Halloween

Halloween seemed to be a week long event at our house this year! Here's the recap...

It started with Addie's preschool party on Thursday. I was ambitions this year and made her a Tinker Bell costume, it was easy and I think it turned out pretty cute! I was able to help at the preschool party, the only problem was this is all the pictures I took. Not sure where my brain was!

Friday night we had a Bunko Halloween Party! Linzee went ALL out! It was so fun and everyone dressed up cute! Great Night!

Sunday Night we had planned a big pumpkin carve at Grandpa Dennis' house. Bradi had even planned a big spook alley in the basement and lots of fun games! Plans changed quickly when Grandpa Landon died earlier in the day, we did continue on with pumpkin carving because the kids were so excited about it. I was in a fog, these are the only pictures I took. I didn't even take a picture of their finished pumpkins. It just didn't seem to matter anymore what their pumpkin looked like. Your perspective changes when a close family member dies suddenly. You realize it doesn't matter what the pumpkin look like, all that matters is that we were spending time together.

The school parade was the first time the boys got to get into their costumes. They were excited!  I loved their costumes this year! There is just something totally funny about boys dressing up in cheerleading uniforms. Gavin was having a really hard day on Halloween. I told him if anything could cheer him up it was seeing the boys as cheerleaders! He came to the parade and got his mind off losing his Grandpa for just a minute. How can you not smile seeing those wigs and pink cheeks! :)

I had signed up to help during Landon's class party. Thank goodness Malea lives next door and helped me with the girls. She is a saint! I had the kids make Banana Ghosts. They turned out really cute and the kids loved making and eating them!

It was finally time for Trick or Treating! This kids were stoked!

Grandma Gai even got into Halloween this year! She was a pregnant old lady... Carlee cried the first time she saw her! Ha! Addie's first stop was to Malea's. She was a little nervous to Trick or Treat, but she got the hang of it real fast. Who doesn't love taking candy from people?!

Landon met his friends and I never saw him again all night. He had a blast and so did the rest of us, considering our heavy hearts. All in all Halloween was great.

Giants Football

Preston has had an awesome season of Flag Football. His little team has finally figured it out and has had a winning season! Preston loves playing defense, he loves pulling flags and...

...intercepting the ball!!

He also does great on offense, here he is just after he scored a touchdown. Think he is proud of himself?! I know I am! :) 

Preston is a one of a kind, he is fun loving, easy going and nice to everyone. He is the tender heart of our family and is always watching out for those in need. Lately he always seems to be listening to that little voice inside him telling him if it's right or wrong. In fact, I just got a note from his teacher that said, he has made huge strides in listening and concentrating at school. I know Preston isn't perfect by any means, but he is trying hard to do his chores, keep up on his homework and even practice his piano! As his mom I couldn't be prouder of the football player and little boy he has become! Way to go Pres!

Pumpkin Patch

This year there was a Pumpkin Patch close by our house. Every time we drove by it Addie begged to get out and pick a pumpkin! Finally Malea called and said she was going so we decided to tag along. The boys were gone hunting so it worked out perfect. Addie loved everything about the patch. She loved the train ride, the pretend horse, the teeter-tater, the goats, sheep and big goose, and she loved picking her pumpkin! Carlee was an angel as usual. She just sat in her stroller watching everyone go by. I couldn't ask for a better baby! (Other than she has found her voice and yells at everyone now! Ha!)  It was a fun evening spent with my girls. :)

The Famous Pumpkin Picture

 

The kids are always thrilled the day I tell them it's time to go take our Pumpkin Picture! They almost sprint to the car all giddy inside because they get to do their most favorite thing of all.... take another picture! NOT! 

Well, no matter how they got to the car, and how much complaining was involved, we got it done for another year! I love them and I guess that is all that matters. I even went back and looked at all of them from previous years. This is only our fourth time doing it, and I am so glad I started. It is crazy to see the changes in each of them from year to year. I thought you might like to see too... here is a look back at the pumpkin pictures of the past... 

{2008}

{2009}

{2010}

Anyone notice what all these pictures have in common beside the pumpkins??? That brown shirt has been in every one of the them! Wow, I must like it or something! Ha! :)

Bull Valley

{October 15th, 2011}

October 15th might just seem like any other day to most, but if you are a member of the Dutchman Ranch, this day sticks out in your mind.  It might even stick out more to Dutchman Cowboys than say, their own birthday, anniversary, or maybe even Christmas! Yes this is a big day. This is the day all the cattle have to be off the forest permit. Lucky for us, the 15th landed on a Saturday this year and Landon had a football bye week. Landon convinced Grandpa Randy that he would take care of Ol' Blue, so he could go out and ride with his dad. I can't think of a better experience than spending a Saturday on the back of a horse with your dad. Landon is one lucky cowboy!

We (Me, Grandpa Randy, and the rest of the kids) rode out in the afternoon to see how things were going and then grab dinner at Marv's. I love Bull Valley. It is so peaceful and smells so good.  I don't get a chance to go as much as I used to, I guess it makes me appreciate the beauty more when I am there. Landon had a ball all day. Everyone told me he was a born cowboy! I think so too! He and Blue got along great, which I knew they would.

Even though I sometimes get frustrated with the cows and the time it takes to take care of them. It's days like today that I realize how grateful I am for them. Gavin really loves being a Cowboy and I am thankful he is little by little teaching our children to love it too.

Pinewood Derby

{October 6th, 2011}

The Pinewood Derby was a new to the Frei house. This was our first year and we had to call in the "expert!" Thanks to Uncle Lex, Landon was able to race a car on race-day! Lex cut the wood, then Landon sanded and painted it himself. Lex got it weighted just right and put on the wheels and we were ready to go! Landon did win a heat, but didn't place in the end. He was okay with it and still loved his car. Thanks Lex for all your help, we couldn't have done it without you!

My Little Cheerleader

{September 30th, 2011}

Addie is a total girl, there is no denying it. She loves shoes, purses, lip gloss and... Cheerleading! When I told her it was time to go to the Cheerleaders clinic again, she was very excited! It makes me smile, because I can just see it in her eyes she is having a ball yelling:

SC Warriors like an alligator,

going to chomp.. you.. up!

or
Warrior Nation....

Warrior Nation....

She did great! It was a fun night at the football game, despite the Football team losing and Carlee not being the best spectator. I am beginning to remember all the joys of a toddler. Sigh... 

Swiss Days

{September 24th, 2011}

Swiss Days is always a fun weekend. This year I ran the 5K again. I was a little bummed out that Paul beat me, but I'll get him next year! As he passed me he told me not to worry, it wasn't a competition! Easy for him to say, as he blew by me like I was standing still! At least I am back running again, right?!

The Reber's (thanks Lex, Ryon and Mom for getting it all ready) put the 10 Wheeler in the parade and we rode and threw candy. It was fun to be with cousins and wave to all our friends and neighbors. Then we went back and had lunch at Grandma's. I love my family and are so thankful we have these opportunities to be together and make memories. Side note... Gavin and Landon were gone beating Pine View at the football game! Hopefully one of these years our football game isn't scheduled at the exact same time as the parade!

Carlee's One!

{September 22, 2011}

My Sweet baby has turned one! I know what you are thinking, she can't be one yet! Wasn't she just born? Didn't I just see their Christmas Card and she was tiny? Has she even had a chance to even roll over or sit up yet? Yes, it's hard to believe my baby is one, trust me I know...

Since this is my last First Birthday Party, I decided to get a little more creative! I had seen a tiny party while blog stalking one day and since Carlee is pretty tiny, the planning began!

We had tiny sandwiches, tiny fruit kabobs on toothpicks, tiny treats, even tiny cupcakes and ice cream cones (forgot to get a picture of the ice cream, oops!) plus lots more!

I decided tiny things are fun to eat, and maybe (just maybe) not quite as much fun to make! ;)

And, this tiny girl was the star of the show! Thank you to everyone who came and made her birthday so much fun! Happy First Birthday Carlee Jane!! I love you so much!

Dixie Roundup

{September 15th-17th 2011}

Another Dixie Roundup has come and gone.  With Carlee being at such a "fun" stage in life we decided that two nights of rodeo was plenty! It worked out great, we went Thursday and Saturday. The kids were even in the Grand Entry Saturday night, which was fun. Preston loved the Black Hawk Helicopter that flew in every night. I don't think he even watched the rodeo, he just hung out by the helicopter. In fact the pilot even gave him a bullet shell, and told him he was his best customer!

Not Our Finest Moment

Sometimes I get a tired of looking at blog's and seeing all the perfect things that are going on in other people's lives, perfect trips, perfect parties, perfect Halloween costumes, perfect Christmas, perfect perfect, perfect.... Usually that is how my blog looks, I don't really want to remember the poop all over my floor from a sick child, or the not so perfect report card, or that my child isn't the best at sharing. I could go on and on here...  I like the rest of the blog-world sugar coat our lives. It could appear that our family runs very smooth, we do have a few deaths once in a while but other than that, we go from one party to the next sporting event all singing and laughing as we go. Ha! ;) Well I think it's time to get real, our lives are NOT like that, we have our struggles along with all the fun stuff.  This day back in September was not our finest moment! 

Preston will kill me if he knew I put this on here, so if by chance you see him, DO NOT bring this up! He feels super bad about the whole deal but for the sake of our family history it's gotta be here. So if you are reading this, I trust you not to tell him. :)

One morning in September while I was driving the boys to school Preston asked me "Mom what happens if you spray paint on a building?
 I said "Well that is Graffiti and you could go to Juvenile Detention or Jail?"
He looks at me with big eyes and says "Really??"
I say "Yes, that is defacing someones property and it is a crime? Why are you asking me this?"
"Well... last night while I was at Landon's practice, I found a can of spray paint and put a little bit on the shed behind the Middle School?" He replies.
Thinking it was just a line or a dot or something, I said "Well you have to go to school right now, and I am sure it isn't a lot, we will have to go over after school and see it."
Preston got out of the car reluctantly and walked to class. 

After school we drove down to the middle school. On the way Preston asked "Mom if I go to "Juvi" (he calls Juvenile Detention, "Juvi." His Grandma works at the court and he has picked up on few things! ;)) will you bail me out?"
I told him "In this family we will never bail you out of your problem, you have to pay the consequence to your action."
He looked at me and said with a quiver "Will you come visit me everyday??"

I was dying, he was really nervous, and I wasn't. I didn't think he would really draw all over a building with spray paint. I was expecting a little dot, or something we could scrub off rather quickly.  When we pulled up this is what I saw....

I about lost it. This wasn't a little line or just a little bit of spray paint. This was a work of art!! An SC with the Warrior Head and then the word Warriors was started, but then I am sure he got distracted. We had to go into the school and let the Vice Principal know, this part was really hard. Preston was crying so hard, and because he was I started tearing up too. We talked to him for awhile, he let Preston know that the cops at the school had already seen it, and talked about it. He told him if he was older and knew what he was doing he could be in a lot of trouble. At this point Preston was sobbing. I felt so bad for him. We told the VP Preston would clean it up, but he said the custodian had a chemical that would take it off and not to worry. Preston left there feeling relieved, he thought a week of being grounded was a lot better than spending a few nights in Juvenile Detention. It turned out to be a good learning experience for all of us. He now knows if he finds spray paint, let me know and I'll get him some paper or something to paint on, he won't be using a building as his canvas anytime soon!

I'm not sure I read the fine print when I decided to become a Mother, I thought it was all about changing their clothes and going to the park. Being a parent is HARD, I learned that this day. I also learned that I can't bail my kids out of their problems, but I will be right by their side walking through the fire with them. I love my kids so much and hope I can teach them right from wrong even if that mean learning a few things the hard way.

Warrior Football

Football is here and in full swing. The Warrior's are playing like just that.... Warrior's! They have had an unbelievable season so far, I hope it continues this way all the way to the playoffs! I can't even explain how many hours a week Gavin along with all the other coaches put into this little team, but is sure has shown. They come to every game prepared and ready to play. Landon has played great! He loves to hit and has got plenty of "Mama" stickers to show for it! (Those are stickers for his helmet he receives if he has a hard hit in the game.)

Addie loves football too! I'm not sure if it is to watch her brother play, or to hang out with her friends... You know you have a good friend when they will share their pickle with you! :)

We have had lots of family support at the games. We took this picture of Great Grandpa Bowler with Landon. He hadn't been to a football game since probably the 60's! He liked it, and Landon was happy he was there!

Landon has made some lifelong friends on this Warrior team. Every Friday the team (meaning the boys)  plan "Warrior Fest." They basically ride their bikes from one house to the next, playing, eating and having a great time. It usually last until it's time to go to the Varsity Football Game and the party continues there! It will be a fun memory that I'm sure will last a lifetime.

Football is a sport that teaches a lot more than just hitting. It teaches to work as a team, trust your teammates, do your part and most of all discipline. I am so thankful Landon has had this opportunity. I know it is making him a better boy all around.

Good Luck Warriors!

Addie Started Preschool

It's finally time for my sweet little Addie to start Preschool! She has been asking when she gets to go to "her" school ever since we signed her up last January. Excited isn't even the word to describe for how thrilled she was to finally get to go! The day of her open house {Aug. 30th} she was all smiles! It was fun to go look at the classroom and see all the fun things she will learn.

{September 6, 2011}

Then the first day of Preschool finally came!! Oh boy, was she excited! I hope her excitement last through college! ;) Here is to a great year, Add's! I know you will learn lots!

Carlee 11 months

 {August 22, 2011}

All 4 top teeth came through at the same time. She looks a lot older now. She is a busy little thing. She is pulling herself up on to the couch and furniture. Her little red check are finally going away, I am keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't come back! She is a joy!

Addie the Ballerina

Addie has started Ballet/Tap at Westside this year.  She is loving it! There is only one hangup and that is the tights. Every week she has a little meltdown as we are putting on her tights. She hates them to say the least they hurt her toes, then they are all bunchy, then her toes hurt again... It is a nightmare! But as soon as she has the tights on properly she is really excited. She loves her teachers, her friends and dancing with the ribbon. She loves tap class too. She is learning her left from her right foot and having fun while doing it. There aren't many things cuter than a group of 3 year olds learning how to dance. So much fun! :)

First Day of School

{August 15, 2011}

Summer flew by this year, but the boys were excited to get back to school. I can't believe I have a 3rd and 2nd grader! They both love their teacher's and have adjusted to the new routine. 3rd Grade for Landon meant a lot more homework than he has been used to... I am glad he gets to make good study habits at such a young age. He will be thankful later, I know it!  For Preston 2nd Grade so far has been great.  I have been so concerned about him, but I think this is his year. I know he is going to make great strides in both reading and math.

Here is to another great school year!

The Lake

 {August 6, 2011}

It is always a good time at the lake. I'm not much of a fisherman, but I do love hanging on the boat while drinking a cold Pepsi. Life doesn't get much better than that! The boys love to fish and this year Addie loved swimming with her cousins.

We also went cliff jumping this time. I loved it. Landon and Preston turned into little jumping beans!

Good Times at the Lake!

The Wolfpack

The Wolfpack (a new St. George club team) asked Landon to play with them in the Color Country Classic baseball tournament. This was his last 8U (8 and under) tournament. I guess he is growing up, even in baseball. Dang it... ;) It was a Friday Saturday tournament and we thought about staying over, since the last game on Friday got over at 8ish and then he had to be back in Cedar by 7:00 am for his 8:00 am game the next morning, but we didn't. Gavin and my Dad just went up early Saturday morning and Mom and I (with the kids) came later. The crazy thing was Gavin and Landon had to go back to St. George after the second game to weigh in for football. While they did that we hung out in Cedar and had a little Costa Vida (Yum!) and the best shaved ice this side of the Virgin River! :) We made it to the championship game so Gavin and Landon drove back to Cedar just in time for it to down pour! We waited around and the rain stopped. They ended up playing the Championship game it just got over late that night. Talk about a crazy Saturday... which made getting up for 9:00 o'clock church Sunday even harder! We did make it though, maybe (or maybe not) a little late! :) Typical, we're never late for a sporting event, but to church, now that's a different story.

Carlee 10 Months

This is a crawling, baby doll loving, human vacuum, bow hating baby. She doesn't get mad very often, but when she does look out, she might try to bite anyone in reach. Carlee's top teeth are trying hard to come through, but nothing yet. Her nose has been running like crazy and she chews on anything and everything to relieve the pain, but she is still a great baby. Smiling, cooing and laughing is what makes up most of her day. She still sleeps through the night and takes two naps. She loves to rub her head and suck her thumb. Her hair is stick straight and sticks up like a peacock most of the time. I put gel, lotion even aloe vera in it to help it lay down, no luck so far. Between the stick straight and being rubbed all day it, Carlee could win a crazy hair award. Not sure what I am going to do about it either! We still lover her though. :)
Can't believe she's 10 months already.

The TOC

The Tournament of Champions was a little different this year compared to last. The boys came to the first game a little bit off, and it got worse from there...needless to say, we lost the first game of the tournament. The other three games we played awesome. We even beat The Horns, a really great team! But, because of our first lost, we didn't even make it to Championship Saturday. It was crappy, to say the least. Funny thing about it, The Horns ended up being the TOC Champions and we beat them. Ha! You win some, and you lose some. Right?! :)

Despite the lose, we still had a great 5 days in Park City. It has to be one of my favorite places in the summer, heck I think I would love it in the winter too! We rode the Alpine Slide and Coaster, partied in our condo with the Shipp's and the Stuart's shopped till we dropped and best of all went to the Kamas Demolition Derby! I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of it. What was I thinking? Guess we'll have to go back next year, so I can get some footage.  :)  It's a one of a kind, small town "Crashin' Derby" and we all loved it!

It was hard to come home after being footloose and fancy free... I love vacations! :)

Celebrating Grandma

I forced a family picture right when we arrived the morning of the funeral. We don't all usually look that spiffy at 8:30 am every morning, so I had to remember it. My family is growing up right before my eyes and I thankful I captured this moment in time.

The viewing turned out nice. Sunday night was busy, a lot of family and friends came to show their support and express their love for my sweet Grandma Corinne. She will be missed by many.

I was able to say a few words at the funeral. It was hard to put into words my love for Grandma. She was a gem. I am going to try harder to be more like her, judge less, love more and maybe even hum a little.

Landon was an Honorary Pallbearer, but they let him carry the casket with the men. He was honored and proud he could help. I know he will remember this day forever. Sweet Preston is the one that had the hardest time through it all. My little tender heart cried and cried. Uncle John spoke to him at the funeral and gave an analogy of death like going from one room to another. Grandma has just changed rooms, and though we can't see her today or even tomorrow, I know we will see her again. She is waiting for us and will be there to greet us when it is our turn.

It was a nice day honoring Grandma. I am thankful I could have her in my life. 

We had a luncheon after. There is nothing like a family, and I have a great one. 

We love you Grandma. 

God be with you till we meet again.

Carlee Janer

Love this girl.

Lemonade Stand

{July 11, 2011}

This summer was the first time my kids ever had a Lemonade Stand. It was on our summer bucket list, and it turned out to be fun! They started out at our house in the front yard. After a while they decided that the cars go by to fast, so it would be better to take it down to Grandma Frei's by the fruitstand. Gavin was glad, cause he was all weirded (is that a word?!) out by the kids sitting in front of our house selling stuff. He thinks crazy's will see where our kids live and then do I don't know what to them. I guess I am glad he is a protective dad and cares so much about his little ones. 

The kids had a great afternoon selling their goodies. Addie would get so excited if someone stopped, after every customer she would run and tell me they made a sale! There isn't anything quite like the  excitement of a child.

After a while it started to rain, so we packed up shop. The kids have the money saved in their piggy bank waiting for the "just right" item to buy.  

Perfect summer afternoon.