Author: soggycheerios

We recently celebrated Tanner’s 12th birthday.  His birthday was the day before Thanksgiving this year.

 

The kids didn’t have school on his birthday, he made us get up early anyway and open presents while we were still in our PJ’s. Because he’s in the school play, they wont let me cut his hair, looking at these pictures drives me nuts. Pretty sure he ate the entire package of Oreo’s for breakfast and played his new video game the rest of the day. Family arrived for Thanksgiving that night and we had cake with them.

Happy Birthday to a delightful young man who amazes me daily. He is smart, funny, obedient and everything I could wish for from my favorite son.

 

We hosted Thanksgiving this year. The Freeman’s and Danny’s sister Nancy and her son Loei were able to come. Kids had a blast being together. I see a different side of Tanner when he gets around all of his boy cousins.Weather couldn’t have been nicer and the kids had a fun time fishing at the lake and playing in the yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is our 2 year anniversary in Ohio. This is our 3rd Christmas here, and our 2nd house since living here. Right now as I am typing the kids are playing a very loud game of indoor tag. They just finished big mugs of hot chocolate after cutting down our Christmas tree this morning. The kids all wished me a happy anniversary this morning, and I can’t help but reflect a bit on our life.

Two years ago I was full of so much doubt and sadness. The relief society president at the time welcomed us with a warm meal and could see I was struggling to control my emotions and took me away from the house to show me how to find a grocery store. A few days later, she called us to go cut a Christmas Tree with her and her family. We became fast friends and this is our third year to cut trees with their family.

The kids are growing and thriving. Everyone is happy, and Ohio is a good fit for our family. My only regret is that we’ve been  unable to return to Utah to see family, buying a house, and trying to recover losses from Nevada have been the priority. This summer will be our first visit back since moving.

A few picture from this morning’s adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tanner’s room was in the most need of a make over. I fight the urge to fix things randomly around the house and try to focus on finishing one room completely before moving to another room. He already had navy and red bedding so I found some fabric with those colors to make some cornices for over his windows. New blinds and a fresh coat of paint. I had previously bought the stop sign at an antique store and we added a collection of license plates from our cars in different places that we have lived and added an Ohio plate to the collection. I will eventually replace his carpet when I get ready to re-carpet my room at the same time.

 

 

His bedding is in the wash, I was too impatient to wait. Now on to the little girls room.

 

 

Found this in the yard tonight. He’s been eating well all summer long! I thank him for his services and we released him to continue with his work.

A few weeks ago a lady in the ward approached me about Tanner being in the middle school musical. I laughed it off and didn’t give it much thought. Tanner is a goof ball, but not really a performer. After many years of piano lessons it has become quite obvious that keeping time and rhythm is not a strong talent of Tanner’s, although, he is really good at making any piece of music sound like a funeral march, a really loud funeral march. So I didn’t give it another thought. A few days later, Danny approached me and asked if I thought Tanner should try out for the school musical. I looked at him like he had no head. He quickly moved on as well. Without much thought, I mentioned it to Tanner and the next thing I know the boy has landed a part with multiple solo’s. I asked him why he did this and he said he has stage fright and he’s decided he’s going to conquer his fear.

I’m still shaking my head at the whole turn of events. The play is Into the Woods, and Tanner is the Baker. He has a kissing scene and I can’t wait to see how this all turns out. I will be sure to record it–sink or swim, I’m sure he’ll learn something, I just hope it’s not to avoid all things drama or public performing in the future.

He did come home from practice the other day asking me if I thought his hair was soft. I felt his head and assured him that it was soft, not sure where this was coming from. I guess the girls have been rubbing his head and telling him he has soft hair. Maybe the boy is smarter than I give him credit for. Looks to me like he’s got middle school figured out. With all of that said, I’m pleased to announce that he’s off fishing tonight with his Dad and friends.

Our Jazzy dog died about a year ago. We haven’t gotten a new pet yet, mostly because no one will commit to taking a dog out at 6:00am when it is 10 degrees below the big fat ZERO! Fences are not common in the mid-west, no more just opening the door and letting her out to go.

I agreed to get Aubrey a Hamster for her birthday. As much as I think paying money for  a rodent and keeping it as a pet is weird, I have been pleasantly surprised by this personable little creature.

Aubrey was baptized on her birthday, September 8, 2012. Grandma and Grandpa Titcomb came out from Utah and my sister and her family from Virginia were able to make the trip also. Aubrey asked her primary teacher give a talk on the Holy Ghost and her Aunt Eva gave a talk on Baptism. It was a beautiful morning and I’m proud of her decision. She’s a wonderful child, helpful and happy and her smile can light up a room.

She wore the same white dress that Grandma O’Barr sewed for Emma’s baptism. After the baptism we went to the Der Dutchman for lunch. She wanted a hamster for her birthday so Grandma Titcomb took her to the pet store to pick out her gift.

Another year is upon us. A time for reflection and goal setting, a time to mourn the loss of another summer and simpler schedules. It happens every year, you would think it would get easier. I love that the kids are in school, they are growing and doing just what they should be doing and for that I am grateful, like every year, I wasn’t quite ready for it to come to an end.

We spend a day up at Cedar Point for our end of the summer celebration. Kids adored it, I can see why it is one of the best amusement parks in the country.

Emma:

High School Freshman

Flute student and marching band enthusiast

Early morning seminary

Tanner:

7th grade smartie

Super Student taking Algebra this year

Created his own comic website with his friends

Aubrey:

3rd Grade

Con Brio Choir

Moves from fife to flute this year

Alyssa:

Sassy Kindergartener

Hallie:

Overall trouble maker

Mommy’s helper

Hallie got a haircut, we cut it SHORT. She looks adorable, but this is the only picture I have of it yet.

Life is good and it should be another eventful year!

Family vacation, new tires, Emma’s band camp = the poor house–smile. If only I could get the ocean out of my mind. I want to live right there on the beach… OK, back to reality. I had to find some local amusement so off to Mohican State Park for a hike. It’s close to home and I love outings where the kids can just do what they do best, be kids. Hallie hiked the full two miles. Picnic lunch and a reluctant Hallie who refused to get into the river (darn Netflix documentaries about killer fish)=an overall delightful day.