All I want for Christmas is my front tooth

 This front tooth was loose for weeks. It made me a bit queasy to watch this goofy face:

 Finally daddy was able to pull that front tooth. Her toothless grin melts my heart. And the slight whistle when she talks... what a doll!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2012 was a 3 day event for us. I spent all day Wednesday making pies with Mary. Thursday we had some of my family for Thanksgiving dinner. Friday we had some of Todd's family for Thanksgiving dinner. It was great to be with family after living away for so many years.

 Our little Sara grew up this Thanksgiving. We sat her at the table so that her younger cousin could have the high chair. She hasn't let me feed her ever since.

The Friend publication

Michael has always been a frequent 'Friend' magazine reader. At the beginning of 2012 he noticed a question corner that caught his attention and submitted a response. We watched for a couple of months to see if his response would be published and then we sort of forgot. Our 'Friend' subscription still isn't regular after our international address change, so I was looking at my parents November 2012 issue when I flipped the page and saw my sons cute face! It was an exciting moment for our family.

One of his friends brought the magazine to school and his teacher read his response to his school class. He was also recognized in Primary. Way to go Michael!

Swim team

Our love of swimming started in Australia and continues today. Our oldest boys have joined a local swim team. They practice three days a week after school. They have a swim meet once a month. Here they are with their game faces on before a race:

 Every time I watch them race, I am grateful to our Australian swim instructors who helped them so much in such a short time. Last minute encouragement from big brother:

 Proudly showing the ribbons they received from two of their meets.

Good on ya mates!

Halloween 2012

I better post about Halloween before all our candy is gone.

Our first Halloween back in the States was exciting. Our kids participated in their first ever school costume parades. Their classes had Halloween parties. Our little Christmas tree had the time of her life. I made our traditional stew in pumpkin bread bowls because it is supposed to warm the kids up before they go out Trick-or-Treating. This year however, it was plenty warm outside and most of the stew and bread bowls remained uneaten because we were all too excited.

 

Sara Trick or Treated to a few houses with daddy and the other kids and then she came home to help me hand out candy. I lured her away from Trick or Treating with a Tootsie Pop. We sat on the front porch and watched the candy bowl disappear. Our neighborhood was buzzing with excitement. Good times!

I voted

(Sara admiring the sticker she received for coming to the polls with me)

I went to the polls to vote today. I know I could have voted by mail or voted early, but after 4 years of absentee voting, I wanted to be there in person on election day. The experience did not disappoint. In fact, I got a bit teary by the whole thing. I love this country. I am grateful for the privilege I have to vote. May God bless America.

Cemetery stroll

Sometimes we still can't believe that we live so close to the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After living overseas, watching real-time general conference in our PJs and visiting temple square are real treats. Recently we took our family to the cemetery on a beautiful autumn afternoon to visit the graves of several prophets.

I'll always hold a special place in my heart for President Gordon B. Hinckley. He signed my mission call. He was the prophet when I got married and became a mother. His sense of humor and valuable council are treasures to me.

My great-grandparents' grave is near President Kimball's grave. It was great to be able to tell our kids about my Papa who died 16 years ago at nearly 95 years old. I remember listening to the stories he would tell with his Norwegian accent. We have been blessed with a rich heritage.

Time to gear up

It's been a while since our family has felt winter-like temps and even longer since we've seen snow. I think it's time to gear up on our winter apparel. The shorts and flip flops need to be replaced with warmer options for the next few months.

Luckily we still had a packet of Luke's favorite Aussie porridge with honey to warm him up. Unfortunately he doesn't like American oatmeal. Too bad I can't go to the store and buy more Uncle Tobys when I buy his winter gear.

Memory lane

One of the joys of being back in Utah is taking our kids on walks down memory lane. Recently we drove them to our old stompin grounds. Ah, the U in Autumn--what a flood of memories.

We stopped to introduce our kids to the couple that lined us up on our first date. Joyce quickly whipped up strawberry smoothies. T and Todd talked basketball. The kids played marbles. It was just as delightful as it has always been to visit with the Buehners.

We showed the kids the table at the Buehner's where we sat to play cards on our first date. Todd got me out every round. :) After cards we went for ice cream at Snelgroves. Too bad Snelgroves is no longer there-- that might have been our next stop on this walk down memory lane.

Autumn awesomeness

This tree in our backyard has become a family favorite already. 

Uniquely American

Every so often we experience something uniquely American and it becomes apparent that we have been out of the country for a while;

*Like the time I took the kids to the bank drive-up for the first time. They couldn't believe that we didn't have to get out of the car. All 5 kids plastered their faces to the windows and watched in awe as my check went through the tube and came out inside the bank. I couldn't hear the teller over my children's excitement over such an invention.

*Or the time Benjamin came home from school beside himself with delight over the delicious birthday treat that one of his friends brought to the class. He described it to me as a dark cupcake with white cream in the middle and a white swirl on the top. I said, "was it a ding-dong?" He looked at me in amazement, "you mean you've heard of them?"

*Then there was the time I had a low tire pressure warning light come on in my car. I stopped by the nearest car service center and they filled my low tire and checked the other 3 tires free of charge! AND the kids and I were able to stay in the car the whole time. Only in the good ol' U.S.A.

Seven

Happy Birthday to a super sweet, smart seven year old!

Favorite word: Unstoppable

Favorite food: Tomatoes and mom's cheesy noodles

Favorite things to do: play chess, ride bike, do monkey bars

Favorite book: Junie B. Jones

Favorite song: I love to see the temple

Favorite place: Disneyland

Favorite subject: music

Favorite sport: gymnastics
Favorite color: yellow

Unpacking boxes

Much of August and September 2012 was spent unpacking boxes.

Much like August and September 2011.

Truth be told, some of October 2012 will be spent unpacking boxes since I'm still not done. Only 15 boxes remaining after 4 were emptied this morning. We're getting there-- one box at a time!

Goodbye Summer

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the colorful leaves on the mountains. I love watching Sara crunch the leaves under her new little Nike shoes. I love the crisp cool air. I love wearing layers. I love soup. I love pumpkins. And I love the excitement of the upcoming holidays.

This year we are saying good-bye to a very LONG summer. We are gearing up for cold and snow like some of us have never seen before (or don't remember). It's going to be an adventure!

2 wheels

Luke asked his dad to take the training wheels off his bike last week. And just like that he was off! We couldn't believe our eyes. He is such a focused little guy. I admire his determination.

18 months

Our little Sara is 18 months now. She went to nursery at church today for the second time. She didn't cry a single tear when we left her and she stayed the whole time. She has blossomed from a tiny infant who screamed when someone besides family held her at church to playing in the nursery for two hours without fear.
Sara is a social little gal. She loves her aunts and grandparents. She loves to wave to neighbors and sometimes complete strangers.
Sara is curious and loves to take things apart..
She says mama, dada, ba (for ball), and baby. She loves to 'talk' on the phone. She holds the phone to her ear and tilts her head to her shoulder just like her mom.
Sara adores her siblings. They make her laugh constantly. The relationship each of the kids have with her is so sweet. She gets so excited when it's time to pick the kids up from school.
Sara eats cherry tomatoes from our garden like candy. We can't pick them fast enough for her.
Sara loves her daddy. We have one car in our family right now so we take Todd to and from work. Before he gets out of the car each morning she sticks out her chin and says, "ah..Ah..." as if to remind him she needs a kiss. Then each evening as we approach his building to pick him up, she starts to wiggle her legs and make noises because she knows her daddy is coming home.
Sara is a sweet baby and we can't get enough of her. We are so grateful for the joy that she brings to our family everyday.

Transitions

We have been back in the States for 3 months now. Sometimes I feel like we never left. I'm slowly transitioning back to the life I once knew. I'm able to drive on the right side of the road without thinking too much about it. We are becoming accustomed to Costco sized packages again. We love being so close to our church and temple.

And then I start to panic because I don't want to go back to life before we left. I loved everything about living overseas. The thrill of discovering a new sight or a new food or a new word. I loved the accents and I loved being different. It was easy to strike up a conversation when someone asked about my accent. Our family was unique and we felt needed in our church and community.

My heart aches when Mary asks me when we can go to Australia to visit Ruby. I come close to tears when I unpack a box that reminds me of London.

Don't get me wrong. I love my new life. Our house is great. The kids enjoy their school. We are very blessed. I know that my feelings are all part of the transition. I will be forever grateful for our overseas experiences. Our family has been forever changed because of the people we've met and the friends we've made. I feel extremely grateful for the experiences we've had and for the memories we've made. I look forward to many more great experiences and wonderful memories.

Kennecott copper mine

We owe many of our fantastic travel opportunities to Rio Tinto. So when I saw this Rio Tinto world map, I had our kids point to where we've lived-- if Sara were able to get her little finger near where Benjamin and Mary are pointing, we'd have it covered.

 My parents joined us on our visit to the mine. A good time was had by all.

Look who's walking

Sara started walking at 16 1/2 months. Light saber lessons soon followed.

 Things disappear and show up again in the strangest places now that she is walking. 

Preschool

Luke started preschool in August. He was so ready to go since he missed his Australian school and his older siblings had been in school for a few weeks already. Here's a few tidbits about this awesome kid;
Luke loves to talk. I never have to wonder what is going through his mind. Our home is far too quiet when he is at school.
Luke is a little sponge. His expanding vocabulary amazes me. Every day he comes up with a new word or fact and I wonder to myself how he picked up on that.
We love you Luke!

Company party

Todd's company party was held at "This is the place" park in August. The company provided us with tickets to ride the TRAX train. It was great to do homework with the kids on the train instead of driving.

 At the University of Utah station, we transferred to a chartered bus that took us to "This is the place". Ah, we always love to see our alma mater.

 The kids sporting their Rio Tinto glasses.

 "This is the place" is a favorite spot of mine. I love watching our kids discover what pioneer life was like. We had a great evening. Thanks Rio Tinto!