Thank you Santa!

Allison was in the bathroom with me this morning watching me get ready.

Allison: Mom, those are pretty earrings. Can I have some earrings?
Mom: Maybe for Christmas you can get some earrings? You can ask Santa for some.
Allison: How will I ask him?
Mom: You can write him a letter.
Allison: He will get it?
Mom: Yep!
Allison: But how will I tell him Thank you!

That is Thank you enough!!

Mom - The Nurse

Well, when they say moms are underpaid I would have to say these last couple of weeks that surely seemed to be the case. Chris got swine flu (which lasted over two weeks), Austin, Allison and Abigail all got ear infections and Asher ran a fever for a couple of days. Luckily, I didn't get sick. Mom's can't take a day off!

Catching Up!

Here are some of the things we have been up to lately...besides having lots of parties!

Allison holding Asher...her new favorite thing!

Cheer Camp
The local high schools hold a cheer camp for little girls to help raise money for their squads and all the DeMille cousins wanted to do it. I didn't get any great pictures of Allison actually cheering but here she is ready to go. She really liked it and was so cute doing it.

General Conference
This was the first year that we, as a family, sat through, and actually listened to ALL FOUR sessions of general conference. I tried to prepare my kids better before hand. We had an amazing breakfast which will become our family tradition (Sourdough Waffles with Strawberries and Whipped Cream). We moved the couches and set up a table right in front of the TV. We printed out General Conference packets (from sugardoodle.com), made and played with play-doh and had a different snack when ever we heard certain topics (ex: Sacrament - Ants on a log, Forgiveness - mini Butterfingers, Priesthood - popcorn). We designated a "quiet zone" so that they had to be quiet whenever they were in the "zone." I really think that all the advanced preparation I made paid off and hopefully we can keep these new traditions going. I was pretty proud of my kids (and myself :)).

Riding Horses
We had a family home evening at our Bishops house a couple of weeks ago. They own a dozen + horses and allowed our family to ride them. The kids loved it. Chris and I definitely felt a little rusty since it has been over a decade since either of us have been on a horse. They also have lots of other animals that the kids loved playing with...dogs, pigs, rabbits.

Chris and I were busy around the house when we realized that the kids were "too quiet." You know the feeling when you think you are going to find them doing something very wrong. Well, we were wrong. This is what we found...all the kids fell asleep at the bottom of the stairs.

Our Austin-boy

Wow, before I even start writing this post my eyes are tearing up. Our little Austin-boy is getting baptized. Isn't that amazing?!...for so many reasons. For one, I can't believe he is turning 8. I can't believe time has gone by that fast. It seems like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms as a little baby. He has grown into such an amazing little boy. He is the smartest little boy and likes to teach us about different things he learns about. He loves learning and reading. He is such a great little helper. He helps with laundry, cleaning, and especially his sisters and now his little brother.

He has always had a testimony of the Gospel. I can feel it in him. He memorized all the Articles of Faith by the age of 5. He has read all four Children Scripture readers through by himself at least once. He also tries to read the real scriptures. He loves going to church. When we miss a Sunday he always reminds us that we are supposed to go. One time when we were camping on a Sunday, he asked if we are supposed to be camping on Sunday. On Sundays, the primary will always ask him to give the talk, scripture or prayer if someone didn't show up and he willingly does so. He reminds us to pray and read scriptures and have family home evening. I am so grateful for his example. He really is one of the best sons we could have asked for.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!

8 Weeks!

Asher is 8 Weeks. I totally want to eat him up...he is sooo cute. No cuter then my other children, I guess, since they all look exactly the same as babies. Maybe it is because I know he is my last but I just enjoy every minute of him. He is smiling a lot more but I haven't been able to get it on camera yet. The older kids still adore him to pieces (sometimes, literally). He went for his two month check up yesterday and he weighs 10lbs. 14 oz.

He's Official!

Chris is officially an Engineer now, FINALLY! For those of you who don't know, once an engineer graduates from an ABET accredited university they have to work under a licensed engineer for four years. Then they have to take an 8 hr test, pay money and fill out a really long application. Once they accomplish all that then they can become an officially licensed Engineer. But Chris, being the over achiever he is, isn't stopping there. Since he actually wants to be a Structural Engineer, he has to work for another three years under a licensed structural engineer, take 2 more 8 hour tests, pay more money, fill out more paperwork and then he will finally be a Structural Engineer. But for now, I am really excited that he is official!

Congratulations Babe!