We're still here

So I haven't posted for awhile. I noticed that I only posted once in January - that my worst month since I started this blog. I think I am going through a blogging slump! Our days seem to blend together and before I know it the week is over and I haven't taken any pictures. I decided that I should post even without the pictures today. This weekend we decided to go to Moscow to see Markell and Andre. Andre had called Leonard to see if he wanted to go fishing last weekend but things didn't work out, so we planned for all of us to go over this weekend. We got a good deal on a motel in Moscow thanks to Markell's student survival coupons. We stayed at the Best Western and for the record - they have a really great pool so if you ever stay in Moscow, I recommend it - especially with kids. We got a late start on Friday because Len and I had committed to attend the temple with the youth baptisms. We didn't get home until about 9:00 p.m. but we were on the road by 9:30 and the kids settled in to their seats and fell asleep. It was a quick, easy trip. I am always surprised how fast it is to Moscow from Coeur d Alene. Unfortunately, the peaceful trip meant that Miranda was wide awake when we got to the motel just before 11:00. Kaydra and Kanyon drug themselves into the room and quickly fell back to sleep but Miranda wanted to explore. We let her run around the room a little bit. Every time we would try to put her into her crib she would cry and scream - which the people around us did not appreciate, I'm sure! At midnight I gave her a bath - which didn't help. At 12:30 Len took her for a walk until about 1:15 -- she still cried when we put her in bed. He went back out with her at 1:20 and returned about 2:00 - still did not want to go to sleep. The hotel is pretty big and Len discovered that the loop around was about 470 paces - he should know - he walked it 15 times. We tried putting her in her crib, laying her on the floor, letting her sleep with us - she would just scream. At this point she is so tired, I don't think she knew how to go to sleep and we were at our wits end! I took her out about 2:15 and walked around with her for about 15 minutes. Then I held her and walked while I carried her up and down the hall for 45 minutes until she finally fell asleep in my arms. She even stayed asleep when I put her in her crib. She finally went down at 3:15. She woke up at 4:30 and then again around 5:15 because she was coughing. Len's alarm went off at 6:00 so he and Andre could go fishing. He ended up calling Andre and they didn't leave until 8:00. Miranda, of course slept in until about 9:30. We were all very tired the next day! Markell came over with Andre. Len and Andre left while Markell watched t.v. with us until Miranda woke up so we could all go swimming. The kids loved the pool. They had a small pool just perfect for toddlers that was warm and only about 18 inches deep. They also had a big pool and a hot tub. We all swam for about 2 hours. Kanyon and Kaydra are getting to be great swimmers. They can both swim the length of the pool without much difficulty. Kanyon has now mastered floating on his back and he was pretty proud of that. After swimming we realized that we had forgot to pack Kanyon's pants and Miranda's shoes (they came in their pj's) so we ate lunch at the hotel restaurant (Kanyon in his pj's) then we packed up and headed to Old Navy. They were having a pretty good sale (30% off everything!) and I found a pair of pants for Kanyon and some shoes for Miranda plus a few other things for a great price. We went to a different mall that had a play yard and let the kids play for awhile. Len and Andre returned from fishing (Len caught one whitefish and that was all), we got them lunch and then went to a park (it was 50 degrees in Moscow!). We left Moscow about 4:00. We got to see Markell and Andre's house and spend some time with them so overall it was a good trip. It was good to see them both. Like I said, I should have taken some pictures. We drove home and, of course, all the kids slept almost the entire way. Miranda was asleep by the time we got just outside of Moscow - stinking kid!!!
We arrived to find the Stephans here so the kids were excited to play with cousins. They stayed overnight and left first thing this morning. It was a short trip but we were glad that we got to see them. It was a busy weekend but it was fun to have something new to do. Plus, we all got naps today so we are feeling much better!

Christmas Catch-Up

It's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd better do a little catching up. Sorry, this may be a really long post! We had a very busy, fun-filled Christmas break. The kids were excited to be out of school. On Monday, December 21, Jodi and Mike and their family arrived from California. The kids were so happy to have cousins to play with. They all played quite well together and even entertained Miranda that first night so all the adults could visit. It was good to catch up. When they arrived, we fed them a quick dinner and then hustled them out the door to catch a cruise boat to the North Pole - Coeur d'Alene style. The weather cooperated by not raining like it had been doing for the past 10 days or so. It was cold but at least it wasn't raining. We didn't bring anything to dry off the seats that were on the top of the boat so we had to stand most of the ride. (I say this because I remember last time I went on the cruise - 6 years ago - that I wished we had brought a towel or something to dry off the seats. Maybe if I write it down I will remember next time we go!!) The boat took us across the lake to the opposite shore where Santa and Mrs Claus were waiting for us. They visited with us (they had a mic wired to the sound system on the boat so we could hear them) and played a "who can yell louder" game (there were two boats at a time) and then Santa read from his list names of the kids that had been good. It was great to see all the kids listening hoping to hear their names. When Kanyon heard his name he shouted, "I made it!" When Santa got to Kaydra and Kanyon's name he asked, "How's that pond doing?!" The kids were surprised that he knew about our ice skating rink. We all crammed inside the boat for the ride back to the dock where it was warm and enjoyed some hot chocolate. It was a fun little trip!

Here is everyone waiting in line to get on the boat.

Here is the boat that we rode on

This is a picture of the whole boat lit up

Here is a picture of our family at the end of the cruise.

***I know I look crazy - remember it's been raining for 10 days and my hair is FRIZZY - but don't worry, I got it cut yesterday (12 inches) and it's MUCH better!

We had a quiet next couple of days as Jodi and Mike went to spend some time with Mike's family but they came back late Christmas Eve so that they could share Christmas morning with us. Kelly also came from Idaho Falls. The room was so full of presents that we could hardly find places to sit! It reminded me of my Christmas mornings when I was little because with seven kids in the family there were always a TON of presents! There were 15 of us and we had a good time.

Miranda cleaning up after all of us in her new play skirt with her new vacuum!

After the Christmas Craziness

Kaydra and Emily both got a DS and so the girls spent a lot of time trying one anothers games out (Cora already had one) We kicked them outside a few times and it finally froze again so we were able to ice skate on the pond. They all got to try and they all did surprisingly well. I wish I could remember what it felt like to not be REALLY afraid to fall! They also got to be pulled in a sled behind the 4-wheeler in the field. They liked that until a few of them got dumped out on a sharp turn. After a few tears and some hot chocolate, everyone seemed to be fine!

The whole family pitched in and bought Neil and Kay a new television. It's 42 inches and, according to Neil, about 20 inches bigger than one they would have picked out for themselves! BUT - it's awesome! It's really fun to watch movies on and the picture is great. Here is a video of them opening their gift. I took it mostly for Reid and Michelle but you can watch if you wish!

We packed up and the Throcks left on December 29 leaving Grandma and Grandpa alone. I'm sure that was a big change after having 15 of us in the house for three days. Len and I both had to work in the morning but we got on the road for Idaho Falls at about 4:00pm. We arrived about midnight our time (1:00 am their time) and were surprised to find nearly everyone awake waiting for us. It was good to spend time with everyone in Idaho Falls. Everyone on my side of the family was able to be there. We had a Christmas there as well and the kids got some really great gifts that they really like and are still playing with! We made it there on pretty much dry roads but it started snowing the next day. We were able to take the kids sledding and they loved that. Miranda had it made! She was sitting in a sled and someone would go down with her and then pull her up the hill and then someone else would take a turn. I don't think she stopped sledding for about an hour! It was really good to see and spend time with everyone there. We drove by our old house and the kids were glad to see that someone was taking good care of it with lots of Christmas lights up. It's weird to see someone else living in your house. We also got to see Grandma and Grandpa Parry and had them over for dinner one night. I also got to see my cousin Stephanie. We missed lots of other cousins while we were there. I wish I could have seen you all!

We celebrated New Year's at my mom and dad's with everyone there. We let Kaydra and Kanyon stay up for the first time until midnight. They had a great time playing games with their cousins but Kaydra had a little too much and was actually not feeling well by the time midnight came around. In fact, she was sick in the bathroom right as we watched the ball fall in New York. Poor girl! Maybe next year she can see it! :(

We left Idaho Falls on Dec 3 because the kids started school the next day. The roads were okay but a little yucky over Monida pass. We arrived safe and sound back in Coeur d'Alene. We were glad to be home and able to use our new Christmas gifts again. Thank you to everyone who brought us a gift, spent time with us, or even thought of us over your Christmas season. We had a great Christmas and hope all of you did as well.