Another year wiser

Another year older and another year wiser. Or so they say. Not sure who they is but I've heard that saying somewhere. I'll take it because I just keep getting older!

 

I prayed very hard that no one would be sick on my birthday with the flu. I didn't however pray for an ear infection. It was about 3 in the morning and I heard someone go to the bathroom and then almost a cow crying. It was Maddy, in her room. Softly saying Mooommm, Moooom. Needless to say I wasn't happy to be awake, never am when I should be sleeping and don't really want to work on being happy in the middle of the night. Her ear hurt. I'm hoping it was water in the ear from swimming, because she hasn't been sick. I Gave her some Tylenol and attempted to go back to sleep. Mike went in and sat with her, he is much better at taking care of children in the middle of the night or was being extra nice because it was my big day. I gave her a corn heating bag and we all went back to sleep.

 

We all have been going to bed so late and therefore sleeping in. Mike asked what I wanted to for breakfast, I decided a ham and cheese omelet but in order to eat all we wanted to all day I was going to need to exercise. We did insanity and burned off some calories--definitely not as many as was needed for all the eating we did!

 

We meet up with family at Red Robin to celebrate me! Not often do I encourage others to celebrate my birthday with me. It's just another day and everyone is busy with this or that so I usually just let the day slide by. BUT everyone was so willing and wanting to celebrate I decided to make a plan and see if anyone showed. And to my delight lots did!

 

Lunch was yummy.

Somehow after a big lunch and pie I managed to eat popcorn at the movie.

A big thanks to Brent and Julie for watching 7 kids while the big kids went to the movie. We saw Saving Mr. Banks. It's a good movie, a tear jerker, and made me think. I wanted to take Maddy to it and will wait til it comes on DVD, it's a long movie. I didn't know that Mary Poppins was written after Mr. Banks.

 

After the movie we headed back to the house and got pizza. Brent, Julie, Leslie and Dan had "other" plans and left us. We enjoyed pizza and then pie!

 

I requested a peppermint chocolate crust pie with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. It was delicious!

 Here's me and the kids along with Stephanie. I wanted to remember they were all celebrating with me and not just my usual 4. Here are our wonderful Lehi cousins that we played and played with all Christmas break!
Ashlyn, Kamryn, Lexi, Maddy, Jack, Lilly, Me, Karsyn

 

 When the cake was lite up and just before the singing began Karsyn said "wow you're old!" yep my icecream pie was on fire! BUT boy was it delicious! Thanks Mike for treating me like a queen all day!

Cute Karsyn apparently didn't know I was blowing out the candles or maybe she would have blown just like everyone else appears to be!

It was a great birthday. It was a wonderful day! Thanks everyone for celebrating with me. For my birthday I finally got some new pots and pans. We have been using the hand me downs my dad gave me when I went to college. I bought a couple at Target but saw the same thing at JCPenney so I'm going to get one from there also. I went with Calphalon brand. I have a saute pan that has held up for over 5 years and is wonderful so I got some pots too! I hope I love the pots just as much.

Later that night, I sat on the couch and read my FB birthday posts that everyone wished me. It is so wonderful to feel loved by so many friends! We started watching Downton Abbey and Mike worked on a puzzle. I ate a yummy coconut cupcake from Leslie, it was heaven! What a great day, I definitely am going to try and be more wiser this year. I've got to prove I'm worth it at least to myself.

Maddy's ear has hurt a little since then, not sure what it is but hoping it clears up on its own.

On a side note, look what I won! A Microsoft surface. It's like an iPad but by Windows. I'm still learning how it works, best part is that Lilly hasn't figured out that it is like an iAnything. She has claimed the iPad and iPhone as her own!

I entered a contest and they choose my name to name the seagull. His name is Klip. Thanks www.coupons4utah.com. We are pretty lucky this year for contests. Mike won a 51" TV in October. I also won free carpet cleaning. Let's hope 2014 brings us much more luck! 

Christmas Break

The day after Christmas we went to the movies. Mike watched the Hobbit and the kids and I saw Frozen again. We just can't get enough of that movie! 

The 27th we went to Thanksgiving Point to see what our new membership entailed. We stopped at the Museum of Ancient Life aka the Dinosaur Museum. Inside the Dinosaur museum is an exhibit that is hands on called "tinkering." The kids got to build things, test things, play with sand, watch how wind blows sail boats an build projects. They built something that would fly in the wind tunnel. The first place we went to was

Here is the wind tube that you put your invention in to see how it flies. We could have spent all day here, in fact we almost did!

After Tinkering we went and explored the museum, they have dinosaur bones on exhibit and a giant hands on digging sand exploration zone.

Lilly doesn't like to get her hands dirty and didn't last long here. The other kids loved it and could have spent all day here too!

Talked them into more exploring and attempted a picture on a sitting dino. Lilly however didn't want to stop and pose!

She wanted to explore some more. Another digging exploration this time the kids use tools to uncover bones in the ground.

After the museum we headed to Chick a fila for dinner. And then went to Uncle Dan's hotel and swam. The water was warm and the kids are all little fish.

Except this one, she wanted out! I purposely didn't get in my suit because I figured this would happen. After a jump in the water with dad she sat on the side with mom. She did get in later and LOVED it! She has no fear and was very close to the edge more than once!

We enjoyed a mini swim an get away to Lehi for the day. Lilly didn't get a nap and did so good, she was happy to be around for the most part and proved to be a good go with the flow girl! Our pass is going to be so much fun, I can't wait to go see the Gardens in the spring. It has been over 10 years since I have been to the Tulip Festival. They are also opening a kids museum in the spring which will be AMAZING! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the generous gift! We are going to get a lot of use out of this present!

Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve Mike went to work so the kids and I stayed home and tidied up the house and enjoyed a relaxing day! Lexi was so excited, she kept asking if it was time to go yet!

The Price's Christmas Eve party is held at a church because the family is so big. Grandma and Grandpa had 8 kids, they have 33 grandkids but she has lost track of the number of great grandkids. It's a LOT!

After dinner, we sing songs and Santa drops in to the party along his way for a busy night! Lexi was very lucky and her name was called at the top of the list of great grandkids (only those 12 and younger get to sit on his lap). She was very excited to tell Santa that she wanted a flutterbye fairy, slippers and gum for Christmas!

Lilly's name was called next AND she did not want to sit on Santa's lap or anything to do with the man in red! She held on tight as could be to Jack. Jack eventually just took her gift and sat down with her! She was the only child that threw a fit.

Jack was up next. He talked and talked and talked to Santa. I told Jack to confess his "sins" to Santa and ask that he still be on the nice list because Mom found out he'd been naughty earlier and lied to her. Jack and Lexi have been jumping from the bunk beds into the crib. Now it all makes sense why bolts and screws on the crib have been falling off. Mom sent Santa an email but told Jack to apologize to Santa and see if his presents could still be delivered.  

Maddy was very last! Her present wasn't even in his bag of tricks. BUT she was so sweet and patiently waited her turn among all the great grands to go sit on his lap and tell Santa that she wanted art stuff for Christmas.

After the party, we rushed home to feed the reindeer!

And as tradition would have, the kids got to open one present before Christmas. Guess what that could be?

Christmas Jammies!!

Madison read the Night before Christmas to the kids. The kids ate the last chocolate on the advent calendar and went to bed. Grama and Grampa Buddy arrived when the kids were in bed, although the excitement was in the air and no one could go to sleep. Jack and Lexi were up past 10:30 looking outside for the reindeer. They finally went to sleep and so did mom and dad and grama and grampa.

I'm not sure who woke up first, Maddy said she heard footsteps downstairs and went to check it out. Just before 8 we were all awake and ready to see if Santa had visited us during the night.

Sure enough he did visit, magic was in the air! The tree was crowded with lots of gifts and of course stockings to get to open. The kids all had one wrapped present in their stocking which indicated which wrapping paper was theirs under the tree. They all got electric spinning toothbrushes in their stockings! Santa knows the Tooth Fairy and they must have talked before hand.

Jack had presents under the tree, Santa must missed mom's email or decided to give him presents anyway.

And it was time to open gifts, I believe Lexi opened her Flutterbye Fairy first. She was so excited! She patiently waited all day for it to charge. The fairy flies. You put your hands under it and it goes up and down, occasionally crashing to the floor. Her delight watching it fly was priceless!

Lilly had skittles in her stocking and was eating candy all morning. She did find a baby doll which she immediately picked up out of its cradle and gave it a hug.

Jack got a book from Puppy Place called Jack! He is finally starting to enjoy to read. Mom bribed him to see if he could finish a book in less then a month and he did it!

Madison also has a mouthful of candy. She wasn't disappointed and got LOTS and LOTS of art projects. She got a tracing art pad, lots of paper, a fancy coloring book, paints and pencils, a scooter and 152 crayons from Grandma Loveridge.

Lexi also got 2 pair of slippers! Stompee's slippers the ears pop up when she walks. She loves these!

To Jack's surprise he got a 3DS XL and lots of games. He was very excited and almost immediately plugged it in to play! 2 days later he had passed on of the games. This boy loves electronics and games!

Lexi got a new doll named Sadie and horse. She carries Sadie with her and sleeps with her in matching jammies.

While we were opening gifts, Uncle Josh skyped in from Spain where he is serving a mission. It was my first Skype experience, so fun to see the person in real life and talk to them.

Soon after that Uncle Brody arrived with more gifts.

Mike got a new SF shirt, a white shirt for church and a puzzle. Our big present was a kitchen remodel so we didn't buy each other gifts. No pictures of me but I got new round kitchen pans to make a cake, I don't have to borrow them anymore from Jen! I also got new boots and socks.

Grama and Grampa even had presents under the tree!

 

Grampa got a fun present from Brody, we had to hide it because it was an interesting present with pictures that were a little suggestive! It sure gave us all a good laugh! Grama and Grampa gave the kids mini DVD players and a movie and case. They love having their own movie player! Mike & I got a new book and money. 

 

Not long after we finished the first round, Grandma and Grandpa Loveridge and Uncle Dan came with more gifts. I didn't get another picture the rest of the day. I hope someone else did.

 

Dan spoiled the kids rotten. He gave us Disney Infinity for the Wii. And then each kid a present. They sure love Uncle Dan, he was on vacation for over a week from Tennessee, it was so fun spending time with him.

Grandma and Grandpa gave us a pass to Thanksgiving Point and money and presents and books. Lexi got Frozen dolls that she loves! Maddy got crayons and a coloring book. Jack got an electrical surge kit. Aren't Grandparents the best!

 

(Here is the mess after Christmas. I think it's still here today! 5 days later. Our tree lights have died (20 years or so with the lights) and we bought new lights on clearance although the new LED lights are so bright I don't like it. We have to undo it again with new lights. 3rd times a charm. Maybe. )

After more gifts, we left to go have eggs golden rod breakfast at Great Grandma Price's houses. We came home to put Lilly down for a nap, she got woken up early to open presents and was in need of a nap. I was too but couldn't fall asleep.

 

We enjoyed Christmas dinner in Lehi with Mike's family. It was another round of gifts and food galore! The kids played with cousins and no one wanted to go home, it had been the best day!

 

 

 

Frozen

Once again we had a busy weekend but so much fun! We started the weekend off with Jack's basketball game Saturday morning, his team is big. 10 players, they all rotate and get equal play. Jack had a good game, no baskets but a block and several steals. He loves to make fast breaks! After the game we came home to host brunch with the Loveridge crew. Brent made yummy french toast, Stephanie and buttermilk waffles, we also had fruit, bacon and juice. It was delicious!

Maddy and I rushed off to her basketball game, while Mike and Julie and crew cleaned up! Thank you again for coming to our house. Maddy's team played an amazing team that crushed our newbies. Our team, didn't give up and frustrated them. Brent got a kick of of me "nicely" yelling at Maddy to throw her elbows and not give up that ball. I take my coaching job pretty seriously!

After the game we enjoyed a one hour break and headed to Thanksgiving Point to go see the new Disney movie Frozen FINALLY! We wanted to see it at Thanksgiving time but haven't had a minute before this weekend to see it. We LOVED it. Dan bought 24 tickets! We had a big group, they messed up our tickets and we had the whole back row to ourselves. It was actually a great seat even from the back row! I love the message that family sticks together, that sisters believe in each other, Kristen Bell and the whole cast did a fantastic job, loved the movie, loved the music it has been going through my head all weekend long! We can't wait to go see it again.

Some of my favorite lines.
Wanna build a snowman.
For the first time in forever
Can I just say something crazy?
Let it go, let it go.
Jinx, Jinx again.
Olaf, you're melting. Some people are worth melting for.
Something about all men eat their boogers

 

After the movie we headed to Bill & Stephanie's for pizza and more cousin fun. It was the best day! We didn't want it to end, but poor Lilly was so tired (15 minute car ride nap) we had to go home to get her to bed. Thanks Dan for the movie, Brent and Julie for the feasts and of course family that makes everything so much fun!

Park City Getaway

We celebrated the Price/Wilson Christmas Party in Park City. Jake hooked us up and got us great discounts at the Sun Dial Lodge at the Canyons. To start off the party, we all met at Jupiter Bowl. We had 3 lanes. It is a posh bowling alley, servers, giant movie screens with games and movies, private bowling, pool tables and anything in between.

Lexi, Jake, Maddy, Chad

Alex, Becket, Jake

Maddy, Lexi, Brody

Kinzee, Lilly, Emma, Becket, Jack

Lexi using the bowling bar

Grampa wrestling the 2 wild Indians!

Lilly woke up with a fever and was pretty chill most of the bowling night, she however was taste testing every ones drinks even tho she had her own.

Chad & Anna

Grama Tif, Maddy, Emma

Mike & Jake

 

Jack & Brody

 

We had reservations for bowling but apparently they time you and turn off the lanes at exactly 1 hour. We arrived and got 1.5 games in, but the rest of the group was late and bowled for about 15 minutes.

 

Lexi and Jack talked Grampa into spending the night with them at there condo. Mike & I and Lilly and Maddy went home,  Lilly had a fever all night so I took her to the doctor Saturday morning. Mike went to Price's Doors to pick up Jack, we then rushed to Madison's basketball game, Mike left early her game early and took Jack to his game. But 2 victories! Both kids won the games, so it was worth missing the action in Park City for the day.

 

Didn't get any pictures for the rest of the trip. oops!

Saturday night we ate dinner at Murdock's at the Canyons. Everyone minus Elder Wilson. 20 people! The restaurant closes at 5 and the boss aka Jake let us hang out til we were ready for bed. We enjoyed yummy pizza and all you can drink sodas. We played games and ate treats and enjoyed birthday cake for all the December babies in the family (4 of us).

The kids went night swimming. It's an outdoor heated pool. The steam was rising and unless you were in the pool, you were freezing!

 

Sunday morning we all meet back at Murdock's for breakfast and then said our goodbyes. We had a terrible night, I couldn't sleep never can in a hotel and Lilly didn't feel good, Lexi woke up thinking Jack was in her bed when really she was in his bed and we all went to bed at midnight! We let the kids swim while we sat around the fire, the weather was beautiful but we were exhausted so we headed home. 3 kids feel asleep in the car!

 

That night we enjoyed a Home Alone marathon. I have never heard Jack laugh so hard, Kevin aka Macaulay Culkin is 8 in the movie~I think I saw the wheels spinning in Jack's head as to the cleaver plans he could have getting ride of the bad guys! Love that show, it's a classic!

 

We all retired very early for bed after an our Park City Getaway.
Thanks Grampa & Grama for a fun weekend! Lexi is already asking if we can come back this weekend.