Wierd Camri Yankovic

Camri walked in the office dressed like this. Joe thought the song would be a nice touch...

Love that girl!!

Le Premier Noel

Marci,

Pas un jour va par celui je n'pensent a vous.

Vous voulez dire tout a moi.

Se mariant le 19 Decembre, ce n'ait pas exactement le meilleure idee au monde

que nous avons jamais ue...mais chaque fois que je me pense a Noel,

Je pense a vous.

Vous m'avez aide a garder mon foyer sur le Christ

et donner tout chose tres cher a moi dons ce monde.

Vous me faite une meilleure personne.

Avec tout mon amour, ma patience,

et ma force, Je t'aime.

A l'meilleur ami j'ai jamais eu et jamis aurai!

Joyeux Noel and Joyeux Anniversairre,

Joe

Ensemble a Jamis

The big One-One

Eleven years ago today, I married the man I love. Turns out that I love him even more fiercely and deeply then I did that day. How did a girl like me get to be so lucky?

Top eleven reasons that I love my Joe:

11- We match. His strengths make up for my weaknesses and vice versa. Together, we are awesome. :)

10- We make beautiful children together.

9- He’s the best dad I know…totally invested in his children. He makes every minute with his kids count. And he loves to teach them stuff.

8- He has the most defined legs I’ve ever seen. Ever.

7- He is extremely generous. And kind. And is always thinking of others. 99% of his service goes unnoticed because he doesn’t think of it as service, he thinks of it as “it’s just the right thing to do.”

6- He is a worthy priesthood bearer. He brings a power to our home that offers strength, comfort, and safety.

5- He is very loyal to family…all family, in-laws included. He would do anything for any relative. Some of you already know this.

4- He can –and has- moved a big-screen t.v. and an entertainment center down a flight of stairs all by himself. He is that strong.

3- He cooks better then me, he loves Food Network, and stores like “Sur La Table” and “Bed, Bath, and Beyond” are fun for him. He’s always looking for a good kitchen gadget.

2- He has an amazing singing talent. Not only does he have a beautiful voice, he even makes up his own lyrics. :)

1- He takes our marriage seriously. Maybe that seems simple, but he makes sure I always know that I am number one to him.

I do, Joe. I know that I am number one.

I love you more. Happy Anniversary!!

Oh Beau!

I feel like I’m saying that a lot these days. Beau is starting to have a little personality (attitude) and it is pretty darn funny.

He knows how to walk, and he thinks he is so cool…which he is. King of the Castle for sure. He LOVES his brothers and sisters and just joins them in whatever they’re doing. You know, because he’s a big kid now. He figured out how to climb up on everything, which is handy when he wants to take off his pants and eat butter… He doesn’t always love to take a picture… But he has his photogenic moments, too. Here is the “before the first haircut” picture: And here is the “after”: Little stud-muffin.

One thing I know for sure is that Beau is crazy about his Dad. Oh Beau, do you have to be so darn cute?!!

Festival of Trees

Every year we take the kids to see the Festival of Trees. We started going when they had it at the Salt Palace downtown, but now it’s been in Sandy for several years…which makes my life much easier. Every penny they earn goes to Primary Children’s Hospital, which I love.

Anyway,

I especially wanted to go this year because of the time we spent at Primary Children’s Hospital with Emma. Everyone we met with was so kind, so knowledgeable, so helpful, so calm, and so wonderful. I was so impressed with the whole organization and I was grateful that we have such a facility so close by.

This year, like every year, the Festival was amazing! Everything is donated and I am always amazed at the generosity of souls at this time of year. We saw a few Girl Scout trees… We saw lots of clever trees, including one that completely crocheted… Lots of sports trees… And of course, Santa.

We saw our friends, the Howards there, too!

This bad boy was donated by Kirkham Motorsports. It was a good time to show Joe the car we will be driving when all the kids are gone…We watched a few of the performances. There were some darling dance numbers while we were there. It was a fun night, and you could definitely feel the spirit of the event as you looked at each tree. And even though it was a cold night, Camri had to wear sandals to show off her newly painted toenails. Until next year, Festival of Trees.

I’m in trouble…

The kids were a little out of control today (they’re all having “quiet time” now). Anyway, as I was telling them all to sit on the couch so they could calm down, Camri was not pleased with me.

She said, “Fine Mom, but I’m telling Grandma!”

Just……wow!!

‘Tis the season to be thankful. Of course, we should be thankful all year, but it seems like there is something about this time of year that brings out the gratitude in everyone. Sure, there’s Thanksgiving, talks on gratitude at church, daily facebook updates from friends sharing their blessings. Or, maybe it’s the calm before the holiday storm that causes us to reflect on what means the most to us.

Today, especially, I feel grateful for so many things. Here are a few:

My husband. We have been married almost 11 years and I still can’t believe how lucky I am. This is not news to those of you that know him, but he is amazing. This whole post could be about him, but I’ll save that one for our upcoming anniversary.

My parents. We went to their homecoming sacrament meeting today and felt such a tender spirit. They are THE examples to me of how to live in this world the right way. I love them so much.

My in-laws. We celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this week. Another example of how to do it right. They would (and have done) anything for their family. They are wonderful.

My own kids. When we found out that we were having number 6, we were very surprised. My first thought (after four tests) was “I am so grateful that Heavenly Father thinks I can do this.” Maybe if He thinks I can, I have a shot. I love my kids and adore each individual personality…they are my life.

The Gospel. Life is hard enough even when you know the big picture. I’m grateful for the strength provided by the Atonement…I need it every day.

Grandparents.

Health. Especially health…and insurance.

Quiet Sunday afternoons.

Clean counter tops and empty hampers.

My car.

Good neighbors.

Good friends, the kind that know you better then anyone else. You know who you are.

Christmas music in November.

Choir practice…especially today.

Feeling the baby kick.

Hearing “I love you Mom, you’re the best mom in the whole universe!”

Good books.

Watching my kids be really good at something.

Coupons.

I could go on and on and on and on. Happy Thanksgiving week everyone!!

What school night??

Joe gave the coolest gift to Dakota for her birthday: a night out with the family, going to see Disney on Ice.

We left Beau home with a babysitter (thanks Darci!!) and took Koko, Emma, Colin, and Camri. It was so fun!

We got there and it felt like Disneyland (a little). At least when we walked by the $24 Princess Barbies and t-shirts on sale…oh, and the Mickey Mouse-shaped slushees….and the spinning, light-up thingies….and the kettle corn. Men dressed like Prince Charming were walking up and down the stairs shouting, “Kettle coooooorn!” At one point, Camri asked, “Mom, why are the guys with popcorn on the sticks yelling ‘All Aboooooard’?”

The show was fantastic, they had a little bit of everything. They went from Jamine to Sleeping Beauty to Ariel to Mulan to Snow White to Belle. And that was just the first half. Colin was only a little disappointed that there weren’t any pirates…

After Intermission, they played out the story of Cinderella. The props and costumes were amazing! You gotta hand it to Disney, they know how to put on a show.

Goodbye Princesses (and their men)… But these are the ones that made the night so fun… School night, schmool night.

It’s a…

GIRL!

We had our ultrasound yesterday and found out that baby #6 is going to be an active little girl. She would not hold still!

With tears in my eyes, I watched our little one bounce around, put her hands to her mouth, and cross her little feet. Joe sat, entranced, by that little miracle that suddenly seemed human.

Four girls, two boys. Our little family is complete.

When Joe got home from work, he was talking to Colin…man-to-man. He said, “Colin, you know it’ll just be you, me, and Beau.”

Colin, wise beyond his years, said, “That’s okay Dad, less is more.”

Stop growing up, I say!!

So, Dakota’s ten. She’s old and beautiful and smart and I’m crazy about her! We celebrated her birthday by dressing up and going to Joe’s work Halloween Family Lunch. Here’s my Greek Goddess: Of course, we had to stop at the temple on the way home to get Camri’s Bride Picture, I’m thinking we’ll use it for her wedding video in a VERY long time….just planning ahead :) Emma was a very beautiful Alice in Wonderland, she looked just like her!Colin was the cutest mummy I’ve ever seen…of course, if you ask him, he was very scary. It’s not cool to be cute when you’re a five-year-old boy… Beau had a few costumes this year. For the school parade and parties, he was Camri’s groom: But after treats and goodies, he got a little messy. So, the next day he was a dinosaur: Either way, it was a winner :)

ANYWAY…

The night of Koko’s birthday, we (I) made a fancy dinner and took it all over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. They set the table with china…it was all very glamorous. Joe prepared the food, so it was also very glamorous… …and delicious, of course. Props to the chef :)

We played games and watched “17 again”. Oh, and don’t forget the ice cream cake and presents!This was her reaction to Dad’s gift (more on that later), I think she was pleased…

It was a very fun night, thanks G-ma and G-pa!!

The next day was Halloween, and basically more of the same…no school, hanging out with family and friends, and candy, candy, candy! Koko decided to stay home and pass out candy, while Emma, Colin, and Camri took to the streets with Joe. Maybe I’m biased, but don’t you think this is the cutest bunch of kids you’ve ever seen? I am one lucky mama!

Okay, so we’re not perfect… It was a fun weekend with family, friends, and candy. Happy Halloween everyone!

Ode to Dakota

10 years ago today, I became a mother. This was the job I always wanted, and I couldn’t ask for a better daughter to introduce me to it.

Dakota was a teeny-tiny baby, only 5 lbs. 13 oz. at first and getting down to 5 lbs. after refusing to eat much in the first few days. Boy, that baby was yellow!! She had jaundice bad enough that we needed to put her under lights and eventually check her back into the hospital. But my darling girl is a fighter and improved quickly after that.

I was terrified that I was going to do this wrong, I’d never been a mom before. Sweet Dakota is patient and resilient and if I’ve messed up with her, you can’t really tell. That’s how awesome she is.

Koko loves her family. She would do anything for her brothers and sisters. She already told me that she was going to share her birthday presents with them. She writes them love notes, makes their beds, and buys them stuff at the “school store”.

She’s smart, talented, kind, and beautiful. I’m the luckiest mom that I know!

I love you, my dear! Happy 10th birthday old lady!