The B. Rich Fam Damily

JANUARY RANDOMS

2012-01-29T21:32:00.001-07:00

This is what Chance looks like after he gets a bath his hair get a good towel dry.

Luella gets so tired she can fall asleep anywhere. She was sitting up at the bar and her head started bobbing. I told her to lay down, so she did just that and laid down on the bar stools.

This little boy is just so cute, I think that is all that I need to say.

The kids like to play around with Chance. So this time they were tickling him and Luella was grabbing his face and kissing him over and over. It was so cute. They just love him so much.

Ben took on a little project one Saturday. We had this rock wall that was not good looking and not safe. So he knocked it down, and it sat with no wall and no carpet for a couple weeks (maybe just 1 week) Then Ben had some carpet laid down and it looks really good. No more worrying about kids falling and getting hurt on the ugly rock wall.

MASON SKATEBOARDING

2012-01-19T21:55:00.014-07:00

Mason got a skateboard for Christmas, and since Christmas he has been asking or rather bugging Ben to teach him to board. Ben said as long as the weather is nice, he could teach Mason. The weather has been awesome since Christmas, but finally Mason grabbed his jacket, put on his gear and headed outside to give it a go. Mason was kinda nervous about riding without Ben holding on to him, but then he had a lot of fun. He practiced for a bit up and down the side walk, but then I think they were both cold and ready to come in. I think he had a lot of fun though. He looked so cute in his skateboarding gear.

I'M GOING THERE SOMEDAY

2012-01-18T22:07:00.001-07:00

Samantha has recently (as in the last couple weeks), started taking piano from Aunt Bekah. Samantha was so excited to be able to go out to her house. She lives out by the Oquirah Temple. The first week I took her out there we dropped Sam off and I took the other kids to McDonalds to get an ice cream and play. This week it was kinda cold outside, so I didn't want to get the kids out of the car, so we got out ice cream and drove over to see the temple. It is such a pretty temple. I've never been in myself, but hopefully I will be able to go inside and do some work.

When we pulled up Mason and Lu were so excited. Mason asked if he could go in right then. I told him he needed to be a little bit older. Then he asked if I would go with him someday when he goes. I love to have these conversations with my kids. It will be such a fun and important day when I get to go to the temple with my little kiddies.

I HAVE A CRUSH

2012-01-14T22:18:00.001-07:00

I don't know if I have to say more than that . . . . . .

I have a crush . . . don't you?!!!

I HAVE A PROBLEM

2012-01-12T23:06:00.000-07:00

"I'd give up

CHOCOLATE

but I'm no QUITTER!"

I have this quote in my kitchen, and unfortunately it is really true. Chocolate is one thing that I CANNOT give up. But in all honesty, I need to do something for my problem. And actually it isn't just chocolate, its anything sweet. Homemade caramels, cookies, any kind of candy, and basically anything sweet.

Did I eat all of these delicious cookies that I made tonight? No, but I ate quite a bit of the dough while I was baking them, and had a couple after they were cooled. I could sit and eat this kind of stuff all the time. It is my definite weakness. So unfortunately, those few extra pounds that found me over the holidays, I know exactly where they came from. And I know exactly how I need to get rid of them.

After I had Mason I had such a healthy diet. I ate such clean and fresh food, and I didn't eat any "junky" food (like no cookies, no candy, no chocolate, no eating out EVER!!!(except the occasional date with Ben and then it was little and healthy), no seconds, no chips, no breads, basically it was just fruits, veggies, chicken, string cheese, and really healthy stuff like that). Now I'm not saying that I have to cut out everything, like I said, I'm no quitter, so I can't cut out chocolate. But I can cut out the other crappy stuff and be more careful. So that is my challenge to myself. GET BACK ON TRACK WHITNEY!!! I've done it before so I know I can do it again. It takes a lot of work, but anything worth working for is worth it. I can still have the cookies, but maybe just one instead of several at a time (and no going back for seconds), cause really, if you haven't tasted my chocolate chip cookies . . . you are missing out. They are so worth it!!!!

So that is one of my goals for this new year. Clean up my eating and get back to the healthy basics!

One last quote that I need to put next to my chocolate one . . .

"Nothing tastes as good

as SKINNY feels"

ONE FINAL DIP

2012-01-12T22:31:00.002-07:00

Our hot tub has been giving us such trouble. It was leaking over the summer and fall and making the grass soggy, and the leak never went away. So we heated it up one last time, everyone got in their suits (minus mom and Chance), and went for one final dip. The kids have LOVED the hot tub, and so has Ben. It has kinda been Ben and the kids fun time together. This last summer they would go to the gym and then come home and hop in and play around. They love, love, love it.And I'm not even quite sure they know or understand that it is going to be gone. But at the cost of the grass/yard it isn't worth keeping.

So after their dip, the next day we emptied it and the next step is to get it out of the yard. I have no doubt there will be another hot tub in the future, someday, just not any day soon.

And of course what would the day be without some kind of photo shoot with one of the kids. So we decided to try the goggles on Chance. He wasn't really quite sure what to think of them. It was almost like he thought he couldn't see while he had them on.

ELLIE LOOK ALIKE

2012-01-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

I seriously looked over today and saw Luella with her goggles on and her crazy hair and said to Ben that she looked like Ellie from Up. He said he was thinking the same thing. She has been so attached to these goggles lately it is so cute. But not so cute for her hair. I fix it in the morning and when she realizes that she doesn't have her goggles then it's all over. Once those things go on her head they are up and down, on and off. She is way too funny. I just love her stage right now. It is sassy, but so dang cute!!!

SUNDAY "THINGS"

2012-01-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

These are just a few of the things that have been going on during our Sunday activities . . . .

Luella is so random. So today I walked in and she had these goggles on just hanging out.

We went to my parents after dinner at Honey and Poppy's. Luella fell asleep on the way over so I just transferred her to the couch. Then Grandpa went and scooped her up into his arms and went and sat down with her. He just sat there with her asleep in his arms. It was super cute, and then I looked over and he was kinda doing a little playful teasing with her (while she was still asleep, actually she stayed asleep through all the playful teasing). It was just so cute.

Then my mom had Chance and all the kids jumped on the couch with Grandma and Grandpa. It was definitely a kodak moment!

Lu is always asking to hold Chance ( along with Sam and Mason), so I told her to jump in the chair and she could hold him. She got him in her arms and was just loving on him. Giving him kisses and looking at him and talking to him. Way cute!

Luella is going to have to get used to 12:30 church. We dropped her off at nursery and she was crying and then apparently she was so tired she fell asleep, so they placed her on a make shift blanket/bed and covered her up and she had a nice little snooze while at church. This girl can sleep anywhere, it is great!!!

NEW YEARS EVE

2012-01-01T21:34:00.012-07:00

We spent New Years Eve over at my mom and dad's house with some of my siblings. It seems like it has become a tradition to have Chinese food (made by all of us) and play games. Spencer and Jessica always make some sort of yummy orange chicken or such. I made egg rolls and cream cheese ragoons. Dinner was really tasty. Then after dinner we turned on "Bugs Life" for the kids. It is mainly just Luella that LOVES that movie, but the other kids will watch it with her, and grandma sat and watched it with them too. Spencer and Jess brought a game called "Word on the Street", it was super fun. We split into teams and went at it. The kids were so good watching their movie or coming up and watching us play that we stayed for a long while. Then it was off home to put the kiddos in bed, no staying up to midnight for them. They don't even know the difference.

Chance wasn't feeling to great, so he just snuggled with grandma for a bit.

Samantha decided that she wanted to have a photo shoot, so this is just the first of many.

Then Uncle McKay had us add in a back drop.

Then McKay wanted in on the action of modeling.

And Mason too.

It was such a fun night at Grandma and Grandpa's house, like normal.

2011 was a bitter sweet year for me. There were a lot of changes, a lot of things to adapt to, and things to figure out with my kids (new stages of life and all of that). Some of the main things that stand out are:
Chance was born May 5th, that was a huge highlight!!!
We finished our backyard just days before Chance was born. Now the kids have a place to play!!!
My sister and her kids came to Utah and stayed for 6 weeks, it was great!!!!!
Ben got out of banking and into insurance (major change and a lot to get used to)
Samantha started 1st grade and is learning Chinese
Mason started preschool and the more he goes I think the more he likes it.
Ben and I went to Mexico with the Rich's JUST ADULTS!!!
Ben and I celebrated 8 years of marriage!

And there are many more blessings and miracles that happened throughout the year, just too many to name. I am grateful for this past year. It forced me to grow even more and learn some new things about myself. I am grateful for the good times that we had throughout the year and also thankful for the challenges. I have learned to rely on my family and my savior to help me through the things that I have no control over.
2011 was a great year, but here's to an even better 2012!!!!!

BOUNCIN AROUND AND SWIMMING

2011-12-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

Grandma B took the grandkids to bounce around. There was Stillman, Bridger, Samantha, Mason, Luella, Chance, Ben and me. It was so much fun!!! We got in there and before my mom had finished paying the 3 older kids had already taken off their shoes and were off bouncin and playing. There was a play place to climb in, there were bouncy houses, bouncy slides and a huge trampish area in the middle. Ben is such a good sport to go and play with the kids. They prefer him and he really plays with them. I try, but I'm no dad. Chance hung out with Grandma and me (with Grandma while I was off bouncin with Lu and Ben was taking pictures.

At about this point we had been there just over an hour. There was this really fun slide that the kids were loving. Everyone was taking their turn going down really crazy.

Here Mason is going down head first and on his back. (what I love about Mason is when he plays, he plays really hard. He gets super red and sweaty, just like little boys should!)

And then Ben and Luella were taking their turn. I was there taking a picture and it was so cute, as you can see. He started out holding her hands and they were both looking at each other while they were going down. Then after I took the picture I turned for a second to round up the older kids to get a picture. I looked back at the slide and Ben had toppled over his shoulder and right onto Lu. When I came around to look he was cradling her in his arms and I could tell she was hurt. She looked like she was about to do one of her breath holding spells. Ben got out with her and she was really limp in his arms (she had kinda passed out a little bit), she was whimpering, her nose was bleeding from both sides and her mouth was bleeding. Ben sat down and was trying to clean her up but he was pretty freaked out. She wouldn't focus on anything, wouldn't hardly even open her eyes, and was acting like she was having a hard time breathing. She was kinda grunting. Sam, Mace, Stillman and Bridger came over and were asking and worried about her.
I sat and watched the other kids while Ben walked around and sat with Lu. He came over after a little bit and thought it be best if we take her to the doctors to be checked out. He was worried she might have broken her nose, a cracked rib or even a concusion.
I drove while Ben sat with her in the back seat and all she wanted to do was fall asleep, but Ben kept on bugging her and trying to keep her awake. We got her in and checked out and everything looks like it is ok. She started acting more and more like herself as we were at the doctors. He just said to keep an eye on her. Luckily there wasn't anything wrong, but better safe than sorry. That's our motto with going to the doctors. Plus we just love our pediatrician, he is so great and loves our kids!

This is the only thing she walked away with, a wicked burn on her nose and upper lip. I'm not quite sure if I've ever seen Ben so freaked out before. Ben and this little girl have a really special bond. He loves her to pieces and she just LOVES her dad. (hence the snuggling with him every morning in bed). We were lucky this time babe!!
When we asked Lu where it hurts she would point to her nose and say "right here", it was way cute!

Yesterday we met up with Taylor and his boys to go swimming. It was super fun! There was a kiddy pool for Lu, a bigger pool for the older kids, and even a diving pool for Stillman, Taylor and Ben. The only picture I got was of Taylor and Chance snuggling. Chance just LOVES Taylor. Every time they see each other they both get huge smiles. It is so cute.

BABY BLESSINGS

2011-12-27T22:32:00.008-07:00

Within the past few months 2 of my nieces have had baby blessings. It is so fun to see these cute little babies in their little white dresses and even more fun to see all of the priesthood holders up there helping out with the blessing. I just love family events like this! And I just love my nieces and nephews like my own!

SAND DUNES

2011-12-26T23:43:00.009-07:00

Ben had a little day trip planned for the Sand Dunes the day after Christmas. The morning of, plans started to change. Our friends the Dolbin's were all going and it then evolved into our whole little family going (minus Chance and Luella). So we quickly put together a plan for the babies, Joanne was nice enough to take them for the day (thanks so much Honey). Then we rounded up tons of warm clothes and a bunch of snacks and got on our way. The kids and I rode in the ranger with Amy and her 3 kids while Ben, Parker and Tim rode around on their dirt bikes. It was really cold, but a lot of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxkMGht8Pvs

click on link to see the video Ben put together

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY

2011-12-25T23:26:00.001-07:00

I still can't believe that Christmas has come and gone. Christmas Eve flew by, maybe because all day long in between cooking and cleaning we were on the run to family get togethers. We met up with the Patterson clan to carol for Mootzie. It was fun to be there together and see Mootz. No matter what she always has a smile on her face.

After caroling and more cooking there was a Rich party to get to. A little bit of snacking and chatting. Then back home to finish cooking and get to my mom and dad's for Christmas Eve dinner and festivities.

We have some traditions that we ALWAYS do for Christmas Eve. Dinner isn't one of them though, we don't have a set meal that we eat every year. This year I made white chicken chili, salad, my mom made cornbread and there were brownie desserts. It was so yummy.

We had our traditional Christmas Eve program with dinner, watching "The Gift", the gift ball, and then dessert. I love to just hang out and not feel like we have to rush off home. But we did have 4 little monkeys to get home and in bed so Santa could come.

Christmas morning was great! The kids got up (minus Chance) around 7 and went straight in to see if Santa had visited. We kinda let them go at it this year. It's hard to have them wait when they are so young, they were just so excited. Chance missed most of the action, but then he got up and I held him while we watched all the opening and playing go down.

After church we went to my mom's for a quick minute, then we went to the Rich's to hang out. Honey made the cutest little hats for the girls. She is always knitting something darling for one of her grandchildren. I think they turned out so cute. We just sat and chatted and let the kids play around us. Then it was back over to my mom and dad for the traditional omelets. It's a must, it wouldn't feel like Christmas if I didn't have them.

Apparently someone (not quite sure who knows how to use the camera) had a photo shoot with some of the new toys from Santa.

CHRISTMAS ADAM

2011-12-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

Honey planned a great Christmas "Adam", you know . . . . there is the traditional Christmas Eve, but before there was Christmas Eve there must have been a Christmas Adam (the night before Christmas Eve). It is a fun tradition that Honey has come up with.

She had a cute kids table complete with crafts and a place to eat dinner.

Then after dinner we had our usual nativity. Look at that cute little family, you know Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. Joanne had a little cradle for Chance to sit/lay in and he just sat there silent the whole time. It was way cute. Sam was Mary, Corb was Joseph, Chance was Jesus, Mason was a shelpherd, Ben was a wise man and Luella was an angel.

Then what would be Christmas Adam without leaning to play the bells. This was serious business. We practiced quite a few times, then we had it down.

And of course Honey thinks of everything, especially these cute jams! I think all of these little kiddies look so cute! I am kinda partial though.

As usual it was a fun night at the Rich's. Thanks Honey for putting it all together!

CANDY MAKING WITH THE GIRLS

2011-12-22T23:06:00.002-07:00

Candy making is actually a skill that I really want to learn and get really good at. Marse put together a candy making day for us girls. Samantha even came with me, I thought it would be really fun for her to come and hang out with the girls. There was truffle treats, peanut butter balls, peanuts dipped in chocolate, english toffee and caramels. They were all so delicious. It was fun to be with the girls (leaving the boys behind is fun every so often), and it was really fun to bring Sam with me. She is growing up so much, and getting to be a big helper and just one of the big girls.

RICH ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY

2011-12-21T00:05:00.001-07:00

There is nothing better than having a kid free night! It is so nice to be able to actually talk and not be interrupted. Joanne and Jim put together a great adult night of good food, great conversation, and gift exchanging. It was a lot of fun to be together.

TRIP TO THE DENTIST

2011-12-19T23:13:00.001-07:00

We had our semi annual trip to the dentist, and I was hoping that it would be one of those visit where the dentist say "yep no cavities". I did hear that for one of my kids, Luella, and this was just her first visit. She did awesome, she let them clean her teeth and check them out and everything. She was so happy cause she got to lay and watch Rio while it was all happening.

As for the other 2, Mason has 1 cavity and Samantha has 5. Holy crap, 5. I could hardly believe it. They definitely eat their fair share of candy, and they do brush their teeth. But apparently they need us to brush them for them really good. But I was impressed cause they all did really good for the dentist.

Frozen fingers

2011-12-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/UT78plaI1eM

this is the link to a short video clip i made of a recent ride to the Knolls near wendover this last week. Every now and again, I get a call from a neighbor about a potential dirt bike ride which i love! Much to the dismay of my wife these always seem to happen on days that we have somehing planned ie: breakfast with Santa...i figure i have been naghty anyway so...Whit is usually pretty good to let me go and do manly things and this was no exception. Thanks babe! Although the forecast was for sunny skies and temps in the high 30's we got to the Knolls to overcast skies and highs in the bone chilling 20's! But we had driven out and were not going to let that mother nature get the best of us!!! we stopped often to warm our frozen digits on our hot mufflers and at times wondered if feeling only 7 or 8 or our toes was a bad thing...It's fun to have great neighbors who let me tag along...oh and sorry about your bike Parker, i am really starting to feel like a bad luck charm... I will have to see if there is a dance or chant i can perform to get rid of it...maybe the one from the movie "The Proposal"...? While i am on and posting my once in a couple years post let me just say that i have an amazing wife that is the most selfless person i know and a great mom! Thanks for all you do and just know that i will always love you!!!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

2011-12-18T23:47:00.002-07:00

This week was one huge birthday celebration. It was just one thing after another. Seriously I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. (Except for maybe better traffic on the way to dinner and a shorter wait.
So it all started out with Lunch at Paradise with Honey. We went while Mason was in school on Wednesday, it was nice to just have 2 of the kids with us. And Chance is so good, I forgot he was even there he just sat so quiet in his car seat. We had a good time with Honey. Thanks for treating us to lunch, it was fun to.
My Mom had asked Ben if he would watch the kids while she and I went and had a day together. Shopping, lunch and a movie. So after some hair appointments, my mom came over and we headed out. It was so fun to be an adult for the day and not have to worry about anything else. We went to Plato's first and looked for boots and a coat. We found some of both, but I usually have to bring them home and try them on a few times to see how I really feel about them. Then we headed to DI, one of my favorite places to go and browse. I got some random little things and my mom scored big. She found some really beautiful Christmas dishes and the cutest wallet. It was awesome. Then off to Subway for lunch., and then we made it to a movie. We went and saw "The Help" which was really good. My mom had already seen it, and I had just finished reading the book. What a great movie.
It was so much fun to spend almost all day with my mom. Thanks to my mom for taking time to go out with me, and thanks to Ben for holding down the fort so I could have a Whitney day. It really meant alot that I could go do that.
Then on my actual birthday I got lots of call and some drop ins, which were awesome. I went to the gym and got a great little run in, it felt so good to get some exercise in (especially after the week I'd had). Then after I got myself all ready I headed off to lunch with Tif. This is something that I look forward to. She always does such a good job of making my birthday great. She is always one of the first to call and wish me a Happy Birthday, and then we go out and have some girl time at lunch. I love having my Tif time. It is something I don't get enough of, but when I get it, I take advantage of it. Thanks Tif for taking me out. I could sit and chat forever, I love it!
Then I had a drop in by Bekah and Lucy! I love it when my sisters come over, and what's more is my kids love it! They go absolutely crazy. Thanks for thinking of me Beks.
Ben and I got a sitter so we could go to dinner. Getting to dinner and actually sitting down for dinner took such a long time (like 2 hours), so by the time we were done, it was kinda late and we were pretty tired. Cheesecake Factory will do it to you. After a long day, we headed home to chill out.
And last but definately not least Ben put together birthday desserts at our house tonight with my family, Ben's family and my friend Heidi. It was alot of fun to see everyone. There were so many great goodies and great conversation. I am such a sucker for getting in good conversation. So it was fun to be able to talk to everyone and hang out. I love when family gets together.
It was such a great birthday week!!!!! Thanks to everyone for you calls, drop in visits, messages and thoughtfulness. It really has been great. And seriously a huge thanks to Ben for allowing me to go and do so many fun things this year and arranging desserts. And thanks to my mom for bringing me into this world. I am thankful that I am part of your family, and that you are my parents.
Here's to another year of getting older, maturing some more, learning alot and having a blast.
28 will be a great year!!!!!

8th ANNIVERSARY

2011-12-18T23:21:00.004-07:00

Tuesday the 13th Ben and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary. It was low key but great. Ben worked in the morning and then my mom came over after Sam got home from school and we headed out to do some last minute shopping. Sam had gymnastics so I took her and Ben made dinner for the kids, put them to bed and then when I got home he went out to pick up dinner for us. We sat and ate dinner in peace and quiet and just hung out. That is something that doesn't happen very often around here, the peace and quiet part. So it was really nice.
I can't believe it has already been 8 years. This year has been a wild ride so far. Ben switched jobs in May, right around the time that we had our #4 little Chance. So yes we had our 4th little baby, and it has been crazy getting used to 4 kids and Ben in a new career. (he is doing insurance, which he loves).
Marriage has such a learning curve that comes along with it. Right when you think you have it all down pack, something changes and you have to re-figure it out. I'm just grateful that I have Ben to figure it out with. Ben is so patient and loving and keeps me grounded and reminds me of what is really important and what to not worry about.
He always supports me in everything I want to do and everything I am pursuing. He allows me to do my thing when I need to and I try to let him have his time to just be Ben. It is amazing to think about how much we have matured and grown in the past 8 years. I think that we have really grown and matured, I guess that is what 8 years and 4 kids will do to you.
We have accomplished some pretty great things though. The most important ones are finding our house that we LOVE 3 years ago, and making it ours. Having our 4 kids. They are the biggest handful, all the time, but we love them so much. We have had some really fun travels over the past 8 years with our kids and without. I love going on a trip with just Ben. It is such a great time to rediscover why we are Ben and Whitney. To focus on us and spend much needed time together.
The past 8 years have flown by. There have been some hard times, some really great times, alot of learning moments, and I'm sure there are many many more to come. I just love Ben so much and am so thankful that we found each other and decided to make it eternal 8 years ago in the temple. It is exciting to think about all the years to come. I am excited to spend the rest of my life with you Ben. I love you!

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

2011-12-17T23:32:00.004-07:00

Santa came to see us and we went to see Santa. The kids love the traditional breakfast with Santa. They love getting together with cousins and they especially want to make sure that they tell Santa what they want. Samantha's want was and easy bake oven, and Mason's want was a top, a spinny top to be exact. He is so cute and so funny.

WORKING WITH GRANDPA B

2011-12-17T00:08:00.000-07:00

My dad has been hard at work getting his front yard planted with bulbs. He has been cutting out the grass and removing it and then planting. We came over and he was doing just that, cutting out the grass and shaking out the extra dirt. Samantha was really wanting to help. So I left her to it with Grandpa B and I went inside. I peeked out on them and it was the funniest thing. She was just talking, talking and talking and my dad was saying nothing. The whole time she just talked his ear off. So when we were loading in the car I went over to say goodbye and asked my dad what Sam was talking about and he just answered "I don't know." He said that she was just talking away the whole time and he couldn't quite keep up withe her. I asked him if it reminded him of when I was younger and I would come work with him, he just smiled at me. It reminded me of when I was younger. My dad was (and still is) very silent and I would just talk away, probably asking and answering my own questions. I just loved that my dad let Samantha work out there beside him, he is such a patient man!!!!!

PARTY AT HONEY'S

2011-12-04T14:36:00.003-07:00

Honey started a tradition of having the kids over and decorating a little tree and having cookies. So the kids got their invites in the mail and were so excited for the party. (Mason was especially excited to get his invitation in the mail. Every day he goes to the mailbox and asks what is there for him. Unfortunately usually nothing, but he loved it when there was!!!)

We all headed to Honey's on Saturday and started out with decorating the tree. Then moved on to symbols of Christmas. Honey pulled things out of a bag and told about them. For the most part it was just Corbin, Samantha and Mason listening. And then it was just Corbin and Sam. Then upstairs we went for a little lunch Honey had prepared. Next to everyone's plate there was a cute Christmas bag that Honey had put some treats and treasures, like a bell, a star, a candy cane and some hershey kisses. Then we all brought a treat to share. It was such a cute idea. All the kids walked around with their sack of goodies. After lunch the kids decorated a gingerbread man. It was so much fun to get the kids together and hang out. Honey always puts together such fun filled parties for the kids, and it was no different this year. Thanks to Honey for having us over!

Here's a little breakdown of the Symbols of Christmas:

The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ago- The shining hope of mankind.
The Color Red: The first color of Christmas, symbolizing that Savior's sacrifice for all.
The Fir Tree: Evergreen- the second color of Christmas shows everlasting light and life. The needles point up to heaven.
The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold, signifying that all are precious in His eyes.
The Candle: A mirror of starlight, reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.
The Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.
The Candy Cane: Represents the shape of the shepherd's crook, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.
The Wreath: A symbol of the never ending eternal value of love… having no end.

2011-11-27T22:09:00.002-07:00

So I hate to have this blog and not jot down all of the cute things that my kids say, and the cute things that they do. So here are a few that have happened recently.

On November 2nd (Luella's birthday), my mom called and left a birthday message for her. My mom was singing a personalized birthday song, it was so cute. When Luella heard the song she got the biggest smile on her face, and when it was all done she asked said "again". She loves it and it has been almost a month and she asks to hear it all the time. And not just one time, but over and over and over again. And she gets the cutest smile on her face. I love it!!!

On the same day I was getting Mason ready for school and I had told him I needed to write a check for him to take to school. He asked why we pay, who the money goes to and if they pay us back. I told him we pay because the teacher is teaching hi, and that the money goes to his teacher, and they don't pay us back in money but they pay us back in knowledge. I think he kinda understood. So I kept getting everything ready and watching for carpool to come. Carpool pulled up and I yelled for Mason to hurry up and come. He came around the corner from his room with his piggy bank, and I asked him what he was doing. He told me that he had to get some monies out to pay his teacher. oh my heck he is so cute! I told him that I would pay this time and he could save his money. He ran his piggy bank back and as he ran out the door I handed him the check and told him to make sure it got into his teacher's hands. He loves having an important job to do.

I just love my little kiddies so much and want to remember everything that happens.

I'M THANKFUL FOR . . . . .

2011-11-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving was a bitter sweet one for me. When I was younger I LOVED Thanksgiving!!!!! It was a day to go watch my brother and cousins play football, hang out in the kitchen with my mom and dad while they cooked, and just be with my family. As I got older we added in going and serving somewhere, which I loved. This year Ben went into work for a few hours and my family went and served somewhere. SO that left me to hang out with my kids here at home. It was just such a strange thing. It more felt like a normal day. I went to the grocery store in the morning, did TONS of laundry, cleaned and cooked. I actually stayed in my jams basically all day. I was kinda in a bad mood, but I tell you what, the second I got around family it was such a great Thanksgiving. We headed to my moms and had dinner, played games and hung out. It was great.

There are so many things that I am thankful for. 2 of the more important/top of my list are the atonement and family. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for me personally. I am not perfect by any means and I'm thankful that I have a chance to repent and work harder on my eternal goal. I am so thankful for family. The Rich's, the Ballstaedt's and my little Rich family. I really feel like I am nothing without my family. They are my best friends, they are everything to me. My kids adore Honey and Poppy and Grandma B and Grandpa. They eat up all of their aunts and uncles. When we aren't quite sure what to do or want to go somewhere, the first thing that comes to mind is going to see family. I am so thankful for my little family. Ben, Samantha, Mason, Luella and Chance. They are my everything. I love them so much. I have so many other things that I am thankful for, but these are my top 2 and I just thought I'd stick to that!

POST THANKSGIVING CRAFT

2011-11-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

Before Thanksgiving Honey had us over to make a turkey craft. It was so cute, an apple with gumdrops stuck into it for the feathers, feet, head, and everything. They were so much fun to make, my kids loved them. They loved them even more when we got home and days after they were still eating the gumdrops off.

MEXICO 2011

2011-11-20T23:12:00.001-07:00

There really aren't words for how fun this trip was. It was a much needed trip, and so it made it even better! There was a lot of hanging out by the pool, listening to my book, falling asleep while sun bathing, eating whenever we wanted, more hanging out by the pool, sleeping in, staying up late, actually talking with adults and not getting interrupted, spending tons and tons of much needed time with my Ben!, only worrying about myself and my hubby, eating delicious food, more chatting with adults and even more hanging out by the pool.

Yes we did leave the pool a few times. The guys went golfing one of the days while the girls . . . . hung out by the pool! (what would it be without the boys going golfing), we went on an all day adventure to Tulum and snorkeling/zip lining/rock climbing/repelling, Marse swam with the dolphins, the girls went and did Zumba every day, we had a game of volleyball, we played in the pool and just had a ton of fun. It was so much fun to be there with Jim and Joanne and all the adults. We all have such a good time together and it is all because of Jim and Joanne making these kinds of trips possible for all of us to be together. Thanks again Jim and Joanne, we love you and we had so much fun!!!!!

LU LU IS 2!!!!

2011-11-02T23:09:00.001-06:00

The kids and I were flying solo on Luella's birthday so of course we headed to Grandma B's house. She is always awesome to take us in and feed us. And she helped me celebrate Lu's birthday. We had dinner and then Grandma B got out brownies and made it official with 2 candles and a Happy Birthday song. In this picture Luella looks exactly like me when I was little.

Luella as a new born

Luella at age 1

Luella at age 2

My little Lu Lu turned 2. The time has gone by so fast and she is growing up so fast.I remember the day I brought her home from the hospital. Mason and Samantha held you in their arms and you were so tiny. They were so in love with you, just like everyone who saw you and held you. You were such an easy baby and you are getting into such a fun toddler stage. Sometimes I look at my kids and just wish that I could pause time, or even rewind it and go back to when they were younger. Luella is at such a great age. She is talking a ton, she is repeating everything we say, she is just so fun. She loves purses and anything that can go into a purse. She loves coloring, especially on her and her brother Chance. She thinks it is awesome to draw on her face and on Chance's face with a pen like it is makeup. She loves to be a "big girl" and hang out with Sam and Mason and do anything that they are doing. She LOVES LOVES LOVES her dad. She is definately a daddy's girl, and she has Ben wrapped around her little finger. She is just so much fun. Everyone who sees her, talks to her, or is around her just loves her. She can be a little sassy sometimes, but I'm guessing that is just what comes when you are all girl.
Luella we love you and are so glad that you are a part of our little family!
Happy Birthday!

OCTOBER RANDOMS

2011-11-01T22:29:00.000-06:00

We had a little cousins play date at Gardner Village while the witches were out. My kids loved it and they especially loved being there with their aunts and their cousins.

I took Luella and Chance shopping with me and Luella had a blast trying on the big girls shoes. She was trying to put on some knee high boots and trying to lift her leg up high enough to get her foot in. But the problem was her pants didn't give her enough give for her to do it. It was so funny. Right before we left she was dragging a little stool around the store and I kept asking her to stop and she kept on dragging it around. She wasn't very happy with me when I had to drag her out of the store.

We went and picked out pumpkins on a night when Ben was home with us (which are rare these days).

I took the 3 youngest to a little neighborhood play group. There was a candy scavenger hunt (ghost suckers that I told Mason had fallen from the sky), cookies to decorate, and snacks. Mason and Luella were so good.

I was trying do something while at my mom's house and I had Micah hold Chance for me. When I came back I had to take a picture, they looked so cute. Micah is getting ready to head out on his mission, so I wanted to take advantage of getting pictures with uncle Micah. Plus it is a rare thing to see Micah or Mckay holding any of the babies.

HALLOWEEN FUN

2011-10-31T21:42:00.001-06:00

There was alot of fun to be had this Halloween. We got together with Honey and Poppy the night and had a family party. My kids and I went to a Trunk or Treat with Grandma B, and then there is always the school parade and of course trick or treating. Samantha and Mason love dressing up in lots of different costumes, one for each party. Samantha was Belle and a butterfly. Mason was spiderman and batman. Luella was a "meow", actually a pink panther. And Chance was a toad. Luella LOVED her costume, she asked to wear it all the time the week before Halloween. She would walk around asking for her meow.

This is me and my kiddos at Samantha's school. I was hurrying as fast as I could to get to the parade, but I just wasn't fast enough. My mom, Honey and I missed cute Samantha walking through the parade. So we went inside and brought her out of class so we could see her cute costume and give her a hug and a kiss and of course get a picture.
This year Halloween was super fun. The kids loved it all, and they had so much fun trick or treating, I love the pure joy that they get from knocking on someone's door and getting candy.

MASON'S FIRST PARTY

2011-10-30T22:18:00.000-06:00

One day I picked Mason up from preschool and he told me that he was going to got to Austin's party. Sure enough, he had an invitation to a halloween party. It was so cute. He talked and talked about it, wondering when it was and where and when. He wanted to make sure that he hadn't missed it. So it worked out perfect when Samantha also had an invite to a party for the same night. I took Sam to her party and Mason, Luella, Chance and Mom went off to Mason's party. He wore his batman costume and brought his trick or treat sack. There were treats, a bouncy house, a pinata, and a candy hunt. I kinda had my hands full with Chance and watching Luella (but uncle Coby was a huge help with Lu). We stayed for a bit, Mason had some treats, got some little candies for his sack but then headed on our way.
After I left I sat in the car and wondered and hoped that he'd had a good time. That it was everything he wanted. That I hadn't rushed him out, but that he stayed long enough to have fun. I always worry and wonder if i let my kids have enough fun to their hears content. Or do I rush them out of parties cause mommy can't handle any more. Hopefully they don't notice and they always just have a ton of fun. But Mason was pretty excited to be going to a party!

UEA IN ARIZONA

2011-10-24T20:42:00.013-06:00

My mom had mentioned that she was thinking of going to AZ with Hilary and McKay over Fall Break. I half way joked that I wanted to go with them. Then she called and asked if I really did want to go, and of course I said yes. Yes I knew that it would be a TON of work with 4 kids, but my mom and sister are always so much help. Then it evolved into Rebekah and Lucy coming with us.

Our Honey was so sweet and put together little sacks for the kids and even one for the adults. There was a present for the kids to open every 100 miles. It was so cute, and it is something to Ben talks about and remembers his mom doing for them when he was younger. It really was the hit of the ride down. Thanks so much Honey, you really always think of everything!!!

So we got up early Thursday and off we went. We had to stop a bunch (at least every 3 or so hours to feel little Chance and Lucy), but we managed to get there by 8 pm. It was so fun to pull up to Aunt Colleen and Uncle Andy's house. It brought back so many awesome memories of going to visit when I was younger.

The plan for the weekend was just to hang out and do absolutely nothing other than enjoy each other's company. The kids were so excited to swim in the pool (yes they have a great pool!!!), jump on the tramp, play on the swing set and follow the turtle around the yard (yep, they also have a rather large turtle).

Here the kids are getting ready to go down the slide with aunt Hilary.

Lu and Hilary going down the slide.
Mason and Hilary going down the slide.
Hilary and Samantha going down the slide.
There was a little "Pumpkin Patch", but not really a pumpkin patch. In fact there weren't any pumpkin's, but it was a great little craft fair. We spent part of Saturday morning walking around the fair. It was pretty hot (95 degrees). Grandma took the kids to bounce and get some awesome glasses.

We got home from the fair and Luella was exhausted. She took a little nap and then woke up, but she was still mad and sleepy when she woke up, but then she fell back asleep. Hilary was nice enough to hold her while I took the other kids out swimming.

This is how they started out. Luella sleeping and Hilary just holding her (but still awake).

Then I came back and checked on them and this is how I found them. They were both zonked out, and Luella looked like she was about to fall off the couch.

My cousin Megan invited us to a ward Halloween party. So we scrounged up some costumes and headed over. There was dinner, a little haunted hallway, a photo booth, and then a trunk or treat. Mason was a ninja, Sam was a witch, and Lu was skeleton. We ended up missing the trunk or treat so when we got back to Aunt Colleen's all the adults got a stash of candy and headed to all of the different rooms in the house. The kids got sacks and went trick or treating. McKay even dressed up as a hunch back to pass out candy from the bedrooms. It was so cute and the kids loved it.

It was so fun to go and see the Shumway's. It was great to visit with Erin, Megan, Autumn and Joel and all their cute kids. Aunt Colleen and Uncle Andy were so good to us (and especially my kids). It was so fun to go and visit. Uncle Andy asked Mason if he could come back and visit and Mason said "I think my mom will say no" Hilarious, I don't know why he said that, but we will definitely be going back. Thanks for having us Colleen and Andy, can't wait to see you guys again! Thanks to Grandma B, Hurly, McKay and Bekah for helping out with my kids. I couldn't have done it without you guys.

2011-10-16T14:15:00.002-06:00

So . . . . Sunday afternoon, Ben is off at meetings, 2 kids down for naps, Sam is playing with barbies and Mason found a nail file and decided to file and buff my fingernails and toenails. As he was doing so I realized that I really do like to have manicures and pedicures, or at least I like to have people work on my feet and hands. It is so relaxing, and just as I could have and was about to close my eyes it was over. Oh how I really need some pamper Whitney time. Hopefully soon, or I'll just make my kids "pretend" give me mani's and pedi's. This is just how Sunday's should be (minus Ben at the meeting). Relaxing . . . . and of course right as I thought how relaxing it has been today (we had a yummy brunch after church, and have been hanging out together), the teasing and screaming starts up again. At least it was there for a split second, and then back to my reality.

COULD YOU IMAGINE?!

2011-10-02T15:02:00.002-06:00

I was on my way over to my mom's the other day to have a picnic, and while in the car Mason and I had this conversation.

Mason "Mom, can you carry my blanket into the house?"

Me "I can't, I have to carry Luella, Chance and the bag. You'll have to carry it."

Mason "Can you carry my scooter then?"

Me "Mason I can't"

Mason " Why not mom?"

Me "I only have 2 arms."

Mason, without any hesitation "Mom, I wish you have 2 arms on one side and 2 arms on the other. Then you could carry a lot of things."

Me "Me too Mace, that would be nice."

It was pretty funny that he thought of that. But seriously though, wouldn't it be nice to be able to carry and do all that you needed to all at once. But I might look super strange so I guess it's a good thing I don't. Those are about the conversations that we have.

Like last Monday night, we were on a hike and I was carrying Chance in the Bjorn and Mason was walking next to me, but he kept tripping on the rocks. He asked me to carry him but I told him that I couldn't carry him and Chance at the same time. He asked why and I told him I wasn't strong enough. Then he told me that I need to work out so I can get stronger. Thanks bud!!!!!

If only moms were super - moms.

HOPE YOU KNOW

2011-09-22T22:23:00.002-06:00

So, I stumbled across this quote and a video on another blog and it seriously brought me to tears I know I am not the only one that has hard times, but sometimes it is just good for me to remember that Heavenly Father is aware of my struggles and my needs and he will bless me in ways that I can't even comprehend. Everyone has their own set of hard times or struggles, and if I just continue to have faith and do what I know I am supposed to, I will be blessed. It may not be tomorrow, or next week, heck . . . it may not be for years. But the blessings will come. I find myself thinking "it will pay off, this will improve, it will all be worth it" and it will. I just need to remember to be a good wife, a loving mom, and a good friend to others around me. You never really know when someone right close to you may be struggling with something. But you could be the difference that helps them in some way. I have to remember that when I kneel down to pray and I don't know what to say other than "hope you know, I having a hard time", I don't even need to say that. He knows and he will bless me with answers to my prayers. He will surround me with people that will inspire me, patience with my kids and everything that is going on, and inspiration as to what to do. I just need to stay close to Heavenly Father in the hard times. It's like what Ben says when I tell him I don't feel like praying, he tells me that is when I really should be praying. Blessings will come, I have faith and really do believe.

(I know this is not a fun post to read, but this is real life. Real life is my house being a mess, my kids screaming at me and me screaming at my kids, and just having those moments where you just feel like you are barely hanging on. And it is just good to know that I am not the only one that doesn't have a perfect life. It's a good reminder to me that I always need to work on things)

FIELD TRIP TO THE ZOO

2011-09-21T22:07:00.001-06:00

Mason had a field trip to the zoo for preschool. Luckily Ben was able to come with me and the 3 kids, other wise I'm not quite sure I would have been able to do it. Mason and Luella had a lot of fun watching and looking at all the animals.

This may have been my favorite part. We went and saw the big big gorilla. He came and sat down right in front of Mason and Luella. Luella was so scared, she started calling out for Ben. The gorilla just sat there eating his food and looking at us. Then I asked Lu if she was a monkey and she got mad at me and said NO.

UTAH STATE FAIR

2011-09-10T21:46:00.001-06:00

We decided to take the kids to the Utah State Fair! It was a lot of fun. The kids loved seeing the animals, the rides and having a few little fair snacks.

We saw the rabbits, and there were a lot of different kinds of them. We got to hold one on Ben's lap and let the kids pet it.

Luella got to hold one and she was fine and then all of a sudden she wasn't so happy.
This is a rabbit if you can believe it. It looks just like a puff of fur.
I think the cows were one of the kids favorite, or may they were my favorite. They were HUGE! I just couldn't believe it, so fascinating.

We tried to get Sam and Mason to smile at the same time, but they couldn't agree on positioning themselves in the shark.
There were kangaroos, which the kids loved.

Here is Ben and the kids watching the sea lion show. It was pretty fun to watch.

It is always a lot of work to do anything with our little kids, but they love it and I always have to remind myself that even though it is hard, and they aren't going to be on their best behavior the whole time, it is worth it. They really do love these fun little outings.

SILVER LAKE

2011-08-28T21:22:00.000-06:00

We have been trying to take the kids on some hikes. This one was on a Sunday afternoon to break up the day and to get some of the kids energy out. We headed up to Silver Lake, which isn't really a hike but more of a board walk around a lake. But it was a lot of fun. As we pulled in I realized that this a hike that I did when I was younger, maybe in merry miss, with my Dad. It was a fun daddy daughter outing. It brought back such a fun memory.

So we walked around and stopped to feed the ducks and then walked some more. The kids loved it and it was such perfect weather. Until right at the end when it started to sprinkle. The kids really are a lot of fun to go hiking with though, they just love it.

BACK 2 SCHOOL

2011-08-26T21:00:00.000-06:00

Back to school came fast, probably because it came at the end of August and not in September. It was still technically summer when it was time to go back. But it was fun and sad to send Sam and Mason to school. Samantha started 1st grade and she was so excited. It for sure was bittersweet though. It was hard for me to send her off and not be able to be with her almost the whole day. I worry that friends/people will be nice to her, that she will make friends, that she will be ok, that school will be good to her. I know it sounds silly, but I just wanted her to have her mom with her, her mom's influence. But she was ready and she loves it. She looked so cute on her first day of school. I just love this girl so much. She is so smart and bright and such a special girl. Always wanting to do what is right and make everyone happy.

Mason started preschool this year, and I will be totally honest . . . . I was completely freaked out about it. Mason is my little worry child and I just worry about him all the time. He didn't even want or let me get a picture of him of him on his actual first day, so this was the best I could get. Mason has been excited about school since summer began. He has been ready and wanting to go, and now that it is here I hope it is all he wants and more. I hope he can be a good friend and make some good little friends. My biggest worry is that he will be respectful to his teacher and other adults. I love Mason so much and am glad that he gets to go have a school experience. Something that is his very own and that can be another step in helping him mature and grow up. I'm excited to see him develop and learn as the year goes on.

Mason has goats at his preschool and before I dropped him off at the door he wanted to get out and take a peek at them. He just loves all animals.
Sam and Mason . . . . good luck in school! I hope you both have a great year of learning and fun.

BEAR LAKE IN AUGUST

2011-08-21T14:34:00.000-06:00

We spent so much time at Bear Lake this summer, but it seemed like August we were up there the most. It was a complete family month. At the beginning there was Raspberry Days, then Bob and Sara came into town and we headed up to the lake for the weekend, then we had our annaul Rich family weekend. It is one of my favorite weekends and this year was no exception.

While Bob and Sara and Duncan were here we took some family pictures and they turned out great. There are a bunch of great ones to choose from.

One night Poppy was really getting into telling the kids stories. Sam and Corbin and Poppy were really into it, but I'm not quite sure about Mason.
Lu loves her Honey, they always have a ton of fun. They are one in the same, maybe that's why they have such a special little bond!!!

We rowed out to the raft for a little quiet girl time. It didn't last too long, but it was great while it lasted.
Any time I give Chance to Ben I know that a nap usually follows, for both of them.

We had some fun out on the boat. And when I say we I am including myself. I tubed and wake boarded this summer, actually all in one weekend.

Here Ben is getting some major air on the tube.
Samantha and Corbin on the tube.
There must have been some kind of dance party in the cabin that I wasn't invited to. but I found the pictures.

Here I am wake boarding. I'm not that great at all, but I did it!
Alex and I had a blast on the tube. I was seriously laughing so dang hard. See I am fun!!!

Sam tried skiing, and she was almost up but the rope was too long and she couldn't quite get up. Here she is with Aunt Shelly. Samantha loves this weekend too. Probably because she gets to hang out with Aunt Shelly, who she just LOVES!!!

Here they are again, napping.

Bear Lake was such a blast this summer. We spent so much time up there and loved it. One of the times we were heading home, Mason asked if we could live up at Bear Lake. Maybe next summer buddy. I am already excited for spending next summer up at the lake with Ben, my kids and family!!!

2011-08-02T15:10:00.000-06:00

While Heather and her kids were still in town, we had a fun afternoon of hu ninja moves (as my kids call it), in the backyard.

Luella was so tired one day that while I was gone and Ben was in the basement working, she went and grabbed her blankets and binki and laid down on Ben's bag and fell asleep.

This is so cute! Ben feeding Chance and Luella asleep on Ben's lap. The kids just can't get enough of their dad.

A MONTH WITH FAMILY

2011-07-31T14:24:00.000-06:00

Heather and Joe and their 3 cute kids came in to town to visit this summer. It was so fun to have some more little cousins to play with, and of course it was a blast to be with Heather. I basically put as much of my life on hold so that I could spend most of my waking moments with her. We did a lot of hanging out at Grandma B's house, a little at my house and some at Bekah's pool. It was just so fun and went way too fast.

Here are the cute kids watching a movie at Grandma B's later in the afternoon to have a little bit of down time after playing hard in the backyard.

We hung out at my house a bit, but Heather's kids were so terrified of Molly, that we had to lock her up and make sure they knew for sure she wasn't going to get them. But they had fun painting nails, playing in the back yard, dressing up and of course winding down with a good movie.

Grandma B got out some of her fun hats for all the little kids to try on and play around in. It was so cute to watch them prance around. Luella got a hold of the Mr Potato head kit and tried wearing the earings herself. It was so funny.

So when I leave my little Chance in his bouncer, and if I leave for even a sew minutes, this is usually what I come back to. Samantha loves to cover him up and make sure that he has all of his favorite things around him (even if he doesn't know they are his favorite yet), it was so hilarious when I came back and found him like this.

Grandma B's again, popsicles and playing in the yard.

We were in the house and the kids got down a blanket and started dragging each other back and forth on it. They were having so much fun.

Heather and I made the cutest patriotic shirts for the grandkids. They were so dang cute and fun to make. All the kids looked adorable. I was kinda glad that Heather forgot red white and blue so we could make them.
It was such a treat to have Heather and her kids here. I love seeing her and loved all the time that we spent together. And my kids are still asking about Martha, Alice and Jonathon. Such cute little cousins!!!

LADY GAGA WANNA BE

2011-07-28T23:42:00.004-06:00

So this is what happens when Samantha leaves out her birthday presents. Luella gets ahold of them and thinks its a good idea to get the black marker and scribble it on her eyes. When I found her, she looked at me, help up the black marker and said "make up". So apparently she thinks that is how make up is supposed to look. Hopefully that isn't what I look like to her with my makeup on, I guess you never know. It just really reminded me of that crazy makeup that Lady Gaga wears.

SAMANTHA TURNED 6!!!!!

2011-07-27T22:39:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Samantha!

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

I can't believe that my little Samantha is already 6. It seriously blows my mind to think that I have a 6 yr old, a first grader. I am not old enough for that. But I am loving it. Samantha has grown up so much and matured a ton in the last little while. She is such a great helper with Mason, Lu and Chance. She loves to love her brothers and sister. Samantha loves to dress up in fancy clothes and wear makeup and look beautiful. Anything to look and feel more grown up and Sammi loves it. She loves to hang out with her Dad. Really anything that involves Ben, she is totally in. She is so sweet and getting to be so grown up. I am sad and excited for her to go to first grade this year. I am sad because I won't have my little buddy with me during the day. She is my mini me, and it is so fun to have her around me. But I am so excited for her to go and learn so much in school. That is one thing that Samantha just loves . . . . school. She loves to learn new things and is always so excited to come home and tell me all about it. I love her so much and am so grateful that she is my daughter and I am humbled by the responsibility I have to raise her and teach her and be her mom. When I was pregnant with Samantha, around 20 weeks, I had to have an emergency circlage. I was having some spotting and they ran some tests and thought that I was going into pre term labor and were worried that if they didn't do the circlage I was lose the baby. I hate to think about what would have happen if they didn't catch it or if I didn't get the circlage. Samantha has been such a blessing in my life. She teaches me so many things every day as a mom and just as a person, that I am so grateful for her. I love her so much and hope that she had an awesome 6th birthday. Happy Birthday Sammi Sue!!!! I love you!!!

Here were the birthday festivities for Sam's big day. When she woke up we had her birthday breakfast, which was pancakes, as to her request. Then we gave her her present. She had been wanting an itouch like Mason's, but with a purple cover. Once we gave it to her, she was off with Mason playing their games and being really quiet. That gave us some time to get ready for her little friend party. She wanted to invite some friends over for a slip and slide party. It was so much fun, and pretty low key. How much more low key can you get than a home made slip and slide, pizza, cookies and ice cream cones. PERFECT!!! And the kids loved it. After 1 1/2 hours, and the parents were starting to show up the kids were so sad when we told them we were turning it off. After Ben yelled he was turning it off, all of them at once ran and slid down together. It was so cute. So after the party, cleaning up and playing with some of her new toys (with Martha, Alice and Mason) we ran some errands with Heather and her kids and Jessica. We took Sam to pick out a present, some fun new art supplies. This girl loves to paint draw, play with stickers, anything artsy. So art supplies were great. Then off to cafe rio for her dinner, which she requested. It was such a fun day, and I think Samantha had a blast!

(I just had to add a quick cute story. So just over a week before her birthday Ben and I and the kids were in target shopping. Samantha saw a little girl that she knows from the gym. Actually I'm not quite sure how well she knows her, but she plays with her at the gym, so there you go. Anyways, she saw this little girl at target and went up to her and invited her to come to her birthday party. So then the next morning before we went to the gym, Samantha was writing a little invitation to give to this little girl. I guess she gave it to her, cause when I came to pick my kids up, there was a reply from the little girl and her mom. So Samantha had a new little friend that she met and invited to the party. This is just exactly how she is. She is my little social butterfly. She is always running around talking to everyone. It is so cute!)

JEMCO FAMILY REUNION

2011-07-24T21:25:00.001-06:00

So we headed to bear lake for the Jemco family reunion. There were alot of fun things going on and it happened to be that Ben was one of the guys in charge, so that also made me in charge. It was fun to be up there with my kids, they have been loving the lake this summer.

Lance has been so sweet to Mason this summer. (Mason justs adores him, and Lance has been so sweet to him)

There was an incredible tea party put on by some of the aunts. Samantha loved it, and had so much fun dressing up and playing "grown up" for a little bit.

Oh my gosh I just love this face!!!!! Seriously I just can't get enough of him!

This picture is so beautiful of Samantha, I can't believe how much she is growing up. She keeps getting cuter and cuter.
Chance was just loving this swing, just hang out and chill there.

We made tye dye shirts, and the kids loved them. They had a lot of fun making them with us.

Bear Lake has been awesome. My kids love going there and when it is time to go home, they are absolutely devastated. They both actually asked if we could live there. How cute!

CHANCE'S BABY BLESSING

2011-07-17T23:50:00.001-06:00

It was so great to have both of our families out for Chance's baby blessing. It always means so much to have their support for all the little things. It was so nice to have both our dads, and most of the brothers and brother in laws in the circle. I love looking up there and seeing all that priesthood in a concentrated space! I just gives me such a great feeling. I'm so grateful that Ben is worthy to hold the priesthood and is able and willing to give blessings for my kids and myself. It was just such a special a great day to have have family together and celebrate our little Chance. We are so blessed to have him in our family, and grateful for the peaceful addition!

POOL TIME WITH COUSINS

2011-07-09T21:32:00.000-06:00

While Heather was in town we went to the pool a few times. The kids had a blast, and the adults had fun watching. It was so fun to watch the kids play together. My kids can't ever get enough of the pool, and they loved it even more because Martha and Alice were there to play with along with Hilary, Jessica, Rebekah, Rebecca and Nicholas. They LOVE their aunts and uncles.

There were so many funny moments and great pictures. I love when everyone is just silly and having fun!

CHANCE'S 2 MONTH APT

2011-07-08T23:56:00.000-06:00

I seriously can't believe that my baby is already 2 months old. It has gone so dang fast, and it is so sad. I have really been able to enjoy him and just snuggle and love him like crazy, but 2 months, wow. He is such a good baby. He has been sleeping basically through the night since he was about 4 weeks, which is really nice cause the other kids are up randomly in the night. He takes good naps during the day, and really just eats and sleeps.

I took him in for his 2 months apt and he has grown so much. He is 11.2 lbs and 23 inches long. He has the most beautiful blue eyes (at least for now) and I hope they stay that way. He doesn't look much like the other 3, he is his own little person. He has the cutest little puppy dog cry/whimper. Don't get me wrong, he can really cry. But for the most part he does this little whimper cry that sounds like a little puppy. It is so cute, I I love to listen to it ( I know that sounds weird). So when he got his little shots at the doctors, he majorly cried at first, and then he just whimpered and did his puppy cry. It was so sad and so cute at the same time.

The other kids love to sit and love him. When Samantha hears him crying, she will go in and give him his binki to try and calm him down. Mason loves to come by him and stroke his head and tell me how cute he is. And Luella will walk up to me and in her cute little voice say "hold him" with her arms out ready for me to give her the baby. I just love that all of the kids love him so much. It has been such a relief that none of the kids have really felt that out of place with the new addition. I am just loving Chance and just trying to enjoy every single moment!!!!!

RANDOM JUNE PICTURES

2011-06-30T23:47:00.000-06:00

This is a normal thing for Luella to be found sleeping in bed with Ben in the morning. She wakes up and wants to come snuggle with Ben for a while. It is so dang cute, I just love it.

Oh my gosh, Chance is the cutest thing ever. I just love this picture of him, just such a precious baby.

We have a bouncer in our room right now for baby Chance. Luella likes to sit in it and hang out. Then we came and found her like this. Sitting there with her pillow pet, her bug, her mimi, her bibi, and her crown, right in front of the tv. She is so funny.

SWIM LESSONS

2011-06-30T21:45:00.000-06:00

My kids were so excited to be taking swim lessons. This is the first year that they have taken them, but they have totally loved them. I decided to sign them up at my cousins house instead of the local community pool. I'm so glad I did, it has been so much better. Not as crowded and I think they have learned so much more. They have been learning the front stroke, back stroke, back float, and by the end of the week they were jumping off the diving board and swimming (with help) from the deep end to the shallow end. It makes me so happy to see them learning how to swim! They are such cute kids.

THE CHRISMAN'S ARE IN UTAH

2011-06-27T23:21:00.000-06:00

The kids had a water day at grandma's where they ran through the sprinklers and the adults just sat and watched and chatted.

We had family over for a family night before Joe was going to head back to Ohio. Pizza and smores, what could be better. The kids had fun dressing up and playing outside.

Sunday dinner at the Ballstaedt's

I love having dinner at my mom and dad's house. It is such a blast to let the kids "run wild" in the back yard with their cousins and the adults get a little bit of chit chat in. My best friend Heidi came and visited while we were all there. It was fun to have here come and visit.

LEHI ROUND UP

2011-06-22T20:49:00.000-06:00

Aunt Jessica and Uncle Spencer live in Lehi. Every year for roundup days there is a fun BBQ and every year (for the past 3 years) they invite us. This is the first year that Ben has been able to come. Usually he is at work or at mutual, so we were so excited that he could come and play with us, and I was especially excited that he could come and help me with my munchkins. Jessica and Spencer are always such a big help, but I always feel bad like I am being a bother.

So we go to a park by the library and they have a yummy BBQ dinner, live music, a craft fair, and some really fun blow up and bouncy toys for the kids. My kids have a blast every year, and I love going down and hanging out with Jessica and Spencer!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2011-06-19T22:04:00.000-06:00

Happy Father's Day to Ben, Grandpa B, and Poppy!!!

We started out Father's Day with making dad a yummy breakfast and then giving him his gifts. Nothing much, just some fun little "goodies". Some things for him and some things for him to share and enjoy with the kids. After church we headed to my mom's house to celebrate with my dad. My dad is such a great dad and grandpa! He is the most selfless man I know. One of the hardest workers. He is constantly thinking of and serving others. He loves his family so much and has such a cute way of showing us. His grandkids love him, and it is so cute to watch him with them. He is just like a big teddy bear. I love the time he spends with me and my family and the lessons that he has taught me throughout the years. Dad I love you!

Poppy is a great grandpa. I love going into Ben's parents house and hearing my kids yell "poppy". It is so cute to see the relationships that have formed between my kids and Poppy. They are all so different and so special. Poppy is always bringing out such fun projects to do and work on with the kids. One of Mason's favorite things that Poppy has brought up to Bear Lake is the rockets. They put them together and them shoot them off. Mason just lights up when Poppy mentions rockets. Poppy and Dad are so great to let Mason help them with the project. He always feels so special when he is helping them. Poppy is such a great dad and grandpa, we are lucky to have him as both!

Ben is a whole other story!!!!!! I completely lucked out with him. Every father's day I have said that he is such a great dad and my kids just adore him, but it is even more true now than it was then. They hang on every word he says. They just want to be right by him all the time. They are so sad, like in tears, every time he leaves the house. In the morning he is the one that they come and snuggle with in bed. He is such a great dad. He is so hands on, and such a huge help. I couldn't have asked for a better husband and dad to my kids. ( he is so cute, he will wake up Luella hours after she has gone to bed just to bring her into our bed and hang out with her for a bit before he goes to bed.) Each of these kids love him so much and he has such a special spot for each of them!

FEEDING DUCKS WITH HONEY

2011-06-15T23:10:00.000-06:00

The kids and I went to visit our Honey and after our visit, the one last request of my kids was to go feed the ducks. Honey is always so sweet to oblige, so we headed down the lane with our bread and fed the ducks. My kids were so excited but I didn't realize how scared they were of the ducks. Every time any of them would come near, Samantha, Mason and Luella all thought that the ducks were going to attack them. How funny. But they did have a lot of fun.

EARLY FATHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

2011-06-11T22:57:00.000-06:00

We had an early celebration for Father's Day with the Rich's. Joanne set up the pool/slide and the kids (and the adults) had a blast. Leave it to the dads to have just as much fun as the kids. It was so much fun to hang out, watch the kids play and have a little picnic. Thanks to Jim and Joanne for hosting.

SUMMER HERE WE COME!!!!!

2011-06-03T22:47:00.000-06:00

Ben put some bird houses in our back yard that our neighbor had made for us, and the kids really wanted to put some food out so the birds would come visit the houses. So we got some peanut butter, bird seed, string and pine cones and went to town making a little treat for the birds.

Samantha's school had an end of the year carnival. Sam and Mason were so excited to go and play. They are so cute when they are out in crowds together. When it is crowded or they get nervous they grab each other's hands and hold on so they don't lose each other. It is so cute that they try to take care and watch out for each other.

SOME OF OUR MAY HAPPENINGS

2011-05-31T21:36:00.000-06:00

Ben and the kids have been loving the hot tub. The kids love it as much as Ben.

Chance was sad so Samantha decided to go in and put everything that might make him happy right by him.
Chance and Grandma B loving eachother!
We celebrated Jack's Birthday with Coby, Tiffany and family. My kids were so excited to write him a message and send it off to heaven for him. We think about Jack a ton, always wondering and wishing that Mason had his little buddy. We love you and miss you Jack.

Samantha and Baby Chance chillin.

We've been trying to be better about our scripture studying with the kids. This is our attempt to get them all on the couch, and somewhat listening at the same time. Sometimes it works and sometimes not.

Seriously . . . . this is just 1 batch of half of the whites I do in one day. Laundry is never ending. There is absolutely no more room on my table.
Rebekah is so cute with Lu, just snuggling and watching some TV.
Then, when Lu is tired she will hand you a blanket, lay on the floor and wait for you to cover her up.

Aunt Rebekah, Rebecca and Hilary took my kids to Wheeler Farm one night. It sounded like they had a lot of fun.

Now that we have our new and improved backyard, we had been trying to have some little get togethers. We had some family over to BBQ and roast marshmallows.

This is Samantha and her Kindergarten teacher Ms Moon on her last day of school. Samantha was so sad to leave Kindergarten but mainly to leave her teacher. Ms Moon was so sweet to Samantha and made school so enjoyable for her.I can't believe my little girl is on her way to 1st grade.

MOTHER'S DAY

2011-05-20T22:54:00.005-06:00

This Mother's Day was a little different than the rest that I've had. I came home from the hospital with Chance the day before, so I was a little out of commission. Ben took over and did a great job. The kids all came in my room that morning while I was in bed and gave me hugs and kisses and wished me a happy mother's day. (I feel bad I didn't get any pictures with me and all my kids, but it wasn't even anything I thought of that day) Ben took the kids to church while Chance and I (more importantly for me!!!) had a nap and just relaxed. Between Ben and my mom we had a great dinner at home. My mom provided a lasagna and Ben got the bread and salad. It was really nice to just be with my Ben and my kids! We just hung out at home and relaxed. It was a great Mother's Day.

I am so grateful to be a mother. I still can't believe that I have 4 beautiful kids that are mine and Ben's. They are so precious and I love them so much. They are all so different and unique in their own ways (as kids should be). Samantha is such a big helper and she is so grown up. She loves to be around her mom and dad, more so her dad. I love when she and Mason play together and when they get along. She is my sweetheart and I love her. Mason is such a busy body. He has so much to say, all the time, and wants us all to hear it. I love the look on his face when he does something good and we catch him doing it. I've never seen him happier than when he potty trained and he saw how happy it made me, it made him even happier. It was so dang cute. He has always been so sensitive, and protective of his sisters and family and the ones that he loves. He is so full of life, and that is one of the things that I love so much about him. Luella has been such a mellow child. She loves her sister Sam and knows that when Mason is around she needs to watch out. (mason usually wants to play/bug her) Luella has such a sensitive little spirit. She doesn't like it when there is contention in our home. She LOVES and I mean LOVES her dad. They have the most special and unique bond I have ever seen. She has this contagious smile and the cutest laugh. Chance has been such a blessing. He is just a great little baby. I have loved being able to just sit and snuggle with him. He is just what our family needed, a peaceful little spirit to add to our family. The kids just love him, as do Ben and I.

Being a mom is one of the hardest things and the most exhausting jobs I've ever had. We are talking love your kids one minute and then be so frustrated with them the next. Care and worry about them ALL THE TIME!!! Worry that you are giving them everything that they need and deserve. Making sure that they are happy, healthy, teaching them the gospel, teaching them good manners, making sure they feel loved, secure, happy, and everything in between. I love that they are so forgiving, and so fast to forgive and give me hugs and kisses. I knew it wasn't going to be the easiest job in the world, but I definately was so excited for it. I am so grateful and in awe that Heavenly Father entrusted these 4 special spirits in Ben and my hands. I can't imagine our family without any of them, I love them so much and am grateful that I have them and get to be their Mother!!!!!

I am especially thankful for Joanne for raising such an amazing son. I can't even tell you what a great dad and husband he is. Everywhere we go everyone notices and comments on what a great dad he is with these little kids!!! He is my rock! And I am also really thankful for my own mom. She is one of my best friends and I love her so much. She has taught me so many great and important things about being a mom and wife. She always made sure we had scriptures and prayer and FHE. She made sure to teach me as a mom that it is important for me to instigate those important things in my family. She is a great example and I hope I can be just as good a mom as she is. Happy be lated Mother's Day to these great Mother's!

BEE'S GAME

2011-05-19T22:40:00.001-06:00

Ben took the 3 older kids to the Bee's game with the Rich's for Poppy's birthday. Chance only being 2 weeks old, I decided I would stay at my moms house. The kids had so much fun being at the game with their cousins and their dad.

RANDOM PICTURES

2011-05-18T22:11:00.000-06:00

I know there are so many pictures of this cute little Chance, but they are all so dang cute I had to put all of them on.

Seriously I think this is where he lived for the first month or so. I would feed him and then lay him on my chest and he would snuggle up on my and fall asleep. It is so precious. I especially loved it when he would basically be bent in half with his feet up by his chest. So cute!

I love watching babies sleeping, and I love it when they look like they are so incredibly comfortable, hands behind the head and all.

This is my cute sister Rebekah. She is due May 30th with a little girl she is going to name Lucy. She looks so great pregnant, you would never know she only has a few more weeks.
This is my kids favorite spot, right in bed with Ben. All the kids love to get in bed with Ben and snuggle up with him in the crook of his arm.
It seriously makes me so dang happy to know that Mason has a little brother that will be his buddy. He has had fun with his sisters, but he will love having another guy in the family.

It was such great weather the first few weeks after I had Chance. Right after breakfast we would all go out on a walk around the neighborhood, even Molly. It felt so good to get out!