Idaho Reunion

 Jefferson's Grandma put together a family day in the Idaho Falls temple November 3rd. She made sure that all of her family members were there, which included flying us there for one and a half whole days. We were a little skeptical about flying with five children, six years old and younger, one being a newborn, but to say that my kids were AMAZING on the flight would be an understatement. We came armed with electronic devices, new coloring books, notepads, toys, treats, and everything else in between. We had a layover in San Fransisco on the way there. My kids thought seeing the ocean from above was pretty neat.

 We were up around 4:30am to catch our flight and landed in Idaho around one. Everyone was totally tuckered out, especially Taytum. Who falls asleep while eating a Happy Meal?!

 Jefferson's cousin and his family were nice enough to house us the two nights we were there. We enjoyed staying up chatting and getting to know their lovely family better. Saturday brought temple in the morning while all of the kids stayed behind with a babysitter. Josh was such a trooper and kept Beckett in the waiting room so I could come out and feed him between our family meeting in the chapel and the session.

That afternoon we had the Harding family Christmas party. That's right... Christmas in November, don't judge. It was a delicious potluck, followed by a live nativity by all the great grandkids, and a testimony meeting.
Taytum and her new little cousin/friend Bella:

 Cousins reunited! Andi and Jordyn!

 Carter had the privilege of being Joseph:

 My little angel:

 

 

 Kaleeya and Taytum were inseparable! Made me wish so badly that we lived close together again.

 My little jabba starred as Jesus, and was the perfect little Jesus child until he was gouged in the eye by another cousin. Those shepherds can be shifty....

 Bailey and Carter as Mary and Joseph:

 Bentley knows a pretty girl when she sees one!

 Grandma Berna gave each of the great grandchildren a card with $5 (that really adds up!) with an individual message to each of them. They are such sweet messages to each of them that I am sure will be treasured in years to come.

 After the luncheon and mingling everyone kind of congregated at different family's houses and hung out for the rest of the evening. Jefferson abandoned me with all of our kids for about five hours while he went and watched uninterrupted football. Aren't I such a good wife?!
Sunday brought the return home. My kids were equally as amazing. We had a long layover in Denver where our dear friends from chiropractic college came and met us in the airport for dinner. It was so much fun to catch up with my friend Hayley and see her cute boys.

 

It really was a special weekend that we are so glad we got to be a part of. Jefferson comes from some good genes and I am lucky to be a part of his family. Thank you to Grandma Berna and LJay and Teri for making it possible for us to go!

Beckett's Baby Blessing.

Beckett was blessed on November 18th. Ben and Sharon were able to make the trek down and my parents and Nic and Alli were all able to be there. It was a lovely blessing and Beckett was an angel for it. We enjoyed a luncheon at our house afterwards. I feel so blessed that my husband holds and honors the priesthood and was able to bless our last baby. And I also feel very blessed that this baby is mine. Beckett has been such a joy and light in our home. I can't wait to see what special things are in store for this son of mine.

 

Carter and Gray were two peas in a pod. I can't wait for these two to have a week to play at Christmas. 

Ladies Nights!

The ladies in my family enjoyed a girls' weekend in October. Before we left we made meals and menus, laid out clothes, coordinated rides and babysitters, made schedules and lists, packed lunches and backpacks, and left our men folk to fend for themselves with the kids as we ventured to Sunriver for a relaxing, craft filled, Diet Coke drinking few days. It was wonderful. Beckett had to crash the lady party, but was a pretty good little trooper while we were there. The first day was beautiful and we made a little bike ride. I had a little incident with my bike chain; read: it totally snapped and fell off my bike mid ride.

 

Beckett was able to meet the rest of his Aunties...

 We spent a lot of time crafting; wood crafts, jewelry, sewing...

 We got pedicures:

We got Pitch Slapped..... twice:

Visited Goody's:

And went out to many a good places to eat:

 

 

 It was so amazing how fast we could get ready and go somewhere without all of our kids. They were all missed dearly, but it was a much needed, rejuvenating weekend. Thank you Jefferson for taking such great care of our kids and not complaining once. And a big thank you to my parents for making the trip possible for all of us!

Fall soccer 2012.

Both Carter and Andi participated in soccer this year. It was interesting to say the least. There is only one league here and it is run less than optimally. There is no coaching for the coaches, there were too many kids on each team, and the reffing was sub par. I was frustrated beyond words more than once. Ask Jefferson. :) Carter did pretty well all things considered. It was certainly different having friends on his team. There was a lot more goofing around than we had ever seen from Carter before and he certainly had a lot more fun! (to the detriment of his skills). Carter really did enjoy it and when he puts his mind to it, is a really good little player and scored a number of goals this season.

Andi was an enigma. She did a little soccer camp the summer before, and was awesome! She was scoring tons of goals and had impressive ball skills for how uncoordinated I always think she is. Well, I am not sure where that Andi went this year, but she cried the whole first game. I think us yelling, albeit encouraging things, at her made her feel too much pressure or something. It was also a coed team and so the boys seemed to steam roll her when they wanted the ball, which was all the time. And oh yeah, she was the only girl on a team of 12 kids. She improved a tiny bit over the season and actually seemed to enjoy the running around by the second or third game. I think an all girls team would suit her much better. But remember, only one league here.We'll see if she's a returning customer next season.

 

 

 

 

All in all I am glad they participated, and I am sure so were Carter and Andi.

Halloween.

 

 Halloween was fun, and different. We were between houses, our new rental and my parents house, and since my parents live on a mountain with approximately five houses on it, we opted to come trick or treating in our new neighborhood. Our kids loved it this year, including Bentley. It was slightly chilly, but that didn't deter us. After trick or treating and filling our buckets with candy, we came back to our new house and enjoyed pizza before heading back up to my parents house.
Ninja:

 Fancy Nancy:

 

Kitty Soft Paws:

Ladybug:

 Penguin: (Fun fact: all of my kids have now worn this penguin costume)

The next night was our school carnival and the kids got to dress up again for it. My parents joined us and it was a blast from the past returning to a Roosevelt school carnival. I went to them every year growing up. It really hasn't changed that much, in a good way. So, we enjoyed our chili dinner there and a bunch of cheesy carnival games. Good times had by all.

And don't forget the Saturday before was our ward Halloween party, so my kids got some great use out of their costumes this year. The ward party was packed, but we enjoyed chili and cornbread and trunk or treating. 

 

 

 

 

 Ninja buds: