O Christmas Tree

The kids had so much fun decorating the Christmas Tree this year. Bailey loves trees, and it is one of the words she knows. She talked about the "tree" all night. I decided to put most of the decorations up high, and leave a few little ones down for Bailey to play with. Beau was VERY (a little too) helpful putting the decorations up high. The night went surprisingly well - then the next day. By 8:00 the kids had tipped the tree over. I wish I would have thought about grabbing my camera, I could only think about saving our poor tree. I put the tree back up, but it was pretty much just leaning there. Of course, Beau has a hard time listening to mom, just before dad got home, the tree was on the floor again. This time all I could think about is trying to not strangle my dear little boy (he willingly went to time out). Long story short- Clay came home (Beau stayed away) made a trip to Kings for a new stand, it broke - made a trip to Hastings for new bolts and fixed the first tree stand. After two timbers, and two tree stands, I have a tree standing, for now:)

Bailey is Growing up!

Today we were getting ready to eat dinner when I noticed that Bailey was missing a bottom tooth! I really started freaking out, thinking that she chipped it or something. My neighbor was here and assured me that this was the age kids start loosing teeth. I just couldn't believe that my little girl was old enough, and very unprepared for this step of childhood. I couldn't ever find the tooth. Earlier I had given Bailey a carrot to eat, I think that is when she lost it and probably swallowed it. I told Beau that the Tooth Fairy would still come. I didn't even know she had a loose tooth! My little girl is growing up.

TrIcK oR tReAt!

The kids had so much fun on Halloween! I went into Bailey's class to help with a little party - she loves school so much. I had to do her make-up about 50 times, but she looked so dang cute! After school we made our way to Thayne to see the Grandma's down there. Then we met up with dad and went to a ward party/trunk-or-treat. After that, we had to make it to Grandma Erickson's and Uncle John's. It was a very long, fun day! I have now hidden all the candy, and bring it out once a day for them to choose from. Now I just need to have Clay hide it from me - I am down 7 pounds and 4 inches. I have a little more to go before the cruise (if I can just stay away from all that candy :)

Miss Kitty

Bat Man!

Pumpkin Carving

The kids had so much fun carving their pumpkins last night. Beau wasn't too sure of the "guts" at first, but then he dug in. I bought some patterns to use on the pumpkins. Clay wasn't too happy about that. He said "I carved normal pumpkins growing up, and they were fine!" Of course mom won that battle. They turned out pretty cute. Beau choose the Shrek patterns.

Photo Tag

Carolyn tagged me for this fun photo tag. You open your picture file, go to the 4th file and the 4th picture and post about it. Here is my picture. One day I came into my kitchen to see my cute little 2 year old washing my dishes for me. He made more of a mess actually, but it was very thoughtful of him. Now it is your turn, you've been tagged! (Amy Carter, your blog is badly needing an update, you better play along.)

Mummies

So, Clay has been hunting and I have been home alone with the kids. The evenings seem to drag on forever, so tonight I decided to try and entertain the kids a little. Beau helped me make these 'Mummy Dogs". I didn't have any olives for eyes, so I stuck some raisens in. They turned out cute and Beau was really excited about them. But the end results weren't so great - Bailey wouldn't touch them and Beau picked off the bun and just ate the dog. Oh well, A+ for effort and thank goodness for Mac and Cheese!

First Snow

The Kids have been so excited to play in the First Snow of the year. I finally agreed to take Elle, Emma and Beau out for a little while. They had so much fun, and made sure to hit me with plenty of snowballs. They were having a great time playing with and eating the fresh snow until their little hands were freezing. It was a short little romp, but a greatly needed break from the house. I don't know if I am quite ready for winter. I do know that I really need to buy my kids some new winter clothes FAST!

Scraptastic!

I have been trying to catch up on Bailey's scrapbook, I am only a couple years behind :) I finished this page last night and was very happy how it turned out. The picture isn't great, but you get the idea. I copied some ideas from a layout on Two Peas in a Bucket.

Help!

I had Beau's pictures taken and I can't decide which is my favorite. I need help! Click on the link and it will take you to Lasting Impressions home page, then click on Beau (tractor) Skinner. Let me know what you think.http://lastingimpressionsphotography.photoreflect.com

Timber!

Last weekend we went and got our first load of wood. The kids love going, including Clay. Beau thinks he is big enough to do everything that his Dad does. He quickly realized that his chainsaw doesn't really cut, so he had to use Dad's, with a lot of help. Beau wouldn't leave the spray paint marker alone, I finally had to hide it from him. When he got bored, he would come over and say "Mom, want to go for a walk with me." Bailey just loves to be in the mountains. Her favorite thing about getting wood is trying on everyones gloves - she thinks they are hand puppets. This time she didn't wander away, so I was able to help out quite a bit. Both kids were so good and we all had a great day. Only one more load and we are done for the winter!

Erickson Reunion

Every Labor Day weekend my family attends the coolest reunion ever! Clay's grandparents, Kay and Delsa, have their traditional reunion up to Cottonwood Lake. This year was awesome, although we did get a little harassed by the Forest Service, and a big fat ticket. Tempers were flaring everywhere, of course Clay was the worst! There is nothing worse than a female officer with a bullet proof vest and gun, she threatened to have Clay hauled off the mountain in handcuffs. We still managed to have a great time. Wade set up a zip line in one of the trees. Grandma was one of the first to go down, she is the coolest! As tradition, we went down to the lake and watched daring family members ride the bike off the ramp into the freezing cold water (poor Kayla lost part of her tailbone in her first attempt ever). That night my "computer geek" brother-in-law set up a slide show. We looked at so many old slides that made you laugh until your sides hurt (especially the ones of Rob and Rhonda's wedding). For Sunday services, grandma prepared a game of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", I really need to brush up on my church knowledge. After church we took a ride up to the avalanche site to see the memorials that were put up in honor of the three men who died there last winter. I really appreciate my husband so much more and will probably worry about him even more this winter. Unfortunately we were rained out that night and my family decided to pull out and let the others tough it out. We had a great time and ate way too much great food! I can't wait until next year to do it all again!

Big Girls Don't Cry

Today was Bailey's first day of Kindergarten and I really had to hold back the tears. Bailey was so excited especially when the bus pulled into our driveway. She marched right onto the bus without any hesitation and didn't even bother to wave goodbye. I tried to keep myself away, but and hour later I found myself being that "stocker" mom, peeking into her classroom window. Thank goodness Bailey has an amazing team of people working with her. She is in a regular classroom with an aid by her side at all times of the day. I decided to let her attend all day Kindergarten and so far it seems to be going great. Bailey will be able to have Occupational Therapy, Speech and continue with the Physical Therapy. I really feel like this is going to be an amazing year of growth for her. I also feel like it is going to be a great year for Beau. He is really needing some one-on-one time with mommy. I have a lot of fun things planned for us. He is excited about his "school" with mommy. I have been so blessed with two great kids!

Happy Birthday Beau!

Today was Beau's 3rd birthday (although he has told everyone that he is three for quite some time now). We started the day off by running to the store for some forgotten cupcake wrappers, then to Burger King for breakfast. Beau helped me make cupcakes with blue frosting which we took to the park and played with all the kids in the ward. After we came home from the park I slaved 2 hours making his Spider Man Cake that he has been taking about for months. We had all the grandma and grandpa's and the neighbors (Clay's cousin) over for dinner. Clay cooked up some awesome hamburgers with all the works. We finished off by destroying the cake I worked so hard on and homemade strawberry ice cream. It was a great birthday party and Beau got more presents than he knows what to do with. I love to make a big deal out of their birthday's each year and make it their special day.

Boating with my family

While we were in town for Grandma's funeral, Jeremy took his family, Amy's family, and my family boating. It was a perfect day out on the Lake, no wind and plenty of sunshine. My kids LOVE the water and are not a bit scared. Every time we would stop to get someone out or in, Clay would throw both kids overboard. Beau is getting pretty good at doggy paddling back to the boat. Bailey and Beau both had their first experience riding on the tube. They thought that was great, Bailey would have stayed on all day. Clay is getting really good at both wake boarding and slalom skiing. I am sometimes a whimp and play it safe in the boat, but I decided to put some skiis on and give it a go. I did good, but man am I getting old! After about 5 minutes of going in and out of the wake, I was exhausted and my legs gave out. We stayed on the Lake until dusk, then went in and ordered Cafe Rio to go. It was great spending the day with my sisters and their cute kids.

Happy Birthday Grandma Clark

To celebrate Grandma Clark's 86th birthday, we paid her our final respects. Grandma died on July 18th, just a few days before her birthday. What a better present than to be reunited with her Eternal companion and loving daughter. The funeral was nice and simple. Amy was asked to talk, she gave some nice memories from all the grandkids, and somehow managed her nerves. I was asked to give the closing prayer, which was a little emotional after the closing song "How Great Thou Art." The services at the cemetary were nice, all the great-grandchildren were given birthday balloons to release in the air. After her grave was dedicated, all of my immediate family made a short trip to Mom's headstone. It was good to be there, in that peaceful spot, as a family. The whole day was a celebration of Grandma, her life, and posterity - we even had birthay cake.