C-R-A-Z-Y week!

Well, I think this will be my first novel. We'll start with this last Thursday. Three of Scott's brothers all came into town (Doug, Ross and Jeff. We haven't seen Jeff in a year and a half and so we were all excited to have all five brothers together and so we spent a lot of time over at Scott's mom's house spending time with them, up until Sunday. We played lots of games, in true Chamberlain fashion, and had lots of good laughs. They were in town until yesterday, but then my family came into town on Sunday for my younger brother Mike's wedding which was yesterday.

The real craziness started on Monday. Monday morning I had to put the kids in the bath at about 7:30 because we had to go shopping and they were dirty. I left the room for 30 seconds and Park had a bowel movement in the tub and it wasn't any little nugget either. There was poop EVERYWHERE. So I put the kids in the other bath tub (luckily we have two) and strained out as much as I could and then filled the tub with clorox and water. Well, then it was off to the store because my family was coming over that night for dinner and an early Christmas and I needed to pick some things up. I took our next door neighbor Sam with us so that his mom could have a break because she was sick the day before. At Walmart Park decided to take a head dive out of the shopping cart. He landed on his head. So we dropped everything that was in our basket and left to the ER. He was fine, but this being the first time something like this happened I had to take him to make sure he was okay. So, Summer came and picked up Annicka and Sam and she ended up watching Annicka for me for several hours, instead of me watching Sam. Thanks, Sum. Well, after the ER I had to finish the shopping, because my family was coming. Thankfully there were some good customer service people at Target because I had so much in my basket I couldn't put Park in it and I was already kind of stressed. Someone came and checked me out while I was standing in a long line and while I was on my way out one of the cart collectors asked if he could help me. The rest of the day ended up pretty good with spending time with my mom and Step-dad and all of my siblings, which doesn't happen very often. We opened presents and ate a yummy Ham dinner. This picture is the only one we took this whole week.

As you can see, Annicka got a princess dress for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Copple and Park got a really fun tractor that he can ride.

Yesterday was Michael's Wedding. The ceremony was at 10 am at the Salt Lake Temple. It was really nice. Then we had the luncheon at 1pm. We took family pictures at 5:30p and then the reception was at 7. We spent the whole day up in Salt Lake and thankfully BJ and Maggie let our kids crash at their place for an afternoon nap in between everything. Congratulations Mike and Ashley! We love you!

And then to top everything off, this morning Park had a blowout in his crib like no other! He is always happy when he wakes up and doesn't hardly make a sound and so I didn't go and get him out for a while because I was still half sleeping with Annicka watching TV next to me in bed. When I did get up to get him out he had spread the poop everywhere! All over the crib railings and all over his clothes. GREAT! Isn't that what we live for as mothers? Well, all I have to say is Scott better take me out on a really good date this weekend for my birthday. I DESERVE IT!

Apparently....

I need to smile more. So the neighbor boys were over playing the Wii. After they were done Daniel looked at me said, "Why does your face always look like that?" "Like what?" I said. "I don't know, kind of frowny." What do you say to that?

Family Calendar

For all of Scott's siblings out there...the Family Calendar is here! It looks great too, if I do say so myself. It's been a couple of years since it was done and I think Dad would like the cover...don't you? I'll be mailing copies to those of you out of state. That includes Ross, his will go to Doug and Emily's. For the rest of you we'll take them to Mom's house and you can pick yours up there.

First REAL snow

So last night and all day today it's been snowing. Annicka is finally old enough to go out and play and really enjoy it. She's been out several times today already. As you can tell from the first picture she LOVES to eat the snow. There's no stopping her.

Here she is on the small hill in front of our house going down on the sled



Here she is with Sam, our nextdoor neighbor and Annicka's best friend.

Buns

I was giving the kids a bath today and they were lying down playing next to each other. I just couldn't help but take a few pictures. I just love their little naked bums!

Rolyne's builtin

Well, this is for all of y'all that live out of state. Mom got her cabinets installed today. We thought you would like to see it. It is still missing a few doors and shelves that will come tomorrow, but I know that Doug was especially anxious to see it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mommy: So, Annicka, what are you thankful for?
Annicka: Trees.
Mommy: I like trees too. What else are you thankful for?
Annicka: Trees and flowers.
Mommy: Anything else?
Annicka: I don't know.
Mommy: What about mommy and daddy and Park?
Annicka: Yeah.
Mommy:What else are you thankful for?
Annicka: Heavenly Father love Annicka!

I guess we are doing something right! I've been doing a lot of thinking the last few weeks myself about what I am thankful for. I know it's all the generic things that everyone always says, but I'm going to say them anyway. I have an amazing family! I am so lucky to have parents who taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ and who taught me to serve and to love others. I'm lucky to have stepparents who are amazing examples of Christlike love and service. I have the best siblings (this includes you, Maggie and Paolo). I know we drive each other crazy sometimes, but we all get along and love each other no matter what. We are all best friends. Not everyone can say that about their brothers and sisters. I've been especially thinking about my in-laws. I'm so lucky to be apart of their family. Ron and Rolyne have been second parents to me and I love them as much as my own. No one could ask for a better father or mother-in-law. I also am grateful for my brothers and sisters-in-law. I feel like I have an additional 13 brothers and sisters, all of whom I love and care for like my own brothers and sisters and I'm not just saying that. I really really mean it. I wish I could convey how I feel better, but words are so limiting. I love you all SOOOO much! I hope y'all know that.

We've been working on getting all of Scott's brothers and sisters family pictures together for Scott's mom. It's been a long time coming...we originally aimed for Rolyne's birthday on Oct 19th, but we didn't quite make it. We decided to give them to her today. Besides Thanksgiving it also is two years ago today that Ron (Scott's dad) passed away. We thought today would be appropriate. Here is the finished product!

Here are the grandkids making Christmas ornaments after dinner. Thanks, Lori, for bringing all of the stuff to make them!