Disneyland 2010

Finally I have edited down 3/4 my pictures to give you a sneak peak of our vacation. Although it was a last minute decision to go over spring break and we might not have been as organized as normal we had a great time. In fact I am wondering why I have spent so many years planning when winging it seems to work just as well.

You will see in the photos that we really enjoyed ourselves we played musical chairs with the gang from Alice and Wonderland, Kendall danced with Mary Poppins, Noelle and Kendall danced in a parade or two, Kendall got soaked on Grizzly water run that we even had to remove clothing and let her wear moms hoddie and my favorite was looking over at Marshal while he was waiting for the girls to meet Tiana, and seeing he had found some feathered friends to feed.

It was a much needed get away We had the time of our lives. Disneyland truly is a magical place.

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loads of help

I am working on a post about our trip it is taking me awhile to get it down so it is not overwhelming but in the mean time before we left I had four very willing helpers to get things ready and to help get all the chores done.

I like to come home from a vacation on top of the game so I like the house spotless every stitch of laundry done etc. This felt like the impossible since we had only decided a week and a half before to go. I was doing an eagle court of honor and of course trying to put the trip together. So I needed everyone to help. First the laundry after we washed and folded everything I would ask different kids to put it away well Kendall was more than willing to help and do anything so Chuck asked her to go put all his socks away for him.

This is how we found the socks we both busted up laughing. I mean the girl tried and she did get them all in what's the big deal if the drawer does not close right.

You gotta love it!!

Marshals an Eagle

Life has been a little crazy around here but we have had some great memorable events that I need to take the time to journal about on March 31, 2010 Marshal received his Eagle award.

Marshal and two of his buddies Kadien and Hayden sang the National anthem

They did a really good job I think Marsh was a little worried about everyone hearing him sing. He sings all the time at choir and stuff but not in front of family and neighbors.

Chuck Marshal and I with the Eagle his name was Donte

The eagle Nest was very impressive and I even think my brothers had a picture of my brother Brandon that they held up so he could be part of the nest.

Marshal receiving his award he had his Dad present it to him

Joey, Zane and Marshal

Throughout our Scouting journey Marshal has had some incredible leaders who made a lasting impression on him and I am sure these men will never fully know how much they have touched him. This is Brother Kelly he was Marshal's 11 year old scout leader and then later became one of his scout masters. Marshal presented him with the mentor pin. From a mother's perspective I am grateful for this man he has always been a great example of the kind of priesthood holder and Man I would like my son to be.

This is Brother Manfull

Marshal loves this guy he had a lot of fun with him and also learned a lot of life lessons along the way. Marshal really loves the fun rivalry they have between the two of them as far as a couple of college teams go.

Next is his Dad who also was one of his Scout leaders and his Grandpa McAllister

Marshal has been blessed with a Dad who usually always made time to go on the camp outs with him. I do think this was one of the many factors that helped Chuck get this calling.

Brother Derrick was not just a leader for Marshal but truly a friend.

When he was released Marshal was a little bugged he kept saying who is going to bring the fun now. Brother Derrick is now in the other ward and we miss him but it never fells if he sees Marshal he stops to say hello

And last but not least is President Dibble

Marshal not only has had the opportunity to learn from this great man at church but to also work side by side with President Dibble on his farm he has learned to work hard and to enjoy it. He taught him how scouting is a great way to become closer to your Heavenly Father.

I did not think this day would mean as much as it did to me. I am so proud of Marshal and all his accomplishments. At big events like this it does make me miss that my parents are not able to be there but I am very grateful for all the family and friends that rally around my kids and come out and support them. I have truly been blessed in my life to have 4 great kids a wonderful husband and the most amazing family and friends.

Thank You for everything you do for us we love you all!

Wrestling

First I am so excited that I actually got a video to work on this thing Whoot Whoot!

This is Marshal's first year to wrestle and it has ben a blast to watch him. It really takes me back to the years of watching my little bro Brandon. Marshal has done incredible job he wrestles 140 and he has won every match he has had. This sport has brought a confidence to him that Chuck and I have been trying to pound into his head for years. He is a great team player but always lets that kid with the big ego get in his head. Finally with this sport he can see how strong he is and that he does contribute to the team. This match was his quickest I think he pinned him in 44 seconds.

Neighborhood egg hunt

Monday with the kids being out of school we took advantage of having our

neighborhood egg hunt.

Thanks Wendi you ROCK!

This picture cracks me up this is Noelle with one of her BFF's Madison

They get along so well together but the height difference is priceless.

Kendall with all her loot

It was cold so we headed inside for a picnic and when the troops were getting restless my older kids came to the rescue. I am really proud of both Marshal and Charly they don't beg to stay home and complain that its just for little kids they go and make it fun for all the kids. The top picture is of the kids deciding who to call over for Red Rover and the bottom was the other side. After the pictures were taken a couple Mom's got in on the game and we had a great time.

A game of Duck Duck Goose

And last but not least Marshal and all his little minions

Activity's like this just make me smile because I know before you even can imagine they are all grown up talking about the Remember whens and I am glad that they will include good times with great neighbors. Chuck and I both know we were lead to this neighborhood and I am positive the people that live here are why.

DARE Graduation

Last week was Charly's DARE Graduation. If you are not sure what this is it is a program put on by the police department to teach kids about the effects of drugs how to handle friends who might offer drugs etc. It is a several month course and is a pretty big thing in the sixth grade world. As parents Chuck and I have never had a problem discussing these things with our children but I love that the program teaches the kids together as a group so that they can talk about it amongst each other.

This is Charly and Mckenna with there DARE officer

The Mayor and Miss Layton came and spoke to them.

You got to love a mayor who has no problem wearing his gangster suit to the DARE graduation.

This is most of the neighborhood girls

Charly, Mckenna, Hannah, Paigly, Taryn and Kennady

After the graduation the parents were encouraged to stay and have lunch with them. I brought Subway for Charly and Mckenna they were so excited to have lunch brought in to them. We had a good time and I am very proud of both of them for making such good decisions this far in there life. I also feel very blessed to be able to go and be part of these big moments in my children's lives and to have family close by to share it with. I know that I am truly blessed to be a stay at home Mom.

St. Patty's Day

When Marshal was around 4 or 5 we read a book about leprechauns and how this little boy would try and catch him. Ever since then we have been putting out a trap the night before St. Patrick's Day and trying to catch him ourselves. This year Noelle was positive we would catch him because our trap was a little more high tech then years past.

Marshal made this special trap to help the girls catch him.

Noelle and Kendall were positive that gold would lure him in.

This pesky little leprechaun got the better of us again this year.

He turned all the chairs up side down on the table and counters. He took all my rugs and laid them all over the Great Room and had a path from the back door to the girls bedrooms with suckers that were on the counter in a jar.

He took all the gold which really still is puzzling Noelle and left the trap on new water bottles for each of the kids and took more candy from the jars on the counter and decorated the top of the trap. He also found the girls dolls and stuffed animals and hung them on the railing.

Here are the kids with there new water bottles.

Marshal then made green pancakes for breakfast.

I say who cares what color they are if someone else is cooking them.

Notice Marshal's green shirt.

He is a big fan of 80's pop culture and loves his green Callahan Auto Parts shirt.

I should of taken a picture of all the kids dressed in there green.

Then latter in the day I made green cinnamon rolls.

Normally we have green bread but I thought it might be fun to change it up.

They did not look to bad and of course they tasted fabulous

I know some people have told me that I go a little over board but I think childhood should be magical. If you could of heard my youngest two and how excited they both were about the events of the day you would understand why all this is worth it.

Noelle is still baffled why the trap did not get him this year and is sure there is a bigger message in the way he left the house. She is sure the path way he made through out the house means something and she is positive she will figure it out before next year.

I hope everyone had as much fun as we did

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Bits and pieces of our Weekend

I can not get this dang thing to post pictures today. So quick update and maybe when my teenagers get home they can help me. By the way my son says that is a sign of old age when you have to have your kids show you how to do everything.

We had a great Sunday we had the opportunity to hear from a member of the quorum of the twelve. L. Tom Perry yesterday. It was great to sit next to Marshal and see how much he got out of it and how inspiring it was to him. After he spoke and we were singing the closing song Marsh got up and made his way to the side of the stage so he could shake his hand. Elder Perry took his hand and said Elder when will you be leaving Marshal was of course excited that he would think he is ready to leave on a mission. In Marshal's world its years away in mine it is just around the corner. I am loving the stage I am at with him and trying to enjoy every minute watching him become such a good young man.

Friday night Chuck took Charly on a special date just the two of them they had a great time and I think the one on one time with each parent is really important. She is at such an awkward stage in her life where she needs to know how special she really is. While they were gone I went out with some friends when I got home I found a stack of cards my kids had made for Charly one made me laugh but Marshal's really made me tear up because he said to her what every mother hopes for.

Dear Charly,

I hope you know that you are the best friend anyone could have and you can always count on me and your sisters to be your friends. Even if your friends don't always work out we will. I love you and am so glad that you are so smart you will be a great Young Women

Love, Marsh

I don't know if she realizes yet how lucky she is to have such great siblings. That friends will come and go but they will always be there for her. (I hope he he)

I love having these moments where you know that they are actually listening to you and our learning from you. It gives you a sigh of relief that maybe when you are done with them they won't need a therapist after all.