Deserie is Home, 4 More Weeks

Chad's sister Deserie came home from her mission on Temple Square in Utah on Wednesday the 9th.  We had a homecoming dinner that evening that was a lot of fun.  It is good to have her home again.  My kids love her, so do Chad and I.  She is a good example to them.

Chad and Elliot in their matching Chase shirts

Heather, Deserie and Jade

 Brenda and Maya, with Macaia, Jace and Nate in the background

Calvin and Marlee

Deserie had an appointment with her Stake President to get released right after the dinner so she was still dressed up, complete with name tag and she and kept a companion with her until her official release.  Karalee was excited to have Deserie home, one of the reasons being that we got to have a party.  I think she might even like parties more than I do.  That's saying something.

On another note.  I am 36 weeks along today.  Only 4 weeks left, give or take a little, until we get to meet our new baby girl!!

I still feel really good.  I walk a little over a mile and a half three times a week and ride my exercise bike and do light weights on my arms once or twice a week.   Hopefully that will help all the baby weight come off faster this time around.

Spencer's 2011 photo shoot

Spencer was the last one to get his 2011 pictures taken.  What one do you like the best?

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#3 - This is my favorite.  It is the only one where his eye's are smiling too.

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Karalee's 5th Birthday

Karalee turned 5 years old yesterday.  We had a fun day celebrating.  She has been counting down to her birthday for months.  She got to open presents in the morning, go on a lunch date with Grammy Sanders, get a visit from Grandma Flake, and have pizza and wings for dinner while we watched Cars 2.  Here are a few pictures.

The birthday girl in her new clothes.

Karalee crashed during the movie at like 7:30.  Too much fun.

Halloween 2011

Karalee was a she devil for her preschool party.

Spencer was my only child who was interested in helping carve the pumpkin.  I am glad that I didn't buy everyone their own pumpkin like I had considered.

For Halloween night Karalee decided to be a clown.

I couldn't get Marlee the wear the Chicken Little costume that Tyler and Jen handed down to us.  The only thing she would wear were her doggy jammas.  Each of my kids have worn them for pj's so they are pretty faded, but she still looked cute!

Bryant was a vampire.

Spencer really wanted to be a hobo again.  He said last year at the ward trunk or treat everyone thought it was "so cool".

Ready to go!

Life

Here are a few pictures from a week or so ago.  We were just hangin' out.

Karalee has learned how to tie the shoe in this book.  She still hasn't figured out how to transfer that skill into tying her own shoes, but that will come.

Karalee's 2011 Soccer Pictures

Karalee with her soccer team.

Bryant's 2011 photo shoot

I have been wanting to get some new pictures of Bryant for a while now so I could capture him before his adult teeth grew all the way in.  I am glad we got a few good ones.  We took LOTS of pictures because I have a hard time getting him to give me a genuine smile.  He also loves to be silly so that added to the craziness.  I love that Bryant chose his Perry the Platypus shirt.  He and the rest of the kids love the Phineas and Ferb show right now.  Here are a few of the good shots we got.  Which one do you like the best?

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#7 - I like that he looks a little shy in this picture or like he is about to play a joke you.

#8 - This is my favorite.  It shows a genuine smile and his beautiful eyes.  Is it ok to call a boys' eyes beautiful?

#9 - We're done!  He asked if I would let him take a silly shot.

Here is Bryant's picture from last year.