January Cabin Trip

January 16-18th we were able to go up to Grandma & Papa's cabin in Heber/Overgaard. There was a little snow on the ground, at least enough for our boys to play in. It was cold and relaxing to get out of the valley. The boys played outside in the snow and mud as much as they could. Too bad we forgot their snow boots. We spent every evening by the fire drying shoes, hats and gloves. It was a great weekend getaway. The best part, it started to snow on Monday morning. We didn't stay long on Monday for fear of getting snowed in, but it was just enough for our boys.

Here are our boys out in the street. The neighbors had good amounts of snow so they played in their yards. Good thing no one was home! Jared enjoying some snow. Always with the tongue now!
Aaron decided he needed to make a snow angel. Too bad the snow was frozen over. But he kept trying.
Then Tyler got in on the snow angel making.

Having a snowball fight. It was more like an ice fight.

Jacob made a snowman in the back yard. He was so proud. Then he pelted it with snowballs till it was gone.

This is on Monday when it started snowing. We all went out to enjoy the snow. The neighbors came out to see what we were yelling about. I think they thought we were crazy.

Joe in the snow. He forgot his coat! Good thing I didn't forget his hat and gloves. It was cold.

Jared in the street during the snow. It didn't come down too hard and fast, but started to dust everything really well. The real snowfall came later that night.The Family snowball fight. I did my best to stay out of it.

Jared trying to throw some snow.

Aaron loved throwing snow at Dad.

Tyler taking a break in the fight.

Jacob really enjoyed the snowball fight.

Jared and that tongue again.

Tyler takes aim.
Aaron and Jared decided to use the shovels to scrape up the snow.

Great fun! We can't wait to go up again.

The Fridge...

After we got home from Tyler's great party. We noticed that there was a problem with the freezer part of our fridge. We thought that a cereal bag had gotten caught in the door and propped it open causing a few things to start to melt. So we fixed that and turned up the cold to make sure it was working ok and started getting everyone to bed. It was 8pm when we got home and started to notice this. Then the trouble started.

Around 9:30pm after we got everyone to bed and settled, we checked the fridge. The ice was melting in the freezer and although the fan was running there was no cold air coming out. Obviously I wasn't thinking properly and told Joe to turn it up the temp and shut the door and we would check it in the morning. I think I was really tired, because I should have gone straight out to get ice and started moving everything out.

By 6am everything in the freezer was soft if not melted. The fridge was kind of cold, but not enough to keep everything chilled. I immediately ran to the corner store and bought 4 bags of ice and moved everything to all our coolers. Our fridge was dead! The compressor went out. And I know what you are thinking, yes they can be fixed. But I hated fixing things over and over. So I went shopping on Friday at 10am and bought our new fridge.

The other problem we were then facing was we were planning to go up to the cabin on Saturday. Would the new fridge be delivered on time for us to still go? I did not give up! And my efforts were rewarded as our fridge showed up at 9:15am Saturday morning. We packed up and were on our way up north by 12:00. The best part, most of our cold stuff was already packed so I just loaded the already full coolers into the back of the truck!Oh, I almost forgot the funniest thing! On Friday night Joe and I pulled the fridge out to clean out underneath and get everything ready for our new appliance. Well we turned the knob to turn off the water that runs to the fridge and then started to unhook the cord. We apparently have a faulty valve and water started spraying Joe hard in the face. I started screaming because water was going everywhere! The boys came running, which we sent them running for towels as Joe tried to put the hose back on. He finally got the hose most of the way back on and stepped out from behind the fridge. Water was flowing everywhere. And even leaking out the cracks to the sliding glass door. Nice to see we have cracks there, I might say! I stepped back behind the fridge while Joe ran to get a wrench to finish tightening the hose and finished screwing the hose on so that the water stopped spraying out. We took about 30 seconds to laugh and then started mopping up all the water. Then turned on fans to dry out the wall, the cabinets and the floor. Did I say it was a lot of water? Because it was a LOT of WATER! Needless to say it cleaned up the mess that was under the fridge!

These are the coolers filled with the contents of my fridge.

Tada!! The New Fridge. OOOooooh, AAAAaaaahhh, Very Nice! We are still trying to figure out how to arrange everything in our new fridge but are loving the newness of it all.

Tyler's Birthday Party

On Thursday, January 14th Tyler celebrated his 8th Birthday at Peter Piper Pizza with a few friends from Primary. It was a fun time for all the kids. They played games and ate pizza. An easy party! Here is his birthday cake. Of course, I forgot to pre-order the cake so I just picked one up at Costco that day. Tyler had requested a chocolate cake. It was chocolate, but I didn't pay attention to the box and we found that this cake had a strawberry filling. Needless to say it was an interesting combination. I liked it, but it wasn't a favorite. The best part was Joe cut the pieces for everybody and as you will see in the pictures, he cut the biggest pieces of cake ever! They were huge! But it was fun. Tyler wore his birthday hat that he got at school for almost the entire party. This is a picture of him and Justin from his primary class. Justin cleaned up in the games and took home tons of prizes.
Here is most of the group. Starting in the back, Justin, Treagan (from school), Isaac. Then in the front, Taylor A., Molly, Taylor B. & Tyler. Not pictured but at the party was Cassie. Tyler getting ready to blow out the candles. & then the cake carving began!

Austin had a huge piece. Doesn't every 2 year old need a gigantic piece of chocolate cake?

Tyler did his best to eat every bite. Although he didn't like the filling.

I think Aaron's was the biggest. Of course, he only at the frosting!

Logan eyeing his big piece.

I got Jared a "normal" sized piece of cake.

Present time!

Thank you to everyone for coming to celebrate with Tyler. He had a wonderful party.

Tyler's Baptism

I just wanted to let those of you who are keeping an eye on my blog that I put Tyler's Baptism date wrong in his Birthday Blog. I have since changed it to the correct date, Sat. Feb 13th. Thank you Aimee for editing for me!

Here is the official Invitation...

You are invited to attend the

Baptism of

Tyler Joseph Macdonald

On

Saturday, February 13, 2010

at 9:30am

at the Boulder Creek Stake Center

3025 S. Hawes Rd.

Mesa, AZ

Please join us for a luncheon following the Baptism

at Tyler's home

8550 E. Lakeview Ave

Mesa, AZ

Please R.S.V.P. if you are coming so we may plan accordingly.

Happy 8th Birthday Tyler!!

Happy Birthday Tyler!

For those who are wondering...Tyler will be baptised on Saturday, February 13th at 9:30am at our Stake Center. We are so proud of him for making the choice to be baptised.

I can hardly believe my cute little Tyler is 8 today. He is so excited about started Cub Scouts, on his birthday no less! Tyler has always been a good boy. He was an easy baby, content to just be with everyone. He is our cuddley boy. Whether you need a hug or not, Tyler will give you one. He is a smart boy and is developing into a responsible young man. Thank you Tyler for being a good example for your brothers. We love you, cuddle bear!

Charlotte-isms Part 2

Remeber you need to push yourself to your own level.

"So on a level of 1 to 10...10 being you are going to throw up...let's hold it at about a 6 or 7...I don't want any of you throwing up in here!" Said to us at spin class this morning.

Thank you Charlotte for giving me permission to push my own level!

FHE spells FUN!

Last night for FHE we had a short lesson/story from the Friend magazine and then made Fruit Loop necklaces. I know it sounds kinda lame, but we had a good time making our treat/activity. Joe was so funny, he sang about his necklace the entire time. Tyler thought it was a race and did it as fast as he could so he could start eating it. Jared thought we were crazy for putting them on string, he just ate whatever we put in front of him. Aaron was all about the pattern. And Jacob just wanted to make it the longest one ever. An all around good night together. No arguing or fighting and no tv.

Aaron looks like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He was very careful about stringing his necklace. Great fine motor activity!

Joe and his cool Fruit Loop necklace.
Crazy boys!

Jacob really enjoyed the eating part. But what a mess he made and then had to clean up!

My smilely Jared. You can almost see him saying "cheeeese"!

Then Joe started to get silly!

Fruit Loops make everyone happy!

Jared did try to make a necklace, but he really didn't get the point of it all.

Tyler ate his very quickly.

I made a necklace too. It goes with my outfit as well!

Let the mess begin.

Aaron trying to be silly like Dad.