*RELENTLESS

If one thing can be said of our little Eli...it is that he is:

relentless (re-lent-less: adj. steady and persistent; unremitting).

When he gets something in his head, he can't let it go. He will talk about it, ask questions about it, badger us about it, and then talk about it some more.

So, on Tuesday we were headed into Las Vegas for ANOTHER appointment with Claire's hematologist and Eli asked me if we could go see a dinosaurtrex (aka dinosaur t-rex...he says it as if it was one word).

Me: "You mean go learn about them in a museum or something?"

Eli: "No. I want to go SEE the dinosaurtrexes."

Me: "Well, Eli, we can't go see any because there aren't anymore dinosaurs."

Eli: "Where are they?"

Me: "They all died."

Eli: "Why?"

Me: "Ummm...they all got sick and died."

Eli: "They could go to the dinosaurtrex doctor."

Me: "Good idea, but that didn't happen and so they all died."

Eli: "No, they didn't."

Me: "Yes, they did."

Eli: "No, they didn't. I kept an eye on them and they are alive."

Me: "Sorry buddy, but the dinosaurs all died. We can learn about dinosaurs and go see some dinosaur bones."

Eli: "I kept an eye on them...they aren't dead."

Me: "Yes, they are dead. Sorry."

Eli: "Are the dinosaurtrexes babies dead?"

Me: UGH..."Yes, all the dinosaurs died."

Eli: "Are the dinosaurtrexes mommies dead?"

Me: "Yes, they are and it is sad, but we can learn about them and that will be fun."

Eli: "Mom, they aren't dead. I kept an eye on them."

Me: "Let's talk about something else. Look out the window at the train!!!"

Eli: "I kept an eye on them and I took them far away where they would be safe."

Me: "Ummm...ok...if you say so."

Eli: "Mom, I don't want the dinosaurtrexes to be dead." (tear in his eye...voice cracking)

Me: "I am sorry you are sad. Would you like to go learn about dinosaurs?"

Eli: "Right now?"

Me: "No, some other time. We are going to Claire's doctor."

Eli: "Mom, they aren't dead. I kept an eye on them."

Me: "OK."

Eli: "Mom, can we pet the dinosaurtrexes bones?"

Me: "We will see."

Eli: "Mom, I love the dinosaurtrexes. I don't want them to be dead."

Me: "I know. It is sad."

Eli: "Mom, they aren't dead."

Kyle: "Eli, think about something else...you are driving me crazy."

That was not the end. He would not stop talking about it all the way to Vegas and we have been having this SAME conversation for 5 days. Literally...this same conversation all day, everyday...for 5 days. He won't let it die. His little 4 year old mind cannot wrap around the fact that there are no living dinosaurs on the earth. He is relentless. Poor kid. Poor me. I don't know what else to tell him. If he weren't so stinking cute, I would have gotten really annoyed by now.

LONG LIVE DINOSAURTREXES!!!!

November and First 1/2 of December Wrap Up

Here I am again...playing catch up. Sorry extended family. Here are some events from November and the beginning of December. Unfortunately, I don't have a single picture from Thanksgiving. I completely forgot to take any pictures. We spent Thanksgiving in Utah and had a great time. I know Kyle's dad took plenty of pictures, so I will have to steal some from him. It was a fun trip and it will be a long 7 months before we get to go again.

Just a cute picture of my kids! One of the attempts at a picture for our Christmas card.

Early in November, we were able to go to our local Veterans' Day Parade. I really love this small town parade. It is a lot of fun. The kids love the old cars, horses, huge trucks from Simplot, and the high school marching band. Our neighbor, Kathy W. even gave us some yummy popcorn mix to munch on while we watched! The middle school cheerleaders were in the parade, so we got to wave to Ansley. (Kyle was the photographer this day...that explains why there are no close up shots of Ans.)

Cheerleaders marching.

Claire being patriotic.

The kids watching the parade.

Nate's football season came to an end in the middle of November. His team made it all the way to the championship (or champion-chip as Nate thought it was called), but lost a heart-breaker in the last 2 minutes of the game. The boys worked so hard and had a great season. We are really proud of Nate for his hard work and determination. He never missed a practice or game and NEVER once complained. He loved every minute.


That same weekend....

We went to Phoenix to surprise my parents for their 50th anniversary. 4 of the 5 kids were able to make it and I think they really were surprised. We had a nice dinner and enjoyed visiting with each other. We don't get to do that very often because we are all so spread out. Keith and Karen were nice enough to host the party and it turned out so nice. The food was great, the house was decorated and everyone had a good time. We missed having Kris there, but it was Kody's birthday and he really wanted to spend that day with him. I can't believe my parents have been married for 50 years. That doesn't happen very often these days. They have been through a lot in the last 50 years, but they have made it through...together. I am really starting to feel my age. I remember when my grandparents celebrated their 50th anniversary and now it is my parents! Time flies! The trip was quick, but I am glad we went. The ride home was interesting though...Claire ended up with the stomach flu (Ans and Eli had it the previous week) and puked the whole way home. Good times. My kids ALWAYS get sick when we travel. It is just a fact of life.

50 years together. (Wish they would have smiled!)


L to R: Kenny, Keith, Dad, Mom, Karrin, Kathy

Getting a picture of this group is no easy task. We kids all think we are so funny and no one can take it seriously, but it turned out ok.



On the way home, we stopped at Hoover Dam to let the kids get out of the car and stretch their legs. Having the kids look over the edge at the dam makes me and Kyle SO nervous. Needless to say, we made it a quick stop.



ONTO DECEMBER...



We had our ward Christmas party last week and Santa made an appearance. Claire was THRILLED!!!

Eli was a little unsure and forgot to tell Santa what he wanted (I whispered it to Santa before we left). Josh hopped right up and made his request. We shall see.

At the ward Christmas party, Josh told me that he had a sore throat. When we got home, we gave him some Tylenol and sent him to bed. He woke up the next morning burning with fever, very weak, and feeling like crap. I took him to the doctor and he had Strep throat (our family's 2nd bout of Strep in 2 months). This picture was taken in the morning BEFORE I knew he had Strep. He was huddled up on the couch and Claire brought me her blankie so I would wrap her up, just like Josh. Luckily, even with the close contact, no one else has gotten sick.

On Monday, Nate and Josh were recognized at their school for being on the honor roll. Nate made the straight A honor roll and Josh made the A-B honor roll. We are so proud of them. I was really afraid for Nate when this year started because I had heard that his teacher gave a lot of homework and was pretty challenging. He has done great and is very responsible about getting all his work done.

Josh (still looking sick) with the other 2nd graders on the A-B honor roll. He has done a great job this year and only missed getting straight A's by a fraction of a percentage point!

Last, but not least....NATE TURNED 11!!!

Last Friday was Nate's 11th birthday. Kyle had the night off of work and we took Nate and 3 of his friends to Mesquite for dinner and a movie. Let me tell you...11 year old boys are..ummm...something else!!! We pretty much let them do their own thing and Kyle and I pretended like we didn't know them! They had a great time and by the time we dropped all the boys off I was exhausted and my nerves were frayed. They are all really good boys...but, boys will be boys. I have never heard so many bodily functions in all my life (and I grew up with 3 brothers!!) Once again, I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures. UGH! We have this one picture taken on Kyle's cell phone in the dark restaurant. O well.

L to R: Garrett, Nate, Dennis and Preston

Crazy boys!
Nate got a Utah Jazz hat and jersey from us and he was thrilled. When we were in Utah for Thanksgiving, Kyle took the boys to a Jazz game and Nate was hooked! He has been talking about the Jazz and basketball ever since. It stinks living in a state with NO professional sports!

I can't believe he is 11. He is my baby boy. He is in his last year of elementary school...he is no longer a Cub Scout - he is a Boy Scout!...he is one year away from holding the Priesthood. Where does the time go? He is turning into a man. We are so proud of him. He always tries to do his best. He is friendly and wants to be friends with everyone and he is very protective of his friends. He is a good big brother (most of the time) and tries to be a good example. He is a pleaser and wants everyone to be happy and most of all...happy with him. He is such a sensitive guy and really thinks about other people's feelings. He is a great son, brother, friend, student, & athlete! We love you Nate!

*Sweetened Condensed October*

I am not sure why I have been in a blogging funk...but I have. Anyway, here is October. It was a very busy, but fun month with lots going on. I captured what I could and condensed the pictures down to some of my favorites. So, without further ado...October.


The Homecoming Parade... (I am pretty sure this was in Oct...maybe the end of Sept...not sure)
A BIG deal in a small town. I love this parade because of the very short parade route (the roundabout in the high school parking lot). The kids love it because of the HUGE amounts of candy thrown. The middle school cheerleaders participated, so we also got to wave to Ansley. Fun!

Lauren, Ansley, Karla, Lynae

Nate and his best buddy, Dennis.

*Halloween...

We had a great Halloween this year. The weather was great, the kids weren't sick, and we got to enjoy having family in town. Kyle parents came and stayed for a week. Also, Dave, LaNeace & Elle, and Andy, Janna & Miles came for the weekend.

We had a house full and it was a lot of fun!

The kids.

Eli "the cowboy", Josh "the football player", Nate "the alien",

Ansley "the...uh...girl with a mask?", and Claire "the ballerina".

Ansley and her posse.

Grandma and Grandpa/Alien at the trunk-or-treat.

Nate and the elusive cake-walk. He tried and tried, but never won. Our family did break a 3 year losing streak by winning 4 times!

Eli and Elle enjoying their winnings from the cake-walk.

Uncle Dave in costume at the trunk or treat. I don't get it.

Aunt Janna and Aunt LaNeace doing Ansley's hair for Halloween.

The cutest cowboy in town.

"Ballerina girl you are so

lovely..."

(This goes out to all you Lionel Richie fans out there!)

Family Fun...
The kids loved having everyone here to play with, the guys loved the 4-wheeler outings, and the girls even had some adventures of their own...which turned out to be much more exciting than we could have imagined (let's just there was a gun involved and possibly some kidnapping charges!). Some highlights were...Uncle Dave sleeping on the tramp with the boys, good food, basketball (at all hours of the night), Nate's football game, Halloween festivities, free haircut for Ans, holding baby Miles, and much more.

Nate's very own cheering section at his football game.

Elle and Eli watching a show together. They had so much fun together.

Uncle Dave comforting Nate after a practical joke gone a smidge too far.

Elle and Eli again. Too cute.

Uncle Kyle and Baby Miles. Adorable.

Random cuteness from October...

Nate thought it would be fun to make pomegranate juice for everyone. I don't think he realized how much time and how many pomegranates it would take. He spent all afternoon and ended up with about 2 cups of juice. We decided to make grenadine with the juice instead and we spiked some Sprite with it. It was yummy. He made a huge mess, but he cleaned it all up.

Claire got really sick right after Halloween. She ran a fever for days and ended up with both ears infected, strep throat, an eye infection and because of all that her platelet count dropped a lot. She was miserable and just wanted to be held. She loves Josh and he didn't mind cuddling her. I love this picture.

It is hard to get a good picture of Josh. He freezes up when he sees the camera. But I caught him!

Cute Claire at one of the 2 million football games we have been to this season.

Ansley cheering at a football game. She is in the back of the stunt group on the right.

Claire "holding" Eli and Josh.

The big kids were watching a movie one night and Claire just plopped down and watched with them. She thinks she is so big!

We got some rain several weeks ago and the boys went crazy! Not sure what Eli is doing here...showing where his horns might be?

Nate and Josh had a lot of fun playing football in the rain. Rain is so rare here and my kids think it is so fun and amazing.


Such a dork!

***Any-who...that was October. It was a lot of fun. Time is flying by and the holidays are upon us. I am sure it will be January before I blog again...kidding...kindof.