Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We opened presents in the morning and then went to the Ashtons for the afternoon. They were nice to remember us since we don't have family nearby to spend the holidays with. We hope everyone else had a fabulous Christmas.

Jory's $$$$$$mile

Jory T. finally got his braces off after a whole year and a few months, lucky kid! Now maybe we'll see his smile:) Actually he smiles all the time, just not for the camera! Here are the before and after photos..... I know, his hair is really long. I actually like it. It looks like Zac Efron in 17 again. And he takes care of it! We had some freezing rain the other day, so my kids enjoyed the ice and no school day. So did I:)

Happy Birthday Cody

Cody turned three years old on Thursday. I think the older kids enjoyed his birthday more than he did. They made me wait to have Cody open his present after they were home from school. He was playing the Wii when we were ready. We brought out the big box and asked if he wanted to open it. He said no, he was playing video games. Jory made him turn it off and he threw a big tantrum. He finally calmed down and actually looked at the box. Then, he attacked the paper. He tore and tore and tore and tore. It was pretty funny. He loved the train. Jory T. and Dallin helped set it up. Then, Cody had to fight to play with it. Dallin and Camri kept "helping" him. I think this birthday was more for us celebrating him as a part our family for the last three years. Cody really enjoyed the spanking machine. He went through about ten times! But he loved the cake the best. Jory decorated it as Star Wars with two light sabers. Cody wanted the piece right in the middle where the blue and red crossed. I caught him later that night on the cupboard having seconds:)

Update

Sunday we had the opportunity to have Elder Jeffrey R. Holland come and speak to our stake. Kylie and I went early and still were in the gym. Jory came an hour early and I was barely able to save him seats. The kids were fantastic. They survived three hours of church on hard chairs. Cody practically dragged me out when it was over. Elder Holland was amazing. I felt like he talked directly to me. It strengthened my testimony that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ. It was an experience I won't forget.

Later that day, we ran to my friend's house and she took some family pictures for us. It was so easy. She's very talented and such a good friend to do that for me:)

Camri's third grade performed a Veteran's Day Assembly at the elementary school. Kylie sang as well. It was very touching. They sang while showing a slide show of some of the third graders' family who are serving or have served for our country.

Halloween

Thanks for the picture Amy!
Also, just for fun, Jory T. and his scout group are pictured on page 9 of the November New Era! Thanks to the Jones for letting us know!

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween. Cody went as Spiderman. He was so cute. I love taking them at this age. He did get tired and started sitting on the grass complaining about his owies. He'd say he needed to sit down because of his toe, or back, or leg. Jory went as a 70's character. We couldn't find a wig and so I curled his hair with a very small curling iron. It was super funny!
The hairdo did make him taller than me. He checks often and was thrilled to finally claim to be taller than his mom.
Dallin was an army guy. He enjoyed painting the pants, but not putting on the makeup.
Camri was a pirate. It worked out well because her eye got infected and buffed up, so she wore an eye patch. (We forgot the eye patch in the picture and her eye was getting better from the drops.)
Kylie had a concert all day, so later she and a friend went to her Halloween party as gospel singers. She was Pippy Longstocking at a mutual party, but I didn't take pictures because I thought she would dress up again. I'll have to get some copies. Kylie and I fasted through Halloween because she received her Patriarchal blessing Sunday morning. It was hard to pass up all that candy, but worth it. I made up for the candy intake Sunday night:(

Happy Birthday Grandma

We wanted to wish Grandma Iverson a very Happy Birthday!

We love you and hope you have a great day!

We had fun carving pumkins last night. Big Jory always comes away with first place. Can you tell what it is? He's already praying for snow.

Kylie was asked to sing the National Anthem at the varsity girl's soccer game last Saturday. This is the second time she has sung it for an event. The first was her only home game Jory and I missed. Both Dallin and Cody were very sick and I don't know where Jory was. She was asked five minutes before the varsity game to sing. I was sooooooo mad I missed it. I really wanted to be at that game, but didn't think Jory T. could handle throwing up children. So, when she was asked again, the nerdy parents we are, we snuck in to listen. I figured she'd be down on the field. But our fancy Edgar Brown Stadium has an announcer's box. So Jory went in and recorded it and I sat in the stands and listened. It amazes me how fearless she is. I think I was more nervous than she was. She's been asked to sing it once more for another soccer game and the lady said she'll call her when winter and spring sports start. They must think she does a good job. I know I do, but I'm her mother. She's great at everything.

Jory T. played in the band his fifth and sixth grade years. By seventh grade, he hated it. We were able to talk to the counselor and get him in guitar. Now he is in the advanced guitar class at school and they preformed last night. It was Kylie's last game, but Jory skipped out early and made it to the concert on time and I came later. He's loving the class and loves playing the guitar. Thanks to my dad, he has an acoustic guitar and amp. We have to tell him to turn it down a lot. Here's some of his concert.

I'm really grateful to a wonderful school district that puts so much work and effort into their music program. It has really blessed my family.

Hunting season

Dallin got to go shot gun shooting with his dad and the Elders quorum. Then later that day Jory T. and Dallin got to go hunting with their dad and watch him gut a deer. What did I do? Stayed home with a sick child. Oh, the life of a mother.

Jory emailed some photos of the kids riding the mechanical bull at our friend's moving party. Since they've had a little experience in the area, the kids did really well. Me? Well I've never been very good at it. But it was fun to give in a whirl.
Jory T. realized once you start growing, it's a little harder to stay on. He was still the best one there.

This was Cody's first time. The last time we rode one of these was after he was born. It was Uncle Jonathon's bull New Year's Eve 2006. Good Times!!! Yes, I look ridiculous, but I gave it a shot.

Mad Mallets

Dallin has looked forward to being in Mad Mallets since he started school. He was excited to make it into the group. Today was their first performance at a school assembly. He's in the yellow shirt, front row.

Staying Busy

Jory went to Walla Walla to watch Kylie play ball. It's sure been a fun season. The video is short but shows a pretty good hit. She played middle because one girl was injured.

Dallin is playing the drums in band and marimbas for Mad Mallets this year. He's excited about it and enjoys participating in everything.

Camri was elected to student council. I had to learn about this from a friend. She forgot to tell me. I asked her about it and she said with a shrug that she gave a little speech about herself and the kids voted for her.

Jory and Jory T. went to the Priesthood session of conference. They had a good time. I told Jory when he gets his braces off in a few months, I better see his $$$$$mile in pictures:)

We had a fun weekend. We watched Kylie play a volleyball tournament in Kennewick. In between games the rest of us took a boat ride up the Columbia to check out the scenery and see how far we would get on a tank of gas. We made it back without running out and were able to catch her last two games. Here are some highlights.

We also went boating Friday night before dark.

Scouts

Thanks to a great lady, I have some pictures of Jory getting his Life Rank. Thanks so much Amy!!

End of summer and back to school.

A lot has happened these last few weeks before school and since school has started.

I was released from Young Women's and called to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher. Talk about a 180. No more laughing and giggling. Instead I shake and studder trying to get through a lesson. I miss the girls but have to admit, I like not planning activities. I was running out of ideas. They were sweet though and gave me a "Heart Attack." I kept it on my door for a few days and then saved all the notes in a book. I knew it was time to be released. With my kids growing up so fast, I really was feeling like I needed to focus on them.

So we ended the summer with another fun filled trip to Silverwood. Jory's leg was still hurting, so he kept Cody at home and I took the rest of the family. We had a blast. Camri had to suffer through a few big rides, but we managed to hit every roller coaster in the park. I don't think I've ever screamed so much. It was great spending the day with them.

Next, we decided to potty train Cody. It took a whole two weeks. Then one day he figured it out and we've only had one accident since. It was easy as pie. Also, he finally let me cut his hair thanks to the big crane in our back yard. He watched the crane lift buildings and I cut. Camri and Dallin went to school on the 31st of August. Camri is in the third grade and is a social bug. She loves playing basketball at recess. She starts piano again if I can remember to send her. We already missed our first lesson. Dallin is now a big fifth grader. He asked to get a hair cut because it was so long he couldn't see through his bangs. He is earning many webelos pins and passed his WASL. He's a smart and well behaved boy. I always see Cody dragging Dallin away to jump with him.

Jory refuses to let me cut his hair. He rides a skate board everywhere. I've decided that it's a pretty nice mode of transportation. I sent him to the store one day and he was home in no time flat. He's now in the eighth grade and starting high school math. He loves his guitar class and hopefully will start focusing on it more. But his best accomplishment is his Life Rank he earned in scouts. He only has a few more merit badges and an eagle project and he will earn his Eagle. The goal is before he's 14. Kylie is now a Sophomore at Pasco High. She tried out for the volleyball team and made JV. She's really loving it. She is one of the captains and is showing a lot of leadership on the floor. Her last game she made 8 serves in a row and a few kills. She plays strong side and middle back. Kylie also tried out for the 10th Avenue singers. It was fun to help her pick a song and practice it. She called Wednesday morning to let me know she made the group.

I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the opportunity I have to be the mother of these five amazing children. I love spending time and being with them. Nothing could be better!

Boatalicious

Last summer Jory asked his grandpa if he could have his boat. Grandpa said yes and now we get to play on a 1964 Skagit. It runs great. It took us a while to get it licensed in Washington but have finally been able to take it out a few times. I also finally remembered to take my camera. The water was a little rough, so the pics aren't very good. We've had tons of fun boating in the 100 degree weather. I'm addicted and want to go out all the time. Wish you were here Jeni! Sorry we didn't get it licensed when you were.

Jory's injury is a result of a previous tubing incident. As he bounced in the air his other ankle hit his shin. It started out as a big knot on his shin and turned into this.