No MORE Hardware

It's true. Kelton no longer has the screws in his leg. We were able to get them out on the 22nd of this month. He was such a trouper. He started walking around the next day and has been going since then. We all guessed at what color the screws would be and Trey was the big winner. They were.....BLUE! He has to be careful for about 3-4 weeks and then continue to practice walking normally on it and he should be good as new in about 4 months. I for one am glad that this little trial is just about behind us:), but am anxious to see what is in store for us next year.

Christmas Day!!

Christmas is always a favorite time of year at our house. Our days go something like this:

We head to Grandma & Grandpa Chatfields for the nativity. Then we head home to have dinner (which is usually soup) and to make cookies for Santa. During that time the "Elves" magically leave a gift on the porch for the kids. This year he left video games, which the kids spent the rest of the night playing until it was time for Santa to come.

The next morning, Trey & I couldn't wait so we went and woke-up the kids. They headed up the stairs to see if Santa had really come. He had and then we unwrapped each present 1 at a time. After this everyone gets dressed and we headed up to Chatfields for the gift exchange up there. The kids get to bring 1 of their favorite gifts to play. Somehow, every boy decided to bring their rocket. So the dads and boys launched while the moms and girls watched. It was really fun. We then had breakfast. When things start to settle down we head over to Trey's sisters place to see everyone. Then it is back home to either rest or play with toys. Then at about 5pm we head back to Chatfields to deep fry turkey and have dinner together. I love having family time and just being with great people. We are truly blessed to have so much family. Love you all and am grateful for all you do.

Christmas Programs & Polar Express

Kelton had his Christmas Program during school. It was fun to go and hear him sing and see him with all the other 1st graders. Lacie & I and the kids got there 15 minutes early and couldn't get a seat so I got a picture of him walking by with his class as they cam in. He did a great job!

John's cute little preschool class did a Christmas program and he was so cute. They held it in a local church building, which was perfect because it was only the students in his class. He sang so many cute songs and then we had snacks after. He was so proud that he was able to show us all the songs that he had learned. He really did know the words too!(I can't find the pictures, but he was so cute with his Rudolph nose on:)

We were able to go on the polar express ride with the Broadbents. It was so fun.

We actually got to ride on this train that took us through a winder wonderland

and then to see Santa.

After the kids got to tell Santa what they wanted. Santa told them about the True meaning of Christmas and then on the Train ride back there were amazing pictures of the Life of Christ and then at the end they kids got to write letters to the Missionaries. It was pretty neat. Thanks Broadbents for letting us take your extra tickets.

Christmas Card 2010

Here it is along with a little update:

Trey (Dad) is working at AdvancedMD and is enjoying his work. This summer we have been camping quite a bit and it always amazes me how he can make it so much fun. He has taken the boys fishing and shooting. He taught John how to start a fire with a flint starter!! (I can't even do this). He has just been called to teach at church on Sundays so I'm not sure how we are going to make it without him taking Beef to nursery (aka preschool).

Leslie (Me) . I am working with the youth in my ward on Wednesdays and Sundays (And usually another day during the week). I still enjoy a few hours up at my mom's gym teaching. I drive the kids to school, preschool, work & play days. I love spending time with them and the car just seems to trap them with me where they can't get away and they HAVE to talk to me:)

Kelton (6) has had the adventure of a broken femur this year. We are excited to say he should be back to new by the end of February. He is in 1st grade and is somehow managing all the girls that have loved pushing him in his wheelchair and taking care of him with his broken leg. He loves baseball and swimming and can't wait to start coach pitch this year.

John (4) is loving preschool! All day long he talks about Mrs. Skousen (his teacher) and his homework book. John keeps us on our toes by teasing, joking, and hiding things. He just finished his first season of soccer and is pretty good. He made a few goals and is learning to run & kick the ball at the same time. He is also teaching Beefy how to play and get along with others.

Keith (2)*Beefy* has been the funnies kid this year. He is so loving and aware of what his mom needs. He will bring me blankets when I'm laying down and give me kisses every time he goes potty in the potty. He has doing a gymnastics class and has learned to stay with his teacher throughout the whole class. We can't get him to go to nursery unless we call it "preschool." He thinks it is so unfair that John & Kelton go to school & he doesn't. He has learned his ABC's and Loves to do his flashcards. He has also learned that eating too much candy makes you sick!

Here's to another great year of fun, excitement, and Surprises-Even the ones we don't want. Merry Christmas everyone!

New Christmas Outfit!

This morning Beefy finished breakfast and got himself dressed for the snow outside.

(notice the Christmas bag Grandma & grandpa Gardner sent--he can't let it out of his sight)

Then realizing how much snow there would be decided to run to find his pants.

I've got a pic of the bare bottom but thought against putting it online for all to see

We Love You Beefy!

Day after Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving is a big day for us. I go shopping and hit all the black Friday deals with my mom and my sisters. I mostly go to watch how crazy people get and to just have a great time with my sisters. They are awesome. This year we started shopping at 12:01AM at Wal-mart and dot just about everything on our list-I missed out on the hand mixer-$3 & we only got 3 crock pots instead of 4-$15 (I think). Then we headed to Old Navy. Now to my defense I HATE, HATE, HAte standing in line. So when we walked in my mom got in line and we shopped til it was time to check out. This is how it should be done. We got everything we needed in that store and then headed for Kohl's. But after seeing the line wrap around the building and the doors still locked tight we opted to get something to eat and head home so the boys could head out on their annual hunt at 4:30AM. This is the first year EVER that I think a camera was taken.

The boys getting their guns ready.

Drew and Hunter got to go for the 1st time and Trey said they actually killed a few rabbits. I can't believe that Kelton will be going with them in a few years!

Well, while Trey was out hunting I picked up the kids and headed to Cabelas and helped her get some things that she needed. They boys loved that then we headed up to my moms for some crafting and lunch. While there John got his wrist slammed in the door and wouldn't use it. I though just maybe we were going to get out 2nd broken bone all in the same year.

I took him to the insta-care and LUCKILY it was NOT broken although it was sore for a few days and swollen. He has started using it so we are definitely on the mend.

**On a last note Kelton gets the screws out of his leg on Dec 22**

We can't wait!!

Then on Saturday we had a wedding shower for my cousin and then Libbey & I headed to Jo-Ann Fabric to get some stuff. We really wanted the cricket-a crafting cutter-but we ended up buying some Christmas decorations and fabric for Christmas gifts. Then came home and put up all the Christmas Decorations.

Wow! I'm exhausted just remembering all the stuff we did.

Thanksgiving

This was the first year I got to host Thanksgiving dinner. It was so fun. I was a bit stressed out but then Trey said he would take care of the turkey so-my life was easy! I made Jello, mashed potatoes, salad, drinks, & gravy. Trey's sister, Celeste, came over with her family and brought stuffing, rolls, dessert, and green bean casserole. What a Feast. I borrowed my moms dishes (I don't have a set of 12) and her punch bowl. I sat all the adults at the table and then the kids at the bar. It was really nice to just sit and talk and enjoy their company. Thanks guys for making Thanksgiving so great!

Trey's set up on the front porch to cook the turkey-He usually does it farther away from the house, but there were kids outside and Trey was worried they would try to see what was going on the get burned. So it is a bit closer to the house they we usually have it.

Trey just getting the oil poured in and checking the temp

The turkey is IN

Me trying to peel a million potatoes

The sunset was beautiful that night. This picture is great, but nothing can compare to how blue and orange the clouds and sky were.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Halloween follow up

So, I'm finally getting around to getting the rest of Halloween up. Here are the halloween happenings:

I got to go and help with Kelton's Halloween party.

It was so fun here is his entire class after the party

Principal Stephenson was so fun as a box top-helping support the schools fundraising

John's preschool did a little program and here is his class after their party.

Beef started out as a frog because his cousin was Tiara from princess and the frog so together they were REALLY cute.

John as a Transformer

Kelton as an injured football player-I had a few people ask me where I ever got the idea and how I managed to get a hold of a brace and a walker-Lucky us we actually HAD to use both because of Kelton's broken femur.

After all the school parties we went trick or treating at Trey's work- Beef then was dressed as Bateman & has been ever since.

John changed into Spiderman. On Halloween it stormed like crazy. So being the inventive mother that I am took the kids early in the day to all the relatives and then let them give candy out at the door during the cold, rainy, evening.

Halloween Party

Trey & I went to a Halloween party at a neighbors home. I had a Blast! I was a witch and Trey was non other than "Edward Cullin" from Twilight. He actually won a prize for Best costume-hehe I think he's a pretty good match, but you decide for yourself. (He needs a bit of RED lipstick but he did have the sparkle skin)

Fall Break

For fall break this year we headed up American Fork Canyon to the cabin. We had a blast. We started by getting all the sleeping bags out and set up on the beds, starting the fires to keep the place warm, and filling the kitchen with food! Oh, & did I mention cutting wood for the fires-

we did A LOT of this.

Thursday was the first day up there and since everyone didn't get there til about dinner time or just before we brought up pizza. The older kids then learned to play Stratego, the younger kids chased each other around the the adults talked. After all the kids went to bed we waited up til 11PM for Jared (we had to let him through the gate-he didn't have a key). We get tired of waiting and fell asleep. At about midnight we heard someone stumbling around outside and come into the cabin. Mom almost lost it-she was ready for the intruder holding a fire poker & flashlight laying on the couch in her pjs-quite the sight. She finally let him in the cabin and after tripping over a few things found the key and was able to get settled in. at 4AM Kate woke-up scream about a bear and Beef was trying to console her with knock, knock jokes. Finally at about 7:30 AM the cabin was awake and stoking the fires for breakfast.

Kelton, Hunter & Drew Playing Stratego!

Some of the games we had up there-Archery, BB Guns, Football

On Friday, we Grandma and Rex came up to visit and Lacie and her kids came up with fugitive (Our Rooster). Fugitive has been crowing lately and is going to get us in trouble with the neighbors so we asked if anyone wanted him. Jo mentioned that she wanted to try to kill and cook a chicken. So up came Fugitive and along with everything needed for chicken noodle soup. We spent the day at Silver Lake hiking around and then made dinner-Fugitive was tasty!

Hiking up to Silver Lake

Silver Lake-It was very low!

Johnny walking down the water level

Beefy & Kate thinking they are soooo funny-They are cute!

Grandma Lorna & Rex waiting to see the chicken whacked:)

Fugitive-His tail is usually really high but the ride up was a bit rough for him

Jo did it-I've got to hand it to her & the soup was delicious--The little girls weren't going to eat it but we made them and they realized it was the best chicken they have ever had (We had to use a roasted chicken from the store because Fugitive wasn't big enough to feed 22 people)

The kids eating lunch by the wood pile

Jo, Trey, Chad, Johnny, & Jared

Chad hanging a lantern exactly where Mom wanted it

Trey reading books to the kids and Will falling asleep

Saturday the older kids & some of the adults went on a hike to Silver Lake Flat. Then we cleaned the cabin and headed home. What a great fall break. Very relaxing and a bit exciting too.

Coming back from their hike

Update on Kelton's Leg

We just had our 4 week check up with Dr. Klatt!! Yes, it has already been 4 weeks. Dr. Klatt showed us some x-rays and we could actually see the bone growing back together. He told us that we can get rid of the wheel chair all together in about 1-2 weeks, but for now he needs to use it at school. At home he gets to use his walker and sleep without his brace on. He is working on putting weight on it and bending it. The bending is REALLY hard because of the pins that go in through the muscle on the side of his knee. I no longer have to help him go potty at school and feel like i am forgetting something when 11:30AM rolls around. Kelton has another check up on Nov 29th , at which time he has to be walking on his own with NO brace and be able to bend his knee to 90 degrees. If we have accomplished the above things by the next visit we will schedule a time to get the screws taken out. Wish us luck!

Scott's Cabin

This last weekend our friends, the Scott Family, invited us up to their cabin! I was a bit worried with Kelton, but we all had a blast because the Scotts are TOTALLY amazing!

(Beefy & Boston searching the leaves for treasure)

We got up to the cabin at night let the kids watch a movie while the adults played some SEQUENCE. The kids then went to bed and we stayed up and played until around 3 AM!! And can you believe it, The girls won ALL but 1 game to the boys--Kesha we Rule! Well, the next day we had breakfast and the boys headed out on the 4-wheelers

(Boston giving the thumbs up-He and Beefy got along so good)

Kelton, Easton (the baby), Kesha, and I stayed and played UNO and Ker PLUNK. Then we headed up to the lake and fished.

(Nick, Kelton, & Trey all fishing-wheel chair & ALL)

(Can you see how beautiful this place is-

this is a great picture and it was even more gorgeous in REAL life!)

We had to leave before we were able to catch anything, but Nick and Boston were able to catch some for dinner that night.

Kesha remembered everything! Bringing bubbles, nets, and food-while I just managed to tag along. It was soo fun.

(Easton, Boston, Beefy, John, & Me)

Kelton holding a snake that they caught with the nets-yuck)

(Me holding Beef so he could catch a water spider)

We managed to only have 2 kids fall in-Beef & John- and it was only up to their knees luckily.

(Kelton trying to catch butterflies)

(John catching Butterflies)

Trying to catch water bugs on his own

Boston making sure Beef was doing it right-hehe not really. He just wanted to see if Beef caught anything:)

John holding the frog that Nick caught-those little things were FAST!

The bubbles-can't go wrong with Bubbles

The AMAZING Scott Family (look above for Nick). Thanks so much for a great weekend. You guys are awesome and so much fun. Thanks for putting up with us and can't wait to do it again.