Elliot is 6!

This young man turned 6 the end of January. Elliot has been looking forward to this day since his last birthday. He requested French toast for breakfast. He chose chinese food for dinner.

Elliot has been asking for an art set like his brothers Kaden and Rylan. He didn't get one for Christmas like them. He was thrilled when grandma and grandpa O'Dell sent him this set.

Big sister Elsie gave Elliot a soda with her very own money. She tried to keep it a secret but things leaked out. Elliot was still excited to get his own soda. He also got sandels, legos, and a shirt.

Elliot picked out his own cake which was orange. He helped me make the cupcakes not wanting anyone else to help. He loves to be in the kitchen working with me.

This last year Elliot started kindergarten. He loves school and is getting really good at reading. The things I love about Elliot are:

6 Elliot is into anything technology based. He is constantly figuring out things and showing me how to do things on the computer and tablet. He doesn't get to do the computer too often but I love seeing him learn things so quickly.

5 Elliot does almost everything on his own. He is very independent and wants to do things without help. I love his eagerness to do things right, but often gets frustrated.

4 Elliot loves to be in the kitchen. He is the only child that has gotten burned from touching the stove. That didn't stop him and he is always asking to help make something. We have become a great team, especially when making a roux for soup. He is a great stirrer.

3 Elliot has started doing this thing with his eyebrows where he smiles and moves his eyebrows. I love the smiles he always has to share.

2 I love how Elliot wants to sit by me all the time, he wants me to always check on him and spend time with him. He still wants my attention and I just love it.

1 I love how Elliot always shares his love. He loves to comfort anyone who is sad. He gives the best hugs. He is a great help when Reyen is sad and needs some cheering up.

Happy Birthday Elliot! We love you!

Elsie is 11!

My Birthday

 I've been off track for 3 weeks and so far, I've been reading a lot. 

 I got balloons and a pump to make things like flowers and animals.  

 I got waffles, whip cream, and syrup for my birthday breakfast. 

 I got three books from my aunt Michelle. The one and only Ivan, Moon over manifest, and When you reach me. 

 I got 2 piano books from my grandma O'Dell that I get to play out of.

When I got home from school my brothers had me open my presents. As the photo can show, Camden was very excited. And of my course my other brothers were trying to see what I got. 

I wanted to put my cupcakes in the shape of a soccer ball, but that didn't quite turn out, so I just put the blue ones in a circle with a white one in the middle.(the blue and white is for BYU )

 I had cookies and cream ice cream for my dessert. 

Here I am showing some of my balloon inventions. 

 The balloons sometimes are tricky and try to get away. 

 I have perfected how to make a wiener-dog. 

 My mom took this when I wasn't looking as you can see.

Reyen just loves to play the piano with her older sister. She is an exceptional player. 

written by:

Elsie

Elsie was really excited for her birthday to come. Every year at Christmas she counts down until her day. She has had a great year of 10. Elsie is growing tall. She is 1 inch shy of 5 ft, which she is excited about. 11 things I love about Elsie are:
11 Elsie is very good at the piano. She hasn't always loved it. Now that she is taking lessons from Grandma O'Dell she is growing so much. She volunteers in primary and is playing hymns from the hymnbook now.
10 Elsie tries hard on her schoolwork. She loves her teacher and loves to get her work done so that she can help other students.
9 Elsie likes to write. She has started writing stories and is thinking about doing a chapter book.
8 Elsie loves to make things. She makes bracelets, cards, and loves to sew and make treats.
7 Elsie is a great help with kids. She offered to watch the boys for us so Mike and I could go out for our anniversary. We took Reyen with us and went somewhere close. She loved it but the boys didn't. They weren't so cooperative and now Elsie isn't excited to do it again anytime soon.
6 Elsie loves pencils. I didn't think much of it until I noticed her stash. She likes to collect any pencil that is not the basic yellow. It is so funny.
5 She gives service. Loves to do things for others and offered to play the piano in church next month for the activity girls to sing. She is very nervous but is practicing very hard to make it perfect.
4 We get to go girl shopping together with no boys.
3 This girl likes sports. She hasn't played on any teams but loves to compete with the boys at school. Spinney got her some clothes and we had to go exchange some pants. There weren't anymore so Elsie looked at other clothes. She went straight for the exercise clothes and found some fun stuff.
2 Elsie is very thoughtful. She tries to help others. The other day she came and asked me if there was anything she could help with. Love it.
1 I absolutely love Elsie's smile and hugs. Even though she is getting older she still likes to give me a hug good night and have me check on her. Boy, I love this girl.
Happy Birthday Elsie and hope your year is wonderfully fun!

Great Friends

The weekend before Christmas my mission trainer came to town. I was so excited she got in touch with me. This women saw me at my worst on the mission. She is so loving and patient. After so many years it is still great to see her and her growing family.

The time we had together was not as long as we had planned. Because of that I made pizza ahead of time already to go in the oven. For treats I made some shortbread cookies we could all decorate and give to Santa on Christmas Eve. The kids even got in some tag in before they had to leave.

Here we are trying to get a picture right before they leave. Tears, laughing, and even refusing to be in the picture but it was so fun to be together.

There were 3 girls and 8 boys. I know now that if we had 11 kids this house would not fit us all. It was crowded and crazy. I loved it but don't want 11 kids of my own.

This family is amazing. They are travelers and I will miss them but will love to hear about their adventures in new lands. I don't know how they do it. I would be scared and stressed about traveling with 6 kids around the world. They are a great inspiration and maybe one day I will attempt it and afford it.

Christmas at Grandma's house

 Christmas at grandma and grandpa Wilcox's house. She made delicious scones and uncle Dave made yummy breakfast casserole.

 Reyen eating her lunch all by herself.

 When the family comes it is so much fun.

 Rylan inhaled the scones.

 A house full of lots of grandchildren.

 We love spending time at grandma's house. It's true what they say the heart of the home is in the kitchen. Kathy has taught her boys many things and one thing is to cook. I love to see all of them in the kitchen. They make yummy food.