Christmas 2011

Christmas was fantastic. A few highlights:

Class Parties



Family Service Project

Christmas Eve

A quiet Christmas Eve Dinner

Making Cookies for Santa

Sibling Gift Exchange

Tracking Santa

Christmas PJ'S

He Came!

A few things I learned this year:

1. I don't need to plan 500 activities and traditions.  After hyperventilating about the gazillion ideas on pinterest (anyone else do this?), I decided that simplicity was the only answer for me. We chose about 3 things to do over the season and enjoyed the rest of it relaxing and playing. The activities we did do were special and meaningful.

2. A few really good quality gifts are better than a whole bunch of "filler" gifts just to have a lot to open. I've been working on this for a couple of years, but I nailed it this year.

3. Maybe it's because I realized how quickly my kids are growing and that in a matter of 2 to 3 years there will be no more "believers" in our home, or if it's just I'm finally relaxing about some things in life, but the jolly man with the red suit and white beard has grown on me. In my quest to teach my kids the true meaning of Christmas, I have often had a bad attitude about Santa.  I've learned I can get into the magic and fun of it without feeling like I'm betraying baby Jesus. I had more fun being magical with my kids then I ever have.  And what do you know... they still know without a doubt the true meaning of Christmas.  I wish I would've learned this a long time ago...

4. This year instead of giving my kids a $5 budget for each other, I let them buy something nicer that I probably would buy, but instead let them do it.  Instead of choosing junk that nobody cares about, they were SO excited when I told them they could buy something their sibling was actually hoping for.  Each gift was well thought out and received with such joy and enthusiasm.  This is definately the way we'll do it every year.

5. It truly is better to give than to receive. But oh, I love to get presents too.

Logan Flag Football, Season V

This year with our move, Logan had to start over on a new team.  That's a pretty big deal by the time you are 10/11 years old.  Most teams have their rosters filled and it is difficult to find a good team.  Tyler and I often feel more like agents than parents who just get to sit back and enjoy a game.  We usually stand very close during his games and get all nervous together. When he is the QB or the pitcher, you will find us pacing.  We discuss what skills we need to work on at home and the future of his sporting career. Okay, a slight exagerration.  Slight.  I think because Logan is so into it, that we are too.  We want him to succeed and reach his dreams and potential.  It is hard to watch sometimes, but mostly fun and rewarding. 

Our family spends a lot of our time and weekends on various playing fields.  Some people feel sorry for us, but watching your child doing things they are passionate about- whether it's sports or anything else- never gets old. 

I know these crazy weekends won't last forever and there will be a day that I long to go to a game.  Every time before a game starts, I find myself thanking the Lord for my children and their healthy bodies.   And then I beg Him not to let my babies get hurt.

Highlights from this season- a mom's perspective:

1. Relief that Logan got put on a nice, good team

2. Watching Logan become a leader.  He was the kid on the sidelines rallying his teammates, offering encouragement, and holding his head high when they were losing.

3. Thankful that his coach saw his talent and skills and played his team fairly.

4. That last game where Logan had 2 ESPN worthy catches, in the endzone with toes pointed before falling out of bounds. Proud moment for us!!

5. Watching him develop more in the sport.  Logan has a way of reading the field and knowing what is going on in several places. 

Harrison Football Season I

Harrison finished an exciting season with the Saints flag football team.  Born a tough, hot headed, brute-ish kid, we waited for years to get him on a football field- the place where all of those qualities could come together and be useful in the right ways.

We just knew that the football field was his destiny.  For years he's stood by the sidelines watching his big bro make all the right moves, and afterall, by the age of 3 he had already put stitches in the neighbor boy's head, and given a battle scar (airplane ride from he**) on his mama's left shoulder.  He was a natural born bruiser.



To our surprise (and his father's complete dismay) he was nothing but a softy on the field.  Helping kids up who got knocked down, careful not to get too close when trying to yank a flag.  We did not see one ounce of aggression on this boy. 

How could we have forgotten that around the age of  4 he stopped thrashing and attacking the world around him?  How could we expect our now kind-hearted, sensitive, do-good boy to do anything else besides apologize for knocking in to an opponent and putting his arm around his coach on every single huddle?

Tyler did his best to try and help his boy recall the pent up aggression from his younger years, by yelling things from the sidelines like "attack!" "get him!", and my personal favorite that won us lots of nice looks, "sweep his feet Harrison!!"  Although that was a fail, he did have some great skills that came in handy.  All those years of playing in the yard with big bro. and dad paid off.  He caught the ball with ease and can throw like no one's business.

Harrison had the time of his life. He loved being on a team and was very proud to be a Saint.

And a saint he is, indeed.

(Thank you Kari Mons, for these priceless pictures!)

Mariah Soccer- Season II

One major bonus of our move to Austin, was that Mariah was able to get back into her favorite sport- soccer.  After her first season in DSM, we realized that games would be on Sundays, so we had to bow out and find another hobby.

Mariah has always longed to be back on the field, and was happy to be back.

Her season began in the dead of summer, making it a little challenging to watch comforably. 

I couldn't be more pleased with her team.  She had 2 high school soccer players for her coaches.  They did an outstanding job with the girls and taught them a lot of skills.  Mariah was pleased to have several school friends as well as a church friend on her team. What a blessing for the new girl in town!

Mariah began the season as the most in-experienced player.  All of her teammates had been playing for at least 2 years.  Mariah hadn't played since she was 5.  It took her no time to get a groove going, and she became one of the top scoring chicks on the team.  Her coaches couldn't believe her progress.

Highlights from this Season:

1. Watching Mariah score her first goal.  I still get a little flip in my stomach.

2. Smiling as I observed her interactions with teammates.

3. Feeling so happy that she gets to be back playing a sport she loves.

4.  The moment Tyler and I looked at each other and said, "we got to stick this girl in track!". Man, she is a super fast runner!

5.  Seeing more competative aggression on the field.  She wanted to win!

6.  Cheering on the sidelines with the other parents.  We were a loud and fun group.

Logan-ism

The other day Logan was in the room while Tyler and I were discussing the topic of saving money and finances in general. 

We were talking about saving up for something when another one of our kids asked, "why can't we just buy it now?" 

Tyler answered that we didn't want to go into debt and we'd have to wait until we saved money to buy it.

Logan in his wisdom added "yea, 'cause the prophet said we should only go into debt for two things.... cell phones and houses."

Getting Involved

A question you are frequently asked when moving to a new place is, "how is everyone adjusting?" 

Moving is hard on everyone. There are so many changes: new schools, new places to figure out, new sports teams, new friends to make, a new ward to fit in to- pretty much new everything besides the basics- your little family.

Moving is truly one of the biggest, most stressful life events on a family.

I'm not going to try and make it sound like it has been easy for us- it hasn't.  But I must say how proud I am of my kids.  They have put themselves out there, had great attitudes, gotten involved and it's paying off.  They are not only adjusting well, they are thriving.

A few highlights of their little happenings in life these days:


Logan's school has a news broadcast room. He had a turn to do the morning broadcast.  He's been an anchor and the weather man.

( Legit broadcasting room)

Every Friday they have a school assembly in the morning.  Logan's class did a skit and he wrote a "rap" to teach about one of the 5 pillars of good character. See- listening to hip hop does come in handy. He did amazing!

(Back off little girl. This boy is mine!)

A big blessing about our new neighborhood is that Logan has plenty of boys to run around with. They even love sports as much as he does!  He heard me mention to another mom that we should schedule a "playdate". He was mortified.  We now call people to come over and "hang out".  I think this last picture is a good visual for how he feels these days... content.

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Mariah has grown so much academically this year. She is truly blossoming before my eyes. I'm so proud/depressed about this.

Mariah loves to sing. All. the. time. A girl on the bus has even threatened to punch her in the face for her singing. A lot of tears were shed, and a lot of empathy given (to both sides). She has joined the ward choir with me. Mariah has not only grown academically this year, but in spiritual matters too.  She is diligent in her prayer and scriptures and wants to be so good. The pictures above are of her at her classe's "Cranberry Thanksgiving" play. She had a big part and memorized all of it. A special day for her indeed.

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Harrison continues to win the hearts of everyone- both old and young.  He has me completely wrapped. He is so pleasant to be with and brings me so much happiness.  He cares so much about people and expresses it so freely.   No wonder everyone is smitten by this guy.

Harrison is spending his last year before Kindergarten with me full time.  We are doing reading lessons (Teach Your Child to Read..100 lessons) which are going great and try to socialize as often as we can.  This is the third year that he has had me to himself all day while his siblings are at school.  How special is that?  I will never wonder if I ever gave him enough attention.  We truly enjoy being together. His kind heart melts mine and his personality cracks us all up.

I've often said that the kids have adjusted better than me. I'm thankful for their examples of jumping in with faith and getting involved. As I've followed their examples these past few weeks, I'm happy to report that I'm not just adjusting well....
I'm thriving too.

Halloween 2011

Would you believe it... I didn't capture ONE picture of this holiday.  My excuse is the total funk I was in.  I at least found enough motivation to dress the kids and take them to the ward trunk r treat. Although the lamest Halloween I've provided as a mother, the kids still came away with buckets of candy.  And in the end, I guess that's all that matters, right?

I did want to record a memory from the trunk or treat.

I was walking hand in hand in the dark with my tough, bearded pirate (Harrison).  He was having the time of his life collecting candy and pointing out all the cool costumes to me.

As we were walking along, a ninja boy stopped us dead in our tracks and pointed directly at Harrison.  There you are!  My friend is looking all over for YOU.  He is so mad, just wait until he sees you."

At this point I ask, "why is your friend looking for Harrison?"  With his ninja arms folded, he dramatically declares, "because Harrison broke his weapon.  He is so mad, he is coming to find YOU (pointing again at Harrison)."

With hands still clasped Harrison and I take a moment to digest the threats.

Then my tough pirate squeezes my hand, looks up at me with his big blue eyes and quietly says, "I think I'm ready to go home now."

That night I kissed him goodnight and heard him thank the Lord for letting him come home safely "from those bad guys."

I will never forget that moment. Sometimes I just forget how little and vulnerable my kids still are.

I may have not been the funnest mom this holiday, but it was a good reminder that more than anything, my kids need my love and protection. 

Now I can do that.

Count on the Crow's

The Crow's became our friends in our Dallas days... way back in 2002.  We could always count on them for friendship and fun. Even though we moved away, we have still kept in touch.  In fact, if you have all of my posts memorized, you may recall that they've come up to Iowa twice to visit, and met us in Branson for a weekend trip.  That is dedication! 

Both families were thrilled that we moved closer, and it worked out that shortly after arriving that the big UT (longhorns) VS. BYU game was in town.  What a great excuse for a quick get together.

When I said quick, I meant it.  I believe they were here less than 24 hours, but we managed to pack in some fun.  Their animal and nature loving kids were immediately intrigued with our hill country surroundings and since the beach is down the street, we took the plunge and cooled down

They even managed to choke down breakfast that we served on our rental home UT plates.  In no time we went our seperate ways- Ken and Wendy headed to the BYU section, and Logan and Tyler proudly cheered on their new local team. (don't worry dad, I'm still BYU thru and thru)

                          Ends up that breakfast wasn't the only thing UT dished out that day. 

                                      Thanks Crows, we'll see you soon.  I'm counting on it!

A few days after we waved good-bye to John and Paula's family, Erik and Karen pulled up with their 2 little girls in tow.  As hard as this move has been for me, it's these visits that remind me that it's all worth it.  Now when I see my family, I know that it will be a short time before we will be together again. 

As my kids get older, babies become even more of a novelty to all of us.  I love to see my kids love on their little cousins. 

Londyn was smitten by all the deer and I was convinced that if we weren't vigilant in watching her that she'd be riding off bareback on one.

My kids become celebraties when Londyn comes around.  To say she is crazy about them is an understatement.  She was on cloud 9 the entire weekend.  As much as she loves all the kids, I would say Logan has captured her heart the most.

After a delicious dinner at County Line BBQ (yes, BBQ twice in 1 week!) we headed downtown for a sunset boat tour to check out the famous bats.  Apparantley the largest bat colony in North America hang out in Austin.  There is a bridge downtown that is the perfect dwelling place for these mini bats.  Each night at sunset, about a million bats come out to feed.  It is an amazing site to see!

We had so much fun with my baby bro and his fam... can't wait to see y'all soon!

The Weekend of the Year

This October the Sanders had a most memorable weekend.  Erik and Karen were sealed in the Dallas temple, Van was baptized by his dad, and Scotlyn and Jake were blessed.

It was so spiritual, we all had to sleep with Cokes in our rooms so we wouldn't get translated.

Sure proud of this growing family of mine. Look at all these wonderful people!