Settling In

We moved into our new house on November 3rd.  It took us a few days to get all our stuff out of storage, but it sure is nice to be in our own place again.  Kenny started working as a technical trainer for an attorney's office downtown and though it's not what he ultimately wants to be doing, it's a job and a step in the right direction.  We're enjoying settling in and getting back to a normal life.  It's been so long that it's taking a little getting used to.

The kids have all enjoyed their new rooms and seeing all their old toys again.  Bringing out all their toys was like an early Christmas present.  We're so grateful to Uncle JJ and Aunt April who let us stay with them, but is so nice to be in our own place again.

Adam enjoying the little girls new bedroom complete with toys he probably does remember and a brand new bunk bed to climb on.

Dan's ready for bed.  Too bad he's a little big for the doll playpen.

Gracie's doing something to make Dan laugh.  I love watching my kids playing happily together.

Peek a boo!  Hannah loves her new bunk bed.

Halloween

I'll be honest, Halloween was a total flop this year.  I feel horrible about it, but there's no way around it.  We didn't move into our new house until November 2nd so when Halloween came we were still in April and JJ's unfinished basement.  It didn't provide much opportunity for me to make costumes for the kids, nor did I have very much time to do so.  We had no decorations to put up and no real ability to do any Halloween things before the holiday came.  We had no trick or treaters come to our house, because we had no house.  We had no friends to hangout with and have Halloween party's with.  We had no ward, so no Trunk or Treating.  And the hardest thing for the kids was no Spooktacular, the Halloween party Rimrock Elementary puts on every year.  I felt horrible for the kids.  Halloween is, besides Christmas, my favorite holiday of the year.  It really was sad to see it come and go and not have done really anything.  I guess I'll have to do a much better job next year.

Ben being a bat at the school parade (does the costume look familiar?)

I made Sarah's Vampire costume.  It looked terrible and I felt so bad.  Better job next year, right!

We were able to do a few thing for Halloween, even though we missed out on so many of the things we normally do.  The school had a parade on Friday and the kids walked the halls showing off their costumes.  Kenny's work had a Trick of Treat party that afternoon and the kids got to wear their costumes and go trick or treating to all the offices in his company.  They did really well on their candy stash.  Lawyers sure know how to hand out candy.

I took the kids to Logan on Saturday and went to a Halloween party at my Aunt Cindy's.  We were joined by my cousin Kristin and her boys Braden (7) Will (3) Charlie (1).  The kids had fun playing Halloween games, listening to Halloween stories, and eating brains and things like that.  It was a lot of fun and we were very grateful for the invitation.

Trick or Treating

We came back to Salt Lake on Monday afternoon (the kids had no school on Monday) and we did some trick or treating around Aunt April's neighborhood with our cousins.  The kids liked that and even though they didn't know anyone in the neighborhood, it was still fun to go with cousins.  One of the neighbors even had a hay wagon they hooked up to a 4-wheeler and were pulling kids around the neighborhood on.  It wasn't the greatest Halloween ever, but it wasn't the worst either.

(Note:  I did really poorly on taking pictures of the kids this year.  Sarah was a vampire, Ben was the same bat he was last year, Hannah was Rapunzel/a Queen (whichever she wanted to be a the moment), Gracie was the witch Hannah was 2 years ago, and both Dan and Adam were firemen.)

Sleeping Boy

There's not much cuter in this world than a sleeping baby.

Pumpkin Cake Anyone

Because we were at my parents house I opted not to make a cake for Gracie this year (well, that and because all my cake decorating things were still in storage.)  So, in honor of the Halloween season, we got Gracie a cute little pumpkin cake.  She loved it which made me very happy.

Now that's the face of a kid who likes her cake.

Blowing out all 4 candles.

Ben liked Gracie's new airplanes so much he couldn't put them down to eat his piece of cake.

Gracie's began eating her piece of cake with one of the little tiny spoons that came with the cake.

She must have decide it was too slow so she went for a faster method.

Hannah and Dan both enjoyed the cake.

Sarah liked it too.

Adam really, really liked the cake.  Is he eating that plate!?!

This is what Adam looks like after eating his cake.  (Luckily he left the plate intact.)

Gracie Turns 4

Gracie had a birthday back in October, the 19th to be exact.  I know, it was so long ago, we've all but forgotten it even happened.  That's what happens when Mommy doesn't blog for a few months.  Anyway, Kenny was out of town, with work, for Gracie's birthday so we decided to wait until the weekend to celebrate.  We just happened to be in Logan at my parents house so they and my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Rick were able to get in on the fun.  I asked Gracie what she wanted for her birthday and she told me she wanted her own Rapunzel doll (both Hannah and Sarah have one), a zombie (remember this was Halloween time), and a rocket that goes "vvvvvrrrrrrooooooooommmmm" (with her hand zooming up in the air.)  What a funny girl.  Instead of all that she got the Tangled movie, some airplanes, a Tinkerbell book, and a Cinderella Barbie with a dress.  She also got a Strawberry Shortcake doll from Aunt Cindy and Uncle Rick, and a Play-dough set from Grandma and Grandpa.  It was a good birthday for her.

Dan saw us wrapping "Tangled and he REALLY wanted it.  He didn't understand that we had to wait for Gracie to open it so he cried and cried until it was open and he could hold it.  Gracie was nice to let him help her unwrap it.

A Tinkerbell Tag book.

Opening her Strawberry Shortcake doll.  I love her face in this picture.

Playing with Ben and her new airplane while waiting for cake.

The Mayan

After taking pictures of the kids we had to head to the Draper area to look at a house.  We had a few hours before we had to be there so we decided to treat the kids to a fun dinner as a thank you for doing so well with pictures, and as a birthday dinner for Gracie.  Kenny was leaving on Monday morning to spend a week in Portland training for his new job and he was going to miss Gracie's birthday.  We decided having a birthday dinner before he left would be a lot of fun.  

At the Mayan after dinner.

We took the kids to the Mayan downtown and had front row seats for the water diving show.  The kids had a blast and they even brought out ice cream with a huge candle for Gracie.The kids loved the shows and begged us to stay and watch more of them, but we had to go see the house.

Blowing out her HUGE candle.

Hannah and Ben having some of Gracie's ice cream.

The 4 big kids sharing what's left of the ice cream.

It turns out it was a good thing we went when we did.  A few weeks later the Mayan suddenly closed it's doors without telling anyone, including it's employees.  I guess that's the last time we go there.

Before we left we took some time to play on the snakes out front.

All 6 kids playing on the snake.

Kids Annual Pictures 2011

We were WAY late getting the kids pictures taken this year.  With Kenny working out of state this summer, the rest of us moving and then being homeless for too many months, we just didn't get it done.  After a few try's in the city we finally decided to head up to the mountains for some fall shots.  It took a few outings, but finally on October 15th everything fell into place and we got some great shots of the kids.  

Sarah Kate Age 9

Ben James Age 7

Hannah Beth Age 5

Gracie Grace Age 3 (Almost 4)

Dan Dan Age 2

Adam Age 1

Rocky Mouth Waterfall

Kenny took this picture at the bottom of Rocky Mountain Waterfall.

Fall was beautiful this year and we took all the opportunities we could to enjoy the weather and our new home.  On September 24th we took the kids for a hike to Rocky Mouth Waterfall.  It's a small waterfall just above Draper.  The hike was short and perfect for our little kids.  When we got there we let the kids climb around on the rocks and explore.  It was a great outing and something we'll have to do more often.

The big kids up on the rocks near the waterfall.

Daddy took Dan up to see the waterfall.

Adam had fun playing in and trying to drink the water.  Don't worry, we didn't let him drink it.

The big kids and the waterfall.

Sisters

I love my family!  I love the way the kids are spread out.  They each have a built in friend who is just perfect for them, but they also get along with everyone else.  Kenny got some new lighting equipment and wanted to take some pictures of the kids for practice.  Hannah and Gracie were willing to be his subjects and even though they were in dress-up clothes and had messy hair, I love the pictures he took.  They show the bond these two girls have.

Cute Sisters!

Silly Sisters!

Serious(ish) Sisters!

Saying Goodbye To An Amazing Man

I have had the privileged over the past 12 1/2 years to belong to an amazing family who have not only inspired me to be a better person, but have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel loved.  At the head of this great family is a man that is like no other.  To say he's amazing is not enough.  I am so honored to have know him and I feel blessed to be called his family.  This man would be Kenny's grandpa, James Skiffington Holderness.

Grandpa with the little girls back in May of 2010.

Grandpa Holderness has been declining in health the last few years, but this April he took a turn for the worst.  He was diagnosed with congenital heart failure and was given a few weeks to 6 months to live.  We were all so happy when he was able to attend the Holderness reunion back in July and everyone present knew it was special because it was the last one with Grandpa there.  

On my way back from picking huckleberries I stopped for gas in Brigham City.  I checked my e-mail on my phone and discovered an e-mail from Grandma Holderness.  It told of Grandpa's quick decline and unresponsiveness.  There were no details just a quick message to let the family know he could go at anytime.  I immediately called Kenny, who was still in Grace, and found out none of them had heard anything.  Helen and her sister Robin, who was spending the night in Grace, called family in Boise and discovered that Grandpa was indeed very ill.  He passed away the following morning, with his wife by his side.  

Though we knew it was coming and had months to prepare, the shock of losing Grandpa Holderness was enough to bring tears to my eyes.  I will miss that man emensely and even as I write this, 2 months later, I am filled with sadness over the loss of such a great man.  Grandpa Holderness was one of a kind.  He loved his wife and family very much and you could see it every moment you were around him.  He was a very patient man who also enjoyed his independence.  He loved Jesus Christ and set such a good example of what a true Christian is like.  I feel honored to have known him and to have known him before he started declining in health.  I will never forget the example he set for those around him and I strive to be a little more like him every day.

Grandpa had two funerals.  One was in Boise on September 12 and the other was in Grace on September 13th.  He was buried in the lego cemetery in the land that he loved to spend time in.  The family got together for a beautiful funeral and a nice luncheon afterwards.  It was so nice to see everyone, it just would have been nicer under better circumstances.  We'll miss you Grandpa and never forget you.

Taking the coffin to the van.  

The family waiting for the burial service.

The casket bearers bringing the casket to the grave sight.

Helen and her mom, Ardelle, at Grandpa's grave sight.