McKenna's 6th grade class wrote stories about Christmas or winter memories that they have had in all their 11 or 12 years. McKenna's was chosen to be in the school newsletter. Here is her memory. . .

McKenna Rice:
The Angry Snowman
One snowy day my family decided to make a snowman. Even my mom and dad decided to help. So we started to roll the bottom ball bigger and bigger. Soon it was huge. Slowly we make each ball and put it into the snowman. We put a big nose, a pair of eyes and a gaping grin on his face. As we were putting some finishing touches on it, it started to tip. Unfortunately my little sister Kylie, then about 4 years old, was right in its path. Kylie must have seen a huge snow monster twice her size falling over on top of her! As we saw it tip over we saw Kylie's terrified face before it crashed down. Seconds later all we could see was her hat, face, and a few other body parts poking through he snow. After we unearthed Kylie we went inside for hot chocolate.

Playing the piano

McKenna and Kylie had their piano recital and in so doing Marc took pictures and I just thought this one was great. Kelsey is such a trooper.

First lost tooth

Conner lost his first tooth!! We were at church and I was noticing his bottom teeth looking crooked so I took a closer look and he had a permanent tooth making its way behind his baby tooth. I encouraged him to try and wiggle the tooth in front with thoughts of having to try and get him an appointment with the dentist and all that entailed for the following week. When we got home he sat on the counter and held on to Marc's hand while I pulled it out. At first he wasn't quite sure he was excited about it but then it set in and he was elated. Conner then turned to me and wanted to know how much longer it was until bed time--8 hours. Marc went back to church for tithing settlement and while he was gone we read our tooth fairy book and in the book it tells the "rules" you must follow for the tooth fairy to come visit.
1-Fall asleep quickly
2-Place tooth in a baggie instead of a tissue
3-Don't hide the tooth
4-Place at the corner of your pillow
5-Clean off all blood
He took all these rules seriously and while I was making dinner he decided to clean his tooth in the bathroom sink. . .only to watch it go down the drain. He came down the hall quietly and with these big alligator tears explained what had happened. He was crushed. Marc walked through the door and Conner told him the story. Conner is really lucky to have the best dad because while still in his suit Marc got underneath the sink and disconnected the pipes and sifted through the "yuk" to find the tooth. He then immediately put it in a bag and placed it under his pillow and waited for the tooth fairy.

Hiking to the "G"

With the gorgeous weather we have been having here in Utah the past week Marc decided to take the kids and hike to the "G". I stayed home because we didn't think Kamryn would have been a great sport.
Some spots on the way were easier to go down on your bum then walk down so Kelsey took the easy way.

Here they are at the top enjoying the sun and view from atop the mountain.

If we could get all the kids to look at the same time it would be a miracle. But here they are before they headed up the mountain.

While I was at home Marc called me when they reached the "G" and I stood on the back porch and took a picture of them. If you look really close you can see our little clan at the bottom right of the letter G.

Kylie is "9"

Kylie had her ninth birthday last week and celebrated for days. We took her to dinner and then she picked her favorite place for dessert. Then the next day we had a huge "Rock Star" party for her. I decorated the house with balloons and streamers and the girls listened and danced to their favorite songs. All the girls made bracelets and then I tied a glitter strand in their hair. It was warm enough for us to be outside where we played guesstures and had a lip syncing challenge. It was exhausting when it was over but I came to the realization that 13 little girls might be a few too many at this age. She had a great time and that was all that mattered.

Halloween

I did not buy any costumes this year instead our children were left to find what they could at home and come up with their own costume. Conner was a skeleton and in this picture he is a little grumpy because Coco who was also dressed as a skeleton was not in the picture. Kamryn got her dress up for her birthday and it is a Tinker Bell costume but if you ask her what she is she replies "a BEAUTIFUL Thumblina". Kelsey found this dress at a yard sale and decided immediately she would be a Queen. I don't know when we graduated from a princess to a Queen but she was happy. Kylie was a leopard/cat. She was so cute and came up with how everything would go in the costume. McKenna was a book worm which is just what she is anyway. She was so cute at the beginning trying to decide what to be and not really exited about dressing up but since she is still in 6th grade they do. I wish we got a better picture of her costume because she actually drew the entire book cover. She is quite the artist. McKenna is my little girl who is 11 going on 22.

I am not a fan of Halloween. . .

• I don't like the notion of my kids going and knocking on neighbors doors expecting candy. There is a sort of greediness about the whole thing I don't like.
• I don't like the goriness of the holiday and everything that goes along with it.
• I hate the pressure of finding costumes-either in the buying of something new or in the finding and making of the costume. I think there is a creativeness in coming up with a costume instead of just going to the store and picking something off the rack.
• I hate all the candy. I instead give out pretzels. . .much to my husband's disappointment.
• And this year I especially hated the fact that the first group of 7 or so kids who were so impatient that while I was taking pictures of my children at the door they helped themselves into my home in search of candy.

That being said I DO love the fall season. The cooler weather, pumpkins and fall leaves are so inviting. I also love the spell of my pumpkin and spice candle, eating pumpkin cookies and snuggling with my kids when the nights get cooler.

Halloween Carnival

Kamryn had her first preschool program. She was so excited to sing and participate in the carnival. The preschool really knows how to throw a party complete with 3 bounce houses, cotton candy, fishing pond, tattoos, hair sparkles, pizza, and candy, candy, candy. It was so cute to watch her enjoy being in the spotlight instead of always being a spectator.