Thankful

So we spent the last two days (thursday and friday) eating yummy food with family and friends!! And while I could write a dialogue about the things I am grateful for I think I will leave it simple this year and just refer to our Thanksgiving Turkey.

Yes, even I am thankful for toys and for Tom & Jerry because those things entertain my kids long enough for me to fold the laundry, wash the dishes, or post on my blog :)

I loved President Monson's general conference talk on gratitude. He mentions that so often it is easier for us (me) to focus on the things that we don't have instead of being grateful for the things that we do have. I have thought about that several times over the last few weeks. He also said "Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love."

So tonight I am feeling Thankful because I have truly been blessed in so many ways!!

Wicked!!

Last year, me and Craig went to Wicked and loved it so much that when it came back to Tulsa this year we couldn't wait to go again. This time there was lots of family who went with us (also Vicki, Dennis, and my dad who is taking the picture). And again, it was a GREAT show. So if you have the chance....go see it!

November 20, 2010

Primary Program (Austin's first one)

Austin has learned a lot in Primary this year. At the beginning of the year we had a hard time getting him to go to his class but understandably so seeing as there are no toys to play with in Sunbeams like there are in the Nursery. But after a small adjustment period, he now he walks in like a big boy and has big smiles on his face when I pick him up as he eagerly shows me his primary papers. I am told that he sits so reverently in his chair and attempts to sing the primary songs. 

We worked on Austin's lines for the primary program and he even said it all by himself when they practiced the week before. Then the "big day" arrived--the best Sacrament meeting of the year!!  Austin was sitting up in his chair and at one point looked at Craig who motioned for him to fold his arms. Austin stood up and said "What daddy? What did you say?"

After a short narration it was the Sunbeams turn....and Austin was the first one. He got up to the pulpit and looked out at the audience......silence.....(teacher telling him to go ahead)....."okay" said Austin.....silence.....(teacher whispering his line to him)......silence....."I don't want to" said Austin.......teacher says his line "God is the Father of my Spirit."

At least he gave us some smiles.....plus he sang great especially "Follow the Prophet" and "I Belong To the Church of Jesus Christ."  After the program was over I asked him why he didn't say his line to which he replied "I was scared."  I guess he did inherit some of the Reid shyness afterall.

Good-bye Ralph

Ralph has been a great truck for us the last several years and Austin LOVED riding in the truck with his daddy. However, we decided for several reasons that Ralph would need to find a new home. Luckily that home is only about 5 minutes away since we sold the truck to my dad.

We had planned to drive down to Tulsa to look at a couple possible cars but at the last minute a return phone call sent us driving to Arkansas. We loaded up the kids and Craig's Dad and Debbie drove us over there. It was a nice drive, the kids were great, and thankfully it was worth the trip as Craig was able to find a great car for a great deal!!

Here it is....2002 Accura...The only bummer (for me) is that it's a stick shift so I have been taking "lessons" and am almost brave enough to go out on the main roads...haha!!

Sleepyhead

This picture was actually from several months ago but I realized that I never posted it. It's a classic....falling asleep during dinner because this stubborn girl wouldn't take a nap.

But the last 2 nights we have found Mikayla sleeping here.

Rocked herself to sleep.

Time To Read!!

We have been doing lots of book reading lately.....the kids love to pick out a big stack of books for me to read to them. We will read before naptime (when we take them) and before bedtime. The kids have really enjoyed it and I will often find them reading books on their own. It makes me smile when I hear Austin reading books to his sister or hear Kayla reading them to herself. Two of our favorites: Daisy Thinks She's a Baby and Potatoe Joe (which I have read so much that I have the whole book memorized).

Trick or Treat

Our Halloween candy collection started Thursday night

at the Tri-Ward Trunk or Treat!!

When we asked Austin what he wanted to be for Halloween he of course said "Mario." And Kayla likes watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so I knew she would make a super cute Minnie Mouse.

Austin and his grandma

Austin even ran across his sidekick Luigi
(aka Connor--Austin's cousin)

The kids with their aunts (Jessica the hobo and Kristina the maid)

It's nice living close to family.

On Saturday night we enjoyed trick or treating in Colonial.....we love going to that neighborhood because almost every house participates so you don't have to walk as far (which is nice with little ones)....plus many of the houses are decorated and sometimes they are even sitting outside waiting for you to come. We really had a great time....my favorite moments: Austin's bewildered face and comment "Hey!!" when he saw another Mario out trick or treating & listening to Kayla say "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you" in her soft sweet voice and shouting "BYE" to everyone as well.

The point of Halloween is dressing up as something you wish you could be right? In that case, just call us Super Dad and Super Mom (wishful thinking).     

But at least we do have Super Kids!!

Halloween Festivities

We did some Halloween decorating:
       

We went to the Pumpkin Patch:

  

We did some Pumpkin Painting/Carving:

This year I thought I would try having the kids paint their pumpkins and they did a great job!!!

Austin did have a rainbow of colors on his pumpkin until he discovered the brown paint.

Mikayla's pumpkin

 I got to carve the BIG pumpkin (Craig picked out the huge pumpkin knowing he wouldn't be the one doing the carving).  Austin actually had a fun time scooping out the pumpkin guts this year--and he even used his hands!!

Here they are....my bat pumpkin, Kelsey's scarecrow pumpkin, and Andrea's Haunted House pumpkin (still a work in progress but Connor was doing a great job on the poking!)

Austin and his Joy School friends even had a Halloween Party/Parade.

Grandma Stoehr

Grandma Stoehr (Craig's grandma) came here in the Spring of 2009 to live with Craig's mom. Mikayla was just a baby then as you can see from the picture. We were blessed to have her here so we could get to know her better. Whenever we went to Craig's mom's house Austin would refer to it as "2 grandma's house" (because 2 grandma's lived there) whereas my mom's house was known as "1 grandma's house."

Grandma Stoehr in her garden--she kept a very watchful eye and tender touch to her garden. She also wanted to grow some sunflowers which was done but they ended up growing just as high as the roof of the house. Just thinking about that always makes me smile. Grandma Stoehr was such a great example to her family--of love, patience, and faithfulness. She passed onto the other side on October 15, 2010 and for the last 2 weeks she was with us I was very touched by the tender and loving care provided to her by her children. They read scriptures to her, sang to her, made sure they did everything they could to keep her comfortable, and expressed countless "I love you's." And while she will be missed here by many, there are countless others on the other side who welcome her arrival!!

Trip to Branson

When me and Craig went to Branson for our Anniversary in June we had such a great time and couldn't wait to bring our kids. So when my family decided to go over Fall Break, we quickly decided to join in on the fun. At the last minute Craig was unable to come (his Grandma's funeral) but my family was gracious enough to let me and my kids hop in their car and tag along anyways. 

 We headed off Wed morning (right after I got home from work) and shortly outside of Branson we stopped to play some frisbee golf (yep, only about 3 1/2 hrs of sleep for me). My mom and sisters entertained the kids at the playgroup they had while me and my dad played the course. It was nice father daughter time. 

And Austin was pretty excited about the long "stick" that he found!!

We stayed at the Suites at Falls Creek and me and the kids had a room adjoining into my parents place which worked out great!! Here they are watching a movie before bed....the kids played nonstop for 3 whole days with no naps for either one of them (and suprisingly they stayed pretty happy).

One of the great things about this place is the wide variety of entertainment available for the guests.

Austin LOVED the miniture golf course and played it everyday that we were there.

And of course, the alligator hole was his FAVORITE!!!

Mikayla liked it too!!

Actually, Mikayla wasn't too interested in playing but more content being the caddy. She would always want to carry everyone's clubs and balls. So Austin usually was the only one playing while Kayla carried around hers and my clubs & balls.

Special fun times with my kids!!!

There was also a playground for the kids to enjoy.

And we loved the swimming pool and hot tub!!

Austin favorite thing to do was jumping into the water all by himself (with his tube).

Mikayla LOVED the hot tub--probably because it was warm and the perfect depth for her. I was actually suprised she liked it because she was absolutely terrified of the whirlpool tub in our bathroom once I turned on the jets. Austin, however, LOVED the jets and I practically had to bribe him out of the tub or else he would have stayed in their all night.

While in Branson, I was able to go to several shows. They were all great--my favorite was probably Spirit of the Dance because I loved all the high energy dancing/clogging....makes me wish I could dance.

 

Before heading back home, we stopped at the Butterfly Palace.

First, we watched a 3-D movie about the life cycle of different bugs...mainly the butterfly and the praying mantis. Austin eyes were glued to the screen the whole time.

 

Then we headed into the rainforest were there were tons of butterflies everywhere to see. It was amazing!!! The butterflies were not scared of us at all but you could walked up as close as you wanted to them and they didn't move....and as you can see they even landed on you. The only rule here--don't touch!!

 This butterfly is the Paper Kite from either SE Asia or Austrailia.

The butterflies are continually imported weekly from oversees--they are beautiful!!

Above is the Common Blue Morpho from Cental/South America.

I have no idea where these butterflies come from but aren't they beautiful? 

 The kids had such a great time!! We could have stayed all day!!

 I love this picture!!! Mikayla's face just makes me laugh out loud!! 

 My mom and dad who made this whole trip possible for us.
THANK YOU!!

 Kayla attempting to find her prince!!

There was also a Mirror Maze inside the Butterfly Palace which was so much fun to go in. And outside was the Coconut Tree Climb. Me and Jessica had a fun time doing it. Austin was sad he wasn't old enough but I promised him next year we would come back and he could do it!!