8 is GREAT!

Kohler celebrated his birthday over a month ago (I've been kind of a slacker in the blog department)!  He's now 7 years old! I remember when he was a baby and I couldn't imagine having a little boy running through the house...look at him now!  For his birthday dinner he wanted Taco Bell...I know, Gourmet.  Kohler LOVED the carousel card that Grandma Smith made him. He got Nerf guns and bullets from Dad and Grandma and Grandpa Smith. Dad has so much fun shopping for Kohler...sometimes too much fun. :)  Kohler also got an electronic lightsaber. He got a giant search and find book from Grandma and Grandpa Wheeler.  The highlight of his night was the hour long Nerf gun war he had with Dad. They had a blast together. "You'll shoot your eye out!"  It's a good thing Hanna had protection. Kohler wanted a treasure chest cake. It didn't turn out very well. It pretty much fell apart. Good thing Kohler is so easy going. We decided he'd have an old, we...

This Thanksgiving was a double hitter. Lauren's birthday fell on the same day. We had a great time celebrating. During the month of November we created a "Thankful Tree". We'd write what we were thankful for on leaves and by the end of the month, our tree had full foliage. Our Thankful Tree In Lauren's preschool they held a "mock" Thanksgiving. Lauren was so excited that she asked for her birthday dinner to be a Thanksgiving dinner! No problem! For Thanksgiving we were invited to a friend's house. At first, I was hesitant because she asked me to bring dishes I don't normally make on Thanksgiving, but it turned out to be a huge feast and we had a great time! The Thanksgiving table...not quite finished. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, ham, funeral potatoes, macaroni & cheese, deviled eggs, rolls, pickles and olives, green bean casserole, salad and corn. The Dessert Table! For dessert we had apple pie, pumpkin pie, banana c...

In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the welfare program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints our Stake held a day of service.  We traveled to the little city of Ajo, AZ, less than an hour from the US Border. We spent the day pulling weeds and grooming the grounds of their local cemetery. Alyssa's plugged in and ready to go.  Poor puppy. She wants to go too.  Sorry about the sideways picture. It's straight on my computer. Anyway, here's Dad and Hanna working.  Kamary and Hanna. The kids were really good. They all had great attitudes and helped out without complaining. I wish we could get them to do that at home with their regular chores. ;)   Dad and Alyssa. You would think that I didn't do anything but take pictures, but that's not true. :) In the morning, the little kiddos were at the church doing some activities while the 3 older girls helped us in the cemetery.  Here we are at the churc...