So yet another hike, but this one closer to home. These are some of Jason's pictures he took for his photo merit badge. We had Melody that day and she and the kids had fun. Though they liked seeing the different birds and animals, their favorite thing was to pose like "wild cannibal children" for the camera. Yes, it was Nick's idea!
We have very brave families in our ward. The Mabb and Virgin families decided to put together a soccer league with 6 and 7 year olds. I swear we have at least 40 kids playing! They have enough for 4 teams. Erik is now a soccer fiend and loves it. A big thanks to Jon, Chrissy, Theron, and Anna!
The kids did great.
Alene and I are soccer moms now!
Nick was working on his photography merit badge and needed to take 20 pictures with a theme. Cole decided that a hike would work out great. Exercise for us and an opportunity for Nick. It was a gorgeous day even though we started out late. Nick was their but took all the pictures alas why no pics of him. Jason and Trevor thought our idea was flawed and stayed home to play video games. Their loss!
This year Cole and I tried to cut back on presents and make it a simpler Christmas. Yeah whatever! I made half of their presents. Cute BBQ aprons, blankets, & pillows. We did break down and get them all a big present, hence the big smiles in the coming pictures.
Christmas morning.
Erik with his new silver DS.
The boys with their big gifts
Jason with a PSP.
Like the box? Cole came up with that though I wish I could claim the idea. Inside was Nick's new green I-Pod.
Ryan with his DS. Red is his favorite color as well.
In every picture Trevor put his gift in front of his face! That is Trevor though with a black Pokemon DS.
The Gardner's have a tradition that they offer $$$ for any (Gardner) child who is willing to jump into freezing water Christmas morning before opening gifts. It started when Cole was in college and came home for Christmas vacation flat broke. His dad has perfected it over the years. Extra cash if you wear a speedo or jock. Diving to the bottom for bags with different amounts. And even envelopes with undisclosed amounts of money so that you weren't even sure of getting $5 or $100. I have even done it twice. Cole and I started up the tradition again when we got our own pool. This was our third year. I have decided our children are spoiled since no one but Ryan would jump this year. Ryan got 50 big ones for being the only brave one. Maybe next year we will get some more volunteers. Good job Ryan!
It was a toasty 57 degrees!
Mom waiting with a warm towel.
Ryan with his hard earned cash.
Every Christmas Cole's Mom makes AWESOME sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. They love the tradition and look forward to it. Santa drives around the Grandparents neighborhood and so after cookies we wait outside for Santa. He never disappoints.
The boys with Ashley and Natalie.
My friend Kelly made these cute vintage aprons for boutiques this year then also taught a class on how to make them. Needless to say my OCD caught the apron bug and I felt the need to make 40 for friends and family. I had to call on best buddy Alene to help me sew them in time for Christmas. I got them done in time and hope all who got one will enjoy them. Now I need to still make one, Mine!
Aprons in different stages scattered in my living room.
Alene and I sewing
Two recipients. My s-i-l Afton and m-i-l MaryKaye.
Our baby is six today. We are so blessed to have him in our family and love him dearly. 
Dad and Erik 2 years ago.
Love his smile.
He got into pudding. I could laugh at it later.
Last year on his birthday. He's wearing all his presents.
I'm sitting on Cole's laptop because our computer is down for the 4th time in 2 months. I mean down and out till Cole pulls it apart and does his magic. The kids keep loading some stupid game that crashes it. No pictures till it's up and running. I really dislike blogging without pics.
Cole is out hiking with Nick and the Deacons. Heaven help him! I'm at home with our 4 boys and 3 extra 15 years olds playing Madden '09. Heaven help me! (man the noise level they can put out.)
To catch up, Nick did win the Spam Contest for the Jr. cooking contest. So proud of him and his recipe. He made Spam cup pies. Think of mini spam tarts. He won $60 and his recipe goes to nationals. If it wins there, he'll get $2,000. (All would go to his mission fund!) There where about 10 other kids competing and about 35 adults. As the wonderful mother that I am, I forgot my camera. Luckily Kelly and her parents where at the fair so I do have some picture and will post when I can.
Halloween was okay this year. Jason and Nick didn't want to dress up this year to hand out candy. I was going for a "Pushing Daisies" theme but they thought it was too much of a hassle. Trevor dressed up as Link from Zelda. Everyone thought he was Peter Pan or Robbin Hood, poor kid. Ryan was a bat and Erik was Davey Crockett. Nana made him this cool costume and he looked so cute. Again, pictures to follow.
I've been sewing like a mad woman or more accurately, like a woman with a OCD problem. Not to worry, most of you will benefit from my disease come Christmas.
