Let's play catch up

 Here are the girls posing for a cute Easter picture.  For some reason the boys were no where to be found.  Two out of four isn't too bad is it?

 The girls are all excited for their first clue to Grandma's annual egg hunt.

 They run from clue to clue until they get to the big basket full of fun goodies.

 Brock enjoyed getting a little money in his, as well as some candy of course.

 Brock had a medieval fair at the end of the school year.  He was a jouster.

 Cherry Hill Elementary had a little dance festival before school got out this year.  Paige was a Chihuahua.

 Hayley got to do a foot stomping barnyard dance.

 Brock was cool in black dancing to one of his favorite songs.

Well, that catches us up to summer.  More to come :0)

Friends

 

So ........... we moved.  Like about 3 months ago.  I didn't blog about it yet because I wasn't sure what to say.  I still don't know what to say.  We loved Syracuse, especially all our friends there.  We are also enjoying Orem.  I am thankful to be closer to family.  Leaving Syracuse was really hard.  Hard for all of us.  We had lived there for 9 and 1/2 years and we had lots of friends and we were comfortable there.  Then change happens.  We felt like it was time for us to move to Utah County.  It was a hard decision but many prayers later we knew it was right.  Right now we are living with my parents until we find a house that will fit us well.  Before we left Syracuse our dear friends had a little get together for us.  It was great.  We love our friends!

He's doing what?

So now that Ethan if 14, he thinks he is a man now, who does man things.  Here he is during his first shave.  I think Brock was more excited about it than Ethan.  Afterward Brock came up to me and wanted me to feel his upper lip because he has hair growing there too and will need to shave soon too :0)




Ethan is also growing like a weed.  I can't keep in pants or shorts for that matter.  We need extra long around our house.  Here is Jeff standing on the bench to get a good measurement.

That top line shows that Ethan is now 6 feet 2 1/2 inches.  Ethan loves being tall.  Now if we can only get him to play basketball.

Ethan

So, Ethan is 14 now.  He has been 14 for a while and I'm finally getting to the blog.  Ethan is a great kid and a wonderful example to his younger brother and sisters.  He is always trying to make good decisions and is very kind and considerate to those around him.  It is not unusual to find him talking or helping someone younger to him.  We are constantly amazed at his memory and his ability to understand all things spiritual. I can't believe he went from this:

To this:

We are thankful for this great kid with a wealth of knowledge and fun personality.

Hayley

My beautiful Hayley has turned nine.  Hayley is truly a wonderful child.  Everyone loves her.  She is kind to all around her.  Hayley loves art projects, daddy/daughter or mother/daughter days, dancing and activity days.  She is one I can rely on.  I told Jeff once that if you want something done you should ask Hayley.  She heard me say that and said "Hey, is that why I get all the jobs?".  She doesn't get all the jobs but she gets the most important ones :)  Hayley is beautiful and strong and can beat her brother and his friends in an arm wrestle - don't tell him I told you though.  Here is a look back at Hayley.
  

We love Hayley!!

I'm finally finishing up my Christmas posting

I know, it's almost Valentine's Day but better late than never right? We had a great quiet Christmas. No sickness and no drama = good times. Here are the kids making their way up to the presents our traditional Christmas train, youngest to oldest.

The boys were soooo excited to get ipod touches this year.

The girls are looking cute in their new skirts from grandma.

I think this picture exemplifies how we all felt this Christmas.

Even though 2010 brought more challenges than normal, we also recognize the many blessings we have been given. We are so thankful for our family and the love we share with each other.

Look what happened while we were at the Temple!

This is too funny. Paige put both hands into the end of this craft she brought home from school. Can you say "Chinese handcuffs"? Sad but funny.

Christmas Follow Up - part one

I know, I know, I am way behind. So here is my makeup session.

Jimmy visited us two more times before he had to return to the North Pole to help Santa with Christmas.

Hey, check out these hot chicks I found!! I can’t believe I have been here two days and I hadn’t met them yet - you guys should have introduced me earlier. We’ve been having a lot of fun cruising around. I hope we didn’t wake you.

I heard a lot of giggling with that one. They thought it was so funny. The girls were wondering how he got their dolls.

Thanks for the cookies Friends!! This will be my last day with you. I have to get back to the North Pole to help with Santa’s big night. I really had a great time. I hope you don’t mind if I come back next year. Keep a look out for me and have a Merry Christmas!!

We also went to Temple Square with Kristy and Tom's family.

(Look at these fun fonts!! I didn't know I could do this)

Jimmy!

In following the J and C Meibos tradition we thought we would invite our own elf to join us this Christmas. He arrived yesterday. His name is Jimmy. He came late to our house but we hope to have lots of fun with him. This is how he arrived.



He had this note:

Ethan, Brock, Hayley and Paige - My name is Jimmy the elf and I have come bringing some holiday cheer. Each morning look for me and see what I get in to. I am usually good because I don’t want to be on Santa’s naughty list but sometimes I just can’t control myself. There are so many fun things to do and places to explore in this new place. I stay up all night so in the morning please put me to sleep under the Christmas tree– my favorite place to sleep! I found these with your name on them and thought I would bring them to you. Don’t open them yet, wait for Christmas eve, maybe they can be a pillow for me.

Today we found him like this.





With this message.

Hey guys!
Since there wasn’t much snow outside I thought I would make my Christmas snow angel in here. I hope your mom doesn’t mind if I borrow some sugar. She can probably still use it to make cookies, I took a shower tonight. Don’t forget to put me to bed. I’m wiped out!

The kids are having a blast with this. Paige read the first note about 5 times and asked lots of questions. When she was in bed she kept asking if Jimmy was still under the tree :)

Just Smile!!!

We tried to get a quick family picture the other day. I don't know why everyone had to make so many funny faces. They will love these when they get older. We were able to finally get a couple decent pics though.

Blizzard

Recently we were supposed to be having a blizzard. It ended up being much tamer than expected. The kids loved it. They couldn't wait to get outside.

This is about as spooky as we get

We are not into being too scary around here. My black cat and witch looked pretty cute to me.


Brock wasn't going to go trick or treating but last minute he and his friends decided to go. Brock was a last minute cougar fan - I know, big stretch.



We actually did get one creepy picture. Here's Jeff goofing off for a picture at our Halloween party.



We hope everyone had a great Halloween!!