Christmas 2013 and Sam's 3rd Birthday 2014

We are still in vacation mode…dreading the reality of tomorrow. We had a wonderful week relaxing and then Saturday we celebrated Sam’s third birthday.  She requested that we go see Frozen (again) for the third time, but just to shake things up we saw it in 3D   That is the first time I have seen something in 3D for like 16 years (or the last time I went to Disneyland or Disney world possibly).  It was a totally different experience, and I loved it!  The kids really enjoyed it as well.  Before that we went downtown to visit Andy at work (he’s in the busiest time of the year right now and has to work Saturdays, ug!) and pick up lunch and then eat with him…all for Sam’s birthday! (below is a little snip it into the personality of Samantha Hart in the progression of our little photo shoot)

And later...a little birthday cake :)

We got some sad news that Lachlan fell yesterday and broke his hip.  We are worried about Him, but know the Lord is in charge.  We are praying for him and for Carole as he goes in for surgery today.  Hugs to the Hart’s, we love you and are praying for both of you! Please keep us up to date on everything.  Andy is going to try and get a ticket out to see you guys ASAP for a quick visit.

I have a lot more to say and a ton of pictures to attach, but I have to get Bella to her biannual exam before 9am and then I am off to the gym (blasted new years resolution! HA!).  It’s cold this morning, and I am not wanting to go outside!!!

I have some great pictures from our trip.  We were all able to go up in Papa dad’s airplane, Tyler even got to fly.  Andy got an “extra” trip to get the cadet version of piloting with Daddio.  They did an engine stall out, among other things and Dad showed Andy how they got out of it.  He didn’t eat any breakfast just in case he got nauseous, but ended up fairing really well!

...Ok I told you all I wasn’t finished :)   I have so much to report on. 

We had such a great time with the family!  Chaotic fun is what I like to call it.  Loud and unfiltered, crying, whining, fussing, all lined with laughter and good times :)  I bet someone could make a really great comic with that description!  The decibel level at meal time was substantially increased when the our Hart clan arrived…and then again increased with the Ford Families arrival.  Someday it will be really fun to “watch” that scene of our lives together…there would definitely be some giggling involved.

Above:  The CHEESE my nephew Porter would give me everytime I looked at him.  It usually involves a single, quick, spastic wave of the hand as well...He loves me because I look like his Mama, but he's old enough to tell the difference now.  Just a few months ago I could trick him without batting an eyelash!

I did go through some really blue moments about 24 hours after we returned home.  There really is something about having family to interact with all day….that are adults, that interact BACK with you.  Very fulfilling.

Below: Pictures from Dixie Bluff.  Gorgeous huh?  I could have spent all day there...LOVED it.

The handsome Colonel!

Addison Harward (left) and Kaylee (right)

Tyler and Audrie (posing of course!)

Everyone minus James Harward (who offered to take the pic, thanks James!)

We played nuts, hiked the bluffs, rode the bike for two, went to the Dinosaur museum and my children even got to play in some leftover SNOW (see that little bit behind Kaylee in the bike pic?  Haha, yes we got REALLY excited about that much snow.  Doesn't take much for us Texan's)!  Not sure how the neighbors felt, but they couldn’t resist!

Dad and Kaylee.

Above: our inevitable sister/mother game of Nuts, that is probably more entertaining to watch than play (and WE LOVE to play...shall we say we get bit dramatic and loud?)

We had several firsts.  It was the first time saw Katie with EARS!  Which was awesome.  We did a little shopping together, she took us to her “hair school” studio and we got manicures by her fellow students.  We lost her hearing aide together….and with some effort on both parts we found it ;0)  We saw Lyndsey for the first time in 18 months!  Which was great!!  She is seriously a light.  I just love her. 

Jami never left the kitchen while we were there and the picture of her and Lynds together is showing her dedication with the apron on…that girl can run circles around anyone!  Before I get up from the table she is almost done cleaning up, or on to the next meal, next task, no matter what she is on the move!  (no wonder she is so skinny, that’s the secret!)    
   

Lyndsey and Jami.

Starting from bottom left: 

Addison Harward, Audrie, Brinly Ford, Ella Harward, Adelle Ford, and the famous Katie Whicker.

I just booked Andy’s ticket for this weekend.  Praying that surgery goes smoothly for Lach and recovery will be bearable!  Prayers are being sent up all day long.

The Nutcracker

I just didn’t sleep well last night.  I think I may have a mild sinus infection that is causing some restless nights.  So I am a walking zombie this morning J  Lovely.  My children love me so much when I am in that mode…NOT!  Hahaha, not that I really say much.  It’s more grunting and huffing, which all my sisters can relate to am I right?  I just need a NAP! 

We have quite a bit going on this week.  Tyler has his first real concert with the entire band this Tuesday!  I am anxious to hear him play.  He is really becoming quite the musician.  In fact the other night (after realizing this myself) I asked him how many instruments he played…he started naming off all the percussion ones, and then the piano (soon he will have a guitar!) and he had an “ah-ha” moment!  He didn’t even realize he was a musician until I pointed it out!

Audrie has a choir concert early in the morning on Thursday which should be fun as well.  Kaylee has been singing Christmas songs for weeks, so I assumed they would have a Christmas concert as well…but no, our public school does not do a Christmas concert…LAME!  I am starting to really have some issues with our elementary school.  Too bad they have to be so politically correct.  It just makes me upset! (Or maybe I am just grouchy this morning…. Hahahaha).

Kaylee, Audrie and I are headed to the Nutcracker Ballet on Weds.  Which I am super excited about.  I honestly don’t love the “ballet” as much as I just like to spend time with the kiddos.  Hopefully they can sit still long enough!

Andy and I went to his annual Christmas party for Rowan.  It was fun, I actually enjoyed myself this time!  Normally I don’t enjoy much of those events because they are all business people that I really struggle talking to.  I simply don’t have anything in common with them, but this time it was so much better!!  It was very refreshing. (attached is our picture of us right before we walked out the door).

LYNDS!  We are bursting at the seams!  I am so excited for you J  You have done such a great work and I’m sure there are so many people just beaming because of meeting you.  You are such a light and always have been!!  Lots of love.  Just can’t wait to see your beautiful face!!

YW in Excellence

I am really tired this morning…struggling to wake up.  I have had a hard time turning my mind off lately at night!  That right there is one of the most frustrating things to me!!!  So  a nap may ensue right after this letter (that is if Sam lets me!)

I am still obsessing over my little incident this week with the wrong deliveries we received.  We had a very large box delivered to our from door with Christmas gifts I ordered from amazon inside of it.  The only problem was it was totally opened when we received it…like flapping cardboard opened.  I thought for sure things were missing (which they were, but nothing major, and they have been resent already), but after going through the box I realized there were two additional smaller boxes INSIDE my large Christmas present filled box.  So I pulled them out and realized they were boxes meant for someone else!  Call me crazy, there was a familiarity to the boxes and it made me wonder…so upon searching side of the boxes I noticed a couple of model/product numbers  on the bottom of each of them…so I looked them up.  Just as I suspected they were BOTH mini ipads!  I couldn’t believe it.  After searching I found tracking numbers and addresses, looked up their tracking and saw that they hadn’t been processed since entering the US.  I called FEDEX and within minutes they were at my door to pick both of them up (20 minutes to be exact).  I took a picture the tracking numbers and addresses to make sure they ended up in the hands of those who ordered them, but alas the tracking has yet to be updated L  It makes me sad, because I also googled these peoples addresses and one lives in a trailer home and the other in a small, dilapidated home.  I hope they simply changed the tracking or something.  It was the perfect opportunity for someone to be dishonest, and that is what I was worried about all along. 

Things are going well in YW’s.  We had our YW in excellence this past Tuesday and I felt it went really well.  We had a “pattern” theme, decorating with patterns and all things sewing.  I felt prompted during last conference to center the night around a dream I had 8 years ago right before I was called into YW’s the first time.  I’m sure I’ve shared it with you all, but just in case I will share it again.

I dreamt I was a young woman and I was trying to make a decision about my life.  I had two sewing patterns presented to me.  One had a beautiful ball gown on the front, gorgeous woman, with a seemingly happy woman modeling it, albeit her dress was strapless and just not up to standards.  The other pattern had a simple, plain, old fashioned dress on the front, but it covered her.  I had to make a decision.  Upon picking these patterns up I realized there were things inside of them, so I opened the first gorgeous, immodest dress pattern and I found dirty and decomposing fabric covered in spider webs inside.  I then picked up the other and pulled out the most brilliant white fabric I had ever seen, absolutely filled with light!

Next I found myself in a room sitting on the edge of a bed waiting for a boy and  I was wearing the beautiful, immodest ball gown.  Next to me appeared the two patterns.  I had to choose what I wanted and then go on my way to find the door.  I found myself looking inside each pattern finding the same things as I found before.  One filled with filth and one filled with light!  I immediately knew I had to choose the light...and find my way to the door.  Upon finding the door I heard knocking.  Frantic knocking coming from the other side.  I turned the knob and peeked through to see who was there, no one was at my door but I saw many workers dressed in white, shining with light scurrying back and forth knocking on other doors, any door they could find...they trying to help anyone they could.  I quickly closed the door and it was only then that I realized there was only a doorknob on my side of the door.  I had to open the door to receive the guidance they were offering.  I opened the door again to find a worker in white, she took my by the hand and led me down the hallway (and somehow I knew she was leading me to a return missionary).

Anyway, main point was to pattern our lives after Christ.  Basically we talked about how we have to choose what we are going to become by choosing the right pattern and by doing so we can become one the Lord’s finest creations!   It was a success simply because the spirit was there! I am really grateful it is over J

Attached is a pic of Sam in her pretty Christmas dress.  She was a princess yesterday “sparkling” every where she went with her glittery dress (that is until she had a minor pooping accident right before we left church!)…so sorry to those who used the bathroom after us….she really had a sick tummy HA!  So her dress is now being washed.  

Thanksgiving Fun!

Tyler, Tyler, Tyler!  I have spent all morning trying to find a lost notebook of Tyler’s, only to find out he left it in his 4th period classroom J  He is seriously organizationally challenged!  But hopefully he will get it before High school.  Anyway, in other news….

We’ve had a change of plans for Christmas!  After realizing Tyler would NOT be able to leave on the 20th (due to 2 major exams) per our original plan we would have to leave the 21st…but upon looking at some airline tickets we found some decently priced ones through Southwest.  So we snatched them up.  They aren’t perfect, but they will get us there only a day later than we could have gotten there driving, but we will stay another day as well!  So we are flying out CHRISTMAS EVE, and will arrive in the evening that night and will be there through the 31st.  We will get a rental since no one has a car big enough to pick us up, plus we wouldn’t want to make you drive all the way to LAS on Christmas Eve.  I am excited at the prospect of NOT driving for 24 hours, and the kids will be thrilled we get to go on an airplane. 

We have had a FANTASTIC week filled with family, fun and some great eats.  It was really, REALLY nice to have family in our home for Thanksgiving.  Andy was successful in cooking the turkey via his Big Easy infrared fryer, which is a HUGE success considering we’ve struggled cooking turkey’s all the way through in past years (ahem…EVERY year we’ve cooked one we have failed).   It was great to not have to worry about eating raw turkey meat, hahahaha.  A few prayers were said over that turkey on our companies behalf!  Also we had quite the array of pies….I’m thinking 8 or 9 pies total (Cami making 6 of them I believe)!  We have plenty of leftovers for sure in that department!  Other than food we made turkey shirts, played games, hung lights, had nerf wars, took family pictures (see attached), went and saw Frozen (LYNDS, we MUST take you if it is still out when you come home).  I really, really liked that Movie!  The music is just AWESOME!!!  Disney is long overdue in a decent musical production and this one wins the prize in my humble opinion.  So any of you that haven’t seen it GO, the music absolutely makes it.  Tyler went into the theater dragging his feet, but came out all smiles saying how he was going to buy a particular song from it as soon as he earned another song (via his daily writing in his school planner).  So that my friends is all the proof you need, it’s great!

Well I can’t believe Christmas is already here!  We are going to get our Christmas tree tonight for FHE and decorate it.  We are also starting a couple of new traditions this year.  One we started (as of yesterday) called the 25 days of Christ.  There is a lady who put together ornaments and devotionals for each day including things from modern day prophets starting with his birth and going through the life and resurrection of the Savior.  So the kids get to take turns to“open” the ornament and read the scriptures, etc.  I’m hoping it will help us remember the reason for the Season!

The other tradition I am not sure I was fully committed to starting, but we have, so I must continue.  Have you guys heard of the Elf on the Shelf?  It’s basically a little Elf doll that keeps an eye on the kids, but only comes alive at night…and by morning you always find him in a different place, doing different things.  For example on day one the kids found him coloring in a coloring book, and today was day two…and I failed.  He never moved (told you I wasn’t fully committed!).  So everyone was quite disappointed this morning!  But I assured them I would call the Elf hotline to see if there was something wrong and get the magic in him again J  Kaylee bought it.  Not sure about Audrie.  Anyway, we have some fun ideas involving TPing the Christmas tree, making snow angels in flower, roasting marshmallows over the stove…etc.  Should be fun, I just have to get fully on board!

Snoopy Play

Do you know what I do when I sit down to write my family email?  First I try really hard to think about what has gone on this past week…and after thinking for a minute or so realize I can’t remember what happened this week!  So without fail I pull out my phone to look at the pictures I have taken to help me remember J  Should I be concerned?  Hahahaha, if I’m this bad right now, I am in serious trouble later!

(Scrolling through pictures now….)

Ok, remembering.  So Audrie finished her production of Snoopy this week!  Thank heavens it’s over!! She had a FABULOUS time being apart of it and had already shared with me her sadness that it is over.  I see some drama in her future (although she’s very dramatic already!  As in preteen drama, bleh.).  The play itself was quite honestly one of the worst plays I have ever seen, but it doesn’t matter because Audrie enjoyed herself thoroughly J  See attached photo.  Doesn’t she look all grown up?  She is definitely a pretty girl.

Kaylee had her “Thankful” Party (why we don’t just call it a thanksgiving party makes me crazy).  It was really cute.  Kaylee and all the kindergartners did two dances that  were darling.  She had a blast…until the assistant principal cut is short because parents were taking pictures (of their own kids)…oh my word.  This country is turning into a “walk on eggshells” country.  But we tried to stay positive anyway, as I did not want Kaylee’s special day to be ruined because of some dumb rule.  (Can you tell I’m still a little angry about it? HA!) My illegal picture is below...scandalous!

We also found out we are being Audited because of our charitable contributions for 2012.  I think we have everything together and ready to send off to the IRS.  Hopefully it won’t be a long process and they don’t need anything else J  Never a dull moment at the Hart household!

Speaking of charitable contributions we had our tithing settlement last night with the bishop.  Our children always need some serious prep before we go in to make sure we don’t say or do anything embarrassing (it’s happened many a time), so we did our usual song and dance and then walked into the office.  The Bishop began talking to each one of the children trying to get to know them a little better.  First Tyler, then Audrie, Kaylee and finally Sam.  After the first round Audrie raised her hand with something else she wanted to say.  The Bishop acknowledged her and began conversing with her again.  While he was talking with Audrie, Sammy chimed in, looked right at the Bishop, and with a really loud and DIRECT voice said, “Will you marry me?” Hahahahaha.  We just giggled and giggled.  Now we can add that to our list of embarrassing moments in tithing settlement J  Our two year old proposed to the Bishop!  Wonder if that happens often?  We are just special like that I suppose.

Best news of all was KATIE!!!!  I am so thrilled that Dixie high is just amazing like that.  I got quite teary after hearing about her being crowned Queen!!  What a great way to end your HS career. 

My craft day was a success!  So glad it went well this year.  I enjoyed myself more than I have in the past.

Anyway, I better go.  We’ve been potty training for the past 4 days…it’s going ok.  Nothing exciting to report, except for the fact that SHE gets SO excited when “the potty is coming” and squeals and giggles as we RUN to the toilet each time.  Glad it’s a positive experience, but I’m wishing she would get there a little sooner (I think we went through 8 pairs of panties Sat).  We will get there!

B is for Bread

Well Andy left again today for another business trip…3^rd one in the last few weeks.  He never travels so this is a little unusual for all of us, but we are holding our own without too much trouble! 

Lynds, as you must have assumed the lunch didn’t work out for Andy.  He called your mission pres and he said, “no.”  Which is fine, sad but completely understandable!  He said it would be too distracting J  We all know Andy can be distracting!  Hahaha…or maybe I mean distracted?  Just kidding.  That is Audrie…she is my distracted one!  I saw this card once that said on the front, “Happy Bir….Oh look a Squirel!”  And I thought it was perfect for Audrie, but it would have not made any sense to her at all. 

We’ve had a good busy week.  Audrie had her final volleyball game, which was really fun.  They were SO close to winning their final game, but just missed it.  They improved a GAZILLION percent.  Seriously.  It is amazing how much improvement you can make in 11 weeks.  It was fun and I’m glad I had the opportunity to coach even though it was really stressful for mwah!

Kaylee has been very thoughtful lately.  Asking a lot of deep questions as her mind really works hard.  The other day she asked me, “Mom, can you smell in space?”  I scratched my head and said, “Um. I don’t know.  We are going to have to look that up.”  Do you know what the answer is??  You will get the first hug when I see you next if you get it right!  Answer to follow…and NO CHEATING!

Tyler had his first performance this week.  It was really fun to see him (hear him) perform!  They don’t play as a band this year yet to help them learn their instrument first.  So Tyler is in a percussion class and they performed as a group.  First they played the snare drum, then they played a combination of the marimba (wooden xylophone basically), the bells (metal xylophone) and one other style of xylophone.   Hopefully the videos come through.  You can’t see him very well, but he one of the tallest ones in his group, in the center a little to the right in the drum line.  Sorry for the wiggly cinematography…Sam was in my arms flailing around (in fact I was shocked how still the video turned out, props to me! Ha!).

Sam and I hosted preschool this week.  Thanks to some great input from Cami, we had a great time.  We made bread and each of the girls helped put ingredients in the kitchen aid.  Sam of course was a pro because she does this all the time with me, but the other girls were absolutely fascinated!!  It was great.  See pic.

Audrie apart of a musical in her school.  She is in the choir, but they are in an out of the play.  She is absolutely LOVING it.  She sings all day long…and I wake up with the songs she’s been singing in my head….and they never leave!  Hahaha.  Good times.  We will send pictures of the performance asap.

Alrightee I better get moving on the house…and I really ought to go to the gym, but I’m not certain that is going to happen today.

Pumpkin Pies

Lynds, I must start of by saying I AM DYING inside because Andy is RIGHT BY you…he is on a business trip in San Diego for the next few days.  It was a surprise when I looked to see how close that was to you.  I would have loved to have him show up in your sacrament meeting “by accident” hahahaha…I know that doesn’t go along the rules of the mish, but MAN it would be cool J  I know CJ got permission to see Colton while on his mission, so I wondered if you could, but it sounds as though it’s not a normal thing they approve.  Bummer, but we will see you soon enough!  (Maybe I shouldn’t be talking about all of this coming home stuff?!  I will stop.)

Good times this week.  Andy left Saturday evening right after Audrie’s volleyball game (which they FINALLY won one of the games….not the entire game just ONE of the three games they play within a game).  It may sound ridiculous, but it was just SO successful for our team.  Seriously, Audrie rocks it though.  She has some POWER behind her serves and bumps.  If they had all Audrie’s on her team they would be really hard to beat! 

Yesterday we had church very  late (due to us meeting in a building that is not in our Stake). Because they had stake conference we didn’t meet until 1pm!!  And with daylight savings ending it felt like 2pm and that is witching hour numero uno for Sam.  And she did not disappoint.  She was a stinker!  She’s becoming a little rebellious lately and I’m getting sad my Sweet Sam is phasing out and sassy Sam is phasing in L  Tyler had his turn as well.  Sometimes he just really struggles with pestering his sisters.  Then he wonders why he gets in trouble!  We did however have a great time before church.  Tyler and I worked on his Faith in God  and I worked on my personal progress (I have the book of Moroni left to read and ONE value experience left before I am DONE!).  It was really nice to have down time before church. 

Tyler also helped me bake some homemade FRESH pumpkin pies yesterday.  He really loves to cook with me and I really LOVE the time we have together.  It’s quite ironic he is my pickiest eater (by LEAPS and bounds)!  Attached is a pic of the younger girls waiting every so patiently, while sniffing the oven vent every once in a while to smell the anticipated treat! 

Today of course started out with a bang.  Our morning carpool driver had a sick kid and couldn’t drive.  We scrambled to come up with some alternative, but between Andy being gone, carpool lady #2 having to be in her other child's class early, and her hubby with early morning appointments….we couldn’t come up with any alternative solution.  Lady # 2’s child and Audrie were an HOUR late to school L  I think it was worse case scenario, but they got there!!  And Audrie was THRILLED to go into class late.  She is a Hoot I tell ya!!

I had a parent teacher conf with Kaylee’s teacher and she said how well she is doing.  I am so glad that we held her back and am seeing that this was the right thing for her this year.  It really has been a blessing!  She has been reverting back to her sweet self lately (which left a couple of years ago and has only returned intermittently for very short moments), which I have loved.  She is such a tender soul and is always so close to the spirit.  She thinks so deeply about God and returning to Him and OFTEN mentions how she misses Him.  It just melts me to the core!  She’s growing up a lot as well and really reading well. 

We had a decent Halloween.  Seriously I struggle with getting excited about it.  BAH humbug.  But I did make Sam and Audrie’s capes which turned out darling (especially Sams!).