A little bit of Ruby

Ruby really wants long hair, and often finds ways to pretend

that her hair is long NOW. Here she threads a necklace through

her ponytail and asks me to take some pictures of her "hair."

On Sunday, Ruby decided that she wanted to wear one of

her brother's dress shirts to church. We found one in her

size and dressed it up with her skirt and sweater. She also

styled her own hair. She wanted the flower crown from

this post, but agreed to take it down to two flowers when I

asked her to (I thought she'd pick two matching flowers).

When we got home from church I asked her if she liked

wearing her brothers' shirt to church. She said yes,

then sighed and said, "But I wish I had a tie to wear."

Thanksgiving in Idaho or Thanksgiving Take 2

For the first time in a long while, none of our college aged

siblings were planning to be in town for Thanksgiving
(technically Liz was in town, but the MTC doesn't really count),

and the weather predictions were good. Last Sunday, we

decided to make the trek to Idaho to spend Thanksgiving

with our family there. That was before the great birthday

sickness, however, so by Tuesday our plans were in doubt.

We waited until the last minute (Thursday morning) to see

if everyone was healthy, and loaded them up for the drive.

We made it to my parents' house without any stops along the way,

and only a few tears (Bentley does NOT like his brothers

to call him "gentley" instead of "Bentley").

Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful and the kids had a great

time running all over the house and playing with the toys.

Then, as kids were falling asleep, a couple of them got sick.

(Sorry Mom, Dad, and Mindy.)

The rest of the night was uneventful, but John and I were

pretty nervous and tried to sleep lightly.

We made it home without difficulties the next day,

and have been sickness-free since Thanksgiving.

And for that I am very Thankful.

Hope you all had a great (healthy) holiday.

It's my party . . .

Today is my birthday, and I had a nice, low-key day planned.

A couple of errands, Joy School Thanksgiving, and then

take-out from Mountain West Burrito for dinner, and cupcakes

from Sweet Tooth Fairy to follow. Mike and Greg were going

to be here, and if things went well, we might have watched a movie.

I was only a little concerned when Milo got sick Sunday night

(all over Mikey and his friend Jenny), because Milo didn't

act sick. Yesterday Jonah complained of a stomach ache,

but really seemed fine. And then just as John and I started

to get ready for bed, Jonah woke up sick. He woke up on and off

all last night, and around 4am, Bentley and Maxwell also

woke up sick. On the bright side, I was awake to enjoy being

a year younger for a little longer. However, today was not much

of a celebration. Four of the kids never got dressed, no one

went to school (or to a Joy School party), and we all felt yucky.

Mikey, Greg, and Jenny all got sick. No burritos or cupcakes

for any of us. I did get a big cookie cake from a visiting teacher

(along with a necklace from another and a gift from

a sweet neighbor) so we had a mini-celebration tonight

(Jonah was making up for no sleep last night, so he missed

the "party"). Bentley got to light the candle, and a few of us

felt up to a small piece of the cookie.

I am asking for a rain check, however, and one day in the

next week I plan to cash it in for a burrito and a cupcake.

John says this is just what it feels like to be 35, but I

really hope that he is wrong. :)

Ruby's Talk

"My Aunt Elizabeth went on a mission. Right now, she's in the MTC, but soon she'll go on a mission. She will teach people about Jesus. I know the Church is true. I know Heavenly Father loves me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

written by Ruby and given in Primary today

The Week in Pictures

I've spent the last little while working on turning the first year

of my blog into a book, and two things are happening.

One, I realize how much I enjoy seeing what our lives were

like and reading the funny things the kids did and said.

And two, I am spending more time on the book than I am

on recording the things the kids are doing and saying now.

So this is a catch up post for the week, because I want

to remember what life was like when my 5 were small.

(at least the 3 younger ones - photos of 1 and 2 will have to wait)

Ruby did her own hair for dance - 4 flowers.

Milo wanted a hat and gloves because I was wearing gloves.

Milo helped me rake some of our leaves, then he slid into

a big pile of them, and later took his bat to the leaves.

Jonah, reading his homework to his bear, Blue Nose.

Ruby chose these little trumpet things for her prize for being

good while John was in Vegas two weeks ago. When we got

home from the store, she and Milo entertained John and I

with a concert. They were both quite energetic. And loud.

Yesterday afternoon, Ruby and Milo got married. Ruby had

been planning the ceremony for a couple of days. She even

laid out a black outfit for Milo to wear so he would be ready

for their wedding. I'm afraid it didn't go exactly as she had

planned, but they did get a couple of pictures out of it.

California Fun

Last Thursday we drove to California to say goodbye to

Elizabeth, and to spend some time with lots of family.

It was a quick trip, but we're so glad we were able to go.

The weather had us worried all last week, but we had

clear roads the entire way there and back. Hooray!

I took a bunch of photos. Here are some from Friday,

including time with the chickens, football and park time

with cousins (including a bloody nose not from football,

but from the park toys!), fancy sodas, lots of games, Legos

and Tinker Toys, candy turkey crafts, and finally sleep.

On Saturday we celebrated an early Thanksgiving, played

more games, danced (the girls and Bentley and Ethan),

and watched a little football. Then on Sunday, we went

to church, took some group pictures, and said goodbye.

Here's an almost complete family shot - just missing Loi.

Elizabeth enters the MTC tomorrow, where she will prepare

to serve in the Maryland, Baltimore Mission.

We know she'll work hard and be a great missionary.

Love you Liz!

Shark Mouth

About a month ago I took all five kids to the dentist for their

6 month check ups and cleanings. Maxwell had a tooth

growing in behind his front tooth, and despite months of

wiggling, the baby tooth wouldn't budge, so it was pulled.

Not long after these appointments, Jonah started talking

about his "grown up" tooth that was coming in behind his

baby teeth. I assumed he was imagining it (because Jonah

is always pretending SOMETHING), and let it go.

Then, last week while John was in Vegas, I brushed Jonah's

teeth and saw not one, but two permanent teeth coming in

behind his two bottom front teeth. I made a call to his dentist,

and on Monday we went in to see what needed to be done.

Just in case the baby teeth were going to be pulled,

Jonah asked me to take a picture. He kind of liked the extra

teeth because sharks have rows of teeth, and he likes sharks.

He even gave himself the nickname, Shark Mouth.

Well, those front teeth were not a bit loose, and since we

were there anyway, and Jonah thought the teeth were going

to come out to begin with, we had the dentist pull them.

Only he pulled all four front bottom teeth to make room for

those brand new big teeth. Jonah was so brave.

His older brothers had told him that having teeth pulled

is super easy, so he wasn't scared, but it was a little harder

than he thought it would be. He later told me that it was the

hardest day he's ever had. But he didn't cry or anything.

He got to pick a prize - he chose a timer for brushing his teeth,

and on the way home he got a mint milkshake from Iceberg.

He also got double pay from the Tooth Fairy, even though he

tried to make it really hard for her/him to find the teeth.

Jonah really wanted to go back to school after his appointment

to show off his new mouth, but the dentist and I agreed that

he should go home instead. He is now trying to come up

with a new nickname, since his shark teeth are gone.

TEN

Our big guy turned TEN today!

The day started out a little rocky. When I walked Jonah

into the school the Principal said he was glad to see me -

I saved him a phone call. Not what I wanted to hear,

but Bentley lucked out because today is his birthday.

The Principal (and his parents) took the special day into

consideration, and his punishment was tempered accordingly.

Hopefully it will still encourage better behavior.

After the unpleasantness was over, we got to celebrate!

Bentley chose Apollo Burger for our lunch date, where he

ate a cheeseburger, fries, and a cookie milkshake.

Then it was back to school, followed by piano practice,

chores, and homework before dinner.

He chose meatloaf and ramen for dinner

(much to Jonah's dismay - he in now a vegetarian).

After dinner, Bentley opened presents and ate cake

(an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins).

His special birthday request was to sleep next to Milo.

Here's hoping the two of them stop goofing off and

actually get some sleep tonight.

I love November 8th and I love Bentley.
I'm so glad he is a part of our family

(even if it means I get to know the Principal a little better

than I'd like to). He is a good boy despite his love of

"CHEESE BALLS!" and his "language exploration."

I love seeing who he is, and who he is becoming.

Happy Birthday Bentley boy!

past birthday posts

birth story

one and cake

three

five (plus photos of 1-4)

six (posts 1, 2, and 3)

seven

eight

nine

Primary Program

(the kids just before church, a preview of their behavior)

Our ward's primary program was last Sunday.

The four older kids had parts, and Milo thought he

should have had a part. They also got to sing one

of the program songs - just the four of them.

They sang, "I Will Follow God's Plan for Me,"

then gave their parts.

Ruby: Heavenly Father speaks to us through His prophets.

We are led by a living prophet today. He is Thomas S.

Monson. There is safety in following the prophet,

Bentley: D&C 1:38 "What I the Lord have spoken,

I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens

and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall

all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice

of my servants, it is the same."

Maxwell: Our prophet speaks to us in many ways. We have

General Conference twice a year where the First Presidency,

General Authorities and other leaders speak to us to

teach us about Gospel principles.

Jonah: I have learned many things from Thomas S. Monson.

I have followed our Prophet's counsel by reading my scriptures.

I had looked forward to watching the program with John,

Milo, Mikey, and Greg, but at the last minute I got to

fill in for one of the teachers on the stand. I ended up

sitting next to Ruby, and in front of Jonah and Bentley.

Maxwell was just behind the other two boys, and he sat

quietly, sang well, and was reverent the entire program.

The other three were less reverent and more entertaining

or embarrassing, depending on your perspective.
I was embarrassed.

John told me that their behavior wasn't as bad as I thought.

I hope he is right. We had some odd mouthing of the words

to the songs with claims that they had never learned them,

fighting over the arm rest with the child in the next

seat, and an itch that would not go away despite the

extreme and obvious efforts of the child with said itch.

Milo only yelled at me once, and it was during a song,

so I don't think many people heard it.

After the program, John and I got to teach Bentley's class.

The highlight from that lesson came from a little girl in the

class who went home and told her mother that Bentley

didn't say "cheese balls" once during Primary.

Thank heaven for small miracles.

(or for computer time threats)

November Five

Trying to recreate our mantle photo because

a. it's too cold to take pictures outside and I'm bored

b. Milo is the same age that Jonah was in the mantle photo,

and he is wearing the shirt Jonah wore in that photo.

Updates:

Bentley - will turn 10 on Tuesday!!! He is excited about his

birthday and has the menu planned (meatloaf and ramen).

He is ending an infatuation with all things Star Wars,

and has moved on to Civilization IV. Today he took

a test and he choose to write his 5 paragraph essay about

Civ IV. His new friends all like football, so that is his

favorite sport, but he is signed up to play basketball this winter,

so hopefully he will switch sports pretty soon.

Maxwell - signed up for Battle of the Books at school,

and is supposed to be reading and then rereading 10 books

between now and March. He seems only mildly interested

in it, though. In his defense, the selected books are sort of

boring. Has also been interested in Star Wars and

training for other types of battles. Max is signed up for basketball,

also, and with any luck he and Bentley will be on the same team,

and have John as their coach. Maxwell and Jonah have

decided that they are not actually from Earth. They are from

other planets and have other "real" parents. Yesterday they

made "laptops" and had me skype their "real" dads.

Jonah - really missed his Dad this week. John was in Las Vegas

for work, and Jonah was thrilled to have him home. John got

home late last night, so this morning was sort of like Christmas

for Jonah. He followed his Dad around all morning and probably

talked for a couple of hours straight. One night this week, he

said to me, "Not to be rude, but I like Dad's "tuck ins" better.

I will have to ask John to tell me how he tucks John in. :)

Also, Jonah is into bats and octopus. His awesome 1st grade

teacher picked up on that and sent him home with books about

both of those animals this week. he was so happy.

Ruby - about 6 weeks ago she asked for Barbie and the

Three Musketeers from Netflix. Although she's seen it many

times, she refused to let me send it back. Finally I learned

that she had decided to have a movie party with some of her

friends, and she wanted to watch the Musketeer show.

On Wednesday, she had a few friends over after lunch.

I started the movie, and came upstairs to put Milo down

for his nap. Not long after, I heard screaming and the girls

running upstairs. Evidently, they saw a spider and were

frightened away (Miss Muffet style). When I got downstairs,

the spider was no where to be found, but the girls could not

be coaxed back down to finish the movie. She is super excited

that Halloween is over because - then-it's-Bentley's-birthday-

and-then-it's-mom's-birthday-and-then-it's-Ruby's-birthday!!!

Milo - still a big fan of the wii, and not too happy that we limit

his time each day. Tonight, he played Mikey and Mike's friend,

Jenny at Wii bowling. He beat Jenny, and lost to Mike by

just 7 points. Milo bowled a 172. He is pretty awesome.

Milo also charms his uncles' female friends with his renditions

of Justin Bieber's "Baby," Hot Chelle Rae's "Tonight, Tonight,"

and Neon Trees "Animal." The other night he came upstairs

pretending to be a puppy. When I asked why he decided to

be a dog, he said, "I wasn't sure I could be Milo,

so I decided to be a puppy." I told him that I thought he was

a very good Milo, and he seems to be himself again.