random photos

I didn't get a chance to send any halloween pictures so here are a few. Ashlen and Smalls, the dog, are looking at the big dog across the street that just a few seconds later came over and bit smalls on the butt. She was tramatized for about a week. The cute little super girl is my neighbor Reese. Her mom was super girl also, it was funny. I was a witch as usual, not funny for all of you who are laughing, and the boys were just scary and Lauren adorable.

Yesterday I took Ashlen over to the neighbors house to take her picture in front of their yard stuff. She kept running away.

I am trying to think about what has happened this last month. hmmmm... Peytens football team won the superbowl, it was great. The season was really fun and the weather never turned cold, which I appreciate. The boys are both playing basketball now and Lauren is into club volleyball. We are always running to a practice.

For Thanksgiving we always go to Brents sisters house in San Antonio. My kids love to be with the cousins and the annual "Turkey Bowl" is always a highlight. It is our family against the cousins, the girls even joined in this year. Kari made a great dinner as usual and I made a bunch of pies. Thanks to Grandma Ferns secret crust, I am always the pie maker. After San Antonio, we went to the land for a night. It had turned cold and was raining so we didn't go outside, but we stayed inside and had fun. I made a ham and more pies and the kids played games and Brent watched football. Ashlen ran around taking everything out of the cupboards and drawers.

Lauren and Brent decorated the house inside and out for Christmas. I don't know if any of you know this but I don't like Christmas. I am not sure why, I guess cause it is so much work and the moms always do it all. I turned the decorating over to them and it has made it much nicer. I am needing to get all of Christmas shopping done by the 7th of Dec. because Brent and I are leaving for NY and Quebec for a week and then when we get back we all head to Utah for our annual ski trip. We will get home on Christmas eve night and are going to stay at the cabin so not much time to waste. Because of Ashlen our Christmas tree looks a little weird. I told Lauren to not put any ornaments in her reach, not even unbreakable ones cause she will just take them down all Christmas long. I already get that with everything else in the house. Her nursery nickname is the 'moving tornado'.

Brent got to do something neat last week. He was playing golf with some Ford Co. people and one of them was good friends with Roger Clemens and brought him along to play golf. Brent said it was neat to golf and talk with him for 5 hrs. He said he is a really neat guy and a great family man. He has a son Austens age and Austen has played against his baseball team in a tournament. I will send a picture of Brent and Roger in my next blog. Brent has it on his camera.

I am off to do some laundry while the tornado is asleep.

Places where dolls should not go

Well, Ashlen is making me a big crazy. She loves to make a mess, I am talking bad messes. I don't even try to pick them up anymore cause it just encourages her to do it again. I don't think I have ever witnessed a kid so into mischief at such a young age. Since writing these few words she has already dumped out a box of crayons, thrown all the cushions off the couch, and is now standing on a plastic storage box singing nonsense.

Ashlen has a favorite doll that she carries around with her. Just a few minutes ago I rescued the doll from the toilet. It had been dunked several times so I had to spray clorox on her and stick her is the tub to soak. I have also found the doll in the dishwasher, dryer, garbage, chest of drawers, and in the stack of dirty clothes. Many other places as well but not as interesting as the toilet. Ashlen loves the toilet, I close the door to the bathroom 100 times a day at least but she always finds those times that it has been left open.

Lauren finished off her volleyball season yesterday as district champs. she played great, Brent and I kept giving each other high fives when she would spike the ball. she also came home last week with a straight A report card. She has a tough load in school taking all honors, we are very proud of her.

Peytens football team is playing in the "superbowl" this weekend. His baseball team last weekend took home a first place trophy in their tournament. Austens football team lost in the second round of the playoffs, but he made the "all pro team" for his leaque. His baseball team has their first tournament this weekend. lauren also starts club volleyball next week so we aren't taking any breaks from sports this time around. my life as a taxi driver. Thank goodness for drive thru's and talk radio!!!!

Brent took a four day trip to Alabama to play golf with 3 of his college buddies. He said he had a great time and loved every minute of the beautiful weather and great friends. I on the other hand loved having 3 out of the four kids sleeping with me for 4 nights. They had to take turns sleeping next to me, I feel so lucky. I do have dreams that I am sometimes sleeping all alone in a huge bed all toasty and warm. No one kicking me and plenty of covers, sheets smell fresh and when I awake in the morning I am looking forward to a day all to myself with no one fighting over which cereal bowl they want. I do love my sleep, but I happen to love my kids with me even more. I would like the no fighting thing though.

Ashlen and I are going to pick up a new car today. We decided on black this time. I always get white, I am sick of white. Then I think we are going to head to costco to shop and then my favorite time of the day, her naps!!!!!

Hope you all have a happy friday.