I didn't know Puffer Vests were now pajama wear

Yeah Brevick is all about making a statement. He was on his way to bed when Sallee got home tonight and had quite the PJ ensemble on, thus getting questioned on his plans. Silly boy. This week was full of lots of call shifts at work and then a 16 hour shift on Sunday night, needless to say I was so exhausted. Ben is drowning in farmer tax returns he is just trying to get them all done by March 1st. We miss seeing him around these parts. They other day when we drove past his work I had all the kids wave because that is the closest they were going to get to seeing him for awhile. :) Also Anchor has decided to not to risk getting too much sleep so he is waking up every 45 minutes to 2 hours. It is killing me. So today he got introduced into his new bedroom and is going to be learning some very valuable sleep skills. He is still working hard on growing his hair and he is an excellent roller. *he also has some excellent leg rolls*. 

I was fixing my hair then other day and Brevick was using the bathroom in the other bathroom when he made a life changing discover. I heard a small voice like the coo of a dove that said "oh, I see you" This is what I turned around to find. Upon making this discovery he spent a good 15 minutes climbing back and forth between the two rooms and thinking of all the possibilities this opened up for him.

Brevick had a field trip for preschool this last week where we went to the Natural history museum (the only museum in Pocatello) He was super excited to go because he is really into dinosaurs right now however this museum was super lame. These were the only dino fossils that they had. *side note, this is the only dino found in Idaho and they think that they lived in families and that the mothers raised their young. *

I thought that this horse was going to buck him off. All the other kids just gently sat up there and posed for the picture but Brevick? No, he cowboyed right up and was riding like the devil was after him.

I don't remember the name of this shark but Brevick was pretty impressed. I asked him to go over and pretend like the shark was eating him so I could take a picture, well that kind of freaked him out so then he wouldn't get close to it. I had to bribe him to get this shot.

The best part was that he got to make his own fossil. The anticipation was killing him but he hid it well. He was biting the inside of his cheeks so he would be smiling from ear to ear!!

The other part of the trip was to the popcorn shop which was SO fun. They showed then how they make it and then the kids got to try some flavors. 

This is why they let the preschool come there though because then we bought 2 bags and so did everyone else. It was delicious and I am not a big popcorn person.

We tried sunny side up eggs. Charley ate his on top of his pancake. Charley and William liked them a lot, Emmerlyn and Brevick not so much.

Binky face. He was getting tired. Can you tell?

Emmerlyn had a math program so we went to support. She did a great job and is excellent at math!

I came out of my room to see this. Anchor was just enjoying a little Saturday morning TV. That baby is never left alone for very long every time I turn around somebody is holding him or talking to him. He is so loved

Charley has a lego robot that he got for his birthday and he can build a bunch of different robots and then code them using a smart device to do things. This one had a big hammer at the front to smash things. He built one today that was a cat and it meowed for like 10 minutes straight. He loves robots and legos, AND technology so this was the perfect gift for him. 

This is what Anchor and I did at the museum. PS, I did do my hair that morning but it was blizzarding outside so by the time we got there it looked like I was homeless but at least my baby was cute!!

William says

I was having a little chat with William about drugs and I asked him "what would you do if Leaf *his good friend, not pronounced like the little green thing* asked you to smoke weed?" 

Without missing a beat he replied "I would say no, that would ruin my life." 

I think that will do 😂

Caught Up!?!?!

With that I am caught up to this week on the Blog. 

Here's to hoping it stays that way!

We are just hanging on to ride out the cold dry winter and survive basketball season. I can't say we are really lovers of basketball but William really likes it and I really like that the quarters are only 6 minutes...

Work is busy, I am only scheduled once a week but with the required on call time and teaching the prenatal class and other meeting or education requirements it sure sucks a lot of my time. 

Ben is drowning as per the usual for this time of year.

Emmerlyn's skin is dry and she is really starting to read well.

Charley is working hard on his spelling.

Brevick is waiting for warmer weather so he can get out his bike and the trampoline.

Anchor is trying to learn how to sleep at night. We desperately need sleep.

Here's to next week!

Examples *old post from 2015*

This is a little post for ALL of the aunts and uncles that are in the lives of my children. I just want you know how much we love you and appreciate you, we think of you often. My kids talk about their extended family on at least a weekly basis if not more frequently. You would be amazed at the influence you have on kids that you only see a few time a year. 

 They notice you.

The Newest Book

Charley has not yet developed a voracious appetite for reading but he sure LOVES the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Well there has been a new one that was released and we struck a deal that he had to read 3 other books before he could read this one. He kept his end of the deal and I kept mine. He even found another book series that he liked!! Fancy that?

"Hey mom, can you put Anchor on the couch so I can play with him?" 

You bet sister!!

The Alexette

For one of William's merit badges he had to make an instrument. Introducing, the Alexette, its kind of like an guitar. He is loving scouts and young mens which is awesome. I am glad he is having a good time. He was also called to be the Deacon's quorum president so that is an exciting responsibility for him. He is excited.

Charley had his blue and gold banquet this week which kind of felt like a dinner to celebrate the death of cub scouts. Not that I'm complaining. 

Charley had fun playing in the gym with the other kids and it was nice that they didn't have too much going on.

Emmerlyn's activity days was canceled last week due to inclement weather so she was pretty sad.  Luckly they are back on schedule for this week.

Snow Days, 6 months, and I need something sweet

I know what you are thinking but for one of the first times in our marriage history, BEN, needed something sweet. This time of year things are a little stressful for Ben in the office, what with crazy payrolls and then the Farmer tax deadline. This year is more intense because his company combined some offices so that has just added to the fray, Anyways, as he was leaving after lunch he did a brief search through the cabinets and the fridge and sighed, "I need something sweet" he said. Well Ben, your wish is my command...warm triple chocolate cookies with caramel chunks.

They were delicious.

For the first time in their school history the kids have experienced a snow day and this year they have had 3! (Montana doesn't believe in snow/cold school cancellations, you just tough it out up there.) 

We spent the day making peanut and jelly sandwich bombs. (They didn't work as well as we wanted them too, I couldn't get the jelly to stay in but the kids still ate them and it is nice that they had something that they could just pull out of the freezer and toss in there lunchbox)

We also had a late breakfast of waffles that we topped with ice cream and syrups. 

They were delicious.

6 months, I really can't believe how fast it has gone. It has traveled in a blur of sports, school, and exhaustion. We just love this little half-year-old.

He loves these cookies.

Cutie patooties

I know, they really don't come any cuter. 

Emmerlyn had a little dance showcase for her class. She was so proud to show us all of the skills that she has been learning. She says every week that she hates dance but every week she has so much fun. Silly girl. William made the comment that she has 'really' long legs.

Ben sent me this shot while I was at work. Anchor was Ben's cheerful Accountant's Assistant.

First sippy cup. Can you believe it!

Christmas 2018

Yes we did in fact celebrate Christmas this year. I will give you the quick run down of the events that I can remember. It passed in a quick exhausted furry, 2 months ago.

We took the opportunity to work on our fireplace on Christmas Eve so we had some yummy meat and cheese trays prepared by the kids to snack on and Ben tiled while I baked. 

William was on the tiling crew and Charley, Emmerlyn, and Brevick were on the baking crew. With all of us working we were able to get both done!

The untouched Christmas spread

The line-up. Brevick wants to hold Anchor. Can you tell?

There we go. We have everybody. Note Charley and William's unplanned matchy-match shirts.

We had a good Christmas and a yummy dinner with LOTS of pies. It was fun to have Anchor with us for the first time. 

I had to work on Christmas day so we tried to get the festivities done early so I be a part of it. 

She is 7

Yeah I know in October. 

Emmerlyn turned 7 years old and is becoming such a beautiful girl. You wanted hatchimals for your birthday because they are all the rage right no. You also go a cake decorating kit because you are always wanting to up your baking game. You can use it to practice on some playdoh cakes. 

You love Cereal, and meat of any kind, 

you love to help with your baby brother. 

You love watching netflix on your tablet and are very frustrated when there is a glare on the screen so you like to put your blanket on up over your head so you are in the dark.
You are always looking out for the underdog and you love your brothers.
You are such a great big sister to Anchor and love to help him in any way you can.
You have been patching your eye so that it can get strong and you hate doing it.

We had a spa night and did masks. It was weird and yours got in your eyes. We need to use a paint on one next time.

You chose a mermaid cake. You and your brothers helped with the fondant decorations and I think it turned out beautiful just like you!

Be Mine

As per our tradition, I run the Valentines holiday around here and Ben is in charge of our anniversary. We celebrated family style this year. It is always nice to share our love with those we love most. 

This is a quick shot of the day. The weather wasn't too bad but you can see the snowstorm rolling across. 

The kids helped me set up the table. Yep, those are our finest paper plates. Our dishwasher has been broken since before Christmas and the kids are tired of washing dishes and I am tired of nagging them so we are taking a break and ruining the environment with our wasteful consumption of paper products.

Naturally everytime I try to be a cute little wife, something goes awry, this time, I dumped out half of the whipping cream for the chocolate mousse onto the floor. Needless to say it was a little dense.

A quick look at the finished table. We had homemade Wingers because it is delicious. Then we watched the final movie in the hunger games series. *William read the books and our deal has been that if you read the books and there is a movie then we can watch it together.* Most of us are glad it is over!

Yay for finished projects

The second most important project that we knew we had to do in here from the get go was the fireplace, aside from it being hideous, I don't like hearths with babies, they make me so nervous and then I always have to worry about them getting hurt. So we knew going into it that we needed to tackle it pretty quick. Well December rolled around and we were bracing for Tax Season so we scrambled to start and finish it before it was upon us. We tiled on Christmas Eve and then went from there.

It is so much better. I love it and I don't have to worry about my toddling baby in the future!!!. The fresh coat of paint helped a whole lot too. I like grey a whole lot better than pink!

This picture is only on here because I love the fuzzy baby head in the foreground!

And the he was 12

I know right?

How fast it goes, I can't even describe. William You made me a Mama, and I love everyday with you. You have a voracious appetite to learn new things and to understand how they will change your life. You are so kind to everyone and are always looking out for those around you. You are outgoing and friendly and a natural born leader. 

You have developed a love and talent for music and are currently rocking the Tuba in band class and the Trumpet in the Jazz Band. You love your teacher in there and she has taken a special interest in you. 

You love almost all food but requested to have Lobster for your birthday *you are sure getting expensive*

You love breakfast food and are learning to cook and bake

You love computer games and funny movies

You love to read and will read almost anything you can get your hands on.

You are an excellent student and are taking the 6th grade teachers by storm.

You hate group projects

You love your siblings and adore your baby brother Anchor. You are so great to help out with him and snuggle him whenever you get the chance.

You made so much progress playing football this year, you set goals and as you made each goal you set another one. You achieved all your goals and started on defense in your last game, you did a great job.

You are having fun in basketball and really trying to learn the game.

You started going to mutual and Boy Scouts and are enjoying that new experience. 

You began Young Men's this year and chose to receive the Aaronic Priesthood, you are taking that very seriously and serving well.

You got a shotgun for your birthday and an Echo Dot and you are pretty pumped.

After your band concert the other night you were helping to put things away and your band room is outside. It was dark and cold and you were running back inside and had a collision with some music stands that left you with a nasty shiner. Who knew band was a contact sport, but you should have seen the stands :). 

Stud man from your football season. You loved football and are looking forward to it this year.

You choose a dark chocolate cake filled with raspberry cream cheese filling. It was delicious.

You are really learning to love sports. You are working hard with basketball and trying to develop all your talents