Wrestling

I love my husband for many, many reasons. But one of the reasons I love him so much is that he's an amazing dad. Our Sunday activity today pre-nap has been a mean wrestling match. I mean Jeremy taught all the kids moves, has taken them all down and had them all pinned at once. They were absolutely hysterical. For sure the volume in our house was way above average, and our average is pretty loud. Did they learn a thing? No, they're still making the same critical mistakes over and over again. I think they're wanting to get pinned, but it's fun and, knock on wood, no one has gotten hurt. And I get to photograph it and blog about it since I'm so freakin' humongous!

Happy Birthday Hannah

Yesterday Hannah turned 6 years old. I have never in my whole life seen a child more appreciative of a birthday than Hannah was. The countdown started a month ago and she's been anxiously waiting the big day. It didn't disappoint either. She got watermelon and breakfast burritos for breakfast, her 2 favorite foods, then a trip to the park to play with "Annie my sister and Annie my friend" as she likes to differentiate her two Annies. She got more watermelon and then it was home to have a tea party with her new tea set, and to play with Rose her new Doodle Bear, all while rocking the new outfit from Grandma Goodman - sparkles and all.

She told everyone she saw that it was her birthday!

With every phone call she took or every birthday message I relayed to her, she lit up like the sun. Thanks to all that texted, or called. She loved it!

Like I said, I have never in my life seen a kid love a birthday as much as she did.

I love Hannah for her zest for life. She has no fear talking to any one. She makes friends with all the nurses, doctors, opticians, anyone. My favorite was when we were at the eye doctor and she asked both the optician and the Dr., "Whatcha eatin' under there?" Then to have them play along or tease her back, just made her that much merrier. She can be a little spazzy and spontaneous and we can regularly count on her to spill her drink each night at dinner, but she is definitely her own person and I love her for that.

Happy Birthday Hannah, our wonderful miracle baby who I couldn't believe I was pregnant with and devastated when I thought I had lost you, but couldn't imagine our family without you!

Oooh, caught stealing frosting from your giant birthday cupcake!

Hoop Shooting

Back in November, Jake came home and informed us he won a basketball contest at school and was to represent Granville Elementary at the town competition. We kinda blew him off not getting what he was talking about until his PE teacher called to let us know he made the most free throws in his class and qualified to represent his school at the Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot Competition for all of Prescott and Prescott Valley. She said he not only made the most free throws in his class, but in the whole school, 5th and 6th graders included.

He went to the PV Hoop Shoot and wouldn't you know it, he won that too.

So then it was prepping for the AZ North District competition in Chino Valley. That was yesterday. We recently got a basketball hoop so he has spent all his time shooting free throws.

We got there yesterday and it felt like I had walked into a funeral. I have never in my whole entire life been in a gym so quiet. There was absolutely no talking, drinking of water bottles, cheering, clapping or noise of any kind. Apparently the kids needed all the quiet in the world in order to concentrate.

The boys shot on half and the girls the other half. They were sat down in chairs to quietly, patiently wait their turn to shoot. Jake drew number one, so he was up first. He made 6 of 10 in the first round (tying him for first place) and then had to wait while the 10 other kids shot for him to have his turn in the second round. That one didn't go quite as well as he only made about 5 of 15 (though he insists he made 8 of 15). He ended the competition making 11/25, or 14/25 if you ask Jake.

I'm not making excuses for Jake, but I will say this, he was up against a bunch of kids of a certain ethnicity that is native to America that can shoot like no one's business. Once they get in the zone, they can throw up shots with their eyes closed all from right below their shoulder. I don't know how they do it, and I'm gonna get accused of being a racist, but really I'm quite amazed at the consistency. The winner made 17 out of 25 (making 14 of 15 in the second round and then 5 of 5 in the tie breaker, he was in the zone) and I'm thinking he was probably a 16 year old competing in the 10 and 11 year old group. He was quite large. Where do people breed kids so big? I certainly don't know the secret.

Anyway, it was a great opportunity for Jake and he was an amazing sport. He didn't get down on himself and I never once heard him say how bad "he sucks!" It's very aggravating as a parent to hear my child say that all the time - sorry Mom and Dad.

We'll see how he does next year. And if I know Jake, he'll probably start working on perfecting his free throws now.

Good work Jake!

These were our only pictures, as we weren't allowed any flash photography - Jeremy took these on his phone. Notice all the giants behind Jake. Jake is barely touching his feet to the ground, while the other boys were playing with their beards.

Sick

There's been a nasty virus going around our house. First our computer caught it. It really did a number on it. We took it to the computer gurus a couple of times and finally we think it's all better. There was a virus that had written itself to our hard drive and then partitioned itself off to keep itself hidden (or something like that - I'm not too computer savvy). I was a bit lost without a computer for a week. It was refreshing in a way, but it's good to have it back.

Then last night, Abby caught it. I'm not sure if it's the same strain of virus, but Abby has it in a bad way - fever, chills, puking, headache. It doesn't look like it's strep, possibly the flu, but it's nasty.

Hopefully the sickness ends with her. We're praying for a healthy home for the rest of the year, or at least until the baby comes which is now officially set for February 28th!

Our newest isms - Thanks Hannah and Annie

It's been a while since posting our isms. I swore when I first started blogging it would be a regular thing, but these this past week have been great.

Hannah

The other day we were driving down the road and saw two girls walking down the street. They were dressed very 1800's ish. Long full skirts, bonnets and such. Anyway, Hannah sees them and says, "Look mom, they're from the '90's." Now wait a minute, I was in the prime of my life in the nineties and I'm pretty sure I dressed way radder than that.

Annie

Hannah had a little bed wetting accident the other day. So Hannah and Annie were bringing their laundry basket upstairs for laundry that day with the yucky sheets in the basket. Now, a little history, when my kids want to sound sophisticated or cool, they add the suffix -ness to a word. Such as, "wow, that's goodness," or "I smell like cleanness". Anyway, Annie was less than happy with the smell in the laundry basket and announced, "It smells like pee-ness". Say that one out loud. It was pretty funny. We were all hysterical because I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know what that word is and she had no idea why we were all dying laughing.

Christmas

It's taken me a week to post about Christmas and if I go any longer, it will never get done. Santa was especially good to us this year. We had a great Christmas and everyone was so happy and content all day.

First, we enjoyed a great Christmas Eve dinner with the Hawkins', then baked and frosted sugar cookies for Santa, and listened as Jeremy read the Nativity from Luke. Then it was off to bed with a quick reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The kids all slept in Jake's room and were given instructions not to come upstairs before 7:00 am. They fell asleep and it was off to work. Jeremy worked most of the night (until nearly 4:00) putting together the new trampoline. He was absolutely exhausted, but in perfect Jeremy fashion, didn't show his tiredness the next day and was as happy as always.

The kids were elated with their Christmas. I swear every year that I'm going to simplify Christmas, but then when all is said and done, it's not so simple or cheap. But I love the look on the kids' faces on Christmas morning.

We spent about 20 minutes tearing our gifts open and the next several hours playing with our loads, until it was time to get ready for 2:00 church. Then it was off to Mesa for the Goodman family Christmas party. The girls were so happy with their Barbies and Jake his dog tags. Then the White elephant gift exchange, not the best year of the WE, but still fun.

Here are the pics from the big day:

Our fam on Christmas Eve

Abby showing off her new boots

Hannah with her new Barbie clothes

Annie with her new Rapunzel doll

Jake with his new Cowboy's shirt and Captain America parachute guy

Jeremy surrounded by all his loot

This is how Annie and Hannah spent their morning - playing with their new Barbies by the fireplace in Annie's "room"

This is how Jake and Abby spent their morning - downloading music from itunes for their new ipods

A glimpse of the chaos at the Goodman family Christmas party. The room is definitely too small for how big the fam has gotten.

It was a full Christmas season. I'm grateful for my Savior, His humble birth his perfect life and example and especially his atonement for me. I'm thankful for the blessings that are mine because of Jesus.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

We're Ready for Santa

It is Christmas Eve. The kids have all planned where they're going to sleep tonight (Jake's room with an extra air mattress). They've cleaned their rooms and for now, they're all playing together so nicely. Kids playing creatively together is one of my greatest joys as a mom. I love it when they like each other.

Last week we went down to Mesa for the annual Platt family Christmas party. Homemade soups in bread bowls - heavenly. That, accompanied with great conversations, a fabulous Nativity read by Drew at his finest, and the new Christmas PJ's from Grandma Platt made for a wonderful evening. Not to mention, I got to hold baby Chet - a lot. He's a sweetie!

Sunday, our ward had their Christmas program during Sacrament meeting. The choir began with O Holy Night. That did it. It's one of my favorite songs and it really set the mood beautifully. It was great, uplifting and the Spirit was so strong in that meeting.

Tuesday night we went to downtown Prescott to look at lights at the courthouse. It was awfully chilly, but oh so pretty.

Then last night we headed to the metropolis of Cornville, AZ to watch the neatest Christmas house EVER! It was a 40 minute show of lights set to music. It dwarfed the Kip's home. We enjoyed good friends, hot chocolate and donuts.

After that, it was off to Sedona to see the lights at the resort. We walked around the parking lot ranking our favorites. The kids got to see the friendliest Santa ever, tell him of their ridiculous lists, and enjoy more hot chocolate. Then it was the official voting of the best display. Most displays were kid friendly - Sesame street, Precious moments, Smurfs, Cars..., but the one that won with 2 of the kids was the one called "Every Knee shall bend before him" It was the nativity in lights. I was impressed with Jake and Abby for their maturity. It was definitely a good choice.


Now with all that said, I only have a few pictures from the entire month of December and festivities to post, so sad. There should definitely be many more pictures from tonight and the big day tomorrow.

The Platt grandkids and Devon. Hannah was Mary for the first time, with Oliver as Joseph, Chet as baby Jesus, Jake, Devon, Eli and Simon as Wisemen, Hannah, Abby and Emie as Angels and Michelle and Brakelle as Shepherds.

All the grandkids in their new PJ's