I stole that header from my sister in law. I thought it was very cute!
Where do you even begin to catch up on a blog that has been neglected for 6 months? I am going to try and give it my best shot without being too boring.
Here goes the run down of the last 6 months in the Mohler household:
Jason and I celebrated 11 years of marriage with a trip to Florence, Oregon. We rented a house on a private island. It was really cool but a little scary to think we were the ONLY ones on that island. We had a really fun time crabbing, fishing for crawdads, relaxing and enjoying just each other.
We took a weeklong family trip to Provo, Utah. We love spending time up there in the summer. We are so grateful that Jason’s parents let us stay in their home in Provo. The weather is perfect and there is so much to do. Mindie and her family have joined us the past 2 years and that is becoming a fun tradition. We already have this year’s trip together planned. A highlight for Jason and I is getting to see our good friends the Trapnell’s.
A new school year has begun. Jaden is in 4th grade and loves his teacher Ms. Traverso. Macy is in 1st grade and Mrs. Matel couldn’t be a better teacher for her. The twins are in kindergarten and we decided to put them in separate classes. Troy is in Mrs. Overlands class and Cloey is in Mrs. Bouthillers class. It is a very strange feeling to have all my kids in school. I defiantly find lots of ways to keep myself busy while they are gone and enjoy the alone time but I am usually anxious for them to get home.
This past fall we took another trip to Coral Pink. The Tapnell’s came from Provo and the Maxfiels (our friends from our ward) also joined us. Other family and family friends were there too. The boys rode their dirt bikes and us girls chatted away. Our kids love any chance they get to play in that red sand.
The twins turned 5 in September and Jason and I took JUST THEM to Disneyland for their birthday. They were thrilled to be the only ones going and we had a great time. Later that week we had family over to celebrate. Troy makes me laugh every birthday and Christmas with the things he wants. His birthday wish this year was for a huge jar of pickles.
While we were in California we made a stop to see my friend Debbi (Scott) Pfau and her baby #3. She is a cutie. I love any excuse to stop by. We had a fun visit with a lot of laughs. I miss her and wish we lived closer.
Troy played his first season of soccer this past fall. His favorite part was the treats after each game. He did a great job and we are proud of him.
October was Jaden’s 10th birthday. He had a sleepover with a few cousins (I don’t think they ever went to sleep) and we all went to King Putt. Afterwards Jason took Jaden and his cousin to the real golf course.
Deer hunting is a tradition that October brings for the boys. And a girl’s weekend for the girls. I am not sure what happens on the hunting trip but I am sure that the girl’s weekend is a lot more fun. Mindie and Courtnie spent the weekend at our house. We treated the girls to pedicures and crafts, crafts, crafts. My aunt Annette did glitter toes for min, my mom, and me. That was a real treat. We also spent an evening with Deborah and her girls watching a movie with pizza and lots of treats.
October also brings Halloween! We had a festive week with the school Harvest Festival, The Chesnik’s Halloween party and the ward trunk-or-treat.
Troy received a citizenship award at school for being “Responsible”. Although at times he can be quite the opposite, in school he actually really is a responsible little guy. He is always eager to get his homework done, is the one always reminding me to practice his reading and keeps his backpack and folder neat and in order. His teacher comments that he always try’s hard and does his work very neatly.
Once the snow finally came we hit the mountain for a trip to my dads cabin in Duck Creek. We also celebrated Thanksgiving with him and Deborah while we were there. In our family we have Thanksgiving dinner 3 times. Once with Jason’s family, usually the Sunday before. Once with my dad, and once with my mom.
The day after Thanksgiving brings one of my favorite traditions. The dads and kids in some of the Mohler and Barlow families meet up for a camping trip while the moms finish up Christmas shopping and spend some girl time out to dinner and to the movies. I hope that tradition never ends. (The camera was forgotten this time)
This year we puts Christmas lights on our house for the very first time. This is something that I have wanted to do for years but we just never have. I was so excited I wanted them around the entire house and on the entire roofline. Jason was a good sport to do it for me. I just LOVED it. Jason even commented that Christmas seemed extra exciting this year.
(I know it was the lights)
We also had another Christmas first this year. We decided to get a REAL Christmas tree. We have always had an artificial tree and decided to go real this year. We all loved the smell and will defiantly be doing it again next year.
This winter our family started hiking together. We have all really enjoyed it. It has given us something fun to get out of the house and do together on Saturday afternoons. I have really enjoyed the little moments with each of my kids holding hands while we walk and visit. I love that we are all doing this together, it is helping to get the energy out of the kids, keeping all of us active, and it is exciting to look at how far or how high we have gone. It really has been a good thing for our family.
One morning in December Jason woke up and said “the weather is perfect for a hike today, lets keep the kids home from school and have a family day outside.” So we did. We went on a hike, out to lunch, to the Bellagio to watch the fountains and see the atrium all decked out for Christmas. It was a great day.
Earlier this month we spent a Saturday afternoon shooting at the dry lakebed with some of our family. It was the first time that our girls have been shooting. Cloey being the little dare devil that she is loved it. Macy tried in once and that was good enough for her. I have never watched Jaden shoot before (he usually does that with dad on their boy trips) and I was quite impressed when he hit all 10 of his targets on the first shot.
And last but not least is the Pinewood Derby. This was Jaden’s last pinewood derby. He wanted a car that showed all of the things that he loves to do. So we decided to decorate the car with a filmstrip of pictures of him doing what he loves. He named his car “my car”. He did pretty well in the race. He took 5th place in the group we raced in and 10th overall in the stake.
