Today is Zach's birthday. We took him to Chuck-E-Cheese for a great lunch and play time. All the kids, Greg and I included, had a great time. Sorry no pic's from that. It was hard enough keeping track of 3 kids, carrying tickets and tokens along with a camera so we opted to forego the extra. However it was a great time. The kids came home with balloons and giant suckers. Greg ended up getting called to work so we very quickly opened presents and had our birthday brownies with marshmallow topping. Very good and very messy. The kids have been playing with Zach's new toys and games since then. I hope its been fun for Zach. My little man is now 7 and has been feeling the excitement all day.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Farm Update

Everyone putting the finishing touches on the new pig pen and Greg trying to catch them for the big move



Chaquita with 4-day old Huey


All the kids getting a turn riding Chapo, the mini or jack donkey



How many kids does it take to walk a donkey?

The Church Christmas Party

Our ward has a fabulous Christmas party this year. The new activities committee was very adventurous and re-enacted the Nativity. Adam got to be a shepherd. All the kids had a great time and even got to see Santa. It was a really fun night.

Crying Like a Baby

Greg was playing with the kids a little bit today. He has been sick and has body aches and such. Well, Elayna jumped on his back and kicked right at the kidney spot. Greg yelped and said oow!!! Elayna's response: Dad, stop crying like a baby! and then she turned to Adam and Zach and said they couldn't play with dad anymore cause he was a baby and needed a time out. We died laughing. I can't believe she said that. It was one of those things you just don't know where it came from. She definately is a spit-fire girl with lots of spunk!

Venturing into the unknown

Elayna has been the first of my kids to ever have an imaginary friend. She has a pet crocodile that shares meals and takes baths with her. She's got another friend that I haven't quite figured out who or what it is but there is always a lot of giggling at tea parties and when playing with her farm animals. She has recently been requesting of us to give her friends food and talking to them and gets very angry if we don't or do something offensive to these extras. I have wondered if her world is like the scene in Shrek when all the magical creatures are gathered together in the forest. Its quite fun listening to her and watching her play.

Zach

Yesterday in church Zach had the opportunity to give the scripture and prayer in primary. We have tried this before with no success. Yesterday was different. When it was his turn I went and got him and took him up to the mic. He stood there all smiles and waited. His scripture was 2 Nephi 25:26 which reads:
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
Zach did such a great job. I whispered the words to him which caused him to whisper into the mic but he did it. That's all we wanted. He said the prayer all by himself too which is a huge thing for the people at church who have never heard it done. Afterwards he got to pick out a sticker and he picked the one that said I am a Child of God. He was so proud of that sticker. He beamed and poked his little chest out anytime he showed it off. I am so proud of my little man. He did such a great job! Gigi, our primary president, seemed like she was almost in tears when she was praising him afterward. It was one of those experiences that I'll never forget!

Life with the Pigs

We recently joined a group of Greg's co-workers on a new adventure. We bought a pig as part of a co-op and it will be raised for food. The deal is we paid 50$ up front for the pig and then will split the feed bill in a couple months with the other members of the group. Then they will take the pigs to the butcher and we will get to decide what kind of cuts, etc. we want and will pay our own bill for that. I know it sounds a little morbid but it really is a good idea. We get an entire pig for food at a fraction of the price you pay for bacon, ham and such at the grocery store. Plus the kids get the experience of helping out with the ranch chores. The people who are housing the pigs also have horses, miniature donkeys and mini-horses. We get to help feed and brush all the animals. We also helped build a house for the piggies for when they get a little bigger. The kids are always asking to go visit the pigs. The ranch is, after all, only a couple miles from the school. Since the kids are so involved in being around the pigs we were asked to give the pig a name that relates to food. Our ideas were bacon bit, pork chop, hammy and sausage. The final name (my idea) McRib. Zach has made a special bond with one of the horses. All he wants to do is be with the horse. Adam and Elayna go where help is needed. They are constantly asking if they can do it, regardless of what it may be. Warning:lots of pictures to follow!
Zach and JC


I know this picture is hard to see but its Adam and Elayna climbing the fence to see the pigs. It just was too cute to pass up.

Adam and Elayna were so excited. They were the first ones in the pen and the last ones out.

All the kids waiting to patiently for the pigs to come to them. The extra kids belong to our friends who have also joined the group. He works with Greg and all our kids go to the same school. (They are also having baby #4)



All the kids helping Mo get the feed ready

I love this picture cause Elayna is trying to jump rope.

Ringing in the Christmas Season

We put up our tree a couple weeks ago. We were smart and bought a pre-lit fake tree last year. We have really loved it. The kids were all excited about helping. We put the tree up one night and then decorated it the next. They got to put up all the decorations, with a little help and guidance. We would of had every ornament in one spot on the tree if not for a little direction:) The following day after it was decorated the kids were very disappointed Santa had not yet arrived. We are couting down and the excitement is building. Zach is our designated tree lighter as he makes sure it is always on. We wish everyone a very happy holiday and a Merry Christmas!

Prego Family

We all hear how the family that prays together stays together. Well, our family bonds by all being pregnant at the same time. Its really been a neat experience. I am due in March (#4), Stacie in April (#1) and Chrissy in May (#3). It has been great to be able to talk and ask those questions you just don't know who else to ask about. I am very excited for our family and those of my sisters. Our little girl will be named Sariah Christine. I wish both of my sisters luck with their upcoming bundles of joy!
l-r, Chrissy and Stacie

Family Fun Night

I know we all hear the stories of how FHE should be a spiritual growth for the family to bond together but sometimes you just need to do something crazy. On this particular night, which also happened to be a Sunday instead of a Monday (we are rebels!), we made jello popcorn balls. We had a great time making them. The kids and I made the popcorn and Greg got the topping ready. We buttered up the kids hands real good and let each of them make as many balls as they wanted. It was a great time. Once all the balls had been made we watched Jumanji while eating our delicious treats. It was such a fun night. Even all sugared up the kids went right to bed only to ask for an encore on Monday night.