Drinking From His Ear

I caught Elijah putting juice from his sippy cup in his ear tonight during dinner. I quickly stopped him and not so calmly ask, "what in the world are you doing". He answered, "Drinking".

For all those that I have told that I thought he was very intelligent....never mind.

Happy 3rd Birthday Elijah

Can you believe that Elijah is 3 years old already!?!? Grandma & Grandpa Curtis and Aunt Andrea came over to see him and gave him the greatest present. It was a tool belt. He loves all the fun tools that are in it and enjoys going around the house "fixing" things for dad. I asked him if he was a "workman" now and he said "No, I'm a birthday man".

That night he opened our family gifts and he received a great set of "Fire House" Lego's, dominos with the characters of the movie "Cars" on them, some Match box cars and a gun and holster set. He has had so much fun with all these.

It was finally time for the wonderful birthday cake that our friend Shauni Snow made for us. It looked wonderful and the kids gobbled it up in a hurry. The next day we continued our birthday celebration and went swimming at the town pool. Elijah loves the water and had a great time with his brothers, sisters and mom "swimming" at the pool.

Caught Ya!!

Elijah loves the muffins we have each Sunday morning. This morning I caught him licking the bowl after we thought he had gone downstairs. He was mighty proud of himself and definitely enjoyed the batter as well.

Christmas Evening At Temple Square

Christmas night we went to Temple Square again this year. Nana & Papa Vassel, Grandma & Grandpa Curtis, Aunt Andrea, and Aunt Karmen, Rodrigo, Joaquin and Ezekiel met us there. We love seeing the displays and seeing the statue of Christ. After going through the visitor centers we went outside to see the lights. It was mighty cold but worth it again this year as hardly anyone is there.

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve Day Sledding

On Christmas Eve we decided to go sledding by Park City. This was the first year that we have taken Elijah so we were a little nervous about his hemophilia, but we "factored" him up real good before we left. We all had so much fun. They loved going down the hills with each other then jumping up and racing up the hill to do it again. Mom had the dangerous job of taking pictures half way down the hill. It was fun to jump out of the way!! After it got too cold we brought out the hot chocolate we had brought and had a little snack. We can't wait to go again soon!!

Cookie Making Time

IIt wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't make sugar cookies. The decorating of the cookies was the best part. We also baked up some peanut butter cookies and handed out plates to some neighbors. Yes, we saved some for us too!!

Merry Christmas Caprece

Matt and Cayr went to the Lehi, Ut cemetery on the 18th of December to put a Christmas wreath on Caprece's grave. It was such a beautiful day and the other Holiday decorations around the cemetery were so pretty against the white snow. We've decided that the cemetery is a beautiful place to visit at this time of the year.

Dale Hit By Car

On December 3rd our chocolate lab Dale, was hit by a car. He had gotten out of the yard and we did not know he was gone. It was so nice of the drivers to go house to house until they could find someone who knew the dog they had hit. Our neighbor knew it was Dale they were asking about so she brought them to us. Dale had ran off, on 3 legs, after being hit so a search was started. It was about 7pm and already dark outside so we were worried and finding him could be difficult.

Dale has two play mates, Grady (Dave and Angie Carter) and Kienta (Mrs. Flint) and they went out with the drivers of the truck and Matt looking for Dale. About 20 minutes later Matt found Dale. His back leg was pretty cut up and we did not know if it was broken or if he had any other internal injuries. Matt and Cayr got Dale in the big van and took him to the Vet Hospital.

Dales leg was not broken but the tissue on his foot and leg were badly damaged requiring for them to put him under for surgery to repair the tissue. We did not get home until almost 2am.

It's been about 10 days now and Dale is still needing heavy bandages to keep him away from the foot and leg so it can heal. Dale still does not put hardly any pressure on the foot so it looks like it's going to be at least a couple weeks more of bandages.

The kids have been real cute with him and wanting to make sure he is ok. Below are pictures of Justin and Elijah, both who wanted to just lay next to Dale as he rested.

Olivia's 8th Birthday

On December 1st Olivia McCall Curtis turned 8 years old. This is an exciting birthday for Olivia because when she turns 8 she is baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She has been so excited about this and it was finally here.

The morning of her birthday mom went and got fresh Einstein Bagels for breakfast, a family birthday favorate, and later that day Elijah and Justin helped mom pick balloons to put around the house. Jayd and Chancey made some birthday posters and the presents were all wrapped and ready for Olivia to dive into after dinner. Olivia had chosen "fat noodles" for her birthday dinner which did not surprise anyone. She also chose the Texas sheet cake for her birthday cake.

After dinner Olivia got to open her presents. She was excited about the walkie talkie's, new tennis shoes, pink bracelet, puppy calendar, and a bag to put her new triple combination scriptures in. When our kids turn 8 they receive their "grown-up scriptures" so Olivia was excited about receiving them.

On the 5th of December we went to the church with our family for her baptism. Grandma Jacqi flew in from Kentucky to be at Olivia's baptism. Also attending this special occation were Nana and Papa Vassel, Grandma and Grandpa Curtis, Aunt Andrea, Aunt Karmen and cousins Joaquin and Ezekiel. Some of us also had the beautiful experience of knowing that Olivia's Mama was there in spirit to witness this special day. What a wonderful gift it was to know that Mama can be with us on special days in the childrens's lives.

Olivia looked so beautiful in her white dress. This was a dress that Nana Vassel had made for mom (Cayr) when she turned 8 and was baptised 32 years before. Others who have worn this for their baptisms were Aunt Liz Smithson, Aunt Jenn Orme, and sisters Jayd and Lilah. What a special tradition this is to wear this dress that signifies purity.

After the baptism we went back to our house and continued our celebration with dinner, more birthday presents and birthday cakes that mom had made. Mom decided to make little individual flower cakes with some of them having little butterflies on them. Thank you Aunt Karmen and grandma Jacqi for helping mom finish them...it was a bigger job than we had anticipated and mom really appreciated the help getting them done.

This birthday was so special for Olivia and our family. We are grateful for Olivia's sweet spirit and her decision to be baptised. Happy birthday Olivia!!!

Halloween Time

On the 29th, our family went to the 2nd annual halloween party at the church. I would guess that 80% of those who attend wear costumes, so when they asked what my costume was I said "I am mother of the year because all 7 of my kids are dressed in costumes and I brought the soup I was supposed to bring." The kids enjoyed the games and activities that were there for them and I enjoyed visiting with some of the 200 friends and neighbors that were there. Matt and Abe stayed home because both of them were not feeling well.

I unfortunitely did not get pictures of the 3 oldest children but Justin wear his black cloak, Jayd was a cowgirl and Chancey a witch. I think the funnest costume was Elijah's as I looked everywhere for the horse for his costume and on one of Matt's and my date nights we were early Christmas shopping and found it!!!

Halloween day the 4 youngest kids dressed again in their costumes and they went trick or treating with Matt while I stayed home and handed out candy to the kids who came to our door. (It was my turn to be sick.) Chancey, Jayd and Justin went to friends homes for Halloween parties and had a great time. Another successful Halloween done!!

Elijah Doing Dishes

Elijah decided that he wanted to start doing his own dishes so last week he pulled a table chair up to the counter and started to wash his oatmeal bowl and spoon. He enjoyed putting the spoon under the water and seeing it go all over the place. I have to say he did a pretty good job on his dish....and getting everything, including himself, wet. Elijah wants to do everything everyone else is doing...the only exception is potty training of course. But we are getting closer to success on that!!

Abraham's Amazing Ears

Isn't this the funniest thing. In kindergarten they cut out the bottom of paper cups and then put them on their ears so "that the sound would be magnified". He was so proud to wear his "ears".

Abe is loving kindergarten. He comes home each day and gets his homework out and always wants to do more than he is asked to do. He now knows how to write both "Abe" and "Abraham" for his papers. Good job big guy!!! We're so glad you are enjoying school.

Lilah Playing Girls Basketball

Lilah decided this year to play girls basketball. She has never played on a team before so it's been a lot of fun for her. Most of the girls on her team are from her school so that has made it more enjoyable for her. We're hoping next year to convince Matt to coach her team. Wouldn't that be fun!!! Great job Lilah...we're enjoying going to your games and seeing the improvements your making each week.

Nana and Papa's Birthday

In September we went to Nana and Papa Vassel's home to celebrate their 29th birthdays....again. The kids love seeing them and going to their house. We are so lucky that they are only 45 minutes away. Cayr made a birthday cake for them and the kids couldn't wait till dinner was over so they could have some.

Jayd Plays Volleyball

Jayd tried out for volleyball this year at her JR High school and she made the team!!! She was placed on the JV team and had a very busy schedule with all the practices. They met 4 times a week after school from 3:10pm to at least 5:30pm then on one morning they played from 6am-7:30am before school. Jayd really increased her skills this year and is excited to try for the varsity team next year. Good job Jayd and the rest of her team!! (On her uniform she is #2.)

Camping With Aunt Chrissy's Family

On the last weekend of September we went up to the Heber Valley Girls Camp with Aunt Chrissy (Lewis/Johnson) and her family. The cousins LOVE to get together!!! We had 2 cabins that we slept in, a great camp fire and an outside kitchen to cook in. The kids had fun making smores and juggling coals from the fire...thanks Uncle Rob for showing them how to do that. I'm not sure how much sleep we got but the morning was beautiful and we even had some deer go past our camp. The kids also played at the sand volleyball court...of course not volleyball but they bburied each other in the sand. It was a beautiful fall weekend and we're glad that we could get the kids together to remind us how crazy they really are. :)
(Courtney, Matt, Chancey, Lilah and Elijah were not able to make it to the overnighter but we missed them!!)

Justin...the assistant bee keeper

This summer Justin worked for Brian Marston helping with his yard. In addition he helped Brian with the bee hives that he had. This was a great learning experience for Justin and he enjoyed it...and with only a couple bee stings for the entire summer. Here are some pictures of them harvesting the honey at the end of the season. They had to take the slats out of the hive. They then moved the slats to where they were harvesting the honey. They put one slat at a time in a bucket that then had a handle that turned the slats fast inside the bucket. This allowed the honey to break away from the bees wax. Thank you Brian for allowing Justin to take part in this!! Unfortunitely we don't have pictures of the spinning process.

Another Testament of Christ

As a child my parents taught me about Jesus Christ. Right from the beginning I knew in my heart and soul that He lived and that by living His teachings my life would be better. As I grew that knowledge expanded and my testimony of His mission on earth has helped me through trials and disappointments. It has also given me much joy, comfort and happiness. I can honestly say that I KNOW that my Savior lives.

I love to read the scriptures in the New Testament of Christs' amazing birth. I marvel at His understanding and knowledge as a 12 year old as He taught the people in the Temple in Jerusalem. I cherish the words as He taught, administered, healed, and lived among the people of Judah. As I read of Christs' suffering in Gethsemane for my sins and for the sins of the world, I feel such love and appreciation for Him. Then as He is crucified I cry that He endured so much yet loved us enough to do His Father's will. I get chills when I read of Christ, as a resurrected being, appeared to Mary Magdalene.

In John 10 Christ teaches "I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep" (vs 14) and that "I lay down my life for the sheep" (vs 15). But in verse 16 He says "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." What is Christ meaning about other sheep not of this fold? I have come to believe that Christ is teaching that there are other children of God that need to be taught by the good Shepherd and yet the New Testament says that Christ descended into Heaven and left the people of Judah.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I have learned that the "other sheep" are people that lived anciently on the American continent. Christ left the people of Judah and came to visit and teach the people in this continent that we now live on. I have received a strong testimony that this is true as I have read and studied the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon are scriptures of those ancient people who lived on the American continent and also tells of the time of Christs' visit to these people.

Starting 4 years ago I made the goal that I would read the Book of Mormon 2 times each year. I love what I learn and how I feel when I read it. I hope to continue this goal until the day I die as I know that it has given me with direction, hope, faith and the knowledge that my Savior loves me.

The following video is a beautiful representation in pictures of Christs' visit to the people in the America's. I hope that you will feel the same spirit that I did when I first saw it.

Labor Day Fun

As I was growing up in New Jersey, Labor Day was the weekend we would come home from our month on Martha's Vineyard and school would begin the next week. Being in Utah now the school year starts the 3rd week of August but Labor Day still marks the time that summer time seems to be officially over.

This year for Labor Day we decided to go as a family to Raging Waters. This is a water park in the Salt Lake area. Aunt Andrea was very nice to offer to watch Elijah for the day so Matt and I took the other 6 kids and headed to the water park. Wow...there were a ton of water slides, a lazy river and kids water areas. There was plenty for us to do. We put down our big blanket and we were off to conquer the slides.