Lincoln's Present

Holy gingerbread! I woke up at 6 today and started working on Maysen's house. I worked until 2:00. That is when I finally baked the last piece of her house. Mike and Maysen put it together. It is quite big. It took a lot of time, but it is kind of neat to see a different design than we had tried before. That being said, I had no idea how long it would take! Ange had warned me that she tries to break it up into three days. I am so glad we are doing these now. When it comes time to make these for the beehives, I'll know what I'm doing . . . at least a little bit.

Bubs and Ange stayed here all day. The kids played while we worked on getting the houses ready. I don't have any pictures of the houses, but we did get a few of the kids playing in the snow. I'll get pictures of the houses tomorrow. We are having a family dinner here, so we will decorate them then.

Jorja in her adorable frog hat

Lincoln and Jorja have the same birthday. I gave Lincoln his present yesterday. I said, "It's kind of weird, and I hope you will share it with your sisters." He opened it and was so excited. It was nutella. I even heard him screaming, "Nutella is the best present ever!" Haha. Kids are awesome. He was so proud of his nutella. He kept asking Ella if she wanted some. Anyway, in the pictures below, you can see the nutella smeared over his face.

Devious Lincoln

Innocent Lincoln

Winter Coat Model Lincoln

Pretty Purple Ella

Abbers

Ella, Jorja, Preston

Forgetful

Maysen had school today. Stockton and Jorja did not. Well, Stockton had math class, then he was home the rest of the day. I remember when I was taking Maysen and Stockton to school I thought, "Okay, I'm all done until Stockton's doctor appointment this afternoon." I guess that is the last time I thought about the doctor appointment until the doctor office called me at 3:30. I was so embarrassed! How can I be so forgetful? I ended up rescheduling Stockton's appointment for the day after Thanksgiving . . . Maysen has an appointment that day anyway.

We started gingerbread central today. Bubs and Ange came over. We were up until midnight baking gingerbread. It took a lot longer than I anticipated. We were hoping to decorate them tomorrow, but it looks like we might have to push that back. I bet the kids are going to be disappointed! They are also going to be tired. Lincoln and Preston kept talking and didn't get to sleep until 11:30. Ella and Jorja were the same. Maysen stayed up late to play a game with Mike and Bubs. Stockton was the only one who is able to sleep through chaos. That is a great talent to have.

On an exciting note, it started snowing today! It is so beautiful. I love it. Especially since I have new tires. Mike and Spencer brought in a lot of logs and got the sprinklers turned off this afternoon - so we were ready! Yay snow!

Wicked Smart

That is how Stockton was described by his teacher at his parent teacher conference today. He is doing really well . . . except he needs to remember to turn in his work. He does it, just doesn't turn it in. I can't wrap my head around that one. Why would you do the work and not turn it in? I remember going to gifted meetings years ago and hearing that the gifted students do this all the time. I thought that was weird. Hopefully Stockton will overcome that little quirk. That was the only thing his teacher suggested he work on. That and reading comprehension. I guess he is only testing 'above average' on that one . . everything else is 'well above average'.

Stockton and Maysen went to play dodgeball with our stake today. Stockton had a great time. He loves dodgeball. Maysen had an okay time, but isn't that interested in going again. They are having dodgeball every Thursday. Pretty great for Stockton . . . except next Thursday is Preston's birthday, so I'm not going to let him go.

Mike went to the dentist today. They said he needed cavities filled, crowns replaced and two root canals. Yikes. Too bad we don't live in New Mexico . . . then my brother Mike could help us out. That is if he does root canals. Do you do them Mike? Or if we still lived in Georgia - Paul could do the root canals. Then I would know they were needed and were being done right. Speaking of Paul, his wife Heather's album Make It Last is now available! I am so excited, I just need to figure out how to download things. Hopefully I'll get it by this weekend. Her CD comes out later this month. For the two people who read my blog, you should go check it out. Her voice is perfection. If I was smart enough I would put a link right here. If Mike wasn't in tooth agony I would have him teach me . . . or you can google search Heather Shepherd. Mike and I met her when we were fifteen years old. Mike use to BEG HER to sing in history class. I can't blame him, she does sing like an angel.

Jorja's Conference

I had parent-teacher conference for Jorja today. Her teachers are Ms. Wu and Mrs. Redd. They kept saying over and over how smart Jorja is. They also said she is starting to come out of her shell and talk to the other students, but they still want her to participate more. Ms. Wu said that when she asks Jorja a question, she always knows the answer, but she won't speak to her often. I think it is because she is worried she might be saying something incorrectly in Chinese. (She is only allowed to speak Chinese to Ms. Wu.) It was really cool, after talking to the teachers for awhile Jorja came to the table. Ms. Wu said something to Jorja and she left. When she was gone Ms. Wu told me that she asked Jorja to bring her red folder. Sure enough, Jorja came back with what she needed. Ms. Wu would ask Jorja questions and Jorja would answer them no problem. She also read a Chinese passage to Ms. Wu. Later Ms. Wu told me that she hasn't been able to get Jorja to read out loud to her before. Mike and I are going to have to come up with an incentive plan to help her with that.

Maysen and I went to her school today to listen about graduation requirements - gasp. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. Mike had scouts with Stockton, so Jorja was babysitting for about thirty minutes. She tried to cook popcorn in the microwave. She didn't use the bag, she used regular popcorn kernels. There was popcorn everywhere in the microwave! Oh little Porgie Porge. I love that you are so independent, but sometimes it would be nice if you would just watch tv for a bit.

Hello Winter!

It's snowing! How nice of winter to wait until November, because yesterday was fabulous! Today I spent most of the day baking. We had our Young Women Evening in Excellence tonight. I was in charge of dessert. I made brownies and cookies. Simple and yummy.

Mike took the van to work today to get snow tires on them. I'm excited for these tires after dealing with our tires from last year! Hopefully Sharon and her family won't have to dig us out this year! Also, I'm excited not to be sliding off the road. Anyway, because Mike had the van I used his jeep today. The only problem with that is his garage door opener isn't working....the one that goes in the car. I had my opener in my pocket, so I would open my side, get out, run and push the opener that is attached to the wall, get back in the jeep and park it. Not a big deal, but it was cold and snowing! It wasn't until just now that I realized I could have just parked on my side. Why didn't I do that? I guess I just like doing things the hard way. At least that is what my dad would tell me when I was little.

Stockton and Jorja took their Halloween candy to a dentist office today. They were buying back candy for $1.00 a pound. Stockton kept about three pieces and sold the rest. He earned $5. Jorja earned $2 and Maysen earned $1. Preston only picked about five pieces to sell, so I just gave him a quarter. The dentist office is taking the candy and sending it to soldiers. I was surprised at how much candy they had collected. They had boxes and boxes by the time we got there. I guess they don't care if soldiers have rotten teeth! I was talking to my dad about Stockton selling his candy. He mentioned how Matt and John would think Stockton was crazy. They would NEVER consider doing that. They love candy!

Take Candy From Strangers Day

I totally forgot to take pictures today! Well.....Jorja and Preston dressed up as frogs. Stockton wore his copter cap and was a helicopter. Maysen made quite a cool costume. She was Cackletta from Mario's Super Star Saga. I have no idea how to spell that, but I am quite impressed I remembered where it was from.

Anyway, Preston kept calling today 'take candy from strangers day'. He was so cute trick-or-treating. He would march right up to the houses (sometimes in the houses), say 'trick-or-treat' and 'thank-you....happy Halloween'. That boy is not shy at all. We only went down two streets, but it was enough. One house had awesome cotton candy. The house two doors down from us had a whole bunch of chairs for people to sit on. They were cooking scones, serving cider and handing out full size candy bars. Makes our tootsie rolls look pretty pathetic.

Stockton's friends were the first ones to come to our house. They asked Stockton if he wanted to go trick-or-treating with them. He was gone for a LONG time and came back with a ton of candy.

Maysen had a lot of math homework today. A LOT. Her teacher said that she knew it was Halloween and she didn't care. I find that quite annoying. I don't think they need to not give any homework, but hours of homework for one class on Halloween? She should be able to enjoy these last few Halloweens she has as a kid. Anyway, that is my opinion. She worked with Mike for a long time on her math. They didn't finish....more to do in the morning.

Pumpkin Carving

We brought our pumpkins to Steve & Shannon's house. We bought two regular size pumpkins. Steve & Shannon grow their own pumpkins and had 6 or 7 giant ones. At least we let the kids carve them this year . . . last year I did not want to even try. It seems weird that a year ago we didn't have a real place to live. I guess it's so weird because it feels like we have been in this house forever . . . well, not forever - but a long time. Then again, it also feels like we just got here.

Diving Again

Mike and I took Stockton up to a diving competition in Park City. Stockton hasn't been diving for a couple of months, but his diving coach sent us the information anyway. Stockton wanted to go. Both of his diving coaches were there. Also Aiden was there. Stockton and Aiden started diving at the same time. They dove together at the U during the entire school year. It was pretty cool. Stockton did great for not diving in such a long time. He had seven dives. Three off the three meter and four off the one meter. He took 2nd place. I think there were three boys in his division. Aiden is a year younger than Stockton, so he is in a different division. Anyway, it was great to be back at the pool. Stockton will dive one day a week at the U. He would do two, but they moved scouts to Wednesday. I would be tempted to have him miss it, but they put Mike in as one of the assistants. I don't really want Mike to be there without Stockton.....

Stockton also was invited to a Halloween party at Isaac's house. He had a great time. They played lots of games. When they were playing Sardines, only one boy could find Stockton. I guess all the other boys gave up because after a long time they noticed that everyone was outside trying to eat a donut off of a string. He was quite proud of himself for his excellent hiding place.

Chili and Chocolate

Stockton was excited about today. Maysen had middle school, but the elementary school had the day off. That meant Stockton went to math, then got to go home. He thought that was pretty cool. He went to school, took a math test, then went home. Nice day for him. Stockton also had friends come to the door and ask him to play. This was the first time that has happened since we moved from Georgia. Stockton was out with Isaac, Jordan and Logan for quite awhile. Stockton had a very good day.

Jorja was excited about today. She got to go to the aquarium with my dad. He called me last night and said that they had Max unexpectedly. He was going to need to take Max with him on Jorja's special day. I wasn't about to let that happen. I asked him if we could watch Max here while he took Jorja to the aquarium. It worked out great. Preston had a great time playing with Max. When it was time for him to leave, I asked Preston if he had fun with Max. He said no. When I asked why, he said, "I thought Max was going to sleep over."

Jorja came back with a new frog and a giant serving of cotton candy ice cream from Cold Stone. She was so excited about this trip with grandpa. It is pretty awesome living in Utah.

Jorja and Preston decided they wanted to rake leaves outside. Of course, before that could be done, the leaves needed to be raked in a pile and played in. They were outside for a couple of hours. They did fill four bags of leaves.....then we ran out of bags.

Jorja - her new frog she got with my dad is in the tree

Beautiful Porgie

Preston

Preston & Jorja

Preston

I love Preston's face!

Preston with his Porge

Jorja attacking her dad

Jorja, Preston & Stephanie

We had our ward Chili and Chocolate party today. I tried to prepare my kids by telling them this was going to be nothing like the Halloween parties in Georgia. The Halloween parties in Georgia are pretty crazy....bouncy houses, cotton candy, trunk-or-treating..... The highlight of this party for the kids was talking in the microphone. The bishop was asking the kids if they had any Halloween jokes. Preston was pretty cute. He walked up to the bishop when there were not any kids around. He waved his hand in the air like he was asking for the microphone. The bishop asked him if he had a joke. He nodded and was handed the microphone. In a voice as clear as a bell he said, "Why did the chicken cross the road? . . . To get to the other side." It was so cute. Later he told me, "I was hoping no one else would say my joke."

Stockton also liked to talk in the microphone. He would say weird things about crackers and make commentary about how Christmas decorations should not be up yet. Anyway, my favorite costume was by Isaac - a boy Stockton's age. He dressed like a hobo with a sign asking for money. He had a cup and I'm wondering how much money he had in there by the end of the night. Also, my chocolate placed third. Not sure how many votes were from my own kids.....

Missed Bus

I took the boys to an early dentist appointment today. I dropped Maysen off at school on the way. I gave Jorja the garage door opener with specific instructions about when to leave and what door to go out of. I guess Jorja lost track of time while she was playing the piano. She hurried to the bus stop, but was too late. I am not good at remembering my cell phone. She tried calling me, but I had left it home. Once we were done with the dentist, I stopped and let the boys get a donut, then I dropped Stockton off at middle school. He only had ten minutes left of class, so I waited for him. I then took him to his elementary school and Josh to his school. When I finally got home, there was a note taped to the door. It said, "Mom I missed the bus. I've been trying to call you. I've been crying the wole time you have been gone. Please take me to school. --Jorja" Man I was frustrated. I was frustrated with myself for forgetting my phone, and I was frustrated with Jorja for missing the bus. I wish she would have thought about calling her dad. I wonder if she knows his number. Guess I better ask.

Jorja is NINE!

Busy, busy, fun day. Jorja brought frog pops to school for her birthday. She made them and they turned out so cute! She had such a fun, froggie day.

Jorja

Before school, we let her open one present. It was a webkinz. I'm glad she still loves webkinz. She picked the one she wanted for her birthday. She chose a winter fawn. She named her Flake.

Silly picture

After school was piano lessons. Jorja was really excited to show her teacher that she had memorized her entire recital piece. She only needed to have a few lines memorized. While the kids were doing lessons, I made more frog pops. Once Jorja was done with her lesson, she decorated them. She even made a puppy pop for Preston.

Once piano lessons were done, we watched Jorja open presents. She got LOTS and LOTS of frog things. She loved it. One would think she would get a little tired of having so many things that are frog related . . . one would be wrong.

Maysen

Stockton

Mike

Preston

BIG smile!

Maysen, Stockton, Jorja

Preston, Maysen, Stockton, Jorja

We got Jorja a really cute frog hat. She loves it. After presents we went rollerskating. Jorja wore the frog hat and looked absolutely adorable. It was funny because it would kind of glow when the lights were off, so she was really easy to find. Maysen also wore the birthday hats at the rollerskating rink...exactly like you see in the pictures. She thought it was funny that her shadow looked like she had horns.

Maysen, Stockton, Jorja

Maysen with horns

Preston made Jorja a birthday card by himself. I love it!

Stockton, Jorja, Preston

Stockton & Jorja with an orange froggie swim cap

Stockton & Jorja with a Sponge Bob book written in Chinese

Jorja got a card from my dad. It said, "This card is your ticket to go with Grandpa Millburn to the Aquarium to see many weird frogs (and other aquatic lifeforms, pick a prize from the gift shop, and then to go to Cold Stone to get your fill of ice cream." Jorja LOVED that gift! She is so excited. The entire time we were rollerskating she would whisper to me, "I can't wait until Friday!" She asked Maysen how come grandpa didn't give her a birthday gift like this. I told her, "I told him Maysen would like a book. I thought of this idea and suggested it to my dad after Maysen's birthday." Someone, I'm not sure who....it might have been Jorja said, "Maysen got hosed."

Stockton & Jorja reading Grandpa's card

Preston & his puppy pop

What a fun, long day we had. I hope Lincoln had as fun of a birthday as Jorja did! Can't believe my little Porge is nine already. I am so thankful she is in our family. I love spending every day with her. Love you Porgie Porge!

Porgie Loves Frogs

I made picture frames with the Young Women today. Jorja helped me make an example frame. What cute little froggies I have.

Jorja & Preston

Jorja also helped me make froggie cake pops for her birthday tomorrow. This is what she is bringing to her class. She is quite excited.

Porge and pops

Jorja & Preston

I can't believe my little girls is almost NINE! Slow down time! Slow down!

Pools Closed

Mike officially closed our pool today. The water is lowered, the pipes are emptied and the antifreeze is in. It was sure a fun summer. The first of many!

Infinity

We had a regional stake conference at the Conference Center today. Our stake was invited to attend live. Mike and I thought this would be a great experience for our kids, they have never been to the Conference Center before. The kids were GREAT during conference. I kept glancing over at Maysen and Stockton, they were really paying attention. I was so pleased. There was a lot of talk about the youth, how they need to know what they believe in.

After conference, I wanted to look around. We went to the visitors center at the temple. There were a lot of people there. We got a few pictures, but no prize winners. My favorite is the kids in front of the statue of Christ. Preston is holding his shirt out because he just drank from the drinking fountain. Water is all over his shirt....

Stockton, Preston, Jorja, Maysen

Preston & Stockton

Maysen & Jorja

Steph, Preston, Jorja, Maysen, Stockton

I would love to come back here to have a good look around. Hopefully when there aren't so many people, and it would be nice to enjoy everything when my kids aren't about out of patience from sitting through a two hour meeting. It was a great day though, and the weather was fantastic! What a nice October!

A quick Preston exchange I want to remember.

Preston: I love you infinity times infinity times infinity times infinity blocked times infinity times infinity times infinity times infinity blocked.

Me (Stephanie): What does blocked mean?

Preston: It means three times squared and one thousand cubed.

Haha! I loved how he thought 'blocked' might do the same thing as squared and cubed. What a clever boy! Not to mention, super sweet. Preston then drew a heart on my paper with lots of infinity signs inside. He told me that was my 'love meter'. How do I stop time with this little boy? He is growing up too fast! I'm not ready!

Squeaky Floor

In this house, there are a lot of spots on our floors that squeak. The big ones are in the hallway (over Maysen's bed) and our room (over the boy's bed). Maysen mentioned today that when she goes to sleep she hears squeaking sounds over and over. She finds that annoying. I told her it is because after we get the kids to bed, Mike and I jump on the squeaky spots just for fun. Jorja kept saying, "Do you really do that?" Of course we didn't do that . . . but now we do. The first thing I did when I got upstairs was bounce on the squeaky spot. Mike laughed and started bouncing too. I was so amused with myself that I had tears running down my face. I could just imagine Maysen rolling her eyes as she read her book. How easy I am to entertain.

Bed

I stayed in bed all day. Everyone has taken a turn being sick (except Mike). Well, Jorja had pneumonia, so it wasn't the same thing. Stockton was sick all day yesterday. On his day off of school. Poor boy. We were suppose to go to Idaho to clean the cabin, but I was not fully confident we could get up there without major sickness. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow, with everyone else it has only lasted a day.

I did get to talk to Brett today. That was the highlight of my day. He was heading out to lunch with Rachel for her birthday. Rachel's birthday isn't until tomorrow here . . . but it was her birthday there. Happy early/right on time birthday Rachel!

Health Juice

Look at these cute little froggies. When I was taking their picture, Jorja said, "It's just like we're getting married. The boy frog is on top of the girl frog, then they hop away." Mike and I about died laughing.

Preston & Jorja

Mike got a new toy in the mail yesterday. He has a juicer and loves it. He wants to make lots and lots of apple juice....surprise. The apple juice is quite good. He also made carrot juice and grape juice. The carrot juice is strong, but quite good when mixed with apple. Preston and Jorja were excited to make 'health juice'. Just like on Webkinz. On Webkinz, when you mix watermelon, carrot and apple in a blender, you get health juice. They tried it, but didn't really like it. I thought the watermelon taste was too strong. Probably if we put less watermelon and more apple it would have been good.

Mike & Jorja making health juice

Jorja

Preston