A Kinda Rough Winter This is Turning Out To Be

First of all, this winter hasn't been all bad. The kids have been pretty healthy with the exception of Lynnsey's cough that just won't go away. We've all been kept busy with lots of activities. Taylor and Kendall did a fun cooking merit badge for scouts so that was great to be the recipient of their practices. Kendall is participating in Destination Imagination for the third year in a row and is loving it and Lynnsey joined a team this year too and seems to be having lots of fun so far. Kendall also was invited to be a part of a pilot pottery class for kids at a studio here in town. They secured scholarships for all of the kids so it wound up costing us nothing and he is learning SO much and just having a ball. We had our annual candlelight Valentine's celebration on the 12th this year. Kalen and I had planned to have a date that night but the "poor guy" has been forced to eat out nearly every night lately since they have job candidates in town for interviews and one of his responsibilites is to take them out to eat. (Kendall said the other day: "Boy, Daddy sure is going on a lot of dates with people that aren't you!" True story. He was out with two women on Valentine's Day and I wasn't one of them.) So anyway, he just didn't really want to eat out again and we couldn't come up with anything else we wanted to do so we just stayed in and did our family candlelight dinner which proved to be a good thing because Valentine's Day wound up taking a major turn that we hadn't bargained for. (Aside from Kalen being out with two women, that is). The kids also had fun decorating our dessert for the dinner: Taylor made Monument Valley out of sprinkles. Probably no one has ever done that before.

But the rough stuff has also been causing a few problems. First of all the weather has been quite interesting. First we had what they are calling "The Blizzard of 2011". I thought that was a little melodramatic. It was a BIG storm for sure. But the people buying up everything on the store shelves in preparation was a bit much, in my opinion. We've had plenty of bigger storms before. But it got the kids a few snow days, so that was fun. For them.

And then the weather just turned completely frigidly cold. The bonechilling kind that makes you shiver for a few hours after you've been out in it. I dreaded taking the kids to school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. Or going shopping. Or doing any kind of errand that involved opening the door and venturing out into the cold. And then, quite suddenly it started warming up. It was so wonderful to be able to go out again. College students could be seen in shorts and flip flops. (I guess 35 degrees feels pretty warm after below zero, but I wasn't quite ready to go to those lengths yet.) The problem was that even though the days were sunny and "warm", at night the temps would drop again and freeze all the meltage (isn't that a word? It is now.) So the next day we'd have to step carefully and try not to slip and fall every few steps. And that is what happened on Valentine's Day. The day was really beautiful and most of the snow was melting away. I could almost see spring right around the corner. That night my mom was planning on bringing dinner over since it was her cooking night. She had just put the food in her car and turned to go back to the house and finish up when she stepped on the lone patch of ice left in her driveway and went down. I got a call from her after she managed to crawl her way into the house. She was very sure that she had badly broken her ankle. Of course, I didn't have the car because Kalen was out on his Valentine's Date With Two Women, so I was pretty helpless. I called a friend of ours and she went over to take her to the ER. But she couldn't get her up again and had to go home to get her two sons to come and help. They finally managed to get her up and in their van. I called several people before I managed to find someone who could go over and give her a blessing. Then I was able to meet her at the hospital awhile later after all the x-rays but before they took her in to reset her most-definitely broken ankle. Turns out it was broken in three places. We finally got her all set and the foot wrapped and we brought her here to our house where she has been ever since and will be until we can be reasonably sure that she can get up and down and around on her own. But that might be awhile yet because she's scheduled for surgery on Thursday and one doctor told her it will probably be like starting over again. She'll be off her foot completely for at least six more weeks and then she'll do physical therapy.

This is her other injury. She didn't even know she had it for a few days afterward because the ankle was hurting so much.

And then our blissful spring-ish days were suddenly over. In moved more snow and this time a bunch of ice. And a couple more days off of school. This time the storm really was bad. Not nearly as much snow, but all that ice downed trees and power lines and made the roads horrible. Kalen had to drive a candidate home from the airport one night and said he lost count of how many cars were off the road. I was happy that we didn't lose power here so we could stay warm inside and appreciate the amazing beauty of outside. Dangerous as it was, the trees were spectacular, especially today when the sun finally came out and shone through all the ice-covered branches.

But now I'm ready for warm again. And healing. And Spring.

Kaya's New Shirt

On Tuesday I went in to the Children's Place to check out their clearance deals. I pulled a little shirt off the rack that had a pony on it. Kaya saw it and snatched it from my hands, hugging it tightly. I knew that I would be buying the shirt. As soon as we got home, she wanted to put it on. And she has worn it every day since for the last 4 days. (It is a battle to get it off of her at night, but we usually manage to convince her that it'll be waiting for her in the morning all nice and clean). I'm now wishing that I had gotten a second identical shirt.

Do any of your kids have favorite items that they just can't live without?

The Bee

Last week Kendall came home with a giant list of words and an announcement that he had signed up to participate in the school spelling bee. It was short notice since the list came home on Tuesday and the spelling be was on Friday, but we spent the next couple of days working on the lists. Everytime we would practice, my anxiety about this thing grew to epic proportions. I found that I would hold my breath every time Kendall would spell a word and I would exhale once he finished. I didn't know if I could handle the actual competition. He seemed totally at ease with it. Which I think is how I was when I participated in the spelling bee as a kid too. At the time it just seemed like no big deal--it's just spelling. When I missed a word at the end placing me in third, there were no tears on my part. (A little frustration, because I knew that word!) I didn't feel like a failure because I mispelled one word. My life went on as usual. It was fine. But as the PARENT of a child in a spelling bee, I was stressed out! I just prayed that he wouldn't get out on the first round.

The big day arrived and we nervously headed over to watch. The classes filed in to watch and the participants came in and took their seats. Kendall was totally fine. Other kids were not fine. The first little boy who got up just completely came apart. He knew how to spell the word, I could tell but stage fright overtook him and he stood there shaking and near tears and finally mumbled a few letters before going to sit with his class. Several other kids had similar experiences. I began to hyperventilate slightly. Finally it was Kendall's turn. He stepped up to the microphone and as calmly as anything, spelled his first word right.

Several rounds later the numbers had diminished drastically but Kendall was still in. I found myself holding my breath for all of the kids and nearly crying whenever one would get out. Who thought up such a torturous event anyhow??? At last there were only 4 kids left and it was Kendall's turn. He was asked to spell the word "Prairie" and when he hesitated briefly knew he was going to miss it. That tricky little "i" after the "a" was what did it. When they said he spelled it wrong he just sighed, shrugged, smiled over at us and sat down with his class. (The funny thing is, Kalen was sure he'd spelled it right. "It's "ai"? he asked incredulously")

The third kid left in the group misspelled his word too leaving two girls who went back and forth for several more rounds. There was some confusion as to the rules of things and how it was supposed to end, but finally they had a winner. We thought they should have called a third place tie with Kendall and the other little boy since they both got out in the same round and the only reason Kendall wasn't third was the order in which they were in line. But they didn't. They gave third place to the other kid. Kendall was fine with it though. He said: "That's okay, the medals were just plastic--like I need one of those!"

Regardless, we all survived the experience. Kendall says he had a great time and is already looking forward to next year's bee. WHAAAT????

January Visitors

One of the best things about Lynnsey's baptism was that we got to have a fun visit from Alison and Mike and all of their cute kids. It was, of course, a very rushed trip since they had to pull the kids out of school but luckily it was the Martin Luther King holiday so none of our kids had school on Monday.

We made sure to visit the sledding hill. We didn't ever get to go last year due to lack of snow on the days we were available, so this was pretty fun for us too. It was freezing cold but the hike up the hill warmed us up pretty quick. Poor Alison just had to sit it out due to her recent shoulder surgery and Mom opted to sit it out this time too. The kids had so much energy and could hike up the hill so fast and so many times. I only went a few times and I was feeling it the next day for sure. Kalen, Spencer and Kaya (and Kendall following behind)

Bentley

Lydia

Kalen, Spencer, and Kaya

Cecily

Me, Spencer, and Kaya

Lynnsey

Isabel

We had a fun game night that night playing Mexican Train dominoes.

And then we spent the next morning getting ready for the big event. It was such a great day. Lynnsey was beautiful, we were able to get everything set up and ready in time, lots of people came to celebrate with us, the program was phenomenal, and we had lots of treats to enjoy afterward.

We continued the celebration that evening by going to dinner at La Casa Mexicana, our favorite local restaurant. Great food and a really fun birthday tradition where the birthday girl (or boy or woman or man as the case may be) gets a free dessert, a portion of which is smeared on the face of the honoree while they sing a fun birthday song in Spanish and take a picture to put on their birthday wall. Lynnsey is dying to go there to eat again so she can find her picture.

We enjoyed another round of Mexican Train that night and then the next morning we all got up for church. After church, Mike napped in preparation for the long drive back to New Jersey and the rest of us enjoyed visiting some more and played Phase 10. After dinner we had our spiritual time and then it was time to say goodbye to the Bramhall's. It was so much fun having them here. We can't wait for the next visit!

A Post About Lynnsey

It's hard to believe our first daughter just celebrated her 8th birthday. I still remember the day she was born like it just happened. We had only been living in Michigan for a few months. Our little Marshall Branch had just been formed and I had been called to serve in the Primary presidency. In many places you get released from your church calling when you are about to give birth. Never here. It was a bitter cold winter and I wasn't actually due to have Lynnsey until the 16th but because of my history of fast labors and the icy roads that we would have to travel to the hospital, my doctor graciously offered to induce me on the 10th. After an uneventful induction and my first epidural, our longed-for baby girl entered the world. She was a princess from day one. She always loved frilly girly clothes and the pinker the better. As soon as her hair was long enough, she loved having it styled, especially when we put it in curlers. She soon learned to dress herself and began changing outfits around 8 or 9 times a day. (Laundry was a nightmare!) For a period of a couple of weeks she wouldn't answer to any name except "Miss Princess Lynnsey Lulu Christina Oswald". But even though she was as girly as they come, she had no trouble keeping up with her two older brothers and could often be found in a princess dress out in the dirt digging for worms. She loves her brothers but the happiest day of her life was when her baby sister Kaya was born. Kaya of course, follows Lynnsey like a little shadow and Lynnsey loves having a little sidekick that she can dress up in her old princess clothes and ballet tutu's. Lynnsey is in 2nd grade now and is an excellent reader. She has such a silly side and the cutest giggle. She LOVES playing with her friends and was so excited that she would be able to have a friend party this year for her birthday.

We first celebrated on her actual birthday with just our family. She got her traditional "Baptism Journal". We give one to each of our kids when they turn 8 and we have people write messages in it on their baptism day.

Webkins have become a big deal in our family ever since we got high speed internet. (Just the other day I heard Kaya playing and she said "Oh, look I won some Kinz Cash!")

Kendall ,with the help of Kalen, built Lynnsey her very own balance beam. Now she stays off the back of the couch!

A few days later we had a visit from the Bramhall's who brought with them Lynnsey's major birthday present: Her very first American Girl doll. She has wanted one for awhile and was leaning toward Felicity when we found out that one of the past girl of the year doll's was named Lindsey. So, naturally, she'd want that one even though it was discontinued and teriffically overpriced in most cases. But Alison went on a Craigslist hunt for us and found one in great shape and at a great price. (Thank you!) Lynnsey has been thrilled with her new doll and spends hours changing her outfits and doing her hair. And she is looking forward to our summertime trip to Chicago with her cousins to the American Girl store. (She did tell me just yesterday that if I felt like buying her the Felicity doll too, that I would be more than welcome to do so...)

On Saturday, January 15th we celebrated Lynnsey's baptism day. (More pictures to come!) It was a beautiful program. Her cousin Isabel sang "Faith". Kendall spoke on baptism. Our friends, the Peterson's sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" accompanied by their daughter on violin. Taylor spoke on the Holy Ghost. But of course the best part was the actual baptism and confirmation by Kalen.

Lynnsey was thrilled to wear the same dress that Isabel wore for her baptism. She wasn't too keen on those jumpsuits!

We had a great turnout too, including some of our nonmember friends from town. It was a really nice day and actually way less stressful than I had anticipated it being.

After the baptism we went to dinner that night at La Casa Mexicana, our favorite local restaurant. Yummy food at great prices. And they do a fun tradition for birthday guests. Lynnsey got to wear a big sombrero and they brought out a big dessert with lots of whipped cream which they smeared on her face before singing to her and snapping her picture for their birthday wall. Lynnsey is already asking to go back again so we can see her picture on the wall.

And finally, this last weekend, she was able to have her friend party. She invited 7 little girls for a party and sleepover. Six were able to come. We had pizza.

And made crafts. (The girls were amazed at how easy it is to make hair clips.)

Opened presents.

And had cake and ice cream.

Afterward we watched Ramona and Beezus. (Such a cute movie that has made me want to re-read all those books I loved as a kid). Then we spent the next hour or so trying to get the girls to settle down enough to go to sleep. Finally, after much giggling and whispering, they finally drifted off only to wake up bright and early the next morning with triple the energy of the night before! But Lynsey had a great time and we figure she's only 8 once! Happy birthday Lynnsey Lulu!

Cutting off the Curls

After two and a half years, I finally decided that the time had come to give Kaya a haircut. I waited so long because I loved her little curls, but it had become SO time consuming and such a battle every day to comb through her mess of tangles, that I decided I'd take my chances on having her hair go straight.

Initially Kaya was pretty excited about the whole production: That didn't last long.

When one of the kids came in to check on the progress and exclaimed that her curls were gone, she was especially unhappy.

But once the cut was finished, with a little scrunching, we found that some of her curls had bounced back.

It's definitely more wavy now than curly except for right after a bath it goes pretty curly again, but it's so much easier to comb through now--5 minutes vs. 30 makes our mornings a bit easier!

Christmas Vacation

We had a lovely nice and quiet Christmas this year with just our family and no monster stomach viruses like the one that visited last year. Once the busy-ness of the first half of the month settled down, the last part was really nice.

We had our 3rd annual homemade chicken noodle soup on Christmas Eve. The noodles came out wonderfully:
And the soup was so yummy that we barely had any leftovers from this huge pot.

This photo is out of order. The kids actually did this on Christmas Day in the afternoon. They put on a Christmas talent show where they dressed up and performed their version of the nativity and then sang us some Christmas songs.

And this too, is out of order. This was Kaya's reaction after she opened her Unicorn Pillow Pet. She's had her eye on them for months now and always made me stop at the display in the store so she could hold them. Lynnsey was thrilled with her Ladybug Pillow Pet too.

Christmas morning, before the whirlwind began:

Santa brought Taylor a Native American flute, Kendall a pottery wheel, Lynnsey a pink digital camera, Spencer Moon Dough, and Kaya got Baby All Gone.

The kids drew names among themselves this year which worked out really well. Kaya loved her bubbles from Taylor.

And here is Spencer holding the one casualty of Christmas so far. None of us had seen Toy Story 3 yet but I managed to snag a copy for Spencer at Rite Aid using my +Up Rewards and coupons for around $5. We watched it in Christmas evening, (and loved it!) the kids watched it again a couple of days later , and the day after that we discovered it sitting loosely in it's case with a giant crack running right down the middle. Kaya was quick to volunteer herself as the culprit. Big surprise. She is one of the most distructive kids I've ever seen. (Just broke my little collectible teapot this morning!) Sigh. All those wasted +Up Rewards... (You couponers will understand.)

And our little crafter girl was ecstatic with her giant scrapbooking kit.

And here's our kid with the great reactions. I believe this was over his ELO CD. He watched a concert on TV a few months ago and has been asking for their music ever since. We had a fun little dance party that afternoon.

We spent the following week enjoying our gifts (and trying to find a place to put them all), eating lots of chocolate, watching movies that we'd received, sleeping in late every day, and enjoying finally having time together.

For New Year's Eve we joined some friends from church at their house where we ate lots of snacks and played some super fun games. The kids all made it to midnight and probably could have gone longer if we hadn't dragged them home to their beds. Kaya has been begging every day to go back to their house to play. (It actually is pretty amazing; they have 8 kids and their last 5 match up perfectly in age to our five.)

On New Years Day, we played some of our new games that we got for Christmas: Blokus, Apples to Apples, and Uno.

Sunday the kids all moved up in Primary. Sort of. Spencer's class still doesn't have a primary teacher but he was pretty excited that he got to move to the second row. And Lynnsey is a bit disappointed that because her birthday isn't until January, she has to stay in my class for a whole year and be separated from her best friend who is only two months older than she is. I also still have my one little challenging boy again. He was looking so expectant and excited as they were calling out the new classes and when they told him to come with me, his shoulders dropped and he said: "Again?!" But then he laughed and came and gave me a hug, so I guess he'll deal with it okay. Gotta love a branch with combined classes and a shortage of teachers. Oh, and Sunday was Testimony meeting and after Kendall and I had both gotten up, Kaya decided it was her turn. So Kalen took her up and she sang "I am a Child of God" for her testimony. Cutest thing ever!

And now the kids are all back in school and we're trying to get back into a routine and I'm just trying to keep up with it all again while I'm just wishing for a couple more weeks. Can't wait for summer vacation...