Dec. '18- Week 1- Sibling Trip, Ward Party, Devotional, School Concert, Dan Work Party, Anna Lost First Tooth, Alice Army Crawling, Anna and Alice Well Checks, Nativity Display, Temple Square Lights.

Saturday morning McKenna went to Lara's to help a school friend babysit cousins Hailey and Abby.  

I got these pictures from Dan while on their sibling trip.  Looks like they had a great time!

Dan got home around 11 Saturday morning.  We went to the cul de sac party Cari Moss throws every year where we donate canned goods.   We chilled, went grocery shopping, then had our ward Christmas party that night.  I talked a lot with Shaan Bartschi and it was a miracle none of our kids cried with Santa!  The Primary kids sang too.  

Sunday we got some good snow.  Sunday school was about the millennium.  YW was about service.  I had a bad headache that afternoon.  We watched the CGI Christmas Carol with Jim Carey and apparently it was a little too scary for Beth.  :)  Mickelle babysat while we took McKenna to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  In the car, we discussed Santa Claus with McKenna. ;) I had stake choir that night.  

Monday Alice turned 9 months!

She learned to clap!

 I vacuumed, organized, and cleaned.  That evening was the kid's school Christmas concert.  They all sang great and we're thankful Grandma & Grandpa Webster and Mickelle could come watch! We kept with our tradition and got hot chocolate afterwards.  Alice had a hard night and didn't go to bed until almost 2am.  

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

"Up on the Housetop"

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

"When Christmas Comes to Town"

"Let's Build a Gingerbread House"

"It's a Holiday of Music"

"Santa Claus is on His Way"

"More than Enough"

Tuesday I did some time on the elliptical.  We had a normal day of running around driving carpools. Anna lost her first tooth! Alice had a fever and didn't feel too well, but she loved Ben snuggling her. Bethany told her preschool teachers she wants to be a firefighter when she grows up.  That evening the kids laid out all their art work and we had a mini art museum.  

Wednesday we watched George H. W. Bush's funeral services.  My ministering sisters came to visit.  I worked on gathering addresses for our Christmas card.  I worked on editing pictures after kids were in bed.  

Alice did some good army crawling and has really good form when she planks!

Using my phone to entice her! 

Thursday Dan went to the temple so I drove kids to school.  I also did a workout video and worked on getting caught up on my Book of Mormon reading.  Brooklyn Ulmer babysat that night while Dan and I went to his work Christmas dinner/party.  Unfortunately we had to sit separate from everyone because we had Alice and kids under 21 are not allowed in the bar area.  We still had a good time! 

Friday I tried to do more Book of Mormon reading.  We had Anna and Alice's well check ups.  

Anna's 5 1/2 Stats 

Height: 43.2in (2.8in increase in a year)- 40th% 

Weight: 39.5lbs (3.5lb increase in a year)- 40th% 

Alice's 9 Month Stats

Height: 26.5in (1.5in increase in 3 months)- 10th% 

Weight: 15lbs 13oz (3.1lb increase in 3 months)- 12th% 

Head: 75th %

I watched Hazel in the afternoon. Ben went to Prelude choir practice after school.  That night we went to the Grand America for the holiday window stroll with Moultons and Pugsleys.  We took Henry Alexander with us and then had homemade pizza and hung out at the Pugsleys till 10pm.  

Saturday Ben and I had Prelude rehearsal.  Dan took Anna to a dance recital where he had a Foster Care booth.  (Dan also wore his awesome Christmas blazer to work earlier in the week and his boss got a kick out of it!)  I took the other kids to see over 200 nativities set up at a local stake center.  They had lovely hymns playing and I totally felt the Spirit there! 

That night we braved the crowds to see the lights at Temple Square with John and Megan Rowe from the ward.  

Nov. '18- Week 4- Thanksgiving, Decorate for Christmas, Thompson Thanksgiving, BYU Vs. Utah, McKenna 10 Year Check Up, Christmas in Color, Festival of Trees, Dan Sibling Trip.

Thursday was Thanksgiving!  McKenna and I attended a High Fitness class taught by Aunt Laurie Marsh and cousin Dantzel Crane.  We were home around 9:15 and watched the Macy's Parade as per our tradition!  I made a pumpkin pie, and we headed to Salt Lake for the Nelson family Thanksgiving!  Grandfather spoke a few words to the family.  He said he "loves us dearly, we should keep the commandments, and love others." 

When we got home that evening, we watched some Studio C and chilled.  We played games as a family and after kids were in bed, we took down the Thanksgiving decorations.  Dan didn't feel well that night and was up late.  

Friday we spent most of the day decorating for Christmas!  We were especially excited for our new personalized stockings!  And I love how I caught Bethany coloring and she had picked out only the purples and pinks.  We tried to see "Wreck it Ralph" in the afternoon, but it was sold out.  So we ran a quick errand, then went back to the movie theater to see "The Grinch."  After kids were in bed, Dan raised up our kitchen pendant lights.  

Saturday we found out that McKenna made the part of Wendy Darling in the school's Peter Pan play!  She cried, I cried!  We got a good amount of snow, so the girls played in it a little while Dan and Ben gave each other hair cuts.  I did the elliptical for 20 minutes.  

Our lunch was the Thompson Thanksgiving gathering.  Our Alice loved snuggling my uncle Davey and playing with my cousin Lucy's baby Elliot.  

That evening, the Winegar's watched our kids while we went to the BYU/Utah football game with the Stewarts!  What a game!  BYU fans were pretty thrilled until the fourth quarter.  :( 

Sunday we were late for church.  Sunday school was about the second coming, and I spent most of YW in the Mother's Lounge.  We practiced for a few minutes after church with the YW who were planning to sing at YW in Excellence.  McKenna had a hard time after church and we watched "Barbie Christmas Carol."  We had a normal evening home together and I had Prelude rehearsal.  

Monday I tried to catch up on my Book of Mormon reading.  Once kids got home from school, Anna was super grumpy and McKenna worked on a panda presentation.  We did two Topical Guide topics for FHE that evening.  Emily also called that day so we could plan a little Christmas break stuff.  

Tuesday I woke up with a bad headache.  The girls played nice that morning.  I drove carpool and listened to my book.  Mickelle babysat that evening while Dan and I went to YW in Excellence.  The musical number went very well!  We found that picture of Mia and Bethany on the preschool website.  

Wednesday Dan went to the temple.  Anna had a play date at the Atkins.  I took McKenna had her 10 year old check up.  

McKenna's Stats

Height: 54in (2.3in increase in a year)- 40th% 

Weight: 55lbs (4lb increase in a year)- 5th% 

We had lots of rain in the afternoon.  I went to music with Anna.  I had book club that evening at the Moulton's to talk about "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency." It was a lighthearted entertaining read.  

Thursday we went to Lara's house to take another Christmas gift picture for the three newest baby girls Hazel, Abby, and Alice.  Their word was "JOY." And just for fun, here are the other words with all the other kids/babies.  

I did the elliptical that day as well.  In the evening, we ate pizza in the car and went with all the Websters to see the Christmas in Color light display.  This year they had "3D" glasses which made every light look like a snow flake.  It was awesome! 

We had a blast at Nielsen's afterwards getting an ice cream treat! 

Friday Bethany had a preschool dance performance at Festival of Trees.  Jonathan was nice enough to come watch! Bethany did great and had lots of fun, especially because she got to wear make-up.  

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

It was so fun to see all the cousins perform who also attend the same preschool!

We also enjoyed our traditional walking around to see the trees.  

Pokemon and Peter Pan

Our Stake YW decorated three trees Dr. Seuss themed.  And of course we loved the Pony, Unicorn, and Barbie trees. 

We ate Wendy's for lunch and then took the big kids to school late.  I watched Ellie and Hazel and worked on neighbor gifts.  Dan left for a very quick sibling trip to see another Utah football game.  Alice had a cold and wasn't feeling well, and Bethany got some raccoon eyes when she cried because she still had her dance make-up on.  :) 

We kind of had a rough evening but still ended up watching a quick Christmas movie before everyone went to bed.  

I got some cute videos of Alice being very vocal.  She's probably more vocal than any of my other babies! 

Nov. '18- Weeks 3- Ben's China Day, Alice Ritz Cracker, Kids No School, Bethany Preschool Thanksgiving, Alice Laughing Video, Christine Visit,

Friday Melissa Roth watched Bethany and Alice while I volunteered at Ben's class China Day.  I helped with the station with the red envelopes and we had a yummy lunch!  After school, Dan took Bethany to Lowe's and I took Ben to the Prelude to Christmas youth choir practice.  I thought Dan was home, though he wasn't, so McKenna unintentionally babysat Alice a little while we were both gone.  That night we enjoyed time together and watched "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." 

Saturday I had a singing practice with some YW for a song they would sing at YW In Excellence.  Anna went to Hilton Smith's birthday party.  We watched the Utah football game and went through Ben's clothes.  We borrowed an elliptical from the Alexander's and put it in the patio room.  I made cookies that afternoon and Dan went and visited Bro. Twitchell whose health was not doing well.  After kids were in bed, I went to the Alexander's for a game night and Dan stayed home.  

Sunday we had a family fast for Wendy Maxfield.  Ben gave an Article of Faith in Primary.  Sunday School was about the signs of the Second Coming.  YW was about the Word of Wisdom.  We watched "Narnia" after church.  The kids made birthday cards for my brother, Jonathan.  We had Webster family dinner that night and I went to Prelude choir even though my voice was still NOT 100%.  I got a picture of the girls playing with sleeping Mickelle and she didn't budge.  And Alice's first Ritz cracker.  She loved it! 

Monday started our week with the kids having NO school for Thanksgiving break!  We had some Lego drama in the morning.  Then we went shopping at Old Navy for some new school pants for the girls.  We had Keva Juice and Great Harvest for lunch.  We played at 5 Points Park for a bit but it was quite cold!  We went through kids' school papers.  We had an FHE that evening about being thankful and put leaves on our Thankful tree.  

Tuesday I went to the temple and did 3 names in Initiatory.  I also did 20 mins on the elliptical.  The kids played school and Legos.  Bethany still had preschool that day and the big kids worked on writing their Christmas lists.  After picking up Beth from preschool she quickly fell asleep in the car and continued sleeping on me when we got home.  I totally didn't mind it! The things she is thankful for are "my food, my baby, and my mom and dad."  We watched some "Studio C" before bed.  

Cute laughing video of Alice.  

Wednesday I slept in till 8:30!  It was so nice but the kids were beastly by the time they had breakfast.  Alice woke up with one arm out of her jammies.  Paisley and Eli Forbes came over to play.  The girls colored and the boys played Pokemon.  I spent a lot of time getting caught up on my Book of Mormon reading.  After lunch the kids all went up to Alexander's.  Dan came home early and started hanging Christmas lights.  I trimmed back the rose bush.  After dinner, we had a nice visit from one of my good friends from Virginia, Christine (Platz) Knapp.  She and I became good friends in 6th grade and stayed friends through high school!  She was in town visiting her brother who now works for a refinery out here.  It was so good to see her and meet her sweet baby boy, Alex.  Her visit brightened my day and it was so fun to talk motherhood with her!  Alice had her first bath that night in the big tub! 

Oct. '18- Week 4- End Social Media Fast, Paisley's Party, Carving Pumpkins, Lagoon Trail, Halloween Parties, Trunk or Treat, Crazy Hair Day, Halloween!

Monday I was in the cleaning mood and cleaned McKenna and Bethany's room a little, then after driving kindergarten carpool, I washed and vacuumed the van.  After lunch and laundry, I cleaned toilets, the inside of the van, and vacuumed some.  I also mended and patched some clothes.  I guess this is mostly noteworthy because it doesn't happen all that often. :)  At least not this much productivity in one day.  We had an FHE that evening about the Holy Ghost.  

Tuesday I drove the kids to school in the morning and we saw a beautiful rainbow!  I went to Jan Evans' Scripture class.  We got another rain gutter bid, Ben had Jr. Jazz at night, and I finally started getting Alice to bed at an earlier time! Tuesday was also the day I got back on Instagram since going off right after General Conference.  Here are some insights I had, but first...

*Invitation from the Prophet-  "First, I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind." 

*I went off Instagram for 2+ weeks.  I cut back on checking KSL as well but still checked the weather, read headlines only, minimally.    

• "What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit?" **I noticed, much like last time I fasted from social media, it was easier than I thought.  I noticed I cared less about what others think of me especially because I wasn't seeing everyone's highlights from trips, outings, home decor...
• "Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy?" **This was probably the most significant effect of this Social Media fast.  I used my phone MUCH less in general during this time because it was on the fritz (screen backlight was blinking and blacking out).  I want to spend more of my time and energy blogging and keeping the house in order.  Since I didn't use my phone while nursing at night, it also felt good to have more quiet time to just sit and think!  That was a calming and rejuvenating time with Alice! 
• "Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little?" **My priorities are to make sure my children feel they are the most important thing to me, not my phone!  I also don't want them to see me on my phone all the time when they don't need me.  I plan to use the new update on the iPhone to set time limits on my app usage.  

Wednesday I did ministering visits to Shelly and Amy.  Bart Nelson came to start fixing the concrete in the back.  Dan came home early from work and was able to walk the kids to piano and help Bart in the back for a bit.  I had book club that night at Meghan Johnson's house were we discussed the book "What Highly Successful People do Before Breakfast."  Our discussion was mostly about time management and how everyone is going to define "success" differently.

Thursday I went walking with Rachael then Anna's friends Annie and Emi came over to play.  McKenna had a field trip to the Children's Museum.  Lia's mom sent me a couple pictures since she was their chaperone.  After school we ran an errand to get a birthday present for Paisley Panter.  

Friday Rachael had a little scare as William and his cousin wandered away from the house down to the Remington's cul de sac and she couldn't find him for a good 30 mins.  I helped look for him, but it was Holley Searle who found him.  I babysat Hazel, and Anna went to Paisley's BD party at the Rec Center.  

I trimmed back the day lilies.  That night Dan worked on his Sacrament meeting talk for Ward Conference and I planned our menu.  

Saturday Dan had his super Saturday Tithing Settlement Day.  We took him some Taco Time for lunch then went to play at Creekside Park with the Lewises came and Ashleigh Robbins was there by chance also.   

Dan went to our ward temple night while I stayed home with the kids and we watched "Greatest Showman" after baths.  

Sunday was our Ward Conference.  Dan spoke about rowing and tied it into the "swing" principle being in perfect unity with each other and the Lord.  Pres. Farnes taught about the acronym "WALK- Willingly Act in Love and Kindness."  In the evening we went to cousin Andrew's ordination and dinner at Dave and Laurie's.  We came home and carved pumpkins as a family.  I had stake choir practice.  

Monday started the kids Spirit Week at school.  After lunch, Bethany and Alice and I went to walk with Lagoon trail with Brynn and Swa and some of their kids.  The leaves were gorgeous! One of the kids (we're not sure who) thought it would be funny to pick up a bunch leaves and through them on Alice.  Unfortunately, the pile thrown on her also contained quite a bit of dirt and sticks as well.  Poor Alice... but it was kind of funny too.  

That evening McKenna and I picked up Mickelle from the airport as she was getting home from a business trip.  That night Dan helped move the Winegar's shed.  

Tuesday I attended the last Jan Evans scripture class.  Bethany got to wear her costume to preschool.  It was also cousin Amelia's first day at preschool with Bethany! I got to help with centers in her class that day, unfortunately, Alice was quite sad in her car seat most of the time.  

I got to watch the last little bit of Anna's ballet class that afternoon.  That evening we had our ward Trunk or Treat and spook alley.  

Wednesday- Halloween Day!- Dan dressed up for carline as Gru from Despicable Me.  The kids got to wear their costumes to school.  We had the mold in our patio room treated.  Alice and Bethany spent some time at Rachael's while I volunteered in McKenna and Ben's classes for their Halloween parties.  In McKenna's class I helped with the station where they made each other into mummies using TP.  In Ben's class I provided Halloween themed snacks.  String cheese and pretzel sticks to look like brooms and apple slices and marshmallows to look like lips and teeth.

Bethany fell asleep while we were doing reading homework.  That evening we had our traditional mummy dogs for dinner then got the kids ready for trick or treating!  Thankfully, Aunt Mickelle came to take the three middles out trick or treating while I picked up McKenna from her Backstage training and performance class.  Dan stayed home to pass out scones and candy!

Nov. '18- Week 2- Grandma Pat Over, Movie with Lia, Hero's Lunch, "Instant Family," Anna's Thanksgiving Feast

Thursday I visited Amy and Shelly.  I hung up our "Thankful" tree and tidied up.  That evening we had my parents AND my Grandma Condie over for dinner.  Alice also began rocking back and forth on all fours.  It won't be long before she's crawling! 

Friday my mom babysat while I helped with McKenna's class China day.  I helped at the station where they wrote Haiku poems and then the water color paint on paper fans.  Dan came home for a bit at lunch time, painted the girls nails, and then left for Mantua with the Priests Quorum.  McKenna had her audition for the school play, Peter Pan, and felt really good about it.  :) We took Lia home with us after the audition, then we got dinner at Burger King and came back to our house to play and watched "Matilda." 

Saturday after breakfast the kids played with playdoh, and I did some organizing and went through McKenna's clothes.  Dan came home from Mantua and worked outside for a while with Ben blowing leaves and spraying off the patio room carpet tiles that had mold on them.  We worked hard on cleaning the basement and unfortunately Bethany had an upset stomach that afternoon/evening.  

On Sunday during sunday school we learned about the Gathering of Israel and YWs was about solving problems.  We watched "Zootopia" after church and I worked on prepping some large red envelopes for Ben's class.  Dan attended the "Temple and Priesthood Preview" that evening and I had stake choir after kids were in bed even though my cold/voice were not all the way better.  

Monday I had a bad headache.  The kids' school celebrated Veteran's Day by hosting a "Hero's lunch."  The kids invited Grandpa Webster to attend!  He's such a hero to us all especially after what he endured this Summer! 

I worked more on the red envelopes.  We had an FHE lesson that night about Tithing.  After kids were in bed, the missionaries came by, mostly to talk to Dan.  

Tuesday Anna played at Emi's while I ran an errand to Target.  That evening, Mickelle came to babysit while Dan and I went to Costa Vida at the Gateway for dinner, and then got to see the new movie "Instant Family" which is all about Foster Care and adoption.  It was a very touching movie and apparently pretty true to real life, but (also true to real life) unfortunately had a lot of bad language in it.  

Wednesday Dan went to the temple.  Bethany and Alice went to Shelly's house while I volunteered in Anna's class for their Thanksgiving activities and feast.  I picked up the girls from Shelly then headed back to the school for pick up. We had a normal afternoon of homework, music/piano, showers/baths, and Dan had late church meetings.  

Thursday Dan went to "Books and Breakfast" at the kids' school.  I had a ministering interview over the phone with Marilee.  I almost ran out of gas on the way home from getting the kids.  Jordan came over to play with Ben before dinner.

Nov. '18- Week 1- Crazy Hair, Mancation, Alice 8 Months, Anna's LPM Recital, McK BD date.

Thursday Dan left for his mancation in Arizona (vs. Arizona State) with the Webster boys.  

Unfortunately it was also when Anna, Bethany, Ben and I all got colds.  I cleaned up Halloween decorations.  That evening McKenna had Activity Days and I took the rest of the kids to Madi Marsh Baker's baby shower at the Miles's.  

Friday was crazy hair day at school!  I did rainbow hair in McKenna's hair, though next time I would add more pipe cleaners so there's more color.  For Ben and Anna we just did stickers and color spray.  

Hazel came over at lunch and I worked on a grocery order.  In the evening we headed to Ogden for Anna's music recital.  She did so great playing "Sol, Fa, Mi, Re, Do" and the red chord in "Three Blind Mice."

After the recital we went to dinner at the Hilton Garden with Grandma, Brynn, and Swa and kids.  

We had a couple rough nights with Bethany up coughing in the middle of the night.  :( 

Saturday McKenna went to Camille's soccer game with the Roths.  Alice turned 8 months old, and the picture taking became more difficult. ;) 

After lunch my parents came into town!!  I helped McKenna with typing a report for school and Ben did some wood burning with Grandma.  After baths we had Panda Express for dinner and finished "Greatest Showman." 

Looks like Dan had a fun time!

Sunday morning my cold had left me with no voice.  :( YW that day was on the stage and Becky taught about work. Dan got home from his mancation.  My parents and Mickelle hung out at our house all afternoon and evening.

Monday we went to Costco.  I painted a letter W to hang on our wall.  After school, McKenna had her birthday date with Grandma Sibber.  She got some darling new clothes and dinner at her favorite place, Zupas!  What a sweet grandma to make our McKenna feel so special!

My parents and Mickelle hung out over here again.  We had an FHE about manners that night.  Dan and I folded laundry after kids were in bed then Dan installed some new outlet covers for the cord holders behind the TV.  

Tuesday I went through Anna's clothes, did the usual driving carpool, and Ben had his last Jr. Jazz game.  We watched election coverage and Dan gave himself a hair cut.  

Wednesday William Alexander came over to play.  I picked up my mom from Kira's hair salon then after school Desi and Henry came over to play.  Ben also had a play date at Taggart's.  My parents and Mickelle were over that evening for corn chowder.  My mom made some hair bows for the girls and Dan had church meetings.