I can't believe that I have two 14 year olds right now.  That is until MaKelle turns 15 next month, but that is another post. Landen has grow like a weed this past little while and all of the sudden. I can't seem to keep him in clothes that fit. He is almost as tall as me. Which means that I'm going to be feeling really short soon. I always thought that I was tall but not so much anymore.
Anyway Landen is in the 8th grade and hates it when you call him a kid. Ever since he turned into a teenager he doesn't like being referred to as a "kid". Well he will always be my "kid" weather or not I call him "kid" or not. He is my only child that is into "name brand" clothes, heaven help us. He likes to wear the popular things and doesn't care that they cost more then other brand clothes.  This makes it hard for me because he seems to have less presents then  the other kids, because well, his just cost more.  I hope that he takes that into account as he is opening his presents.
Landen also really takes a lot of time in getting ready for the day.  He uses more hair products then MaKelle, and takes longer to do his hair then she does as well.  I have the two extremes here.
Landen has had an interesting year and has had a hard time with the way people are treating him. We are working through this and I think that he is doing much better now. Thank heavens to those that are helping him to stay on the straight and narrow, because without you and your help who knows where he would be.

Things that I don't want to forget about Landen at 14...or should I say leaving 13.

He is my most helpful kid. When ever I need some help he is the first to offer. Sometimes without even being asked. For example the other day I was folding laundry and Landen just started helping.

He loves to bake! Thus, why he wants to be a chef!

He loves to sew! He also wants to own his own Wedding ware shop where he designs and makes all the wedding clothes.

He loves Sugar!! He would eat it 24-7 if I would allow it.

He is very particular about the way he looks and is always asking me "Mom, how do I look, or Mom does this go together?"

He plays really well with younger kids. (He likes to dress up and be in charge.)

Likes playing the Saxophone as long as he doesn't "have" to practice.

He is very Easy to Scare! He likes Halloween especially masks are his favorite! Sarcasm inserted.

He has the cleanest room out of all my kids. We have a little contest, whenever mom and dad decide to do it, (hoping that they will keep it clean all the time because they never know when the contest will be) we will reward the child with the cleanest room with a prize. So far we have only done it three times and Landen has won twice.

He is almost an Eagle Scout. He has three left that each take 3 months to accomplish and its been that way for about a year now.  This year will get it done though, right Landen!




I have to tell you that the BYU shirt you see there is Landens Favorite!

From September to March I play on a city volleyball league. And the last night of our games I needed to be cloned because I was also the coach for our Young Women basketball team and they had Region the same night as my three volleyball games. I was torn as to what I should do. Well I decided to coach the first region game of the girls and we ended up slaughtering the team and as long as we kept playing we had another game and then another. Well they had another game the same time as my first volleyball game. Well this time I opted to go to my volleyball game and asked one of the other leaders to coach the game for me.  BIG mistake? I'll let you decide....In our second game of volleyball I dislocated my index finger on my right hand. I made an amazing block and then my finger hurt so I looked down and oh boy it was totally out of place.  I had never done this before so I didn't know what I should do. Well I moved it back into place so that it was straight again buddy taped it, took some ibuprofen and continued playing. We lost our first two games, then won all the rest of the games we played that evening.
I sent a text to MaKelle and asked her how the girls did at their game and apparently they played a really hard team that was very physical. She said that everyone got hurt. And they lost by about the same amount of points that they won their first game. Then they went to Rocky's for shakes afterwards! I was actually proud of them for playing so well and getting as far as they did. We have very athletic girls in our ward and I love being their coach!
Anyway I went home after my games and iced my finger and for the next three weeks kept it buddy taped and would ice it some more. The swelling wasn't going down so we went to the temple and I stopped by Walmart and bought a finger splint. I wore that for the next 2-3 weeks and still the swelling hasn't gone down. So I went in to have it x-rayed and they found that I had a avulsion (? on spelling) fracture. But then told me that I had done the right thing, but had I come in sooner the healing process could have sped up a little.  They put me on some medicine that would help the inflammation go down and told me to get some physical therapy to help restore movement. It has now been a week since my appointment and the swelling hasn't gone down that much. I can't decide if I should go to physical therapy or not. I'm cheap and don't want to spend that money on that If I can just do it myself at home.
Now my finger won't go completely straight it seems to be bent at the knuckle permanently. What should I do?! I'll keep you posted...

Brooklyn turned 8 the end of March. She was even able to get baptized on her birthday! I can't believe that my youngest is baptized. Boy what a feeling.  We are so proud of you Brooklyn and your choice to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!



Brooklyn's Aunt Mindy made her this hair piece out of paper, and a neighbor made the rose flower we put on the back of it! Thank you so much!



When our kids turn eight we get them their own set of scriptures with their name on them. Brooklyn loves hers! We had a wonderful baptism and enjoyed having so many family and friends come for this Special Day of Brooklyn's

Landen was involved with his school play and here are some pictures that we took.  He was an old man that was a retired General. He actually did a good job with it....

Wow I can hardly believe that my last post was Christmas. Just  goes to show you that Working, being a Mom, Wife, Cleaning, and Keeping house just doesn't leave much "me" time. There has been so much going on that I don't even know where to start.  I know the song says to start at the very beginning, which is a very good place to start.  So I think I'll go in order since Christmas as best as I can......
After January for us we have a Family Birthday every month until June an Anniversary in July and then on Birthday in August. First is Salem, born Feb. 22, 2002 brings him to 10 this year I can't believe it. He has gone from this...

To this...

Salem with his birthday loot.

Here are 10 Things I don't want to forget about Salem at 10 Years old
 
10. He is generally happy all the time.

 9. Loves helping his Dad with just about anything!

 8. He is our most thoughtful child. In his school class they have free enterprise and Salem buys stuff there for everyone in our family and rarely buys things for himself.

 7. I love how he gets so excited over the simplest things!

 6. Wants to run his own lemonade stand this Summer.

 5. He has to have things just perfect. If there is a possibility of something going wrong - he worries about it. He obsesses over little details and gets very anxious about them.

4. He is very artistic and loves to draw and is pretty good at it.

 3. He loves pancakes and waffles for breakfast and would have them every single day if I would let him.

2. He loves catching insects to put in his bug catcher, as long as he doesn't have to touch them.

1. Gets really silly sometimes and can't seem to stop being silly when its time to be serious.

I don't remember ever having a Christmas with no snow! This winter weather has simply been wonderful! I can't complain. My kids were excited when it snowed the other day, but were disappointed that it pretty much melt the next day.
Also I can't believe that my oldest is going to be 15 this year. Nathan and I have saving accounts set up for each of our kids. And the other day MaKelle finally got her own checking account. :) I love her to pieces and feel very blessed to have such a wonderful talented daughter.