Celebrating the Season

 Leading up to Christmas we had lots going on. Greg traveled to Cali twice and I held down the fort. Rafe and Jaxon had their Tanner Dance performances this semester. Rafe for some reason, avoided me and my camera. I couldn't get him to dance near me so I could get a picture. And Jax's class was invited to dance at the U of U for the program sponsors in January. Their interpretive dance story was about space with the planets and at one point Jax was a satellite and did cartwheels across the whole floor. They also did some battles with the Romans and Greeks they've been learning about. Always so "entertaining" to watch the dancing. Or shall I say movement.

Greg and I went to Ebay's big x-mas party at the Grand America. The hotel was all festive and gorgeous. Yummy dinner, entertainment and then we left to relieve Jax who was babysitting for us. We use him ALL-THE-TIME now! It's so great having him old enough.

On a freshly fallen snow Sat. morning we had our ward x-mas party breakfast. It was at Camp Tracy Lodge up Millcreek Canyon. A hop skip and jump from home. And that morning driving up was so PRETTY! It was like a magic wonderland. Greg was in charge of the fire, and the boys were being silly so I took a picture. The ambiance was pretty neat as it is every year up there.

The previous Saturday was the Bangerter family x-mas party breakfast. Jax forgot his music, but Creed had his memorized and played a short song (along w/ cousin Lucy) for the Lorenzon entertainment. And a selfie shot of us saying Happy Birthday in a text video to Greg's mom LeeAnn.

The week before x-mas at school was busy. Bodie had a 1st grade program. They sang religious songs from all different religions. Our neighbor snapped a few pics of us before church so we could send out our annual electronic email card. And I was able to join Creed on a field trip to see the Utah Symphony. I was all excited for that. And it was the shortest performance ever! Ha! 45 min. and the show was over! I was so into it and what a bummer it was so short. But we got front row in the balcony at the awesome Cottonwood High School - that's an impressive building and auditorium. And the last pic is when I made Greg volunteer as a "watchdog" at the boys school for a day. That's where the dads come and spend the day helping and making a presence at the school. I figured all 4 of his boys are there so he had better go in this year. He only stayed a half day. Didn't even eat lunch with any of them. Pshaw!

Greg had the whole week off of work before, but he didn't get much down time like he wanted. Friday when school was out we did all go skiing at Brighton. Rafe was in a refresher class so next time I will get a picture of all of us.

And then Christmas came, and this is some stuff we did after. During the break. Creed and I in a selfie on Sunday (New Years Day, I'm back posting these) and then the younger 2 had to get in on the action. Rafe was upset he couldn't squeeze in. And then Greg and I went to our friends ugly sweater party. I borrowed mine and I stuck a Santa hat on his sweater and we called it good. Ha! Then one night we went over to our neighbors, the Abbott's, pool for swimming - in December. They heated their pool to like 92 for a few days. The boys all had a blast. Rafe had a bad asthma cough going on and the steam totally helped him. But getting out... burrrrrrr.

We were all sick at one point over the Christmas break. That part sucked. We blame Greg!

And here's this years ecard...

Christmas Day 2016

So after a rough night. It was dark and early. Actually it wasn't bad, 7:30am is just fine. The boys were all so excited of course. I did the lights, music and got the camera's ready. We checked out our stockings and then moved onto opening presents.

We had to hurry and be done so we'd have a few minuets to get ready for church by 10am. I wanted to wait for presents till after but Greg said NO! Greg had to go shovel the church and Jax had to be there early. I love having Christmas on a Sunday. It's just kinda special and neat and different. Once only every 7 years. I was looking forward to my boys feeling the spirit in the short music filled, Christ centered meeting. I told them how special it will be to go to church on the day we celebrate Christ's birth.

And a sad part- we got a call that the Stake Pres. had cancelled church because of the snow. 18 inches was all. Ha! And the parking lot and roads weren't plowed. I guess a plow broke down too. Erg! I was really quite bummed and sad. But it was also kinda nice to have to not hurry and get dressed to get out the door. We were able to stay home and relax and do nothing.

Anyways, back to our morning...

We took turns opening presents, still kinda chaotic but I try to do it one at a time. Here's a picture of all 6 of us opening something. Jax was thrilled with a pink Lamborghini, Bodie and Rafe got some glo-fish, one had died by morning. We said the dead one was Greg's. And even Greg got a auto nerf gun like all his sons. We have darts coming out of - everywhere. :)
Some other presents from this year were big remote control cars, dino, and robot. Race track, fish, clothes, watches, socks, sleeping bags, video games, and swords. Lots of boy stuff ya know.

Playing and hanging out all day. I was able to get a short nap. Greg's parents stopped by and the boys played in the snow for a bit. Lots of fun and a lot of mess. Oh and one of the presents lead the boys on a scavenger hunt around the house reading clues that took them to Greg's office where they opened a big heavy box that (didn't want to be moved upstairs) was our Trampoline.

It was a Merry Christmas! I just share the good and the bad.

Xmas Eve '16

For Christmas Eve we were with my Williamsen family side. And poor Greg started feeling sick the day before and woke up full on sick on x-mas eve. Boo! He came to Bountiful with us and stayed in the back bedroom or wore a mask. He gets sick almost every year on x-mas lately. 

The party started earlier, at 1pm. We visited my dad's grave at the cemetery and I tried to get a pic and you'll notice my kids are in the back ground roaming all over. Then back to my mom's house to play fun games and eat and then we did the nativity. Rafe said he didn't want to be a shepherd again and wanted to be a main person. So he switched with Jax and was Joseph. Then we did gift exchanges and everyone opened presents. There was supposed to be a snow storm coming in, so we wanted to start the party and head home before it hit. And we sure did. No snow until about mid-night.

Home by 6:30-7? I can't remember. Then we had the boys open their gift exchange that they drew names for. No crying this year. Then it was pj's and as tradition Greg read Twas the Night Before Christmas and I looked at our other book with them, Jolly Old Santa Claus.

Bodie was sure to leave cookies, milk, and carrots and he wrote a note to Santa this year. Jax used to always do this. So cute. He asked me how to spell some words, and guess at the other words. Ha!

Off to bed they went. Or so they were supposed to. You know, be dreaming of Sugar plums and stuff.

Ugh.

Here is where the night went bad. At 10pm I thought I might be in bed by 11pm if I hurry. Remember Greg was sick and basically useless so I was doing everything. Bodie decided this year that he was scared of Santa coming to our house and called us into his room multiple times. Worried about every little thing. We couldn't even say Santa's name. He was that scared. And he wouldn't sleep. We told him lots about Jesus and he wanted me to sing songs about Jesus. We were up with him until almost 2am! For a bit we thought he was asleep again, but no. Greg helped keep guard while I did almost everything! Ugh! And then I fell asleep and at 3am Creed is in my room upset because he can't sleep. Then again at 5am! I was dead tired and wasn't functioning normal and don't even remember what I told him to go back to bed. And at about 7:30am Rafe was awake to start our morning.

It was supposed to be a happy and joyous time and instead being tired and anxious and having a never ending night! Merry Freak'n Christmas! Ha!

Jax the Deacon

 Our Jax is a 12 year old deacon! What the what?!

He was ordained on Dec. 4th after church, Greg's parents came up for it. And I tell ya, he was so excited and looking forward to it. He kept talking about it for weeks and months leading up to it. And it finally came. He got the priesthood - as he'll tell you. Our bishop said it just right, how Jax is so eager and enthusiastic about all of it, turning 12, the deacon responsibilities, the gospel, living life. I agree, he is just a happy person. A great example to his brothers, and to me. And I love that he is always willing, willing to do whatever is asked of him. 

Oh, except to stand and pose normal for a picture. Ha!

I took these the next week after he passed the sacrament for the first time. He was SO proud and happy to be able to finally do that. And he looked good doing it!

 He's a stud. A James Bond 007, GQ model poser. Ha!

I love how proud and excited his brothers were watching Jax during the passing of the Sacrament. They kept smiling at him and waving. We sit on the back row of the chapel. Right in front of where they line up when the deacons are done. And I'm sure he was embarrassed but who cares, right?

It's surreal knowing that this day would come. We talked about it for years. We'd say, one day when you're older you'll be the one passing the sacrament. And now that day is here. It's all down hill for the mom from here.  

This last picture is from Dec. 20th. We took Jax to the do Baptisms for the dead in the SL Temple. He was so excited to finally be able to do that as well. And it was neat to share doing Temple work with one of my children. The Temple workers made him feel special for being there his first time. 

Catch-up

 Well for bits of November and the start of December, here is the low down. Besides our Toronto trip and Jax and Creed's birthdays, this is all the other stuff.

I went with Rafe to the zoo on a field trip. I sat with him and his buddy Jonas. And our group of boys had a hay day roaming around Hogle Zoo for a morning. Who knew one of the favorite things to see was not an animal, but a scuba diver repairing something in the seal habitat. They loved it.

And I caved, I can't believe we are pet owners. The day we got the birds, their names are Frederick for Creeds and Jax named his blue parakeet Sticky Joe. We had them in the kitchen upstairs for about an hour. Down to the basement they went. If you look close you can see how Bodie is whistling to the birds in the picture.

And then Creed's magnet art the day of the infamous election of 2016. Ha!

Last year Greg took the boys to Toys-R-Us and wanted to do it again. So we went one Saturday and roamed the store, taking pics of the boys with things they might want to ask Santa for. To get ideas for their x-mas lists. And I might add, we certainly were not the only ones doing that. Quite a few people were, kinda funny. Anyways, in the parking lot after I snapped a few or 10 pictures of the boys. So cute, arm in arm, then hand in hand and even a group hug. Just because they love each other. I didn't have anything to do with it all other than quickly snapping a few pics. I just loved it!

December life - Christmas stuff was up before Thanksgiving as usual. The boys played a 5 hour long game of Risk by the fire one evening. I got a picture of Jax and Creed on the joust bounce thing on Jax's b-day, I can't remember who won?

And a typical morning at our house. The boys all huddled under a blanket after cereal to get warm. If they aren't over a heat vent they are fighting over blankets. 

And I was volunteering in Bodie's class when they had a "hard lock down" drill (you know, where you hide from a bad guy) so all the 1st grade class squished and huddled in a corner. Their teacher did a good job explaining a situation without scaring the kids and never used the word gun and shooting. She just said sometimes a bad guy will have a weapon and get out around the neighborhood or come to the school, so they now know what to do. I almost got emotional. Geesh! What a situation?! You can see Bodie down in the front.

And Dec. 1st we went with Greg's family to Hires for dinner and then Temple Sq. for lights! This year there were several choirs around singing, that was kinda fun. And this time we went inside the Tabernacle. The boys thought it was neat to see inside and as we wandered around seeing everything we just saw in my mom's Temple Square Documentary that was on TV (KUED- PBS) a few nights before. (Yeah! Go April!)  We forgot to get a big group picture for some reason. But here is our little family. Gotta love our selfie's.

We love Christmas time! Poor Greg is traveling this week and next, he hates being gone during his favorite season. So we'll have to get his Christmas on when he gets back!

Jax turned the big 12!!

 This kid...

That picture screams Jax to me.

These 2 pics Jax is about 9 months old. Whipping the phone around and can I just mention his legs?! Chub to die for! He went through a stage of puckering his lips, I wish I could go back in time and savor baby Jax just a little more. He was such a delight. A fun and always happy baby.

Here at around a year old Greg had concocted this "new bar" to raise his crib a little higher so he would stop crawling out and falling to the floor. Jax is check'n it out. It worked for many more months and saved us until it was time for a big boy bed, and then we had to use it again for Creed. What is with those climbers? Bo and Rafe never tried. Every child is different.

And now, the baby boy that made me a mom has turned 12! What the?! This is a big birthday I tell ya! He was so happy to be 12. I have never seen a more enthusiastic kid to be able to get the priesthood and ordained a deacon on Sunday at church. And he looked awesome in his new suit.

Here he is opening his presents the morning of his big day. With his happy brothers piling on their oldest brother. He was also happy about turning 12 because that meant he could finally get a pet, he wanted a bird, which I wrote about before. And he was counting down until his big birthday party with his friends.

We had it at our church gym. And I tell ya, it was ideal. They got to do whatever they wanted and lots of playing and hanging out. We had a few activities...  Just dance, there was always a group dancing, then there was always a group shooting hoops or playing bball, and we rented a joust blow up thing and everyone had fun doing that and bouncing around on that too!

We were able to just sit and watch all the 11-12 year olds play. Greg helped direct the jousting a few times and then got a timed obstacle course going. I was worried the girls wouldn't want to do the jousting, but man, a few got in there and were beating the boys, everyone seemed to love it! Phew. We ate lots of pizza, had cake and ice cream and he opened his presents. With the music going and the blower noise and basketballs bouncing it was quite loud, but it was all part of the fun.

I think one kid is missing from this picture but here's the only group shot I got. It was hard to get them to hold still so I could take it. Ha! What a fun good group of kids!

Jax loved the whole night. He said the party and his birthday was epic!

Toronto & Niagara Falls!!

 Greg's immediate boss is in Toronto, so he made another visit to work there for a week. And we used his miles for me to fly up on Wednesday the 9th to join him. My flight was delayed in SLC so my nice relaxing afternoon I had planned didn't happen. I literally dropped my bags, grabbed my heavy jacket and we left to meet up with his boss, Ben and his girlfriend for dinner. We ate at the revolving restaurant at the top of the CN Tower. It was great food and fun to talk and visit. Fun to hear what Canadian's think of everything , and to compare it to America, and with it being the day after Trump won the election and all the news it was interesting.

The CN Tower is the worlds tallest building, in recent years a few others surpassed it, but it's still the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. We were at the 115th floor or something. And we stood on the first ever glass floor (now you can find them all over). I thought it would be easy to walk out on, but when it came down to it, it kinda freaked me out and I did it for a quick moment to take a picture. Ha! But our views otherwise were amazing. The observation deck would switch from red to white lights. So I have selfie pics with both lights.

Thursday there was room service and I slept in until my hearts content. It was so so nice not having to get up for anyone or anything. Then I did a city bus tour. Luckily it was a nice sunny day, windy, but sunny. In the mid 50 degrees. I enjoyed it, except I forgot my hair elastic, so I kept trying to tuck my hair in my jacket. I tried capturing a few selfie's with the CN Tower. Greg thought parts of Toronto reminded him of New York. I totally think it's more like San Francisco. It's like the 4th or 5th largest city in North America. There are a ton of tall buildings full of condo's, lots of people live in the Toronto area.

And the super yummy ice cream cones were from a famous place called Sweet Jesus ice cream. We actually got those and ate them on the way to the airport. And I love the cone holder/drip guard. Why doesn't America use those? That would save my little kids a big mess.

After my bus tour I went back to the hotel to warm up a bit and as soon as Greg got off work, we rented a car and headed out to Niagara Falls. I was really excited to go. Toronto and Niagara in November aren't ideal, a lot of attractions are seasonal so some stuff wasn't offered and at Niagara we went at night so the boat tours and other things also aren't offered, but it was still lit up and amazing.

When we got there we drove around a bit, luckily it's off season so the millions of visitors weren't there. We went up to the top of the Sklyon Tower, in the picture there. It was freezing and windy. They also switch the lights from white to multi colored every few minutes.

And then we drove through and jumped out for a few pics along Table Rock and Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian Side. I really wanted to go to the American side as well, but Greg didn't want to wait at the border to cross there and back.

It was so cool and amazing to finally see the famous Niagara Falls! I really want to go back, in the day time, when it's warm and so I can explore a little more. One day perhaps. It was also neat to feel a little mist and hear the loud roar of the falls. The fact that they light it up at night is also just so cool. We are in front of American Falls which is lit from behind and is brighter lights, then the Horseshoe Falls are lit from shinning lights across from it. So it's not as brilliant and bright. And they were getting ready for their Christmas lights so we saw a few already on.  So after dinner and pictures and a few souvenirs. We headed back our 1 1/2 hour car ride to Toronto.

We flew home on Friday afternoon and arrived in SLC just as this beautiful sunset was happening over the Great Salt Lake. Not as big as Lake Ontario, but so awesome and pretty.

I am so glad I was able to join Greg on another trip. Canada is great, I had such a fun time, and a relaxing time. And am so thankful to my mom for watching our boys while we were gone.

Creeds big 10

 Creed is in the double digits now. We had a brief reminiscence of the day he was born and how he was my most difficult delivery and recovery. And we had a few good laughs of some pictures of him. Like this one...

Poo! Yes, that's poo on his hands and mouth. Yuck! When I saw this picture, it all came back to me (can't believe I forgot it in the depths of my memories) that Creed would sometimes be curious about what he had just done in his diaper and stick his hand down his bum and would of course get poo all over. I remember scrubbing his hands and using hand sanitizer. One time he did get it all over his crib and wall etc. - Ah, fun times!

And it seems at the end of the day when his hair has dried and fallen down he has the same hair-do he did as a one year old. See... what a cute little guy with a cute hair cut!

And now below, the sucker in his mouth is the one. See, same hair? Ha! I also took a picture at church of his hair-do because we are cutting it! Thank heavens! It was bugging me having him swish his head all the time trying to get the hair out of his eyes. The sign he is flashing he says "Chunck and a duce" - all the time. Ugh. The boys all do it with friends and think it's funny, it's from some show they watch.

 And then his green parakeet bird he got for his birthday. He named him Fredrick. Jax has been wanting a bird, so he got one for his b-day coming up and so the birds will have a buddy, we got the boys both one.

The morning of his birthday he had to come wake me up because he was sick of waiting for presents. He was a happy camper getting what he wanted. His precious lava lamp, electric tooth brush, sword, hovering helicopter ball, and his bird. I think that is all? I was going to start a new thing this school year and take the boys out to lunch on their b-day. But he decided he didn't want to miss recess and playing with his friends. Ha! Forget mom, I want to play. So I just brought him some McDonalds to school.

He isn't a huge fan of cake. So he opted to have a big 'ol chocolate shake! The boys call the shakes Greg makes "Heaven" so that's what we served for dessert. Grandparents came for dinner and celebrating. He loves getting presents of course.

10 candles weren't going to work in the whipping cream, so 3 it was blowing out the candles. Now Rafe has been constantly talking about his birthday and what he wants and what he's going to do. I tell him to stop, he has months to go and I don't wanna here about it everyday. Eh!

 Creed is a funny kid. He loves to joke around and make people laugh. He is my Rafe cheerer-upper. He still loves his video games and playing clash of clans or whatever on his ipod. We have to limit his time because he'd spend all day doing that stuff. He loves playing with friends and gets all silly with Greg sometimes, he eats cereal everyday for breakfast, he loves hot spicy food and likes sushi/seafood, chocolate milk, and pasta. He and Jax get on each others nerves and he can have a mean streak. I get mad at him everyday for something he does or says or disobeys.  His primary teachers usually love him, even if he's always standing and a little interrupting, at least he knows the answers and makes them laugh. And I love it, everyday when the boys all walk to school when they get there, Creed makes sure to kiss Rafe and hug Bodie goodbye as they walk to their side of the building. Apparently they do this in Primary before going to class sometimes too. Aw, melts my mom heart. Creed is a joy and a pill all at the same time. He is great! 

Greg says, once Creed starts laughing he can't stop, he loves the snuggles with Creed, and loves watching him play soccer."

 Happy 10th Birthday to Creedo!

Fall Sports

 Here's our sports report...

Rafe played soccer for the 1st time. And really he just ran around with his team and avoided the ball at all costs. Ha! Silly kid. It was comical actually. The ball would come right to him or he'd be the nearest one to kick it. And... he wouldn't touch it. He was too scared, too shy, and claimed he didn't know how to do soccer. Creed was such a good brother and helped him outside a few times and tried during warm up. Rafe is capable of kicking it. His coach would have him do the kickoff sometimes, knowing that's his only time to touch the ball and Rafe would give it a little tap. Good grief! But he would be out there running around and appeared to be having a good time. He also did his thing of skipping and hopping around. He also said he want's to play again. So it's a win I guess.

Bodie asked to play flag football and was so excited! He learned a lot and gained a lot of skills during his short little season. I mean he came a long way from the 1st game to his last. He was cute and would always be raising his hand and asking his coach if he can do something, almost every play he'd be asking. Sometimes he'd get his turn, sometimes not. And sometimes the play would go ok and sometimes not. But he loved it and says it's his favorite sport now. He is such a good happy kid and made some good buddies out on the field. And at home he was always wanting to throw the ball with someone and during Rafe's games the boys would all be throwing the football together.

 And Creed did his thang! Soccer again. I wish his games were up at the U field house too. I'm a fair weather fan. Ha! He had fun and his team had a good season. Creed's hair was often times kinda wild while he played. He got to play all different positions and really enjoyed playing, even though sometimes we'd get him complaining about getting ready and having to go, once we were there he'd be fine.

Creed's last game he was awesome and he played so well. Greg and I kept looking at each other and were impressed that he was "on it". And it was nice, we had an early Saturday morning date. Jax was in charge of the boys at home while we took Creed to his game. Just Greg and I sitting and cheering on Creed. Here we are before the sunrise. We got home before the sunrise too. 8am is too early.

Halloween 2016

 I love Halloween. I say it every year. But I do. The whole thing is just fun! 

The day finally arrived. I had a frantic morning and might have yelled trying to get my children in their costumes and out the door in time. I had to hurry over to the school for their parade. I love the parade. Waiting around for it I don't love. But I'm so glad their school does it. Everyone loved Bodie's costume. Creed helped do his make-up, Rafe was glad to get to wear a little under his eyes. And I made Jax put some "zombie" make-up on so he would be a zombie ballerina instead of just a girl ballerina. Greg was bugged by what he wanted to be. It was funny and he had fun with it though.

 I helped with Jax's class party (games outside). And a silly pose by Jax and his friend Gavin (dressed as Tron). Then I grabbed Rafe from kindergarten and we went and helped in Bodie's class party. See Rafe and Bodie helping each other in Bingo. So cute.

Home from school at 4pm, then an hour later it was time to put costume's back on and touch up the make up and take pictures!

Let me introduce... Rafe as Master Chief (from the video game Halo) then Jax the zombie Ballerina (who immediately washed off the itchy make-up paint around his eyes), then the famous Bodie the Hobo (Bo the HoBo - get it? as he says) a homeless guy, and a repeat appearance from Creed as the Mummy. A zombie mummy I suppose with his make-up and blood lines he added himself.

A normal pose and seeing Rafe's face. He only wore the helmet for this picture. 

Then it was off to our annual neighborhood soup garage party. New location this year but same thing. We ate, then dashed home to get jackets because it was getting quite cold. Then headed out trick-or-treating with the Unguren's. The last several years we go around with them and their kids. Rafe lasted quite a bit, then at a donut stop he decided he was done and wanted to go home. It was almost 8pm so I took him home and we answered the door at our house. I turned our lights on, got a picture of our breezeway with our black lights and all the bats I put up. Making it spooky ya know. :) And when the older boys got home, we had pounds of candy, and face washing and showers, warmed up Greg and tried getting them tucked in bed. The parents too. What a day!