Swings

***I hope the thought and time that is put into picking a title for each of my blogs is appreciated. You can probably see why I am not a scrapbooker or even much of a blogger.

My parents got the kids swings for Christmas. They love swinging at their house and so we thought it would be a good idea. Unfortunately for Kade, he had to make the "swing set." A man's favorite kind of gift- one with a project attached. He was a good sport and did a really great job, though he was a day late. He didn't build it until the day after Christmas.

So we improvised. An unfinished basement is so good for so many things. We hung all three swings up downstairs where it is warm and they got to swing. Addy loves it, too!

The finished product. It is huge and sturdy and should last forever!

We left Addy's downstairs since right now it is cold outside. I love the simple classics.

The Big Day

This year we borrowed a great idea we heard at church. To help the kids think a little more about giving at Christmas, we took them shopping and let them pick out something for each other. Kade said we weren't going to have them pick anything out for us (boring!) so we did his later. After shopping, they got to pick out wrapping paper and help wrap and write on the tags. They really were excited and it was hard to have them keep a secret from each other. On Christmas morning they took turns wearing the Santa hat and passing out the presents they had picked. I think even Kade was please with what the kids picked for him. Originally, Laynee was set on shopping at Costco for Kade, but Rhett convinced her to go to the gun store (Sportsman's Warehouse.) They found him some bullets, an ice fishing pole and a map of Utah's recreational trails. Not bad.

I videoed most of Christmas morning, so I don't have many good pictures. All in all, I think everyone had a great Christmas.

Tradition

I love traditions. The best memories I have come from doing the same things year in and year out. I especially love all the fun traditions of Christmas and that includes my mom's tradition of trying to make us crazy with excitement. She's the only mom I know that purposely riles up the kids. I try to remember that when my kids keep asking "how many more days until Christmas?" and "I wonder what Santa might bring me?" My mom beat us to the punch and would constantly remind us how close it was getting and what she wondered and thought we might be getting....oh the excitement of childhood. It's so fun to have kids for the holidays.

Every year Grandpa Jack has a big dinner at his house. It is the one time you can count on the Lemmon boys getting together. This year Rhett said, "We go to Grandpa Jack's every year for a Christmas dinner and then Santa always comes!" Score, we have a tradition remembered.

Not everyone likes Santa. This year we only had one crier though, Addy.

Being married means taking turns. This year was the Lemmon Year (that doesn't mean it was a bad year) for Christmas.

In the spirit of tradition, we always have a waffle supper on Christmas Eve. I guess our family just likes breakfast, or maybe we want to get breakfast over with long before Christmas morning and other activities.

This year we had Uncle Corey read the nativity and almost all of the grandkids played a song at some point throughout the story.

My parents have quite a line-up of grandkids. The crazy thing is that eight of them are missing from this picture. They all get along really good and my kids love to go to Hurricane to play with the cousins.

My Girls

I'm not usually one for matching my girls clothes. It stems from the training my older sister gave me. She never liked for us to even be wearing the same color. However, this is now the second time Laynee and Addy have had matching dresses. Once in awhile, I decided it is okay. I found these dresses on clearance at Gymboree (ahhh... the thrill of a deal!) and just couldn't pass them up. Now if Addy would leave a headband or bow on her head until she has hair (should that day ever come), no one would say my little guy is cute.

Christmas Dresses 2008. I remember my mom always sewing us some pretty new church dress and they would be hanging up on the doorway Christmas morning. The sewing machine and I aren't the best of friends so my kids dresses are bought with love and not made with love.
What is it about a tent? The kids love to play in them. Laynee wanted to sleep in it, by herself. Kade said yes (he always gives them what they want) but then he left it in the back corner behind the couches in the family room. I figured that would make her scared and he figured she would last 45 minutes tops. This picture is of her at about 6 a.m. She's up for anything, anytime, anywhere!
Life has gotten a lot busier for us lately. We're having lots of fun and lacking in the boredom we used to always complain about. Addy, on the other hand, has to get her naps in anywhere she can. With the first two I was so scheduled, but with Addy our only schedule is bedtime--we get there sometime every night.

Though she doesn't know when or where she can get some sleep, her one constant is her pink blanket. There have been many a panicked moment trying to find that thing. And, she loves to suck her thumb. Good times ahead....

Christmas Lights

I should've taken this picture when it was a little darker. Our house has lights this year! I was happy Kade put some up. Last year we weren't so lucky. We don't have any front yard to elaborate with, but we put lights on the roof, pillars and windows. I was pleased, then...
Our neighbors have commented about three times now how pathetic our lights are next to theirs. Their sing and dance to music. I admit their lights look nice and if they want to do mine next year, I'll let them. But, I still am happy with our "Christmas Spirit" this year! Although, Kade's friend had an excellent idea for a new creative use of the lighted deer you see everywhere. He hung it from his tree by a leg and trickled a trail of red lights down the deer and puddled the extras up on the lawn below. Maybe our neighbors would better appreciate that sort of light show. There is always next year....

How Exciting Is This?!

It rarely snows in St. George and not usually so close to Christmas. It has been fun to see snow "flurries" the last couple of days. Laynee is convinced there is now enough to build a snowman. Rhett is the realist and assures her that is not the case, but maybe they could find enough to make one small snowball.

I think our yards look much better with a little white covering everything. I just feel sorry for the horses out back. I am not sure they appreciate the snow like I do.

Catching a snowflake. Rhett said it was hard to do.

Addy is up for any activity that is outside. She was so excited she was stomping and laughing!

Thanksgiving

When people are around and exciting things are happening, I always forget to take pictures. Oh well, less to scrapbook. Thanksgiving we still fun even if I can't show you. We went to my parent's house for the big dinner. The kids had a good time with their cousins and the rest of us all ate way too much.

Friday, my sis-in-law braved the shopping crowds with me. We started out with some of my friends and actually were out shopping by 4 am. The four o'clock hour only ever comes once in my day. I think we had fun, though it is mostly a foggy memory now.

Then my family headed up to Lindon, right after shopping, for Kade's Grandma Laurel's 90th birthday party. More food, family, food, and no sleep yet. I was tired by the time we made it to our hotel at 11.

Saturday we toured the conference center, very impressive!, and headed to Mount Pleasant to visit a friend. They invited us to their town lighting with games and food for the kids. Very fun, but it was good to get home.

I am excited about all the family fun of the holidays and grateful for the time we have to share we each other!

Scripture Time

I put this post in so you can see just how perfectly my children listen while we read scriptures (HA!) and how big my feet are. Thanks for the picture, Kade. Actually, we just thought it was funny how Addy found a way to get closer to the action. I try to keep her farther away while I read (hence the feet sticking out) because if she can reach (anything) she is grabbing, tearing, turning pages and generally causing grief.

Coed Softball

Alpha Engineering put together a coed softball team this year. They only had four games and one tournament (tonight). The kids and I have enjoyed the games. Me- watching, mostly. The kids-playing with all the other kids and not watching. I haven't got to see Kade play very many sports, but knew that he played a lot in High School. He is actually really good, much to everyone's surprise. Really, they all get a little misled by his cowboy appearances and didn't figure he knew anything about sports. He's scored a couple of out-of-the-park home runs and had some good plays. Good entertainment, if nothing else.

Addy is a daddy's girl. If ever he is near she has to have him hold her, not me. If she gets fussy, I just have to go stand by the dugout so she can see him and she is much happier. Some of the games have been late and it has been cold. I've had Addy bundled up so much that she was reminding everyone of "Ralphie" from A Christmas Story when she would run for Kade. A couple times she has tipped over and can't get back up and the vision of "Ralphie" was completed.

Soccer Season Over

Actually, soccer ended in November, which is technically only two days ago, but it was more in the middle of the month. You may note that my procrastination problems go deeper than just my blog.

Rhett had a really fun year with soccer. He scored a couple goals, discovered the fun of playing defense and made some good friends. He was sad for it to be over and can't wait for next year.

Go Sharks!

After the last game, everyone went out for pizza at their coach's restaurant. (We knew how to pick a coach, right?!) Good times. Seriously though, their coach was amazing. He held practices and had those kids doing lots of really good moves. Plus, he kept it all fun and everyone loved him. He better "volunteer" next year, too!


Ah, the trophy! Something great about a trophy. This is number two for Rhett. He received his other one doing muttin' busting at the Dixie Roundup last year. He now thinks he is going to need a shelf for all those trophies that are pouring in.

Trick or Treating

The official pictures. Unfortunately, the pictures with all three kids mostly had Addy being restrained by someone in order to even try to keep her in them. Once an outside door opens at our house she just wants to run.

Rhett and Laynee love to pose. They already have about a five year plan for costumes for Halloweens to come.

Addy on the loose. The hat didn't last too long. She seemed to enjoy her night out.

Let the parties begin!

As does the rest of the world, we love our holidays. This year we got an extra early start when we purchased our costumes in August. I thought it seemed like the thing to do to pass some time while Kade was in Alaska. But when they kids asked how long until Halloween and I have to answer "two months", it suddenly seemed ridiculous.

Grandma Sandra introduced them to the joys of wax lips.

NOTE: This should impress all. I am posting on the actual day I took these next three pics. I have a bad record and have be recently reprimanded for my lack of posts.

Having three kids has moderately to totally impaired my capacity to make educated decisions. We decided to have a little halloween party this year. It was going to be low-key, organized and easy. I really think (hope) the kids had fun. But I am tired and we haven't even gone trick-or-treating yet.

We had thirteen children over to paint pumpkins, decorate cookies, pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern, and eat donuts. It was slightly organized chaos at best.

It did have good help from a husband (mine, obviously!), a mom (their work is never done) and a good friend and a sister-in-law. Thanks to all!

It's Been Awhile.....

Once upon a time I was complaining that everyone was so busy and I was so bored, the end.

Just to update...

Addy turned one at the end of September. She started walking in August. She just barely broke her second bottom tooth, we have finally mastered stairs and can fold our arms. She is a happy girl and Kade is always saying, "I can't help it, she is just so cute."

The kids started out by handing Addy her presents and helping her "start" to open them with little rips in the paper. By the end they weren't even sitting by her as they tore into her packages. I hope they enjoyed it because next year I am betting she won't be so nice.

We had a family party on the Monday before Addy's actual birthday. It's basically against my religion to not hold the event on the proper day. I mean, we don't mess with Christmas, do we?! But, Kade had the deer hunt that he was unwilling to give up this year. Last year, I had Addy on opening day. Yes, he came to the hospital! He just thought we could celebrate the birthday a couple days early this year. Although, while he and Rhett were hunting Laynee, Addy and I still made another cake and had a "girl party!"

In other news...

Rhett is still playing soccer and loving it. He has scored two goals (that I have witnessed) and loves defense. He is enjoying kindergarten, but is somewhat disappointed that they won't learn to read in a day and that it is a long process. I help in his class once a week and am finally putting faces with names.

Laynee is taking a dance class with her good friend Katelyn. This week they got to wear their halloween costumes and dance like bats. She is a very good girl as long as she is well rested and being bribed with candy. She defintely does the best job at telling me when I look cute--or not.

And Kade has been asking people if they have heard that I am pregnant. Because I am not. Funny, funny man.

The Best Time of the Year...

Weather-wise, that is. Not too hot; not too cold. Addy discovered the joys of playing outside this weekend. We played outside last night until we were filthy. Grandpa Doug gave us this sandbox and the kids are loving it.

Not pictured: Rhett and Kade. The boys had ridden the four-wheeler out the back to go shooting. I was told by Rhett that he shot at a stink bug and "some kind of bird that is in season." Great. Kade clarified for me. He shot at quail, it is in season, and he had free reign of a .22---It's better for mom to stay home.

Fish Tales

Bear Stories

Bear Hunt '08

This post will mostly be about how a man can tell their story and the woman can mess it up.
So Kade went bear hunting in Alaska last week. He and his good friend, Ben, came up with this plan at the first of the year. Now Ben doesn't have to answer to anyone and gets to do some pretty great things that cause lots of lingering ideas for Kade. I am sure it took careful planning and timing, but Kade approached me about the hunting trip. I personally consider myself pretty easy going, so the trip was on. Anyhow, the jist is that he left us for a week went to California to meet up with Ben, travelled onto Alaska, completed their supply list there and hit the ferry to head to Prince of Wales island for the big hunt. Kade doesn't say much, not that I don't try to pry for all the details down to what they ate for every meal (count yourself lucky Ben) but I think they had a good time.

Riding the ferry and pondering on the possible size of bears to be had.
Fishing. There were Salmon running and I was told they could even catch the fish with their hands so it really wasn't too exciting to fish.
The bear. Kade refused to go home emptied handed and they weren't seeing many bears so he went after this one. It turned out to be bigger than they thought. Something like 7' and a 20" skull (where the scoring comes from) and when they took it in it was the biggest seen to that point. And you can see from their expressions, they had a blast! So the bear is in the freezer at Ben's until we can get it turned into a fabulous rug for the wall, the top of the 14' wall. It'll be awesome:) And after reviewing the trip, it has been decided (assumed) that they will go again in 18 months on the spring bear hunt and stay longer. Good luck boys.

Meet the Sharks

Rhett started soccer. Earlier this year, we had a friend wanting to put together a soccer team. If we signed up early enough we could make sure our boys could be on the same team. At the time, Rhett thought soccer looked like "a hard sport with just a lot of running." He wasn't convinced he wanted to participate. They've finally started the season. He has had two practices and one game. After the first practice he asked me if we could sign up for soccer again. He loves it! He's not the most aggressive kid out there, but he is fast and loving it. They actually

won their game yesterday, but I am not sure they really keep track or tell the kids. It's just a lot of fun.

Rhett is number five. Important to note in case you can't find him in the game of three-on-three! :)
Coach Troy, Hyatt, Treydan, Grayson, Rhett and Brodie
A little of the action!

This is for you Kim.....

Our first one has started school and we now have to have a schedule. For some reason it gets harder to be up and ready to go when you HAVE to. Any other time we are up anyway with nowhere to go. At first Rhett was mad that he had to start Kindergarten soon. He thought it would be boring and "you just sit there all day!" But it turns out that he loves it. On the second day of school he told me not to walk him in. Sad day.

At Summer's End

We are so excited when summer gets here and the days are longer, but we also enjoy when it starts winding down and things get cooler. We found some great summer clearance at Target and the kids have been enjoying their new slip n' slide. Even Addy had no probably crawling into the water and getting drenched.

Texas Rhett

Rhett has come upon a few nicknames lately. Texas Rhett and Trout. One night we were telling silly stories before bedtime. During a cowboy story we named the characters Texas Rhett and Kentucky Laynee. They just rolled off the tongue. Rhett lives his name though. He is one good cowboy. He was in his first rodeo on Wednesday at the County Fair. He's done poles and barrels before here in the neighborhood, but for whatever reason he wanted to sign up for the goat tail pull instead. I am impressed with his skills; he is far better than I. (Not that that says much.) Not two minutes after riding into the arena for some warm-up riding they shot off fireworks somewhere over by the carnival. Rhett's horse shot up and out into the arena, Rhett's mom had a mild to severe heart attack, and Kade looked on with pride. Rhett had "choked" up on the reigns and got his horse back under control. He did good. It wasn't until later when we referenced the fireworks that he teared up and said he didn't want to see/hear anymore fireworks. I know this next pictures is bad, Kade already informed me of my less than excellent portrait skills. I videod his actual event, but this is Rhett riding out of the arena afterwards. He went in like a champ, trotting Sam down to the goat, sliding out of the sadle on his own and getting the ribbon off the goat. Since we actually don't have a goat, I thought he might change his mind when he got there and saw the thing. He did it all in 28 seconds and ended up 8th place in the all around. That meant a prize and lots of excitement.

Laynee's "Mini Show"

We put Laynee in a dance class for the summer. She loved it! At the end of the summer they did a very casual "mini show" where we got to go and see what they have been learning in class. The kids were all about 3 or 4 years old.
I was so excited for Laynee. We had to get all decked out for this major event!
They aren't teaching very technical skills just yet. They get to do a lot of their own free movement, too.
Bowing at the end. The funniest part was that the girls kept spotting little bugs in the corner of the room where they were waiting their turns. Someone would say "Miss Natalie there is a bug over here and it is ALIVE." Then everyone would gather in the corner on their knees scrutinizing the bug and paying no attention to the "show" in progress. Laynee had a good time and we are signed up for the fall session with a couple of friends. I just can't wait for the big affair with dress rehearsals and big, fluffy tu-tu's.