We're BAAAAAAACK!!

OK so after a long break, we have returned. Right before Christmas are computer had a relapse and since no one in this family is computer savvy, it was not fixed. But thanks to my friend Hollie and her tech savvy husband, Dustin, we are up and running now. Now had I know how freakin' simple it was to correct the problem we would have been up a LOOOONNNGGGG time ago. I feel REALLY stupido!

Instead of trying to back track we are just going to look to the future! So keep coming back! And thanks to Dustin, I now know how to upload pics from cds and on my desktop, so be lookin' for those as well!

Thomas Family Christmas

We celebrated the Christmas Holidays with the Thomas Family. This is a tradition that has happened for years. However, this year was extremely difficult as this is the first Christmas without Grandma Gloria. We celebrated her memory with a moment of silence. Just before her passing she finished the gifts that she makes every year for the grand children. This year she made snowmen and women ornaments out of plastic mesh and yarn. She asked that we wait until Christmas to give them to the children, that was a very heart felt moment and we knew she was there celebrating this glorious holiday with us.

We enjoy a delicious meal of soups and rolls with hot fudge brownie sundaes, we sang Christmas songs and a family friend who dresses as Santa brings gifts for all the children (supplied by Santa's helpers...of course). We purchase small gifts, just a couple of dollars each and give to each family. This year my favorite gift was by David's brother Kerry and his wife, Irene. It is a snowman made out of wood and painted. It is holding a wreath in his stick hand and has a picture of Grandma Gloria in its center. Painted across the front is 'A Family is Forever because Love never Melts.' What a beautiful, sentimental gift...thank you, Kerry and Irene.

And no Thomas Family party would be complete without the a little basketball, kids playing and chitter chatter.

Treasured Moments!

Taylans trip to Primary!

Now we would think primary is a fun place to be on Sunday....not for us! We are talking about Primary Children's Hospital. On Monday, Taylan was outside for recess playing basketball, he went in for a lay-up, lost his footing and slammed his head into the basketball pole. He apparently told his substitute teacher about the incident, who told him to 'just lay your head down.' OK...what kind of moron does not understand the seriousness of a head injury!!!!! Taylan did not tell me about it and the next morning Taylan complained of a headache and blurry vision. I called his pediatrician and they told me to go immediately to PCH. We checked in and after 5 people interviewed him and the resident MD consulted his attending he was sent to get a C/T. Taylan now has a picture of his brain! Luckily, nothing looked abnormal. We were advised to keep an eye on his pupil dilation, vomiting and increase in head pain. He has been recovering well, we appreciate every ones well wishes and prayers in his behave!

Thanksgiving

I am hopping all our friends and family enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend.



David had requested I make homemade pies for Thanksgiving this year. It was a tradition of his mother. I was reluctant at first, but after flipping through my Betty Crocker Cookbook, I felt it was a task I could take on. So, I planned on baking on the morning of since we had no plans.....I got sick on Wednesday, I had not shopped for the ingredients and David had to work. I woke up on Thursday feeling a little better and David wanted to take me and the kids out for breakfast. He asked if I was feeling well enough to bake pies with his help, so we went to Walmart to pick up the ingredients that I did not have at home. Of coarse, most of the ingredients we were looking for were out, so we found other options. They did have Pumpkin filling, so we were good there. We found a banana cream pie kit by the bananas and an apple crisp kit in the produce.....score! We came home and started on the pies, David and Taylan baked the pumpkin and I assisted the girls with the banana cream. Once the pumpkin was baked I did the apple crisp.



We watched the Dallas Cowboys football game...they won. We had dinner at my mom's apartment and enjoyed a nice feast with all the goodies.

Catching Up

There has been a lot of things going on over the past couple of weeks and I have wanted to post some thought, but every time I get on the PC, I am interrupted. So here goes.....

We had our Primary Sacrament Program on Nov. 9th. I was in utter disspare the previous Sunday during the practice because I could not feel the spirit. In hind sight I know I was stressed out for perfection, but what can be more perfect than a child standing and confirming a simple gospel principle. I need to stop stressing.....the program was fabulous. We usually have one or more children scream into the mic during their part, I had challenged one kid to be as reverent as he possibly could and I would reward him with a special treat. It worked! I have never been more proud of this group of kids, they did a wonderful job and we received many compliments. A big 'Thank You' and 'Congrats on a job well done' to Cherish, my fabulous counselor.

POW WOW is AWESOME! For those non-scouters, this is a day for the leaders to attend classes and workshops to improve and develop skills necessary when working with cub scouts. From 8 in the morning until 3, non-stop scouting. I selected a variety of classes that were not picked by the den leaders and pack leaders. I think I got the BEST classes. The first class was on earning the BSA Family Patch. This is a patch that a family can earn just by spending time together and having fun....FHE! They had great ideas and activities planned for us to participate in....I made Freezer Bag Ice Cream, a prayer rock and sang the star spangled banner with a kazoo! The next class was 101 ways to say 'Thank You.' I felt I needed this class because I would like to become better at expressing my gratitude with simple gifts or cards. On to Blue and Gold...the anniversary of the scouting program is called the Blue and Gold. A lot of great ideas for the banquet. Decor, activities, food and games. I loved it! Cubs in the Kitchen was a little tedious. The teachers just read out of the book and passed around a few yummy 'handouts' for us to put together, like baggie fudge, ants on a log and a candy log fire. Then I had to take a class designed specifically for my responsibilities...great information, not real exciting.

I love being in the Primary and serving the children! I never really participated much in Primary myself as a child. I have few memories of Primary or the activities. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have now to see my children grow in the gospel. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father giving me this time to serve in such a capacity. What a blessing!!!

Brenaya

Brenaya has started dance at Becky's School of Dance in Kearns. She found a friend in the ward that was starting so we decided to go there with her. She was in the 3-5 year old class and the teacher advised that we move her up with the older kids because she was technically more advanced then the class she was in....she takes after her mom what can I say!!! It doesn't hurt that we had classes in the kitchen since she could stand. She is LOVING it! She comes home almost every night and practices one part over and over again. Up....down...out...and in...up...down....out and in....etc. Everyone can come and see her at Kearns HS on Thurs. Dec 18th @ 7:30 PM.

She enjoys Kindergarten, but does not like the work....she's boreding (as she says). We have fun reading her stories and singing songs she brings home.

Brenaya is really turning on the 'I want mommy' phase and I am sure it is because of Janalise and the time I spend taking care of her, so I have tried to have special time with her during Janalise's nap. It includes tickle time and cuddle time. It seems to help on the days when it happens, but on the days where Bren is playing with friends during Janalise's nap time, I can see a BIG change in her attitude.

Janalise

Janalise has turned 8 months old and oh boy has she learned so much. We love to play peek-a-boo, she will lift the blanket up over her eyes and wait until someone asks 'where's the baby'; she puts the blanket down and laughs. She has learned that she can crawl from room to room with ease and standing on furniture is exciting! She is trying to venture from the couch to the coffee table without hands....she reaches and reaches, then falls on her padding. She goes up the stairs (with back up).

She loves play fighting with Taylan, she hits Taylan, Taylan pretends he is hurt, she laughs hysterically. She likes to pull on Andi's nose and grab her eyes. Brenaya's hair is something special, Janalise loves to touch and pull it. Pat-a-cake is one of our favorite games and she loves to dance; especially to Hannah Montana karaoke. She loves her friend in the mirror and splashing in the tub.

She has found a love for food, especially rice cereal, fruits, pasta and breads. We are still working on veggies and meats. She has upgraded to a sipping cup and straws, she loves juice and water.

She recognizes the signs for mom, dad, bubba, nae-nae and andi, milk, 'na-num' (food). We are working on water, please and love.

What a blessing she has been in our family, everyone is so excited to have her here and the love is overflowing!