Aw, Jax

I loved this moment and want to remember it: 
So Jax and I went to a scout meeting to learn and hear about the winter Klondike camp that's coming up and the 11 yr olds get to join the boy scouts if they want. I was the only female in the room full of 11-13 yr. old boys and dads and leaders. They were going over and reciting all the scout motto's and oaths. When they got to the outdoor one and recited it, after a leader yelled out something like " I thought it was to pee on a tree". ha ha. others laughed, and Jax glanced at me and then said loud for others to hear near us "Hey, there's a lady present". I told him it was ok and smiled. ( I do have 4 boys, 2 brothers, and 1 Greg after all). 
 

Then after the meeting when I was thinking about him doing that in that room full of his peers and leaders and strangers I was really feeling so proud and happy for him recognizing the situation, and being brave to stick up and say something. I am impressed. It was one of those mother moments feeling something profound about my son and seeing his good character.

NewYrsEve

 Good bye to 2015. I can't believe another year has come and gone. It was a good year. It was a crazy hectic year. I appreciate the saying... "The days are long, but the years are short". They fly by I tell ya.

We celebrated at our friends house, the Ungurens and another family the Wheelers joined as well. Here's all the kids eating dinner.  (LtoR, around the table- Penny, Creed, Jax, Gavin, Canon, Bodie, Rafe, Laney, Emian, Addison)

 We were there for 7 1/2 hours! It was fun though. Lots of loud games, screaming, laughing, and visiting and kids playing. I didn't think we'd stay the whole time. Bodie and Rafe have never stayed up so late. Bodie was having too much fun to think about how tired he was. And after 10pm Greg thought he'd see if Rafe would fall asleep, if not we'd head home. But he fell asleep so we continued to play games and rang in the new year. As we counted down and cheered at mid-night. Bodie seemed confused. He's never seen New Years Eve before. It was kinda funny. He stayed back a little. They watched some fireworks out the window. We woke up Rafe and went straight home, toasted a quick few sips of Sparkling Cider and went to bed.

Went to bed...or so I thought. I was up multiple times that night (or should I say morning hours) with Bodie as he had croup (all-of-a-sudden) and a little strider cough that kept him and I up. We did the nebulizer and hot shower to calm his cough attacks and panic. The next morning we took down Christmas, I was deliriously tired and didn't feel good at all. I took a little nap. Then Creed started a cough, so we've been on the mend the last few days. So ready for school to start up again tomorrow!

-technically this is written on Sunday, Jan. 3rd, but I'm posting it for the end of 2015 for my blog book.

And just adding this picture from back in November of our family. I liked the height "steps" in this. Do it while we can for fun. I guess we should have stood in the opposite order but one day this will all be different. My tall boys, all some of the tallest for their ages.

Us in 2015!

Christmas Day 2015

At 6:30am Bodie came into our room and I reminded him it's too early to get up and he asked if he can go out to the couch and watch a show on TV and he won't look at anything/presents, Ha! I told him sorry and he crawled into bed with Greg and I. He fell right back asleep and moved and snored a little so I couldn't go back to sleep. And I think just after 7am Jax and Creed came up and woke up Rafe and they waited in our room for me to get the lights on, and music going, and camera's ready, everyone goes to the bathroom, and then, we are ready to start!

The fun faces (Jax wins the happy/surprised/excited face this year) and checking out their stocking stuffers and fun best ever banana chairs. We take turns opening presents one by one to see what everyone got. But Bodie and Rafe had a hard time with that this year for some reason. And for some reason as I purposely scaled back in the number of pictures I took I managed not to get any still shots of Bodie and Rafe opening anything. I know it's on video but still, I feel bad. How horrible am I?

An excited dad showing showing his excited sons how to use the air-soft gun. Both Jax and a very surprised Creed got one. Jax asked for one, and Creed figured he'd have to be older.

Our Christmas colored Star Wars wrapping paper! How cool is Santa?! Then all the boys opening in unison their new iPhones (no phone service so is it an iPod? Or itouch?) from mom and dad. And Bodie and Rafe showing me some of their presents.

My traditional big mess all over picture with all 5 of my boys.

It was a fun day. By 10 am they were all busy playing games on their iPods. I went and laid down for a snooze and then my mom came by and we had some lunch and visited and relaxed and played the rest of the day. It was another great Christmas. And with so much snow already, it snowed a little more so it was definitely white!  I was also really surprised by Santa. I got two major presents I had no clue were coming. Finally got my Blendtec Blender and a mixer. I kept looking at Greg in disbelief that they showed up under the tree. 

Christmas night the boys had a sleepover together in the family room. They love to do that. So the next morning was lots of video games in sleeping bags and we've been enjoying lots of green smoothies!

Eve is the best!

Christmas Eve -

Greg had work off all week. We did some fun stuff and lots of nothing. But it was great to just all be home. We procrastinated all month and ran to Target to do our gift exchange for the boys gifts for each other. It was insane and crowded. I'll make sure to do it earlier in the month. And we had dinner with Greg's family at his parents in Alpine. We do have one picture, with all the cousins. And when we got home we read some Christmas books for our tradition and Greg read Twas the Night Before Christmas. I quickly wrapped the gifts the boys got earlier that day. And after those were opened and Rafe had a 4 year old moment and was in time out for his behavior of hating what Jax got him, we started the movie Elf and then put the little boys to bed to let visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.

 After the movie the older 2 got to help a little and gathered the stockings for Santa. They really wanted to do more, but we told them Santa won't come if they don't go to sleep. This is the first Christmas with the older 2 boys "knowing" Santa's secret. Kinda made me sad. The magic is gone for them but they were still excited. We had to inform them after last year. Creed was hearing too many doubts and things about Santa and Jesus not being real. He had lots of questions quite often. I could see the wheels turning and knew we had to give him a little testimony and truth. So we had big sit down heart searching conversation about it all. They were sad, Jax was relieved because he was arguing with friends at school sticking up for what he "believes" and Creed cried sad tears. But in the long run... worth it of course. They have both had fun and whisper in my ear little things about me getting them something, or when they know we're up to something. It's all good.

Greg and I always have such a good time on Christmas Eve. The wrapping I try and get done the nights before so we can enjoy the little details of what needs to be done. When they are all asleep we get busy and this year we were done pretty quick compared to years past. We have it down I tell ya.

Gosh it truly is magical. Being a parent and doing this deed for this stage in our life I will never forget. We know it will change as the boys get older and change again when they leave home. So we are cherishing it all.

And I can't leave behind the art work hanging on our walls. Lots of gems I tell ya. Year after year. And this year, my favs are these. We have Bodie's awesome "W" for Wudof" picture - Love the antlers, kinda hard to see what everything else is, but I just love it!  And another Rudolf with a Christmas tree (upside down in the pic) and then the "R" for Rudolf and Rafe's little hands.

Decembering

 December stuff kept us busy. I want to finish up this month so I can get Christmas all blogged about and print another blog book. So let's begin with some of the festivities and fun stuff we've been doing.

Creed's class had their Tanner Dance Performance, see him laying on the floor getting ready to jump up into some moves. And then Creed decided to play the piano with his butt one evening. We went to Greg's eBay work party. Did a little fun black jack and won tickets to the new Star Wars movie we couldn't use :(  and then some proof that I sometimes do get out and play with my kids in the snow. I actually don't think I've "played" with them in the snow since Jax/Creed were younger. Ha! Oh except sledding of course. I do that.

One evening Jax had a crazy idea of rolling around in the snow naked. So we made him put on a swim suit so we could get some pictures. Then, all his brothers decided to follow and do the same. Jax told them all about it after he screamed like a girly and then he did it again! Creed did some full body snow rolling and Bodie kinda had a panic attack when he was done. He was in shock or something, he was laughing/crying and screaming and couldn't calm down. It was weird. After pj's were one he was all fine and normal again. Even Rafe did it. They were all so proud of themselves. Crazy boys!

We went and did Temple Sq. with Greg's family again with dinner at Training Table, as kinda a tradition. My favorite is the big giant red tree, the tree is on Fire! And I have a pic of Uncle Abe carrying Creed so I have his bottom hanging in my picture. And from under the tree capturing the temple. Love that pic too. It was snowing so we were all bundled up and I look like a dork. But it was pretty, magical, fun, and cold! 
And I threw in a bad picture of us sledding one night for FHE.

The kids had a "Tea Party" at grandma's house. And Bodie was doing some concentrating word search after. And the big Bangerter Family x-mas party. Jax and Creed each played a short x-mas song on the piano for the Lorenzon talent entertainment. Creed was all ready and had his memorized. But chickened out and looked at his music. Both did great! Then the party ended early so all rushed to see the rest of the big UTAH vs. BYU football bowl game.

 The Sunday before Christmas. All the girls in their x-mas dresses. So I tried to get my boys to be a little dressier than normal. It involved a few tears over wearing sweaters and fighting over who got to wear the x-mas ties. And I have a picture of all 4 of my kids grouped together singing the with the primary on the stand. I love that they stayed together. It made it easy to see them. So I made Greg sneak a photo.

 The Williamsen Family party at my mom's. We had a good time. The kids did the nativity. I know they are getting bigger and won't be doing it for much longer. So I am glad they get to experience while they can. While I can. :) And my mom gave all the couples a Selfie Stick. So we took a few with it. Fun to have.

We did take the older 2 boys and got to see the new Star Wars movie - The Force Awakens. So excited, loved being there to see it. And kinda bummed about a certain part. I may have teared up? No.

 And this is the Christmas card we emailed out this year. Next is on to the big holiday itself!

Surveillance

 So on Jax's B-day right after the grandparents left, while I was taking a picture of Jax trying to hold up 11 fingers, he had to improvise and use his tongue for the extra 1 to make 11. Anyways, while we were standing in the kitchen holding my phone camera...

 A stranger, whom we ALL call Douche Bag, walked up to our house and stole a UPS delivered package that was sitting on our porch by the front door. It was dropped off an hour before. We didn't know about it until the next morning I got a call from a lady named Kim a ways away in deep Holladay saying she found some opened and torn boxes and packing label all torn up and she found my name and looked me up and called. Luckily it wasn't any of the presents we have coming, it was just a lame office desk top magazine rack that Walmart is replacing for me. I'm sure Douche Bag was dispointed.

So I retreived the torn box from her and came home, Greg came home from work and we looked at our surveillance recordings and sure enough, saw the guy on camera steeling our package! So we called the police, the officer said to get it out on the news, so I emailed Greg's cousin Ranae who works at Fox13 and a few other news stations.

Bodie had a hard time sleeping that night, kept waking up scared. Poor boy didn't like the idea of a bad guy outside his house. :(  And just the week before we installed our alarm system too. Our neighborhood is a target area lately for burglaries and car break-ins.

The next morning I got a call from the reporter at Fox 13 who knows Ranae, he came by while Greg was at the dentist so he filmed me and I was on the news at 11am, then a longer story at 5 and 9pm! So exciting. I had to jump in the shower and hurry to get ready before he came. So my hair was still kinda wet. I was nervous. And there I am on TV.

And just today the detective came by our house to get the box (which also had a used soda can from Douche Bag) to use as evidence and finger prints. He will get back to me. They've had a few tips on who the person in the video might be. And even one guy just got arrested who might be our guy. We will see, to be continued...

Jax's 11th

 I can't believe my oldest is 11 years old. How has he been here on earth for so long? He's so big now he needed a new bike. A big one. To fit him. He was happy to get it, now we just need bike weather. I guess there's no snow so it could be bike weather. The middle picture he is so delighted and laughing at our joke of a present. We re-gifted him a magic set he got for x-mas last year and never opened. So I re-wrapped it for him to use. he he.  And he is showing us his 10 toes and one finger to make 11!

He loved Rafe's donut cake from his b-day. And wanted his own. And loves pink, so we have pink candles. Grandparents came over for pizza and celebrating.

Blowing smoke all over.

I had to throw in a baby picture of Jax man. 3 1/2 months old here with his daddy. Having him changed our world forever!

This handsome boy is on his way to quickly growing up. You can see his ipod in his pocket. He loves to text his friends or anyone that he can, and playing Clash of Clans on it, he loves relaxing and watching a show or movie, loves eating sugar anything, can never figure out what he wants to eat for breakfast, he purposely tries to pester and bug ALL of his brothers, is getting picky about what clothes he wears, wants friends over all the time, is so excited to be in scouts, hates homework, refuses to wear his coat to school (so for one of his presents I got him a heavy jacket), loves playing basketball, he is like Greg and can talk to anyone and loves being the funny one or center off attention at school, he can give me a strong and much needed shoulder rub, and he loves to give Greg and I loves and kisses all the time. 

Happy Birthday to this big big kid!

Rest of Nov.

 Stuff in November... Greg loves to treat his boys to crab. There he is outside at the grill opening all the crab legs he just cooked so the boys can just eat it, (and he cooks out side so I don't have to smell fishy seafood in my house - love him for it) then Creed all upset (all too often) about me making him turn off video games, and Jax's last Cub Pack meeting. He got his Webelo and Arrow of Light, and Creed's last time wearing his Wolf neckerchief (Jax only wore his Webelos one like 2 times all year) and Jax and the 5th graders were able to go to the Junior Achievement offices thingy they have downtown (JA Biztown). He had a blast and loved it. He's all dressed as a professional.

Thanksgiving!

Rafe's big'ol full belly with a too small pajama top. I just loved it so I took a picture. We gathered at my mom's house for some games, food, and fun. And the boys had a grand time playing Just Dance on the Wii and I took a picture of them doing some Elsa and Anna from Frozen. They've got some moves. And more importantly, Bodie would win them every song! 

We missed mybro Drew/Alecia and family. They just moved to Reno and weren't able to get work off to make it. My mom made like 6 batches of rolls or something. We had like a bazillion to eat among the 15 of us. Ok maybe like 80 rolls. Then Greg did some Black Friday shopping. It wasn't as successful and we wanted. Oh well. We enjoyed our holiday weekend!

Nine is Creed

 Creed had his B-day and is now a 9 year old! Wha!? How does that happen?

Wasn't he just this baby having his 1st b-day? What a cutie pie. Aw, his hair! 

And now to this!

I love this picture of him opening presents.

 His big happy genuine smile. He can be a real character. Totally silly at times, hyper, calm, smart, loving to babies, loving to Rafe, video gamer extraordinaire, determined, he's usually the only brother to achieve all of his goals/chores for the week, he can push my buttons and has a temper, we are both learning how he tics.

The traditional birthday morning singing and opening presents. And his cake, he didn't really say what he wanted. I had a yummy new recipe to try with pudding/sour cream. And he mendtioned Oreo's. And I saw this about 30min. before I decorated his cake. Ha! His eyes are oreo's and I had some cookies so... voila! Cookie Monster was born. Rafe didn't quite know what it was.

Creed thought is was great. Blowing out his candles so he could eat ice cream. Most of the boys don't dig cake, just the ice cream. Sometimes I wonder how they are my children. I live for baked goods!

 

We had grandparents over for dinner of Chinese Food. Creed loves it. And we are pigging out on cake after. He had a good day. And I returned half of his presents because he decided he did want an expensive video game after all. So I ran some errands that afternoon. Geesh! The things we do for the birthday boy. ;)

Halloween Galore

 4 days before Halloween (Wed.) we had Rafe's preschool program, it was short and sweet again. And Greg and I had a double date with our friends/neighbors Mindy and Bryce Mildon to Lagoon's Frightmares. A week night is definitely the way to do it! We were just there a few hours and did all our rides several times. And that includes the new Cannibal, Greg did it 3 times. I did it twice and closed my eyes the whole time. In fact, I was feeling like a scaredy cat and affraid of heights the whole night. I don't know what is wrong with me. And roller-coaster after rollercoaster, crazy ride after wild crazy ride my stomach didn't have a chance to rest with no lines to wait in. So I was feel'n queezy. So the last few I sat out. Anyways, it was still so much fun. Oh and 4 rounds of fun Bumper Cars too.I think Greg's ride count was 17 in just 3 1/2 hrs.

And then Jax's 5th grade got to do the school spook alley this year. He loved doing that (in a jail with Emian and Graydon) I helped them set up. Then Friday night we dressed up and went to Greg's work and paraded through eBay and got lots of candy. So the boys were playing around the house in their costumes for a bit before we left. Rafe was being Thor. But I still couldn't talk him out of being Cap. America.

And the boys had such a kick out of these pictures I had to share them. Having fun in costumes. Rafe wore his daily (capt. Amer. that is)  They all wanted a leaping and jumping picture.

 3 days before Halloween (Thursday) the boys had their school parade of costumes (Greg was able to come for the first time) There's Creed then Jax and I helped in Jax's class party (with Rafe helping me in his C-Amer. costume). He was trying to pop balloons in the picture. No school on Friday.

And on Halloween Saturday Creed had his last soccer game. In the picture he is the yellow goalie letting the ball get past his leg. :(

On Thursday night we carved our pumpkins. Well Greg carved, I drew, and the boys gutted. It's always a fun tradition.

Finally the actual day came! Creed was a Grim Reaper, Jax is Batman (Dark Knight), Bodie is a Ninja again, and Rafe is Captain America.  And really, I didn't need to say the name of the costume I guess.

We saw several kids with Creed's same costume. Jax's friend (Kaden) was supposed to be the Joker, but he bailed and Jax was alone. (so glad we went and bought his costume - geesh) Bodie couldn't decide and kept saying he wanted to be a ninja again. He likes playing ninja. And we borrowed several fun costumes from our neighbors the Stouts and Rafe had quite a few Avengers to choose from. Loving being Capt. I did dress up in my Black Widow Costume again. But Greg did not appear again as the Hulk.

The last several years we always go to a soup dinner in our neighborhood and meet up with some friends and go get donuts at another house and head out trick-or-treating with the group. I love how the last several years have also been beautiful evenings with great weather! Trick-or-treating is always fun. Rafe got tired after not too long so I took him home and we answered the door at our house.

(getting ready, Rafe eating soup/rolls at the Guertlers, C & J eating donuts at the Chipmans, and wandering the neighborhood door to door)

What a fun holiday! One of our most favorite!