My new hobby!

I can't let 2011 pass without including a post about my new found favorite store to shop...which has kind of become a hobby in a way. It is the DI. Grandma Barb refers to it as the "special store". Kylee told me the other day that she has been there more in the past 6 months than in her entire life. Early in the summer I started frequenting the DI to try to find trek clothes for Kylee and Emilee. I not only found trek shirts but I started finding sooo much more. I was hooked.

We have a DI here in Brigham City as well as a big new DI in Harrisville...only 15 minutes away. I started looking for school clothes for Quincy and Brinley. They loved it. They don't know the difference. They were thrilled with their "new" clothes. By the time school started I had completely outfitted both little girls for school from the DI. It was awesome. They actually have cuter clothes than they would have. I would never pay for the name brand cute things that I bought them at the DI for a couple of dollars. Don't tell Kade...but several of his school clothes came from there as well. In fact, all of us are sporting "new" DI clothes.

Besides all of Brinley and Quincy's school clothes, we have found Emilee an awesome pair of capris, and Kylee found a couple really cute skirts. Quincy found school shoes and we found Quincy and Brinley a "Barbi laptop" that really works. It has worked out sweet for volleyball game entertainment. We also have a giant bag of new Christmas balls for our quite bare christmas tree downstairs! Kylee and Emilee can claim that one. Whenever we need anything...we head to the DI first.

Sooo...when Brinley decided she wanted to be a princess for Halloween...you got it... Chris, Brinley and I headed to the DI to see what it could produce for us. This was probably our luckiest trip yet. They didn't have any great costumes out on the floor but as we walked past the door leading into the backroom I could see what I thought looked like a blue cinderella sleeve. But I could only see the sleeve so I wasn't sure. Chris, being much braver than I, opened the door and asked if these costumes would be coming out soon. The man told us 30 - 45 more mins. So we sat on the comfy couches for sale and waited. Pretty soon they brought it out, but the Cinderella dress was not there. We were just ready to leave when a man came and tapped Chris on the shoulder...he pointed to another new rack that had just barely been brought out that we hadn't seen. The blue sleeve was there, and it was attached to the most perfectly beautiful size 6 Cinderella dress!!! We had to scrub a spot off the front, but it looks brand new. Brinley was so excited. $5 bucks!!! That's the best part of it all. I am sure someone paid $40.00 for this thing. I am glad it wasn't me!! So Brinley gets to be the most beautiful Cinderella for Halloween. I think I might have to claim this as a tithing blessing. It was just too perfect!

So that's it...my new hobby. I love shopping at the DI. I can have anything I find, nothing is out of my price range! It's like a new challenge every time I go.

The kids bettter watch out...Christmas is coming and I don't know if I can stay away from my new favorite store!!!

Emilee's 14th Birthday!

Ooops! We somehow forgot to get out the camera for Emilee's birthday. She just had a famly party this year. She thought about having a friend party but she ended up going to a friends Halloween party on the night she was planning to have it. This seems to happen alot having a birthday so close to Halloween. She didn't know what she wanted for her birthday, so Chris and I took her shopping that night. She found an awesome camera that she was very excited about. Em usually likes surprises but I think she had fun picking out her camera.

We did have a family party. Everyone came to our house for dinner. Presents weren't too exciting because she got money to go towards her camera.

I can't believe she is already 14. She will go into Miamaids now. She can also go to Stake dances if she chooses!! She has a million friends who love her and her fun bubbly personality. I get told almost every week at church how beautiful she is! She does great in school and is becoming a great little volleyball player as well as an awesome saxaphone player. It has been so fun to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman. I am so grateful that 14 years ago she came into our family!!

Happy 14th Birthday Emilee!!

A funny story!

I was sitting in relief society a couple weeks ago and my neighbor who is also a teacher at the High School congratulated me for Kylee. I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about so I said, "oh, congratulations on what?". She said, "didn't Kylee tell you, she left my class the other day to have her picture taken because she was voted the girl with the best personality in the Senior class?" I had to tell her that I had never heard a thing about it.

After church I told Chris and we decided we needed to have a little fun with this. Once we were all home and getting some lunch she did something and I said, "Man Kylee you just have the best personality." She looked at me funny and didn't say much. Then about 15 minutes later it was Chris' turn. She did something else and Chris said, Gees you guys (to the other kids) doesn't your sister Kylee just have the best personality." Still, no light is going on for Kylee!! She is blonde for a reason...just kidding Kylee. She's the smartest blonde I know!! Anyways, then I said, "yeah, like maybe the best personality in her whole senior class". She got this big smile and said, "Oh my gosh, is that what all this is about?" We all had a good laugh. Chris and I asked her when she was going to tell us that she had been voted best personality in her senior class???? We like to know these things as parents! She said, "do you know what my week has been like?? I was so crazy last week I didn't have time to care about a dumb thing like that".

So I guess the moral of the story is....that's why she has the best personality, because she is not into herself and just rolls with the flow! We could all take a lesson on that from her.

I am proud of her. She is juggling a job, volleyball (which is almost around the clock right now), an AP and 2 USU College classes, becoming a Certified Dental Assistant from Bridgerland during a couple hours of her school day, and trying to have time to be the Laurel President in our ward. She even finds time once in a while to hang out with friends and go to a few dances and football games! She has accomplished much this year and is really making the best of her last year of High School. She will have some great memories, lots of friends, and know that she gave it her best and accomplished lots.

Alex & Kacey's Wedding

On September 30th Alex and Kacey were married in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a great day. We all love Kacey and are glad she is a part of our family. Alex has waited a long time to find her and we are glad she was finally found. We started at the temple in the morning. The kids waited in the waiting room with their cousins. Then we traveled to Perry to go to Maddox for the wedding luncheon. Later that afternoon we went back to Layton for the reception. It was a long day, but a great one. Grandma Barb thought it would be great to have a song sung to Al and Kacey at the luncheon. She asked Quincy if she would do a solo. Quincy wasn't too sure about it, so Grandma brought a little money to the table and told her she would pay her $10.00 if she would! That was all it took. Quincy practiced and did a great job the day of the wedding. It was beautiful. Grandma told her she was a true star because at the age of 8 she had already been professionally paid to sing!

Quincy singing her solo
Brinley outside the temple waiting for Al and Kacey to come out.

These 3 silly girls on the temple grounds.



We didn't do a great job at taking pictures but it was a beautiful day and everyone looked lovely in their green and purple attire.



Congrats Al and Kacey!!

First Day of School!

This year is the only year in the Southwick household where we get the rare opportunity of having 5 kids in 5 different schools!! Kylee is at the High School, Em at the Middle School, Kade at ACYI, Quincy at Three Mile Creek Elementary, and Brinley at Willard Elementary. They all come and go at different times! I told Chris if anything happens while my children are at school I would just have to hide under my bed because how would I choose which child to go to??? This is the last year all of my children will be in my home for the school year. I cannot believe we are to this stage of our lives. It doesn't seem like it should be possible. We are just going to have to make it a great year!! This year Kylee is an awesome SENIOR...I can't believe it, Em is a beautiful Middle Schooler in 8th grade, Kade is our Cool Dude 6th grader, Quincy is our sweetest ever 3rd grader and Brinley is our smartest ever Kindergartener!!

Good Luck at School...may your mother have some hours of peace and quiet!! Just kidding!

Summer 2011

We have had a great summer this year. It was busy and full but we also had enough time to just play. For me...not having babies...all the children freely running the neighborhood... has been a pleasant next stage of life. Crazy sometimes, but I have really enjoyed it. Time seems to be flying by and I know that my days are limited with all of my children here at home with me. I want to remember what a typical summer day in the Southwick family looked like. This a little piece...

* Quincy and Brinley in their swimming suites all day everyday...they looked like dirty little orphan children sometimes!

* TV in the mornings...I don't especially love this part, but it is part of summer.

* Fun trips together. This year we spent time in Nauvoo with Grandpa Tom and Grandma Barb, Rexburg with the Southwick family, Crystal Hot Springs with the Hadley family, and Park City together with just us. We also played alot for the few days that Mike and Debbie and their family came to visit. Chris and Kade were also able to slip in an overnight backpacking trip right before school started. It was so fun to see and do all the fun things we were able to.

* Night Games - our house is the gathering place for night games. All children from all over the nieghborhood ages 5 (Brinley) to 15 play almost every night. The come out of the woodwork and start showing up about 8:30 and play until 10:30pm. They LOVE it!

* Late nights - our bedtime this year seemed to be 11:30!! Pretty late for some little girls!

* Smores in the fire pit...only a couple times this year, but at least we did it a couple!!

* "Monk" and "Psyche" - my kids were addicted to these two shows this summer. We probably watched at least one episode every day! I have to admit...I became addicted too. Kylee got into "the dress show" where brides try on wedding dresses. The rest of us weren't too impressed...it scares me to think what this says about Kylee!!

* Little girl friends. In our neighborhood Quincy and Brinley are kind of a package deal. You don't just get one...you get two! They like to play every waking moment that they are home. We often have 5 -6 little girls running around our house. And let me tell you...they can make one big mess!!! I'm sure my poor neighbors have figured that out too!

* Kade and Chayse's summer produce adventures! These two boys talked Chayse's grandpa into letting them have some land to plant a large garden on. They planted, weeded, and watered their garden every few days for a large part of the summer. Towards the end they set up a stand on the side of the road and sold their produce. What they couldn't sell they put in a large basket and went door to door. They came home from their door to door sales with a very interesting observation. The people in the newer houses bought more...conclusion...they don't have gardens yet and they are rich!! This has been a great thing to keep 2 eleven year old boys busy and out of trouble for the summer!!! We are lucky to live next to nice neighbors who share their country way of living with us city people!

* Quincy and Brinley have arrived at the great opportunity to be able to go around the block together...by themselves!!!! They can be seen on scooters, bikes or rollerblades.

* This is the summer we have watched our Brigham City Temple go up. It has been awesome. You can see the temple from our backyard!!! We watched Moroni be placed on top and we are waiting patiently for the "red roof" to be replaced. There is nothing better than driving down the Walmart road and seeing the temple rising up above the trees in the middle of the city!! Hopefully next summer is the summer of open house and dedication!!

I can only say one thing...we are very blessed. It's been a great summer!!

Chris & Kade Backpacking Trip to Adam's Canyon

Right before school started Chris and Kade were able to find time to sneak in a boys only backpacking trip. Kade was so excited...I think Chris was as well!! They left on a Monday evening and hiked up and stayed the night. They came back on Tuesday afternoon smelling like dirt and campfire which tells me that they had a great time!!

Great boy bonding!! Kade you are one lucky boy to have a Dad who loves to spend time with you! I am pretty grateful Chris got at least one boy so that he could do the fun manly things they do together...us girls aren't so good at that!

Kylee's 17th Birthday (August)

All that Kylee wanted for her 17th birthday was to have a Princess party with her friends. I really never thought I would be throwing my 17 year old a princess party...but whatever works!! She invited her 3 closest friends and told them to dress up like princesses. They were as excited as she was, with the exception of Shelby, who came dressed as Mulan! On the day of her birthday we went to the DI and she scored this lovely yellow Belle dress. Emilee told her it was "hairy" but Kylee loved it. She tried on many dresses in the dressing room and had the time of her life. How grateful I am that she is still fairly easy to please. She created the invitations herself...small princess castles. She made her own cinderella cake, with a lot of help from me! And she decorated the basement for her party. I thought it was pretty funny. Brinley thought she had died and gone to heaven. No wonder those two have a special bond...Kylee is a lot like a 5 year old!! I kept asking her what they were going to do at this party, and she told me she didn't need it all planned out and they would figure out what to do. She was right. They jumped on the tramp, swang on the swingset, took flying leaps off the wall outside, and played tetherball...all in their princess dresses. I know our neighbors were probably just laughing. They ate cake and ice cream and then settled in the basement to watch "Tangled". Of course...what was I worried about. She had it all under control.

Jumping off of the wall...in their dresses. Who knew what 17 year olds would find fun!!

We did have a family party for her on the Sunday after her birthday. She had Grandma and Grandpa come and eat turkey steak...another dream come true!

We love you Kylee. I am glad you are so fun and can just be yourself. I am glad you have great freinds who can also have fun and not worry about what other people think. I hope you love princesses for the rest of your life! Your future daughters will think you are awesome.

HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY!!!

Southwick Family Reunion in Rexburg

This year it was Becky's turn to plan the family reunion. She held it in Rexburg at Great Grandma Ward and Grandpa & Grandma's house. Everyone was able to be there except John and Hillary and their family. We are a big crowd when we all get together. It was Thursday through Sunday, with Sunday being a celebration for Grandma Ward's 90th birthday. Thursday we spent time at the Rexburg nature park where we played games, fished and ate lunch. Saturday we spent the day at the new Rexburg splash park. It was lots of fun. Saturday evening we had our family home evening lesson taught by Grandpa Southwick about one of our ancestors. Sunday we doubled the attendance at Grandpa and Grandma's ward and then had lunch back in the backyard. We were joined by all of Grandma Ward's family who had come for the community celebration for her birthday. That evening we set up the church and welcomed her friends who came to wish her a happy birthday. This was the first reunion without aunt Cindy. We all missed her being there.

Good thing Grandpa has a big back yard...we fill it right up!
Most everyone slept in tents back in the pasture area. Kylee, Emilee and Kade slept in tents with their cousins. Dad, Mom, Quincy and Brinley were blessed enough to get an invitation from Mike and Debbie to join them along with Madison in their hotel room. Man were we spoiled. We loved it!!!

Grandpa teaching the grandkids how to run one of his great inventions!!

Oh my...what cute teenagers. Kylee, Alecia, Emilee, Rachel and Meagan.

Southwick's are very ingenius!! Karl is walking across boards that they are all holding. Great boy activity!!

The bowery at the Nature Park.

It was a great reunion...it always is. It doesn't really matter where we go or what we do we always have a great time just being together. For the Southwick family we are only all together once a year at the summer reunion, and it is only every other year for our Virginia cousins. It is so fun to watch the cousins play together and become reaquainted each year.

We have a great family!!

Trek! (July 20-24th, 2011)

This year Kylee and Emilee were able to go on a Pioneer Trek with the Young Men and Young Women in our ward. It was a great experience for them. They worked hard for many months before preparing to go. They made their own pioneer skirts, bonnets, and aprons to wear. We found out that Emilee is quite a good little sewer! They went from July 20-24th. They were assigned a family with 7 other siblings and a Ma and Pa. Emilee's parents were the Emmersons and Kylee's parents were the Faerbers.

Kylee (the oldest and tallest girl there) and Justin Murray (the youngest and most definately the shortest boy there) were deemed the best dance couple! They ended up as partners for a few minutes at the hoedown and everyone thought it was a great set up. We saw a picture posted on facebook and it was really cute! Justin didn't want his picture taken but Kylee grabbed him and held onto him long enough for a snapshot!!

Emilee was asked to speak in Sacrament meeting when they got home and she spoke about an experience they had called the "womens pull". They had to push and pull their handcarts up a very steep hill without the help of any leaders or young men. Both her and Kylee said it was hard but they learned some important lessons. They also both came home with a much greater appreciation of what the pioneers went through to make their journey west.

I am so grateful to belong to a church that provides my children with such wonderful opportunities that strengthens their testimonies. They have both had a great summer with a lot of experiences that has taught them so much more about our pioneer ancestors. They were both able to take stories that Grandpa Southwick has researched about their own pioneer ancestors.

And...they came home very very very DIRTY, sunburned and tired!!! It was well worth it though!

Hadley Family Vacation at Crystal Hot Springs

This year for our annual Hadley family vacation we went to Crystal Hot Springs. We needed to be somewhere with low atitude and close to home for Bailey, so that seemed like the best choice.

The only down side to this was that it was so hot...high altitude also means cooler temperatures. Good thing there was some water to cool off with. We were there for 3 days and 2 nights. We managed to have a lot of fun together even though it was hot.

The teeangers had a great time on the slide. We spent a whole day at the hot springs swimming. I love Kylee's face in this picture.
I spent the majority of my time in the awesome mineral pools soakingin all of those natural minerals.

Quincy and Brinley were brave and went down the slide all by themselves. Brinley barely knows how to swim, but she went down and managed to get herself to the side where I would reach down and pull her up.



Uncle Al giving Kade what I am sure he deserved!!! Kade is so excited when Hunter and Spencer are with us. He gets his much needed boy cousin time.

Maddi, Halle, Mason and Brinley. They had a great time playing in the dirt! It was all nice and grassy so they had to go ahead and dig them a hole!

It was short and sweet and close to home and just perfect for our situation this year!! Thanks Hadley family for a great summer campout!!

Nauvoo and Church History Sites (June 2011)

The beautiful Nauvoo Temple
The room where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred. We loved visiting Carthage Jail. It had a great spirit about it.

My two little pioneer girls!

And some pretty cute big pioneer girls!!
Both big and little girls loved the pioneer dress ups in Nauvoo.

We were able to stay with Uncle John and Aunt Cindy in Kansas City as we passed through and went to Independence, Missouri.

At Nauvoo
We ate a picnic lunch every day!
We even ventured from the norm and ate grilled hot dogs that grandpa grilled for us on his table top grill. The kids thought that was the greatest thing ever.
At Martins Cove - we were able to have a tour by Jim and Carolyn (my sisters inlaws) who are serving a misison there right now. They were awesome!
On the front steps of the Nauvoo Temple. It is the most beautiful temple inside and out!!

For years I have wanted to take our children to see the church history sites. We were so blessed to be able to take this trip this year. It was one of the best trips that our family has ever been on. There was lots of driving and many long days on the road, but our kids did fantastic. I was so impressed with how well they traveled. Even Brinley and Quincy did great! We went with Grandpa Tom and Grandma Barb and Sam. Kylee and Emilee were so excited to have Sam along. We got 2 hotel rooms everywhere we went and those three silly girls all slept in the same bed every night. We were gone 11 days and 10 nights. A long trip, but we needed every minute to get in everything that we were able to see.

I am going to make a photo book of our trip so I wont include every detail or many pictures, but I wanted it documented.

We left the day after school got out...June 3rd and returned June 13th. We traveled through Nebraska to Kansas City where we were able to stay with Uncle John and Aunt Cindy. That was a great opportunity and we got to know them much better. Quincy made great friends with their dog Sophie. We traveled on to Nauvoo and then home through Iowa and stopped in Wyoming at Martins Cove and Sixth Crossing.

These are the sites that we were able to visit:

Liberty Jail
Independence

Farr West

Nauvoo (for 4 days)
Carthage Jail

The Nauvoo Temple - (we did baptisms and an endowment session)

Winter Quarters

Mt. Pisgah
Garden Grove
The Gurnsey Ruts (so cool, the wagon wheel ruts were 5 feet deep)
Register Cliff

Martins Cove

Sixth Crossing

My favorite part of the trip was the spirit that can be felt at each of these sites. It was amazing. The church does such a wonderful job making everything so nice and having missionaries at every site to give tours and answer questions. There is nothing like the spirit in Nauvoo and Martins Cove. I know that my children were able to feel of the spirit and I know their testimony of Joseph Smith was strengthened. My favorite part, and something I did not expect, was how neat it was to follow the trail all the way home. We left Nauvoo just as the pioneers did and traveled alongside where they would have gone all the way to Salt Lake City. We could better understand what it must have been like and how hard it was to leave their beautifil city and expecially their beautiful temple behind. For me, our trip exceeded every expectation that I had and I am so grateful that we were able to go and take our kids before Kylee graduates and goes on to college.

A trip every family should take!!! We absolutely loved it!