Riding The Train

Day after Thanksgiving is our family day...not spent fighting people for crazy deals. Because it was too rainy and cold for hiking, we wanted to find something to do that the kids would enjoy for the smallest amount out of our pockets. With Ammon's fascination for trains, we decided to go up to College Park and ride the MARTA train to Atlanta for lunch. Call us crazy, but the kids absolutely loved it and would do it again!

Waiting for the train

Looking a bit unsure...but they really were pretty excited.

CNN center for lunch. Where's Ammon? He would be on the floor at our feet..."I don't want to!"

Turkey Day 2010

For Thanksgiving we had the pleasure to visit with cousins in Dawsonville. We absolutely love going up and spending the day with such great people, the Mulberry's. Thank you thank you for a wonderful day. So much to be Thankful for!

Playing Rook (a cut throat game in this household)...I feel I can hold my own! Plenty for the kids to do!

Family is always the place to be!

Newnan Co-Op

Today I tried the Newnan Co-Op group and "trained" how to be a 'driver'. (Can you imagine me as a big rig driver---no it's nothing like that) I tried this group of ladies before, but wasn't satisfied with the outcome of produce. Well, I'm sure over the years some have come and gone, so to be cost efficient and have fresh produce, I thought I would try again. Well, as you can see, today was very successful for the price. My turn to drive/order comes up only quarterly so I felt it was worth it. I hope I will be wise in my orders and I don't get lost in Atlanta...nah, it should be fine, but I'm the newbie, so I hope I don't mess anything up.

HP7

Yep, we are one of those millions that went to see the movie. Rian has swiftly made her way through the series and we had to see the movie. Jarom also wanted to join the group and just started the series. Either way, out of their own pockets we went to see the ever so popular movie. It's fun to spend time and learn together.

During our adventure, Trent took the kids to the Castle Park for several hours...apparently they were all in need of a good run around!

Under $25

With Christmas on it's way, not to ignore Thanksgiving, I have to think about all the "little things" involved to prepare for... 4 teachers to give simple gifts, VTers, family and of course a few friends. Well to satisfy majority of that I was able to print off a coupon to get $10 off at Bath and Body Works. At the same time they are having buy 3 get 3 free! So for under $25 I was able to accomplish a lot. Just had to share. Being cheap isn't always a bad thing. They have the best lotions!

Roughing It

The weather has been so nice, the kids have been, "camping" around the backyard. Jarom had gathered so many sticks he built a hut or whatever it is... He loves it. The kids like to get pine straw and rocks and sticks and build a pretend camp fire. I love it, because they play together for hours!

Play School

For Play School this week I had the kids and needed to introduce the letter 'T'. We built Towers for fun...and I couldn't resist taking pictures, because for one, Gideon is very precise in his building techniques and very focused. Also, all the kids were working very hard on their creations, and it was so fascinating to watch.

Gideon

Kaia

Kaia--she was in the perfect lighting... so I may have gotten a few more of her then the others...

Kenzie

Haddie

Ammon

Kaia

Halloween 2010

Long story short, I was going to make Tarin and Raegan Disney Fairy costumes, but never got to it! So with Jarom wanting to be a Lego, I decided to be a proud mother of 5 Lego kids! I did this yesterday morning and loved watching the kids enjoy them. Come to find out they are very awkward to wear, but I think they liked the costumes and had fun. This was very budget friendly Halloween!

Work had a little trick-or-treating thingy, so we did that then on to the ward Fall Festival. Tonight we will hit the Swansborogh Manor, the big pirate ship.

Rian Is 11 yrs-old!

Just wanted to let you all know that my little girl isn't so little anymore. To think next year she will be in Young Womens...that is just crazy! But I'm so proud of her in all that she does and accomplishes. She is a big time reader and she will read 3-4 large books at one time. She is also learning to babysit here and there for short periods of time...loving that! She's loving Jr Beta Club, singing in school choir, participating in a ukulele class, and anticipating track in the spring! She is a great daughter and good big sister. Love you Rian! Happy Birthday to you!

Just A Few More...

These are just a few more pictures that my good friend Symony took. She did a great job!Ammon

Our Family 2010

Tarin

Dear Washing Machine...

Yesterday you gave me quite a scare! I thought you had chosen to give up the many many memories we have had together...I was so sad to think you didn't want to wash the multiple loads of dirty, grungy and smelly articles of clothing we willingly had given you to make better.I know your knobs and hinges have seen better days. I know I could wipe the dust off your many working parts more often...I will try to be better to you...

I was so glad to find out you weren't giving up on us, but only having a short fever of gravity-pull. Your drain is clear and suctioning perfectly now! Let's keep many more years of moving parts and productivity between us!

This motto on my wall will always be dedicated to you washer! Keep up the good work!

From now on, this is the image I have burned in my memory to keep me going all week, every week...

Sincerely yours,

The Wardwells

Trial And Error

A friend and I are experimenting with our cameras and thought we would attempt our families in the shots...well, we both have 5 kiddos so that can only mean craziness. I still have A LOT more to go through, but I have to say, my favorite pictures to take are the ones NOT planned! I love kids in their own element!Ammon and Haddie

Harrison Griffiths
--sucker in mouth folding the wrapper into a bird--

Scotlyn and Raegan

Gideon and Ammon

Ammon and Scotlyn

Humm...such a boy!

Disney On Ice

Last night as I was snuggled in bed and catching up on a TV show, I got a phone call from a friend. She told me she had 3 extra tickets to Disney On Ice Toy Story 3! I have never ever been to something like this because in a family our size this is considered a luxury events. So not only were these free tickets, but they were BOX SEATS in the Philips Arena, downtown Atlanta and FREE Premium parking! With 5 adults and 7 kids with us we definitely made our mark in that section we were in. But how much could a bunch of 2 and 3 yr-olds take in? Not much! There was room to wander and time for me to take in scenes/theatrics I haven't ever seen. Doesn't help that I haven't see this movie yet, but I got the idea...Ammon has no clue who these characters were, but he definitely knew who Mickey Mouse was!!! It was a fun morning/afternoon. Thanks to Becky!

Autumn Time

That primary song comes to mind... It's autumn time, it's autumn time...

Ahh, fall is finally here. The leaves are just now starting to change and fall in rainbows. That also means Georgia is finally tolerable to be outside!!! We will probably do a lot of hiking in the next couple of days/weeks to enjoy it! Yesterday I took three of the kids to Brown's Reservoir to hike a short trail around the lake. It was a lot of fun to be out doors and explore.