Our Christmas in St George. . . . so far

Kindrick Family Christmas party

Kindrick Kids

The kids, especially Kennedy, have been a little fascinated with blogging and have been bugging me to let them start their own. So today I sat down and helped them get started. You can check out the beginnings of their blog here.

I knew it was coming !

Our first big snow storm hit today. The girls spent 15 minutes bundling up to play outside for 5. Actually, Kennedy was out for quite a bit longer, making a little snow man.

I'm totally bummed. . .

. . .And I only have my self to blame!

I told myself that all I wanted for Christmas was tickets to see Wicked when it comes in April.

I knew tickets went on sale this morning seven.

I knew I should drive up to Salt Lake to the box office to get tickets.

But I decided it was too hard to get up there after getting the kids off to school, and be home for the kindergarten bus by 11:30.

So I took my chances on the phone/online.

The website wasn't working (probably crashed), and I called over and over for 2 hours straight. Only to find out it is sold out!

So no Wicked tickets for Kristie. ..

Totally Random

I should have some really neat Christmas post to put up, but since my life seems to be full of completely random events, I will share a few of them.

Have you ever played the game SET? David and I used to play it as newly weds with our good friends Jared and Mary (we actually used to get quite competitive). We have had it for a long time, but haven't pulled it off the shelf for many years. I decided to get it down a week or so ago and let the kids give it a try (in a non-competivitive way. .. . just looking for the sets). It is pretty simple. You look at the cards and find a set. There are three different colors, shapes, shading, and number of items. All three cards need to either be the same or all different in each category to make a set. (It really is simple, I just don't know how to make it sound simple) The kids have played it about every day since. Can you see any sets down there? Mia found her first set tonight. All diamonds, All single in number, All empty, Three different colors.

Elizabeth likes to write random notes all the time. She has a pen and paper and writes whatever she wants. This is a sample of what I find laying around the house:

Since this post is totally random, I thought I would mention that we really like hot chocolate (except Mia. .. crazy girl. she doen't like chocolate milk either). We like it even more when we have mini marshmallows to go in the cocoa. I opened up a bag on Sunday morning, and it was empty the same day.. . . ok, ok, I guess I should say that we really like marshmallows!!

Yeah, I know, Mia isn't eating marshmallows, or drinking hot cocoa, but she looked so cute all ready for church that I had to get her in there as well.

The queen of random at our house is Elizabeth with her outfits. Whenever she walks out of her room, I never know what surprise she will have on! Here is her outfit she put on after school today:

This outfit is nothing compared to some of the things she pulls out. I have no idea where this little "snow dress" came from that is three sizes too small. We actually went to walmart with this on. . .. She improvised the face herself.

Various homework activities go on at the Kindrick household. Some how, Luke always has the least amount. ... .he claims he finishes at school. Which must be true because at every parent teacher conference we ever go to his grades are all excellent. Kennedy has been working on her mulitplication. This week is "6s". We work these flash cards several times a day:

Ok, I will throw one random Christmas thing in the mix. My sister-in-law, Shannon, reminded me through her blog post that I have this little book. There is a Christmas story, song, and scripture for every day in December leading up to Christmas eve. Sunday night the story was Christmas Day in the Morning. I love all Christmas stories, but expecially this one. My Dad always read it to us growing up. I couldn't get through it with out crying. My kids weren't quite as touched as me.

I guess that is all my randomness for now. What random things have you been up to lately?

Thanksgiving Day Feast

For Thanksgiving, we were able to travel to St George and enjoy the weekend in my Mom and Dad's new house. My sisters Becky and Shareen and their families were also able to be there. Even with 16 of us in the house, it never felt overly crowded. We had a great time.

My mom spent hours in the kitchen preparing food. We all helped out at different times, but she was alway there. She deserves some sort of medal. She did a great job.

Here is the table set and ready to go. I guess Elizabeth is trying to decide where she wants to sit.Some of the food right before we gave thanks and ate. Mike, Shareen, with Mia in between.

Elizabeth, Kennedy, and Camille. The five little girls were quite the pack over the weekend. They had a great time. My Dad helping with the dishes. Relaxing, watching a little football while the food digests for a minute.

We had a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for hosting and having us, Mom and Dad.

More posts to come of our other adventures. . . .

Blessings

Tis the time of year to count our many blessings, and I know I have many of them. as we take off for our Thanksgiving weekend, I thought I would give my top 10 things I am thankful for (in no particular order). . . . .

1. I have a wonderful family who love and support me. And I am even more lucky to have this from not only my side of the family, but David's as well. How lucky could I be?
2. I have four incredible kids that make each day a new adventure, and they always keep me smiling. ... or sometimes frowning as well!
3. I am so fortunate to have a husband that supports my goals and aspirations, and even gives great foot massages and pedicures! We have had a great 13 year journey so far.
4. I am greatful for our DVR. .. I hate watching regular television when I have to watch all the commercials. There's nothing like being able to fast forward through all the annoying stuff you don't want to see.
5. I am so thankful for great books that I can escape in. I always have to have a good book, and several others waiting in the wings to be read.
6. I am so glad a good friend of mine talked me into starting a stake aerobics class again. I am thankful for the wonderful ladies that I meet with every Tues and Thurs morning to exercise.
7. I'm greatful for music and dancing. I love it when the kids dance around the house and when I hear them singing and enjoying life.
8. I am greatful for deals found online. I love getting a good deal. .. especially this time of year!
9. I am so fortunate to have a business that has thrived. When we started CK Playground Apparel two years ago, I never dreamed it was going to do as well as it has. This has been a huge answer to prayers.
10. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday (I am greatful for holidays and a mother who taught me to love and appreciate every one), and it leads right into Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our savior. I am thankful for this special time of year and the joy it brings to me.

Have a great Thanksgiving! Eat all you want and have a great time shopping!

Where's Mia?

This evening I was making dinner, and all the kids had come in from playing and were starting their homework. After several minutes, I realized I had not seen or heard from Mia for a while. I wasn't too concerned because she will often play in her room by herself. So I went down the hall to check her room, and she wasn't there.

I still wasn't too worried at this point, but I called out her name, and there was no answer.

I continued to look through out the house, but couldn't see her anywhere. Not in the bathroom, or downstairs, or in the other kids bedrooms.

I called out in the yard, but no answer, and I couldn't see her anywhere.

Panic is starting to set in a little at this point. I walked down to the neighbors to see if she had run down there with out me being aware of her leaving (it has happened before). .. . .they were outside, and had not seen Mia.

Ok, so I am really getting nervous at this time. I go back in the house to tell the kids to get their shoes on so we can start to scan the whole neighborhood when I think to look just a little more closely throughout the house.

This is what I find. . . .

Fast asleep in the corner. Mystery solved.

Isn't this fun?

While Mom and Dad were here, Mom got me watching Dancing With the Stars. I haven't really watched this too much before, which is surprising considering I really like to watch dancing shows like So you Think you Can Dance. I will probably have to watch the rest of the season now. But this dance featuring brother and sister Derek and Julianne Hough is so much fun. Aren't they just amazing to watch?

kicking and stroking

Today in church, we had a recently returned missionary talk. He had served in Russia. There were just a couple of small insights that he shared that I liked quite a bit and want to remember.

One time while on his mission, Elder Holland came and spoke. He told them a story about an olympic swimmer (he didn't name who, but maybe it was Phelps?) who accomplished more than any swimmer ever has. Some one had asked the swimmer one time how he had managed to be such a great competitive swimmer. He said that he kicked and stroked when he didn't feel like kicking and stroking.

Our return missionary used this analogy to service to others, as well as other things in our lives. How often are we willing to serve and work even when we don't feel up to it, maybe we are exhausted and just want to relax and take it easy for a while. The really strong, are willing to "kick and stroke" even when the times are tough. He also mentioned that his mission President and said that he wanted them to return home "on a stretcher".. . . meaning that they had given every thing they had and had worked so hard they could do no more.

How many of us are willing to serve in that way in our lives? And I don't just mean church service (although that is important). . . . I mean service in the community, to our family, neighbors, friends, and family? I know that I am not close to being on my stretcher (not that I am stiving for the stretcher, but ). . . . I have a lot to give that I keep inside. It is good for me to look inside and analyze what I can do better. What more do I have to give?

The rest of Halloween. .. + St George

I have been meaning to post these pictures for a few days, but just don't seem to get around to it. So here are the other kids with their Halloween costumes at the school parade last week.

Here is Luke, the nerd. This was pretty easy to throw together. Button up shirt, glasses, calculator and pen, and some bad teeth. Here is Kennedy. Not sure what to label her as. .. rock star? hippie? Whatever works.

Mia. . . some sort of princess? Dance star?

All the girls re-used old dance costumes. I have to get use out of them while I can! Of course Elizabeth was little red riding hood. .. you saw her in the video posted below.

We took off after school on Friday and drove to St George to meet up with my Mom and Dad. We found a neighborhood for the kids to trick or treat. .. . so no worries, they still got plenty of candy. The weather was great, and we went out to Snow Canyon on Saturday to enjoy the views and a couple of hikes/walks. Luke got sick during the first hike, and Elizabeth was whining, so my Dad took them back to the condo to rest. The rest of us stayed and had a good time. Mom and Dad. Their house is getting so close to being done! Hopefully in time for Thanksgiving! In Jenny's Canyon. It was a pretty neat, small canyon, and even better, a really short hike to get there!

Family of Four? This is who stayed behind for the whole afternoon (+ my Mom, of course). I was beginning to question why we kept Mia, but she did pretty good.

Elizabeth's Halloween Program

HSM3

I took the kids to High School Musical 3 yesterday as a special treat. We rarely go to the movie theatre (unless it is the dollar theatre), let alone opening day, so this was a rare thing for us. We had a good time. I was seated next to two teenage girls who I heard squeel several times throughout the movie (not in an annoying way, just kind of cute). I thought it was pretty fun and entertaining. Of course, I enjoy musicals in general, and have really liked all the HSM movies (I guess I am still young at heart). Although I did enjoy this one, I still have to say that my favorite of the three is the first one.

Hiking the "Y"

Beware, a lot of pictures in this one! Saturday morning we got up and decided to enjoy our nice weather by taking the kids to hike up "Y" mountain. Here we all are right before we started. I walked up with Luke, Kennedy, and Elizabeth. It is a pretty steep climb at times, but they were troopers and didn't complain at all. They did mention a couple of times that their hearts were beating fast, and I told them that is good and means they are exercising their hearts.

Elizabeth sat down to rest, and I thought she looked so cute that I had to snap a photo. David volunteered to walk up with Mia. He said that she did great. Here they are right at the end. The kids are standing on the Y and trying to make a BYU. Someone should have told Luke that his "B" attempt was backwards! It was quite a view, looking down at all of Utah valley. Here are the kids admiring the amazing view.

Mia and I on the way down. The bigger kids went ahead, so David and I helped Mia down. She did really well until the last 100 ft she melted down and started to cry. It was a nice hike. A little challenging, but not too long for the kids.

I finally got one!

I have been wanting (and needing in my opinion), a new kitchen table for a LONG time. Our kids are just so destructive, that David hasn't been willing to go out and get one just to have it destroyed. I have been eyeing a couple of tables at Sam's Club for quite some time, and when I was in the store the other day, this table was marked down even more ( I thought it was a good deal to start with for a table and 6 chairs). I was finally able to talk David into going out and getting it. So here it is all put together. I went out and got a table cloth in hopes that will help keep it protected a little from my kids.

I think it looks great (although I need to iron the table cloth.. . ). Our previous table was bought at a yard sale for 30.00, and only had three chairs that were falling apart a bit. So I think we have been way over due for this.

My life. .. right now part 3

Here is my last picture for my project:

Grandma Kindrick comes to visit most Saturday evenings. You can see Kennedy and Elizabeth running out to meet her. This usually means treats for the kids, and David and I often get to slip out for a little while. so everyone is happy!

Now I have my 10 pictures. .. I just need to get them developed and into an album. I don't develop my pictures too much any more these days, so that will be my challenge to remember this week. I'll let you know when it is all completed.

My Life. .. Right NOW part 2

Here is a continuation of my project.

"You have everything you need right now to be vibrant, happy and fully engaged in the creative process of life. Sometimes you just have to slow down, look around and realize it!"

Photo 7-9:

This may seem an odd picture, and in some ways I am embarassed to post all these because of my lack of photography skills. .. but this represents several things. I love to read. I don't own too many books, however. I do own a few favorite books, like Twilight and Jane Austen. Otherwise, I use my library card. So I have my library card and my current items borrowed. I also like to rent movies for 25 cents. I also really like music. Thus the radio, ipod, and cd on top.

The UPS truck is a regular visitor to our house. We are constantly getting deliveries for our business. I could also post the boxes we have around the house. This makes me happy because we have a business that keeps us busy, and is going very well.

This is a photo of the gym this morning. A couple times a week I get up at 5 to get my workout in before everyone else is up. I feel so good when I do this. . .although when the alarm goes off, it is tempting to turn it off and go back to sleep.

For more details on this little project, check out this blog.

My Life. . Right NOW

I got this idea from my sister in law, Shannon who originally got it from this blog. The project is called My life, right now.

This is what she says:

"You have everything you need right now to be vibrant, happy and fully engaged in the creative process of life. Sometimes you just have to slow down, look around and realize it!"

This is what we are to do:

• First take 10-12 pictures that document your life right now, today! They can be photos you take today, or recent ones in your camera
• Compile these photos into a mini scrapbook or photo album and carry it with you through out the year, looking at it occasionally
• In one year we are to document our experience

How fun will it be to see how things change/don't change in a years time.

So here are my first couple of photos that document my life. . RIGHT now!

Ok, the first picture if of popcorn. I made three bowls of this today for my kids after school snack. Three bowls a bit excessive, you say? Well, we love popcorn. We always have to have a supply at the house. As a result, there are often popcorn kernels all over the floor, but this is supposed to be about the positive. .. so we love popcorn!

Last week these would have been soccer pictures, but since that is over and done with, this is TODAY. The girls started a little community gymnastics class at the high school on Tuesday. They really liked their first class, and keep asking how long until the next. But they have been inspired to start practicing hand stands, kart-wheels, etc.

Here is Elizabeth and her handstand today. No, no one is holding her feet. She is holding herself up all by herself. Doesn't she look good? She kept asking me to come and watch, because she just did "her best one ever!"Here is Kennedy. I chose this picture for a couple different reasons. First, and most importantly because she is also practicing her handstands. She wanted to go outside for hers so she had some more room. I also chose this picture because it shows a little of my front yard. We had it edged out yesterday and it looks good! I almost have the front yard in acceptable condition, and I want to celebrate that! This is Mia, TODAY. She loves to go outside and ride this old, broken down bike around. Notice the condition of the front wheel. It is a much loved bike. She can also always be seen carrying around this dog, CoCoa. She sleeps with it, takes it everywhere, etc. It is also a much loved dog. Also notice that Mia is not wearing shoes. She does not like wearing her shoes. I put them on to go somewhere, and she has them back off before we even get out the door! Frustrating sometimes. .. and very dirty feet every night. I love this girl. This picture is for Homework time. This is a very regular scene at our house. Luke is such a nice brother sometimes and helps Kennedy out. (Yes, older brothers can be helpful at times!) And no, I didn't make them pose for this picture. I don't love homework time, but I keep thinking of the talk from conference and how one day we will even miss little finger prints left on the wall. .. not sure I will miss homework time, but it is nice when I have the time to sit one on one with one of my kids and see what they are working on at school. That part I might miss one day.

Here is another regular scene at our house. David working on the computer. Our business requires him to do a lot of work using the computer. Mainly artwork. He usually really enjoys this. .. our computer is really slow sometimes, but oops, that is getting negative and this is supposed to be postive, so yeah, he really enjoys doing artwork and helping our business be successful.

So These are my first six pictures for my project. I will finish up tomorrow and show you the rest of my photos.

So, my sister, Julia, and my sister in law Shannon are doing this already. Any one else want to join in this little project? I need to go out and find a little scrap book to hold my pictures. Then I will actually CREATE something. .. . .just reminds me of Heidi's great post about creating from the other day.

Let me know if you try it as well!

Breather

Our fall sport season officially came to an end last night for the kids. It is always fun to watch the kids play, but having 8 games every week has made the schedule a bit crazy at times. It will be nice to have a little more time to breathe. .. Here is a re-cap of our season.

LUKE

Luke enjoyed playing soccer and flag football this year. It made it a bit crazy having two sports at once, but it was good for him. He is a smart soccer player. He finished the season with a nice PK in one game, and two goals. One of them in the last game of the season. He has said this might be his last year playing soccer. We will see what the future brings. His Flag Football team lost their first game in the "playoffs" last night, so their season is done. It was an up and down season for football. His team only won 3 games, but it was a great learning experience for Luke and he grew a lot as a player. I forgot my camera last night, so no football pictures.

Kennedy

Kennedy enjoyed her fourth year playing soccer. (I can't believe that). She was the favorite goalie for the team, because she wasn't afraid to get out their and pick the ball up, which can be scary when a player is trying to kick it. She did get kicked in the wrist pretty hard one game, though. She can also be a huslter out on the field. She did really well, especially the last couple games at running and showing some speed and aggression.

Elizabeth

Of course Elizabeth had a break-out year playing cub soccer. She was quite the little pit-bull out on the field. She didn't like sitting out at all. I should have kept track of her goals for the year. She had several 5 goal games, a couple 10 goal games, etc. Last night she ended with 4 goals for her last game of the year. And that was playing only twice (there were a lot of kids, and we showed up late, so she didn't get as much playing time). It will be fun to see how her skills improve next year when the field is bigger, they play with goalies, and have an all girl team. Through the whole season I only saw about 2 boys that were obviously better than her. She could keep up and fight with just about everybody else out there. It was a fun season to watch.

Mia

I should have a picture of Mia playing cheerleader. She was my faithful companion to all the games. A couple more years and she can start playing too!

So over all, we had a fun sport season. I took all the kids out for a treat last night to celebrate a good year. We are now ready for a BREATHER.