Christmas Eve

Abby and Madison decided to be Mary and Joseph.  Maddy took her role very seriously!  They asked Bailey to be the angel but she insisted on being the star.  What a very important job.  

Oh boy...pj's for Christmas!

Grandpa and Grandma Speakman gave each of the kids a card with a $5 bill.  Bailey was so excited she kept cheering I got $5 bucks...I got $5 bucks.  Hence the photo with the $5 bucks.  She was smiling from ear to ear.  

THE RUN DOWN OF THE NIGHT

Every year for Christmas Eve, the kids open a present from Grandma Luthi.  Madison has noticed a tradition over the years and instead of getting her pj's on after dinner before we opened presents, she and Bailey got their bathrobes on.  I asked Madison what she had on underneath and she giggled and said she knew what she was getting and didn't want to have to change. 

We were planning to have dinner with our friends on Christmas Eve, but Madison woke up early throwing up.  Jared was also sick with a bad cold and cough.  We had a nice night opening pj's (of course!), reading a new christmas book, playing christmas songs with the bells, and watching the kids put on the nativity play.  

We also had a visitor stop by our house.  It was late but the kids were having a hard time getting to sleep.  Santa stopped by the house and dropped off candy canes and a reminder to hurry off to bed.  It seemed to work because after that, they finally all fell asleep (even though Bailey was scared out of her mind and didn't want to get any where near Santa!)

Making Gingerbread

While we were in Logan for Thanksgiving, Bailey asked my sister Karen if we were going to make a gingerbread man.  When we were up visiting last year, Bailey remembered Karen helping them roll, cut out and decorate the cookies.  Bailey was only two at the time.  She still remembers making them because she had such a blast.  She pretty much took the rolling pin from Karen and went about her business.  This year I let the kids make them with their friends.  They had more fun decorating them and left me to roll and cut.  

Let it Snow!

Snow in St. George!!!  This past Wednesday, we were hit with some snow.  Nothing major, but enough on the ground the school district cancelled school on Thursday.  Kelsee was elated, Abby made plans and Madison cried.  All the 2nd graders were planning to make gingerbread houses and she was worried it wouldn't happen.  Well it just so happens school was back in session on Friday and she got her wish! (and they got to wear their pjs to school)

Wednesday night, Madison made her first snowman at night with her friend Abby.  On Thursday, Madison and Abby made a snowman in the front yard.  It was quite the sight to drive around the neighborhoods and see snowmen in front of most homes.  The kids had a great day playing in the snow and drinking lots of hot chocolate. 

 

Who says it doesn't snow in St. George?  

Recitals

It's that time of year for recitals.  Kelsee and Abby had their Christmas piano recital.  They both worked hard and they did a great job.  Kelsee played two pieces...Bright Orange and Frosty the Snowman.  Abby also played two pieces...To Fly Like and Eagle and Playful Puppy.  

Kelsee also plays the violin and had an orchestra concert at school.  She and her friend Missy played a duet.  She is attending a new high school this year so their orchestra is very small.  They also played for the school play, Oklahoma, in October.  Kelsee was familiar with the play because back in July when we were visiting my parents, we went to Jackson with Karen and saw it.  She has a natural ability for musical instruments.  I hope she keeps them up.  She just told me last week she wondered if she could teach herself how to play the guitar.  

Thanksgiving in Logan

This year we had Thanksgiving at our aunt Karen's house. It was really fun to see our cousins, Uncle Kelly and Aunt Robin, Uncle Curtis, Aunt Karen, Grandma Luthi and Great Grandma Haderlie. My oldest cousin Linsey chopped off about 5-6 inches of my hair and I got bangs! I'm glad I did it though. My other sisters got trims. After our feast we went and saw the movie Bolt. It was hilarious! Our favorite character was the hamster, Rhino. He just cracked us up!
On Thanksgiving we also had some guessing contests. There were 3 different contests:
1- How much money was in the jar 

WINNERS=a tie between Abby and Casidy 

PRIZE= They split all the money-it was about 100 bucks total

2- How much the money jar weighed 

WINNER= Linsey 

PRIZE= $15  itunes gift card
3- How long the yarn was (it was sealed in a jar by the way...) 

WINNER=Maddy 

PRIZE= $15 Walmart gift card

One night we went out to eat at a restaurant called The Blue Bird. All of us kids had fun goofing off at the table :) The adults weren't too happy about us! Oh well! Me, Abby, and Maddy spent one of the nights at Casidy's house and we slept on a blow up bed. We would jump on one end and send the other person flying! We stopped once Maddy almost broke her neck. Don't worry--she was just laughing her head off! On our drive home we met up with the Draneys at Dairy Queen. As if we hadn't eaten enough! :)Kelsee author

We had a nice Thanksgiving. It was strange not to have my dad there. I kept waiting for him to come sit down in the kitchen and start chatting. We all missed his presence and felt a void. He was always up for a lively conversation. We went to dinner with my Aunt Joy and Uncle Guy and their daughter Ann (my cousin) and her husband. It was fun to visit with them. My mom, Karen and myself did some shopping the day after Thanksgiving and got some Christmas shopping done. And as Kelsee said...we ate plenty of good food.

Tis the Season!

Abby is part of the choir at her school.  The school choir was invited to sing Christmas carols for the "lighting of the tree ceremony" in Bloomington.  They served hot chocolate and doughnuts and had straw bales for seating.  The kids had a great time!  After the tree was lit, Santa Claus came down out of the sky (some kind of a lift/machinery thing) and handed out candy.  

Grandma Haderlie

We spent Thanksgiving up in Logan with my sister, my two brothers and sis-in-law, cousins, mom and Grandma Haderlie.  After arriving home last night, we had gotten the news that my grandma had become ill and been taken the the ER.  She apparently had a heart attack and also had pneumonia.  She passed peacefully this afternoon, Monday, December 1 2008.  My mom and sister were at her side.  I am so thankful that we had the chance to visit with her one last time.   We shared Thanksgiving dinner together, went to the movie Bolt (which she quite enjoyed) and played Bingo with the kids using candy to mark the squares.  My sis-in-law Robin kept teasing Grandma and telling her not to eat her markers.  She would giggle, continue playing Bingo and sneak a few more.  Grandma lost her husband a number of years ago and ever since then has wanted to be with him and has missed him terribly.  I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the knowledge I have that she is with my Grandpa again.  We love you Grandma and will miss you!

Ruth Anderson Haderlie (90 years old)

Born - April 28, 1918

Died - Dec. 1, 2008

Happy 40th Jared!

Today we celebrated Jared's 40th birthday.  His office threw a little party at lunch for him and invited Bailey and I to come.  He doesn't like us to make a big fuss over his birthday so we kept it simple.  We went to eat at the Texas Roadhouse and for his cake (since he already had one at lunch) we went out for Cold Stone.  The kids made him cards and Maddy's was funny.  She wrote "The Big O."  Jared asked what she meant and she said she had forgotten to write the 4.  "You know dad, you are now the big four oh."  I wonder where she heard that statement?  

To Jared from all your girls...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WE LOVE YOU!

Homemade beards

This afternoon, Abby, Madison and their friend Megan decided to get creative and make their own beards.  They said they were creating a chinese beard because it looked cool.  They used a bunch of masking tape and braided their "beards."  I must say they have WAAAYYYY too much time on their hands!

Happy Birthday Abby #11

Today, Thursday, November 13th is Abby's birthday.  She is turning eleven.  It has been nice to have parent/teacher conferences this week because the kids have enjoyed playing outside and having more free time.  Jared got home early from work and everyone else was home by 4 p.m. so we were able to open presents earlier than normal.  Abby chose to go to Pasta Factory for dinner.  We made her favorite cake...an ice cream cake roll with cookie dough ice cream.  

Abby had a small incident at school today.  She was playing wall ball and accidentally jammed her thumb into the wall.  When she got home it was swollen and bruised.  Hopefully, her thumb will feel better in a few days.  We had Madison's old wrist guard from when she broke her wrist this spring.  It seemed to make things better.  

Abby is a fun, energetic girl.   She loves to laugh and goof off with her sisters and friends.  I am wondering where the time is going and how fast she seems to be growing up.  Just the other day, she was mad at me because I had made some plans for her without talking to her first and her reply was "quit getting involved in my business."  I didn't know 10 year olds had "business."  She is a very good student (5th grade) and her teacher is Mrs. Lancaster (her husband, Bob, was born and raised in Star valley and Abby's Grandpa Luthi coached him in basketball.)  She has one more year before entering Young Women's.  

Happy Birthday Abby...We Love You!!!

REMEMBERING OUR GRANDPA LUTHI

After getting home from my dad's funeral last week,  I sat down with the kids and we talked about memories we have of their Grandpa.  We had fun remembering.  I am hoping to add to the list as more things come to mind.    

* Playing hide the rubber band (hot or cold game)

* Letting them "fix" his hair with barrettes and rubber bands.  He liked them combing his hair the most.  That is probably why he put up with the hair dos.

* Spending many hours helping Bailey put the same two puzzles together.

* Taking 4-wheeler rides; especially to the cemetery where he would show the girls where their relatives were buried.

* Bailey loves dressing up as a princess; he would call her "his little princess"

* Doing crossword puzzles with Grandma.

* Falling asleep on the couch for a cat nap and Maddy said she liked to wake him up by saying "Grandpa, you're asleep, wake up!"

* He liked to have fun and tease.  The girls remember his fake $1,000,000 bill that he tried to convince them was real and that we was rich.

* When he and Grandma would come down and tend them, Madison remembers watching movies and eating popcorn with Grandpa.

* He always asked how the kids were doing, what they were up to and how they were doing in school.  

* He would take us all out for pizza when we would visit them in Star Valley or Logan.

* Madison said she would try and get Grandpa to learn his colors.  He was color blind and she would bring him different colored objects and make him guess what colors they were.

* When he and Grandma would come visit, they would always bring the girls chocolate milk from Gossners.

* Grandpa liked to play mercy with Maddy.  He would let Maddy win.

* Maddy liked to have Grandpa tickle his feet.

* They loved his hugs.

Henry Cordell Luthi obituary

My Dad

Last Wednesday, October 29th, 2008, I received the most horrible phone call of my life.  It was my mom telling me she had some bad news...my dad had passed away.  I was doing homework with the kids and getting ready to go to our ward trunk or treat party.  I was devastated to say the least.  I have never felt such sorrow and grief in my life.  My dad was a great man and I loved him dearly.   I will miss his phone calls in the middle of the day when mom was in the store; I will miss knowing he was just a phone call away when I needed some advice, his fun stories, his smile, and his sense of humor.  (to be continued...)

Happy Anniversary! 18 Years

Jared and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary this past week.  I was hoping a little that he wouldn't get me any kind of gift.  He is so hard to buy for that I always feel the pressure.  But I have to say when a dozen red roses are delivered to the door, there is no turning back.  I want to give a little shout out to my sweet hubby who remembers every year (usually because I remind him when he is asking if it would be "okay" to switch call days with someone who needs that particular day off.)  I get a little quiet and then remind him, "If you don't think it's a big deal if you are on-call for our anniversary."  It works every time!  

Happy Anniversary Jared, I love you!

Happy Birthday Kelsee - Sweet 16!!!

I can't believe we have a 16 year old!  She is just weeks away from driving, months away from dating (; and a couple of years away from leaving home and going to college.  It just seems like a few years ago we were bringing her home from the hospital and wondering what she would be like as she grew up. 

Kelsee is a very bright, talented, independent, and loving girl.  She amazes me with how dedicated she is to her school work, her swimming, and anything else she sets her mind to.  I love that she has been telling us she is not going to date anytime soon.  I don't think Jared or myself are ready for that to happen either!  

We have a tradition of letting the kids pick where they would like to eat for their birthday.  Kelsee picked Samarai 21.  It is a hibachi grill where they cook the food right at your table.  This is by far her favorite place to eat.  Jared ordered sushi (California roll) and coaxed Kelsee to try a taste.  The thing with sushi is, you can't just have a small bite or else it will fall apart.  She tried to take a small bite anyway and ended up telling her dad "thanks but that's not for me!"  Maybe next year! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSEE...WE LOVE YOU!

Daddy-Daughter Halloween Date

Dressing up for Halloween is one of Jared's least favorite things to do.  He was a trooper I must say.  We are not very creative in the costume department.  I came up with the idea to dress up like doctors.  Abby agreed and Jared hesitated.  I kept insisting it would be funny since he is a doctor.  As you can see by the picture, Jared added his own spin on the idea.  He asked me to buy some fake blood and face paint.  I am not sure what he called the end product but I applaud his efforts!

Carmel and "The 17-mile Drive"

On our last day we drove "The 17-mile Drive" and captured some cute photos.  We ended up in Carmel and loved the beach we came across.  It was the first beach we had been to that didn't stink really bad and have tons of dead kelp along the shores.  I don't think it is normal. Something was not right.  There were signs at the public beaches warning swimmers not to enter the waters.  

Stops along "The 17-mile Drive"

"Pebble Beach"...literally!

Bird Rock...popular hang out spot for sea lions, seals and otters.

Carmel Beach

Monterey, CA

We headed off to Monterey and decided to drive along the coast.  It was beautiful.  The kids were more concerned about the movie they were watching but Jared and I enjoyed the sites along the way.  

We took the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  It is the best aquarium I have seen. The kids enjoyed looking at all the sea life.  

Bailey finally dares to touch a star fish!

one of our favorites...the jellyfish

The hotel we stayed at was right along the beach.  We walked down the the beach to enjoy being by the ocean.  On our walk, we encountered two dead seals, a dead bird and a bee.  Kelsee was so grossed out by the smell, she refused to walk to a different spot.  In the meantime, I stepped on a bee and got stung.  I have been stung before but for some reason, this really hurt. I was able to get the stinger out and the pain finally subsided.  Kelsee finally joined us.

Vacation - San Francisco

Last week during UEA break, Jared had meetings in San Francisco.  We decided to make a family trip out of it and took the kids out of school and drove to CA.   For the most part...we had a great time and the kids seemed to enjoy just being together. Two years ago, we took the kids to San Francisco (more meetings for Jared).  We did a lot of the "tourist" things like cable cars, Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39, the Wharf, China town, and the most memorable to me was renting bikes and riding across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sauscillito.  This time, we decided since the kids and I would only have a couple of days in the city, we chose to do other things while Jared was in meetings. 

The first day we arrived in San Francisco, we drove into Muir Woods National Forest.  We hiked along a trail lined with beautiful redwood trees.  Madison discovered thousands of lady bugs crawling everywhere in an isolated location.  She kept wanting to catch as many as she could in her hand and have me take a picture.  The problem was, the ladybugs were crawling out of her hand faster than she could catch them.  

The next day Jared went to meetings and the girls and I walked around and did some shopping and sight seeing.  We found a cute park in the city and rode the merry go round, played in the park and finished with some bowling.  We finished up with more shopping until the kids were worn out and ready for dinner. 

Tuesday, we drove to the California Academy of Sciences.  I would highly recommend this for kids.  We spent most of the day exploring everything offered...a planetarium, an aquarium, a rain forest, and many other educational hands on activities and movies.  

white crocodile

...touching star fish

3-D bug movie - those are some glasses!

The last day in San Francisco, we decided to go the Exploritorium.  We visited this place a couple of years ago and the kids begged to go back.  It is like a big science fair but you can touch and experiment with everything.  The most interesting thing we saw was a cow eye being dissected.  Abby and Madison were very intrigued by the whole thing, Kelsee was grossed out and Bailey was too busy to sit still to see what exactly was going on.   The favorite thing for all the kids was the magnetic sand.  The kids could have played in it for hours.