Merry merry Christmas!

It Friday again. Ug! 

Good news we played a couple 3rd grade teams last week and actually got a couple wins. 

Colt was my photographer. This was about as good as it got-Cann played well though. We were back down to 9 ft rims but I about did a cartwheel when he hit a layup going full speed. Yay!!! 

Isaac. Always! I told him after I took this if he dies first I putting a picture of him with a caulk gun on the funeral program. Anyway back to basketball 

Tomorrow Cannon plays all his buddies (top 7) team...and we’ll see what really happens—do we lose by 40 again? Or have we made progress but just like I wasn’t there last year, I won’t be there tomorrow either. Our friends are going through the temple for the first time so goodbye basketball, hello Nauvoo.

Which also means I need to wrap this up (although I hope to add to it on the drive but who knows!) Sunday the kids convinced me Christmas was on Wed. Ahhhh in my mind it was Thurs. But my sweet friend Michelle tended for me (Isaac still goes in to work even though schools out) and I was able to tie up a few loose ends and pull it off!  

Christmas Eve. Of course they wanted their “x” present first thing. I caved.  I finished up a little sign for our friends I cut out and  Isaac helped me with the transfer tape and was annoyed it wasn’t bigger. So I looked at him and said “then you can buy me some for Christmas”  So that’s what I got for Christmas—lucky for me Hobby Lobby was still open. Gifts aren’t his thing. I just have to remember that and then celebrate the -therefore I do whatever I want!- side of things. We made the kids go caroling. Our sweet neighbor Ray takes as many pics as I do😂 I was just happy to have one of us caroling. Kilmer’s loves it too—boys were a little crazy by time we got to the Celions. 

Christmas-we eventually got them to bed. And Santa came. And then I got so sick! Oh man! I was mess. Shooting pains in my stomach-green as could be. I take way fewer pics when I’m sick. Kept remembering it was Seth’s 1st Christmas and trying but...Bla! 

The boys were happy and had fun though-Isaac was totally a sport and humored me by being in charge and making them take turns! I love it. 

Santa leaves a big ole spread and Tan exclaims “I got a candy cane” 

Moms can’t coach...

Ahhhh I thought of the title of this post last week but it’s true. It too much stress on our family -and Subsequently our marriage for me to coach. No big thing-but all the little things and the time, it just adds up, and they’re in 3rd grade!!! Last week the games were a blood bath! We supplied the blood. Seriously I can’t even believe I was excited to play. First let me defend myself a little. Last year we go to that tournament as 2nd graders and they hand the kids a wrist band and if you get red you guard the other guy in red and if you get blue you guard the other guy with a blue wrist band and so on. It was pretty dang rudimentary but I worked. There was no pressing and so on. We were 2nd tier 2nd graders but we played 1st graders and killed them then had pretty evenly matched games with the other 2nd graders. (Excluding the “top 7” hand picked team that’s all Cannon’s buddies) anyway so that was last year. This year we show up and after practicing in the Catholic Churches mini gym we play 4th graders on the high school floor and the suckers press us the whole time. Umm thanks for the one 30 second timeout per half. It didn’t even help. I think we only got the ball across 1/2 court twice in the first half and those two times we turned it over before we got to the 3 point line. It was all kinds of ugly. I got a whole minute at halftime to try to convince them to pass to break the press. The 2nd game at least they didn’t press us. But mostly it was more of the first. Ahhhhh

Anyway before the games,  Isaac went into work. When he saw someone walking with a graduation gown he was like oh if I go now I won’t have to go in the spring so he came busting it home and changed his clothes then left. So it was me and the troops. At least my guys were prepared to sit on the bench...

I’m love’n my silhouette! These game day shirts were far and away the biggest success of the day. Ha. 


The boys didn’t end up sitting the bench with us they stayed with some parents and Isaac came and got them and took them home before the second game. He thought he was saving the $3 entry fee (soooo cheap but we know him and we love him anyway) when I told him I’d already paid for him they all left anyway which means he really wanted a nap! And when he’s tired-he sleeps! I don’t know if Seth really let him get a nap or not. But It’s really not even like one on one time for Cann and I because we always give one of the other little boys a ride. So I’m back to the start...moms can’t coach. 

Hopefully I’ll read and remember this post before I get myself into anything next year. 🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🙏🏻
But that wasn’t all of Saturday’s fun. 

We got home around 4 or so and at 5:25 Isaac asked me what I was wearing to the combined ward Christmas party. I shrugged...still in my coaching shirt and said a I’d put on sweater. He said “that’s your Bethlehem costume?” So I didn’t read the invitation! We were supposed to dress up for the “night in Bethlehem”  so we had a little tornado around here pulling out every sheet and spare scrap of fabric. The two younger boys went as animals (thanks Halloween box) and Cann and Colt where shepherds. Isaac was supposed to be a wiseman so we watched a YouTube video on how to tie a turban... of course. Then I put an Afghan on my head and thought that was fine but Isaac said nope I looked like a pioneer...hmm so we went with awful—but more authentic—zebra print instead. Oh brother! It was really fun though the committee went all out it was a pretty awesome. 

So we survived Saturday! 

Sunday the boys took little thank you’s to their primary teachers. And I tried to plan/brace for a busy week. 
I know it was busy 

But I don’t have any pics to remind me of specifics. Tuesday we had basketball but Isaac and the youth men were going secret Santa shopping...maybe a mom could coach if her husband wasn’t Bishop, it just might not be my time??? Anyway so the troops and I head to practice (late for us) and I’m determined to at least give these guys an idea of how to break a press. And the already tiny gym was set up for their choir concert...so we got 1/2 a short court and no practice Thurs. whatever right? Then I have Seth either in my arms or crawling all over -have I convinced you...or hopefully me that moms can’t coach? And Tanner and Colt are watching a kids show on my phone when in the middle of a drill I have one of my players standing over by the little boys watching the cartoon. Ahhhhh

And after practice another kid was trying so hard to work on layups (usually a good thing) but I really just wanted to lock the place up go home and put my kids to bed!!!! 

Wednesday we tried to write Thank You/Christmas cards to teachers-it took forever! And today I got busted from Colt for not having one for the librarian or his computer teacher. I said “oh we forgot, I’m sorry” and what I thought was “you knew we ran out of cards and treats and I couldn’t wait around for you to write another one!!” Cannon took most of the cards but later when I sat down and read his notes-very specific to each teacher I was glad-he did a great job. I love those tender little moments when I remember oh, he’s not always a punk! 

Thursday I was the game lady at the class parties. Heaven Help us! Cannons had to be “winter party” cuz not everyone celebrates Christmas. And it was ok-no pics though.  and a nut allergy so that complicates things but we pulled it off and I think they had fun. 

I have more opinions on his class but...not for the blog. So let’s talk about Colts party!! We took Santa for the photo booth activity and it was AWESOME!!! 

Colts teacher thought Santa did such a great job she gave him a Pepsi, he thought that was pretty cool! 



We also made catapults and tried to catch marshmallows from them in our mouths. I totally overestimated kindergarten eye mouth coordination but whatever they had fun so good enough!! We did a few other games too. While I was trying my best to fake it as room mom Miss Hatfield was cash’n in on some Sethy snuggles!! 
I missed Tans party but he cares the least so it worked out. After all that the house looked like a BOMB went off!! Isaac cooked the seminary kids breakfast this morning so he started preparing for that. Such a mess...and a darling couple from the ward (Cannons teachers) came over and brought us a treat. The house 😳 still looked like a Bomb went off. So messy! I think there was a lesson for me-you can plop on the couch and ignore the mess if you want but...someone might come...

Anyway...

My little mess maker just doing his thing rearranging everything!!


Tanners target practice 🤣

And tonight it was gingerbread houses and a movie—kinda fun. 



Colt was being goofy but Cannon wanted to watch something so he was trying so hard to get Colt to cooperate for the after picture. Whatever! 

We are also following a long with the Dont Miss This LDS Living videos to try and have a more Christ centered Christmas and loving them!

And I want to farmhouse blog so bad but WHEN????

And I think I’m done Christmas shopping but I don’t really know what I have and I haven’t wrapped one thing!!!! Oh well! 

Staying Busy...

Ok before I get started I have to tell a quick story, its really from last week but I forgot. This week I didn't get to play basketball with my friends but last week it was just me and one  friend from the other ward so we just shot around and chatted. It was really pretty fun and good to chat. Well something came up about Christmas and Isaac and she said "Oh yeah isn't he the guy who doesn’t believe in holidays?" Hahaha. I was like well....(I mean we do call him the "celebrater hater" sometimes but...not believe in seemed a little harsh) Anyway then she told me that when they first moved here (med school)they came to our ward the first week and he said he didn't believe in holidays or something like that...Way to leave you mark Honeybear. But I do remember it. It was Fathers Day and he had to find the speakers that month and he asked the girls who went to girls camp and their leader to speak. When the leader got up she said "If you are wondering why we're talking about camp on fathers day...so are we." Then at the close of the meeting Isaac thanked them their talks and basically said he didn't do holidays. BUT invited others to explain why he should and Brother Gillette did give him a good reason but it used some fancy term and I never remember it...even though its an argument  I really like. But funny huh...his lasting impression, the guy who doesn't "believe" in Holidays. Ha.

Anyway...

Last Saturday I had to run to Walmart and grab some stuff to make a few things I’d signed up to take to a funeral. ...and since the lady was putting out fresh (yum) donuts—and since our cousins were having a donut party in Utah. We got in on the fun. 

😋

The funeral took up a LOT of Isaac's day. 

Sunday I was like oh crud we need pics for a Christmas card...should’ve been done weeks ago. So the boys threw these hats on for the small price of a piece of gum. Then that night watching the First Presidency's Christmas devotional when Elder Kearon said something about not sending Christmas cards this year I thought, BINGO. That was the best plan. 

So this here’s the would have been card pics...

On the blog is basically as a good as a card anyway right?
This kid gets into EVERYTHING!! But he prefers toilet paper—so proud.

Random pics from the week. Cannon dressing Seth up with his Snowman scarf and a pic of how Colt does the scary parts....

Wednesday was a LONG day. It had been a while since we'd done basketball with Colt's group so we sent out the group text. Well after school Cannon innocently went into the bathroom. But the flusher on the urinal got stuck and flooded the bathroom. I couldn't get a hold of Isaac but I AM his wife so I looked up a YouTube video. Well while trying to pop the little cap off (with a butter knife I swiped from the kitchen) I hit the dang thing and it finally stops. Phew. There's a lot of water but its all contained on the tile and I can see 2 drains so we just carried on with basketball (a 1/2 hour later)  Bad plan. I didn't know they drains weren't the low spots. Welcome to Missouri it rains and floors and foundations shift. So after basketball I don't even know who found it but all that stink'n water had run underneath an interior wall and out on the hallway floor. It was soaked. Totally preventable if I had just went and got a mop....But I had know idea it would run, I thought it was draining. Anyway they ended up having to do an emergency work order and that is all I know.
Isaac was frustrated (cuz he did come later) but thankfully Michaila was there! She just made me feel better because she was like "You didn't know, it not your fault, there's no blame." So her being there helped me not feel at fault and him to realize it was fine to be frustrated at the mess and at the situation but nothing good was going to come out of being frustrated with me. Thankful for friends!!! But as we were sopping up water with the towels off the van seats, that night quickly turned into Domino's night. Cannon had scouts later (we didn't go to the very last pack meeting because its just too late but he went and had a great time.) After Pizza before the younger boys and I took off, we saved a work order at the church too. I guess its fine right? Members use to build the chapels. Isaac just nailed a piece of trim that had fallen back up. And I'll tell you what, that little Seth likes to help his dad! And I could just look at that grin forever!!! (But its a little mischievous and often times I'm to busy cleaning up after than grin instead of enjoying it.)

So Wednesday was a little crazy. Thursday was Piano and we hung out with the Pettits. Then later I had RS. Today Tan was my helper man. (He's my little shopper bud...but I don't let him buy any of the stuff he wants--just ask him. Somehow we still came home with M&M's and juice boxes...I think I'm pretty dang soft int he treat department.) He LOVED feeding Sethy pears and oatmeal today...and stacking my dishes in the dish drainer-before they were washed.

Today we did bball with Cannon's age at the church, it was a good turnout and we had fun. Tonight we went down to Callao to look at Christmas lights with the Bakers. It was a bit of a drive but I pretty sweet place. We had fun. And Tan got to drive home on the dirt road!

Tomorrow we start basketball games. (It was good to have some other kids play with us today I thought oh maybe we are getting better...but we still have plenty to work on.) And I've been playing with my new toy. SO SO SO MUCH FUN. I LOVE IT! I made the little Bro's shirts to wear to Cann's games. Cuz why not? Cuz I can!
I think that's about it.

Nauvoo trip Saturday. Isaac really wanted to rent a camel for a live nativity...the lady shot him down. But zoom in: Exotic animals for sale...of course we stopped. 

We regretted go early the kids wanted to stay for the “Historic Christmas Walk” and lighting of the tree and things. We were already there-maybe we should’ve but we just didn’t know how we were going to kill 3 hours...so we came home. There was some real horror though. This mice crud is going to kill me. Isaac was IN THE TEMPLE when he found the zipper or his temple bag had been chewed on and his bag had a stash of pretzel and goldfish in it. Thankfully not mice-he didn’t take them in. We had left our temple bags in the car-we had mice in the car too!!! Oh my goodness, then we had to ride home in that dang thing. I don’t know how long they’d been there I had vacuumed the car out 10 days earlier (when we had Luke over) I dunno. I cleaned it out. Isaac set traps he caught one. I’m telling ya-I don’t handle that stuff very well. But it’s my life. Moving on. 

Sunday we survived...I guess 

Monday we got those darn Santa letters off...Cannons been writing them since July



Just stealing my heart

B-ball actually sucked this week oh well. 

Moving on again...

Tans doing awesome at writing his name! Mr aTn wrote the T first then the “a” then the n...but we had to do a little redo 😊

Super dad-just doing his thing...

And ya never really know what Tanner your getting...



But I know which Tan I prefer. Ha! 

They watched videos on how to set your mouse traps more effectively. So here they are hot gluing the pretzels on. And then it became a little contest to pick the best spot for a trap-they claimed their spots and if they catch one they get a dollar. 



Sethy’s thoughts on having to see a new Dr for his well check since the Beals moved. 

And Thursday-with Grama Nettes help the boys got to donate to the Giving Machine!!!! So my little Turkeys gave some chickens then they also got to pic out one other thing. Cann picked basketballs, Colt art supplies, and Tanner food. I confess they struggled with the concept a little bit it was still so cool! We Marco’d Grama so it’s like we were there! 





Then Sethy attacked our conference wall. That’s right buddy-reaching for those guys will keep ya on the right path! 

Today we had friends out cuz there was no preschool today, then tonight was the community Christmas concert  making it a LATE night! 

So I’m call’n it-until next week.