Happy Happy Birthday Rian, Dear!

Rian Marin Wardwell was born 9 years ago, yesterday the 28th! She was born in American Fork Hospital in Utah. I will never forget how anxious I was to have my first child. She is our oldest cutie pie and is growing up way to fast. I tear up thinking about all the many moments she has created. But I look forward to seeing how wonderful she will impact many lives in the future. Though she has her moments of contention, she has a sweet heart and a love for everyone. I wish I had a digital baby pic to show what a transformation she has made in the last 9 years. She is becoming a little lady. Here she is just over 4 years ago playing T-ball.







Trent had gotten up earlier then usual to make Rian a good pancake breakfast for her birthday. Don't look to closely at the candle...we ran out of candles (it says #2). Also, a new tradition at school that seems to work wonders, Trent likes to go in at lunch and buy the class ice cream.
One gift that will last a long time was Rian's room. I wanted to do something special for her, that would individualize her. Coming from a big family, it's nice to have something personal and all your own. Imagine, the walls were white and bare, with only a bed and dresser...also a white sheet to cover the window. Being on a budget (aren't we all)I really stuck to a good deal. Paint, letters and trim for the lamp, were all that I paid for. I painted the green she wanted with the same texture as Jarom's room.
I rummaged through unpacked boxes and found items here and there to add to her room. The fabric for the window treatment, I made, was given years ago when I worked with a seamstress. Even the lamp on her dresser was from our first apartment 10 years ago. And of course the vanity, Rian helped me refinish it...I still need to find a bench for it.


Lo and behold, these cute butterflies were from girls camp two years ago (it's good to be around functions when they are cleaning up). Kat, remember those!




Even though Rian can be tough like a boy, she still has the instincts of a girl. She was so excited to have her name in cute letters and ribbon.


Gma Wardwell sent Rian some fun items as well. Thank you so much. She was looking at that package for days and groaned that I smiled at her curiosity.

Finally, one last mom and dad gift (another great deal, thank you ebay), Rian had gotten an MP3 player. She's not huge into music, but she does appreciate music and loves to listen to it. I found she and I share similar taste in music, so hopefully we can help each other out. ;o)

Carving Craze

To simplify life a bit, we opted to carve only one family pumpkin and let the kids decorate a little one. Permanent markers in the hands of the little ones was a treat...they are soo deprived! They loved scribbling and joking around with their pumpkins.

Yes, the apron I am wearing is a Christmas one...'Tis the season right? Anyway, it was all it had. But I love getting my hands squishy and dirty in pumpkins. I have to say compromising was an issue at first. Some wanted a mad face and others a happy one. So I had to work feature by feature. What kind of mouth do we want...eyes, nose...round or triangular...it's only going to get harder...Tarin and Raegan don't have too much of an opinion yet. But it was fun.

The best part for everyone was lighting it and watching it glow in the dark. Every night I am reminded to light it. Don't mind our looney Tarin.

Raegan wanted to share her wonderful works of art with the neighborhood.

Halloween Fun

Thank you Gma Wardwell for the fun stuff. Here the kids wanted to show you their zombie faces. I didn't know zombies had tongues...

At the Ward Party, I wanted to show only a few pics. There will me more later this week. Ammon is our newest cutie and wanted to have paint too. His outfit has a mummy on it and it says, "Mummy loves me." (Notice the drool drip)

One of the games was the classic 'string on a donut'. Well, Tarin was having a hard time and the line was backing up, so I decided to combine the effort. Raegan was a big help in balancing out the resistance factor. What are they...well, a combination of recycled costumes goes a long way...call it what you may...they were happy.

Busy Friday

I have a "to do" list a mile long. Here is one of my lastest accomplishments!!

When completing the construction of our home, I made sure the painters didn't put any color to the rooms. I wanted to let the kids pick colors and then paint them. So I've actually had this paint for a year, planning on giving Jarom's room some color. Well, it's a good thing I didn't paint right away, because we've moved kids around...and now Ammon is sharing with Jay. I always come up with new ideas and here is one I really got excited about.

You can see it a little, but I streak a brush up and down, side to side. It looks awesome! It took me forever especially with a 7 month old that wants me to drop everything and hold him a lot...but he was great. Jarom loves that he has a room that identifies as a boys room.

On to Rian's room...

Back to the Fundamentals

This election year let's be reminded of these words:

You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage, by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help 20 men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves.

-- Abraham Lincoln

Too Funny!!

Kelli I had to steal this. I thought you were right on when you posted this. I couldn't resist.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Bus Driver Appreciation Day...What?

Yes there is a day for it. But I'm glad, because our bus driver is really the greatest. Of course the first week...okay maybe two, he was in shock that we have 4 children that get on for the same school (and yes a 5th child in my arms), but he really is a wonderful individual. Mr. Ben is an older gentleman, but truly takes care of the children on the bus...first off he doesn't take lip from anyone (go Mr. Ben--high 5 it!). Second I see the respect he has for our children with his knowing each of their names and waving goodbyes. Finally, in inclement weather (many rain days here) he turns down our circle to pick up or drop off at our driveway. So I made sure our children noticed these attributes and allowed the opportunity for them to express their thanks.

For FHE (Sunday nights are best) we made cards and cinnamon rolls. I love to see our children create, especially for someone else.

Tarin's handwriting is getting so much better. I love her drawing of the bus and our "circle street".


Raegan surprised me how well she writes. The squiggles are "lots of writing."

Jarom is my most thoughtful one. He takes time to make things look just right. He tries new creative ways to write his letters. (No Trent it isn't too girly). Rian tries to be creative as well and wants everything to look extra special.

School Fall Fest

Okay, to support the school, we go to the Fall Festival every year. Yep, that is about all that we contribute, to the millions of fundraisers that file through the school. (Millions multiplied by 4...we would be broke!) This year was a bit more challenging. I am the room mom for Jarom's class and...well I needed to run a booth...the rock wall/blow up thingy. That also meant Trent had the 5 kiddies for almost the entire time. Rian found her best girl Riley, and went off on their own. Jarom too was old enough to roam alone or find a buddy. But three little ones and stimulation all around, yeah, you can guess the whining and crying. He was a trooper to last as long as he did.





As you can see Ammon was exhausted by the time they came home. He curled up in the clean laundry and crashed!



Here are the little divas trying to be macho! They have their harness' on and ready to conquer the wall.



Through the wedge and on to the challenge awaiting...


Raegan...this is about as far as she got. She was getting higher and higher and figured it wasn't such a good idea anymore. Tarin, she did about the same height and knew her limit. At least I know that they know their limits and make smart decisions.

Of course, what is a festival without some form of painting on the body! Everyone but Jarom was vandalized. Tarin was green and red.

Raegan choose to be red and black.

Rian sported the red and green. The sun was a bit bright and perfect weather...until it got darker...the breeze and lack of sun made it a lot cooler then anticipated. It was a fun day.

Super "Clean" Saturdays

Every Saturday from around 9-11am our family is busy at work. Just thought you'd like to see what kind of slavery we promote.

Tarin was the most enthusiastic to help this morning. She was washing mirrors and vanity tops/sinks (that enthusiasum comes and goes each week).






Raegan was on the other end of the scale, for being "helpful". She was having a not-so-good morning. She washed a total of one toilet.



Tarin again ready to conquer the world in cleaning. She loved the opportunity to stand on the vanity.






Jarom took over the toilets. He was happy to do it. I don't get it either, but he loved it...but again this excitement comes and goes.

You can imagine what our house looks like after one week of 5 children. So these Cleaning sessions are very necessary. (You can imagine the laundry too...have to start on Thursdays for that.)

Is The Nation Brainwashed?

One more political thing. You have to listen to this...it's only about 2 minutes long, but listen to how "educated" people are. (Audio feed)

http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3

Father and Son Campout/Girls Night Out

We Have Teeth!

For a while now, I've been checking for teeth. Some of our other kids had teeth as early as 4 months old, while others at 12 months. So when...? Well as of this afternoon, two little buds popped up. You can imagine the other kids..."Let me feel, let me feel too..." (wash your hands first!!)

A New Skill

Tarin had just learned how to tie a shoe. She is very proud of herself. Raegan sat down with us too, but her motor skills just aren't ready yet. But if you notice she wanted to be apart of every proud moment. (Tarin's hair looks like this after a long day of school on the days she wears a pony tail)

My Favorite Part...

Jarom brought home some writing the other day. He had to write what his favorite part of fall is. This is what he wrote...

My favorite part of fall is that days get shorter. I like it because school is shorter.

(The logic of a child)

Tagged

Well, I'm not good at these, so here goes...

I am....... Rhonda Honda
I want........ to travel the world
I have....... many dreams
I wish........ I could see how our family turns out in the future (it's a scary world)
I know......... I could be good at photography
I hate........ when our kids get sick
I fear.......... being alone (no spouse)
I hear........... the neighbors doing yard work
I search.......... for time to spend with my husband
I always......... have a project waiting to get done
I usually......... am on time everywhere I go
I am not.......... the clean freak my husband is ;o)
I miss........... having extended family hang out together
I love......... finishing a project
I never.......... forget how much I love my hubby (it's true!)
I rarely........ go out with my husband, we need to do it more.
I cry............ when I'm frustrated
I am not always........ the most patient person to live with
I lose........... my temper when my oldest talks back at me
I am confused........ when football season starts...what's so exciting about it? ;o)
I need.............. to read more
I should.......... be more optimistic
I dream.......... of playing the piano like a professional
I tag....... Jodi, Kiley, Kristin and Riley P.

Movie Review

If any of you have Netflix or Blockbuster to get your movie fix, you know that selection sometimes gets thin. After seeing all the hits and a lull happens you start branching out looking for whatever else looks interesting. Well, with the "hit and miss" philosophy, we have come across two movies in particular. The first movie is Chaos Theory. A comedy/drama/romance movie. I've never heard of it, yet I don't watch much TV except for my fix of Fox News in the morning and TiVoed shows. (FYI their is one scene that will make you "blush") Here http://chaostheorymovie.warnerbros.com/ you can learn more about it. It's actually quite amusing yet emotional. A really good message. (Take that how you may).


The next movie we had just watched is a romantic comedy. Once again, never heard of it. A relatively clean movie with a touch of swearing. It may seem a bit slow at times, but it keeps you interested. It is called My Sassy Girl. http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3621519641/ Check it out.
But you don't have to take my word for it.

Ready To Go!

Although we do have the capacity to watch General Conference on TV, we always attend the Sunday morning session at the church building. (Wow, to go to church at 12 noon instead of 8:30am is a giant difference! Also, having a spouse around all day on Sunday is great!) As you can see they have their bags filled with conference stuff ready to go. **Rian almost looks like a teenager in this pic! She's my little lady.

Cuties

Here is my biggest and littlest boys. (I need to get one with all of my boys.) Aren't they handsome. Like father like son. I'm a lucky girl.

Lately our kids have been playing "camping." It may be a hint to us. But I had to show the tent and bed the kids made for Ammon. They are so creative and entertain for hours at times. Under him is a cushion from a rocking chair. And put him in this tunnel play thingy to look like a tent. Ammon liked it.

Excited

I hope you can see this, obviously our kids are excited for the upcoming holiday...

Home Improvement Divas

This is very exciting for me. To see my girls so excited to create and work for something. Their is a vanity that I had acquired and for over a year wanted to refinish it. Finally I not only had a bit of time, but the humidity is low enough to work this project outside. Here is Rian attempting stain for her first time.

The vanity in the back had to be painted vs stain due to blemishes, but it is an antique piece that will go into Rian's room...its sort of her birthday present among painting her room the color she would like. She's very excited to have her room all nice.

Tarin wanted to get in on the fun. She really enjoyed putting the final coat on.

(I couldn't bare to paint the drawers, the grain and detail were too beautiful...hopefully it will look alright.)

Hair Cut

The big boy got a hair cut. He had cute curls, but they were the old man hair due...all around the sides. So to even it out and allow the back hair to catch up, I cut it off. Now all you really see are the big cheeks and big, blue eyes.

This is the new way Ammon likes to use his pacifier. He turns it around and chews on the edges. I think teeth are coming, but I've been saying that for a few months now. Nothing has cut.

This big boy is also sitting up so well. One day he just sat there, and sat there and sat there. He loves the new perspective. He definitely takes mile stones in strides.

Official

We had just received our passports in the mail. I have to say, when I opened it and saw my picture and information, I had a rush of pride. I've obviously been a citizen my whole life, but this put into perspective the love I have for my country. I feel so offical. This also brought feelings of excitment, because the cruise we are going on is coming up soon. It will be my first time out of the country...Tijuana is an exception.