oops, I did it again!

Really?? I am that far behind again?!!! Well, I can say that it has been wild and crazy around here since I last posted but that really is no excuse. Christmas is underway and I have a lot of things to post so hopefully you will come back and check on us soon....:)

Playing catch up....Abbott style

Okay, since the last real update was for Karter's birthday I will just do a little Abbott family recap:

March: Spring Break....., Karter's 11th birthday, hanging with extended family, hanging out, BBQs, parks, fun....

April: Easter egg hunts, track meets, baseball season begins, basketball games, Salt Lake City trip, Johnston Anniversary celebration, time with family, aquariums, movies, Brynlei in Disneyland....

May: Nate's birthday, mother's day, more basketball games/tournaments, more baseball games and nights at the ballpark, funerals:(, piano recital, dance recital, school awards: The boys all earned the Roadrunner Award, Karter, Peyton, and Traevn all received awards for perfect attendance (Brekken's darn tonsils got in the way of him getting this award) and Karter received the coveted Give Me Liberty award for fifth graders being one of only about 6 in the entire 5th grade!! Big accomplishment!!!, school graduations, Karter's last year at elementary, Brynlei's last year at preschool, Memorial Day, graves, BBQ's, swimming, scout campouts........

June: still baseball season & games, sleepovers, Chad's wedding, basketball camps, scout camps, nature camps, dance camps, parent's big 40th anniversary celebration, father's day, pictures, parties, swimming, stitches, parties, family, cousins, get-togethers.......

July: more dance camps, nature camps, July 4th, swimming, hikes, Brekken's 8th birthday/party, Brekken's surgery(to get those darn tonsils and adenoids out), more stitches, friends, camp-outs, family, birthdays.....

August: Brekken's baptism, back-to-school shopping, teeth cleanings, haircuts, dance, piano, basketball, anticipating soccer season, back-to-school nights, birthdays, swimming, organizing, getting ready for the new school year, last week of summer, and basically just trying to keep up with life:)

Slacker alert!!! I have been such a slacker, I cannot believe it's been almost 5 months since my last post. A LOT has happened in our life. Summer is almost over and school will be starting again in a couple of weeks. I will try to catch up this week. :)

Happy 11th Birthday Karter!!! Seriously can't believe you are that old!! We love you tons and hope that you have the best day ever!!! Keep being you!!!

Random Thoughts

Wow, where does time really go? You start out with such good intentions and then you blink and it's like a year has gone by. I can't sleep tonight, I have too many thoughts on my mind. I was looking over our blog and I realized just how much I have missed or have been behind on. Have you every just stepped back and really taken a look at your life as it passes you by? Oh how I wish that it would just all slow down. Every moment comes and then it's gone and you look at your baby and realize that he's not quite a baby anymore or at all and that he is closer now to the age of moving out then to the time that you had him. And that's when you realize that life just goes on no matter how hard you try to slow it down or stop it completely. I cannot believe that it's been almost 11 years since I was brand new to this parenting thing. That is quite a scary thought in itself but then I realize as I look back over the past 11 years how amazingly we have made it to this point... I am not in any way the perfect mom or anything close but I love my children and I pray that I can cherish each moment that I have with them because all too soon the day will come when they will open new chapters in their lives and move on from this one...

I was listening to Karter's Ipod the other day and this song came on and I remember the first time that Nate and I had heard it with him and for some reason it brought back memories of us anticipating his birth and hoping that our children would only inherit the good of both of us and I just had to laugh because more and more I can see so much of myself and Nate in our children and yet they aren't quite, they are better, they are each one so unique and different and completely who they were meant to be.

Anything like me...

I remember saying I don't care either way
Just as long as he or she is healthy I'm ok
Then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen
And said "You see that thing right there well you know what that means"

And I started wondering who he was going to be
And I thought heaven help us if he's anything like me
He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride hes bike to fast
End up every summer wearing something in a cast
He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass in a window down the street
He's gonna get in trouble oh he's gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

I can see him right now knees all skinned up
With a magnifying glass trying to melt a Tonka truck
Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on
That'll be his first love til his first love comes along
He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens
And heaven help him if he's anything like me

He'll probably stay out too late and drive his car too fast
Get a speeding ticket he'll pay for mowing grass
He's gonna get caught skipping class and be grounded for a week
He's gonna get in trouble we're gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

He's gonna love me and hate me along the way
Years are gonna fly by I already dread the day
He's gonna hug his momma, he's gonna shake my hand
He's gonna act like he cant wait to leave
But as he drives out he'll cry his eyes out
If he's anything like me there's worse folks to be like
Aw he'll be alright if he's anything like me

Sorry if this post is just random.

Happy 9th Birthday

Traevn Parks!!

I cannot believe how grown up my kids are getting. This past year has just flown by, it seems like we were just baptizing Traevn. Traevn is such an awesome kid who continues to amaze me on a daily basis. He has dealt with his AS condition better than any kid I know could. He knows how unique he is and I am truly inspired by him daily. He is so incredibly smart. He loves school, piano, art, video games (and completing them within 1-2 days of getting them), building legos, etc. He has the biggest heart and sincerely loves people for who they are. We love Traevn so much and hopes that he has an awesome birthday. The past nine years have been the best!!

Love you T-bone!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!! Nate, I Love you Babe. You still make my {heart} flutter !! Glad you have been in my life for the past 17+ years!! Love ya!!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!!

Happy Birthday to my baby girl, Brynlei!!! Wow, I cannot believe that it has been five years since I had her. She has changed my life and our family's life so much!!!! She is totally girlie-girl and our little princess, but not afraid to be tough and wrestle or get dirty with the big boys . I love that she was born in February (the pink month), it fits her personality so much, she has such a big heart. She brings so much sweetness to our life. Her brothers are so protective of her and love her so much!!! I love that she is like a second mother to her brothers and helps me to keep them in line. I feel extremely grateful that Heavenly Father blessed us with this sweet little girl, who is five going on sixteen! We love you Brynlei!!! Happy Birthday!!

Okay, can I just say that my intentions are good to catch up but it really does seem overwhelming at the moment. So I will just enjoy the holiday season and if I get caught up then I do and if not well then 2011 will be my year:) Last week, Nate had Homicide training in Vegas and I was left to be the sole parent for the week. Can I just say how glad I was when he pulled into the driveway after the week was through? My kids are really pretty good kids and I really can't complain but it just helps me realize how grateful I am for Nate and for all that he does to help me out with all the many practices, appointments, concerts, rehearsals that come with having our crew of kids. Love him tons!!! Also, I really did enjoy just being with my kids and hanging out. We did a lot of fun holiday related things and with Nate being gone it also helped me to appreciate my kids and be grateful for the good kids that they are.

Wow, can I say just how much has happened over the past two months!!!!! Crazy how fast times flies and how I keep having good intentions to update. I know that it seems impossible to catch up, but catch up I will try before the end of 2010. We had a good Thanksgiving and we are busily getting ready for the Christmas season. Decorations, lights, trees, and etc are getting hung and up (even as I type:)) I had to take a break to at least update the background and music on the blog. So please don't forget about us and do keep checking back because I promise that there will be updates, I cannot however promise that they will be the most exciting thing but they will be there nonetheless. So for right now, I better get up off my butt and help my hubby and kids. Wishing all of you a very Happy (almost) December!!!!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY PEYTON!!!

Wow, seriously can't believe how grown up you are getting. We love you so much and hope that you have an awesome day!!!!

This little princess totally rocks my world!! She brings a little (okay, a lot) of drama, sassiness, and pure sweetness that helps to balance us out from so much testosterone. So glad I am her mom!! (I just wish that she would stop growing up so fast:))

On our walk the other night, Brynlei said the cutest thing. She was riding her scooter up ahead of us and stopped. She rode back to us and said, "Look Mom it's beautiful, the clouds are smearing away." I love how kids view the world. I {heart} my kids. Just thought I would share.

GoOd LuCk Karter and Brekken!!! Club basketball tryouts are today!!!

Do your best and try hard. We love you!!!

Off they go.....

Brynlei and Peyton both started school last Wednesday, August 18th. They were both so excited. They couldn't wait to go. Brynlei is in her last year at Watch Me Grow with Miss Julie and Grandma Smith. She loves it there and so do I. I don't know what I will do when she is done. We have been going there since Karter was 3. Wow!! Time sure doesn't stand still.

Peyton loves going to his brother's big kid school!!! He has a good teacher this year that will make Kindergarten such a fun experience. He goes to PM Kindergarten and loves the fact that he gets to ride home with the big boys.

I am so thankful that my children love school and anticipate going each year.

Back to School!!

Today was the first day of school for Karter, Traevn, and Brekken. Wow, I cannot believe how fast summer went by this year. I thought I would be happy to see school start but I have to admit I was a little sad to say goodbye to my big boys.

Karter is in 5th grade this year! Holy Cow, how did that happen? Do I really have a kid that old? Seriously. He has Mrs. Jennings for a teacher, whom he absolutely loves already (maybe the fact that she is a Utah Jazz fan helps:)) He is growing up so fast and is almost as tall as me!

Traevn is in 3rd grade and he was so excited for school to begin. He hates each year when school comes to an end, and is probably the only kid I know that dislikes summer. He would love it if they offered school year round with no breaks. Good thing he is so smart. Also, he went in for x-rays yesterday and Dr. Leitze decided that his arm was healing so well that he took his cast off, just in time to start school. He has to soft wrap it for a couple weeks and be careful not to bump it but he is glad to be able to move it around again. His teacher is Ms. Lichfield.

Brekken is in 2nd grade and has Ms. Nef for a teacher. He is such a social magnet. His ability to make friends is amazing. Kids just naturally attract to him. When we dropped him off, he already had half his class and friends surrounding him. With two introverted parents, we are super happy that he is so outgoing and such a good example to us. We got a call from his teacher and she said she just wanted to tell us what an awesome kid he was today. They had to take a few tests today and when Brekken finished he went around helping kids understand the problems, etc. She said he was just so good today and that she was thankful for all the help he gave her. Ahhh, what a sweetie!!

Poor Peyton, who starts Kindergarten this year, has to wait one more week to start school. He does have to go in for some testing this week. He is so freaking excited to finally go to his brother's big school. His teacher is Mrs. Brushke and she looks like she will be tons of fun this year. His pictures will be posted next week.

Brynlei also starts her second year of preschool next week with Miss Julie and Grandma Smith at Watch Me Grow. She loves it there and is excited to be in the older class this year. Her pictures will also be posted next week.

I love that my children have such a deep love for school and learning and pray that they can always feel this way about their education. They are all so bright and smart in their own ways and it amazes me what they push themselves to do each year. We love you kids and pray that you will have another amazing school year!!

More broken bones

On July 3rd after celebrating for the 4th all day with swimming, bbq, and being with family and as the day was winding down and we were all preparing for our firework show, disaster struck. Traevn was trying out his donkey kicks on Grandma's trampoline and his arm locked up and he ended up snapping both his ulna and radius bones. Nate and I were inside cleaning up from dinner and swimming when we heard screaming and then my BIL Kress came running inside telling my dad to hurry and get outside. We ran out to see what had happened and I knew in an instant that it was one of my children. I heard the crying and that was all it took. I am not good in moments like these when my children are in pain that I can't control. We found that everyone (all aunts, uncles, and cousins) had Traevn in a chair and were trying to console him. His arm was in an S shape and it was then that I realized that it was broken pretty bad. Grandpa immediately called to see who the orthopedist was on call and told him to meet us in the ER. Nate and the other men gave Traevn such a beautiful blessing comforting him with the peace that he so needed at that moment. Then away Nate, my mom, my dad, Traevn, and me went to the ER. Traevn was pretty adamant at this point that he was not going to the hospital, but knew it was inevitable. We got there, got checked in, took some x-rays, and waited for the orthopedist to show up. Dr. Leitze arrived and they gave Traevn a sedative(way freaky medicine) so that they could set his arm. They set his arm and sent us on our way (of course it took a few hours to do all of this).

Meanwhile the cousins had all said a big prayer for him and made him a huge sign for his return. They also had gotten him some stuffed animals, treats, his favorite drinks, and a new set of Mighty Beans. Traevn was so distraught that he would miss the fireworks that the cousins willingly decided to hold them until the next night. It was amazing to see how family just steps in to help in moments like these. My brothers and sisters and their families had taken my other kids home, bathed and put them to bed so that we wouldn't have to when we got home late that night.

During this whole ordeal Traevn was so worried that he would never be able to play the piano again, we reassured him that he would and that maybe he would play even better. :) Afterwards, Traevn told us how he actually heard his bones snap. His brothers and cousins who were standing by the tramp also heard the snap. YEEOUCH!!!

I am glad everything turned out as well as it did. I also hope that we won't be having another broken bone, at least not anytime soon.

*He now has his blue waterproof cast on. Pictures to come.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Brekken!!!! Wow, I can't believe my middle child is that old! We love you tons Brek!!

*Stay tuned

Okay, here I stand again in the same position I have been in for the last six months or more, being behind on this blog!! It has been a crazy summer for us so far this year and we are loving every minute. I have taken tons of pics and my awesome husband is organizing them for me (one less thing for me to do:)) Anyway, don't give up on us just yet. I promise there will be plenty of updates coming your way. Also, we have had another trip to the ER with a broken arm (stay tuned to find out the story). With camps, trips, birthdays, holidays, and so much more to blog about I had better start getting my brain in working order:) Come back and visit soon.