The move is finally done!

The house

Part of our master bedroom.

One side leads to the master bath and closets.

The other side leads to a sitting room/ office.

Caleb is always hanging out in me and Kevin's room!

My sweet boys.

They were troopers during this whole moving ordeal!

Kyler in the dining area


Jordan & Kyler getting ready to go this morning.


The boys new bathroom.

Caleb & Jordan's Room

They still get to share.

Good thing like seem to like each other!

Caleb hanging out in my room again.

I feel like such a slacker lately when it comes to posting. I promised Kevin I would post about his ummm "29th" birthday, but obviously that didn't happen. Then I told myself I would post about the exciting New Year celebrations, but Kyler was the only member of our family to actually stay awake until midnight while the rest of us snored away the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009. My next grand plan involved chronicling our latest move from the packing to unpacking stages, but than an overly busy me forgot to take even a single solitary photo of the event, so here I am now without much to say, but still feeling the need to blog.

I did promise my parents I would send them a few photos of our new house so today I blew the dust off the camera and snapped a few shots. That's about as good as it's going to get for me this week, but I finally see some relaxation coming my way. I can feel it sneaking up on me and I will gladly welcome the sensation of not needing to go non-stop all day long. What a relief. It's finally time to relish in our whopping 20* weather outside (a pure heat wave compared to the sub-zero temps we had all last week...and let me reassure everyone that makes for a very COLD move!! I'm pretty sure this will be our first and last January move!) Plus today I can gaze out my windows at a sun that is finally glistening outside. Aaahhh...beauty at it's finest!

Christmas '08

Santa's Treats
Not the traditional Sugar Cookies, but Walnut bars are sooo good!

Jordan lovin' his mom
and vice-versa

The boys got all of us books.
Kevin and I loved it!

Kyler's main wish was a laptop, but mom squashed those dreams
when she told Santa NO WAY,
but he happily settled for a new MP3

That's A LOT of excitement bottled up in a 3 year olds body!

My Cookin' Caleb with his new kitchen.
Hours of fun have already been had.

Jordan made a handmade calendar at school that was a favorite present of mine!

The highlight gift of the year.
Thanks to my parents for the Wii and to Kevin's parents for all of the games.

Caleb and his new kitchen phone. A lot of folks are calling in their orders.

This is the HAPPY DANCE!

Kevin & Tami

Christmas Eve laughter

Merry Christmas everyone!

A brother seeking revenge on the younger sibling.

I feel completely behind in my "blogging" world, but the past couple of weeks have proven to be very busy. Between school cancellations, Christmas celebrations, birthday parties, preparing for a new year in the primary, and an upcoming move this January, I have been swamped!

We did have an incredible Christmas week though. Kevin was busy with work most of Christmas Eve, but when he made it home that night we read the Christmas Nativity, had our usual roast beef sandwich with lots of other goodies, set out our cookies for Santa, sang a few carols, and tried to get to sleep so Santa could make his annual visit. "Luckily" hmmm hmmm...for Kevin and I, Caleb decided that this was the year he was going to catch Santa in our yard. He kept insisting he heard reindeer out on the lawn, and our little 3 year old was up well past midnight waiting for the magic festivities to begin by keeping his little nose pressed tightly to the frosted window. He couldn't grasp the concept of "He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake..." In his mind Santa really, really wanted to wish him a personal Merry Christmas while his older brothers were dreaming of sugar plums (shaped in the form of Wii games and Webkinz animals). It was a Christmas miracle when his tired body **finally** fell asleep and mom and dad could start dreaming of their own sugar plum fairies.

By 3 a.m. we heard our older boys waking up. We knew it was coming from years past, so Santa has gotten a little better at leaving a small gift for them to open under their table-top bedroom tree that they are allowed to open without having to bother their overly tired mom and dad. The boys are also able to go through their stockings, but then back to bed they go until sunshine actually filters into the night sky around 7:00. Caleb was of course wiped out this year, and it took him a minute or two before his eyes were awake enough to realize Santa actually came while he was sleeping (thank you Santa for coming even though our little tyke tried to catch you in action), but boy when he walked into the living room and saw his kitchen ready and waiting for its own little chef, Caleb became the life of the party once again. All Caleb wanted from Santa this year was a kitchen and food , and happy day, **he got it**. Oh wait, I almost forgot....this year while sitting on Santa's knee at the mall, Caleb also requested a juice box in his stocking. This would, of course, ensure him that he wouldn't need to stop opening presents for a measly thing like eating breakfast. Well, Santa remembered the juice box, and made sure all his brothers got one, too. What a smart Santa, and we were successful at opening His presents before I made us all stop for a bite to eat.
I like your way of thinking Caleb!

After the boys played with their new loot for a while we opened up our grandparent gifts. This included a Wii and Wii games, which was by far the highlight of gift opening celebrations. We played the rest of the day and into the night. Thanks to all the grandmas and grandpas who made this Christmas break outstanding with mini-golf, car racing, and bowling . We're still a little obsessed with all the fun that little box is bringing us.

We hope you all had an outstanding Christmas as well. Now, it's time for me to pack it all up and move it to a new house for next year.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Jordan's tubing hill off of our back porch.

Caleb making sure Kyler has just the right amount of snow on his face to become his own personal Frosty.

Caleb ready to brave it out in the cold, cold world we call Home.

A view of the fort Kyler started outside my window.
In all, he's now made 3. One for each brother and one for himself complete with tunnels, garbage cans, and wind barriers. He's pretty inventive.

"Snow" much fun!
I know...cheesy, but true!

Kyler having a blast this week playing outside.

Michigan has been hit HARD with snowstorms this past week. Every day a new whopper seems to slam us, but as you can see, my kids aren't fazed a bit. I can barely keep them contained indoors when there's so much fun to be had outdoors, and really, who can complain about that? They play, I get a chance to relax and have a little "me time", and the only thing I have to worry about is having 3 cups of hot cocoa ready for them once they finally decide to come inside. Sounds just about perfect to me!

Cleaning or Playing? I Choose Playing!

Kyler starting his fort

The boys "sledding" hill


A happy, snowy Jordan


My sweet baby Caleb!


The picture isn't upside down.
Just Caleb tubing down the hill backwards and running into mom!

December has proven to be busier than usual this year. A couple weeks ago I was put in as the Primary President at my church. All but 11 months of my married life has been spent in one Primary or another as we've moved around. I've been a nursery leader, a Sunbeam teacher for the 3 and 4 year old's, Secretary for a few different presidencies, a 2nd Counselor twice and most recently a 1st Counselor. But this is a whole new ballgame for me.

I absolutely love serving with the children on Sunday. Their little spirits are about as close to perfection as you can find on the earth today. Not to say I don't come home haggard some Sunday's (I most certainly do), but there is definitely something special about our Heavenly Father's smallest children. Their intentions are pure, and their testimonies are so sweet. You can't help but love being around them and feeling their goodness.

My new calling has consumed my thoughts quite a bit, and as a result my home organization has suffered a bit. I've noticed I've passed on quite a few chances to clean that I normally wouldn't. Laundry is piled up a tad more, dishes stay in the sink a bit longer, and my carpets could use a good vacuuming today, not to mention there is quite a few Christmasy things I really should have gotten done by last week. Oh well...there's only so many hours in a week!

Today was suppose to be the day that I finally caught up on all those little things I've been neglecting, but guess what...it's a snow day, and quite honestly none of us felt too keen on cleaning this morning, so instead the kids and I bundled up and went outside. The snow was great, and my kids had a blast making their own little sledding hill and fort. I figure my carpets could stand another day without vacuum lines, and I know my floors are going to be grimy again with snow and mud if I pull out the mop today, so maybe we'll all just hang out and watch a Christmas movie instead. That sounds way better to me. Cleaning can wait for another day!

I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas!

A trip to Utah, and one spoiled girl!

Our Michigan Thanksgiving...I was feeling pretty haggard after a long day, but the food was delicious!

My sister Jillee and her fiancee Allyn

Jordan, Hannah, & Kyler

Hailey & Jordan became dancing buddies

Caleb and Hailey waiting for dessert

My Sister Kelcee

Ethan and Mary...Can you believe this is a baby who just had brain surgery?

My brother Brooks and his puppy, Bailey.

My brother Travis and my sister-in-law Mary

Kelcee & Caleb

My wacky younger brother and beautiful mother

Grandma Marilyn & the boys

Marilyn & Vern

So I'm completely spoiled, and truth be told, I like it! Me and the kids flew out to Utah the day before Thanksgiving so we could spend the holiday with my family. Kevin had to stay behind since that is his busiest week of the year, but we made sure to have our own little family Thanksgiving the Sunday before we left. The kids and I had such an amazing time on our vacation. My dad watched the kids practically every day so I could shop with my mom, go to the movies, or go see the "The Forgotten Carols". I have not had that much free time to myself in over 10 years. I was completely spoiled!! Thanks dad for giving me that much needed break, and teaching my kids all the ins and outs of the Wii. They were pretty spoiled themselves all week long.

My mom spoiled me just as much, if not more. Between her, Mary, and the Speechly family, we enjoyed a huge feast for Thanksgiving. Mom also made sure that we continued in our traditional "Day After Thanksgiving Celebration" in Salt Lake City. We went to "Spaghetti Mama's", got tickets to see the movie "Bolt", and walked around Temple Square to see all the lights. On Saturday we met up with Kevin's mom, Marilyn, and her husband Vern. We were able to spend a couple hours with them catching up on the happenings we miss by living in Michigan. It was great seeing them again. After lunch I was able to go see "Twilight" which I have been wanting to see since it came out, and well worth the wait for me.

Caleb enjoying the Spaghetti Mama feast

The two greatest parents around!!

Jillee and Allyn at Temple Square

My Mom, Dad, Kelcee, & Jordan

Monday was a day spent with my mom and sisters. We took Jillee out to look for Wedding dresses. She looked gorgeous in everything she tried on, but there were too many choices to make a final decision. Whatever she ultimately decides on will be beautiful. That night my mom got us tickets to see"The Forgotten Carols", and it was just as wonderful as I remember, but completely different since the last time I saw it. Michael McLean has added a lot to the play since it first debuted, but it is still so incredible.

Tuesday we packed up and headed home. The week went by way too fast! Even the 2 hour delay in the airport wasn't so bad. I'm already counting down the days until I can go back in April for Jillee's wedding. Until then, I guess I'll sort through the bills that piled up while I was away, catch up on an endless pile of laundry, possibly attempt to pull out my Christmas cards and finally start on them, and oh yes...dig into the pile of homework my kids are sure to bring home any minute, but I'm also going to take some time to enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations my incredible husband put up while we were away to surprise us with when we finally made it home last night. He managed to work insane hours every day that we were gone, and still did something sweet like that. Yep...I'm definitely spoiled, and loving every minute of it!
Happy Holidays Everyone!!