Family Histoy

The past few months I have been taking a family history class through BYU-I. I took this class in hopes of getting a stronger desire to do my family history. Well, this semester has been a little stressful between working, taking care of my family, doing three online class, and preparing to move to Idaho. I have not been able to spend as much time as I would have liked on this class. I have gotten the assignments done, but my heart has not been into it as much as I would have hoped. One thing that has really come out of it for me is a strong desire to keep a better personal record and a better family record. I am doing a little better at keeping my own personal journal This blog is really my only family record. One of the assignments was to complete a personal family record project. I chose to get up to date with my blog. Well that is a huge undertaking, but I am going to do my best. So hopefully over the next little bit you will be seeing several "flash back" posts, as well as current posts. Unfortunately a lot of my pictures from the past few years are on my computer that broke. I am working to get that figured out, but will start with what I do have. I can't promise anything, but I know I want to be better at this, so I will do my best =)

Picnic

I mentioned in an earlier post that Alexis had taken Scarlett on a picnic for one of her acts of kindness. It was on a Sunday afternoon, while I was sick and in bed. She just told me about it later, so I was excited when looking through pictures on my camera when I found these pictures that Alexis took of it. They had me giggling as I looked at her choice of picnic foods, but it was so sweet of her and Scarlett loved it! I also thought Scarlett looked a little chilly in the first few pictures, due to her rosy cheeks and bare feet, so I was happy to see that Alexis added a coat and boots later on in the picnic =)

Trampoline Fun

Growing up, I remember always sleeping out on our trampoline during the summer. Whenever we would have friends spend the night, or cousins over we would sleep out there. WE had so much fun! Well now that I have kids of my own, and now that we have a trampoline, our kids have been begging us for a while to sleep out there. Well times have changed, and the thought of them out there alone did not sit well with me. After weeks and weeks of begging I finally gave in, only if Brandon would sleep down on the couch so that he could be close by if they needed anything. Another condition was that our dog Misty sleep out there with them, since she barks at everything. She would surely alert us if something was wrong. So they loaded up their sleeping bags and blankets and headed out there. They made big comfy beds, we tucked them in and went inside. About an hour later, I went down to check on them, and who did I find with them! Daddy of course! lol He decided that the couch was too far away, so he decided to join them. The kids were thrilled =) Oh, and Misty stuck around too =)

Alexis

About a month ago in one of Alexis's classes, they had a "Random Acts of Kindness" week. They were each supposed to think of some random acts of kindness that they could do all week long, and then make a book recording how the week went. Alexis had fun thinking up things to do all week long. Some of them included, making Tori and Levi's beds, helping to pack up some boxes, taking Scarlett on picnic, folding a basket of laundry, etc. There was one in particular that I thought was extra sweet. Earlier this year an older lady moved in next door. She had lost her husband earlier in the year. She is very sweet, but I think kind of lonely. Alexis thought it would be nice to make her some brownies. So she made them all by herself, wrapped them up in a cute baggie and delivered them  next door. She said that she seemed really happy. We didn't think much of it until about a week later. Brandon and I were out front, and she brought over a cute little gift for us to give Alexis. She said that she was so touched by Alexis's sweet gesture. She said she was such a special girl and that she would never forget her. She said Alexis was a "ray of sunshine on a dark and gloomy day." I learn so much from my kids every day. Alexis taught me the importance of reaching out to others. You never know who you will touch by your random acts of kindness.

Christmas Day 2012

Christmas is so much fun with little ones. Seeing the magic through their eyes, always brings so much joy to the season. We were luck to have Cindy, AJ, Lyla and Phoebe staying with us last year, which was so much fun. 

We snapped a few pictures of the loot before we let the kiddos come down. They made out well!

We made the kids wait until seven to wake us up, and I think they woke us up right at seven on the dot! Being almost a year ago, some of the details have faded from my memory =( I guess that's why it's important to record right away! These kids look pretty excited for so early in the morning!

If I am remembering correctly, I think Phoebe and Lyla were sound asleep when our kids woke up (is that right Cindy?) Anyways, it took Lyla a little bit to warm up to things as you can tell by her sweet face in these pictures =)

Growing up, I remember running down the stairs, screaming with excitement to see what Santa had left. Here's a little video of them heading down to see their  treasures. They were pretty silent! haha, but excited nontheless =)

I love their happy and excited faces as they discover everything =)

After looking at the Santa gifts, AJ made us a delicious breakfast. Then we passed out the rest of the gifts and took turns opening them. I was actually really sick, so by the time we were all finished I had to go upstairs to take a nap =( It's no fun being sick on Christmas!! Later that afternoon we headed over to Grandma and Grandpas Barker's house to join the rest of the family. I never seem to get pictures of anything later in the afternoon on Christmas. I think it's because I am always just so worn out from all the festivities. But I am feeling sad, that I don't have any at my parents house, so I will try and be better this year.

It was a great Christmas, and I can hardly believe that two weeks from today we will be doing it again! 

First Day of School 2013

The kids started school towards the end of August. looking at these pictures makes me sad.  We are really going to  miss this wonderful school that our kids have attended for the past three years. Here are some pictures I got as Alexis started 7th grade, Tori started 4th grade, and Levi started 2nd grade. Scarlett had to have a turn too =)

Trimming the Tree in 2012

Decorating the Christmas Tree is always a fun event at our house. Sometimes it can be stressful getting out all of the boxes, and putting everything up, but it is worth it, because the kids love it so much.  We didn't get to set up our tree this year, since we are packing everything up to be ready for our move a few days after Christmas. I decided posting pictures from last year would have to do! 

Last year Tori and Alexis wanted to try stringing popcorn for the tree. They did a great job!

 The kids always have a great time separating all of their ornaments into separate piles.  they are each getting quite the collection! They are getting old enough that they place all of the ornaments really well around the tree. I only had to make a few minor adjustments after they went to bed =)

Scarlett loved the tree, and the lights and all of the little decorations to play with. The older kids loved helping her experience everything and helping her to hang some ornaments.

 Right before I snapped this picture of Levi in front of the tree the top of the tree fell off! He didn't notice right way, but it only took a second as you can see from the next picture.

 That tree gave us trouble the whole time we had it up! Brandon figured out a way wire the top so that it would stay, but one bump and it would fall again. We ended up having to throw it away after Christmas was over.

 Scarlett loved exploring the tree and pulling off everything that she could get her little hands on =)

 She also loved exploring the decoration boxes.

 Each year the kids take turns with who gets to put the angel on the top of the tree. They take it very seriously, and last year it was Scarlett's turn.

I always love our tree. It may not have any color coordination, or specific theme, but it is filled with ornaments that each hold a special memory. We really missed decorating our tree this year, but look forward to setting one up in out new home in Rexburg next Christmas!