Let it snow (no more)

I was so exited because it finally quit snowing.  I went out for my tenth time of shoveling hoping that I would get a break for a few days.  No sooner than I finished, it started to snow again.  I just laughed.  I went into the house, got my flip flops out of the closet and set them by the front door.  I decided that if it doesn't warm up soon, I am packing those flip flops and flying somewhere warm, like Hawaii!!  

Also, I was smart this week and put the garbage out in front of the house and not in the driveway.  Steve will be so proud of me when he gets home!

So there I am today just going about my business thinking that everything is fine 'n dandy and then BAM along walks one of my kids halfway blinded by his hair looking like an orphan and I break.  He had outgrown the mullet.  His hair was long enough to braid!  OH MY!!  I run for the scissors asking everyone how they let this happen.  How did they not point this out to me?  They say they did, but I don't believe them.  WOW, is this really my kid?  I start to cut, and cut, and cut.  SO MUCH HAIR!  And then finally....

... he is back.  My cute little guy.  

Now off I go back to my business!

Christmas Morning.

This was the least traditional of all of our Christmas mornings.  Usually the kids all sleep in one room and then call for us to come and get them when they wake up.  I get the camera ready... and so on and so fourth.  This year Kenna was gone in the morning and we woke up at 8am to Coren yelling, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!!!!  He ate all of the cookies.  HOLY!"  My first thought was, oh great they came out, which was followed quickly by... Good!  He said HOLY and not his usual HOLY SHIT!  This is great progress for him!!!  

I was pretty scroogish this year.  I just never got into the Christmas spirit.  I tried, but gave up when I realized it just wasn't going to happen.  If anything I was glad Christmas was here, cause that meant it was over.  Seeing the kids all excited was so cute, and I have to admit that for a few hours I felt a little Christmasish!

Coren was so excited to give Kenna a seal statue that he found at the dollar store.  He thought it was the coolest thing!!!  She was a great sport.

Kenna got stuff for her room.  Her room is going to be the BOMB!!!  She is so excited.
Carson got a big remote control truck.  It was a surprise and he loved it.
Coren wanted one thing.  More GeoTrax.  He was excited when he got lots of them, and is playing with them right this very second!!!

The boys also got some helicopters which have great potential, but break too easily.  I think I might try to return them.  We will see.  They gave them some good entertainment, but won't make it very long sadly!

Good-bye Christmas, I hope I am happy to see you next year.  BA-HUMBUG!

Swim Team

A few weeks back I got a call from Makenna's Coach.  He said that she was probably ready for something "more" and wanted her to come and try out for the swim team.  I took her in and SHE MADE IT!  She was way excited to be on the competition team.  This means that she now has practice each day for two hours and then meets on Saturdays a few times a month.  It is a huge commitment, but she loves it and is a great swimmer.

She had her first meet and did a great job.  There were tons of kids there, so she was pretty nervous, but she did great.  She was able to size up the competition and see how good she will be if she keeps this up.  We are so proud of her.  We love going to her meets and seeing her swim.  Good thing cause there are many more meets in our future!  Her coach told us that she has an amazing backstroke!!!  Good job Kenna!

Christmas Program

Coren had the cutest Christmas program.  He was so excited for it, and it was really fun because a few of our neighbor kids were also performing.  He did such a great job and really sang his heart out.  It was fun to hear him belting out the songs, we were really proud of him!

Back in the day....

I remember being in Elementary School (Wow, I must have a good memory!) and having little crushes.

Back then, in the good old days, if someone liked you, or you liked them, you would pass them a note that read:

DO YOU LIKE ME?

            (circle one)

                Yes

                NO

Then you would later get a note passed back revealing the answer, and either be happy or sad.

Last night Makenna was in checking her email.  She had an email from a boy named Trevor that read:

"Do you like me?  Please reply yes or no, and then I will reply back to you."

To which she responded, "Uuuuuuhhhhhh yah.  Ummmmmm sure."

How romantic!!!  And oh how the times have changed!

Makenna got this game called BopIt for her birthday.  Some of us are pretty addicted to it.  OK, I am SO addicted (I won it by the way)... anyways, I found Coren sitting in the window playing it.  He was so determined, which is so funny because it is so frustrating.

He has also been way into sledding, and when he realized it was a little warm outside he took advantage.  I love that he is loving the snow this year.  FINALLY!

Painted Chaos.

Last weekend Steve and I took on the HUGE task of painting our basement.  It took us four solid 12+ hour days to complete the task.  But, Monday night we emerged, and it was done!  Done and looking GREAT might I add!  We escaped the fumes only to find the house trashed and the kids having a little party.  Did we care?  NO!  It was one of those things you look at and just keep on walking.  We didn't have the energy to care, but also realized that the kids had been a little neglected and had to find some way of entertaining themselves!

I have to admit, I was a little impressed that Coren could pull Makenna around on her rollerblades walking on his hands...!

Oh how exciting!

The kids are always so excited to make gingerbread houses.  This year they had tons of fun.  We made them over at the church with all of the activity days girls.  They had friends there and SO much candy.  What more could you ask for?  They turned out cute!

Oh s***

Note to self:  When backing out on garbage day, avoid running into the garbage can; it will make a big dent in the car.

Side note: Wash car.

(... so Steve, you really think you can fix it?)

A sign of things to come?

Today while eating his waffles, Carson was looking intently at the bottle of syrup.  After a minute or two, he turned to me and said, "I wish Aunt Jemima had light skin and long blonde hair!"  

A few minutes later Makenna walked in.  She had a little grin on her face and said, "Randy... you know my coach... well he has a six pack.  And, he is SO hot!" (note- Randy is twenty something!!!)

Luckily Coren was still asleep, that was all I could handle for one day.

Stuck on you!

Putting fake nails on my daughter is not a talent of mine.  I wish I could say that this was the only time we got stuck together but it wasn't.  I also wish I knew how to get that super, super, super glue to come off easily.  We both lost some skin last night.

Eleven year old.

Well if being 32 doesn't make you feel old, having an ELEVEN year old will!  Makenna turned eleven and she is so excited.  Her main birthday wish was to go to see New Moon with her friend Ashley.

So, we went and saw the movie.  I have to say that it was awful, but she loved it!  I think it was the highlight of her year (unless Twilight came out this year, that was a big deal too!)

After the movie we met Grandma and Grandpa at Olive Garden her favorite restaurant.  Then, she got to have a sleepover at their house.  She got a new robe, a stapler, and a big bookshelf for her new room.  She was really excited.

We never got a chance to eat her cake, so when she got home Sunday, after we went to see the lights at the temple, we pulled it out.  She was really mad that some people (I won't name any names, but they start with c, c, and s) had eaten some of it.  She ended up having a little PMS attack, throwing some cake on Steve and then cleaning the kitchen.  BUT... it was a fun night!

Happy Birthday Kenna, we love you lots, and are so glad that you are part of our family!

Tumbler!

This year Coren has been taking tumbling.  He loves it.  My favorite thing is that he is the only boy in the class but he could care less!  He just wants to learn to do flips!!  His teacher suggested that we put him in actual gymnastics because he seems to have a talent.  So, now I need to find a gym and get him enrolled in that.  Here he is doing some of his moves.

Torture the bride!

Saturday we had a shower for Zak's fiance Katie.  We love her!  I think we maybe even like her more than he does, or more than him, or both.  Well... almost!  She is just perfect for him, and I am sure that they will live a happy, wild and crazy life together!  She fits perfectly into the family, and I am sure that by the time she is done with us we will all be more fashionable and fun!  

In case you haven't met her, Katie and Zak have known each other for years.  They ran with the same crowd and have many of the same friends.  She went to beauty school in high school and then decided that she didn't like to touch lice (I made that part up... the lice part) or didn't love doing hair, and that she wanted to be a fashion designer.  She moved to Phoenix and started going to the Art Institute down there (she is also and amazing artist) and is going to do either fashion marketing or be a buyer... I think??!!??  Something like that.  Anyways, her and Zak reconnected and fell in love before we knew it he moved down there, proposed, and the rest is history!  

So to welcome her to the family we made her eat three packs of gum.  That is just kind of how we roll in the Ellis family.  If you can eat three packs of gum without chocking you can marry in.  She passed the test.  And she kind of liked it.  (really, it was a game... duh?)

Thanksgiving Day.

This year we got the entire family together for Thanksgiving.  It was great, and I am happy to report that no one became ill after eating my cooking!

I have so much to be grateful for!  I would list everything, but I don't have enough time!  There is so much.  However, having the family together this year was awesome.  Oh and if I never cook again, it will be too soon!!!

Gobble-Gobble!