A Quick Look at Spring

One of my goals now that my kids are back in school is to get caught up with my blog.  So, even though it's September, Spring has Sprung here at Sweet Joys!

In March,

--We watched Ry go off to a trial and work really hard.  We didn't really see him after our trip to Orlando except on Sundays (thank goodness for Sundays!)

--We took my dad to a Jazz game. We had great seats and watched them win in overtime!!

--Lauren graduated from the DARE program (anti-drug campaign at school). Her essay was one of three chosen to be read during the graduation.  Good job, Lauren!

--Played for nearly a week with MomNancy who came up for her birthday.  We always have a great time (and eat a lot of great food) when we are together!

--Enjoyed a visit from Grandpa Joe and Uncle Randy from South Dakota

--My wonderful friend Stephanie moved back to Utah!!!  I can't wait to frequently hang out over lunch!

In April,

--I went with Braiden's cub scout troop to the bowling alley.  So fun to hang out with these cute boys!

--I took a cake decorating class with my mom.  We had a great time and it was a nice get away while Ryan was gone with the trial. This was my first attempt at gum paste flowers...needs work, but not too bad and I really enjoyed it (which is what really counts)

--We went to the zoo with the Bodily family for Spring Break

--We enjoyed a spontaneous weekend up in Park City with Ryan and the kids. It was a great break and much needed "Dad time"

--Attended a mini Burrell Family Reunion (aka Filmy Uni)

--Ry and Katie celebrated their shared birthday at the Spaghetti Factory (of course)

--Soccer season started and we were constantly rained/snowed out

--Katie had fun friends party where they watched movies and played games

--We enjoyed a sugar rush at our annual Easter Egg Hunt (held this year at the lovely Tingey home due to a mini tornado hitting Grandma Geneal's house!)

--We had a wonderful Easter dinner at Grandma Janis' house

--Ryan's trial FINALLY ended!!! We rejoiced BIG TIME when he could finally spend some time at home!!

--Our beloved Expedition broke down and we wouldn't see it again until the end of June!! So sad!

--Ethan made his FIRST EVER soccer goal!!

As you can see, our Spring was filled with joys and trials (of all kinds), but we were reminded that family is truly the most important thing in life!

Winter: An Overview

Yep, it's another "overview" post.  I know you are thrilled because it's kind of like watching our family live on fast forward!  I am determined to get caught up, so here's a run down of the beginning of 2011.

In January,

--We turned our living room into an office.  At first, I wasn't sure if this was going to be a good idea, but I. LOVE. IT!!  Because it's in the front of the house, it always stays clean (and what I mean by that is, when someone is coming over, I quickly put everything away!) and organized!  I love the furniture we picked out as well.  This started a snowball effect of change in our house, as you will see.

--Because the office stuff was now out of the upstairs guest bedroom, we moved the guest bed into Ethan's small room and purchased the boys bunk beds so they could share a room.  They absolutely love their new furniture and sharing a room (most days).  I am going to finish decorating their room soon and complete the sports theme

--Because we put the boys together and the office on the main level, it opened up an entire bedroom upstairs.  Of course, there was only one logical thing to do with it....give Jen a craft room!!  It is still in chaos because I haven't found the right furniture for it, but I love having my own space to put all of my junk stuff.  It is going to have a black, white, and red theme and I can't wait to decorate it and craft my heart out!

--I finished physical therapy for my shoulder!  Yahoo!!  Another milestone and I'm doing great!

--Braiden participated in his first pinewood derby race in Cub Scouts.  He didn't win, but we all had a lot of fun and I want to give a shout out to my dad for helping Braiden with his car.  Ryan was so busy getting ready for trial, so Grandpa stepped in and helped. 

--Lauren celebrated her 12th birthday!  She gets more beautiful everyday.  I know, I am going to need a lot of rope to tie her up when she turns sixteen and keep her tied up until she's thirty...

--Our new niece, Haisley Mae Gittins was born!!

--I visited the Gittins Gang in Milwaukee and had a great time

--We celebrated Cora's second birthday with a Princess party!

--I got new kitchen appliances and I love them!  Kitchen Aid.  Stainless Steel.  Convection ovens.  Enough said.

In February,

--We had a fun Super Bowl party with the extended family

--We celebrated Ethan's sixth birthday a few days early

--We made sucker lips and mustaches for Ethan's Valentine's Day class party

--Went on an amazing family vacation to Orlando with Grandpa Dennis, Grandma Janis, Uncle Jason, and Aunts Denise and Kaylee.  We had the time of our lives!

--We went to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Wild Animal Kingdom, Kennedy Space Center, Universal Studios (including the new Harry Potter park), visited the Orlando Temple, and watched the Shuttle Discovery launch into space!!

Well, that's it for now.  Orlando trip and more overview posts coming, but getting the kids ready for school is taking up a lot of time. I'm trying to enjoy having them all here and then I'll ship them all off to school (and enjoy that too!) Love you all!!

Yikes!!! Christmas in July?!?!!!?

Well folks, I'm finally getting around to blogging again. Since I'm so far behind, I will continue the "recap" posts, starting with December. We really had a great holiday season.  I was really worried that Ry's work schedule would take him away from our family traditions, but we have been so blessed and he was able to spend quite a bit of time with us just enjoying the season.  So, here's the run down of our month:

In December,

--I helped my mom with the Festival Of Trees. Our family has been involved with the Festival since I was sixteen, when my cousin was fatally hit by a car.  We decorated a tree for him that year and at least one tree every year after that until just a few years ago.  Fortunately, my mom joined a committee and I was happy to help.  She made a wonderful felt gingerbread house centerpiece and we all helped in the boutique.  It was a great experience to help out this wonderful organization 

--I caught this funny moment when Ethan wanted a bubble bath.  He's not my most "cleanly conscious" kid, so I was thrilled to let him have one.  He's so funny!

--Enjoyed watching Katie, Lauren, and Ethan in their Showstoppers performance.  They all did such a great job and had a blast doing it.  Here are some pictures of them on stage and afterwards.

 

--Had a "Breakfast With Santa" Ward Christmas Party.  None of the kids were too hip on getting a picture with the big guy.

--Made delicious goodies with Grandma Nancy who came to visit.  We also exchanged wonderful gifts.

--Celebrated Christmas in Oakley with all of the Fraziers

--I caught up with my long time sweet friend, Hydee. We talked and laughed for hours!

--Helped with the kids' Christmas parties at school.  My kids have wonderful teachers!!  We played games and made crafts.  Lauren even gave her teacher a car for Christmas!!

--Jen sang in church for the Christmas Program and didn't die of complete fright!

--We enjoyed the lights at Temple Square

--We decorated Gingerbread Houses.  It's one of my all time favorite traditions of the whole year.  I admittedly copped out and bought pre-made this year because I just couldn't roll out all of that dough with a healing shoulder, but we still had a blast with store bought and all of that candy! BTW, Lauren's BFF Kimberly came over to Grandma's and decorated with us.  We love it when she can be with our family.

--On Christmas Eve, we went ice skating and had a blast!

--Had our huge annual Christmas Eve Party including food, festivities, and the Christmas Program that my kids put on every year

--Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Morning

--Ryan got a great gift on Christmas morning.  He is always telling the kids that what he wants for Christmas is a bunch of good kids, so they all put bows on their heads and gave themselves to him!  So cute! I will deny that I teared up a bit watching them...

--Then we headed over to the Furlows for some yummy omelets (Grandpa Dennis' specialty) and gift exchange

--My favorite gift of the year was this recipe framed art that my mom made me. It was a collection of some of my Grandma Joyce's handwritten recipes.  I will admit that I cried when I saw it!  Thanks Mom and Grandma!

--My mom gave each of the kids a Nintendo DS. My siblings and I all pitched in to give my mom a cake decorating air brush. The following facial expressions are priceless!

--We then headed out to the Fraziers where more festive fun and food were enjoyed.  Katie and Lauren gave great reactions when they unwrapped their gifts from Grandma Geneal

--During the Christmas break, we went out to Grantsville and caught up with the ol' Utah State gang.  We love them all so much and we're so glad we can keep in touch (Nan, you were missed!)

--And FINALLY, we rang in the new year with a big bash at our house!!!

WHEW!! What a month!  So many wonderful blessings and memories!  I may be way behind on this blogging thing, but at least it gives me a chance to record my memories and experiences, even if it takes me a while to do it!! On that note, Jan-Mar post coming as well as the rest of Florida Vacation posts!