Scripture Pictures

We had a few last minute things to get done for the Evening in Excellence tomorrow.  We have been gathering pictures for a collage of all of Maysen's value projects.  After she was in bed I realized I didn't have one for Virtue - reading the Book of Mormon.  I woke her up so I could take her picture.  We picked the top picture.  She was a good sport. I sure love that not-so-little girl!

Maysen

 Ummm.... fail.

Out of Control

Mike was asked to give a talk for the Priesthood Preview in our ward.  I wanted to go see him.  The only problem was I was involved in a game with Dominion with Matt and Maysen.  I was dominating! I decided to have Stockton play for me so I could go watch Mike.  He did a great job and we both snuck out after his talk.  Right as I left the room, my phone rang.  It was Maysen.  In the background Preston was screaming like I have never heard him scream.  At first I was worried he was hurt, but then realized that it didn't sound like a scream of pain.  Maysen was laughing.  She said, "Preston is screaming and hitting and punching people."  Then I hear Preston yell, "I'm not!"  He then proceeded to run at Maysen and hit and punch her.  That made Maysen laugh.  Matt and Sam were there to witness the meltdown.  How embarrassing!  By the time Mike and I made it home (3 minutes later) everyone was calm and peaceful as if nothing had happened.  Weirdos.

Preston's 6th Birthday

My baby is six today!  Where did the time go?  I love this little boy!  He has brought so much joy into my life and into our family.  I am so thankful that he is ours.  We were worried for a long time that our family was done and we wouldn't be blessed with anymore children, but luckily we were able to have one more little boy!  What a perfect way to end our family.  Preston is exactly 4 years and 15 days younger than Jorja.  I am so grateful for Jorja and how well she plays with Preston - even with the age difference.  We sure are lucky!

Preston

 Stockton and Jorja

 My beautiful birthday boy!

 Stockton, Preston, Jorja

 Preston and Jorja looking at Stockton's present.  It was Omnom.

 Preston got a new Shiver puppy!  He named him Iceburg.

 It is crazy that Shiver one time looked like this.

 Another puppy?  Preston with Butterscotch, Shiver and Iceburg.

 Preston and Jorja

 Preston with his dream light pillow pet.
This is the one thing he asked for!  Over and over.

Preston really wanted a pinata.  He was allowed a birthday party this year because he turned an even number.  He has two friends down the street that he likes to play with.  I had asked their mom if they were available, but they are actually in Disney World.  We talked Preston into the $50.  (When they turn an even number they can have a party or $50.)  Preston has never had a party, so we let him have a pinata anyway . . . especially since we just filled it with Halloween candy. Max came over for the cake and pinata.  So it looks like Preston got the $50 and a mini-party.  Best of both worlds.

Max

 Jorja

 Stockton

 Preston

Max and Grandpa spoiled Preston.  They gave him Mario and Sonic London 2012 Wii game.  Max had brought this game over last week and Preston loved it.  They surprised him with it today and he was very excited about it.

Preston

 Bow Boy

Max also gave Preston a new puppy.  At Seagull books they have bins and bins of Webkinz for $3.  Pretty cool.  My kids love that - especially Jorja!  Preston doesn't have this dog, so it was perfect.

Preston

Yesterday I took one of my Beehives out to Cold Stone.  While I was there I saw this cake and thought it would be perfect for Preston.  The lady did a cute job writing on it for me.  I had been asking Preston all week what kind of cake he wanted.  We looked through books and on the Internet, but he couldn't decide.  When I saw this cake I knew he would love it and realized it would make my life a lot easier!

 Preston

I sure love this boy!

Snow Day!

Jorja and Preston had the day off of school today.  It also happened to snow a ton!  What a perfect day to stay home.

Jorja and Preston

When Preston was little he told his Primary teachers that his favorite food was snow.

Preston

Jorja and Preston

They made a cute snowman all by themselves.  Unlike them, I had no desire to play in the snow.  Stepping outside for a few pictures was the best they were going to get from me today!  I love their snowman though!  I thought they did a fantastic job!

Jorja

Preston and Jorja with the final product

I love this picture!  Preston adores his sister.

Almost Six

This morning I realized that I should be bringing cupcakes to Preston's class at school.  I was kicking myself for not talking to his teacher about it.  Preston's birthday is Saturday, but he doesn't have school tomorrow.  Luckily there was the book fair this morning, so I was at the school anyway.  I stuck my head in his classroom and asked the teacher about it.  She said she was ready for him whenever I was.  I decided to bring cupcakes in on Monday.  When I let Preston know, he was a little disappointed.  I asked him if he wanted to change the date, but I wouldn't be able to make something.  He did want to bring a treat today. He asked for Banana-Nut Muffins.  I ended up bringing mini banana-nut muffins and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.  He was so happy! He loved passing out the treats.  He loved wearing his hat all day.  After school he told me that this was one of his best days.  I love his precious innocence!

Preston - 6 year old birthday hat

Preston spent a lot of time today making up a song for Jorja.  It was so cute!  He kept saying he was having so much fun making Jorja a song . . . wasn't I so proud of him?  Of course I am!  I love that little boy!

Preston told Jorja today that he likes Christmas better than birthdays because on Christmas everyone gets presents.  My baby sure does have a heart of gold.

Elementary School Conferences

I had Parent-Teacher Conferences today for Preston and Jorja.  Preston was first.  His teacher had wonderful things to say about him.  She said that she knew everything was super easy for him and was wondering what goals I had for him.  I said, "Honestly, my main goal for Preston this year is for him to learn how to be in school."  I told her he had never been in preschool before, and he is the youngest in our family.  I just want him to be happy and have a positive first school experience.  I am really hoping he gets in the Chinese program.  That would be so good for him!  We will find out by December 7th.  Fingers crossed!

Jorja also had a perfect conference.  She is doing so well.  Even in Chinese!  Miss Liao said she wasn't behind at all!  Hooray!  Miss Liao had a conversation with Jorja in Chinese while we were there.  It was so cute!  She asked Jorja what she would wish for.  Jorja told her that she wished she could talk to her frogs.  Haha!  It was cute because Jorja answered so softly, and I rarely hear Jorja speak Chinese.  I loved it! The only thing both teachers mentioned for Jorja to work on was talking more in class.  Haha.  Usually it is the opposite I suppose.  Mrs. Todd said when Jorja reads the entire class gets really quiet because she speaks so softly.  It makes me chuckle because Jorja is my loudest child at home.  I think it is because she holds everything in out in the real world.  Once she gets home she just has to let it out!

I am so proud of both Jorja and Preston.  I am lucky to be able to spend everyday with them.  I love it when others are able to see how amazing they are.  What a great life I have!

Ouch

I had a headache all day.  I don't think the election today helped.  I feel sick to my stomach knowing that Obama is going to be President again. I'm not going to think about it.  I'm going to bed.

Christmas Lights

I asked Mike to put up Christmas lights today.  I wanted him to put them up before the snow came.  I felt safer that way.  That is until I went outside to check on him and found PRESTON on the roof!  He loved being up there with his daddy.

Mike & Preston

When Jorja realized what was going on, she wanted to be up there too!  Too bad they were ready to come down right as she got up there.  At least I was able to snap her picture.  That made her happy.

Preston and Jorja

 Jorja and Preston

 Jorja, Preston and Mike

Preston then wanted to pretend he fell off of the roof.  He really fooled me.  Silly boy.

Jorja and Preston laying on the grass

Changes

We got a new Young Men's presidency and a new Primary presidency today.  Wow!  Talk about a lot of changes.  Everyone knew they were coming though.  Half of the old Young Men's presidency is now in the Bishopric and the old Primary President is the Bishop's wife.  Brother Riddle (the old YM president) is now a teacher in Sunday School.  He is taking Brother Kunz place.  Brother Kunz died a few months ago.  He will be good for my beehives.  Plus, if they keep the classes the same, then Stockton will get him next year.  I hope so.  I think Stockton would really like that.

Alma Read-A-Thon

We had our read-a-thon today, or our Alma-a-thon.  We gathered about 9 in the morning for breakfast.  Then we had several speakers talk to the kids about different sections of Alma.  We had a great turn out and it is nice to have this over and done with.  I thought Al Clark was pretty funny.  He talked about being resurrected to your perfect form.  He had one of the kids come up and put on this muscle man costume.  So funny! Later he wrote sins all over the costume and talked about standing at the judgement seat in your perfect form with all these sins.  I don't know how to explain it well, but I enjoyed it.

My chart.  I finished Mosiah this morning.  Talk about cutting it close!

Sister Covington talked about Alma and Amulek being in prison. Stockton got tied up.  He kept getting out of his bonds too quickly though.

Sister Covington, Stockton and Josh

It was a long day, but the kids did great.  We even had Elder Evans come and teach us.  He is a General Authority and is over the missionary department right now.  He was very involved in making that decision. It was pretty cool to hear from him.  There were three seventeen year old boys that he was talking to.  They said they were pretty freaked out.  He told them to pray and find out what the Lord would want them to do. He told the kids that this was not a policy change.  The Lord is hastening his work.  They are planning on creating several missions, but they do not want to create any that they will need to close after the initial surge of missionaries is over.  They do feel that the number of missionaries will be more like a tsunami than a tidal wave.

After the read-a-thon we took the kids to see Wreck-It Ralph.  They loved it!  We splurged and let them sit in the D-Box seats.  What a great way to spend a day!

Library Shower

Sam had a bridal shower today.  It was for her library.  She had it up in Orem and it turned out really nice.  The only problem was the traffic was horrible getting there!  I gave her Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom.  I also got her one other book, but for some reason it hasn't come yet.  I'll have to give it to her later.  The lady who threw the shower did a great job.  She had a ton of food, and by everything she had a book.  For example, next to the meatballs was the book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  I wish I would have written everything down, especially since I know how bad my memory is.  The only other ones I can remember are Blueberries for Sal, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Water, Water Everywhere.  It was adorable.

Salsa Bowl

This is what Maysen has been working on in pottery.  She remembers her first pottery teacher, Brooke, making something like this.  She asked her new teacher, Mark, if he could help her with it.  I love it!

Maysen

 Maysen and Mark

 Maysen

She doesn't know if it will break in the firing.  I hope it doesn't - it's awesome!