Ballerina on a Break....

Charissa has taken a break from her dance for awhile...she has been able to spend more time with family and friends...it has been a nice and stressfree couple months! We are looking forward to the new experiences and talents that will emerge in the life of this beautiful ballerina!
Funny story about this picture..this is the costume she paid for by herself and never got to perform in it so I had her dress up and dance in the snow so I could get a picture. We finally took one of her sitting because she kept slipping and falling when I wanted her to dance on the sidewalk :) oops...she said too bad we didn't have it on video we could have made some money off AFV!!

Happy Birthday Anna Happy Birthday to YOU!

I can't believe that Anna is TEN! My children are growing up way too fast!

Here she is smiling from ear to ear because she got what she wanted, a Nintendo DS. I kept telling her all week that I wasn't able to get one for her..ha ha..like I can fool them anymore! But I think I almost did, cuz she was looking kinda worried until she opened and laughed with a hint of relief!

Anna I hope all your wishes come true! Anna is such a blessing to our family, I love to see her smile and hear her laugh. I am so proud of her accomplishements in her life so far and look forward to watching more of her life unfold!

We had family over again for her birthday..we are so blessed to have such great family members that help my children celebrate their special day. Anna celebrated all week long. Tues. Grandma Randall took her shopping and that night we had the whole Randall clan over to celebrate- Wed. The kids and I went to Chuck E Cheese's with Laura and the kids and Grandma Randall came too- Fri. Anna got presents, a gorgeous dress, from Grandma and Grandpa Tuck - and Saturday Grandma Sandy took her out to lunch and ice cream.

Anna we Love you!

Eight Is Great...

Carsons birthday was on a Sunday, the same day as their Primary Program at Church. The kids sang Called to Serve in different languages, of course just like our missionaries do. This picture is for Elder (Uncle Nathan) Randall :)
What is the best about being Eight for Carson? Being Baptized of course!

This was such a special day for him. His sweet teacher brought him a gift over that morning, a white towel for his Baptism. This was perfect, my kids still tease me because two of my four children had to dry off with paper towels because I forgot to bring them a towel! Ha Ha- thanks Joann for saving both of us!

Carson was Baptized by his Uncle Phil ( Rebecca's Husband) He was Confirmed a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by his Grandfather (my dad). We are so grateful for their willingness to bless Carson. The blessing his grandpa gave him was inspiring and Carson wrote in his journal that night about the warm feelings he felt and how happy he was. Carson had waited so long for this day and it was finally here. He was so happy and had a smile on his face all day, and the days following. It was a very special day, and there was such an amazing feeling, spirit felt that day.
We are all so proud of him! This was his decision and he has such a great testimony already. His faith and obedience set a great example for all of us to follow. His sisters love and adore him. I of course as his mother love him very much and tell him often what a gift he is to our family! He is the peace maker in our home and blesses not only our lives but the lives of so many!
We had a lot of family and friends there to support him. Yes, I did take more pictures but don't have all of them sent to me yet. (hence the reason why I am getting a better camera for christmas, so I can take my own pictures:) I wanted to post an update and I will post more so all that were there can be seen. Though it shouldn't surpise me because we have such a great neighborhood, and many dear friends, but I still was in awe and so touched with all those that came, and the kind words that were shared. I am so grateful for my family and their love and support. Words can't describe how wonderful this day was!! It was so touching that night as Carson and I talked about the day and I watched him write in his journal his feelings and to see his eyes tear up because of joy he felt. No wonder we are taught to become like little children!

Carson we Love you!

The Long Awaited Day!!

Charissa has been crazy about the Twilight Series and has been looking forward to the movie for a long time!! Okay, so we all have been crazy about the series, and as sisters we got tickets for the show!! Charissa bought the book a week ago that gave all the details into the making of the movie and read through the whole thing several times. Doesn't she look so cute in her Twilight T-shirt and her new hair cut?

Tonight we went and saw the movie and WOW!!! What more can I say...we didn't want it to end!!
I don't want to give it away..but it was mystical,romantic,funny,enchanting,intense,timeless and left us wanting more! The older ladies felt like giddy school girls again, especially when Edward and Jacob came on the screen. It was so funny to hear all the woman and girls in the audience cheer and awe!! At times I felt like clapping...it was so silly but so fun! Oh yes we are planning to go again next week! I wish I would have taken a picture afterwards when we went to dinner and there is Charissa huddled in the corner eating her food and watching the Twilight Trailers on her I Pod..she can't get enough :)

And so the Lion fell in Love with the Lamb

We Love the....

Madalyn and Carson are playing in the Jr. Jazz League this year so they got free tickets! Madalyn went really early with her team and they were able to go on the court and meet the players, she even got autographs on her jersey. Except for Boozer..he wasn't up for mingling...not cool Maddy says! Maddy was even on KJZZ TV, she got to say her name and everything with Thurl Bailey!! I looked all over to see if I could find the video but no luck! She was sooo excited and had so much fun! I don't have any pictures cuz we didn't see her the whole game..guess we are not as "cool" as her friends! There was no chaperone for Carson to go with so luckily my dad still had his season tickets so I was able to take Carson. We brought along Anna and her friend Paige too. Carson was glad we got to use grandpas better seats..but kinda bummed he had to sit with mom instead of being in the nose bleeds with his friends. Life is rough :)
We ran into the Bear and Carson got a Bear Hug...but I am alittle slow with the picture taking, so you can see the Bear running off after giving him a hug! That Bear was in a hurry...These girls have the most high pitched screams I have ever heard!! The poor girl infront of us kept plugging her ears each time they would scream. It was hilarious! They were dancing and singing/screaming most of the whole game. They were determined to get on the jumbo tron (the big screen) and finally in the 4th quarter they got on there twice!! Yeah that made their night!

Go Jazz

Bucks 94 Jazz 105

What a game!

Yeah Halloween....

is over!!
So truth be told, each year when Halloween comes around I dread it! Coming up with costumes that my children are happy about is a lot of work! Thankfully this year my children got creative with what we already had and once we were all dressed up we had a really good time! Those dance costumes have paid off! This year Debra and Joel hosted the family Halloween party. It was a lot of fun. We have yet another Randall family photo! We have a lot of fun together, especially the kids!

Here are my children all dressed up!
Charissa is a bloody ballerina, it was funny to see her freak out about all the blood I was putting on her! And yes we put fake blood on those expensive pointe shoes...it's not like she doesn't have 4 other pair hanging in her room :) I am glad she played along!

Madalyn likes to say she is her mom 20 years ago and I added "and 20 pounds lighter"! She makes a cute punk 80's chick! For our family party I thought it would be fun to dress up with her. We had fun, me because it was reminiscing about my younger days, and my children because they thought it was funny that we really did dress like that back then! They really loved it when I showed them how I used to do my hair and bangs! Ha Ha. It's all coming back...scary!!
Anna made such a cute witch! It was fun to crimp and spray her hair! She is striking a pose like she is casting a spell on you! Watch out she will get you!! Really she is too cute to spook! No I only have three daughters! Carson first chose to be Indiana Jones and then one day thought it would be funny to get the girls old costumes out and goof around. So yes, my son decided to go dressed as a cheerleader for Halloween. Ya daddy wasn't too thrilled with that idea, neither were his uncles. But way to go Carson to be man enough to do it inspite of what their remarks might be!! HEE HEE :) He does make a cute girl though! :) But I am more than happy to have him as my SON!

Hope all of you had a very Happy Halloween...enjoy those sugar highs!

No child should go without Christmas!

As a Service Learning Project in one of my classes we are working with the Utah Foster Care Foundation in finding sponsors, pledges, donations, anything that will help bring Christmas to the children placed in foster care.

Davis Clipper November 2007

"We have over 600 children in foster care in the northern Utah area," said Mindy Lundgreen, retention specialist at the Utah Foster Care Foundation. "When children come into a foster family, that family usually has their own kids, so providing for Christmas isn't easy, it can be quite difficult for families."

"It is our hope that we, with the community's support, can help these kids and the families have a good Christmas morning."

"But more than Christmas presents, the best gift you can give a child is a family. We are in need of families willing to let a child live in their home," she added. "However, we understand that not everyone can be a foster parent, but everyone can help. We also accept donations and all donations go directly to helping these kids."

"When a community pulls together to accomplish something, especially for children, the community is strengthened," she said. "We are so fortunate to live in an area where people are so willing to help. We love the community!"

Unfortunately this year they are having a more difficult time finding the support they have had in recent years. Many of us have been hit with the struggles in the current economy and some may find it more difficult to help but the need is still there and no child should go with out Christmas!Don't you agree? So I am asking everyone... is there anyway that you can assist us with these efforts? It will be greatly appreciated and more importantly it will make a difference in the life of a child!

http://www.utahfostercare.org/

Frightmares

This was our first year going to Frightmares. During Halloween the amusement park opens and you can ride the rides, go through haunted houses and eat yummy food! The weather was good and it was fall break so we went 2 seperate times. I love those season passes!! One night we went with the Davies Family and Madalyn brought a friend. It wasn't very crowded and we had so much fun. The next night we went with our friends the Ogdens while Charissa went off with her friends. I have never seen Lagoon that crowded it was ridiculous so we didn't stay too long! Here the girls are posing with the "Adams Family"

Silly boys...
My ride buddy...
AHH :)
It was hilarious to watch the kids get spooked with all the creatures roaming the park! The second night we went it was so funny to watch the girls giggle and scream when the "chainsaw guys" would chase them, the funny part being when they kept going and finding the "chainsaw guys"...basically beggin for them to chase them :) Silly girls!
I love hanging out with my kids! Aren't we silly?

With the Ogdens

Project Complete

Lumber, Sheetrock and Supplies $300+

Paint and Supplies $200+

No more fighting from Maddy and Anna sharing a room ....PRICELESS!

So the long awaited day is finally here!! When we first moved into our house each child had their own room...I know they are spoiled! But when I started to work from home we did some rearranging with the bedrooms. We moved Carson into Annas old room, turned Carsons old room into my office. Unfortunately Anna had to move into Madalyns room for what was only supposed to be a few weeks but turned into a couple months! The rooms are small so putting two beds in that room has been a challange and fighting occured pretty much every night! Thankfully we had Uncle Jerry finish a room in the basement next to Charissa and Madalyns rooms. It was fun to have Great Grandpa Randall come with Uncle Jerry as the room was being finished. And yes, I did help with the mudding and taping and even some sanding. When Uncled Jerry was done I, by myself caulked primed, sanded and painted and painted and painted the room and the hallway that we had to extend. I love doing that kind of work, but I am SOOO glad that it is done!! Who would have thought one room would be soo much work and cost so much? But Anna loves it and I am so happy that the girls are all downstairs together. Has the fighting really stopped? A little ~ but this time when the fighting starts I can send them to their own rooms!~

General Conference

I Love Watching Conference...

This year Conference was great! I am so proud of my children, they sat through all four sessions of Conference. My sister Jen emailed me this great 14 page packet with questions, crossword puzzles, bingo games etc. for the kids to use while watching conference. This kept them very busy and later we discussed the talks that they liked the best and I was impressed with how much they actually listened. It also helped that our Bishop offered to give each child a giant sized candy bar if they wrote a paper about what they learned during conference! My kids took him serious!!

I remember when they were smaller we used to make tents in the living room. Just like in the Book of Mormon when King Benjamins people pitched their tents with the doors facing the tower, we would have it open infront of the TV as we listened to our prophet. This year we pulled carsons mattress out and it was a great sitting/lounging spot. I should have gotten a picture of Charissa at one point taking up the entire mattress with the others sitting on the very edge :)
We had a very nice relaxing, spirit filled weekend! Thanks kids for making it so nice-you're the best!!!