This Christmas will be a quiet one. We have trimmed down on the presents and we have no company coming. It has been hard not to go overboard on the shopping and the gift giving but it has really put my mind on the wonderful gifts I already have in my life and the one who is responsible for it all. I am so grateful for the gifts my Father in Heaven has sent to me. I hope all our family and friends know that you are loved and missed. Here are a few photos of the gifts in our life. 
Dave is an Amazing Dad! To celebrate Father's Day the girls and I woke up at 5:30 in the morning to make him breakfast in bed. We have 8:00 church so it had to be early. The boys joined us in taking Dad his blueberry pancakes cut out to say We ♥ Dad. We then gave him his presents which consisted of new workout clothes (we're training for a triathalon) and the new Star Trek movie. I tell you all this because the primary kids filled out a little survey about dad and their answers totally trumped any present I could have given him. He was so touched by their feelings put into words. They say better than I could what a good dad he is.
What is your dad's name?
All 3 said David
How old is your dad?
Jackson - 28
Jordan - 39
Emma - 39
What is your dad's job?
Jackson - bein a FBI
Jordan - He is a FBI
Emma - FBI
What would your dad do with a million dollars?
Jackson - go on a vacation
Jordan - Buy a new grill
Emma - No idea
What is your dad's favorite movie?
Jackson - Star trek
Jordan - Young Indiana Jones
Emma - Young Indiana Jones/Star trek
What is your dad really good at?
Jackson - fishinn
Jordan - tikling
Emma - Being a dad
What do you love about your dad?
Jackson - he is cool
Jordan - How he snouggles with me
Emma - Everything
To Celebrate Jordan's birthday this year we invited some families over for games, cake and ice cream. It was a fun get together with the Woods, Carters, Andersons, and Neilsons. 
Jordan is such a cute kid. He is always the first to volunteer for anything and of course the first in line for everything.
This year the Youth went on a mini trek. They dressed in pioneer clothing and walked with handcarts. Ren always loves to get into character but he wasn't so sure about walking for miles over tough terrain with a handcart. Of course he was happy at the end of the trek when the leaders provided a feast for them. He decided that he was glad he wasn't a pioneer.For those of you that don't know the story. . . back in 2000, Dave was deployed. I was alone with 3 kids and expecting my 4th. My sister-in-law, Camille, came to visit me and I decided to take her and the kids to Cracker Barrel. My kids LOVE Cracker Barrel. Anyway, they were HORRIBLE!!! There was screaming, crying, running around and under tables. I told them that they were BANNED! I refused to take them back there. Over the years they have begged to go back. I wouldn't hear of it. 
9 years later and I have finally given in. We took a trip up to Phoenix and on the way home Dave and I decided to let them have another chance. It was a test to see if they had learned any manners over the last 9 years. They passed! We enjoyed looking through the store, playing checkers, eating homestyle cooking, and of course rocking on the porch. Well done kids!
I know that school is almost over but here are pictures from their first day of school. Emma is just starting middle school and Savannah is ending middle school this year. The big 8th grader showing her little 6th grade sister the ropes.
Rennes left for school at 6:30 and I wasn't awake enough to think about taking pictures of him. He is a Sophmore this year. He is doing great in school and loves his hour of seminary everyday. He has made some really good friends this year and is the toughest kid I know. July was an important month and I didn't blog it. I can't live with myself if I don't make mention of the fact that Ren turned 16 this year. He is such an amazing kid! He is always willing to help others and he has such a happy attitude about everything. He hasn't had an easy 16 years but he always faces his challenges with a smile. He got a car for his birthday. It's nothing fancy but he is so proud of that car. He also became a Priest at church. He takes his responsibilities seriously and I of course cried the first time he blessed the sacrament. He's growing up too fast and it's a bit scary. I went to the temple with Dave last month and I could barely contain the anxiety when 2 boys were going through for the first time before their missions. They didn't look much older than Ren and the whole time I was in panic mode thinking of all the things I still needed to teach him. I know you've all heard it before but they grow up too fast. Enjoy them while you can.
Emma also had a birthday in July. It wasn't a big production this year because it was an odd year. We have moved big birthday parties to even years. She is 11 now and in middle school. She had an adventure filled summer with her first cast. She was running in sandals and fell in a little hole. She fractured her ankle and had wear a cast for 6 weeks. She thought it was great for the first couple days! She also had to have an ingrown toenail taken care of. I had to be there when they cut it out. Not pleasant. She handled it like a trooper though. She's had fun this year but she is so looking forward to 12. According to Emma nothing fun happens until your 12. Wait until she sees what Savannah gets to do when she turns 14 this year.
Finally, there was Jackson's birthday. Our baby turned 7 and he shared a party with Emma this year. They were both born on July 30th so we combined the festivities. 7 is the year that everyone focuses on preparing for baptism. Everyone that is but Jack. I think he is trying to fit every naughty deed in before he's held accountable. I'm thinking Dave might need to dunk him a couple times to get him really clean! He is my joy and challenge all rolled up into one. I should have known when we gave him the name David that we were in for trouble.
I love these kids! I don't want them to look back and think they were forgotten. I promise I'll TRY to do better this year.
So Dave was pretty much spoiled for his birthday. His co-workers in Tucson threw him a party, he got breakfast in bed, took the day off work, I made his favorite dish for lunch, Savannah made his favorite dinner dish and we almost burned down the house with his birthday cake and candles. I then planned a dinner party at Hana Tokyo, a Japanese steak House, with 14 of our closest friends.;0)It was a blast! Here's some pictures.
Sometimes I need to remind myself of my blessings. I have been known on occasion to complain of my unfinished backyard that was started close to 3 years ago. As I look outside at the still unfinished backyard I have to consciously remind myself why it is unfinished.
We always plan to spend our extra $ on the backyard but here is where Dave and I have decided to spend it instead.
1. School clothes for 5 kids
2. Trip to Indiana when my mom was going through Radiation Therapy
3. Braces
4. Christmas for a family of 7
5. Ski trip with the kids
6. Taking the family to Rocky Point
7. Hospital visit for Jordan's accident in Rocky Point
8. School clothes for 5 kids
9. Spending the summer with my kids instead of working
10. Trip to Indiana to see my mom whose battling cancer
11. Trip to Utah to visit Grandma Bodily for her 90th birthday
12. Did I mention school clothes for 5 kids
13. Polar Express trip
I don't think the kids will remember that the backyard that they played in everyday didn't have the trees, grass, and flowers that their mom worries about all the time. They will remember the trips, family time, clothes that fit, and the wonderful Dad that reminded their Mom daily that there are more important things than an immaculate backyard. So when you see my unfinished backyard just picture my happy family instead.
