Summer's Over? What?

Hello Everyone! Long time no talk! Ok, so time has just flown by for me that sometimes I forget what day it is.

Summer was a lot of fun. Bree came up for a month and Gracie for two weeks. During that two weeks the flu spread like wild fire and took a week out of there summer at Aunt Melyssa's. As soon as we got over that, we swam, went to the movies, out to eat, got glitter toes, and I cut Gracie's hair! She wanted me to highlight it, but I had to draw the line. We also went up the canyon on a hike. At night they watched Napoleon Dynamite over and over. Bree loves pasta so we made that a lot, and we went to the zoo for which after we went and hung out at Auntie Pam's. We love her house! It is our new crash pad when my mom comes into town. All in all, we had a good time!

After Bree left, she got to come back up to my house for the Bateman family reunion. Although I didn't go, I heard it was really a lot of fun.

Briaunna also had her 21st birthday in July! Crazy. She wanted to go to Vegas, but we did a birthday lunch instead, maybe next year! She started her senior year at UVU, so maybe when she graduates we can go on a fun trip!

A really neat day was the day Carina was baptized. I have been to a lot of baptisms, but her being a convert, it was really very special. We were glad we got to be a part of that.

And last but not least, my niece Dani left on her mission to Cleveland Ohio. We are way excited for her new adventure! We now have 3 missionaries out in our family!

We also found out that Ashlee and Rod are expecting their first baby in April!

As far as our family goes, we are doing well. Bri is in college, Maddie just started 3rd grade, and Georgia is ummm, not walking yet, but can crawl like no baby you have ever seen! She is walking along furniture and climbing on things, but when we try and practice walking she laughs and fall down. So what if she is almost 17 months! The good thing is, you don't see any adults crawling around still! She'll get there, we have faith!

Amber, Dani, and Bri

Jason, Conner, Carina, and Hunter at Carina's Baptism

Gracie after hair cut

Gracie before haircut

mom, Georgia, and Auntie Caysi riding the train at the zoo

Gracie, Bree, Maddie, and Mom at movies watching UP

Bree, Caysi, Gracie, Maddie, Mallory, grandma, Georgia at zoo

Georgia standing fascinated with the washer

Oh, my baby's first day of 3rd grade

Oh, my other baby's 21st birthday at PF Changs

Georgia having fun at Bri's birthday

Bottom: Melyssa, Georgia, gma Karen, Carina, Conner, Morgan, Aunt Stephanie, Mike, Tiffani, Briaunna, Aunt Patti, Presli,

Top:Bree, Bailey, Maddie

Bri's Birthday

Maddie, Gracie and Bree camping out in the basement

Maddie, Georgia, Presli, and Bree the day Bree went home

Cute pic of Maddie and Georgia

Maddie and Briaunna at Carina's baptism luncheon

Livin and Lovin Life

I know it has been a while...But I make no excuses, I am busy! Sometimes I think my gosh where does the time go. I really don't think we have done a lot until I am scrolling through pictures and trying to decide what to put in this blog.

Let me begin. Easter was not much fun. Maddie and Georgia were so sick! Maddie had strep throat that took her out of school for three days with a fever of 101. Georgia had ear infections and a throat infection. She was so sick that she actually spiked a fever and made her have what is called a febrile seizure. Scared me, I knew what was happening, but still very scary. Called 911 and everything. We are all doing better now thank goodness.

Spring Break we headed to Vegas. My sister Caysi's house is the new hang out. We are using her for her pool. We actually had a really good time. Her daughter Gracie had a pool party for her 10th birthday so we went down for that. My brother Brad and his fiance Shannon came up for the weekend. My mom also flew down. So it was really fun hanging out, swimming, and visiting.

Me, Briaunna, and Georgia went and watched my niece Tiffani audition for a talent competition at UVU and she won! So she gets to perform at the Kelly Clarkson concert next month! We are so excited to get to go watch her.

Maddie had crazy hair day at school. I was pretty proud of her flower pot hairdo.

And finally, Georgia turned one! I can't believe my little baby is one. Although she doesn't crawl yet, she scoots around like crazy! I have to watch her closely as she can open cupboards and pull cords that are hanging over the counter...yeah, not good when the curling iron falls an inch from her head.

We have also had 2 of our nephews missionary farewells. JT Lindsay left in March to Seattle, Washington. Alex Talbot leaves May 6th to Tampa Bay, Florida spanish speaking.

My niece Amber also graduated from UVU with her degree in graphic arts! Congratulations!

I think I covered everything! I hope everyone is doing good and I will try to update again soon.

Georgia at Auntie Caysi's sittin by the pool eating a strawberry

Uncle Brad feeding Little G some pancakes

Easter morning with my sick girls

Crazy hair day for Maddie

Maddie and Gracie getting ready to swim

All the girls went to Thanksgiving Point to the Tulip Gardens

Tiffani, Bailey, Maddie, Presli, and Georgia. Grandma Lindsay

Hunter, Conner, Carina, Dani, and Jason came as well.

Georgia and Presli after Tiffani's audition

Georgia, Briaunna, and Mely during Tiffani's audition

Georgia's First Birthday Cake

Seriously, who sleeps like this?

I don't think I have ever seen a baby so flexible. I don't know, maybe a dancer? Gymnast? Yoga instructor? We just moved her crib mattress down from infant level because she finally started sitting up in her bed. She probably won't try to pull herself up any time soon, but I would rather be safe then sorry. She also does the army crawl across the floor now, not crawling, but scooting, we are making progress...She is SOOO much fun, I guess I enjoy her so much because she is my last.

What we've been up too...

Since I always decide to wait WAY to long to blog, I am just going to randomly tell what we have been up too...

First, a couple weeks ago I got to babysit my nephew Conner while Carina my sister in law took Hunter, Maddie, and Grandma to see the play Willy Wonka at the Children's Theater. Conner is almost exactly 3 months younger than Georgia. We all had fun playing "take the binky away from each other" and "who could poke the other baby's eye out," it was a good time. By the way, don't laugh at Georgia's pajamas, I swear they fit the day before but when I put them on again, they were to small, so I had to cut the feet out of them.

Friday was the first really warm day. Me, Carina, Tiffani, Amber, and G-ma decided to go to Discovery Park and have a picnic. So we packed a lunch and hauled the kids to the park to play. It was so warm! Yes, Spring has sprung, or so we thought...as I type this I am sitting in my sweats with the heater on and snow on the ground. Go figure.

Tiffani and Presli sliding on the slide

My neice Amber, looking gorgeous as always

Maddie, isn't she so pretty?

Georgia's first trip down a slide!

Carina, Conner, Maddie, Melyssa, Georgia, Hunter, Amber, Presli

and Tiffani

This is Maddie after her piano recital. She did so good! This is her second year performing in festival as well. She worked so hard to memorize her songs...Dad and I are so proud of you!

Finally, the family got together and went to the open house of the Draper Temple a couple weeks ago. It was pretty awesome to see how beautiful it was. The highlight was Conner throwing his little grover into the baptismal font.

So much to think about...

Last week our family got together for an extensive family home evening on food storage and preparation. Scott's sister Patti invited a friend of hers to come and educate us on food storage and emergency preparedness. Although she focused more on the "pandemic" that is supposed to come not "if" but "when," (as if the economy isn't bad enough news,) It was very useful to learn some ways to keep your family safe, warm, and fed.

As I (i.e grandma and Scott) keep up on the day to day economy and stimulus this and socialist that, the hyper inflation that is supposed to come this year, the percentage of foreclosures going up, job loss is at it's highest, Obama throwing money to bail out everyone which will only make the dollar go down in value, the recession, the next depression? Who knows what the outcome will be. All I know is I have actually had a strong feeling to get my food storage and my home in order. That way I can rest at night knowing that if something is going to go down, me and my family are prepared.

So we as a family have decided to encourage each other by getting together monthly and reporting our progress. Our first task is to make sure everyone in our families has a 72 hour kit.

Although I used to think food storage was something I would do later in life, I thank my family for caring enough about all of us to come together and plan, because hey, if we are prepared, we shouldn't fear right? Plus, it is just good to be prepared in these very uncertain times.

Crazy Fun

Caysi my sister needed someone to watch her kids last weekend for her since her and her husband both had to work. Kind gesture on my part, I know. So they flew them up. I just have to say, I now know why I only have a child every eight years. I cooked, got drinks, did laundry, played referee, did hair, got baths, changed diapers, made bottles....Wow, I really got my mothering workout on. I guess I have a new respect for moms with lots of kids!

I also had my volleyball tournament this week, and we played for the championship. However after two very hard games, we took 2nd. But hey, we got a t-shirt! We actually had played the team before and beat them, but we both are pretty equal, so it was a toss up. We have never made it that far in this tournament before so we were really happy. Thanks to all my volleyball friends, it was fun.

Two months gone by...

Yes, I am a loser blogger!  Or slacker or procrastinator...or maybe just boring and have nothing to report. Actually, I can't believe it's been 2 months since I last posted. Well, Let me give an update.  

Scott just passed his real estate exam, he is an official realtor. I know what your thinking, in this economy?  Don't worry, my husband is really good.  He can sell a catsup popsicle to a girl in white gloves (Tommy Boy).  Good job!

Me,  Volleyball, Volleyball, and more Volleyball!  Been playing city league since October and tonight I am playing in a tournament and then we are done for the season, so sad.

Briaunna is in her second semester of her junior year!  She also just had Major surgery on her finger...it's amazing how a little hang nail can turn into a blown up finger with an infection, gross I know, but we are so glad she is doing a lot better, we were SO worried! (haha)  Of course her boy takes up her time as well.  

Maddie is busy practicing for her piano festival in March.  She is growing so fast.  Her favorite thing is Mommy/daughter dates to the movies or the mall without Georgia.  She got to do the cheer camp at the high school and perform at the basketball game.

Georgia is 10 months now.  She is officially rolling over finally!  She can sit up almost without support.  She also says mama, dada, nana.   She's 18 pds and 28 inches long, so tiny!  I love it!  She is very content and happy.

Well, that's all for now!  

Older, Gifted, Wetter, and Blessed

Maddie turned Eight this year.  She was so excited because she wanted to have a horse party...Horse Party?  OK!  So we had about ten of her friends, yes, ten rowdy eight year olds over to our house for some birthday fun.  We had a horse cake, horse decorations, pin the tail on the horsey, a horse pinata, some pizza, cake, and presents!  So much fun!  Then after the party was over I arranged a surprise visit from my good friend Janet.  She brought one of her pony's down for a pony ride!  Maddie was so excited.  It was quit a birthday!  

Georgia was excited for Maddie too!

Three days later, we headed up to Uncle Jason's house for our annual Lindsay Christmas Eve Party.  We ate, had an ugly sweater contest (very funny), did a talent show-our family busted out our supreme dance skills, did the gift exchange- the kids draw names and the adults do white elephant, and finally the pajamas!  It was great fun as always.  Christmas day was pretty calm.  Our kids got up around 8 am.  We opened presents and Scott made breakfast.  It was great!

Seven days later, Maddie was baptized with her best friend Shaur'y!  Shaur'y turned eight back in September but she decided to wait for Maddie.  Grandma Karen flew down and played piano, and Scott baptized and confirmed both girls.  Briaunna and Grandma Lindsay gave great talks.  Shaur'ys family did the prayers.  All in all, a very special day for both of them.

The next day, Georgia's Blessing.  So exciting!  Although it almost didn't happen due to Grandma Karen's trip to the emergency room 2 hours before!  She is OK, had a little mishap with her contact lense sticking to her eyeball....anyway, got her some medical attention and she was good to go.  She had to miss the blessing, but she is doing much better!  

Thanks to Grandma Lindsay who prepared all the food prior and kept things afloat while I tended to the other Grandma.  We ended up making it back home on time to get ready and attend the baby blessing.  Georgia thought it would be funny to grab the microphone cord as dad was blessing her, but they made it through.  All in all,  we had a busy, fun filled, birthday, holiday, baptism, blessing, kind of season!  We hope all our friends and family had a wonderful holiday!!