my mom and Emily here to make dinner for everyone.  Dan had church stuff that evening.  Emily and I practiced the song we would sing (with Mickelle) at Grandpa's funeral.  

Bethany was showing a little bit of interest in the potty.  She actually went pee a few times in it and even poop once.  This is so much earlier than Anna showed interest, so I'm excited, but also SO not ready to potty train before baby #5 comes.  

Friday we hung out at Mickelle and Jonathan's place to celebrate Jonathan's BD!  We had R&R BBQ for lunch and then got some authentic Tres Leches for his birthday cake! 

Anna watched Ariel in the afternoon then Emily and I left for the viewing.  We thought it best for Dan to stay home with the kids rather than bring them.  Later, Dan, Mickelle, and Jonathan went to see the new Justice League movie.  

Saturday Emily and I left early to practice the song for the funeral.  Dan brought the kids at 10:20 for the viewing before the 11am funeral.  It was a lovely service!  Uncle Kevon, Aunt Laurie, and cousins Mike, Tiffany, and Jacob all spoke.  Me and my sisters sang "Oh My Father." Ben Kiser dedicated the grave.  

The ward put on a very nice luncheon for the family.  Our Ben was very sweet and tender and kept giving Grandma Pat hugs.  

We went straight from the luncheon to Ben and Anna's Let's Play Music recital.  The kids did great and it was fun to see where they are at right now in the program.  Always making progress.

"This is the Red Chord."  

Anna's class.  

"Hear How the Bells"

Ben's "Ode to Joy"

We then did grocery shopping and baths and some down time watching shows.  My parents came with In N Out for dinner.  After kids were in bed, we watched a comedian on Netflix named Ryan Hamilton.  

Sunday my parents flew back to Florida, but I got to have all my siblings at church with me!  We also had Young Women in Excellence.  After dinner, Dan took the older three up to Grandma and Grandpa's house because Ben wanted to let Grandpa pull a tooth for him.  I had Prelude choir practice that night but was definitely coming down with a cold. :(

Monday started our Thanksgiving break!  Our van spent the day at the dealership getting some safety recalls fixed.  Anna went to gymnastics and Aunt Emily went back home to Alabama.  We also attended the Nelson Family BD party that evening at the McKellar's home.  I also got a group of 8 women together to sing at the ward Christmas party and we started practicing that night.  

Tuesday my van battery was dead, dead, dead!  I took all the kids to a baby check up then went to get Keva and Great Harvest for lunch.  Then I took the van back to dealership and got a new battery.  ARG!  I played games with McKenna and Ben in the afternoon while Anna was at preschool.  Ben had gymnastics and 3 of his cousins came and tried out the Ninja Zone class with him to see if they wanted to join.  We did thankful leaves for family home evening  and I worked on my class after kids were in bed.  

Nov. '17- Week 2- Grandpa Paul, Hero's Lunch, Temple/Ward Conference, Jazz Game

Thursday I went with Anna to music, I worked on my class a little, and I went to Anna's parent/teacher conference.  Ms. Paula had all good things to say about her!   Unfortunately, my Grandpa Paul had declined rather quickly since I saw him on Tuesday and they made the decision to take him off his oxygen, give him some heavy sleep meds to keep him relaxed, and let him pass away.  It took much longer than they thought, but at about 2 in the afternoon Grandpa returned to his heavenly home!  My mom, Mickelle, Uncle Kevon, and Grandma Pat were all with him.  After the kids were in bed that night I went to the Condie's as well to be with mom, dad, grandma, and Mickelle.  

Grandpa was such a good and humble man.  He taught me to always be careful when choosing a good mechanic.  I have fond memories of feeding the sheep and geese he kept on his property.  He was not afraid to speak his mind (when needed).  He loved NASCAR and cars in general.  He worked at Kennecot for 28 years driving those gigantic trucks even though he was only 5'4".  He always gave the most beautiful and sincere prayers.  He loved me and Dan and the kids and always supported us when he could.  When Ben learned that he had passed away, he said, "But he was so funny!  Can I write a note to him and give it to him when he's resurrected?"  I'm so thankful I will see him again!  

Friday Dan was home all day and even got to go biking.  I went to ladies lunch and my mom and Mickelle went to the "Hero's Lunch" with McKenna and Ben at their school.  I can tell from their smiles that they loved it!  We all went to dinner that night at Pei Wei and later watched the latest "Planet of the Apes" movie after kids were in bed.  

Saturday Dan sorted and went through all our dress-ups while I took Ben grocery shopping.  After lunch we did yard work and the kids played in the hammocks a little and Brittana came over.  I cleaned our shower while Dan watched a Utah game.  In the evening Mickelle babysat while we went to the temple for a session.  We went to McDonald's afterwards with the Alexander's for a treat.  

Sunday was our ward conference and Dan and his Dad both spoke.  Dan spoke about "origin stories" and tied that to understanding one another without passing judgement.  Grandpa spoke about our stake goals for 2018.  I substituted in primary in Ben and Henry's class.  We had dinner with my parents and Mickelle, played card games with the kids, and Dan went to Priesthood preview.  I later when to Prelude choir practice.  

Monday Anna had gymnastics and I worked on cleaning out my google drive.  The kids had stroganoff for dinner with my parents while they babysat and Dan and I went to dinner at Chile Amor and the Jazz game with Dan's parents and Sam and Adam.  The newly remodeled areas are sweet! 

 

Tuesday I went visiting teaching to Shelly.  Ben got to start a new class at gymnastics called Ninja Zone!  It's a mix of martial arts, gymnastics, and parkour.  I worked on my class in the evening.

Nov. '17- Week 1- Native American Day, Utah Game, Russell's Baptism, M and D Here, Corn Maze, Hazel's Blessing,

Wednesday morning I babysat Charlie and Clara, cleaned up Halloween decorations, and went with Anna to her preschool "be there" activity.  Camille, Jordan, and the Alexander's came over to play in the afternoon.  Anna had a little bit of an upset stomach that evening and I worked on my UEN class.  

Thursday I volunteered in McKenna's class for the 3rd grade Native American culminating activity. I spent most of the time cutting brown paper sacks into vests, which they actually ended up using on another day.   Her classroom station was all about teepees and they made a little one out of  a brown paper sack.  She also made a totem pole out of food items, did some clay molding, and made a rain stick.  For lunch, the whole 3rd grade had a feast (soup, veggies, and pita bread).  While I was gone that morning, Dan was able to stay home with the little girls.  He even took them to the park for a bit.  

In the evening I finished putting up Thanksgiving decorations, McKenna had Activity Days and dance and Ban has music.  

Friday I worked on grocery stuff in the morning.  In the evening, I babysat cousin Ellie and Dan was able to take McKenna and Ben to the Utah football game.  I worked more on my UEN class and made a soup for Russell's baptism lunch the next day.  

Saturday was cousin Russell's baptism!  All the cousins sang Holding Hands Around the World.  Russell was very serious and tender that day and shared a very sweet testimony.  

Lara and I finally got a pregnancy picture together.  Our babies will be about 2.5 months apart.  

When we got home, Dan and Ben got on the roof to clean out gutters and they shared a nice Reese's snack.  Then my parents arrived in town!  My dad had work meetings as well as them coming to be with Grandpa Paul who was still not doing well.  

We went to Zupas for dinner then headed to a corn maze!  It was their last day open and we had lots of fun making it through just before it started to get dark and rain.  The cut outs are always fun too! 

 Sunday- just over 5 months pregnant! 

2, 3, 4, and 5 months.

 Sunday was also baby Hazel's baby blessing.  McKenna was able to feel the baby kick that day for the first time!  At the lunch afterwards, at Grandma and Grandpa's house, Anna got quite the goose egg on her head by falling somehow and hitting the corner of the fireplace.  I got this cute picture of some of the girl cousins playing on a "boat" while Anna iced her head.  :(  My parents and Mickelle came over for dinner that night.  I also went to Prelude choir practice.  

Monday was a normal day of Anna's gymnastics, preschool. me working on my class, laundry, and then my dad and Mickelle coming over for sloppy joes for dinner.  That night we did 3 topical guide topics for FHE, had our Thompson family conference call while Dan worked on his Ward Conference talk.  

Tuesday I took Anna and Bethany and went with my mom to visit the Condies.  The sheep came right up to the fence probably thinking we had food for them.  My grandpa's voice sounded different to me and his health was clearly declining.  Though he had fun showing the girls some fidget spinners he had received.  Also, my car hit a fun mileage milestone.  

We ate lunch there then took Anna straight to preschool.  Bethany decided not to take a nap that day.  Ben had gymnastics and my parents were over in the evening for dinner and watching Slow Mo Guys videos with the kids before bed.  Dan had a late night at the church.  

Wednesday Bethany had speech in the morning, and after school I took all three big kids for a dentist check up. Anna was quite scared at first, but pushed through and was quite brave in the end...and no cavities for any of them!  My mom made gummy candies with the kids in the afternoon.  My parents and Mickelle were over for dinner again and I worked on my class while Dan had more church meetings.