BREEZY FIELDS

(It was Monday when I started this, I've decided it will have to be written in installments). I can say that because I don't think I've blogged but 3 times the entire month. So whilst I sit in the parking lot of the photo studio looking so unready for a picture myself and my husband is inside getting his DA photo taken and Ellyn and Sawyer are watching Robin Hood and Jane and Sadie are pretend fighting that I am sure will soon turn to real fighting in the back I will attempt to catch up. It is 10:30 Monday morning. We pulled into our driveway at 11:30 last night after one whirlwind of a fabulous holiday week in Washington. I don't know if we've ever partied harder. I kid you not. Game nights until two in the morning, sledding, fondue feasting, chocolate dipping, remote helicopter flying, baby kissing, niece and nephew tickling, haircutting, hot tubbing, delicious food devouring, toy opening, toy loosing, toy finding, sibling teasing and conversing, Christmas sh...

Sadie- My favorite memory is being with dad and Sawyer and Sophia. Dad because he takes us to the pool and he takes us to Paris. Sophia because she played with me and gave me a playful recess. Sawyer because he is so funny and he makes me laugh and he makes me have a joyful home. Jane because she plays games with me, Ellyn because I like tickling with her. Mom because she loves me and plays with me. Mike- My favorite memory of the entire year was seeing Sawyer for the first time when I came home on R&R leave and realizing we had a son and not just punk daughters. Brooke- My favorite memory was standing back and watching my children greet their dad when he finally came home. They were so thrilled. Sawyer recognized him right away, Ellyn wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. She rode on his shoulders out to the car and all along the way she would lean over and look at the side of his face with a huge smile on her face. Then she would straighten back up and pat ...

Reuniting My favorite memory of '08 is the reunification of our family. November 26th was the best night in the world. Dad had been in Germany for 1 year and three months. Tonight he was coming home. We were working our butts off that day, cleaning. He was coming in at 6:55p.m. I can't even begin to describe how excited I was. Finally it was time to get dressed. We all got dressed in cute outfits for the occasion and got in the car. On our way there, there was tons of of traffic, very annoying. Once it was about 13 minutes till we got to the airport we were really stressed and it was already seven O' clock. Mom's exact words when I asked if she was OK were, "The last thing I would want right now is for your dad to come out of customs and us not be there." When we got to the parking garage there was a spot right in front of us. We parked and jumped out the car, got the kids loaded into the stroller and ran for the waiting area, looked at the flight board and ...

Sadie has had some tough choices to make lately. Today she came home from school hungry and announced to her father that she was "absolutely starving" and she needed either bacon or ice cream. That's my girl. But the choices have been even tougher. This afternoon (I was at a PT appt. with Ellyn and Sawyer. Mike was taking a practice GRE) Mike told Sadie that she could either help Jane straighten the kitchen or he could break her elbow (he really wouldn't break her elbow, just like I won't rip her arms off and beat her with them although I say it several times a week- Yes, it occurs to me we should probably tone down our threats). She couldn't decide which she would prefer, that is a child that hates a chore. My favorite has to be Sunday. Mike helped Sadie take off her Sunday shoes and then teasingly dropped it on her head, not thinking about that hard heel on girls Sunday shoes. Sadie was in tears. Mike was teasing her to get her to stop and telling he...

For Adult Eyes Only Okay, I have been trying to be good all morning, unpacking suitcases, making important phone calls, making lists of things I need to do, but the blog has been calling me and I can resist no longer. I loved reading all of your blogs. Rigby girls, I'm sorry to hear about Tuco- for your parents' sake. Give them a big hug for me. Jess, I'm totally jealous that you have finished the BOM. I am a bit behind and mom and Jane figured out that I have to read 8 pages a day from now to the end of the month to finish. I think Mindi's prediction is going to come true for me. Everyone will be celebrating the new year as I read the last chapter of Moroni. I am going to do it though. You can count on that. So Cory and my girls and I just got back from Bend Oregon last night. Cory had to work and I didn't want Jane missing too much school. So mom has volunteered to be in charge of coordinating the food for Pop's funeral and they are stuck in a snow storm ...

Christmas is coming and there is magic in the air in our cabin in the hills. We have just had a wonderful weekend and the week is starting off great as well. Saturday the young women in our ward, including our beautiful Miss Jane, babysat in the Tri-stake center next to the Oakland temple so that everyone in our ward who wished to could attend the temple. It was a very blessed gift, a wonderful way to begin the month. Our whole family drove up to the temple together, including the puppies in their crates. Two young women dedicated themselves entirely to the care of the charming Sawyer, Jane helped, as did one of the young men. Hmmm.... hopefully the other children were watched over with such loving care. Sunday was fast Sunday and also one of my favorite events of the whole year, the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Mike hooked Jane's lap top up to our old big t.v. in our bedroom and all of us piled on the bed to watch. Pres. Uchtdorf 's talk was especially touchi...

If we are referring to Sawyer and Ellyn. The other two are with dad at the movie theater watching BOLT in 3D on military discount night. How much more exciting can life get? The dogs and I are hanging out in the clean (I include that because I am really savoring the moment), cozy, warm, living room. No music, no tv, no kids, no barking, no phones, no husband, just an occasional creak from the rusty, aged gas heater beneath the window. It feels very weird. Kind of nice though, a little time to catch up. You see, with Mike home there is actually nothing that we have done separately until tonight. Within reason, we don't take poopy diapers out to the garbage can together, he doesn't stand beside me while I blow dry my hair or put my makeup on either. I'm just saying I don't have that 45 minutes or so after the kids go to bed where I sit in my bed and check my email, write on the blog, and write a few quick messages on Facebook. Frankly, I have enjoyed the change. ...