More, and More Birthdays

I have a terrible cold right now.  I feel like I am swimming under 10 feet of water, there is pressure inside my head and my limbs feel sluggish.  I've just layed on the couch all day.  Today is Logan's birthday.

Happy Birthday Logan!

 He isn't here.  He's 3,000 miles away, in Utah..  I miss him, especially since it's his birthday.  I talked to him on the phone this afternoon.  He was happy.  They were on their way home from skiing.  I could hear Tabetha and Jarom in the background talking and laughing.  I miss them too.
We made a cake and celebrated his birthday before he left last week.  I love this picture of him.  He has such a great smile.

Sunday was Hannah's birthday.   (I'm getting sick of cake, by the way)  She's 6!  Can you believe it?  Doesn't she look grown up in these pictures?

For her birthday she wanted a fishing pole and fish like Katie's.  She also got gloves, a hat, a swimming suit, and a purple unicorn pillow pet.

She wore her gloves and hat the rest of that day, through the night and all the next day, too.

When I showed her this picture of her sleeping with her hat on she said, "oh, you can't see that I'm wearing my gloves."  I thought it was so funny.  I didn't even know she was wearing her gloves.  

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Time For a Haircut

Before

During

After

Back Post #1, It's Time to Get Down and Derby

Two years ago, and shortly after Jarom turned 8 and entered scouts, he brought home a small box that contained a piece of pine wood, 4 nails, and 4 wheels.

I don't think that at the time Shawn or Jarom grasped how much hard work was going to be required to turn this piece of wood into a PINEWOOD DERBY CAR. Fortunately for us, Grandpa John was visiting at the time and was able to give a few pointers on the subject of pine cars. But alas, Jarom's car didn't do so well.

It only takes one race for both father and son to grasp the seriousness of the whole affair, and next year with some research and better planning Jarom's car took 2nd overall.

For those of you who have sons that will be going into scouts soon. Here are a few things we have learned about pinewood derbys:

Don't wait until the day before to start on your pinewood derby car. Pinewood derby cars take a lot of work, and paint doesn't dry in 5 minutes. (We know this from experience)

You can get online and research how to make a good car and how to make your car go faster. The information is there. USE IT!

Be creative. It makes it more fun for the boys.

The post office will weigh your car for you if you have waited until the last minute and you don't have your own scale. (We also know this from experience)

Above all, Be good sports and have FUN!

This was Logan's first derby, and he took 2nd over

all and Jarom took 5th, after he lost twice to Logan.

Must be the Sunshine!

Logan Turns 8

What a handsome grown-up boy. I can't believe you are 8 years old.
Daddy and I are so proud of your decision to be baptized.


Sunday was a very special day for you. You have been looking forward to this day for a long time. When you came out all dressed in white, ready for your baptism it was one of those moments that makes a mom's heart melt, and to see that big smile, that big Logan smile that you are famous for, I was so proud of you and the young man you are becoming.
I know Heavenly Father is proud of you too.

Click here to find out more about baptism and what we believe.

Another Birthday!

Someone turned 8 today! Can you guess who it was?

Missing You!

Dear Children,

I couldn't sleep tonight because I was thinking about you and missing you. I hope you are having so much fun at your father's house. Tabetha, don't boss Logan too much, -k-. Jarom, pull your pants up. Say "no" to crack buddy. And Logan, remember to wash your hands and listen to Tabetha, she probably is right. Have you guys been saying your prayers at night? Put your DS games down and go outside and play every now and then, you don't want your brains to turn to mush do you? I thought about you a lot today and every time I thought about you I missed you.
I thought about you this morning when I got up and I had no big kids to wake up. Your rooms were empty and I was sad.
I thought about you when I only made half of the oatmeal I usually make, and Logan, I thought that you would probably be glad you weren't having oatmeal for breakfast today.
I thought of you when it was time to have school and I had no kids to read to me or ask me to read to them.
I thought of you Jarom when I looked at the piano and no one was sitting on the bench practicing Christmas songs. We'll have our Christmas concert when you get back okay.
I thought of you Tabetha when I looked at the big chair you like to sit and read in and it was empty. Have you found any good books to read there? Have you gone to Barnes and Noble to spend your gift card yet?
I thought of you Logan when it was lunch time and you weren't there to ask me if you could make mac and cheese. By the way, I need to get more, we're out. Remind me when you get home.
I thought of you when I got Katie ready to play outside and she didn't have anyone to go outside to play with her. It's supposed to get to 25 below tonight. Are you enjoying the warmer weather there?
I thought of you when your Grandma Lois called me today. She told me that you are such great kids, and she enjoyed spending time with you on the boat this summer. I smiled to myself because I know you are great kids.
I thought of you when I called Grandma Nancy this afternoon. She told me about you loosing your heelies when it was time to go Logan, and how you searched and searched the house and then they were right in your suitcase where they belonged. I laughed.
I thought of you Tabetha when it was time to go to your swimming practice and I didn't have to go out to start the car and let it warm up.
I thought of you, Logan, when Hannah asked if she could watch a movie and you weren't there to try to talk her into watching Star Wars.
I thought of you when I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight. I wondered if you would like it. Daddy didn't. I did. I bet Tabetha and Jarom would and Logan probably not.
I thought of you Jarom when we went to your hockey game and you weren't out there with your team. Your team won 8-0. I bet if you had been there it would have been at least 9-0, right.
I thought of you tonight when Daddy and I went Christmas shopping. I looked for just the right things to get you. It made me happy to picture your faces opening them up. I think you'll like what I got.
I thought of you when Katie and Hannah were going to bed and I was sad that I only had 3 kids to kiss goodnight instead of 6. I missed our secret bedtime handshake, Logan.
And, I thought of you when I said my prayers tonight. I asked God to keep you safe, and to help you know how much I love you.
Be good.
Lots and Lots of Love,
Mom

Date Night

Last night this handsome guy and I went on a date.

I took him to hockey practice and then we went to McDonald's for an Oreo McFlury with extra Oreo, of course. He even got to sit in the front seat of the "burban" (in the parking lot.) I hope he had a good time, I know I did.

Pie, Yummy Pie

We bought our pumpkins the beginning of October and since the minute they were brought in the door Logan has been asking me to make him a pie of his very own out of his pumpkin. Well, yesterday his wish finally came true. He got his very own pie out of his very own pumpkin.

Some kids are just so spoiled!

Hereby let it be known that my promise to the pumpkins has been fulfilled, and they tasted great. Thank you dear pumpkins for giving your life in order that we might have cool Jack-0-lanterns on Halloween and wonderful pumpkin pie on Wednesday Night.

Caught Ya!

Drama

Earlier in the day before the accident

After

Ouch! It hurts to look at!
I think there is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven that says "when mom and dad are going through a very stressful time (wonderful, yet stressful) something must happen to make everything much more stressful. Example: The day after I had beautiful baby Lowry, Shawn was visiting me in the hospital and we got a call from the couple (wonderful, wonderful couple) that was watching our children, saying that the boys were outside playing hockey and Jarom hit Logan in the mouth with his hockey stick and knocked out his new permanent front tooth that is growing in. Well, have you ever tried to get a hold of a dentist at 7:30 at night. Let me just say that it is not easy. Our regular dentist is out of town for 2 weeks moose hunting. (yes, it is that time again) We called all around town trying to find out what we should do. Finally, we talked to an actual dentist that said he would see him first thing the next morning. So, first thing the next morning Shawn took him in to see the dentist before picking me up from the hospital. When he came to pick me up he told me how wild and crazy the kids had been at the dentist's office. He had Katie, Hannah and Logan with him, and Logan was in the chair so I know he wasn't' running around being crazy. Sorry to say I didn't feel that sorry for him because 3 weeks ago I had all of them with me at the dentist's office at 8:00 in the morning. Top that Mr. Lowry.
Any way, back to Logan. His permanent tooth was broken off at the gum line. We were hoping that the dentist would be able to cap it later on, but it doesn't look like that will happen. The root wasn't developed enough yet so the rest of it will probably fall out at some later date. He had to have a stitch in his gums and in a few years will have to have an implant. He is doing well though, he thinks the after pictures are cool. I think Jarom felt worse about the whole situation than Logan did.

Logan is always smiling and he has such a great smile so it is sad for me to see the before and after pictures. I am glad that it wasn't worse. Keep smiling Logan we all love your smile.
P.S. Zack and Shena we love you thanks for watching our kids. Sorry about all the drama.