Gingerbread houses

Friday, we got the chance to go to the kids' school and make gingerbread houses with them. All five kindergarten classes met in the gym and (with their parents) made gingerbread houses. Now, I don't know about you, but I had an image in my mind of how this was going to be. To my shock and disbelief there were no children bouncing off the walls, throwing candy and pouring bowls of M&M's in their mouths. It was a lot of fun. Aiden ate about as much candy as he put on his house...aren't you supposed to?

Avery's house

Aiden's house

On a tangental note, Aiden is no longer our little great white. He lost his first tooth the week of Thanksgiving, on Sunday the 22nd. The second one dropped on D-day. He is now the tooth fairy's biggest fan.

Snow Days!!

The beauty of living in Nebraska? Don't look at me I'm the one asking. But, one of the great events that happens every winter here is the inevitable snow day! And last week we had three of them! Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the kids were out due to "inclement weather" as it were. We didn't leave the apartment for the first two days, mainly due to the fact that it was -3 degrees outside, with the wind chill it was -20 degrees. We made crafts, cookies, more crafts, and more treats. Check out the ornaments the kids made and the cookies they made and decorated.

Here we are decorating the cookies!

Six year olds go through sprinkles like Tiger Woods goes through...well, you know.

Pretzels dipped in almond bark and sprinkled with crushed pieces of candy cane. Mmmmm, my favorite.

We finally got out on Thursday and went sledding at Nana's. Don't worry, I stopped them before they went careening into the lake.

The nicest thing about winter in Nebraska? The chance of snow days, getting to spend time with my kids without having to do anything else. Almost like a guilty pleasure...minus the guilt. Thank goodness something is.

Lost Tooth

On Tuesday, Avery lost her first tooth. It had been loose for just a short time and Jeremy yanked it out. She was quite nervous about it all. When it came out she ran down the hall and yelled, "I am so awesome!!!" I was unaware that tooth loss was a function of "awesomeness."
By that rationale, we could all learn a thing or two from this guy. Restrain yourselves, ladies.

Here's Avery missing her tooth, looking as "awesome" as ever!

We now refer to Aiden as "The Great White." The boy now has rows of teeth...rows...literally. After Avery's tooth came out, a disgruntled Jaws wanted his pulled. So, we gave it our best shot. After lots of floss and tears he still has teeth to spare. The dentist said to give it more time and it's normal for those first teeth to take a while to come out. We're working on them...

Boo!

I love Fall. I love the crispness of the air and the changing colors. The costume parties, classroom parades, and trick-or-treating. The best part, of course, is watching Charlie Brown's, "The Great Pumpkin." I think Fall gets a bad rap because Winter follows it, and everyone is dreading the cold and all the ice scraping. But, all that aside it really is a great season. Carving pumpkins is always a challenge. We broke all of our carving utensils and Jeremy had to McGyver something up to finish them.

Thank goodness for carving patterns. We had a melting jack-0-lantern, a bat, and a witch.

Avery's class
Aiden's class

Games at the ward party.




Our ward has a "trunk or treat" every year. The kids walk around the parking lot and we pass out treats from our...you guessed it, trunks. Check out this car. I can't compete with that.

Fast and Testimony Meeting

Avery bore her testimony for the first time in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. We were sitting in "our pew" listening to testimonies and bunch of kiddos bore their testimonies. Avery asked when she could go up. I answered that she could go up whenever she would like. She said she was ready now, to which I replied, "Right after this next boy is finished." Thinking she would be too nervous I didn't say anything after he sat down. Avery looked and said, "Okay Mom...what do I say?" I replied, "Say what you feel, what you know and believe to be true, what you are grateful for." She got right up to the microphone and bore her testimony, my sweet little Avery. After we sat down she said, "I was kind of nervous when I was up there; everyone was staring at me!" I'm so proud of my little girl. I don't think I bore my testimony until I could vote.

6th Birthday

On October 14th my little babies turned 6 years old!!! I can't believe it. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was making bottles. We had their birthday party at Lifetime Fitness. They had a ball: scooter races, parachutes games, pizza, and cake. With every new age we have more and more fun. They are so fantastic- I enjoy every second of being their mom! Happy Birthday Aiden and Avery!

Weeeeeeee!

Parachute games!

6 months to go

We closed on our house on October 9th-yay!!! Now we are crammed into a two-bedroom apartment until the home we are building is finished. And since we are just barely in the permit stage, we've got about 6 months to go. I don't have any intention on recapping the whole "move." Sufficed to say there is no way we could have done this without my mother & father-in-law. They came out from Utah over General Conference weekend and we boxed and moved almost the entire time. After listening to Elder Bednar's talk on expressing love, I immediatly thought of them. We've been instructed to not only tell our family we love them, but to show them through kindness and service. Lonna and Jerry are such good examples of how to do that! They couldn't possibly know the gratitude I feel for them. They are always willing to help and never grow weary (or at least you'd never know it). They helped keep me from getting overwhelmed even when I grossly underestimated the amount of stuff we had. Jeremy and I want to do something to show them how truly grateful we are for all of their help but, they would almost be offended because helping is just what family does for one another. I know-I'm not kidding, they really are that great.

First Looth Tooth

It's been a big week for my little man. Aiden officially has his first loose tooth. And not just one- both of his bottom front teeth are loose. You can see the big ones coming in behind them. One can imagine the excitement surrounding this event. When he mentioned the tooth fairy would bring him a remote controlled I thought to myself, "That's my boy; start off big, you can always come down." He was just as happy when I broke the reality that I didn't think that was going to happen. He is never disappointed. A quarter is as good as a twenty to Aiden.

Aiden is also the "star student" this week at school. He brought this poster in on Monday and it's been up all week. Each day he has gotten to do something different. Tuesday (to go along with their Math unit)he brought in a jar of gummy bears (b/w 22 -100)and the class had to estimate how many were in the jar. There were 83. Wednesday he brought in a story that he wrote himself and shared it with the class. He titled it "Spiderman and the Green Goblin." He found pictures online to go with his story-he did a great job. Today he brought his favorite book to school. When I asked him to go pick it, he picked one on the planets. Aiden is fascinated with astronomy. He has always loved the planets and stars. He said he wants to build robots when he grows up. He got to bring a special item to school today as well. Jeremy and I were holding are breaths thinking he would of course bring the infamous "Blue Bear," but he chose his newest truck. Phew.

Now I have to get cheesy- I am so proud of my little man. Although he's not so little anymore. He is such a good example to everyone around him. Always in control, always wanting to do the right thing. His smile and laugh light up all around him. I am blessed beyond description.

Sugar and Spice- not always so nice

We took the kids to the dentist a few weeks ago. On our trip we found out that Avery has TWO cavities. Avery- who brushes and flosses with great precision- has two cavities! The reason...yep, too much sugar. It's gotta be the gum. Admittedly, I don't buy sugar-free gum for the kids. Because, well, it sucks. It's okay if you chew mint or a lame adult flavor, but sugar-free grape? I defy anyone to find sugar-free gum that doesn't have an after taste that makes you nauseous. Anyway, the dentist had a tiny needle that time released medicine in. Except, when Avery felt the pinch, she jerked her arm up reflexively. This jammed the needle in farther than was planned and the result, was a very numb, very hilarious looking Avery. We all got a good laugh.

With the kids in school and fall coming up, I decided I needed to spice up my look. I didn't want to cut my hair short so, I decided to go dark. I have never had my hair dark brown before and thought- why not? It's only been a week and I'm still not sure what I think. Jeremy likes it- which is the most important thing! I can't decide if I should keep it or not--any thoughts?

First Day of School!

My little babies started kindergarten this year. August 20th, 2009 was their first day of school. We were able to start them at Fire Ridge Elementary School. Jeremy and I are building a house in the Fire Ridge Development which is in Elkhorn School District. Right now we live in the Omaha Public School District. After writing an application letter, we were able to get "temporary non-resident status." We didn't want to start the kids at one school only to pull them out in the middle of the year and have to start all over at a new school in January. We are so excited for this year. They have great teachers; Avery has Mrs. Thompson (Mrs. T) and Aiden has Mrs. Devoe. They have lots of friends from church and pre-school in their classes; it's nice to see familiar faces.

Still half asleep...we have to get up pretty early to make it by 8:10.



Aiden was as cool as a cucumber. My even tempered little man. He always is in new situations. When it was time to go to classes he said goodbye and was on his way. No tears, no I'll miss you, nothing. After school I asked how his day was; he replied, "Great!" That is his standard reply every day I have since found out. Don't try to get details, it's excruciating.

Avery was NOT as okay with it all. She was very nervous and didn't want me to leave her. It's interesting, she'll try anything- with no fear...as long as someone is there with her. But, when it comes to going it alone, she's a bundle of nerves. I don't blame her, I wouldn't want to leave me either. So, I went with her into her class and when the principal got on the loud speaker and asked all parenting remaining in the building to leave, the tears began to well up in her eyes. I think I actually felt my heart break for her. I was told it would be easier for her if I just left, so I did. I was then the nervous wreck the rest of the day. After school, she said it was the best day ever. Exhale.

Making sure we have everything we need!
Arriving at school ready to go :-)

Pfew!

Life has been so crazy around here that blogging has taken a back seat. Then, after a while, so much has happened that I say to myself, I'll do it tomorrow...which becomes next week, which turns into now. Before I get into kindergarten and the new school year I better sum up the rest of our fun summer. The best way to that is in pictures.

Playing in the sprinklers

The 4th of July

Playing at the lake house

What month is it?

Where did June go? I can’t believe it’s July already! We had quite a busy June. After we returned home from a long Memorial Day weekend in Kansas City we had Jeremy’s family from Utah over for a week. It always goes by way too fast. We took them to the zoo and went over to Nana and Grandpa’s for a day of fishing and swimming. They got to see Avery’s recital as well. She did awesome and was so excited. She said, “I felt funny in my stomach but, I just went out anyway!” That’s my girl.

After everyone headed home, we headed back to Kansas City. On Mother's Day, Jeremy had surprised me with tickets to see Glenn Beck. Nana and Grandpa went down to KC and watched the kiddos while we went to the show. It was awesome.I even got a picture with Stu (Beck's long-time producer). What a great date night!

We got home, packed and headed out to Utah-yeah! The kids were so wonderful, a 2-day drive can be exhausting for everyone, but Aiden and Avery did amazing. We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Sadler's for a week. We headed up to Mueller Park Canyon for exploring, roasting marshmellows and of course, group pictures.

All of the Sadler grandkids.

Having a picnic at the park as a family. I love my little monkeys!



My family all came to Utah for a McGregor reunion and my gorgeous cousin's wedding. Jamie looked like she should have been on the cover of a Bridal magazine. Absolutely stunningly beautiful.

From left: Grandpa McGregor, Uncle Courtney, and Uncle Will. All in their kilts for the wedding reception.




We went for a hike up Mueller Park Canyon. After which Calle said she's move to Utah in a second.


Roasting marshmellows...and eating them.
We spent a day at temple square. Watching "Legacy" was a different experience for me than in the past. Now, with children, I had a whole new sense of gratitude for the prophet and what his entire family had to endure. Overwhelming thanks filled my heart for his whole family. I cannot imagine the kind of strength Emma Smith must have had, but I am eternally grateful for it.



The entire Weldon Charles McGregor family. We had a reunion at Zermatt resort in Midway, UT. It was so much fun, that'll be the next post...