Colonial America

During the month of November, Brody and his third grade class were studying Colonial America. They were assigned different projects to go with the topic. The first was to engrave a plate using tin foil and a toothpick. The second was to make a rag doll. Brody wasn't too sure about making a doll, so he made his a punk-rock doll complete with metal earrings and tattoos. His teacher liked it but said the people of that time probably didn't dress punk rock or even know what that was. The third project was to make a Jamestown Home. Being that the third graders father has a degree in architecture, this was project was super exciting. The final project was to make a weather vane using a rooster print out and paint stick. Well...when your uncle is an awesome welder, this project couldn't be a better excuse to break out the welding equipment and have some fun. I about fell over when Jeremy and Brody pulled up the night before the project was due and showed me their masterpiece. You got it folks, that is Sparky the Devil on the top and his trident that spins when the wind blows. Good thing this project counted for Cub Scouts and Third Grade!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope your turkey day was full of laughter and love! We went to Sugar's house for the best turkey dinner in town. The kids played with cousins and the rest of us gobbled till we wobbled. We missed all those who weren't able to make it to dinner and hope their Thanksgiving was a good one. This year I am especially grateful for all the blessings I receive each and every day. I am truly a lucky mama. Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with peace and happiness as you shared some memories with your family and friends.

Our little pilgrim girl showing off the hat she made at her playschool.

Our cute little turkey showing off his handprint turkey headband and leaf.

I am thankful for Brody because he is so smart and sweet. He loves to read and learn. He is a great example to his little brothers and sister which I really appreciate. I love his goofy personality and cute smile. Stop growing up Brody Felstead!
I am thankful for Case because this kid is full of loves and hugs these days. I love Case's giggly laugh and happy personality. I love that Case would give you the shirt off his back. He is thoughtful, kind and helpful. His smile makes me happy!
I am thankful for Ledger because he is funny, smart and charming. He loves to learn. He can be goofy and funny but serious and hard headed. I love that he likes to play and help Miss B. I love the deep conversations we have in the car these days. I hope this kid knows how much I love him.
Madison checking out the boys coloring. I think there was some talk about toots and other boy grossness going on at this kids table. Silly boys!

Miss B., Miss B. You sure know how to work it girl. You were flirting away with your cousin John today. Every time he would come around, you would close your little brown eyes and act like he wasn't there. You are waaaay too smart. I am thankful for Miss B. because she let's me dress her in pink explosions daily. I love that she is girly and cute, but tough like a boy. I love that we can carry on conversations these days and that she has nooooo problem telling me just how she feels. I love love love this bundle of pink goodness!

It's A Tradition

It has been a tradition around here to meet at El Charro on the night before Thanksgiving. I have no idea why, but all of Mesa does the same and it is really fun. This year we met up with our California cousins Madison and Wayne along with our Mesa cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. One thing missing this year was our darling Texas cousins, Chandler and Hayley and our Pennsylvania cousins Ella, Brooklyn and Kendall. It really won't be the same without them. My boys cried and cried for days when I told them they weren't coming. We love them so much. We had a great time tonight visiting and laughing with the family. I wish every day was Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite by far. Tomorrow we will get together at my Mom's for more food and fun.

What traditions do you have?

Presley, Cave and H.C.

Sugar and Miss B.

Ledger loves his cousin Madison. Yes, you can have piggy back rides at El Charro!

Wayne and his cute girlfriend Melissa

Kisses from GG are always nice.

Case, Brody, Ledger and Aiden being downtown Mesa Statues.

Cute Presley.

Sara, Trent and Aiden

Uncle Phil and Brody talking about ASU Football.

Mom and Madison

Aunt Wendy, Ledger and Anna.

Uncle Chris and Aunt Michel (awwww, so cute!)

We Survived

As many of you know, taking family pictures is on the top of my "What I Hate Most" list. Along with laundry, there isn't much else that I totally hate. Yesterday after the boys got home from school, we headed over to Tempe Beach Park to take some family Christmas pictures. One of the reasons I hate taking pictures is because I hate trying to figure out what everyone is going to wear. Trying to coordinate everyone can be difficult. Another reason I hate taking family Christmas pictures is because without fail, someone always winds up getting injured on or before the photo shoot. This year is was Miss B. with her lip shaving incident and Ledger with his Primary Program injury. Brody had a little red bug bite or zit by his eye and as always, I've jammed packed with zits and wrinkles. The photo shoot was by far one of our best but only cause I bribed the kids with a trip to Target if they behaved. I'm not a fan or bribery but I was desperate for them to cooperate somehow. Apparently it worked which is not good for me. Miss Ashley was great and I know she was able to work some magic and get at least one picture of each of my kids for our Christmas card. At this point I don't even care if our card has Jeremy and I in it. If I get single shots of each of my kids, I'll be ecstatic!

Case was hilarious today. He was all goofy and giggly. Photo taken by Brody.

Jeremy and Brody rockin' out while waiting for their turn. Photo by Case.

Primary Program Accident

Poor Ledger. On Sunday he was able to participate in his first Primary Program as a Sunbeam. He worked so hard learning the songs, memorizing the Articles Of Faith (all 1 of them) and memorizing his part for the program. He rocked the house during the practices each week and especially during the Saturday morning practice. Finally his big chance had arrived to sing in front of the Ward and his Grandparents and Great Grand-Parents. Ledger had the first speaking part of the whooooole program. It went, "This year in primary, the theme has been, I Know The Scriptures Are True." So we sing our way to the stage and here starts Ledger to the microphone. He runs into the stage railing and smacks his darling chubby cheek into the wooden post. The tears start flowing and he gets to the microphone and starts BAWLING! Poor guy. Our darling first counselor tries to help him but he is too hurt and choked up to talk. Dad, aka The Sunbeam Teacher, ends up reading Ledger's line as I carry him off the stage to sit by me. Poor guy was so excited for this day. He sat next to me and cried for a little and then got himself together and sang the last half of the program and recited that First Article Of Faith he worked so hard to memorize. The program turned out great other then Ledger's cheek injury. It was a ton of work but so worth it in the end. A Huge thanks to my awesome counselors, Lindsey M., Natalie, Ellen and Cyndi our awesome chorister. I am so grateful to have them helping me through this journey! They truly are the best!

Oh and in case your wondering what else is going on with Ledgers cheeks, he has a skin issue called Keratosis Pilaris, aka "chicken skin". Basically he has clogged pores. (like the ones that sometimes you get on the back of your arms or tops of your thighs). There are medications you can apply to the affected area but non that are approved for 4 year olds. The dermatologist says he will out grow it one day but for now we have to be patient. We love these chubby cheeks with all their bumps and bruises!

Learning To Shave Like Dad

Yesterday as we were frantically getting ready to go to church, Miss B. decided she needed a clean shaven'. In a matter of seconds, she grabbed a razor out of the bathroom drawer and sliced her top lip right open. That dang cut bled for 2 hours, and bled BAD! I really didn't think the thing was gonna stop bleeding in time for church. The funny thing about this story is that any time Jeremy cuts himself shaving, he screams (LOUD) and then moans about the dang thing for days. Miss B. comes walking in, gushing blood and doesn't say a word. As we start panicking trying to figure out where the blood is coming from, she starts getting teary eyed knowing she was about to get into trouble. She didn't get in trouble but she did feel bad because I have told her time and time again that razors are "ouchies" Hopefully seeing all that blood has taught her a lesson, but truthfully, I'm sure she will do something just as crazy tomorrow!

Articles Of Faith Ice Cream Party

Yesterday after our Primary Program practice, we had an Articles Of Faith ice cream party for all the primary kids. We have been really working on getting them to memorize all 13 Articles Of Faith this year and many were able to do that. For every Article Of Faith the kids passed off, they got that many scoops of ice cream. Yep folks...many kids had 13 scoops of ice cream yesterday at 10:45 in the morning! It was a great motivator and a fun way to end our program practice. A huge thanks to Cyndi for organizing and planning the party. It was awesome!

Little Sunbeam Ledger did good memorizing the First Article Of Faith. He was thrilled with his 1 scoop of ice cream!

Case didn't have much interest in learning the Articles Of Faith until the week before the party. By then he was so crazy stressed about memorizing them that he just couldn't. Next year we will start earlier.

No party would be complete without a game of, "Pin The Waddle On The Turkey."

Lucky for me I have great leaders and teachers who were more then willing to help scoop ice cream and squirt whipped cream all over!

Thank you Cyndi for organizing this fun activity for the primary kids. It was a HIT!

Pee Wee

This year Ledger was able to participate in Pee Wee Flag Football. Since the other 2 boys were playing we figured what the heck! What a season it was. The first few games, Ledger had major mouth guard issues. Mouth guards just aren't made to fit in such little mouths. Then, Ledger had issues with scoring touchdowns for the other teams. Since all we tell Ledger each week is, "Don't let them pull your flag, " Ledger runs in the opposite direction. And he doesn't stop running. After he would get to the end zone, he would turn around and run back. It was the dang funniest thing you've ever seen. The Seahawks were definitely the cutest players on the field each week.

Yep...this would be the hand off. As you can see, there is a lot of thought put into it.

Now run Ledger! Run!

Ledger was the best snapper on the team. Since there was no running involved in this position, it was perfect for Ledger!

Oh I know what your thinking when you look at this picture. Ledger looks like a professional flag foot ball player. Trust me folks, it's like everything is in slow motion when watching these games. Two 20 minute halves never took so long!

Ledger's first flag football season was fun and definitely entertaining! I have to say that by the end of the season, he was really getting the hang of how it all works. Can't wait to see how next season goes.

Go Falcons!! Go Bengals!!

Have I mentioned yet that all three of my boys have been playing flag football this season? Oh my has it been fun! On Saturday, Brody and Case played in the championships. Since Ledger was only in Pee Wee's, they didn't have to play which was a good think because between Brody and Case, we were at the football field from 8:30 am till 5:30 pm. During that entire time, we only had a half hour where no one was playing. It was a long but fun day of football.

Brody had a great team this season. They only lost one game all year and that was to the Patriots. The boys on his team have been playing together for the past 4 years so they are good. Brody did super this year and really learned about the game. He is not the most aggressive player on the team but he did have fun socially.

Brody made the extra point for his team on Saturday. It was awesome even though he almost dropped the ball!

TOUCHDOWN!!

Good game Bengals!

Running through the tunnel was the highlight of the game.

That and Kohl yelling, "Who are We?" "BENGALS!!!!" "Who Are We?" "BENGALS!!"

The Bengals ended up taking 3rd place in the 7-8 year old group. They did super and had a great time together. This is an awesome group of boys.

Coach Leo was super. He is so patient and good with the boys.

Love that Jackson and Brody get to play on so many teams together.

We love our Bengal!

Case's team, the Falcons were undefeated this season. These 5 and 6 year old boys won every game in the playoffs and were the champions of their division. Like Brody's team, these boys have been playing for many seasons together. Being that Case is super aggressive and fast, he fit in great with these boys and was a great asset to the team. I would say that he is the best flag grabber on the team. The kid is quick!

"Ladies and Gentlemen...The 2011 Flag Football 5-6 year old CHAMPIONS!!"

Coach Jared and Coach B.J. Were awesome! We were so lucky to have great coaches and team mates this year. It really was an ideal situation have coaches that met at the same time and practiced together at the same place. I was amazed at the patience the coaches had this year. They really had the boys working and learning the game of flag football. We have already signed up for next season so hopefully we will be this lucky again.

Case, you are always making me laugh.

Now get your flags on and go play some foot ball!

So this is what our Saturday looked like...

9:00 Case first game

10:00 Brody first game

11:00 Case second game

12:30 Case third game

1:30 Brody second game

2:30 Brody third game

3:30 Brody fourth game

What did you do on Saturday?