Morgan family Christmas party

Jake so excited!!!

The only photo this year with Santa..yep..he was not impressed!!

Really Santa? Whatever!!!

Tate kept pointing to the mirror and saying"Tate..HI!"

The two "J's"

WOW!!! What a terrible posing job!!

Santa Schmanta. I hate that 60% of my kids know the santa conspiracy. They play along(because their lifes depend on it!) They think that they are to cool to sit on santas lap and ask for something. Jake was taking his role pretty seriously this year..he is 100 % believer and I love it. I would be so sad if he knew it all right now. Because once they know..they think they are to cool for it all. I love that he still is into the believing part and loves to be a part of the magic. My parents always have a Santa come tho their home for a Christmas party and this year he (Santa)gave everyone there pajamas!!! Thank you Santa...you just saved me 60 dollars of more!!! I ended up not even buying any this year since my mom told me that is what Santa would be bringing!!! My kids were so excited!!!!

We had a yummy Italian dinner before hand and then watched the DVD "Christmas Oranges". I had never seen the DVD but we really enjoy the book.

Confessions of a wanna be mom to girls

My niece Brynnie

My friends daughter, Elizabeth

OK, I will take 100 % responsibility for this. But sometimes..I feel jipped. Is it a problem that I go to a dance recital to see my niece or to do pictures for my friend and I am getting teary eyed? Yep,that was me last Saturday. I went and watched my cute little niece dance and I was teary eyed throughout the performance. THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW ME KNOW IT IS NOT HARD TO GET ME TO CRY..BUT FOR HEAVENS SAKES!! AT A RECITAL?

I left the recital and was trying to figure out why I was emotional. Then it hit me!!! I do not have daughters to see dance. I do not have daughters to go and do "girls day"with. I know...I am very grateful for the 5 boys I have..but As I take peoples photos and see all the cute little girls, something in me is so jealous.

And then it hit me again!!!

*I may not have daughters, but I can get 5 boys out the door in 5 minutes tops(that includes getting hair done)! .

*I will never have to deal with tampons or periods with a daughter(but I can PMS like no other! )

*I will not have to hear" I love him so much, why will he not just notice me ?"(instead I get to tell my hormonal son that he needs to stop being a punk and kissing the girls!)

*I am OK to still buy their clothes, and they are not picky. As long as it is Aeropostale or Old navy..they are all happy...(none of this name brand crap going on here! )

*No earrings ,necklaces ,scarves,legwarmers,hair accessories etc. (they are great with a bit of gel..and they better not come home with an earring! )

*Rent a tux,get a matching tie and we are good for the prom dances!!! (no shopping around, getting dresses fitted and all that jazz! )

*No weddings to pay for(at least the pricey part! ) but HOPEFULLY 5 missions!!!

Would I trade my boys in for a girl? depends on the day!!! HA HA !!! I am truly blessed to be able to have kids and I really am not complaining..strictly observing and thinking!!!

The other day we got a huge snow storm..and Tate was wanting to go out and play in the snow. He kept standing by the window and saying"pay pay". So as soon as I asked him if he wanted to go outside, he went over to the coat hook,pulled his snow pants down and grabbed his coat. It is getting so much nicer now that he understands more. I got on my old trusty snow boots and took him outside. There are a select handful of people that I have told the disappearing Tate stories to, and I was sure that he would not go running off in so much snow. I started to shovel the walks and driveway and I turn around and he is standing in the middle of the road with a West Jordan Snow plow heading our way. I grabbed the little buggar and put him in the snowbank so he would play and not leave.Nice idea, but it did not work. I turned around again and there he was. Heading out to the mailboxes. He is for sure a kid who loves running!!! Maybe it will pay off one day in track. We shoveled for about 45 minutes and then came inside. A cold, but fun day.

snipits of what we have been doing *journaling to follow soon! *

Nate and Taea

Me and Kristen

the kids at the bowling alley

Jake so excited to go bowling

Spence and the scouts

Spence and Jonas

In and Out opened up by us

the stuff inside the boxes for the eagle project

Justin stacking boxes

the empty boxes before filling them

Spence with the 650 boxes that needed to be put together

this is what my nephews and nieces are getting for christmas

Spence and I last year the day of the u of u/byu game

Spence at the BYU/U of U game

Jake lost another tooth

Tate was playing with all of the little snowmen

I am thankful for...

The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.
Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.

Nate the Greatest!!!

Nate and Cole with their b-day cakes

At the church after Nate received the priesthood

With Uncle Dave...we were so glad that he was able to come and support Nate!!!

Nate with his I-pod

Nate turned 12 on Sunday and man did he have a fun birthday!!! We went with Michelle and Tyler downtown to the hotel(pictures to come on next post)and Spence and Justin tagged along. Next time we will for sure just be taking the birthday boys!!!

Sunday Nate had his interview with the bishop and then was sustained and set apart after church. We had a handful of family there to be with Nate and he was grateful for those that were able to make it.

After church, Nate and I headed down to my parents house for a Sunday dinner and birthday celebrating. That is right..just Nate and I. Wow..long story..but the kid needed some time alone from the siblings. He had a hard morning because of things that were said by his brothers, so we decided to let him enjoy his party without the bully brothers!!!

We gave Nate an i pod and he was able to open it on Friday so that he and Tyler could listen to theirs at the hotel. Well Tyler's was not working and so Nate did enjoy just watching benchwarmers on his i pod. (he thinks the coolest feature on his i pod is that he can watch videos!! Forget all the cool music that it holds!! )

Nate was so ancy to open his presents ...he scored $65.00 in i tune cards and 45 dollars in cash..he was a lucky guy!!! I also got a gift card from my mom from my birthday and so Nate and I decided to buy the wii sports resort with it and an extra controller. The kids loved it!!!

More halloween garbage

the boys on our doorstep..ready to head out

the tile magnents that we did in Nate's class for the class party

Nate and De Quan doing the magnents

Jake in the parade

Yeah..I should have a better photo...oh well!!! Justin in his shirt costume!!!

This Halloween was anything but eventful and it was nice. It started off on Friday with the kids parades at school and that was fun. Tate made it about 15 minutes before Shaun took him home..he did not want to sit there!! RATS!!!

I was in charge of the class party for Nate's class and I am telling you..by 6th grade..they are done with all of the cutsie crafts,treats etc. I over heared a few kids say,"This is boring" We want to be in the next class(the other class was having a wii party). It was all I could do to tell them if they did not like it to have their freaking parents step up and come and help out. I get a little ticked off when people complain but yet won't help out either. Anyway..I think for the most part, kids liked it. IF they did not have fun, oh well. Not my problem.

Today we too Jake to a very cute birthday party for his friend Jaxon. IT was a dino party and they did so many cute things. He had a lot of fun with that. While he was a t the party, Shaun and I went up to the hospital to see his mom. She had some surgery done and will be in there about 5 more days. She sure was not feeling good today, she kept saying that she felt like she was going to faint. It was not a pretty sight, and I felt so bad for her. She is a strong woman but to see her like that made me sad.

Every year we have gone out to my sister Emily's house to do dinner and trick or treating. Today her little boy Bryson woke up wit ha fever so we decided to cancel to be safe. We ended up just staying home tonight and passing out Halloween pencils. I did not buy candy this year..I am so sick of the wrappers everywhere and cavities that come with it..so I figured I would do something different.

I had put the dinner in the crock pot and Tate was hanging on to my leg. I told him to "leave mommy alone for a minute" and he walked away. Literally. HE walked out the garage door that I left opened and ran down the street to 4000 west. IT was 2 minutes at the most and he was spotted by a lady and she brought him back here...this is the second time this week the little buggar has taken off. The feeling that I had again when your child is lost and I am running up the street to find him. Helpless...scared,useless,etc. I hate that feeling. So I came inside and told the kidsthat they would have to go trick or treating on our street by them selves so I could stay home and keep Tate confined. They were only out for about 20 minutes and then came back. It was nice..they love getting a ton of candy at my sisters neighborhood, but they came back with a small amount and they were just as happy.

Shaun is at the U of U game tonight with his brother Aaron and it is the blackout game, so he will be home later. I sent the little camera with him so I should have photos from that later. I gave him a list of photos that I wanted...so we will see what he comes home with!! Last time he forgot to take photos..DUH!!!

Halloween stuff

My cute little nephews..Mason and Brennan

Little niece Maddy

Justin, Bryson, Jake and Mason

Jake eating his donut

The boys all ready to have a messy time eating donuts

My mom and dad do a fun grandkid Halloween party every year at their house. They go all out dressing up and really playing the part.This year we had some games and ate lunch and just hung out and had fun. The kids really enjoyed the musical chairs and the donut eating contest. The boys had a great time in the backyard trying to catch a mouse that they saw running through the bushes. GROSS!!!!

A little boy in a new big bed

A view from the corner of his room
Close up of his comforter set..I love it!!
His three little friends that he hugs while he is sleeping.

It was time to get Tate a twin sized bed. We had been borrowing a toddler sized bed but our friends needed it back because there little guy was ready for it so we hit IKEA on Thursday and got this cute little bed. I love it because it is adjustable all the way from a toddler bed length all the way to a twin sized length. It is as wide as a regular twin sized bed. He has done pretty good in it..We have it set at the middle length it is perfect for him.

This photo gives you a better look at the whole project

This is a better idea of the color of the blue on the walls

The thrilled husband embarking on yet another painting project!!

I put Shaun to work while I took the kids to the pumpkin patch and the doctors..I really love the end result!!!

Packs pumpkin patch

Nate on the tractor

Tate next to a big pumpkin

Jake ready to be pulled in the cart

Tate following his brothers around the farm

T on the tractor

Justin with the squash thing he bought

Yesterday was an eventful day. We headed up to Farmington to go to the pumpkin patch. We go there every year and it has turned into our little fall tradition. The kids are off track and so Spence was still at school..but I was not about to MAKE him go ..he is past the point of enjoying stuff like that...even if we have a little one around again. So I kindly kept him in school(what a nice mom!). Anyway..we got up there, no stroller with us and I let Tate run everywhere. Keep in mind the two days before he had been really ornery and we found out that he had a double ear infection(and so I did not go on my girls trip to St. George). He had been on his meds for 24 hours and was a totally different kid..he was so much better. Anyway..so we hung out there for about an hour and then drove around Centerville and Farmington. I have now found the place I want to move when we are in a position to do so. I love it up there. I would just have to convince the husband..minor detail!!!

We found a park that that the kids played at for 20 minutes and then it was back in the car to head into the doctors for Tate's well check. The doctor was so surprised because he had gone from the 20th % in weight to the 35th % and from the 40th in height to the 65th%..he will be a tall kid.I was glad to because the kid eats like a little rat..he picks at his food like there is no tomorrw and then throws the other stuff..so I was pleasently surprised to see that he had grown so much. It put a smile on my face!!!

MY CONFERENCE CONFESSION

I am a bad mom. I can actually admit that when conference comes around every October and April that part of me dreads it and the other part of me really looks forward to it. I WAS looking forward to it this time..and now looking back..I actually had an awful time. Yes, it is my attitude. I thought that I would be the good mom and print off the conference packets for the kids. They will sit down and pay attention more if I was a nice mom and gave them those right? WRONG!!!
Oh no..not my kids!!! At one point..I look over nad see Justin laughing his head off and Spencer(mind you, the oldest )giggling like a two year old!!! I asked them what they were laughing at and Justin handed me his packet. Because I had printed off 4 packets(each 16 pages)..my colored ink ran out half way through..so they printed in black and white . So I guess that was just to boring for my sweet little darllings.(SARCASM) . They drew batman, joker and all types of cartoon character faces over the general authorty faces that they could not see. I LOST IT>>SERIOUSLY LOST IT> I was so irate that they would do that and show the disrespect. I was yelling and screaming only to be humbled by Jake by telling me that I was not choosingthie right by yelling at my kids. I felt awful and was able to enjoy most of the rest of conference without any problems. I hope that next time it will a different story all around..peaceful..quiet and nice.

Today Tate is TWO!!!

Who would have thought that something so little could just steal my heart? Today is Tate's birthday and after I got home tonight from taking these photos(and about 109 more!)I just sat and watched him play for a minute. I got all teary eyed thinking that he is the last child of mine to have a second birthday. He is the last child of mine to wake me up in the middle of the night because he wants his mommy.(the other ones are way to old for that stuff now!!! )
NO..I am not sad that he is the last child..don't get me wrong. That is a great feeling and a decision that I feel very good about. I just hate that babies grow up, turn into toddlers and then they turn into teenagers!!! I can't imagine our lives without little man Tate and we love him so much!!! I wouldn't trade him for the world!!!

Little Monster

HAY!!! I'm Tate!!!

*photos by haylee bean photography..I wish I could take credit for these!!!

You know it's a problem when.....

You have to have a family meeting on Sunday night and tell the kids that they are not allowed to talk. They can only listen to what you as the parents are saying and they better listen good. We have been trying to do things a little different on Sundays. We are constantly battling the "no I-Pods and computer"with them and fighting over which movies are appropriate for Sunday. Really..one day a week is not going to kill them to be away from all their other stuff.(Although I also get to play along with the no computer on Sunday..so that stinks!!! ...I did not quite make it yesterday, baby steps right?)
You would have thought that we asked them to cut their legs off or something..their was much wailing and knashing of teeth at the Lyman's last night. Needless to say..it was a long day for everyone and we were all in bed by 8:30 last night. We all needed it apparently.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES!!!

With Merit.....(badges)

This is what kept me busy today while I should have taken a nap..(dang baby waking up at 4:45 A.M. !!

The "life"of a scout

Spence earned all of his merit badges for his eagle scout. He was awarded his life rank advancement last night and his final 10 merit badges. He has worked his butt off getting to this point and I am so proud of him. He is thinking for his Eagle project he wants to collect gently used/new coats/blankets/gloves/hats for the homeless. I think whatever he decides to do, he will do a good job at. I guess I have a lot of sewing to do today!!!! Merit badges..here we come!!!

Just Justin

Here's to a great kid..a perfect baby sitter...Mr. Smartypants...tease..lil helper etc. I just think he is so cute!!(most days!!)