Blogger's Block

I have had a hard time finding anything note-worthy to blog about.
It seems that most of my posts consist of much the same-ness. We are crazy busy with 6 kids going all different directions...
I got to about the middle of January and realized that I had 10 days of vacation that I was going to lose, if I didn't use it. So, I have been taking every Monday off. It has been nice I have had a few days to myself and a couple of days of with the kids, that I would have otherwise been working. I have gone to the temple, eaten lunch with Ryan, had lunch with Brenda and my parents. Honestly, I have felt a little self-indulgent. (And, I still have 5 more Mondays off!) It will be a big-time downer when I have to work 5 days a week again.
Valentine's Day was yesterday, and we had a great weekend! We missed Darby & Sadie they went to their Dad's for the long weekend. But, Chloe spent 3 straight days singing for the choir fundraiser, Singing Valentines. So she hung out with the rest of us here.
Saturday Ryan and I went to the movie "Valentine's Day" and out for dinner. Sunday we had dinner here and Grandpa & Grandma Bracken came over. It was nice, small in comparison to our usual Sunday dinner crowd, but very nice.
Today is President's Day and it is a beautiful day! All of the kids are outside even Chloe. It is just one of those days when I am glad I live here.

New Year... New Do

Both Darby & Sadie got new looks for 2010.
Darby cut off almost 24" and Sadie nearly 10"

Christmas is almost here!

Well, Ryan and I are ALMOST child-less. Grant, Hayley & Zack flew out of Vegas and Darby & Sadie went to their Dad's all on Sunday. Chloe will be here until the 23rd or 24th, then she will be up north for Christmas also.

To start our child-less Christmas, Ryan and I went to his company Christmas party. We were asked to wear 'Cocktail' attire. It was kind of fun to get dressed up and go out together.
(The kids weren't officially gone, but we had a good time practicing.)








If you wanted to see our Christmas card before they actually go out, here is is!

(Just in case you were wondering, yes, we were inspired by a lovey lady, who one day met this fellow....)

Another week....

The past week has had almost an event a day. (Like that is anything unusual!)
Thursday and Friday Chloe had the Christmas dance concert. Almost every day this month she will have Trilogy performances. (Trilogy is the elite, performing choir at the High School.)
Friday, December 4th was my Birthday! It was a great day! Sadie received a 'Dean's List' award at school and got to walk through the 'W.'

In the evening Ryan and I went to "Christmas in the Canyon" at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. It was fun, but VERY cold.
Saturday, we got our Christmas Tree and celebrated my birthday with the family.

These are the roses Ryan gave me for my birthday!

Monday night we decorated our Christmas tree for family night. (I guess I should take a picture of our tree)
Wednesday night was the Christmas Concert for the elementary school choir.

And then Novemeber was over....

It always amazes me when I look at the calendar and another week (or3) has gone by.

This last month has been busy and we are just gearing up to get busier! 3 Weeks from tomorrow is Christmas! (Yes, Just 21 SHORT days.)

Nov. 19^th was Darby’s 11^th birthday…

Thanksgiving Day, we were here in Washington with the family here. Then we left Friday to head to Thatcher, AZ to party and hang with our Arizona family. It was a very long drive, but overall a really great weekend! I forgot my camera when we went to Arizona, so I will have to rely on other people sending me pictures of the weekend.

I do indeed have plenty to be thankful for!

More Pics

Last night was Brigadoon's closing night. Before the cast and crew went to tearing the set apart, I made Chloe pose for a couple of pics. She did a great job! I am very proud of her.

Brigadoon

Wow!
Last night was opening night of 'Brigadoon' at Pine View High School.
Chloe has a pretty big role as 'Meg.' She did a great job delivering her songs and entertaining the audience. the show was great and Chloe was fabulous!I'll work on getting some better pictures. (They ask for no flash photography during the performance, so it may be difficult, but I'll see what I can do.)
Brigadoon has always been one of my personal favorite musicals. My sister Cindy had the role of 'Fiona' when I was 4, and there is a song, "Heather on the hill" and "Go home with Bonnie Jean" so as a little kid, I thought it was family's musical.