Christmas Day.

We must have been good this year because we got everything that we wanted. Colin hopped right onto his rocking horse that he wanted. The other boys got new bikes, WII games and new Nintendo DS's. Everyone was happy. We ate a breakfast of yummy cinnamon rolls that you set out the night before. Then Ryan went and got the missionaries. The Elders came to our house to call their families for Christmas. They stayed for a while and helped put a race track together and fix a bike that Santa couldn't get the brakes to work on. The boys spent the day playing games and watching movies while Ryan and I relaxed.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we spend the evening in our new Christmas PJ's. We had a yummy dinner of appetizers and fondue with our friends and their girls. While we cleaned up dinner the kids decorated Christmas cookies for Santa.

Then we spotted this elf running around the house. He is such a cute elf.

For the best part of the night we exchanged gifts.

Hunter and Hayden headed up to bed and forgot to leave cookies out for Santa but Noah didn't forget. He counted out eight carrots for the reindeer and got cookies and milk for Santa. Then he was off to bed.

We are ready for Christmas

Hunter was a monkey in the musical "The Jungle Book"

This is Noah at his preschool program.

Colin excitedly clapped his hands at both programs.

We have got all the kids programs done. Ryan and I finished up our shopping on Friday. Yesterday we took the kids bowling. Colin had to do it just like his brothers. Today, since it is Sunday, I am getting all my baking done and tomorrow we are planning on spending Christmas Eve with our friends Des and Kristina and their two girls. This Christmas will be our first one without family. We will miss our family of course, but I am excited to not be in a hurry to get dressed and out of the house. The kids will be able to play with their toys. I think we will have an easy day eating, playing and enjoying each other. Merry Christmas everyone.

Trip to Utah

We went to Utah to wish Uncle Benny off on his mission. It is so hard for me to believe he is going. I was in the hospital room when my baby brother was born. I have always been like a second mother to him. He was ten when I had Hunter and I thought to myself that Hunter would almost be that old when Ben would go on his mission. It seemed so far away then. As I hugged him goodbye at the MTC I couldn't believe that baby I held for so long 19 years ago had grown up and was leaving to serve the lord. I am grateful for the example he is to my four boys.

While we were there we celebrated Hunter's 9th Birthday. I can't believe I have a nine year old son. Thank you Grandma Miller for letting us have a birthday party at your house on such a crazy weekend.

We also celebrated Christmas with my family. This is a picture of Noah crying because he unwrapped his present and saw a clothing box and he didn't want clothes.

Surprise!! No more tears. Grandma got you spiderman toys. We all had a good laugh and Noah was very embarrassed.

IT SNOWED!! We were so happy to see snow while we were there. We don't get much here in NC and if we do it is gone by noon. That picture on the side of the boys in the snow is the only day we got snow last year and they canceled school for it too. I know crazy.

Thanks Giving

Thanks Giving week we were so excited to have Mama and Papa Erickson and Mama Yoohoo (the grand kids call her that because any time she walks in the door she says "Yoohoo".)come and visit us. We had a fun week planned of shopping eating and sight seeing. On Thanks Giving we had a yummy dinner and after everything was cleaned up the boys and I made a ginger bread house and then they quickly ate the candy. The next day we went to the Biltmore Estate. That was a lot of fun. They had a petting zoo with all kinds of farm animals and of course there was the house. It took us a couple hours to get through it because there was so much to see and it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. The grand kids were so happy to have the grandparents come and visit.

The Time Has Come

After much anticipation we leave tomorrow for Utah. When we left last Christmas we told the boys we would be back when Uncle Benny left for his mission. Those poor boys waited and waited. I have gone back twice and Ryan once while the two older boys were told they could not miss school. (So unfair!) My baby bro turned 19 in September. We had hoped he would leave in November and then when November came and there was no mission call I thought for sure he wouldn't go until January. The 1st part of November we finally got the phone call that he was going to Tulsa Oklahoma and then my mom gasped. I'm on the phone thinking what? what? Then my mom said he leaves Dec. 12. I'm thinking "could this be a worse time." But we had promised the boys and if we didn't go they would not see their uncle for three years. Besides, this is a very important example to my four boys. When I got off the phone I told the boys where he was going and they asked if they should go start packing. I said no we aren't going till Dec. Then they got all upset, I guess they assumed we would get the call and off we'd go. So in the middle of a super crazy month of Dec. we are off to Utah. So, if you don't get a Christmas card from me this year you will know that is one of those things I just didn't have time to do.

The addiction

OK, I am admitting it. I have an addiction. I LOVE candy. I try to think back on my life to see if I have always been this way and I can't remember. Ryan makes fun of me because I eat peeps. I love that marshmallowy sugar. Most people I talk to hate them, but other people have to like eating them or they wouldn't sell them at the store. About the only thing I won't eat is hard candy. I hate suckers and stuff like that. Well, with it being Halloween season, I was just eating way to much. I was physically tired which is just not like me so, I had to do something. When I was talking to Ryan trying to figure out a way to motivate me he suggested we could have a competition. I Agreed. The terms were we had to go a week with out candy. If he could do it he could go golfing, if I could do it I could go get a massage. Ryan laughed at me saying,"You know I am going to win. I am to competitive to let you win and you love candy." Ryan is a super competitive guy. If you give him a challenge he is bound and determined to do it. Anyways, the week went on and I had my moments. There was one night I had a Carmel in hand thinking about eating it but, I put it down and walked away. I had moments of I NEED sugar. Well, last night Ryan came home and told me that when he was at the bank, without thinking he popped a piece of candy in his mouth. So that means I WIN!!!! But, then I realized Ryan was going golfing today anyways. You know he has to go,"It's Work." That is what he tells me all the time. So, I decided those terms weren't really fair. He goes golfing all the time and I never get massages. So I told him that what the terms really were, was that he got to go golfing guilt free. No nagging about how I wish my job included childless fun. This bet doesn't really end until Saturday. And you know what, even after Ryan's confession I haven't eaten any candy. I guess I am not as addicted as I thought I was. Maybe, I will even see how long I can go without eating it at all.

Potty Time

Colin came to me and said "Poop" and then went into my toilet room so I thought I would let him give it a try. Isn't he cute sitting there with his pjs around his ankles? I quickly found out he just wanted to put toilet paper into the toilet bowl. So I took the toilet paper away and told him no more.
He was not happy.

Our Trip

Colin and I went to Utah at the end of Sept. to help my mom pack her house for the much aticipated move into their new home. On the way there the seat next to us was empty so Colin got his own seat. He was very excited to buckle up then unbuckle and on and on.
Colin and I took a break from packing.

We also did a little shopping while we were there. I really miss all the cute decor shops that they have in Utah

Colin loved Grandma's kitty. Because our cat is named Libby he kept calling the cat Ibby. That cat was probably so happy to see Colin leave because he was always carrying her and bossing her around.

Colin loved playing with his uncles Josh (top) and Ben (bottom).

Family Hike

We live close to Lake Norman. One of our favorite things to do on Saturday is to go hiking around the lake. The boys love it. Here are a few pictures of our hike.

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1st Day of Preschool

Noah had his first day of school on Tuesday. His teacher's name is Miss. Rose. He likes her a lot. He was a little nervous at first but he warmed up quickly to her. Colin missed his brother at the first part of the week. He and Noah have always been buddies. I think that is because Hunter and Hayden have been at school and Colin and Noah would play with each other all day. Now Colin follows me around the house and we are becoming buddies. I can't believe Noah is going to kindergarten next year. The kindergarten here goes all day so I will only have Colin at home. I have never cried sending my kids to school but when I dropped Noah off at preschool I felt a little twinge inside. This is all making me feel old.

Football Season

Well, it is that time of year again. It's football season. Ryan is in Utah for work and of course the BYU Game. This is like Christmas for him. Noah even keeps saying to me,"Daddy and I are so excited because it is football season!" Before Ryan left he kept telling Noah,"Make sure Mommy lets you watch the game." So ever since he left Noah keeps asking to watch the game. I have to keep telling him it isn't on till Saturday. I have become more of a fan and I will watch the games on TV now. Anyone who knew me pre-Ryan knows (even with all my brothers) I'm not a sports fan. I do love going to the games. I am sad for Colin because he doesn't get to go to the games like his brothers did. I have a book called "My First BYU Book" that I read to Colin. He loves it. It has the fight song in it and I have been teaching it to Noah and Colin. Noah sings over and over,"Rise and shout the Cougars are out, glooooory." So for the next little while our lives will revolve around when the game is on. I just hope for our families happiness that they have a great season. Go BYU!!!

1st Haircut

Before

After

Colin is almost 20 months old and we just did his first hair cut. (His hair was long enough for me to braid or put in pig tails.) I knew that when I cut off all his curls that they would be gone forever and so would him looking like a baby. He was so good getting it done he just sat really still and he was so excited to get a sucker when they finished. I was a little sad after it was done. These thing seem so much more sentimental with your last child. I cut Hunter's hair at 10 months and didn't give it a second thought. I am just trying to savor each faze because I know this is the last time.

First Day of School

Hunter and Hayden went back to school on Monday. They both like the teachers that they got. I'm happy to have them back in school. We did have a great summer though but it is nice to have the house a little quieter. Colin is making sure that I don't get to spoiled. He is starting to get into lots of mischief lately. I feel the terrible twos coming early with him. Noah starts school next Tuesday and he will go 5 days a week from 9-12. He is very excited to start.

11 Years!

Today is my 11th wedding anniversary. It has gone by fast. I would never have guessed 11 years ago that my life would be the way it is today. I love how you look back and see how different opportunities take you down roads you didn't even expect. I told Ryan when I married him that I never wanted to move out of Utah and now here I am living in North Carolina. How did that happen? I know that marrying Ryan has helped me to do things I would have never dared to do on my own. He truly has helped me to have the strength to be a better person and try new things. I can't wait to see what forever has in store for us.

Happy Left Hander's Day!!

I just found out today is national left-handed day. I'm wishing my little lefty (Hayden) a happy day. Most of the time I don't even think about him being left handed but sometimes I realize that things are different for him. For example when I taught him to tie his shoes I realized after a couple tries that I had to turn it around for him or the mouse to the computer is for a right handed person. I just saw I could buy a left handed mouse on the Internet for 99$. I'll pass. So far I haven't bought any special left handed stuff for him. I just don't have him use the can opener. I also saw a web site saying there aren't any left handed desks in college. I have never even thought about that. I guess he will just deal with it when he goes to college. The one thing that has been a problem is for his B-day he asked for an electric guitar. I found one at target and it had an amp and beginner music. I thought perfect. We gave it to him for his B-day and he excitedly opened the box. Then it dawned on me that he is left handed. So we took it back. I'm still trying to decide what I should do; search for a left handed guitar (expensive) or one person suggested having the strings put on upside down . I think I need to talk to someone who teaches guitar. Can't he just play the piano?
I didn't know this but there are a lot of superstitions associated with the left hand. Click on this link if you want to see some of them http://www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/lefty_myths.html
It explains the little devil that sometimes gets the best of Hayden. :)
Anyways, for all you lefties enjoy this day. I think I'm going to buy my guy a little treat for his special day.

Family Vacation

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At the end of July we went to Hilton Head Beach. We had a lot of fun relaxing and playing in the ocean (the water was very warm). The waves were perfect for the boys. They could easily go out on their boogie boards and ride the waves back in. The second day we were out Hayden started to cry and said a crab pinched him. We just kept telling him that it was probably a shell (there were a lot of broken shells). The next day Ryan called me over to show me a crab crawling around in the water. So, maybe it was a crab but we didn't tell Hayden that or he would not get back into the water. I did have him wear his water shoes to keep his feet safe. The hotel we stayed at had pools for everyone. They had a children's pool, a regular 3ft to 5ft, and the older boys had fun diving into the dive pool that went to 16ft. The boys were excited to sit on the beach and have daiquiris. Hunter loved finding ocean creatures. He found hermit crabs, Sea slugs, star fish, and one day we saw a jelly fish. Noah loved to go far out in the ocean with his dad. One time I was out with him and the waves were coming in pretty high for him but he refused to let me hold his hand. Colin was so happy to play in the sand and a few times he decided to taste it. Then he would say, "yucky". As we left the boys just kept asking if we could go back again.

Bath Time

Colin loves the tub. I left the bathroom for only a second. When I came back there he was in the tub with his p.j.s still on and splashing away.

Swim Team Update

Swim Team is over. Hunter and Hayden have improved their swimming abilities dramatically! This has been really fun for them. Hayden has already told me he wants to be signed up for next year. Hayden won four of his heats, 3 freestyle and 1 backstroke. Hunter was able to win 1 heat and we were surprised he did it in backstroke!! (They kept putting Hunter in the same heat as Hayden and physically Hunter can't beat Hayden. Poor big brother, it is so hard to have your younger brother be bigger than you.) I was just so happy Hunter was able to win at least one. They had a banquet last night and gave out trophies and special awards. Hayden got the award for most improved in the boys ages 7-8. He was so proud because his coached said he always worked hard and whether he won or lost he was a good sport about it. It was fun while it lasted but I am glad to be done. They had practice every M-F at 10:00. Anyways, I just want to say GOOD JOB guys, you made me proud.

PIZZA!!

Colin had to have his own big piece of pizza because he has to do what his big brothers are doing. He would open his mouth so big to get as much pizza as he could in it.

Questions

My friend Nichole sent me some questions to answer on my blog. So here are the answers.
1-If you had an extra 3 hours a day what would you spend it on?
I hope this is an extra 3 hours that the kids are sleeping because I could get a lot more done. I would love to spend that time by being creative (exp. making cards) getting a spa treatment or reading an actual grown up book. I would definitely want to spend that time on myself. But I know that I would probably use it to just clean the house like I do all the time anyways.

2-What's the one thing that's changed most with having kids?
The very first night that we brought Hunter home from the hospital, Ryan and I got ourselves ready to go to bed and then we realized that the baby was still awake. We looked at each other like "OK, how do we put him to sleep?" That is when I first realized I would not get to sleep anytime I wanted too for a long time.

3-If you were given $10,000 and had to spend it on travel, where would you go?
Fiji. My favorite vacation is always laying on the beach.

4-What's your favorite restaurant? What's your favorite meal?
My favorite restaurant in called Timbermine Steak House in Ogden UT. They serve my favorite meal shrimp scampi. I'm craving it just thinking about it.

5-What will your life be like in 10 years?
In ten years my oldest son will be preparing for his mission. I don't want to think about that. My youngest son will almost be a deacon. I will have been married to Ryan for 21(I'm sure wonderful) years. I'm sure that we will be crazy busy.

OK Nichole, now it is your turn to answer the same questions on your blog.

The Fourth

OK, I forgot my camera on the fourth so I thought I would post this picture so you can see how much fun we had. (We partied at a friends house) I don't know what it is about this ottoman that draws Noah to sleep on it but it does. When we walked in the house I went and put Colin in his crib and I got Noah's pajamas so I could get him changed. I looked all over the house and couldn't find him. I know from now on to just look on the ottoman. The thing I love most about this picture is the white thing in his hand is ribs wrapped in a napkin. We had to pry it out of his hands to put it in the fridge. This boy Loves his meat. Hmmm... could he be just like his dad?

Summer Fun

We go to the pool almost everyday. Even Noah is jumping in at the deep end. (See the five on the pool.) In the picture from left to right it is Noah, a friend, Hayden, and Hunter. Colin was even jumping in but I couldn't take a picture because I was in the pool catching him. So I took a picture of him eating his lunch. He is such a cute frog.

Swim Team

Hunter and Hayden are on our neighborhood swim team. It has been really fun for them and they are learning all the different strokes. The 1st picture is Hayden and the 2nd is Hunter. They were swimming in the same heat. So we yell for both to win.

Zonked

Noah was so tired he fell asleep on the ottoman eating gold fish crackers.

Put your feet up

Colin loves to put his feet up. This is him chilling in his stroller. If he is sitting at the kitchen table in his booster he will put his feet up on the table too.

Hayden's birthday

Hayden had a Pirates birthday party at the bowling alley. That is a birthday cake made out of cupcakes. It is so easy to pass out. Walmart makes them. Everyone always ask if I made it. I should take credit for it.

Bowling

Noah had fun bowling at Hayden's

birthday party. He would hold his hands

up like that till the ball hit the pins.