Star of the Week!

Ethan was star of the week Jan. 5th-9th. There is a special board for the star of the week and when it's your turn you get to put up pictures, awards, items of interest, etc. Ethan's Grandma and Aunt Megan were here that week (on account of my surgery) and so, they got to go into his class and show him off! Yeah Ethan! We love you!

He also got to have lunch with his teacher Mrs. Marvin because he passed all of his times tables! Way to go!

Don't 'Mesh' with me!

Now, there are hernia surgeries, and there are hernia surgeries. Your stay in the hospital, and thus your recovery depends on what kind of hernia you have. I wasn't lucky enough to be like fast food, in-and-out. I had to stay two nights. Wednesday, Jan. 7th to Friday, Jan. 9th. As you may have guessed, I had to have hernia surgery. Thus my absence from the blog scene. I now have a new abdominal wall! I have mesh from below my navel, all the way up to the point where your ribs come together. To prove it, a nice 4 inch scar and pain pills on the dresser. So, here I am again (I've had to recover from 4 c-sections), poppin' the pills, wearing my nightgown all day, and trying to stand up straight. We all go through certain things in life that teach us and make us grow. Lately I've been hard on myself for not getting more done in a day. My accomplishments seem like nothing. Well, sitting on my butt for a week and a half trying to help my mother-in-law fill in for me has opened my eyes yet again. I'm the one who keeps it all together.

My mother-in-law has stayed with us and helped me this past week, (Thank you, thank you, thank you!). Before she left she told me that," We've established the fact that the children need their mother, and that I can't do everything you do." So, those of you that don't have to go through no driving for two weeks, no lifting anything heavier than 10lbs. for three weeks, and a general take it easy for 6 weeks, just know, what you do in your homes is HUGE! And to those that have gone through this, remember! What you do is huge! And having a body that functions and works properly is a great blessing!

A side note: Thanks honey for all you do! Also, for those wondering why I find myself in this predicament. Well, we think it started with my pregnancy with Ethan, and then 3 more pregnancies after that and pow! Hernia surgery up the wazooo! For more details, just email me. I'll tell you all you want to know, or didn't:)

Wrapping Up!

Well, it's about time to wrap up the events from last year. We had a wonderful holiday season filled with parades, white elephant parties, joyschool parties, candy caning, stroopwaffels, lights at the temple, christmas day with family, and a fun new year's with oli bulla and games with friends. We had a lot going on and despite the business of it all, I had one of the best Christmases I have had in a long time. I have felt the Spirit of Christmas more this past year than in previous years. This year was different, and I can't express in words why. It is a treasure that I will keep until next season, and I hope to experience it again.

Christmas Tag

This is my response to a tag:)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, I like bags for those odd shaped items that are hard to wrap.

2 Real tree or Artificial? I love real trees, but, we have a fake one.

3. When do you put up the tree? The Saturday after Thanksgiving, or soon after.

4. When do you take the tree down? After the New Year

5. Do you like eggnog? I like small portions. I love it in my cocoa!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I loved all my gifts!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Derek

8. Easiest person to buy for? Phoebe

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, 4

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I like cards in the mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Don't have one.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Mr. Kruger's Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Well, I organize my thoughts in September and October, but, I don't actually buy until after Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can recall.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Kroketten!

16. Lights on the tree? yes

17. Favorite Christmas song? I can't choose! Silent Night in German is one.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? It depends. More often than not, stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas eve, and the rest in the morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? It goes by so fast.

23. What theme or color are you using? Hodgepodge

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? turkey

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing, except to be organized! I have to earn that myself.

Happy 31st Anniversary!

My parents were married on this day 31 years ago! Congratulations Mom and Dad! Love you!

December 1st-December 9th

A quick week review and the Bates' Family will be caught up!

December 1st: Decorated our Christmas tree for FHE

December 4th: Our great neighbors gave us a ticket to ride the Sagebrush Shortline. For those who don't live in Ridgecrest, this is a treat. A man in our community built a small train track on his property. He and other train enthusiasts have built little engines to pull cars that hold people on them. Santa was there and we rode on the train. It was fun. That night the kids put their shoes under the tree to appeal to Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa.



December 5th: Sinterklaas came! He put candy in the kids shoes, and gave them a pair of winter pajamas! Danke Sinterklaas!
Ethan also had his Christmas piano recital. Again, he did great!





December 6th: We had the Ward Christmas party out at the Byerly's barn! The kids loved seeing the animals, and they sang a great christmas song. Lots of fun!



December 7th: I went with the youth to sing christmas hymns at the Ridgecrest Regional Center. This is an old folk's home here in Ridgecrest. We had a great time.
Well, now we are caught up! I'm glad to be back!

November Priorities

November has been fun as well! Ethan had his first piano recital! He was awesome! He played a rendition of John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt.



We finally had the fireplace cleaned out so we can have fire's in our fireplace! Oooh, warm and cozy!



Olivia's Birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year. Before the Thanksgiving break we brought cupcakes to her class, and we ate lunch with her. She wanted Hawaiian Haystacks and shakes, so, that's what we brought! She did have a party with her friends the weekend before, but, for some reason we can't find those pictures:(



We had a great Thanksgiving. Aunt Megan came and surprised Olivia for her birthday. We also had the Tadlock's stay with us. We had good food and good company. We also made Olivia a cake in the shape of a pumpkin.