Life is good...

It's been so long since I've updated my blog. Not because I haven't thought about doing it. Not because I haven't wanted to do it. But, like many other things in my life, it somehow gets pushed to the back burner. For some reason, this morning I am determined to get something written. I think it's because I decided that my new goal is to stay awake in the mornings when I get up at 5 with Carley for Seminary instead of going back to bed after I take her. So as long as i'm up I should be doing something productive, right? And I think updating my blog falls into that category...along with the laundry, the dishes and all the other things I need to catch up on from the night before! But I can't possibly catch up on my blog in one sitting. So I just wanted to say this morning that life is good. We are so very blessed! Lots going on right now from Talent Show tryouts, school sports and surgery for Carley. But, more to come another morning!

Cousins at Copperwood

One of the most fun things about school is that all the cousins go to school together! Here they all are on the first day: Tanner (8th), Hunter(2nd), Spencer(5th), Caitlyn(5th), Tyler(Kindergarten), Reeslyn(2nd), Mallory(kindergarten), Carter(kindergarten), Cameron(8th).

Traditions

The first day of school means traditions! I'm not sure how it started, but we've stuck with it. After the first day of school, we have homemade chocolate chip cookies with the kids' favorite ice cream. This year, Carter joined us since he is in Kindergarten. We had a great time eating our cookies and ice cream. Caitlyn, Carter and Charlotte swam for a while. Then we met Dad and the other cousins (Keith and Stephanie and Family, and Russ and Katie and family) at Golden Corral for dinner! We missed Sean and Jessica, who went to Pei Wei this year instead at Carter's request, and Nana and Granddad who couldn't make it this year. Here's to another great school year!

First Day of School

I am so far behind in the blogging world so I figured I'd start with this week and work my way back! Hard to believe Summer has come to an end and another school year is upon us. Carley is a sophomore and made it through volleyball tryouts landing a spot on the J.V. team. I cant wait till her games start and we can go cheer her on! She is a social butterfly, excellent athlete and continues to wow me with the amazing young woman she is becoming! And how's this for a scary thought....she can get her driving permit next month!!!Cameron is the big man on campus now! Hard to believe this kid is in 8th grade....wasn't it just last month that we brought him home from the hospital as a newborn for his big sister to hold? This kid has determination and a work ethic like none other! A trait he learned from his sister and father! He broke his foot at the start of summer and never missed a practice for his all star team and managed a starting position in their tournament in Hawaii after being out for six weeks (yes, I said Hawaii! more on that to come!). He is a great young man and I can't wait to see what 8th grade holds for him!My baby is in 5th grade and I can hardly wrap my brain around it! She is so grown up! She is a little mommy to all the cousins and LOVES holding the babies! She loves playing piano, running track and doing gymnastics. She very much takes after her aunt Jessica and loves to organize! She has decided she wants to play soccer this season so we will see where we can squeeze that in!I love my kids and, while I hate that they are growing up because I miss some of the chaos that having little ones brings, I can't wait to see what they do with the future! I'm so excited to see what they make of themselves! This sneak preview is amazing! I'm so blessed to be their mother and so grateful they are mine!

The Polar Express

Here are all 27 of us in our matching pjs after riding the Polar Express!

Thanksgiving 2010

This year for Thanksgiving the whole Forsberg gang (including Spencer, Marlee and Madison from Sierra Vista) came to the cabin. Wednesday night, all donning matching pajamas, we traveled to Williams in the snow for the famous Polar Express Train Ride. The men were not super excited about walking around in matching pj's, but they were all good sports! A good time was had by all on the train ride and we even got a visit from Santa! Thursday morning we all got up and most of us participated in the first annual Forsberg Family Turkey Trot. Some walked, some ran, some rode in the ranger! Thanks to Aunt Katie for presenting some entertaining prizes at the end! Finally, the big feast. It was delicious! After a rousing round of "what are you thankful for...", the Collins crew headed back down the mountain to see the other side of the family! We had a great time with Scott, John and their families and Grandma and Grandpa. To finish off a great weekend, Cameron played in a baseball tournament with his team, the Tigers! What a great weekend and how blessed we feel to be surrounded by good family and friends!

My heroes!

Okay, so i'm a little behind! But I can't post about Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas festivities until I blog about Halloween. We had a great time this year dressing up! Amazingly we all decided and agreed it would be fun to be superheroes. We didn't start out planning to be a theme, but it just kind of worked itself into that. The kids and I went to Glen Lakes Ward Halloween Party Friday night while Steve, Keith, Russ and Spencer were on a fishing trip. Saturday night was our own ward Halloween party....Nana and Granddad joined us for the festivities and had a great time handing out candy for the trunk r treat! Steve started out the night as Clark Kent (mostly because his superman costume was a little uncomfortable to say the least so we came up with this idea as a way for him to get out of wearing superman the whole night.) So Clark Kent he was through dinner and some of the games. Then right before our eyes, (actually, in the Bishop's office at the church) he transformed into Superman in time to finish games and go outside for Trunk r Treat....I was SuperMom, Carley was supergirl, Cameron...Batman and Caitlyn...Wonderwoman. Sunday was the actual Halloween day. That evening Sean, Jessica, Carter and Charlotte came over. The kids enjoyed seeing a few of the neighbors and handing out candy. It was fun to have a nice quiet Halloween Sunday. And even though the costumes are long gone, these guys will always be my super heroes!!