Goodbye to Tina's Tots Preschool

Katie had her preschool graduation tonight. She was so excited for her little program and did a great job on her songs. They did the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language. It was so cute.

We are so sad to say goodbye to Tina's Tots. All 4 of the kids went to this same preschool. It has been so wonderful. Tina has been the most amazing teacher and so much fun! There isn't a day that goes by that Katie doesn't tell me something that Ms. Tina taught her or something that she says.

This is an end of an era...but we are leaving with some fabulous memories.

Thanks Ms. Tina for the past 8 years of teaching our kids their ABC's and sooo much more!!

Before & After

Abby has been wanting to get her hair cut for awhile. We finally went and got it done...we were surprised to find out that she had cut enough off the length to donate her hair. We are sending it in to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

Dancing and Camping

I know, I know, it has been a couple of months since I have blogged...well more like 6 months. But who is really counting?

This past weekend Katie had her first dance recital. She had two dances and did a fabulous job.

















The dance recital landed on the same night as our ward father and son camp out.
So Max and Daddy had to improvise and they set up the tent in the back yard, bought a load of treats and picked up a movie at Redbox and watched it on the laptop. They stayed up way too late, but had alot of fun.

What happened to November??

Every four years when leap year roles around, I always wonder who the heck thought up leap year??? Why do we need an extra day every four years in February? Never really understood.....but seriously, when did someone decide that there wasn't going to be a November in the year 2008?? The last thing I remember was going trick or treating October 31st and now I am getting ready for Christmas..what is with that?? Needless to say, life has been a little crazy around here.

My sweet Uncle David passed away on November 21st and we were able to go up to Calgary for the funeral. It was so nice to be around my wonderful family. There were cousins that I hadn't seen for years. This picture shows "the Russell clan" with the exception of 5 cousins that were not able to attend. That was so amazing. I can't remember the last time we were all together. I was so sad to have it all end. I love my family!

It snowed one day while were up at my mom and dads. Grandpa took the kids across the street to go sledding and build snowmen. We didn't bring any snow playing clothes for them...so they mix and matched what they could of Grandmas and went out and played. They had a blast!! Great memories. It was unseasonably warm while we were there with the exception of this one day. Perfect weather for our unplanned trip up. We were truly blessed to have the weather we did. It made us feel alot safer with all the traveling we did while we were up there.

Home sweet home! This is the field across from my parents home...isn't it gorgeous!! I love the windmills.

Visiting with Cameron and Joanna and their new little one Konnor William. He is such a sweetie! It was nice to visit them and enjoy their beautiful newly finished basement. You did a great job Cam!

3 generation picture...proud daddy...proud grandpa!

My dad finally bought himself a new recliner while we were up there. He is always falling asleep in this old wooden rocking chair that is in their TV room. I am thinking that this is going to be ALOT more comfy for him. Sit back Dad and relax...you deserve it!!

"MAGICAL"

I love this age...Katie thinks everything is so "magical".

Daddy changes the light bulbs in the garage...Katie says, "daddy is so magical".

The book she likes to read has lift the flaps...Katie says, "that book is so magical".

Our van has automatic sliding doors...Katie says, "our van is so magical".

Why can't they stay 4 years old FOREVER!! I wish I could live in her world for just one day.

I love you so much my little Katie Lady!

my mini george washington

At school they are having a World History Assembly in place of any Halloween celebrations. So for this each of the children that wanted to participate needed to do a report on someone in history and then dress up as that person.
None of my kids really spoke up and said that they were interested in doing this. Max mentioned that he wanted to be George Washington, but it never went any further than that.
Well, the day after the reports were due, Max came home with a slip of paper saying that his report had been accepted for George Washington. Max did it all on his own and handed it in. WOW!
So...last night I (with help from Abby) came up with this costume for Max. He was pretty excited. The wig even has a pony tail in the back.

Where did October go???

Well October has come and gone in a blink. We have been busy with family, birthdays, surgery, Dr. appointments, getting ready for Halloween and enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

Kloee was having trouble seeing and we found out she needed reading glasses.

Steve turned 35....early morning present opening...way too early for Daddy.

Abby had to have her tonsils out this month...she had a hard time with the recovery. But it will all be worth it to not have a sore throat ALL the time. These are some pretty flowers that Daddy's office sent her.

Grandma and Grandpa Russell came for a visit. Max pretty much was attached to Grandpa's hip the whole time. Being the only boy, he thinks that logically Grandpa was all his for the week. The girls managed to squeeze in a couple of bike rides with him.

Grandma couldn't help buying some cute things for the kids while she was here.

I turned 37 this year and the kids worked hard on a birthday cake for me. With some screaming and some tears they finally came to a compromise on how to frost it. Thanks kids...it was yummy!!

While my mom and dad were here we went to "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". It was up at the American Fork Amphitheater. It was a little chilly, but it was a lot of fun.