I am married to an Old Man

Don't let the shirt throw you off. He is only 34, although some days I am sure he feels 55.

The boys and I made him a football cake because as Mack said "Dad LOVES football so he needs a football cake." Too bad I am a real slacker when it comes to posting about Cams birthday. It was only a week and a half ago. oops! But I can't forget about my man on his special day. I am not sure how he got so old so fast. Because I am pretty sure I am still 19. Luckily he hasn't lost his good looks!

By the way I scored extra brownie points this year with one of his gifts it has been a huge hit. A bass fishing game on the wii. (cam's brothers can all stop laughing now!) For some reason for a boy who doesn't really fish, he loves to on video games. Am I the best wife ever or what?!?

Bobbie Bear

Last Wed at school it was Mack's turn to bring home the class bear named Bobbie. This activity entails a journal that you can draw pictures and write about what Bobbie did while staying at your house. At first I thought it would just sit in the corner for our two day allotment and never get a second look. I was wrong. Mack was thrilled for it to be his turn. He gave it piggyback and shoulder rides. Bobbie got to watch him play video games and star wars, and even slept with him one night and Creed the next. Bobbie was present for all meals and activities. It was fun to see Mack take responsibility while caring for him. One of the other highlights of having the bear is that it is the one time you get to bring a show and tell to school. He brought his soccer medal from this past season and his puppy webkin.

GO RUSH!

The Rapid City Rush is the new professional hockey team that started this season. They are a pretty big deal here. Cam and I decided that some one on one time with each of the older boys would be beneficial for each of them and even us. So last friday Cam and Mackguire went to the hockey game while Creed and I had a date night watching space chimps and having goodies at home. Then last night it was Creed and Cam's turn to go to the hockey game while Mack and I watched the clone wars movie. (which by the way it had already been watched multiple times by the boys but Mom hadn't seen it yet, so of course that is what Mack wanted to watch)

At the hockey game each boy made it on the jumbo tron which they obviously thought was cool. And last night the team captain threw the game puck to Creed after the first period. The boys of course love having that around the house. Its a trophy of sorts. It has turned out to be very a rewarding experience for Cam and I. It is great to just have that individual time to get to talk to the boys and be able to focus attention on them. You would think that the one being left at home would be disappointed or not nearly as thrilled as the one getting to go to the hockey game but that is not the case. It turns out that hanging out with just mom is also a treat. Who would have thought!

Sorry the pictures aren't great. They were taken with the cellphone.

Oh Crabbit!!

"Oh Crabbit" is Creed's new word of choice when something is wrong. Funny huh! At first I wasn't sure I liked the word but then realized its better than most things that could come out of his mouth. I am assuming it is a combination of words he hears me use. "Crap" and or Dangit" so I guess it means I truly need to watch what I say around that kid. Good thing it hasn't been anything worse!

Callan is 3 months old

Callan testing out Kinga's new doggy bed making sure its adequate enough for the pampered pooch!

Who can resist how precious a sleeping baby looks.

I don't know if there are any cuter brothers out there! (if you find some keep that info to yourself) :)

What a darling guy!

I don't know how to describe it but I am totally in love with this little guy. (not so little really, he is already 15.5 lbs.) Don't get me wrong I have loved my other babies too, but for some reason this one has me wrapped around his little finger. Maybe its because he doesn't talk back, yell, fight, kick, or scream. Well, Ok he does scream but its different than the older boys. Or maybe its because now that I am a seasoned mom I know how quick this baby stage really is. Or maybe its because I have finally succomb to the fact that I am a MOM!! It has only taken 3 kids for it to really sink in that my needs and wants are truly secondary to the happiness and needs of these 3 special spirits loaned to me from my Heavenly Father. But whatever the reason I can't imagine being happy without him.

I have heard other people describe babies as being such a joy and wonderful addition to their family. I always thought they were just talking about their own joy. But now I get it. Now that I have children old enough to recognize and enjoy the baby I can see what they are talking about. This little boy has brought out so much goodness in his older brothers and has truly brought a sense of tranquility and peace to our otherwise chaotic home. I know I must sound rediculious ranting on and on but for some reason these are all thoughts I have had for quite a few weeks now and have felt the need to write them down.

So now on to what is new in Cal's ever changing world;

He is turning into such a happy baby. I use that term loosely because the verdict was out on that one for awhile. Cal has the greatest smile, everytime he hears Cam's or my voice it is from ear to ear. He adores his big brothers, especially Mack. He can watch him for hours, he finds him extremely entertaining. The discovering of his hands and his voice has been a real treat for Callan. He is now reaching out and grabbing the toys hanging on the toy bars above him and is getting louder and louder when he talks. He really only gets good sleep when he is lying next to me or in arms face nestled into your armpit. He must love the fragrant smell.

Other than him being such a tank, and not even close to sleeping through the night. I have no real complaints. He is perfect!

Our Christmas trip

We drove 2500 miles covering 5 states in 10 days, saw lots of family and friends and experienced at least 6 blizzards.
First we drove to Boise for my niece Rachel's wedding. And boy do I feel pretty old having a married niece. SO WEIRD...
In Boise we stayed with my jr high and high school gal pal Tara. Who I haven't spent any time with since those glory days. She has a beautiful home and a beautiful family. She was such a great hostess especially since we stayed up until 2 am talking and then I woke up at 5 that morning paying tribute to the porcelain god all morning long with some strange stomach virus. I was barely able to drag myself to the wedding that started at 9. Thanks Tara for watching my boys and taking such great care of us or I should say me!
Second after the wedding we drove to Hooper Utah and stayed through Christmas at my brother Spencer's house. At one point we had 4 of the 6 families staying there. I can't even explain what a wonderful experience it was having so many cousins together on Christmas morning. For my boys it was a Star Wars Christmas.They received too many action figures and lots of star wars paraphernalia. Poor Mack was running a high fever and could barely talk his voice was so hoarse, so his Christmas morning was a little sad. He kept telling me "its no fun being sick on Christmas". Poor guy.
Third Our trip wouldn't be complete without a couple of days back in the Burg. Rexburg that is. We always have a great time being at home with the whole Shirley family. My inlaws always take such great care of our family.
For christmas I got a new camera so overall I took over 300 hundred photos while trying out all of its capabilites. I spared you all by putting my top 20 or so in the slide show. I just couldn't settle on a few.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and even more so I hope your new year brings you happiness and joy.