The Whites

Halloween 2011!

2011-11-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

Our Cute trick or treaters!

Sam-- as an angel!

Kenz- as a gypsy!

Whit-- as a Hula Dancer (thanks G-ma Diann) and we clipped my hair extentions in her hair! she was very excited about that.

We made Dallas be Yoda

Which he was not Happy about.... NO one likes that costume. Ha.

Scott's Boise State Bronco that he freehand carved in a pumpkin! AWESOME!

April-Oct. 2011 Watching Layla

2011-11-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

I have had the rare and wonderful privilage of Babysitting my little niece for the past 7 months, because her mommy had to back to work a few months after she was born and her daddy (my brother) has been running an internet business from home. I have gotten to watch her 2 or 3 days a week depending on the time of year. She is a spunky fun little girl! Her mommy just got to quit her job to stay home with her!! So we will miss having her here. Dallas loves her so much and when she was first born he couldn't hug and kiss her enough... but now that she can crawl... he is a little threatened by her. He will say, "Layla NOOO!" or "Layla OUT!" and he tries to sit on her. But he is really sweet to say "Rorry!" to her and softly rub her cheek. They are only a yr apart almost to the day... Feb. 9th and Feb 11th! They will be the best of friends. Whitney also adores Layla and plays and loves on her like a litle doll. It is soooo sweet. We will definitely miss little Layla, but we are so happy that her mommy gets to stay home with her now! :)

September 2011-- 80's Day at School!

2011-11-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the bangs!!!!

Seriously used to wear my bangs just like that in 4th and 5th grade! Love it!

September 21 2011- Sam's 10th Birthday! Welcome to Hogwarts...

2011-11-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

Spookey Dinner at Hogwarts! Lizzard Lasagna, Bone-powder bread, Salamander salad, Aunt Petunia Pudding!

A Toast of Butterbeer! --Which we made with Ice-cream, rootbeer, and butterscotch!

Everyone is Harry Potter!-- We got them all Harry glasses and gave them lightening bolts on their foreheads.

Time for gifts!

We Made wands and then played Quidditch!

ON to Potions Class!

Hope you pass the test!

And Finally, watch Harry Potter!

Harry Potter in Training!

Sign We made for the door!

This Year Sam wanted a Harry Potter Party! I did my best to make it Fun for her and her friends and as Harry Potter as I could! She loved it! :)

SepTember --- McKenzie's Baptism!!!

2011-11-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Isn't she beautiful?

Glad Daddy is there.

Proud of you sweetheart.

Her pretty white dress.

Thanks Dad.

We are so proud of Kenz for making the decision to get baptized. We love her so much. She is so sweet and loving and thoughtful. We are happy the she is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS! We hope it brings her lots of joy in this life and in the life to come.

August- 2011 Dallas's BIG BOY hair cut

2011-11-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

This is Bubba with his first big boy hair cut! We (Scott and I) used the clippers on the side and I scissor cut the top! I just think he looks so handsome and grown-up. Love you sweet little guy.

August-- First Day of School-- 2011

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They look a little Nervous

Whitney Starting Kindergarten!

Kenzie Starting 2nd grade

Samantha Starting 4th grade

Sisterly Love

August- McKenzie Ann's 8th birthday party

2011-11-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Kenzie and her best friend

We gave the girls a foot bath

Aunt Macie painting Sam's nails

Banana & Honey facials

Whit's pretty in pink nails

Opening Presents! Kenz calling for quiet

Super cute gold purse

Kenz wanted fruit and yogurt parfaits for her dessert, from McD's--- they're her favorite!

This year Kenz wanted a DAY SPA party! We patterned her party after one of our favorite Fancy Nancy books, where she treats her mom to a homemade day spa. The book gives you recipes for how to do things at home! It was so girly and so super fun!! We just loved it! We Painted the girls nails, gave them foot baths, and facials... then we treated them to fruit parfaits.

Happy 8th Kenzie-benzie!

August- Whitney LaRie's 5th Birthday Party

2011-11-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Whitney wanted a Tangled Party, this was her first B-day friend party. We played water games in the back yard, had a pinata (which Scott finally broke),opened presents and ate cupcakes and ice cream cones! It was super fun! All the kids had a great time! :)

July --- Our Trip to Cancun!

2011-11-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Cancun Airport.

First day there. SO warm and lovely.

On the Balcony first day there.

Self Portrait.

Feet in the Sand.

So Beautiful and relaxing

Loved being on the beach with Scott

Lunch! Brick oven Pizza made right in front of you!! Super fresh and amazing! And all included, eat as much as you want whenever you want!

Chrissy

Scotty

VIP Bathrobes.

My Screen Saver

Going to the beach!

Hanging out on the beach bed! MY favorite spot.

Inside of Resort. SOOO nice.

Dinner on the balconey.

Late night walk.

The Ruins at Talum.

Getting ready for our bike tour

Went sorkeling at X-elha, an outdoor natural water park

Scott's Vibrams that he loves and my Keens that we wore the whole time.

Lunch at X-elha

Couples message

Crazy Guys outside Telum

We Went to Cancun for our 12 wedding anniversary and it was also really close to my 31st birthday! We stayed a gorgeous 5 star all inclusive resort and we LOVED it! I would seriously go back to that same place again. The beaches were fabulous and the pools were amazing. The food was so yummy and all you can eat. Our room was beautiful and the bed so super comfortable. We went sorkelling, did the zip line, toured the ruins, went shopping, played on the beach, laid out, RELAXED!! It was truly the best vacation ever. Thanks Scott! :)

Summer 2011--July'ish

2011-11-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

Scott set out to dig a hole for our tramp and after MANY hours of digging, he deceided to have our neighbor with a backhoe dig it out for us! We are also going to have our swingset, a sandbox, and a fire pit in that area. It is an on going project and we will not finish before it snows. But we have worked hard and made great progress. We used to have grass in that corner of our yard... we started by cutting it all out and hauling it (with the help of Scott's parents and siblings) to Scott's parents front yard. A lot of work.

Catching up! 4th of July 2011

2011-09-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

The girls and I rode on the Fuzion Fitness Float in the parade this yr. It was really fun! Marcel had gotten a bag of candy for each kid to throw out and the girls loved getting to do that. We were at the first of the parade so when we reached Porter Park we walked back to Scott and Dallas to watch the rest of the parade!

St. George-Three- Shopping and Tuacahn

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The Girls and Flounder after the show.

King Triton.... whom I was personally very impressed with. :)

Of Course Sebastian.

Me and my girls in front of the ship, it came across the stage in the opening scene.

All the girls eating their ice-lemonades!! It was so hot.

My Cousin Mykan bought all the girls matching shirts to go to Tuacahn. So sweet and thoughtful of her.

Making jewelry. Thanks Aunt Gayl

Playing cards that morning on the deck.

The next day we took the girls shopping! My dad (their Pa) had given the girls each 20$ to spend on their trip! They had the best time picking out clothes and accessories and getting to buy what they wanted with their special trip $--- THANKS PA--- Then we came back to the condo and made jewelry-- Thanks Aunt Gayl-- Then that night we got to go to Tuacahn, which is amazing! We saw the "Little Mermaid" and it was fabulous!!!! The best production I have ever seen! I was seriously close to tears a couple of times . . . I know it is the little mermaid, but the singing and the showmanship and the special effects were so amazing!!! Thanks Nana for making that experience possible.

St. George-Two- Zion National Park

2011-07-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Ice- cream cones at the End of our day!

Me and the girls!

Me and Nana

Kenz catching a water skipper.

Sam's got one too!

Miss Whitney-- the girls each got to pick out a new suit for the trip, just love Whit's pink ruffles.

Miss McKenzie

Miss Samantha

Nana

Me and my girls.

US at weeping rock

The kids before our hike up to weeping rock.

McKenna, McKenzie, Ty, Whitney, Sam, Whitney

Eating our picnic lunch at Zion

We went to Zion National Park. It was beautiful with all its red rock Mt.s, waterfalls, rivers, and trees. We hiked up to weeping rock and at the end of the tour we let the kids play in the river-rock area. It was HOT. But still very pleasant. I really enjoyed our day there! When we got back to the condo we let the kids swim in the pool there. My kids hardly ever get to swim, and they are crazy about it, so I made sure they got to do plenty of swimming on our trip.

June 2011- St. Geroge Trip- One

2011-07-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

Whitney, my Whitney (whom they call baby Whitney because she is younger than their Whitney or sometimes we called them Whitney 1 and Whitney 2) McKenzie, McKenna, and Sam

Hanging out with their cousins!

I got to take my girls on a "Girls Trip" to St. George. We drove down with my mom and met her sister (my Aunt Gayl) and her daughter (my Cousin Mykan). Mykan has 2 girls close in age with my girls and a little boy close in age to Dallas (who I did not bring- Scott kept him at home for me and with the help of G-ma Diann and 3 of my friends, Dallas had babysitters while Scott was at work. Thanks everyone). Her girls are McKenna and Whitney and her little boy is Ty. The girls loved playing together and staying in the same condo was a blast! They slept out in the T.V. room every night-- big slumber party!

The I.F. Zoo June 2011

2011-07-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

Me and Dallas!

Whitney and the goat at the petting Zoo.

Me and the kids in front of the monkeys!

Nana, Macie and Layla

My Cute kids.

Dallas trying to reach the monkeys.

McKenzie.

Sam--- Whit, Kenz, and Nana Too

Nana pushing Layla-- and my girls.

Not sure why this picture won't flip. But Dallas was seriously NOT impressed with the ZOO. He is crusty in all the pictures.

Kenz, Whit, and Macie

Macie got us into the Zoo for free! She got tickets through her work and we just had the best time there! It was over-cast and warm. Perfect for being outside all day. Our Zoo is not huge, but it is a very nice and well kept. After the Zoo, we went shopping for Sammy. She had NO shorts that fit her. We had a great time shopping for her and found some really cute things. Then we took the kids to eat at Artic Circle, meanwhile all the boys went 4 wheeling together. It was a fun Saturday for everyone. :)

June 10,2011-- Teton Dam Marathon

2011-07-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

Scott- driving us into the race at 6:00 AM--- and YES it is RAINING!

Me! all chipper and ready to go!

Byron-- already tired and we haven't even started yet!

My Awesome Friend- Bonnie! She is super fast and ran almost a steady 8 min mile.

Byron running his 4 mile leg.

Go Byron!

Me running my 4 mile leg. I am NOT scratching my backside... I had just gotten a drink at the aid station and water was all over my hand.... I am trying to dry it off and still run.

Me at the aid station- trying to drink and run at the same time-- kinda tricky!

Go Chrissy! :) and yes, I am the dork who runs with a ski headband on in the summer and OVER the ear headphones! I have sensitive ears. They get painfully cold! and I can't get those earbuds to stay in. I know. I have issues. :)

Go Scotty! He got the GRUNT leg, 5 miles up Summer's hill.

I must say I was dang impressed with Scott. He has mad running skills! So proud of him for how effortless he ran the hill. I seriously would have past out. Love you.

Ha! Ha! I wanted this picture to look like he was leaving the port-a-potty. He's not. Just running past it!

Scotty and Chrissy-- after we had both run our legs!

Team - The Incredibles!
Bonnie, Me, Scott, Natalie, Byron, Nicole

Flex it. So tough.

Scott and I ran on a Rely team for the Teton Dam Marathon this summer. Our team members were: Scott's Dad-Byron, his sister-Nicole, their cousin- Natalie, and my friend-Bonnie. We had so much fun running together. We all ran either 4 or 5 mile legs, so not too bad. Mine was completely flat and I only had to do 4 miles, I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I had my team there cheering me on! At one point I got a really bad stitch in my side . . . and Byron hopped out of the truck and ran next to me and helped me get my pace and talked me through it. Such a great coach! and a gesture that meant alot to me. Thanks Byron. I ran about a 10 min mile, which was a personal best for me! I loved having some extra motivation to run by training for this race. Scott and I were able to get up and run together in the mornings, I loved having him there by my side--- pushing me to go faster and run farther--- I am kind of easy on myself and if I am not "feelin' it" I just walk. Ha! Thanks Scott for helping me be better. I am proud of all of us and I hope that we do it again next year. :)

At the cabin May 2011

2011-07-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Dallas, Whitney and Cousin Layla

Whitney--- Coloring

Uncle Dan-- Reading

Uncle Nick and Aunt Becca-- hanging out on the awesome orange couch

Aunt Macie and sweet baby Layla

Nana and Pa

'Coon skin! Anyone?

Me, Dallas, and Scott

Baby D and Scotty

Nick, Becca, Dan, Macie, Scott, and Dallas.... in the kitchen

Kenzie and Sam--watching T.V.

We had fun riding 4 wheelers in the mud, walking in the sunshine, toasting smores, catching fish, playing games, watching movies, reading books/magazines and just getting to be together. Thanks for a fun time Robison family.

Going up to the cabin.... May 2011

2011-07-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

For memorial Day weekend we went up to my grandparent's cabin. Before we headed up, we had to stop at the grocery store for a few things. Scott just ran in, real quick...... not quick enough..... we got bored and started playing with his sunglasses and the camera. :)

May 2011--- First Gymnastics Performance

2011-07-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Natalie-- our all boys class--- and me
Our intermediates

Our Pre-schoolers

Me and our Beginners

Natalie and Me and our Beginners

This was at our Spring Showcase! I was so proud of all our gymnasts, they did so well. I hope that they continue to grow and develop in their talents and abilities. Our theme was, " A night at the movies" and all of their routines were to songs from movies. At the end we gave them certificates and Starbursts... because they were the "Stars" of the show.

May 22, 2011--- Daddy and Dallas

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The 2 boys were in Dallas's room and they looked so cute together, I just had to get their picture. Scotty was in there reading to Dallas before bedtime. Dallas really loves to be read to.

May 21, 2011 G-Ma Diann's last TaVaCi Concert

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Our Family

G-ma Diann and all her grand kids that could come to her last concert.

G-ma Diann and our girls.

Our girls and their cousin Ashley(who is also in TaVaCi)

So after about 25 years of teaching TaVaCi, Diann is selling her business. She has been a wonderful teacher for hundreds of children. She has passed on a love of music to so many kids and especially to her own children and grandchildren. My kids have loved taking TaVaCi from grandma Diann, it has given them a special bond. We are going to miss having her be their teacher, but we are excited for this new chapter in her life. Thanks G-ma Diann for teaching us how to sing, dance, talk into a mic, and channel our drama. Thanks for giving us self confidence and a love of performing. We love you very much.

May 2011 Good Bye 9 pines!

2011-06-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

So we had BIG pine trees out lining our yard, I think something like 26 trees all together. And the one right by the road was growing too close to the power pole, so we needed to take it out. Well one thing lead to another and when the "tree guys" came they wanted to buy more of our trees, because of their size and shape. Scott was all for it! He wanted to create demention in our yard. I am still stinging a little. I loved my pine trees. I miss the nine that got sold. But the "tree guys" are going to come put little 6 ft. trees in the holes soon. Hopefully they can come soon, my side yard looks hideous. Nine gapping holes and then dirt filled in lumps.... trees come soon. Please. :(

ON a side note.... Dallas heard the big, loud trucks coming to take our trees and he danced with delight as he watched the trucks from our window. He stayed there for about 15 mins. just enjoying the big trucks. Too funny. My girls never gave it a second look. And I didn't show Dallas the trucks, he just heard them and came running! :) Such a BOY.

April 29, 2011-- Beatles 64 Concert

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Aunt Macie lent the girls all Beatles t-shirts for the concert!

They felt very special in their t-shirts!

Thanks Aunt Macie for making it so memorable for them.

Got brother in the picture too.

Our kiddos!

We took the kids to a Beatles 64 Concert up on campus at the Hart. It was way fun! The girls knew a lot of the music from playing Beatles Rock Band at Uncle Dan and Aunt Macie's house. The girls even got down on the floor and danced with all the college kids (plus Dan and Macie too) My parents were even busting a move to "Twist and Shout" I think that is the first time I have ever seen my mom dance! It was awesome!

Easter Eggs 2011

2011-06-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

Our Easter Eggs

Dallas pulling a silly face for the camera.

Kenzie and the eggs.

I don't really do anything with the "Easter Bunny" for Easter, but we do always decorate eggs and have an easter egg hunt. This year we were able to have a hunt in our backyard. The kids really loved getting to search for eggs with candy in them, even Dallas.

Spring Dresses and our darling Girls!

2011-06-29T14:46:00.000-07:00

Whitney LaRie White--- 4 years old

McKenzie Ann White--- 7 years old

Samantha Christina White--- 9 years old

Strike a pose...

Our 3 lovely ladies!

Every Christmas and Easter Nana (my Mom) likes to take the girls shopping for a new dress. The girls love trying on dresses and then getting to pick their favorite. It has become a fun shopping tradition for us. I LOVE to shop and my girls are falling in love with it too! Yea! So much fun to have little friends to shop with. Love it.

January 2011-- Whitney's First Dance Performance

2011-06-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

Whitney!

Whitney and her friend Kylie

Whitney and her friend Chloe

This past school yr. Whitney took dance from Amy Taylor (Dance It) and she loved it! She got tp perform at 3 Basketball 1/2 times and then have an end of the yr. recital. Miss amy was a great teacher and Whitney learned a lot!

April 2011--Dallas and Cousin Carson

2011-06-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

Kenzie with Dallas (in blue) and cousin Carson (in orange) playing with the dishes!

In April Nicki and Brent were up for a visit and they came over for dinner. Dallas and Carson, who are only about 7 months apart, just loved getting into the cupboards together. :) I loved watching them together. Dallas doesn't have any brothers, so this is as close as he will get to a brother! Dallas loved following Carson around and being destructive with him. They were really cute together!

Feb. 11, 2011--Dallas turned one!

2011-06-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

Dallas eating his B Day cake!
Aunt Becca made his cake for him, she was so sweet to do that for him (ha! and for me . . .) it was an amazing homemade 4 layer cake! each a different bright color! so Cute!

The Cake!

Me and Dallas opening gifts!

Dallas was actually not feeling good for his B day, he was a good sport to open presents and have cake. Bless his heart. So sweet.

So no picture posts since Christmas 2010. I am catching up and going to go through each month this yr and post pictures about all that we have been doing. Some major catch-up work . . .

My sweet little guy turned one! I was so exctied for him to be one, this is my FAVORITE baby stage. I seriously just love it. He started walking at 13 months and he can say 2 words. HA! Mama and Ball. He has said Dada in the past (and Layla, his darling little cousin that he adores), but won't now. He currently calls Scott, "MUM?" and he always says it like a question. Scott always answers, "I'm Dad." It is so funny and kinda sad that he won't say Dad. I simply adore Dallas! I love him so much I could just eat his chubby little checks! :) He snuggles and sucks his thumb. He loves to be read to and sung to. And he LOVES balls! Loves to throw and roll balls and just pack them around the house. He will also push cars around and make the little car sound, it so darling I could just die! I love Dallas and I am so glad that he is in our family.

Long Time . . . No Blog

2011-04-08T15:21:00.001-07:00

We have been really busy! Great, but busy. I just wanted to give a quick up date on all of us! Scott- Well, the boys made it to state this year and . . . . we WON! That was awesome! We took the whole family over this year, a little crazy, but all in all really fun to be there together. Now that basketball is over, Scott is home TONZ more and we love it. We feel like a real family again, getting to eat dinner together and have an evening home together. Basketball is fun for him to coach, but it is a really big time commitment. Scotty did play a little church ball and we of course watched a lot of MARCH MADNESS! Wish Butler could have pulled it off, the final game was kind of sad . . . ME- Hum. Me. Well, I am LOVING coaching gymnastics at Fuzion Fitness! We are getting ready for our Spring Showcase, here in May. I have decided to also preform a gymnastics routine. I am actually really excited about it. My music is from the movie"Inception" and it is very dramatic, I am almost done making up my routine. I have built a lot of muscle coaching this year . . . I like feeling healthy and strong, but I also feel a little like Popeye . . . I tend to build muscle easily (kind of like a man . . . what ya gonna do?) and I weigh the most I have our whole married life (except for being pregnant . . . ) If my performance goes well, I just may post a video of it . . ha, we'll see. I just love gymnastics! So grateful to be doing it again! Other than that, I am totally looking forward to SUMMER! I can't wait for my kids to be out of school! We have so much fun in the summer together. Plus they are all going to be in my gymnastics classes this summer and continue in the fall . . . their schedules didn't work out for them to be in my classes this year. Samantha- She is 9 1/2 (can't forget the 1/2) and getting very grown up. She loves "babysitting" for us for little stretches of time. She is in 3rd grade and loves school and her teacher and her friends. She has been taking piano lessons this year and is actually really good at it! I think she has a real talent for the piano. She never complains about practicing either, good girl. She is a huge help around the house. She loves to play GAMES, her favorite right now is CLUE. Many nights after we put the rest of the kids to bed, Scott and I will stay up and play a game with her. McKenzie- She is 7 1/2 and getting ready to be baptised this summer! She is still such a little-thing of a girl . . .wearing a size 5/6 and small feet too. She is darling with her curly hair and sweetness. She has been doing dance this year and is very flexible. She has gained so much confidence through dancing. She was really struggling with her self esteem at the first of the school year, but she has come SO FAR. She has a couple of really good friends and loves her teacher at school. She is very happy now. She is so sweet and thoughtful and is always the first one to say, "Mom, what can I do to help?" She is also the first one to obey, when I ask the girls to do something. Whitney- She is 4 1/2 and is really developing her personality and coming into her own. She has also done dance and TaVaci this year. She loves singing the most. She is always singing and dancing around the house. She is very creative and loves to color, draw, and write things-- can do so for hours. Happily. She has a very good imagination and plays pretend anywhere and with anything. She has done pre-school this year as well, but hasn't loved it like she thought she would. She just wants to be home with me. :) So we are not going to send her to Kindergarten this year, she would actually be the youngest in her class, and she has NO desire to go. And we are not doing pre-school again either. . . I am going to teach her at home, a Whitney/Mommy Pre-school. We are both very excited about that idea. Dallas- Dude! He is a year old! :) He started walking at 13 months and I must admit I totally love seeing his little chubby self with his big head just a walking all over the house. Too cute! I love that he is growing up. He is just getting to my favorite baby stage. He is VERY busy and into EVERYTHING!!!! It is like his little motor never stops! He opens all the cupboards and gets everything out and pulls stuff off the shelves and never stops moving . . . .ever. He is also super sweet and snugly too. He snuggles with his lovey and sucks his thumb. He loves to be read to and sung to. His first word and favorite toy is a ball. Loves to roll balls around the house and could throw a ball before he could walk. He is my sweet little man. I adore him. ... That is us in a nut shell. Hopefully more pictures coming soon and a few more details and specific posts about what we are up to.

A White Christmas!

2010-12-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

Sam's favorite gift . . . a zoo-ball! It is a little animal that rolls into a ball and pops open when it comes in contact with metal.

Santa brought Kenzie and Motor Scooter! It is very stylish and fun to ride-on around the house!

Santa brought Whitney a Fur real pet kitty! She adores this kitty--it purrs, meows, walks, and kneads it's paws. She takes it everywhere with her . . . meals and bed time too!

Santa brought Dallas this ball giraffe toy! It lights up and plays music! Everyone has had fun playing with this toy!

Dallas's First Christmas!

Yummy Christmas Dinner!

Ham, Rolls, Homemade Mac n' Cheese, Green beans, and Red & Green Jello Par fa's

We tried to make everything Red/Green and festive!

As I mentioned, in my Christmas Eve post, we got to have Christmas all by ourselves this year. The kids got us up at 7, not too early. We told them not to wake us up any earlier . . . we were up pretty late ;) Ha! Then we saw what Santa brought us all and looked in our stockings! Then we had a great breakfast of frenchtoast rolls and sausage. Then we opened all our gifts to each other. The rest of the day was spent playing with our new toys, sleeping, watching a new movie, and playing a few games together! It was fun and cozy. The girls kept saying, "This is the best Christmas Ever!" I think it was because it was so low stress. We enjoyed just being together. Sometimes our family gets too busy . . . there is always somewhere to go and something to do! It was a wonderful change of pace to simply be at home. Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year!

A White Family Christmas Eve

2010-12-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

Dallas LOVES anything silky or soft. He will immediately put his face on it and suck his thumb. He is definitely a Robison- tactile. My new Christmas Eve P.J.'s are silky and he loves them.

The boys in their new P.J.'s

The girls. We may need to work on our modeling poses . . . kinda strange!

Dallas's FIRST Christmas Eve!

O.K. it is a long story, but we made sugar cookies and somehow Scott ended up sitting on a Christmas tree one! It made a perfect mark on his jeans and sweatshirt! We laughed and laughed!

The girls and I making sugar cookies that afternoon!

They each got to roll out and cut their own cookies!

They loved it! Just like eatable play dough.

Whitney.

The stockings were hung by the Chimney with care . . .

Dallas stayed happy with his 7-up bottle.

We had the BEST Christmas and Christmas Eve!!!! This was our first Christmas all on our own! And I have to say, " I LOVED it!" Nothing against our families, it was just nice to stay home and do our own thing. We have 4 kids, 3 of them are grown-up enough to know what Christmas is all about, we don't really have any of our own traditions because every year we go over to our parent's houses. We got to plan all our own food and activities together as a family. And we just relaxed together and didn't go anywhere.

Scotty worked a half day on Christmas Eve, so that morning the kids and I cleaned our whole house! Then when Scott got home we all cooked and baked in the kitchen. The girls and I made sugar cookies, now I normally don't like making sugar cookies---they are messy and take a ton of time and I am not really that good at it---- but that is what the girls wanted to make. I gave them each a 1/3 of the dough and let them roll it out and cut out all their own cookies. It was a blast for them! Like eatable play dough! Then we decorated them. Scott made his famous chex-mix and we were set! We had a yummy dinner of lasagna, bread and salad. Then we opened our Christmas Eve gifts--of pajama's and then we snuggled up and read the Christmas Story, sang hymns, and watched Luke 2. After that we had hot chocolate and sugar cookies and watched a movie called, "The Ultimate Gift." Then we put everyone to bed and waited for Santa to come . . . Santa had to have a Pepsi and a Mt. Dew, but "He" got it done and it was so much fun! :)

Bows, Flowers, and Ribbons

2010-12-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

One afternoon Whitney dazzled us all with her beautiful hair-do! I love it when the girls dress up and play with their hair!

Sammy B-Ball

2010-12-28T12:58:00.000-08:00

Samantha played B-Ball again this winter. Her 2 best friends (Mariah and Alivia) were on the team with her. This was her second year playing and she has improved so much! She made a basket nearly every game! I am so proud of her and all that she is learning and doing.

Thanksgiving at Nana & Pa's

2010-12-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

Pa on dish duty!

Nana in the kitchen.

Scotty, Sam, and Dallas

Uncle Nick and Aunt Becca (trying to get out of the picture)

Ha. Got her this time. Love ya, Sis! :)

Uncle Dan and Aunt Macie

(Macie is about 7 months Pregnant!---Yeah a Robison Cousin FINALLY)

Great G-Pa and G-Ma Robison with all our kiddos!

Great G-pa Butler with all our kiddos!

Dallas- Happiest with a Sprite Bottle.

This year we ate Thanksgiving dinner at my Mom & Dad's it was really great! Grandpa Butler and Grandma & Grandpa Robison all got to come for dinner as well. Becca and Nick came up and Dan and Macie were there too! We had lots of yummy food and a fun time together. That is what makes a Holiday so special is being with people that you love.

Elmer Fudd . . .

2010-12-28T12:07:00.000-08:00

Pa went to Cabella's and got this little "hunting hat" for Dallas! We thought he looked super cute in it, like Elmer Fudd. The hat says, "I hunt for hugs!" That's the kind of hunting I like. :)

White's Halloween 2010

2010-11-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

The whole gang!

Samantha--- A ghost! BOOOOOO!

McKenzie-- A Viking! --- I think she saw, "How to Train your Dragon" one too many times and just really wanted to be a Viking? Go figure. :)

Whitney-- A Pumpkin Princess!--- We are not sure what that is or where she came up with the idea, but that is what she wanted to be. She had a very clear vision in mind of what her costume would look like . . . and this is as close as we could come to it and she ended up being very pleased with the out come! That is Whit for ya!

Dallas-- A Football Player! --- Simple. Easy. A Boy. :)

This year we had a great Halloween! We kept things simple (for once . . . we are ALWAYS trying to pack too much in . . .) that Saturday we went to Sammy's B-Ball game at 9:00 a.m. where she made 6 baskets!! Totally rippin' it up yeah!! Go Sam! Then we worked at home, the kids and I did chores inside and Scott worked outside. Then we went Trick-or-treating to our family close by, came home and ate dinner and drank hot chocolate while watching a spooky movie together! It was relaxing and fun. We turned off the porch light . . . so we had zero trick-or-treaters at our house . . . that was kind-of nice, just to keep things quiet. :)

Journaling . . .

2010-10-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

Having found myself with a few extra moments this morning (WHAT? EXTRA TIME?----Quick scrub the bathrooms, sweep the floor, dust the front room . . . .right. That is how I always feel. Something can ALWAYS be done.) But not right now. Wanting to write about all that is going on in our lives right now. Hum. Starting with me. I am learning to value my talents. Talent. Yes. Something I was not always sure I possessed, maybe it was because I was too busy admiring or envying other peoples' talents, that I failed to recognize or appreciate my own. Do you have to turn 30 before you feel like you can give yourself a pat on the back? Or was I just too distracted by everything else-- a self centered teen (who isn't?) and then having 4 babies in my 20's (who has TIME to remember who they really are among all the diapers and laundry?) The past few months I have been teaching TaVaCi and gymnastics and I find myself quite enjoying TEACHING. Being able to work and interact with these young children- my students- and see them grow and develop. And see myself grow in confidence in my own ability. Feeling good about me because I taught someone something . . . I am using my talents and getting to earn a little extra money for our family. I like it! I am having fun! Yes, all this makes us a very busy family, but Scott has been here for our kids while I am gone. They LOVE spending more time with Scott and I think he is seeing that being "the mom" is not very easy. He works really hard to take good care of our 4 kids. I am grateful for his efforts and how this has allowed me to reach outside of the laundry and dirty diapers and develop a part of me that I really enjoy! Being a teacher. :)

Scott is, of course, still busy being a Chiropractor. This past football season, he was the team trainer at Madison and he in now gearing up for Basketball. He will be the assistant J.V. boys b-ball coach again this year; along with being their team trainer. He is also hunting for Elk and Deer right now . . . no luck yet . . . Hopefully something soon! He actually got a good size deer last year and we ate it all. Yea us. I was a little leery about eating a deer . . . not having grown-up eating "big game" meat, but it was actually pretty good and the kids liked it! Most of the time I just didn't say anything, everyone ate dinner and assumed that they were just eating beef, even Scott. :) I was the only one who knew what was actually in it.

Samantha is now 9 and in 3rd grade. She LOVES her teacher and is learning cursive writing and her times tables. Sam has been taking piano lessons for the past year and I am so amazed at how well she can play in such a short time. She has really excelled at piano. I am encouraging her to stick with it because I think she may have found a real talent. She has also started basketball, this is her 2nd year playing. She has 2 close friends on her team and she is having tons of fun. She definitely has the "height" to play basketball. I can already see how far she has come in just one year.

McKenzie is now 7 and in first grade. She had a bit of a rough start to first grade and was really STRESSED out by being at school all day. She was having lots of anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. I met with her teacher and we are all working to help her and she is doing SO much better. She is still learning to read . . . and can read lots of words, but I am still waiting for it to really CLICK for her . . . just not quite there yet, but close. She is in her 2nd year of DANCE! Dance class has been so good for Kenzie, it has boosted her confidence and her self-esteem. She is a natural. She has great rhythm and can just move to the music. She is very flexible. She is a darling little dancer---she pulls really cute "dance faces" and everything. Love it.

Whitney is now 4 and is FINALLY in pre-school. The interesting thing about Whitney is that she has really enjoyed being "the baby" of the family for the past 3 1/2 years. She can do lots of things herself----- eating, dressing, bathroom duties, brushing teeth, turning on lights etc. . . She just doesn't WANT to do them for herself. She has been throwing LOTS of tantrums lately. At four years old this is kind-of crazy . . . we sailed through the "terrible twos" only to find ourselves at "flipped-out four." Whitney has always been very opinionated. She knows what she wants and is stubborn to get it. This has made for lots of "head-butting." She is just having a hard time letting go of being "the baby", she wants me to rock her and carry her to bed. Which is actually really sweet . . . but . . . . We are really trying to help her GROW-UP and take responsibility for herself. Oh Whit. She still loves to tease us and make us laugh. She has also started dance lessons this year, she likes it,but I am not sure if she is as taken with dance and Kenzie is. We will see. We are committed for this year.

Dallas is now 8 1/2 months old. He is rolling (front to back and front again) and rotating on his tummy and can now get all the way across the room. He sits up pretty well on his own--still will face plant every now and then. He just cut his 2nd tooth this month (bottom rt.) He EATS so much! I can hardly keep him full! We are almost finished nursing. I think he will be all the way weaned by the end of this week. He is also SOOOO heavy to lift. I swear his bones are made of lead. When our girls were his size they did not weigh so much, they were never this heavy to lift. He continues to be a mild, sweet, easy going little guy. He is calm and happy to play on the floor most of the day. He does love to jump in his chair that hangs from the doorway! He is the perfect caboose to our family. :)

Our Boise State fan!

2010-10-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we (Me, Scott, and Dallas) went to Boise for Scott's Chriopractic Seminar. I spent the day Shopping, with Dallas (who was an angel for me). And Scott spent it in lecture . . . not very fun. But then that night we got pizza and salad and ate it at Uncle Damon's house and watched the Boise State game. It was fun and relaxing! We bought Dallas a little Kellen Moore jersey, Go #11! :)

Sam turns 9!

2010-10-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

Sam's bowling celebration!

Sam and her friend!

Sisters.

This year we went pretty simple for Sammy's b-day, because last year--she got so CELEBRATED it was a little much. We went bowling and had pizza, as a family and she got to invited one friend (Alivia). Then when we got home we made home made milkshakes. Happy 9, Sam! You are wonderful! We love you! :)

Whitney starts Pre-school! FINALLY!

2010-10-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

Little Whitney finally got to start pre-school after labor day, September 8, 2010! She has been so excited to go! Everyone we would talk to, she would randomly say, " . . . And I am going to pre-school." She is loving her teacher, Mrs. Homer. She is really tired when she gets home. She almost always takes a nap after lunch on those days. It is good for her! :)

My Cheerleaders.

2010-10-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

Sam, Kenz, and Whit

After the football game, where they got to perform at half-time!

Aunt Becca and Uncle Nick came to visit that week-end and just barely missed seeing the girls dance at half-time, they got stuck in road construction . . . . too bad.

Kenzie and Whitney did the little girl's cheer clinic this year. I love seeing my girls do cheerleading. I hope one of them actually sticks with it when they get older. :) They were super cute and did a great job, especially Kenz, she is a great little dancer!

August, 27 2010-Mesa Falls Half Marathon

2010-10-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

Scotty ran his first half Marathon!
That is 13.1 miles, mind you!

He finished in 2 hours and 3 min.'s! That is FAST.

Me. And my Runner.

Go Scotty! You Rock! We are so proud of you! What an accomplishment! It was a beautiful day, and the Mesa Run was hilly, and gorgeous.

First Day of School Fall 2010

2010-10-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Sam- Our grown-up 3rd grader

Kenz- Our grown-up 1st grader

This year Sam is in 3rd grade and Kenzie is in 1st grade. Kenz was so excited to get to eat lunch at school and stay all day. They are both loving school so far. I actually miss them, having them gone all day was such a change from summer. We had a fun summer together . . . getting to go to the library for the summer reading program, eating lunch at the park, going to the summer movies, and playing city rec. soccer and gymnastics. I really enjoyed being with them and having their help around the house and with Dallas. I love my girls.

McKenzie Ann White is 7!

2010-10-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Little Kenz is 7.

Hailey, Kenz, & Whit

Kenz and her Jessie Doll.

Kenz, Sam, & Whit

Kenz and her friend Hailey

August 23, 2010 our little Kenzie turned 7 years old. She got to go to the CRAZE for her birthday with our family and (one friend). Then they came back to our house for Jello cups and presents! She had a great time and is such a sweetheart! We love you Kenz, we are glad you are 7!

Dallas first taste of Baby food!

2010-10-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

August 11, 2010 Dallas @ 6 Months old
He ate Rice Cereal for the first time. He did great! Good eater right from the start.

Poor kid, in a hand-me-down GIRL bib. We have since gotten some boy bibs. I just didn't have any at that time. We love you Dallas!

Whitney turns Four!

2010-10-01T14:12:00.000-07:00

August 11, 2010 Whitney Larie White turned 4 years old! She has always been our movie girl. She LOVES to watch movies and T.V. From the time she was first able to talk, she would always ask, "Watz tom-ting?" . . . "Watch something?" So for her birthday we had a movie party! We invited all our families to come over and the girls made movie tickets for everyone. They were made out of legos, it was actually really cute and creative. Each lego ticket was original and personally crafted for each person, based on things about them. For example: Uncle Dan's had a lego-baby on top, because they are having a baby and Aunt Macie's had a lego-picture of milk on top. I asked the girls why they didn't give Macie the baby, since she is the one who is pregnant? and they said, but mom she is going to have MILK. Ha Ha! Too funny).

Whit wanted a purple cow drink as her special birthday treat! We don't do cake and ice-cream, because we have SOOOO many birthday's all clustered together and everyone gets sick of it. So they all get to choose what kind of treat that they want. Then we watched a movie together and had popcorn and movie candy. It was a fun night! We love you Whitney and we are glad you are 4. :)

The White Family Reunion Pictures

2010-08-08T14:39:00.001-07:00

Sweet Feet.

The older cousins--Kenzie, Sammy, Jasmine, and Tyler

Payton, Whitney, Katie, Chase--All born within a year of each other.

Me and my sister-in-laws, we all had babies (Again) within a year of each other. So fun. (top) Carrie and Caroline, Nicole and Carson. (bottom) Jess and Landon, Chrissy and Dallas.

Scott's sisters. Karissa and Nicole

Scott and his brothers. Kelly, Cameron, Kyle, and Scott.

Scott's Family.

G-pa Byron and G-ma Diann with all of their Grandchildren

Kelly and Carrie--Jasmine, Tyler, Kaitlyn, and Caroline

Byron and Diann--Karissa and Cameron

Nicole and Brent---Payton and Carson

Kyle and Jessica---Chase and Landon

A big Thanks to Kim (Again)!! Love Ya.

My Amazing Cousin, Kim!!

2010-08-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

Chrissy and Scotty!

My Sweet Baby.

The Boys.

Dallas.

Sam

Kenzie

Whitney

Our Family

4 cute, country kiddos

Baby D

11 years of marriage and still in love.

Our baby Buba.

Our Family. Holy Cow, 4 kids is a lot of kids.

Me and my Best friends.

This summer we had a "White Family Reunion" and we had my cousin Kim (on the Robison side of the Family) come and take our pictures! She did a fabulous job! As ALWAYS! She is so talented and so wonderful. Thanks Kim for all your TIME and TALENT that you have so graciously shared with us. I love you. Thanks for being a great friend to me. I adore all of our pictures and collages. Thanks so much! You Rock! I just wanted to post some of my favorites!

Coming to Terms with 30

2010-08-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

ME turning 30!

Buba at 5 months
----Just wanted to document what all my kids looked like as I was turning 30, because the next ten years are going to really change them-----
Whitney at 3, turning 4 in a month.

Sam at 8 getting so tall, beautiful and grown-up, she will be 9 in 2 months.

Kenz at 6, turning 7 in a month!

Me. Posing in my new birthday outfit. I have been working pretty hard to get my baby weight off! Exercising every morning, eat lots of fruit and veggies (thanks bountiful baskets), and cut back on treats (could always do better with that one, but I have a sweet tooth) I am within 5 pounds of my goal. I wanted to be all the way back in shape turning 30, it didn't happen, but I came pretty close.

So July 24th 2010 I turned 30. I am not sure why this was a difficult age for me, I guess it just sounds old and I don't feel old. Or rather I don't WANT to feel old. I still want to have the energy and ability to do everything that I could do in my 20's . . . I guess that is a good goal for me, stay active and strong and keep up with my kids. I have had LOTS of people tell me that age is just a number . . . also that the 30's are fun . . . that you feel more confident with who you are . . . wiser (I can only hope). I actually had a FABULOUS birthday! I spent it exactly how I wanted to. Everyone made me feel so special and celebrated that I hardly minded turning 30 . . . I was quite depressed earlier in the week, just thinking about being old 30 and out of my 20's . . . But on Friday (the day before my Birthday) My mom and Macie and I went SHOPPING!! My mom paid for a babysitter (we took Dallas with us, he was an absolute angel, always is) and as we headed out of town Scott asked me to stop by his office. He gave me a rather large sum of cash and told me, "Happy Birthday, have fun!" I was so surprised and excited! We met Macie (and Dan ) for lunch at Cafe' Rio, it was so yummy, I nearly split my sides trying to finish ALL my food! We said good-bye to Dan and headed out for some awesome shopping. Mom and Macie were both so sweet to me, they were taking care of Dallas and helping me find things to try on, I felt very pampered and spoiled! (And that doesn't happen very much when you are the Mom). They each bought me an outfit as my birthday gift and I proudly spent ALL of Scott's birthday cash! I had the BEST time! I love to Shop! I got tonz of cute things, I felt better about turning 30, simply because I would have something fabulous to wear. On my actual Birthday (Saturday) Sam and Kenz made me breakfast in bed (at 6:30 AM), it was toast with P.B. and candles on top and a cup of hot chocolate. They each gave me homemade cards and then invited me downstairs to watch Saturday Morning Cartoons with them. Which I did for a little while. Then later that day I mowed the lawn. This was the first time I have ever used a ridding lawn mower! It was really fun! I have now taken over mowing the lawn! I get to work on my tan and listen to music for 2 hours, it is great. Plus it really helps out Scotty--he can get to other projects in our yard. Then later that night Scotty took me out on a date . . . just me and him. We left Dallas (with a bottle) and all the girls at my Mom and Dad's. Scotty and I had a blast! My favorite thing to do, is to go out with Scott. We went to dinner and hung out in I.F. And my birthday doesn't end there . . . on Sunday evening we had a cook out with both our families in my parents yard! We had speciality hamburgers and the weather was beautiful. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so loved. So far 30 is not too bad.

Dallas is 5 Months Old

2010-07-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that Dallas has been part of our family for 5 months! Time really does fly. Dallas is a VERY clam and laid back baby. If I had to describe him in one word it would be be CHILL. He is just happy about anything and so easy going. He is now very good at rolling from his back to his stomach. He has rolled from his stomach to his back, but only a few times. He is reaching for toys and likes to put them in his mouth. If he is in his bouncy chair he will kick at his toys with his feet. He has discovered his feet and his tongue. He will giggle when you tickle him or make silly faces at him. Peek-a-boo startles him and makes him laugh. He loves to chew and suck on his fingers . . . as many as he can ram in there . . . sometimes his thumb . . . he will still take a paci, if given one. He loves to be swaddled and rocked. He cuddles. He loves to be sung to, any song or nursery rhyme. His cries are more like grunts. Very Manly. His eyes are turning brown, just a slight over shadowing of baby blue, but they will definitely be brown. He has sweet, dish-water blond hair coming in. . . which we have "buzzed" twice now, just to keep it even. He remains BIG for his age 90% for height and weight (looks more like a 7th month old). He is a good blend of us, some days he looks just like a little Scotty and other days he is so Robison to me. I love that he is a combo of us. I adore baby Dallas. He is so easy to have around. He is so easy to love.

Egin Lakes

2010-07-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

One sunny Saturday . . . Pa and Scott took the girls 4-wheeling at the sand dunes and they got to swim at Egin Lakes. They loved it and wanted to play longer in the sand.

Children's Museum

2010-07-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

The girls at the Children's Museum . We went to visist Aunt Becca and Uncle Nick and got to spend the afternoon at the the Children's Museum downtown. They loved it! Thanks to Aunt Becca and Uncle Nick for a great visit.

Silly Sisters

2010-07-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

McKenzie and Whitney. Being Silly. Being Sisters. Being Friends.

Bubba's Baby Hat

2010-07-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry but this is just too cute not to post! We found this little hat at Ross and just couldn't pass it up! Little boy things are just so much fun! I love finding things that look like "mini-Scott" clothes. So in love with you Dallas. :)

Samantha's Last Ballet Recital

2010-06-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

Samantha has been taking ballet for the past 3 years and she is ready for a break. I personally think this is a good idea for her. Her heart has just not been in it this year. She wanted to quit 1/2 way through the year, But I told her she has made a commitment to do ballet this year and she would honor that commitment. She wants to continue with her piano, TaVaCi, and Basketball for this year. I am proud of her. She has worked hard and been dedicated. I know she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to. She is smart and talented and willing to try new things. I love you Sam. You are one of a kind.

Memorial Day Weekend

2010-06-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

Me and Kenz. Sam and Whit. Notice the big puddles. The sun was shining right then too.
Sam and Whit

Kenz and Me. Love my hood. It had been raining hard on us and then it hailed on us and then it was sunny again. Crazy Idaho weather.

Scotty. Ready to Go!

Kenz, Me, Whit.

We were able to go my Grandparents Cabin for Memorial Day weekend! We had a blast! We had all kinds of weather! Sunshine, rain, hail, snow, wind, and more sunshine! Crazy. But we got out on the 4-wheelers and enjoyed the mud puddles as much as we could. One morning the girls got out their bikes and rode them up and down the dirt road. It is a dead-end road, not much traffic, and just perfect for ridding bikes. Kenz is still trying to learn to ride w/o training wheels. This was the cause of many tears . . . She kept falling over and I kept making her get back on. I am a little taken aback at how "soft" my girls are sometimes. I swear I remember being tougher when I was there age. Falling off your bike was no big deal. You just got back up and tried again. I wonder if I am doing something wrong? Whitney was also not so happy with me. She is learning to ride a "big girl" bike w/ training wheels and peddling from that height and angle were difficult to her. I am determined to get them riding their bikes this summer!!!!! Anyway. The Cabin was great as always. We played games and watched movies together. We also colored and played with play-dough. We are grateful to have such a nice place to go to get away from everything and smell the pine trees and enjoy nature.

Whitney loves Dallas

2010-06-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

Of all Dallas's sisters he looks the most like Whitney. Whitney is also very sweet to Dallas. She wants to play with him and hold him and talk to him all the time. I hope that they will be great friends as they grow up. Due to the 3 year gap between Whit and Kenz, Kenz and Sam are often off playing together and leaving Whitney out. It makes me very sad. I encourage them to include Whitney more. Sometimes they try. But most often I hear Whitney saying, "Sisters won't play with me." This is why I really hope Dallas and Whit will play together and be friends.

Spring TaVaCi Concert

2010-06-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

G-pa Byron and G-ma Diann---All the kids chipped in to get Diann 50 balloons to celebrate 50 concerts!!
Whitney helping clean up after her first concert! Clean up and set up are always a family affair.

Us-And Kelly was able to bring Jasmine and Tyler to see the concert! It was a lot of fun to have them there!

G-ma Diann--Cam and Karissa, and the grand kids that were there.

Sammy, Kenzie, and Whitney

This spring was Whitney's first TaVaCi Concert! This was also Diann's 50th Concert! The girls have really enjoyed singing this year. It was really interesting to see Whitney grow and learn this year. Whit would sing all the time at home. Kenzie is now one of the best singers in the younger kids group. She was very expressive with all her actions and she sang so well. Sam has been fun to watch as well, she is VERY dramatic in all her actions and facial expressions. I can tell that she really loves to perform. Drama and singing are really her thing.

McKenzie's Kindergarten Graduation

2010-06-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

Sam, Kenz, Whit
Kenz and her teacher Mrs. Parker

Coming in with her class!

Concessions!

A Graduation Circus! Too Cute!

Our little McKenzie graduated from Kindergarten this year, class of 2010! Kenzie was six starting school this year, so she was probably the oldest in her class and she is the shortest in her class. She is still so tiny. I am so proud of her and all that she has learned this year. She has done so well with reading and math. She is a smart little girl. She is super excited to go to first grade next year! Way to go Kenz we love you!

Trip to Boise and Utah

2010-06-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

Scotty and the girls.

The girls with Aunt Becca and Uncle Nick

In May, we were able to go to Boise for the State Track meet! State Tennis and State Baseball were also that same weekend. Scott had been working on several of the athletes who were there competing. It was a lot of fun to go and support the Madison kids. We loved being at the track meet the most! On our way home from Boise we swung down to SLC to visit Becca and Nick! We got to see there new house. It is so so nice! And really cute! Plenty of space for all of us to invade! Then the next morning they took us to the coolest park. It was huge and all wooden, the girls loved it and could have played all day!

Round 2--RSV rears its ugly head . . . Again.

2010-06-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

Sweet Dallas, who had been well for about 2 weeks, relapsed with RSV. We have been fighting a stuffy nose and cough for 2 weeks. This time it has NOT been as severe, but it has still NOT been very much fun. He is such a happy little guy!! All day long: goo'ing and coo'ing, smiling, kicking, wiggling, sometimes we can get him to laugh too. At night he has the most problems--Waking SEVERAL times coughing, gaging trying to get the mucus out. I am always right at his side trying to help him. I am so sleep deprived. And all the fear and worry are wearing on me. Exhausting. On Sunday, Scott had a talk with me about having more Faith. Faith in the Lord. Faith to replace my fear. I am trying. Feeling a bit more calm--but still not sleeping well. At night I am always on the edge of sleep-ready to fly out of bed and help Dallas-Scared I won't get there soon enough. Never quite giving myself over to full-out sleep. Paranoid. I keep telling myself that Dallas is not as sick as last time, but I keep reliving it ALL. I keep praying for him to get well and for me to let go of my fear. Something has to change--I am at the breaking point. It is difficult to maintain a "positive and sunny" attitude when you can't even think straight. Sleep. Must get sleep.

After-the-Fact . . . RSV . . . and the things I am grateful for

2010-05-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Journaling

So just let me preface this with . . . Dallas is doing wonderful now: fat, happy, and healthy and 14 pounds @ 3 months old!! About 2 weeks ago he came down with RSV, For those of you who are not familiar with this sickness, RSV is a nasty virus in which the body produces high amounts of mucus, more than can be easily expelled by a newborn baby. The mucus can build up so fast that a baby can suffocate to death very quickly. For preemies--it is very deadly and they are usually hospitalized, for a healthy newborn it is still scary, but will usually run its course in 7-10 days. Dallas obviously falls into the later category--with the added bonus that he is HUGE for his age, 90th% for his height and weight, making him as big as most 5-6 month old babies instead of a typical newborn size. His size was definitely a blessing when dealing with RSV because his airways are larger and easier to clear out. So over the weekend, he started coming down with, what I thought was a head cold and he was coughing with a stuffy nose and a slight fever. Then on Monday, I had taken Sam to piano lessons, and after we got home Dallas was asleep in his car seat. I just left him all cozy in his car seat and set him in his room. I went into the kitchen to make dinner, about 15 min's later I heard him coughing, so I went into get him. I unstrapped him and as I was lifting him out he started to turn red in the face. He wasn't coughing or breathing. I walked with him towards our front room. Down the hallway, he started to turn from red to purple and his eyes were bulging out, I was shaking him and saying over and over, "Dallas breath!! Dallas BREATH!" all the while praying an incoherent prayer of, "Please God, help him breath!! Please God help him! Help Him!" I finally flipped him over and hit him on the back (like you would if they were choking) and solid snot shot out of his nose. That instant he went pale and limp. All the blood drained from his face and body. His eyes were wide, swollen, his pupils dilated . . .they were just rolling around in his head. His right eye was bleeding, a thin trail of blood leaking out of the outer corner. All across his forehead were small purple spots where he had burst his blood vessels from all the built up pressure. I was terrified. The most scared I have ever been in my life, I thought I was losing him. Again over and over, "Please God help Him!" With hands shaking so badly I could barely hold the phone I dialed Scott, all the while wondering if I should do CPR? Call 911? Dallas was breathing. Slightly. But yes, Breathing. I was shaking too much to find a pulse. When do you resuscitate? Was I losing him? Again, "Please God Help Him, don't let me lose him!" I couldn't reach Scott on the phone. I immediately called my parents. My Dad answered. " Dad! Dad! Dallas turned Purple and couldn't breath, now he is limp and pale! He needs a blessing!" Dad and Mom were right over. Dad gave Dallas a blessing. I am still terrified, shaking, crying, cradling Dallas in my arms. Willing him to "wake up!" BREATH DEEP. He is so chalky. His skin doesn't feel right under my hand. Cool and pale. We get in the car. My Mom drives. I get a hold of Scott. He meets us at the Doctor's office. Halfway into town, Dallas finally coughs!!! He coughs and coughs, color finally comes back into his face! He starts to cry! I am so happy. He starts to really breath and look at me. I am still shaking and upset, but starting to realize that he is not dying. He is going to be alright. I have a difficult time letting this sink in. The entire time we are with the doctor I am weepy, still so worried. We find out that Dallas has RSV. They test him for dehydration and his oxygen levels. He is not dehydrated and his oxygen is at 89 (it should be 90 or above). I learn that when I had taken him out in the dry air (to run Sam to piano) the mucus that was in his lungs and nose had dried and clotted; so that when we came home he was very plugged up, causing him to pass out with lack of oxygen. I learned that with RSV, you have to keep the mucus wet and "moving" so that he can get it out. This meant never letting him stay in the same position for too long. We needed to move him from his back, to his side, to his tummy frequently. Also patting him on the back to break it up. For the next week we couldn't let him leave the house. We kept him next to the humidifier 24/7 and put saline up his nose and constantly suctioned out his nose. We were lucky to get to care for him at home. They offered to put him in the hospital, but where he was not dehydrated and his oxygen level was not that low, we could keep him at home. RSV is a Virus. There is not much they could do for him at the hospital that we couldn't do for him at home. It was a constant vigil of care, to keep his airways clear. We were also able to give him breathing treatments via a nebulizer 4 times in a 24 hour period. After about 7 days, he made VAST improvements! The mucus stopped and he only had a slight cough. He has continued to make major improvements and is now as healthy as ever! I am so grateful for the priesthood power in our life. I am grateful for the power of prayer, to find strength beyond my own. To have the strength to care for Dallas through the night and all day, without getting exhausted. I am grateful for Scott. He spent every available minute home with us, helping to care for Dallas. He was up with us during the night and was able to give me a few hours of time to get out of the house--to shop and exercise-- during the week. I am grateful for my mother-in-law who just showed up one evening to help get the kids to bed, do dishes, and laundry. I was very grateful for her help and how it was a big boost to me---she came over to find me sitting in a pile of unsorted laundry and a sink full of dirty dishes (Scott had to be gone that night) all the while trying not to lose perspective and be humble enough to accept help, because I can't do it all. Thanks Diann. I love you. :) With the help of the Lord, my family and Scott's family we were able to get through a very trying week. And now, Dallas is doing so wonderful!! He is a fighter and so strong. I love you bubba. Thank you, God, for sending him to us, and for letting us keep him.

Scott is 32 . . . and Proud of it!

2010-04-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

Sam, Kenz, Scott and the GIANT
Whit and Me---Try to gobble up the GIANT

Karissa, Kenz, and Scott

SCOTTY AND CHRISSY!! LOVE YOU BABE!

Bubba is here too!

Scott, Me, and Pa

Cameron, Kenz, and Karissa

G-pa Byron, Sam, and G-ma Diann

Whit, Nana, and Macie

So getting older does not bother Scott, he feels more credible as a Dr. and more respected the older he gets. Good for him. I, on the other hand, just shudder every time I even think about my 30th birthday (don't even say it out loud) coming up this summer. (ouch!)BUT I regress. We celebrated his birthday at Craigo's Pizza!! We got a GIANT pizza, as big as 4 larges! Yikes! It was actually really tasty. Which is a good thing considering we will be eating leftovers all week long. :) After dinner we all went to Kenzie Dance recital---She was in 2 dances and totally Rocked it! Way to go Kenz!

Scotty!! I love you so much! I hope you had a great Birthday. I am so grateful that you are my husband and best friend. You are so thoughtful and loving to me and to our children. Thanks for taking such great care of all of us. I adore you. :)

Snuggle Bubba

2010-04-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

I had just given Whitney and Dallas a bath, and I laid Dallas on her bed while I helped her get dressed. Then I had to run upstairs to get something, when I came back I found them snuggled up together. Whitney was not quite asleep yet, but she was close. It was very sweet. She wants Dallas to be able to play with her soooo badly!! She keeps asking when he can come to the playroom. -----Sorry Sis, it's going to be awhile----

Biker Chic-Yoda Tatoos

2010-04-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

I honestly can't remember where we got these "Star Wars" Yoda tatoos . . . but when the girls found them in the diaper bag they all wanted them on. They lasted forever! They looked pretty tough with them on!

Blessing Day-April 11, 2010

2010-04-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

"Sweet Baby--Today you were blessed!"

Sisters and Brother

We love brother!

Father and Son

Pa & Nana (my parents) and G-ma Diann & G-pa Byron (Scott's parents)

Our Family

"Hey Bubba"

Me, Scott, and Dallas

"Center of Our Attention"

Dallas, today you are 2 months old. Daddy was able to give you a name and a blessing. I loved listening to your blessing. A few things that stood out to me . . . you were blessed with the ability to stay close to the spirit. You were blessed with the desire to be respectful to women--especially to your sisters and your mother (me :) ) I hope you will live up to your potential and become the man the Lord wants you to be. I love you.

What the? . . . .Spring Break?

2010-04-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Whitney and the snowman named--Dallas :) Too Cute.
The Girls and "Dallas"

Kenz and Sam

Hummmm. For Spring break the girls played outside in shorts and t-shirts, rode their bikes, drew with sidewalk chalk, blew bubbles and flew kites. . . . . . . NOT! Not even close. For SPRING BREAK the girls played outside in snow clothes and built a SNOWMAN! Then they came in and had hot chocolate. Crazy Idaho weather. Seriously, sometimes I wonder why we live here? I guess because it makes life interesting. Right? Bring on the sunshine!!! I need a tan! :)

Family Pictures

2010-04-05T11:15:00.001-07:00

Dallas "Baby D"

First Family Picture, with Dallas

Dallas at 7 weeks in his blessing outfit (Thanks Nana)

Our Family of 6.

HI, Sweet Boy. Mommy and Daddy love you.

Our new baby.

I made the girls hair bows out of the same ribbon, you can't really see Sam's bow . . . but it is the same- in her side ponytail.

Blessing outfit. Love the "golfer's hat"

So we went to JCP on Saturday to get pictures done. I like them O.K. But when the weather is nicer I want us to have Kim (my amazing and talented cousin) to take some more, and better pictures of us. The outfit Dallas is wearing is not what I had originally picked out for him to wear . . . in the hussle to get out the door on time, he didn't get dressed in his picture outfit . . . I fully intended to bring it and change him on the road . . . He needed to eat at the same time we were leaving, so I nursed him in the car and then when he finished I went to change him into his outfit and . . . . I had left it at HOME!!!! We were already almost to I.F. and I didn't want to NOT get our pictures done . . . it is soooo much effort to get everyone READY . . . .So we raced into the baby department at JCP's and I found him something that would work alright with what everyone else was wearing. OH life. Right. Mommy mush Brain strikes again. I guess there are worse things that could go wrong, huh? :) I love my family and I am happy to have a few good pictures of us.

A Birth Story: Dallas

2010-02-26T14:18:00.000-08:00

Dallas is 2 Weeks old!!!

Caution: This post is for my personal record and journal of the events and details of Labor and Delivery of Dallas. It may Bore you to Tears . . .

On the 11th of Feb. 2010 at 9:00 a.m. I lost my Mucus Plug ( . . . pleasant thought, I know . . . But none-the-less an important fact of Labor) I was excited thinking that I may be going into Labor!! Finally!! For the past 2 weeks I had been having some pretty good Braxton Hicks and some that lasted quite awhile--obviously nothing serious--But I knew my body was getting ready. I called and let Scott know what had happened and that I would keep him posted if anything more started happening. As the morning went on I started having some contractions, they kept getting stronger and more consistent----BUT most importantly they were not stopping. I was getting more and more excited and by Noon I knew we were going to have a baby that afternoon!! I called Scott and asked him to cancel his afternoon patients and to come home. I felt like the contractions were serious enough that I wanted him home. He came home and ate lunch-while I swept the kitchen floor. I was trying to stay active and moving, hoping to keep labor going. At about 1:00 my contractions were about a min. long and 5 min.'s apart. This was enough evidence for me and we decided to get ready to go to the Hospital!! I packed a bag and we got Sam from school (My mom had already gotten a Sub. for her class and stopped by and got Kenzie and Whit). Scott went into get Sam, they paged her over the P.A. and she came bursting down the hallway saying, " Mom's in Labor!! I know that's the only reason you would get me out of class!!" She was soooo excited. Very cute. We took Sam to my mom's house--where my Dad was going to watch them. We took the dog to Diann's house, and headed up to the Hospital. I was in very good spirits and I was only needing to breath well during my contractions. They were strong, but not really painful, just crampy. We went up to "Labor and Delivery," where a nurse checked me and I was already at a 6!!! I was ecstatic!! Already more than 1/2 way there and we had just gotten to the Hospital!! It was about 2:30 p.m. by then. My nurse was amazing and so supportive. I told her I wanted a completely natural Birth---NO MEDS. NO I.V.--- She was great! and Very helpful! She told me that she thought I would only be at a 2 or a 3 by the way I was acting. I was still laughing and talking with Scott and very calm, so she was surprised to find that I was a 6! We got into our room and she strapped the contraction monitor on my belly, and the baby monitor too. She wanted a 1/2 hour recorded and then she said I could move around. I sat on the "Birthing ball" with Scott in front of me--sitting on a chair--- I put my hands on his knees. I liked the cushion of the ball, it really helped through the contractions. I liked being able to look at Scott and talk to him through it all. I kept saying positive things, I like, "I love you! and I am so excited we are having our baby today!" Positive affirmations. This kept me calm and energized. I felt very relaxed the whole time. I was not scared or tense. I felt very in tune with my body. I was not fighting my contractions. When I got to an 8, they told me that they could break my water and that it usually makes you transition and then I could start pushing. We did. Transition was not bad at all, I got shivery, like I was cold, and they brought me warm blankets. After about 15 mins. I felt pressure-contractions. The nurse told me that after about 4 good pressure-contractions, I could climb up on the bed and start pushing. (There were 2 student nurses observing my labor, and I remember my nurse telling them that this was not a typical labor and delivery . . . And I thought, "Isn't that sad. It should be more like this-- calm and energizing.") It was time to push! On my 2nd push a loud yell came from my mouth---It lasted far longer than I thought it should---I remember thinking in my mind, "I'm still yelling . . . shouldn't I breath soon?" It was so involuntary, I didn't have any control over it--- I am woman, hear me ROAR!!! And I did! And Dallas came out!! :) The first words out of my mouth were, "Is he out? Does he have a penis?" I was still slightly unsure that we were REALLY going to have a BOY!! He was a boy! And I was so delighted! :) Giving birth to Dallas was one the best experiences of my life. An affirmation that Woman is the supreme creation of our Heavenly Father--blessed with the ability to bare children. Our bodies are an amazing gift. I am so grateful to be a woman and a mother.

Dallas Cyrus White is BORN!!!!! :)

2010-02-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

Baby Dallas!
Big Sister Sam napping with Dallas, the next day at home!

Sam and Dallas, at Nana's the first night home from the hospital

Big Sister Kenzie and Dallas

Finally. Big Sister Whitney and Dallas! :)

Dallas in his hospital "straight-jacket"

Me and My Baby Boy!

I love you, Sweet Baby!!

Scotty and his Son!

Scotty and Dallas!

February 11, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. Dallas Cyrus White made his way into the world!! He weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long!! He has beautiful blue eyes and LOTS of dark hair (more than any of his sisters). He is so handsome. We think he looks the most like Whitney, as far as sibblings go, but he definitely leans toward the Robison side of the family. He looks a lot like Uncle Dan's baby pictures. We are so glad that he is here with us!! He is a happy healthy baby. We adore him.

Seriously so Grouchy

2010-02-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

I am so Grouchy. My poor family. I have decided that today I am going to stop being cranky and grouchy to everyone. The past 2 days I have been snapping at everyone and having a bad attitude. I am so uncomfortable and so done. I am just ready for this baby to come. But my bad attitude is making this week seem as long as 40 weeks!!! So today I am happy! :) I am just not going to think about how close my due date is and just focus on being a really nice, great, happy mom and wife!! I think that will past the time better, and if not, at least I won't be miserable and make everyone around me miserable too. Attitude is everything!! I can do this!! I am on the home stretch!!!! I will let you know when our baby is here! Hopefully it will be soon!

Gimme a B, Gimme an I, Gimme a G . . .

2010-01-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

What's that spell? It spells Christina at 8 months pregnant, that's what it spells. I feel great, honestly I should not complain at all. I am just getting big and uncomfortable. I miss my regular body. I miss being able to tie my shoes and get in and out of the car easily. I realized that normally, my body is a great place to be!! I took for granted the comfort, strength, balance, and ease of movement, my body usually accommodates me with. And with the end in sight, I can't help feeling a little antsy, it makes me less patient with my current discomforts. One evening I was complaining an awful lot (I think it is my liver or some other organ? that gets displaced and smashed under my right ribs---this causes a terrible sore spot---which I rub and try to stretch out . . . constantly.) about my sore spot, so much to the point where I had Whitney trying to rub my sore spot for me and Kenzie running to get me an ice-pack (so sweet and concerned little girls). Then Whitney turns to Scott and says, "Daddy, will you take Mommy to the Hospital so that the Doctor will take her baby out!" I had to laugh and smile. It was said with so much concern for my discomfort and so much love. I also realized that I should stop whining. Scott also asked me, "So what Chris, You just figure this is your last pregnancy, so you need to get all your complaining in?" He was teasing and we laughed. (Honestly, to write out that comment it sounds like Scott was being mean. He was just teasing me and trying to get me to laugh.) It was funny. I am normally not a whinny pregnant woman. And this has been my easiest pregnancy by FAR! I am so excited to meet my little boy!!! I fall asleep every night picturing giving birth. I am not even nervous or scared! I know what I am up against and I know that I can handle it! I plan to do it all naturally!! That was how I delivered Whitney and I loved the experience. Afterwards, I was like, "I am WOMAN hear me ROAR!" I felt powerful. Like I could do anything!! I gave BIRTH. Bring it on! :) But I am honestly open minded and if I need assistance or if there are complications, I am all for the epidural. That was how I delivered Sam and it was Labor heaven--couldn't feel a thing. But to deliver Naturally is my goal. Our little guy continues to be very active and gets the hiccups often. I am measuring right on, so around Valentine's Day we should be seeing our "Brother Boy!"

P.S. Kenzie took my pictures. I made her take like 20, but we finally got a few that turned out all right. She is only 6. She was nice to accommodate me. Love you Kenz.

Beauty Shop

2010-01-13T14:14:00.000-08:00

Girls will be girls. You usually hear, boys will be boys . . . .but here are my girls being girls. I love it. McKenzie did Whitney's hair all up in clips and bows, she did it about 3 different times. I only photoed the first hair-do! Notice the Mrs. Potato Head earrings that Whit is wearing, these are as close as the girls have to "clip-on" earrings. Kenz actually wears them all the time and tells me she looks like a teenager in them. So fun to have sisters to play with. I love watching them interact and play dress-up together. They have the best times. :)

Kenzie Dancing Girl

2010-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

They end the dance in a kind-of "Roar" pose!
And a scary face too! Yikes Kenz!

I kept trying to get her to "Pose" for me . . . .this is as good as she would do . . . she felt a little silly and awkward with all her little friends watching me snap away pictures of her. Moms are sooooo embarrassing. Guilty.

This year we decided to put Kenz in dance. She had been doing gymnastics the past 2 years and she was doing fairly well at it---she is very coordinated and quick---But I could tell it was not really her thing. She has absolutely LOVED dance and it has been sooooo great for her self esteem too! Her confidence has been boosted and she loves to perform. This is Kenz in her "Dinosaur-Dance" costume, they got to do 1/2 time at a Madison Girls B-Ball game. She was darling and did a great job. She pulls "dance faces" and everything---too cute.

Merry Christmas 2009

2010-01-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

We all got slippers for our "Christmas Eve" Gifts!! Except Scott, he has 2 pairs and didn't need any so he got a ROBE instead. He keeps calling it an "old man" robe. Which it is totally not. It is a cool guy robe---if such a thing exists. :)
Dodger got a new chew bone and new chew toy! We let him "open" his gift first on Christmas morning so that he would leave all the other new gifts alone. Worked like a charm! Dodger was so happy with his new stuff, he ignored all the other festivities quite nicely.

Aunt Karissa had our family's name for the "White's gift exchange" and she picked out these adorable Christmas Socks for the girls! They loved them! She also gave us a coupon for free babysitting!!---The best gift ever! :) Thanks Aunt Karissa.

Go Legs!! Cute, Fuzzy Socks!

Scott and I got the girls new gloves, hats, and scarves.

Whitney's, of course, had to be purple!

Scott and his new B-Ball shoes!!

Sam with her "Sister gift" from Whitney

Kenzie--ripping into the Christmas Carnage!

Whit with her purple bows from Santa! (Me, talking to Dodger in the background and trying to avoid the camera . . . hugely pregnant, wearing Scott's big T-shirt, with no make-up on is not something we need photos of . . . . :) (Oh, the vanity . . . )

We had a wonderful Christmas together!! ON Christmas Eve day, we went over to my Mom's house a decorated ginger bread cookies----Becca and Nick came up and were able to be there, and so was Aunt Macie. They all helped the girls decorate their cookies, it was fun to see everyone's creativity. This year we made "Families" Everyone got to make a Mom, a Dad, a Brother, and a Sister. Too cute. After that we came home and has an easy dinner. We played games, and read the Christmas story out of the bible and sang Christmas hymns. Then we opened our Christmas Eve gifts. Then we had our snack of hot apple cider and chex mix and watched the cartoon version of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." Then off to bed for all the girls . . .

The next morning Sam (of course, who else?) got us up at 7:15 A.M. Scott told her she was not allowed up before 7:00, she said she actually woke up twice before that once at 2 A.M. and once around 4:30 A.M. We then got Kenzie and Whit up and all went out to see what Santa brought! This year he brought Sam and Kenz each a DS Lite plus a game. He brought Whit a Leapster plus a game. It was a high-tec Christmas. The girls were thrilled!! And played with the video games ALL Christmas break!!! Scott also has played them a great deal. No surprise there. :) We had our traditional breakfast at Mom's and then we went to Diann's for dinner that afternoon. It was a busy and fun day!

My Good Girls. "Journaling"

2009-12-23T14:25:00.000-08:00

So I don't praise my children enough--in writing my blog-- I do expect a lot from them--emotionally, physically, mentally, behaviorally (is that even a word?) spiritually . . . You get the drift. Sometimes I honestly forget that they are JUST little girls. I mean really. They are so young.

They are really GOOD girls. They are sweet and thoughtful. Obedient and forgiving. Teachable and enthusiastic. Respectful and intelligent. I love them so dearly. So honestly. So deeply. They have taught me how to be the person that I am. (Although I still need a lot of work . . . I would definitely be more selfish and self absorbed with out them.) They make our home a happy and bright place to be. They make my life exciting and full of joy! They truly do rise to any task I ask of them and I see them striving to be the kind of girls I am trying to teach them to be. I want them to be better than me, do more than I did---excel!! I love them for their individual personalities---I am enchanted by different things in all 3 of them.

Sam for her intelligence, she really is gifted. She is so quick and so smart. Her brain works fast--school work holds no challenge for her and listening to her read . . . well my eyes can barely keep up with her mouth. Fascinating. My own brain processes things MUCH slower. We all know Sam got Scott's brain power . . . Which is fine with me, you always hope your children get the good-stuff out of the gene-pool. :) Sam is also very confident. She doesn't doubt herself or what she knows. I love watching her grow-up and as she approaches this "tween" stage, I see her trying to define her own sense of style. Become her own person. Sam is very responsible and dependable---with an inner need to please---she wants to be GOOD, she wants to be OBEDIENT. She feels life deeply. I love you Sam. Thanks for teaching me how to take care of babies, you were my first and I learned sooo much.

McKenzie for her thoughtfulness. She is always thinking of others--IF you give her a candy, she wants one for her sisters or she is thinking how she can split it with her sisters. She is a good friend to the other kids at school, she gets along with everyone. Kenz is ALWAYS up for ANYTHING!! She is open and excited for experiences. She tried lots of new things this summer and just loved them all. I always love that when I ask her how she slept she answers, "Great!" Which is usually her response to most things in life. She started DANCE this year and I have seen her grow so much in her confidence. She used to come "un-hinged" when she couldn't do something, but not anymore. She is so tender inside. She feels bad when I am sad. She needs a hug when she is sad. She reminds me sooo much of myself---in looks, actions, re-actions . . . mini-Christina. This sometimes makes me extra hard on her, because I see my own weakness coming out in her, I am really working on this. Kenzie is, of course, her own person. I have no right to project my own insecurities on her. I love you Kenz, Thanks for being my angel baby, for showing me that babies can be joyful. :)

Whitney for her sense of humor. She is always teasing us and finding ways to be silly or make us laugh. Whitney is sweet and cuddly. She loves her "night night" fiercely. And loves that her Nana made it for her, it is a big deal to her (for some reason?). Whitney is "socially smart" she "gets" what is going on around her, she catches the in's and out's of relationships---connections--- Whitney loves to sing and dance! She makes up her own little songs and twirls around. She adores "Sisters" and always wants to play with them and do EVERYTHING that they are doing. Whit loves to be rocked (still, at 3 1/2---which I love and could never get enough of :)) She will ask me in the mornings to rock her. She loves that she gets to stay home with me---she confirms each morning, "Sisters have to go to school, and I get to stay home with Mommy." I adore Whitney. She is spunky, funny, and sweet. She feels bad- instantly- when she realizes that she has done something wrong. She dissolves into tears and says over and over, "I sorry Mama, I'n so sorry. Will you forgive me?" I love you Whitney. Thanks for bringing so much joy and laughter into our home.

My girls are beautiful and resilient. I hope that my personal short comings and parenting mistakes will not leave lasting or devastating scars on my special girls. I pray all the time to be a good mother. It is my deepest desire. My greatest ambition. I feel the responsibility of raising these girls, it is enormous. As their mother I know that I have the most influence on them--for good and for bad. They are shaped by everything I do and say. My constant prayer is for help and for forgiveness---I hope God will make of my girls what I failed to make of them. I am human and flawed, but I love my girls with all that I have. And I just have to hope that it will be enough. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother. I am grateful to be carrying a son. I am awed and amazed at my body--carrying this new life inside. I love him so much and I haven't even met him yet. I pray that he will be healthy and strong and that everything will go well and that we will get to welcome him into our home in February. I am truly blessed.

No Ba-Hum-Bugs this year.

2009-12-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

I am usually such a huge ball of stress this time of year. USUALLY. But this year is different, somehow. I don't know if it is the economy, the ages of my children, the fact that I am pregnant, or if I have just finally managed to slow my life down enough to deal with it all . . . I am not sure. But I am grateful for the peace and enjoyment I am feeling this SEASON. The girls are 8,6,and 3. Good ages. Grown-up enough to help around the house, still young enough to be utterly excited about the magic of Christmas!! It is all so magical. Fun. The girls got to buy a gift for one of their sisters, and they loved shopping for it and getting to wrap it and they are so excited to surprise each other with their gifts. They are catching the joy of giving.

The girls and I cleaned out their playroom---really gutted it out. 1 Bag of garbage (broken toys & such) and 2 bags of DI toys--nice toys that we just don't play with anymore. It was a calming experience, to de-clutter and organize. I know they will be getting some new things for Christmas and I feel like we are trying to make room, so that we are not over-loaded with STUFF, that we can appreciate what we have.

I am so grateful and excited to be pregnant!!! I am at 7 months. Time is just flying by. Our little guy is very active and kicks and rolls all the time--mostly at night. We painted his room and my mom and I made him the most darling quilt. The girls will kiss their hand and press it my belly--to give "Brother Boy" a kiss. They are excited, but I think Whitney is the most excited she talks about him all the time. She tells me how she will rock him and feed him "Hot Ba Ba's" and how he can have her Glo-bug that sings. I just feel such a peace inside. A quiet happiness. Glad that we have this special time of year to remember our savior's birth, to remember why we are all here, to be more loving and thoughtful, to give of our selves and help others. It really feels like a," Merry Christmas" this year. :)

McKenzie's a Pilgrim . . . Whitney too.

2009-12-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

In McKenzie's Kindergarten class, they made pilgrim and Indian outfits and had a "Thanksgiving" feast!! She came home wearing it and was so cute and excited!! WE just had to get a picture. And of course Whitney had to try it on too.

Just to up-date on our Thanksgiving . . . WE got to go to Boise and celebrate Thanksgiving with Scott's family and his uncle Damon. We just loved staying at Damon's!! The girls had a blast playing with all the kids ---wii, games, movies, cartoons . . . .just doing nothing but playing. They thought it was the best vacation EVER. WE had a really yummy dinner---plenty of leftovers and great desserts too! Scott got to go to the Boise State football game that night with the boys, it was raining and super cold!!! He is a die-hard and loved every minute of it. Uncle Damon got them sideline passes, so Scott and Brent got to be down on the field. We even saw them on T.V. a couple of times.---That was fun. I spent most of our "vacation" with my nose in a book. It was fabulous!! The kids were happily playing, Scott was happily watching football, and I sat reading my book. Perfect. :) We are so grateful for a wonderful family!!! WE had a great Thanksgiving!

Mckenzie's First Lost Tooth!!

2009-12-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

McKenzie lost her first tooth!! It was sooooo loose! For the past couple of nights Scott would wiggle it and try to pop it out! McKenzie was absolutely MANIC about it. She was terrified (which is not like her?) she was crying and screaming hysterically when Scott was attempting to pull it and then she was laughing uncontrollably when he would slip off the tooth . . . This crazy cycle went on for a few minutes until she refused to let him try again. I finally offered to try pulling it . . .I have never pulled a tooth before . . .so I grabbed it and pulled forward just a touch and it came right out!!! Kenzie was not as relieved as I thought she would be, instead the blood freaked her out and she wouldn't swallow or close her mouth all the way. She continued to talk strangely all the next day and wouldn't swallow her spit. . . . . I don't know? It was an extreme reaction for Kenz. She is usually excited about new things and can take them in stride, but this really shook her up. ?? She did get a dollar from the tooth fairy and has now adjusted to having her tooth gone. What can I say? Life is never boring. WE love you Kenz. Congrats on a big step toward growing-up, sometimes it hurts, but we do the best we can and we all get through it somehow.

6 Months, Baby!! Yeah!!

2009-11-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

So another baby belly update!!! I am now 6 months along!! Crazy how fast this pregnancy is flying by! I FINALLY feel like I popped out!! Seriously, up until about a week ago I still felt like I was in the "awkward fat verses pregnant stage" I felt like that if someone didn't know me and already know I was pregnant , they might just think I was fat. Well what a difference a month makes! The little guy is rolling around and kicking a great deal--especially at night. I love it and each time I feel him move, I just think in my mind, "Hi baby" "Hi little man." It is reassuring to feel him move--little nudges that he is alright. I still feel great!! For about a month now I have been back to exercising in the mornings. I get up at 6 a.m. and do the "Dread-Mill" a.k.a the treadmill, I hate the treadmill. It is eternally boring!!! I always feel like if I am walking, I should be GOING somewhere. But it is toooo cold to walk outside at 6. So treadmill it is. My i-pod makes it bearable and I love how I feel after I exercise---That is what keeps me getting up!!! I really love to exercise! :) It reminds me I am alive.

Scott's Spranged Ankle

2009-11-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

Seriously I could never be a nurse. I can stand my own pain. I actually have a fairly high pain thresh hold. But other people's pains and injuries, just make me weak in the knees. Poor Scott rolled his ankle playing early morning B-Ball a few weeks ago. Then he proceeded to tweak it twice more that week-end!! The result has been lots of Tylenol and ice for Scott. His ankle is just now starting to look and feel a bit better. I have felt so bad for him. He never slowed down, just kept going to work and working in the yard---you would never know he was dealing with an ankle soooo swollen that he could barely put on his dress shoes. Men.

Random Art

2009-11-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

Whitney's rainbow, worm family, and peacock
McKenzie's flower, sunshine, cloud, and ladybug.
Sam's Yoda, C3PO, and R2D2---She is in love with Star Wars.

McKenzie's Kindergarten Turkey

We love living next door to my parents. This gives the girls the unique opportunity to see their grandparents as much as they want. Last summer my mom started something we call, "Nana Time." Each week the girls take turns going over to Nana's house one at a time--and they get a whole hour to spend, just them and Nana, doing whatever projects or playing anything they want with Nana. They LOVE the one-on-one time and all the attention they get at Nana's. Some of the perks of being the ONLY grandchildren and living sooo close. With the exception of the Turkey, the above art are pictures the girls made at Nana Time with these waxy straws that you bend and press into different pictures and shapes. I took pictures of them and tossed the real things---because there was no real way to store them . . . The Turkey was a Kindergarten assignment of McKenzie's, they needed to decorate the Turkey with different objects. We used beads and gumdrops and noodles and pipe cleaners. It turned out splendid! Kenzie got to use alot of sorting and counting skills. It was a fun project for us to do together!! :) Love you Kenz.

The White's Halloween 2009

2009-11-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

Sam, Kenz, and Whit ready to go trick-or-treating!

Whitney as Princess Bell

Kenzie as Tinker Bell

Samantha as a Pretty Witch

Halloween was a very long and very productive day at our house this year!! We all got up really early to make it to Sam's Basketball game at 9:00 AM, Scott was substitute coach for the game, and we all came to watch! Sam played great---she is catching on to the game more and more, as far as guarding the other team and where to be on the court. She even made 2 baskets! WE were so happy for her. I told her that I have never made a basket in a game before. Then after her game we headed to the store for a few groceries and then to ACE for some outdoor paint. When we got home our afternoon was spent mostly outside . . . Scott was working on winterizing the yard and I was scrapping the door frames and re-painting them (they were badly chipped and pealing) WE got a lot done and our house is looking more loved. :) Our yard looks so great THANKS to Scott, who takes care of it for us!! At about 5:00 the girls were dressed and ready for trick-or-treating. WE went out as a family---my favorite way to go! WE only went to our family and friends that live close by. It was fun to visit them and to show off the girls' costumes. My grandma Robison always makes popcorn balls for the grandkids. This has been a tradition for as long as I can remember. She always has regular candy for the other kids that come and then a special popcorn ball for us. We always feel so special and loved. Grandma Diann (Scott's Mom) also made special Halloween sugar cookies for us. They were really yummy! Once we got home we had pancakes for dinner. It was quick and easy and filled everyone up! Then we watched a movie together and the kids had fun answering the door for our trick-or-treaters (we got about 6 groups---seriously a record for us--we usually never get trick-or-treaters). I was grateful that Scott was home and that we could spend so much time together as a family.

Also the Friday before Halloween the girls had their Parties at school and I was able to go help with Kenzie's class party. It was really fun to see her with her class mates. I had to dress up too. I was a farmer (simple, easy, I could wear baggy over-alls (Thanks Nicki) and I helped with the game of "SPOOKY BINGO." I brought Whitney with me too. She loved being part of the party and she was so well behaved. She just followed Kenzie around and did all the activities with her. Then right after school we went to see Aunt Macie at Malelueka(S.P.?)---Every year they deck the call center out in different themes and hand out candy to the kids that come! Aunt Macie gave us a personal tour! She was dressed as Princess Lolly from Candy Land. She looked darling. The girls loved being there with their Aunt and they got spoiled with lots of candy! Thanks Aunt Macie!

THANK YOU KIM!!!! YOU TOTALLY ROCK!!!!

2009-10-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

O.K. So my cousin Kim, took our family pictures yesterday! And I am to-die-for-in-love with them ALL!! These are just a few of my favorites!! She took tonz of them and I seriously love them all! The old barn and farm equipment we are posing in front of are just across the street from my house. The old trucks have been there as long as I can remember and I have always loved them. They are comforting. Old. Stable. Unchanged. And it just occurred to me that they would make really cool back drops for pictures . . . .and I think I was right! I must thank my mom for the girls darling outfits. Compliments of "The Children's Place" I adore that store and we don't have one here, so when my mom went to St. George she got these outfits for the girls. We always take family pictures at this time of year, because the girls all have their birthdays (2 in Aug. and 1 in Sept.) then we use the picture on our Christmas Card. It works well for us. I am somewhat fanatical about family pictures. We get a NEW one every year. This is the first time I have been pregnant at this time of year. At first I was thinking that I would try to hide the baby belly in all the pictures so that I wouldn't be caught at an unflattering angle . . . but spur of the moment while we were taking pictures I was like, "let's get some of the baby belly!" and I am so glad that we did, because they are my favorite. I am a little over 5 months along in these pictures.

KIM THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You are so VERY talented and I love how sweet you are to bend over backwards to accommodate our busy schedules and take SO much time editing and creating these beautiful and wonderful pictures for my family! I love you!! :) Thanks for being a great cousin and an even better friend.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

2009-10-16T15:52:00.001-07:00

Sam and Scotty

All dressed in White

Checking out the font

On Saturday October 10, 2009 Samantha got baptized! It was a very special day. Scott was able to baptise and confirm her. Sam was very prepared for this grown up decision. She has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She feels spiritual things--it is real to her. She told us that she knows this is the first step back to her Father in Heaven and that she is on the straight and narrow path. Such conviction. The faith of a child is so inspiring. They don't doubt, they believe and love. Scott gave her a beautiful blessing of confirmation. And I was grateful for him and the priesthood that he holds ---it is real and powerful. I was deeply grateful for all our family support that were able to be there. My sister, Becca and her husband Nick, even came up from UT to be there with Sam. This meant a lot to me and her. We got to have a big family brunch at out house afterwards, and I just loved having everyone with us--filling our house with laughter and talking and good food. I found myself just looking around and smiling. I loved having everyone in our home. The rest of the day was spent with Becca and Nick at my mom's and I think that Nick definitely earned "The BEST Uncle of the Year Award" He played countless games with the girls and even squeezed under the stairs with them to play with their glow-in-the-dark bracelets. Crazy. I actually felt bad for him because they wouldn't leave him alone. But he is so kind and good-natured and happily played with them all afternoon. Bless his heart. It was a great day. :) Way to go Sam!! We love you and we are so proud of you!