Grandma/pa Armstrong Visit and other things. . .

GRANDMA/PA ARMSTRONG VISIT

Grandma and Grandpa came for a quick visit last weekend. They were in Utah helping Autumn, who had just gotten ACL knee surgery and thought they would pop over to see us. We pop over meaning, driving 12 hours. We had fun visiting and Grandma/pa bought the kids Christmas presents which they got to open. My Mom thought it would be so funny if we wrapped dollar store gifts and gave it to them and said that was it. She thought my kids would complain about not getting more. But to her surprise, my kids were totally content with the dollar store gifts and did not expect more. I think she was pretty impressed with my kids. I was proud of them myself. She got the big presents out and my kids were even more excited! We wished they could stay longer, but hope to see them again soon!

 ORNAMENTS

I love our tradition of making ornaments for our tree each year. We do lots of crafting around here and I love seeing the kids get so creative. This year we used beads. Each year, I'm always thinking of what type of medium we should work with. Sometimes, it is hard thinking of something different to use. It doesn't matter though, the kids can be creative with anything.

 

TAEKWONDO AND GYMNASTICS 

 A couple months ago, Mia decided she no longer wanted to take gymnastics so we took her out. I was asking her what she would like to try. We thought of soccer which we were too late signing her up for the fall. Xander played teeball this year and wasn't super interested. I was trying to think of what he would like to do. Karate was the first thing that came to my mind. It is more an individual sport and he secretly wants to be a spy someday so karate seemed perfect. An opportunity came along at the gym where they do gymnastics and I was able to sign both kids up for Taekwondo. Taekwondo is Korean karate which is perfect for my little ninjas. At their first class, the instructor taught them Korean words, which they found facinating. They got to learn different kicks and other moves. Xander said, "I love this Mom!". I guess Moms do know some things their kids like.

 Shortly after Mia quit gymnastics, I put Zoey in. All summer long she waiting until she turned 3 and then waiting until the enrollment in September. When I bought her her first gymnastics outfit she yelled, "Sign me up!" She calls gymnastics, "nastics". She loves doing gymastics and bouncing and jumping and tumbling around. She is getting better at waiting in line, which she had no idea what a line was at the beginning. She is also learning how to wait her turn. I think the teacher thought she was older because she is so tall, and would lightly scold her for not waiting her turn. I felt bad for Zoey, but it didn't even bother her. She kept plowing forward. That's my girl!

 

I can't believe December is flying by! I wish December was a little longer and a little slower. I love this time of year!

Thanksgiving with the Andersons

For Thanksgiving, we visited Betsy and Russ in Portand, Oregon.  I've never been to the Portland area before and this was a first for all of the kids.  We arrived Wednesday afternoon after traveling all day.  Russell's sisters and brother visited too and so we had a nice big group.  Thanksgiving is much more fun with LOTS and LOTS of people.

The kids loved playing with their cousins.  I especially loved watching Xander get some much needed boy time!  He is surrounded by girls all the time and it is so fun to watch him play with boys.

Thanksgiving morning, we played some football- even the girls!  I love to play, but usually, Ben just plays with the men. The little kids got to play their own game and I am so glad they did.  It was fun to watch them run around and throw the football.

We had a wonderful dinner and at one time I looked around at everyone cooking and thought, "We are just kids, trying to make a thanksgiving dinner!" Well I guess we are big kids now. Everything turned out great!

Ben and I tried to hit Walmart for the Black Friday sales but after parking a mile away, and walking into chaos, we turned right around and left.  There was a huge line, just to buy your things.  Not worth the wait for us!

Betsy and Russ let me take their family pictures.  There family is SO cute! We took them at Nike and you would never even know looking at the pictures.  The campus is amazing and just blows my mind.  I left wanting to work there!

Thank you for having us Andersons!

Who does that?

Who forgets to post about Halloween??  And how Mia and Ben both won for scariest costume at the ward party?

Who does that?

Who forgets to post a picture of the school Halloween Parade?

Who does that?

Who forgets to post about the Mommy preschool trip to the pumpkin patch?

Who does that?

Who forgets to write about the Halloween inspired pizza night that has become a tradition in our family?

Who does that?

Who forgets to take pictures of the pumpkins the kids carved and only takes a picture of the one she painted?

Who does that?

Who forgets to write about the Warrior Dash  and how dirty they got, how much easier it was than she thought it would be, that she had so much fun doing the race with Ben, and how washing the clothes and shoes afterwards was interestingly so dirty?

Who does that?

Who forgets alot these days?

Um me!

Rock City

This weekend I biked up Mt. Diablo.  We started at 200 feet and climbed to 3,848 feet.  I wasn't sure I could do it, having never done such a steep climb.  It was such a fun ride and I had absolutely no problem doing it and in fact, I think I could have gone faster!  

Ben and the kids met me up at the top with lunch and we headed to Rock City which is right inside the park.  It's a place that I have been wanting to hit and I am so glad we did.  I think it is our new favorite place to go.

It was a rock playground where we could climb anywhere we wanted to.

There were also so many nooks and crannies for the kids to climb into.

Xander was so excited at first and couldn't stop moving from one place to the next.

Zoey and CJ loved finding the little places to hid in. And Zoey loved sliding down the rocks like they were slides.

Mia was the adventurous one, climbing up the highest rocks.  She went from one giant rock to the next.  Always wanting to climb to the highest points.

This is what Xander and Zoey's bottoms looked like after!  They slid down so many rocks that it tore their pants!  We can't wait to go again!

The Happiest Place on Earth

This year, we decided to try Disneyland at the end of September.  I really didn't want to take the kids out of school, mainly because of the work CJ would miss and would have to make up.  There is just more work to do in middle school than in elementary.

Oh, but we did it anyways!

I am always amazed no matter what time of the year we go, how many other people have the same idea!  There were tons of people there, but surprisingly, the lines were not very long at all.  Just a couple of rides, we had to wait over an hour.  Mainly, Radiator Springs Racers.  Cars Land just opened this year in California Adventure and so it was super popular.  There was even a super long line to get a fast pass for the ride.

The first day, Zoey did not measure the 42" she needed to ride most of the rides.  I think she was hunching a bit.  The next day, I did a huge pony on the top of her head and she made the 42" no problem!   I could not believe all the rides she could ride.

At first, she was a little scared because she did not know what to expect.  But as we rode more and more rides, she got the hang of it.  Her favorite rides were the new Ariel ride and Midway Mania in California Adventure.  Then in Disneyland, she loved the teacups and Splash Mountain!

She is in the picture, just hidden.  If you look closely, you can see her little hand.  She is sitting next to me.  She was so brave and would copy her siblings and hold her hands up in the air on some of the rides.  When she watched the parades, she waved at all the princesses and characters.  She also loved seeing the characters walk throughout the park.

The other kids had fun too!  Mia's favorite ride was California Screamin'.  We went on that 3 times!  It's the biggest rollar coaster there and Mia had no fear!  Xander was also fearless and surprised me with how brave he was.  CJ's favorite ride was Splash Mountain and Grizzly Rapids. She loved getting wet!

So what did we do when we waited in line?

The kids took pictures with the camera. . .

We danced. . .

We played the, "Who looks most like Mom or Dad" game. . .

I think Mia looks most like me.

CJ is a clone of her Dad.  Overall, I think Mia looks like me and the rest look more like their Dad.  I think they are all so cute!

We could have easily done Disneyland and California Adventure in 2 days this time of the year.  The last day we saved for riding our favorite rides again.  We started in California Adventure and by the time we got to Disneyland and got a fast pass for Splash Mountain, we had to wait around until 7:25 p.m. to ride it.

We wandered around trying to fill our time with rides and by the time 7:25 p.m. came, I and I think everyone else was exhausted.  We finally got in the fast pass line, which is supposed to be faster, but wasn't moving very fast.  We waited in line and finally got up to the point where they were loading people.

We waited and waited and noticed that no one was moving.  They ended up closing the ride!  The kid's were all bummed and disappointed.  I was frustrated that we waited around for a ride that ended up closing!  We made our way out of the park and ended up eating dinner around 9:30 p.m.

I was tired and grumpy by the time we got back to the hotel.  Then we noticed the fireworks show was just beginning.  So I got out our big blanket and we ate dinner while watching the fireworks.  So I guess something good came out of all of that.  We got to watch the fireworks, when normally, we would be in bed by then.

I was in a better mood and so was everyone else.

All in all, we had a great time at Disneyland!  Can't wait for next year!

Big Girls Do Cry. . .Sometimes

This weekend I cried.

Call me a baby or what you will, but I really did.

Sometimes I cry when I am happy.

Sometimes I cry when I am sad.

This weekend was the See Jane Triathlon, the one that I have been training all summer long for.  This summer I focused on my swimming.  My plan was to cut my swimming time and therefore, improving my overall time.

I watched videos after video online learning how to improve my stroke.  I read a book from a past Olympian swimmer and tried and practiced the techniques in the water.  I had helped from my friend who is an excellent swimmer, she watched me and gave me tips on how to improve.

I practiced and practiced and practiced.

Last year while I was training for the 400 m swim, it took me 15:00 and race day I did it in about 11:00.  I was super proud of myself and that I was able to swim the whole distance especially because I had just learned to swim.

This year, with all of my training and help from books and friends, I got my time down to 9:35.  My best time was 9:23.  I was pretty solid for weeks maybe even months, I didn't keep track.

A couple weeks before the Triathlon, my swimming time was increasing and I had no idea why.  I was trying just as hard, but I could not get down to my usual time.

Race day came and the race was actually delayed 1 hour while they were working on re-routing our bike route because of unexpected construction.  That was a bummer!

Finally, it was time.  I stayed to the side like I did last year.  I started out okay, but then very quickly it was SO HARD!  I had no form whatsoever, I was just trying to stay afloat and swim.  My arms began to get so heavy and ache.  I did whatever I could just to finish.  I knew in my heart after the swim that it wasn't any easier this year and that I probably did not beat my time.

The bike was great and the run went fine.  I don't know if I will ever love running.  At the end of the race, I just didn't feel that great because I knew I did not accomplish the goal that I had set for myself.  All I wanted to do, was to improve in my swimming.

The next day, I check my stats and found out that I actually did worse this year on my swim.  I was crushed, disappointed and so depressed.

If anyone knows me, they know that I work really hard.  I usually go above and beyond with most things that I do.  It was so disappointing to work so hard and not see results.  I would have been happy to see any improvement in my time.

I cried.

I shut the door to my room and cried in my pillow.

I just wanted to quit and felt like not ever trying again!

It's been a couple of days and I feel better.  I'm going to keep trying but I think maybe I should have a goal to just finish the race instead of trying to beat times.

Overall, I did pretty good.  I'm in the top 27% of women my age and in the top 32% overall.  I just need to look at the big picture and not be so hard on myself.

I've been quite busy these days.  I was released as Primary Secretary and was called as 1st counselor in the R.S. presidency (which I am actually over the R.S. activities, not teachers).  So last week, I was doing double callings.  I've been also swapping with a couple of friends so I can volunteer in Xander's and Mia's class and I've been teaching a mother's preschool for Zoey.  So my days are busy!

I need a break!  Maybe I should go to Disneyland??

It's GREAT to be EIGHT!

Mia was baptized on September 8, 2012. This was a special day for her and so I thought what better way to hear about her day than from the girl herself! We were so blessed to be surrounded by our friends and family. Mia's grandma and grandpa came all the way from Utah for this special occassion! Mia even invited a couple of friends who were not members to her baptism. Even though they did not come, it was a great missionary opportunity for Mia. Mia is such a good girl. I say "good", it's because I can't think of better word. She has a good heart and is thoughtful and mindful of others needs. She really tries each day to make righteous decisions and is very tender when it comes to spiritual things. She is one of those people who you know has a testimony because she shares her spiritual experiences often. Like how when she is scared, she prays to Heavenly Father and he helps her to feel better.

Xander's Spy Birthday Party

Xander aspires to be a spy someday.  Months ago, he told me that he wanted a Spy Birthday party.  Ben jumped on the bandwagon and helped make this birthday party something to remember.

THE INVITATION

Ben was the mastermind behind the creative invitations. We put the invitation in a manila envelope labeled, " Agent (and then the child's name)".  On the backside, we put "TOP SECRET".



Inside was a minature file folder labeled, "Top Secret" with papers in the file.  When you opened it, it had the details of the birthday party, a satelite map of the location, and a DVD explaining the mission.

The DVD. . .

Here's what was on the DVD.

THE SPY TEAM

We had each of the family members help out during the party.  They were great assets to the mission.

Agent CJ-Code name, Elizabeth
Agent Zoey-Code name, Peanuts
Agent Mia-Code name, Mean Mia
Agent Mom-Code name, Ragin' Asian'
Agent Dad-Code name, Big DADDY B

The day of his party arrived and Xander was thrilled as ever.  I'll take you through all of our activites.

SPY CHECK IN

As the kids arrived, they checked in at the table.  They had to be fingerprinted and they needed to come up with a code name.  As we all know, a spy's real identification is vital to protect.

SPY HEADQUARTERS

After checking in, they were escorted inside the spy headquarters where they received instruction from, Commander X.  Commander X told them that they needed to do some spy training in order to be prepared for their first mission.  You can watch the video clip that the kids watched.

SPY TRAINING

The spys had to undergo intense training at the impossible obstacle course.  They were timed for efficiency.  The first thing they had to do was to put on a disguise, run around the cones, do 10 power jumps on the trampoline, throw tennis balls into the target can, scale over a table, jump over 3 boxes, hold a giant object while balancing on tiles, and finally sliding down the slide.

THE MISSION

After completing the spy training, they received further information from Commander X.

THE LAZER

Each agent had to pass through the deadly lazer zone.  Once everyone had completed the task, they received their first clue, which was a fingerprint.

THE NEXT TASK

The kids brought back the clue and Agent Dad talked and interacted with Commander X.  He helped scan the fingerprint.  While the fingerprint was scanning, they received instruction for the next task.

LOCATE AND DEACTIVATE THE REAL BOMB

The warehouse held the next clue.  Inside, it was filled with decoy bombs.  Their task was to locate the real bomb and to deactivate it safely away from civilians. All Agent Dad told them was that one of the bombs was different than the others. He didn't tell them how it was different.



Once they located the real bomb (a black balloon filled with red star confetti), they had to safely deactivate it.



The other agents loved that it was filled with red stars and collected them, which was great because it was less clean up for me!  They received their next clue which was a footprint.

THE LAST TASK

They brought the footprint back and Commander X.  Agent Dad and Commander X talked back and forth once again.  Agent Dad told them that they needed to break into the vault and find the secret message and code.

THE VAULT

I just used the idea of the punch board, where there is a plastic cup that you stick through the hole that has tissue paper on the top.  The kids had to break through the vault to find the secret code and message.  After finding it, they had to break the code.  The message read, "The bad guy is in the room."



When the kids read that, they started looking at each other, trying to figure out who it was!

AND THE BAD GUY IS. . .

The agents came back and found out who the bad guy was.  They also received instruction where they had to use the truth serum to get the bad guy to tell them where he hid the secret stuff.

INTERROGATION TOOLS

Ben has a poker set that comes in this very cool case, we emptied it out and filled it with. . .

Truth Serum (aka Silly String)!

THE BAD GUY IS GOING DOWN!

After handcuffing Agent Dad, the rogue agent.  They got their truth serum ready to work its magic!



They showed no mercy!



They got Agent Dad to talk and he told them where he hid the secret stuff.

THE SECRET STUFF. .



All the agents received a spy bag with their name on it.  Inside were spy gadgets like handcuffs, black sunglasses (because that is why spys wear), and candy.

THE INCREDIBLE SPY TEAM

With the mission accomplished, it was time to eat!  We feed them lunch and then sang, "Happy Birthday" to Agent Xander.

I made cupcakes with a magnifying glass on top that they could take home.



We had such a great time with all of the agents!  They were super fun and Xander had a blast solving the case with all of his friends!





THE REAL THING

Xander got some spy gear for his birthday and now, he is the real thing!



We didn't have his party on his actual birthday.  This is what agent Xander looked like on his birthday.



He wanted to make a treat for his birthday and it ended up being a jack o lantern.  We stuck candles in it and it was his "cake".  This boy loves Halloween-runs in the family I guess!

He loves his Hulk pjs so much that when he is in them, he growls like the hulk and talks in a deep voice.  Ben found him still up past his bedtime and told him to go to sleep.  In a deep voice Xander says, "HULK GOES TO BED AT NINE!"

I love this boy and can't believe he is going to first grade!  Watch out world, here comes Xander the Hulk, or I mean Xander the spy!  Whatever he decides, he'll be great at it!