YES!! Thanks Santa!!

Yes, we had a fun Christmas. Santa has a tradition of leaving cereal for everyone, it is always fun to see how the cereal fits the person. For example I received Oatmeal raisin crisp(good flavor and full of fiber), Samuel: Cinnamon toast crunch(because he tells us his favorite hobby is eating), Mitchial: Golden Grahams (maybe because he is called the golden child), Timothy: Trix (this is a no brainer, Tim is a trixster), Guy:Coco puffs combo(this one is a bit harder to understand, maybe because he is a "combo" of handsomness and studleyness) and Ian: High School musical (this is easy because Ian is a high school musical wannabe:).
I would personally like to thank the Newcomers for the play dough that has been used in the entire house. It is a favorite...of the kids. Lets just say it is amazing, it doesn't dry out after being left out everyday, and it vacuums up wonderfully. I also need to thank them for a never ending singing helicopter. Many years ago they gave Mitchial a garbage truck that would start crushing garbage in the middle of the night. Freaky! Now we have a helicopter that starts singing with no one around. Love it!
I don't know who loves Bella's first baby doll more, her or her mom. It is a red headed preemie just like her, only she doesn't smell like powder. I didn't know cabbage patch dolls "smelled". Ian said his always did:) Uh oh now it's not a secret anymore. Sorry Ian. It was a wonderful holiday. Our best present is that Guy has a week off work!!! Yeah. I can't get enough of that present!!

And when December goes.......

There is a song titled When October goes, written by Johnny Mercer. The song talks about the passing of October, kids running in the evening light, watching planes go overhead and thinking of the fun that he had when he was one of them. When October goes his same dream appears and he thinks of all the happy years, then he turns his head to hide the helpless tears. Ok I know it is sappy but I am feeling the sadness of December and all of 2008 leaving. I don't want to forget things that happened this year, the good and the bad. Sometimes I don't want change, I don't want to move on. I know it is silly, but this holiday season I feel like a young child again. I loved the anticipation of thanksgiving. I loved having a excuse to eat food I don't usually get to eat. I loved having a reason to get together with the family. I think my favorite part comes when it is time to put up the tree. Even as a little girl I was the first one to start nagging my parents about the Christmas tree. I still haven't changed, except now I can just start setting things up and my husband has no choice but to follow behind helping. Anyway I am feeling the sadness of the passing of 2008. When I was little I was sad because I had nothing to look forward to after Christmas. I am trying not to feel that way now, but this year I am leaving behind the birth of my first baby girl. The birth of my last child. The passing of my mother. I know I still have memories but I am afraid of them fading. Will I remember how little Bella was? Will I remember all the stories of my mom? Will I be able to teach Bella how to make bread like my mom? What if I mess up who will help me? I already feel like I am forgetting my moms voice, her smile,even though I think of her daily.How can I help my kids remember my memories? I am sorry for carrying on, but an new year is coming and December is going.

Our Christmas card!!

What a cute family....except big mamma! J/K We were lucky enough to get a photo shoot with Alana Lange! She is great! She has to be, she is my sister in law.
Alana did all the work and gave me the cd to take to walmart to be printed. It's so easy she told me. Not. I couldn't get the computer at walmart to work(surprise, surprise me the computer tech) so the photo lady said she would help and to come back in a few minutes to see how the first one printed out. Great. That was easy. After a few minutes she calls me up to the front of the line and said " here you go. Are you sure you want 3o of them." She then hands me a 8x10 of our card. People around me laughed when I told her I couldn't send Christmas cards out in manila envelopes. Luckily I came home and called Alana and she fixed everything. I think she is learning it is just easier to do things herself than give me the responsibility:) Hey I can't be perfect in everything!!

The night before Christmas.....

We have a tradition, passed down from Guy's dad, to read The night before Christmas. It is always a touching moment to hear Guy tell the boys about his Dad coming home all dressed in his police gear to read the story and then head off to work again. I love to see the boys watch their daddy read to them. Ok so the picture is staged a little. Ok alot. Timothy was running around like a crazy boy asking when Santa was coming and Ian didn't want to sit on the floor. Mitchial didn't want to sit by Samuel because he was wiggly. So after I threatened them to sit still or I would call Santa, they all sat for a good 2 pictures. After the story we put out the magic reindeer food and they were off to bed. What a great Christmas eve. Timothy came down every 5 minutes and asked if Santa was here yet. It was so cute for the first 4 times, then after 45 minutes it got old:) He eventually did fall asleep but then at midnight Mitch and Sam had to get up for a potty break. Good thing Santa hadn't come yet. I love Christmas.

Family Parties!

What a fun time to be with families! The top pictures are of my Dad and Bella at my brothers house. We had wonderful pork salads/burritos and played some fun games. The unwrapping the candy bar game was hard for the young ones to catch on. They all were sad when the gloves were taken away with the candy bar, but they quickly learned to stay away from the older "kids". So I was told to bring some non useful toys for white elephant gifts. Great I thought, I have got armless army men, cars with only one wheel, a collection of the junk toys that no matter how many times you throw them away, they are always on the floor or in the tub. Well we start the game and are the only ones with junk, no one wanted to trade for our gifts:) Oh well we had fun. We came home with a puzzle, a glass pumpkin bag with used Dracula teeth in it!

The next pictures are of the Stones gathering...minus Guy's sister's family who were too cheap to fly out for a couple days:) j/k We missed you Newcomer's. Guy's brother was nice enough to have it at his house. The blurry picture is of the cousins. (sorry Guy had the camera;) There was so much yummy treats to eat. Thanks Kelly. We are so thankful for our families.

What not to wear shooting!!

This is where fashion gets in the way, either you lose your pants and keep aim on your target, or pause to pull up your britches. I know, why not wear pants that fit! If I knew what I was doing I would put the music "I'm too sexy" along with the video! What's funny is I don't think Ian hit the target after his adjustment! love ya Ian

Thankgiving shootout!

My side of the family is from Wyoming...therefore they like to shoot things up:) After Thanksgiving dinner (while the ladies cleaned) my dad headed up the pack of boys, and my sister, to pick up some bottles for shooting practice. They all had so much fun. Alana and I had a great time at home...baby sleeping...eating pie!! The men were a little upset to come home and find us already eating pie. The top picture is of my brother Bret and his son Aaron. The video is of Ian.

Happy 40th Alana!!

I am lucky enough to have a great sister in law, Alana. She is the one on the right of my dad(sitting) dressed in a black and white dress. So beautiful. Throughout my life she has always been there. She would always welcome me in her home, no matter what time or what she had going on. She was also the one to first cut the "lion mane" of hair I had. She was the first to color my hair which I am forever addicted. I can't count the times she has helped and blessed my life. I am thankful my brother was smart enough to not let her go. I remember when they first got married, our family would play tricks on her just to make sure she was strong enough to be in our family. The first night they stayed at our house we lined empty pop cans on the head board of their bed, at least 20 of them. We then told her stories of mice running around in the night. To make her fears worse we pointed out places we have seen them(in the closet of the room they were staying) . We then placed dryer lint shaped into mice all over. I mean in every nook and cranny. We stayed up late into the night making scurrying noises on the walls. We were so mean. Sorry Alana, but you passed the test. We decided to keep you forever!! Thanks for being my sister I love you Jill

Talent scouts watch out!!!

Last night was Mitchial's 1st piano recital! How exciting! I helped him practice right before we dressed him in his Christmas sweater and bow tie. He was so handsome. You all probably have experienced the evil demon that sneaks into your house as you are getting everyones shoes and coats on. For some reason the demon thinks it is funny to hide one shoe, someones coat, or in our house opens the door for the youngest to run out into the yard yelling at the top of his lungs. As I am yelling that no one should mess up their newly combed and hairsprayed hair, I feel a cold gust of air. I knew what had happened even before I went downstairs, the demon lured all my boys outside(without coats on). No amount of deep breathing calms the rush of getting somewhere on time. So after I put the sleeping baby into her carseat, she immediatly starts screaming. Of course. Why not. It's not like I had to bathe her at the last minute because she barfed all over her and me. So I am now standing in the doorway, in my new clean shirt, baby screaming and me yelling at the demon children to get in the car NOW!! Hopefully the neighbors mistook my yelling for caroling, or maybe they are just used to it by now. I finally get the doors to the house closed and all the children in the car when the piano boy realizes he doesn't have his piano book. Perfect. I ask where he had it last and get met by a blank look. Luckily I found it in record time and was on the road with 10 minutes to spare. As I am driving I hear from the back seat "Timothy get back in your carseat there is a cop behind us." Nice. So what do I do, pull over and make it obvious that one isn't buckeled up or yell for them to sit and act like all is well. I opted for the latter. When I turned into the church parking lot , the so called police car passed by and it wasn't even a cop. All that sweating for nothing. Thanks boys. Now I notice there is only a couple cars at the church and think that is funny that we are one of the first to be there. I get everyone in the church when Mitchial informs me he thinks this is the wrong church. What the heck. Timothy is already running half way around the church when I start yelling to get back into the car. In the mean time Guy calls me and asks where I am. I tell him we are at the stake center and without thinking he asks ....."why did you go there?". I didn't even answer. Needless to say we finally get to the right church and walk in trying to pretend all is well. As we walk in to the room everyone turns and looks at the Stones family with an impatient look. Of course they were waiting on us. Without crying I blurted out, "we went to the wrong church, ok?". After all the chaous Mitchial did a great job! We are so prould of him. Good thing recitals are only once a year. Oh yeah the picture of the feet was taken by Samuel who insists that he didn't play with the camera. Proof is in the pudding son. Next time he doesn't play with the camera he should take a picture of someone else's feet:)

Happy 40th Birthday Bret!!!!

Happy birthday Big brother. Bret....what to say about someone who has done just about everything. He is a daredevil, fisherman, a good father,a great brother and friend. I love my brother and am thankful for his life and all he has overcome. He is a good example of just keep trying! I am thankful for all he and his wife(Alana) have done for my parents. I think my fear of snakes came from this fearless brother of mine. He would catch snakes as tall as he was, and of course chase me with them. Gross. In the pictures Bret is holding our niece and the other one is with me(big and prego) Alana and Bret and the back part of Cory's head. I love you Bret!!

Santa baby!!

We are having so much fun with a baby girl. The boys don't leave her alone!! Tonight the boys were sad to go to bed, so I told them a special guest was coming to see them if they hurried and brushed their teeth and got in bed. I surprised them with a Santa baby!! Samuel said her ears stick out like a elf, but I fixed that by tucking them under her headband! We had so much fun playing with her that bedtime was late. Oh well.

Do not Laugh!!

Alright I am really starting to feel dumb. Who said blogging was easy? I guess it doesn't help to have Ian making fun of me. Maybe it is because I was up till 3am getting ready for family and friends to come over after the blessing. Today was a great day. Isabella was so good. She didn't even throw up on her blessing dress. I am so thankful that my Dad and brothers Bret (and his family), Cory (and his family), and Jason were able to come today. We also were lucky enough to have Guy's mom, his sister Nikki (and her family), his brotherMatt (and his family) make it too. I made a huge batch of homemade chicken and noodle soup, a batch of potato bacon soup, and a corn chowder. There were homemade rolls from Kelly, brownies, cake, salad(which gave you terrible onion breathe:) , frog eye salad, and cookies. At the end of the day there was only a few crumbs of brownie on the carpet, 1 small bowl of corn chowder and a half eaten roll. I think that means it was a success. It was so fun to be with family and friends. I missed my mom so much this week as I shopped for frilly socks and a headband for Bella. When I first found out I was having a girl, my mom and I talked about everything we would do. Make her dress, find her shoes but most of all just be together with our baby Bella. I tried to bribe my mom in getting better so she would be well enough to get out of the nursing home and come to the blessing. Every time I would visit her we would add to our plans and get excited for the future. Even when she was dying I would put her hand on my belly to feel Bella kick. I tried everything to get her to stay, but she was too sick. I felt cheated that I didn't get my mom anymore. This week I was even mad at her for leaving me and that I had to go shopping by myself. But today as I dressed my baby, I knew my mom was there. Bella was smiling and talking, just happy as a peach. I knew that she was talking to Grandma. Later at church I thought I would be a mess, but I was surprised to feel calm and peaceful. I didn't feel sad. Just happy. I am thankful for eternal families. I know my mom loves me and is watching over her granddaughter. Love you forever mom!!

Baby Bella's Blessing

We are starting the pictures from the end of the day because I still cannot figure out how to post. Arrgghhh! So this is sweet little Timothy. He was sent up to bed early. Why you ask. Look at the next picture.










That used to be our sliding glass door. While everyone was eating after church, Timothy decided to play outside with his cousins. That was just fine until his cousins came in and Timothy didn't. He used a hammer to knock on the door and whamo! I heard yelling and looked out to see Timothy fall to the ground crying. When we picked him up all he would say is " no one would let me in". Poor thing.




















Sweet Bella!!

Just keep trying!

Ok, my first attempt at posting pictures didn't really work out. I previewed my blog before publishing it and the pictures and writing matched up perfectly. I then post my blog and somehow it gets messed up. Oh well. I will keep trying!

Happy 32nd Birthday Coco Puff!!

This is how I spent my childhood, trying to make Cory stop crying.















There he is...my little brother. Just imagine him riding his yellow and black hot wheel down the sidewalk wearing his night jogger (not night rider) jacket. Good times!










Here are the super stars. Cory is second on the right.







Imbarressing? Yes. But at least my little brother was in the picture with me! (3rd on the right) Thanks for dressing up Cory!
Happy birthday little brother! Can't think of life without you. Thanks for the good times, love you!

Alright, I am home and trying to blog by myself. My patient sister in law not only let us stay at her house for 2 1/2 days, she took the time to set up a blog for me. Now the hard part is remembering all the things she said to do, and in order. My nephews watched as their mom explained the workings of blogging, at one point I think they started to laugh at their pathetic aunt Jill. Well no longer, I will show them how smart I am. Well maybe next week!! Thanks Alana for all your help. Look for pictures soon!