Laser Tag & Rollerskating

During the Christmas break we took the kids for some fun. We did Laser Tag and rollerskating. It was Taylor and Spencer's first time for both. They both started out slow on the skates, but by the end of two hours they were so much better.

We ended up taking them skating a second time during the break, because they loved it so much. I had a blast skating with them. It brought back great memories for me and they were impressed that there mom could skate. It was darker in the place and my camera's batteries died. I was able to get a few pictures though.

Jessica and Hunter invited some friends too.All of these boys are in our ward and good friends with Jess and Hunter. They all cracked me up.

Christmas pictures

Christmas eve dinner we always have Strawberry waffles, bacon, sausage, and juice.

My kids waiting on our bed to see if Santa came.

Taylor playing with her barbie set that Santa brought.

The kids checking things out. Spencer and Taylor playing the Wii. Mario Kart to be exact. The kids were so excited to get the Wii for Christmas, but not as excited as my friend Rachel's girls were. That was priceless.

Gingerbread House

The kids always have fun when it is time to make our Gingerbread house.

Why it says jump on it is beyond me. It is an inside joke for Jessica and Hunter

Why, Hi Bob? I don't know why either. They just are goofy. They did write Udall's on the front of the house.

Hunter wanted some of Jessica too, I guess.

But Jessica was going to get revenge. When the kids were done with the big house, they got to make their own.

I love these moments

Jessica

Hunter Taylor

Spencer with duckie (from Grandma Udall) and otter (from Grandma Slade)

First day of school

Jessica is a Sophomore this year. Last week she tried out for the J.V. volleyball team and made it. She is so excited to be playing a new sport. Here in Georgia softball and volleyball are played at the same time in the Fall. Jessica played softball last year and chose to play volleyball this year. Today was also the first day of seminary. Jessica loves seminary and is always eager to go and learn more about Christ. She is studying the New Testament this year. Hunter is a 8th grader this year. He is on the 8th grade football team. They had tryouts this year for football for the first time, because their was to many boys. Hunter plays corner and wide receiver. He has grown over 4 inches just in two months. Spencer is in the 4th grade this year. He chose not to play football this fall. I am grateful one less practice to worry about. He is still in cub scouts. This year he will be switching classes between three teachers. His Social studies and reading teacher is my good friend Lora. Her son is one of Spencer's best friend. Taylor is in 3rd grade this year. She was so excited to start school back up. We met her teacher last week and she already had a homework assignment for the first day of school. She needed to bring in three things that described her. She brought her stuffed kitty, a book about kittens, and some pictures that she took. She loves kitties, reading and taking pictures. She is going to start piano lesson's here soon. I went down to the church building and took this picture of Jessica and a few of her friends from Seminary. We have 32 kids enrolled in Seminary this year. That is awesome. She is smack dab in the middle. We have a great group of youth in our ward.

Movie night

On a whim we decided to have a movie night at 9pm on Saturday night. We called up some friends and they came over to watch Alvin and the chipmunks on a big inflatable movie screen (thanks Jamie). The little kids enjoyed watching the movie from the trampoline. Can you see the movie in the background. It is blurry though, but you can see how big the screen is. It is awesome. We borrowed it from a friend for the 4th of July, but it rained and we were not able to watch one. It started out being a muggy night, but ended up being beautiful. We are so blessed to have such great friends who will come on a whim late on a Saturday night to enjoy a movie with us. Of course the night before they called us at 9pm to go to the baseball field to throw and hit some baseballs which of course we did. Thanks Matt and Lynn you guys rock.

Valentine's Day

Every Valentine's Day I make Heart pancakes for my kids for breakfast. They are usually pink, but I did not have red food coloring this year. I thought I did, but I didn't. The day before, Taylor asked me if I was going to make heart pancakes and in response Spencer spoke out and say, "Yes, she always makes them for Valentine's Day for us." We always do a little something for our kids for valentine's. This year I bought them these solid chocolate I Love You bars. I lay them on there bed, so when they get home from school they get a special something from us. I also, made sugar cookies and put them in there school lunch with a note saying that I love them.

Snowball Fights

We woke up this morning to 1 and a 1/2 inches of snow on the ground. We have needed the moisture. It soon started to rain and the snow started to melt away. So, my kids hurried to get warm clothes on head out to play. Of course they ended up in a snowball fight. You guessed right, school was cancelled. They played in the snow for about an hour. Then hurried in to warm their feet by the fire. They are enjoying a nice cup of hot cocoa.

I hope to enjoy a nice day of laundry, I mean scrapbooking. Doesn't that just sound peaceful?

It's SNOWING!

It started to snow around 4:45pm today. The kids tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues. Snow accumulated on the trampoline. So of course they wanted to have a snowball fight. As soon as I took the picture of Hunter, Taylor, Spencer with their snowballs they threw them at me. After an hour the kids were able to make a little snowman. As of now around 7:30 pm we have almost an inch and it is suppose to snow for a few more hours. The kids hope it will be a snow day tomorrow. I will keep you posted.

Boys YUCK!

Last Thursday Taylor came home from school saying "P.E. was terrible." I asked her why it was so bad. She said "We had to do square dancing." "Why is that so bad?" I asked her. She said, "I had to dance with a boy, and it was Simon *******." (He is a boy in our ward) I told her at least he was LDS. Taylor said, "Whats LDS?" I told her it was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She told me it was still "Terrible." Don't you love how children are so frank. In about five years she won't think that it is so terrible to dance with a boy. Right now she just cares about her Dad and brothers. In fact if it wasn't for her dad's lap she wouldn't have a place to sit half of the time. She loves to sit on her dad's lap, to watch T.V., read a book, in church, in fact it doesn't matter where we are at, you will find her on her dad's lap. Mom gets her on her lap if dad isn't around. She is my buddy when it comes to shopping, going to lunch, and scrapbooking. I can always count on her to come with me. We are going to enjoy this time for as long as possible. She is just growing up to fast:(

Growing up.....

What a difference a year can make? The top picture is from just a couple of days ago and the bottom one was in Feb. of last year with her grandmother Jessica has grown up. She is no longer (but always will be) our little girl. She has become such a beautiful, responsible, loving, smart, and funny young lady. She is in High School and loves it. She is an officer in the FBLA club (Future Business Leaders of America), and is getting ready to start track in a couple of weeks. Softball is over for now. Thank goodness (did I say that out loud). She is very talented in writing and wants to become a writer.