Basketball & Oreo faces

 Today was Ashton's last game of Jr. Jazz basketball.  And I mean this in the nicest way, but I am SO glad it's over!  He was part of a very young team with new players - which means they got creamed. Every. Single. Time.  It was rough to watch.  Plus they played 6 minute quarters - so with the number of players they had everyone got 12 minutes of floor time.  Not enough for me - guess I'm greedy.  I'm ready for soccer season, which will start at the end of the month.  Ashton will play on Tuesday nights, Conner Thursday nights, Mallory on Wednesday nights and Emma on Saturday.  Let's hope the practice schedule works out with all of that.  It's going to be crazy - but I LOVE watching my kids play soccer!

Ashton is #13

Ashton's personal cheering section.  We were definitely annoying - I mean loud.

Way to go Ashton!

Jared bought Oreos for FHE one night & let the kids have them with milk (he's the fun parent).  Sophie loves it! Jared gets one all soaked in milk & then feeds it to her.  She got so messy.  And the hair is because I attempted to put her hair in one tiny pony on top.  It kinda worked!

Blue & Gold Banquet - Ashton's Wolf

I'm the Wolf leader in our ward.  Which means when boys turn 8, they start the Scouting program & get me!  Every February is the Blue & Gold Banquet - Scouts biggest night.  We had ours this last Tuesday.  I was in charge of invitations & passing them out (the night I was out Soph took her first steps & I missed it!!), and decorations.  Thank heavens for Zurchers.  They have everything.

Ashton & Brody getting ready to do the flag ceremony

Ashton finally got his Wolf badge!

Feb. 9th - Jazz game

I was able to take 5 of my kids with me to a Jazz game with our neighbors, the Dallas family.  They have boys Ashton & Conner's age (Spencer & Ryan) and girls Mallory & Sophie's age (Aubrey & Emily).  Our significant others stayed home with the babies.  They were nose-bleed seats, but free!  This ended up being Jerry Sloan's last game.  I'm glad I got to be there - even though we lost terribly to the Bulls.  We are die-hard Jazz fans around here and believe that they can turn the season around! 

From way up here, you all look like little ants!

 From here down are a few pictures that Mallory took.  By half time she was done, crying and screaming that she wanted to go home.  People around us started staring.  Then she started crying and yelling about the fact that "Everyone is staring at me!"  She perked up after I handed her the camera.  But I will NEVER take her to a game again, at least until she is older.  

She gave the camera to Conner for this one

Valentine's Day

We didn't do much for Valentine's Day this year, at least on the actual day.  Jared and I went out over the weekend; Kelsey had a dance on Thursday at school; Emma, Ashton & Conner had their class Valentine parties on Friday (since there was no school today).  Mallory, however, still had school today and she could NOT wait!  She was all smiles at bedtime, jumping & skipping to her room Sunday night.  She goes to the wonderful Teacher Pat (all my kids have).  Their Valentine holders they made were different this year than before, and I just love it!  Pat changed a cracker box into a Valentine backpack!  It even closes with velcro, though it was so full after school it couldn't be closed.  I love, love, love it. So cute.

They got to decorate them themselves on Friday.

Cute little backpack!

It was still a work day today, and Jared was gone to meetings most of the day.  I spent most of the day trying to get caught up on laundry (vicious cycle!).  I did promise the kids I would take them to a movie, so we went to see "Gnomeo & Juliet".  Cute show!

2 Teeth & Nap Time

Conner lost two teeth yesterday!  He was very brave as Jared pulled them out.

Yuck!  I'm glad Jared does it because it makes me queasy just thinking about it.

I was working in the office the other day & noticed that Sophie was being very quiet, wherever she was.  It was only about 10:30 in the morning - too early for a nap! So I took a picture and then woke her up.  Rude, huh? 

Sleepover at Grandma & Papa Smart

Brent & Denise had 16 of their grandkids over for a big sleepover.  Jared & I were left home with just Sophie!  The kids all headed over around 8:00, after Grandma got off of work, and let me tell you how quiet my house was!  Not sure when they all went to bed.  I went to take some pictures around 10:30, so pretty late I'm sure!  There were kids everywhere.  They had a lot of fun with their cousins!

Jayden, one of the twins - or Twinee - as we call them, Ashton, Bree & Kelsey.  Aunt Kadee was giving everyone facials.

Don't let that face fool you - Ashton was having fun

This is Kadee's boy - Zander.  He didn't get to sleepover, but came to play.  He loves being around kids.

Sadie, Paige, Libbie and Mallory

They had this room to themselves.  They were playing and watching High School Musical.

I made Preston smile for this picture, with Ashton & Kelsey

The crazy dining room, where Kadee was giving facials.

Libbie and Paige

Ringing in 2011!

Jamie's boy Will - hoping I don't notice him heading for the remotes and phone

Mallory and Whitney playing with Mallory's new Disney Princess castles.

Ashton and Lexi - These two believe they are getting married someday!

Neil & Amy's Lucy!

Neil has taught his boys in the Jedi ways.  They were playing with lightsabers all night!

The kitchen is the place to be! 

About 15-20 mins before midnight - watching Time Square.  

We did a few fireworks & the kids all had pots to bang.  It was LOUD! Notice Neil is covering Lucy's ears?  Plus it was about 10 degrees outside - Brrrr!

Happy New Year! If the neighbors were asleep they weren't after we were done!