Week in review Nov. 14th

So, as is typical in our lives, there wasn't a whole lot going on last week.  But I will entertain with the "little things that mean allot" stuff.

 As I mentioned in a previous post we purchased a new car.  This of course didn't happen last week but should still be addressed.  We traded in our old 2001 Lexus and got a 2010 Nissan Aultima.  We both just love it!  I think my favorite part is the push button start.  No longer do I have to find my keys buried in my purse to unlock or start the car!  Now I just wish we could afford a new explorer with that option before Riley makes her appearance.  That would be heaven!  I know, wishful thinking!  But hopefully the car will satisfy Tom's little midlife crisis (by crisis I mean the fact that he feels he works so hard and has had nothing to reward himself with, understandable)

We are slowly getting things all put together for Riley.  We got her swing and bouncer.  Her bedding is on the way.  And every time I go to the store I pick up a new outfit or blanket or towel, something for her.

This past Sunday I went with my sister Angie to the "Family Christmas Expo".  It was a great time!  We just walked and talked and visited our hearts out!  I even got the privilege of taking her to get her very first piece of maternity clothing!  So proud!

Chesney and Jaycie are just happy as can be.  Especially now that mom and dad got new phones (thank goodness because I couldn't deal with my old phone any more!!!) and they each have Angry Birds on them.  It is amazing how helpful they become when the reward is a simple little game!  But they are way to cute!

Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays mainly because it is the kick off the all the great winter holidays that follow.  Plus you get to dress up and honestly, who doesn't like to dress up? Well, ok there are those out there who don't like to dress up but get with the spirit people!!!

So to kick off the holiday the annual carving of the pumpkins happend the night before.  What a fun mess.  Dad, of course, got most the honnors with the knife.  But the girls loved coloring all over making faces and freckles all over.

This year Chesney was a cowgirl riding a horse.  Jaycie was a princess riding a unicorn.  Mom was a preggy witch.  And dad went as a BYU fan.

Explanation on dads costume.  He wore his University of Utah pull over and jeans.  He told everyone he was a BYU fan because deep down inside every BYU fan they want to belong to University of Utah.

Let's say he got a lot of laughs from his explanation.

Chesney had her first school halloween parade.  Since she is in afternoon kindergarden we didn't have to fight all the rest of the school and parents for the main parade.  They had their own parade after their class started.  It was so nice!  She was so excited to see us and Jaycie made sure that she knew exactly where we were. Her loud little voice calling out "CHESNEY!"

We went trick or treating at my mom's house as per tradition.  Tyson, Lily and Macy were just adorable.  (quick note to sisters...need pictures please!)

Angie came dressed up as a patient and Cam was her doctor (doctor who's your daddy) The patient was being treated for a special illness PREGNANCY!!!  So the greatest thing about this year is hearing about their little package.  Due May 8th!  So excited!!!

We all went trick or treating and had a ball!  The weather was just perfect for the night.  It was even warm enough that we didn't have to put coats on the kids and cover up their cute costumes.  Lucky for us because the cold snow storm came in the next day.

 I just love Halloween!

Jaycie's preschool fieldtrip to Cornbellys

Jaycie's fall field trip came and was planned for Cornbelly's corn festival at Thanksgiving Point.  The preschool did this last year as well.  The kids just have a fantastic time there.  There is so much for them to do and see that you could just spend the whole day there playing. 

These cute wooden play sets where all over the place and the kids where having a ball on them.  They were all for sale.  Oh if I could I would love to get one for the kids!  They were fabulous!

Of course the bouncy pads where a huge hit!

Then there was mazes and hay rides and towers to climb on and corn to make corn angels in. And so on and so on.

Since Chesney has afternoon kindergarten we both went with Jaycie's class on the field trip.  Mom had a doctor's appointment that afternoon (regular check up for Riley) so Chesney got to miss school and both kids got to go hear baby Riley's heartbeat.

So we went from Cornbelly's in the morning to lunch to doctors to car wash to Grandma Linda's to spend the night while mom and dad went car shopping.

Yes, we came home with a new car!  More on that later.

 But wow! What a day we had.

Chesney's 6th Birthday

As a parent you are constantly asking yourself "where has the time gone?" Nothing makes this statement more true then watching your children celebrate their birthdays.

This year my Chesney girl turned the big 6!

Can you say excited???  The day before her birthday she came in my room that morning and instead of getting my usual "Good morning Mom!" I got..."Guess who's birthday it is tomorrow?!  Mine!"

The morning of her actual birthday she came in my room and before she even had a chance to say anything I hopped up and sang her Happy Birthday!  She was so happy.

That night we let her pick out what she wanted as her birthday dinner.  I bet you can't guess what it was...McDonalds!  So we packed up and ate our dinner at the restaurant. (which if you know my husband that in itself is a HUGE treat!)  Then we went home and opened presents from mom, dad, and Jaycie.

Then had some cake and played with the new toys!

That following Saturday we had the family birthday party.  With mom being pregnant and it being Halloween season and all, I was craving caramel apples.  But I didn't want to make a ton of them for myself. (ton being more then 2)  So as a waiting to get started appetizer we set up a caramel apple station.  Yes they hit the spot!

Chesney, of course, made a haul!  She was so happy and felt so loved by everyone!  It was a perfect day!

Thank you one and all for making her birthday so special!

Catch up...a year in review

Wow.
Wow.
I knew I was a slacker but wow!
So...where to start?  So much has happened in the last year.  Allot of good things and allot of bad things. 
My last post was Chesney and Jaycie going to preschool...

We got a cute little niece to join our family.  Coriena Joy Brandol!

Chesney turned 5!

Well, I guess next comes Halloween!

It was great as usual.  Laine was a zombie.  He even made a torn shirt with homemade blood all over it.  Kaylee was a devil. And a beautiful one at that.  Chesney was a princess with a light up dress and flashing crown.  Jaycie was a kitty cat!  This year was an odd one because Halloween fell on a Sunday.  So the kids had a chance to Trick-or-Treat twice!  Can you just say candy overkill!

Next came Christmas!

Of course we all love Christmas!  I will spare you the pics because I just can't find a quick easy tie it all together picture to share.  But I promise I will get on top of things and pull it all together for this year.

Jaycie turned 4!

Then we will jump ahead to Easter.

Oh the kids had a blast with Easter.  Chesney and Jaycie got to go on a egg hunt at home.  Then off to Grandma Wendy's for more Easter fun.  Chesney and Jaycie got to go on another egg hunt with their cousins while Laine and Kaylee where CSI's and had to find out what happened to the Easter Bunny!  Turned out it was a series of unfortunate coincidences that Chicken Little created that led to the Easter Bunny's accident. (really cute)  Then over to Grandpa Tom's for more Easter fun with a great scavenger hunt to find their loot!  It was almost like Christmas again!  Almost!

Then in May we had another cute little niece join our family!  Macy Anne Russell

Before we knew it the school year was over and Jaycie graduated from 3 year old preschool to 4 year old preschool.  And Chesney graduated preschool all together!

She was so excited to be done with preschool and go off to kindergarten.  All except for getting her kindergarten shots.  She told everyone that she hated them!

June came and we had our newest upset.  Laine decided he wanted to spend his time exclusively with his dad so unfortunately we don't see him anymore.  I am hoping he will change his mind and come back sometime.  Kaylee decided that she needed to move out and be with her dad and brother so we get to see her every other weekend sometimes.  So our newest family picture doesn't include Laine but he is there in spirit.

On a good note...Also in June we found out that we are adding the last addition to our family!  A little baby due Feb. 13th  2012!

That catches us up to school starting again!
Jaycie started her last year of preschool.

And Chesney started kindergarten as a "big kid."

I can proudly say that both are doing great!  And loving every minute of school.

Soon after that we found out that our tiny mystery package is going to be another Girl!  Riley Simmons is still on schedule to join us around Feb. 13th.  We are still working on a middle name.

So that is it up till October 2011.  I will make separate posts for what has happened so far in October.  And I promise to be more on top of things. (I hope)

School Days

This year I am in for a roller coaster ride, as far as school is concerned anyway. Tom has been accepted into the masters program at the University of Utah. (go Utes!) It is a two year program and will be in school on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Very proud! Very proud!

Laine is in 8th grade and is doing well.

Kaylee is in 7th grade. First year of middle school! Laine is old hat when it comes to Middle school since he is a big 8th grader now. Hehehe. For Kaylee it meant new school and new experiences. We spent 2 days at the school getting used to the surroundings and finding her classes. She is very excited! And a bonus, she gets to ride the bus!

Chesney and Jaycie started preschool this year as well. Can you say excitement overload! Chesney goes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Jaycie goes on Tuesday and Thursday.

Here are some pictures of Chesney and Jaycie's first day of school. Kaylee is to cool for first day of school pictures and Tom, well he is just Tom.

The newest member to our clan

We were lucky enough to add a new addition to our family. Introducing Nike! She is a little dachshund. She is 3 years old and came to us fully trained! She is a perfect addition! She loves the kids and plays with them all constantly! She had taken to Kaylee the most. She sleeps with her, unless Kaylee is gone then she is with me. She loves to play ball and soccer! Squeaky toys don't last long with her (about an hour) but it sure is entertaining watching her play with them. Everyone (including Tom) loves having her around.

I absolutely love it when she begs. We call her our little groundhog.