Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Card was very brief in telling about how our family is doing so I thought I would do a little more of an update here on our blog.

We have been here in Smithfield for almost two years and are really enjoying here.  We are slowly making this our own by doing some improvements in the yard and in the house.  We added a front side walk this summer we can walk to church more easily.  We added a sprinkler system which was a major project and caused many sore muscles and blisters!  Devin built some cubby/lockers in the garage with his Dad and Greg.  We have loved having these to store coats, boots, hats gloves and more.  Devin also put some shelves in the garage to store our holiday boxes on, and to give more room for the bountiful baskets.

Devin has really been enjoying work.  They have some great employees and the company is strong and continuing to grow.  The employees get along so well that they play basketball, ultimate Frisbee during lunch.  They even have work party's to play video games or watch movies.  I think it's great that they get a long so well.  Devin has really pitched in at home by cooking one meal a week for the family.  He also has initiated the clean the kitchen after dinner as a family which is a huge help to me.

Traeden has been enjoying middle school at Thomas Edison.  He is still at the same school but the middle school is in a different wing of the school.  He has excelled in all of his classes this year and really likes Mr. Low.  Mr. Low wears a tie to school everyday so Traeden did one day and it's become a tradition for him to wear a tie to school at least once a day because Mr. Low says he looks sharp.  Traeden is in the band and plays Euphonium.  He is also doing really well on the piano.  He has his own paracord making business called, "One Accord".    He has sold over 30 bracelets so far to family and friends and even has the local "Smithfield Implement" selling his product.  He is saving for his scout trip this summer to Camp Bartlett.

Conrad is in 5th grade.  Today he played the violin for our church Christmas program.  I had so many people come to me to complement Conrad's playing.  He is really doing well and he enjoys it.  Conrad has taken an interest in baseball and is planning on playing this spring.  He loves to play Lego's with Traeden and they are always coming up with amazing creations.

Samantha is a big 1st grader!  She loves stuffed animals.  Of all her toys she plays with her stuff animals more then anything.  She and Abigail are the best of friends and she is a great big sister to her.  The two of them are in dance lessons together.  They did a fun Christmas program at a rest home where they danced in there pajamas.  It was darling.  Samantha is playing the flute and it's so fun to see learn new songs.

Abigail is our little social butterfly.  She is friends with everyone she meets.  Recently she inherited a new grandma at the rest home they performed at.  She also asked another mom if she was a witch (because she had long black hair) once she found out she wasn't she became best friends with her and sat by her during Samantha's flute recital.  Abi is playing the piano and has a great singing voice.  She is totally motivated to practice the piano so she can get her piano treat.  =)    

I'm just trying to keep up with all my children's activities and homework during the afternoons.   During the day I manage to teach preschool to some amazing students.  On Fridays I get to teach a music class with kids and their moms with is a blast.  Every other Saturday the family helps me do Bountiful Baskets at an Elementary School.  We got asked to take over this site because we were already trained from the Nibley site.  It's been a great experience to get to know our community better.

We are so blessed and feel so grateful to have our health and the knowledge that our Savior Lives.  We are so grateful you, our wonderful friends and family who love us and serve us!  Merry Christmas From The Overly's

Merry Christmas from Pumpkin!

We hope you enjoy this fun Jingle Bell Disco Flute Solo Arrangement!  Merry Christmas from Pumpkin!

Thanksgiving with the Titensors

 I was grateful for Grandpa's Thanksgiving Memory.  He told of a thanksgiving he had in Bedford as a boy.  He was about 10 years old and his family of seven was invited to a neighbors house for dinner.  All the children were excited to go and his dad went to the barn about 2 blocks away to get the car that was in winter storage.  The car battery was dead and would not start.  They hitched the car to some horses and pulled it up and down the road to get it to go but alas nothing would get the car to drive.  The family who invited them over decided to find out what the hold up was and they were able to get to Thanksgiving Dinner in there car.

 Notice the cute holiday decoration bags that Lisa made.

Conrad putting his candy corns in this pretzles.

We had a great Thanksgiving.  It was a great time with family.

Fluting and Violin away

This last few months have been full of lots of practicing and getting ready for Conrad and Samantha's Book Recital.  They did so much work to get ready.  Each of them played between 12-18 songs memorized on their recital day.  It was such a great day for them.  Here is a few pictures from the recital.  Their grandparents drove up to see them perform.  We had a tailgating party in between the two recitals which was a lot of fun.

That night we had our Annual Friends Halloween Party.  This year we did a Murder Mystery Dinner.  This one was called Death by Chocolate.  We had a friend who let us borrow her chocolate fountain.  Wow it was so much fun!  Our costumes were very interesting.  We are suppose to be french in the 1800's   

The kids had a great Halloween!  We told Traeden it was probably his last year trick or treating so he wanted to make sure he got all the candy he could.  =)
Introducing, Snow White, Socerer Conrad, Voldemort, and The Wicked Witch of the West.

Last night we had Pie Night at our house.  Who can really enjoy pie on Thanksgiving after you had such a huge meal so why not have a pie night where only pie is served?  We have a friend who wanted to do it and we offered to have it at our house because we could fit better here.  We invited 14 couples thinking about half would come and all but two came. Just look at the variety of pies, Egg nog, Pear, Pecan, Banana Cream, Coconut/Chocolate Cream, Peach, Apple, Chocolate, Lemon, Key Lime.  Every couple brought a pie to share and we had ice cream and whip cream to top it.   Oh the love!  It was a lot of fun.  I think we may have started a new tradition.  We also played some fun games after eating pie.  

We made Pecan Pie.  I need to figure out how keep the crust from shrinking!

Sunday

We had a good Sunday.  I'm trying to get us in a routine of getting up and going so we aren't late for church. It worked today!  I find if I have the kids dressed before breakfast then we are more likely to be on time.  The kids are motivated to get dressed quick and then we eat.
Our bishops son had his farewell today.  I remember when my dad was bishop and they really got away from having farewells but today was really a farewell.  The missionary invited everyone in the audience over to his house for lunch.  I'm not sure his mom appreciated that.  =)  I want to have a special day for my missionaries but I think I want to do it different so that Sunday is still a sacred day.  I think (I like to think of these things now)  we will have a friend party/open house on Friday or Saturday where he can really hang out and do some fun things with his friends.  They are still welcomed to come to hear him speak but we aren't going to have a huge gathering on Sunday.  On Sunday I would like to have a smaller gathering just for family that come but do it after the entire block of church.  I think it's important to come to all the meetings at church.
My friend Mandi had her baby girl this week.  Her baby is still in the hospital because she is on oxygen.  They are hoping to have her come home sometime this week.  I got to see pictures and she is adorable.  I was able to take her family dinner after church and it was fun to visit with them for a little bit.  Conrad was in charge of the Alfredo sauce which he successfully spilled on his church pants.  (I should have put that in a better container)  
Preschool is keeping me really busy.  The first of the year is just crazy in getting all the supplies ready to go.  I make a lot of things that we use all year round but it all needs to me made now so it's a lot of work.  I'm happy that all my classes are full and I even have a couple people on the waiting list.
I have six practicum students I will teach this semester from Utah State.  They will be helping run three different music therapy groups.  I'm excited that all my groups are with preschool age children.  Those groups are just lots of fun.  One group is 2 year olds, one is 4-5 year olds with cochlear implants, and the other group is my Play with Me group at Smithfield Rec center.  This group is ages 0-3 with there moms/caregivers.  I will have all three groups to do this week so it's a little crazy.  But once I get my routine going I should be OK.
We have stake conference next week, then I think it's temple dedication, and then it's general conference.  Because we won't be singing in sacrament in Sept or Oct we canceled ward choir for a couple months.  I need to get music ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This is the best time of year for the choir because of all the awesome music!

Enough ramblings for tonight!  Love you all!

Canning Season

So far I haven't done much canning but I've done some.  There is just something so satisfying of hearing those bottles pop so you know they have sealed.  Every time I hear one I know I've had a little miracle happen.  We didn't do a garden but I am getting produce from neighbors, family and friends of friends and it's so nice that people are willing to share when they have done enough for their family.  I did pickles for the first time this year.  I did 14 bottles of various dill pickles.  Some were baby dills, spears, and slices.  I haven't tasted them yet so I'm hoping they are good.  Today I did plum/apple juice and apple sauce.  I mixed in plums and apples.  The juice came out to be a beautiful purple color and the sauce had a nice rose color.  My neighbor did a ton of Apple pie filling and she didn't do applesauce so we decided I would do the applesauce and then we would exchange.  I think that is a great trade.
Traeden is in competition soccer this year and he has had three games.  He has done very well and I really like the coach and other parents.  They are very supportive and kind to everyone.  My parents came up this week to watch him play a game and that was really fun.

First Day of School and I love to see the Temple

Yesterday was our first day of school.  We were running a little late so the kids really didn't want me to take a picture but nevertheless I got a quick pictures.  I can't believe I have three going for a full day.  I love that they are all at the same school, it makes it so nice and Traeden is a big help to get them together after school.  

 In front of our school, Thomas Edison Charter School.

 This is our family plus our neighbor at the Brigham City Temple Open House.  Our primary took all the kids.  We had over 200 people from the ward there yesterday.  It was a beautiful temple and it was neat to answer many questions my oldest had about the temple.

Here is the whole primary group minus the parents and teachers at the front of the temple.  If you don't have tickets or can't get them they do not turn anyone away.  You can get tickets here.  Or you can just go, they have parking at the old Kmart parking lot on Main Street (next to Burger King).  They shuttle you over in a bus and bring you back.  I believe the hours are 7:30 am - 8:00 pm.

Epic 2012

 Morgan with her Gallon Jug of Water!  This was her first relay and she did fantastic!  

 Devin after his first leg 

 We are in Niter, ID.  This was my second leg.

 Morgan stretching out and getting ready to run

 Some of the team, MRSA (Medics Running somewhere anywhere)  A few of us were not medics but they still claimed us.

 Vehicle 1 Rocks!  Just got showered and got a bite to eat after our 3 legs and we are feeling good

The whole team at the finish line in Jackson, WY

This race started in Smithfield, UT and ended in Jackson WY.  It was about 200 miles.  We had 12 team members although we had one runner who could only do one of her legs so she could be with her Grandmother who was recently in a car accident.  So we took turns running between 3-8 miles at a time.  This race only had about 90 teams which was so nice because it wasn't crowded.  The race was well put together and it sure felt good to accomplish this with an amazing group of people.  Races for me help me have a goal to reach for and keeps me motivated to keep in shape and continue my exercise goals.  It's a lot of fun too!   Just for the record it took us 33 hours 12 minutes and 21 secs to run this course.  We came in at 25th of 51 teams in our division  and 41 out of 87 teams overall.  

Proud Mommy

Today C decided to bear his testimony in church.  It was great to see him get up his courage after seeing a few other young primary kids do the same.  As soon as he got done A wanted to go up as well.  I have been holding her off for months by saying she wasn't old enough.  I really think you need to be able to go up on your own and say your own words and not be told what to say.  Usually this isn't until you are about 8 year, I thought.  So when she asked me again today I told her to tell me what she would say.  She shared with me a very nice testimony and so I said she could as long as she could go up on her own and say that all by herself.  (I really didn't think she would).  She moved over to the end of the bench and told our neighbor who was sitting by us that she was going up to bear her testimony.  As soon as the pulpit was free she walked up there with full confidence.  The counselor in the bishopric got the bench ready so we could see her and lowered down the mic and she gave a great little testimony all on her own.  It was really special that she was so brave.  When she got back I asked her if she was scared and she said no.  I'm amazed at her ability to talk with anyone.  She is so friendly and thoughtful of other people.  She likes to make pictures during church and then give them to her friends.  This week she gave it to her friend Baylee who is 11 years old.  Last week she gave a picture to her friend Bro Heath who sat by our family.
Summer is going by really fast.  I'm trying to get some things done for preschool before it starts as well as get the kids school shopping done.  I would like also to get our yard a little more ready as well.  Devin started making some plans together in his head for a homemade play set which I think will be so fun for the kids!  The little trampoline we had been given needed some major repairs so I took it to a tramp repairman and he is working on getting it all the rings stitched on with new material and then he goes around the tramp five times.  We have decided that T. and possibly C is too big to jump on the small tramp.  It's so hard to get old!

Exhort Them to Pray

I was asked by our bishopric to give a talk today based on President Henry B. Eyring First Presidency Message in Feb of this year.  His message was entitled Exhort Them to Pray.  Here is part of my talk.  

Eight years ago I had a friend who decided to run the Top of Utah marathon and she wanted me to run it with her.  This is something I had always wanted to do so I decided I would do it with her.  I really had no idea what to expect because I had never run a race longer then a 5K which is 3.11 miles.  I was soon to find out that a marathon is much much longer then a 5K.  A marathon is the equivalent of about 8 and half 5K races.   Training for a marathon takes a lot of time and is hard work.  But having a friend to do this with made it much more enjoyable and motivating.  We trained well but on the day of the race I was so nervous.  It was so cool to see how many people were just as crazy as we were running a marathon.  There were people of all ages, sizes, and limitations doing this race.  Everyone did it at there own pace and all of us had the same goal of finishing the race.  Running is a physical sport but just as many thing we do it has an important mental aspect that can affect your performance.  If you are mentally in a good place and have a good attitude by feeding your soul good thoughts, you usually run better.  Along the way there are many things that help support runners to finish the race.  There are first aid stations with medical aid, water stations, port-a-potties, mile markers so you know how much farther you must go, and cheerleaders of friends, families and neighbors who are encouraging you to go just a little farther.  I know without these things I would have never finished the race.  There was a point at about mile 23 I hit a wall and didn’t think I could take one more step.  I was so exhausted and every muscle hurt.  Devin was right there and helped me see that I was so close and I couldn’t give up now.  I had the most incredible feeling crossing the finish line.   I was so glad I didn’t stop.  There are so many life lessons I have learned by training and running a marathon and today I would like to parallel this experience to life.  We all chose to run this race of life.  I think we knew it would be hard but having never experienced it before we really didn’t know how hard it would be.  In this life we are all different and find our own pace.  Heavenly Father knew we would need several things that would support us so we could finish the race of life.  Some of those things he has given us are prayer, scriptures, the Holy Ghost, Our prophet and other church leaders, the church.  The list could go on and on.  Today I’m going to focus on one of these supports that have truly been life changing and have helped me when I thought I couldn’t take one more step in this race and that is Prayer. 

 I’m so grateful for Prayer.  It has been a huge blessing in my life to keep me taking mores steps in the race of life.  I know that life will not always be easy and fun but if I use the tools such as prayer that that Lord has given me it will help me keep an eternal perspective and help me to complete the Race of Life.  Sometimes we will think we can’t go on but as we remember the Lord he will bless us with what we stand in need of so we can carry on.  I pray that we will turn to the Lord in prayer individually, as married couples and as families.  I know the Lord with bless us with more then we could ever imagine.  The Lord loves us.  He wants us to be happy and I know that this church is true church of Jesus Christ.  I know that the Book of Mormon will lead us closer to the Savior.  I know that our current Prophet is President Monson and we should follow his teachings.    

Sprinklers are just about there

We have been working really hard the last few weeks on getting our sprinklers in.  We had a great friend who helped us trench it, and my parents came up on a Saturday and then every night we would work on it.  What a hard job.  I really thought I was strong but putting these in makes me realize that I'm not that strong because I couldn't do this everyday for a living.  It really gives you an appreciation for those that do construction or landscape everyday for their livelihood.
Summer so far has been--lets get these done so our grass doesn't dry.  Well they are now in and watering regularly and it is amazing!  Now the job is to get the trenches looking right.  There are some places that are still too high and other too low.  So we got a wheelbarrow yesterday and started moving the dirt around.  So much fun!  The great thing about all this is it really makes the kids have an experience of working together as a family.  For the most part they have been great sports about it.  We don't try to kill us all off and do little bits at a time.  They have been great at getting cold drinks.   Conrad is getting good at making lemonade.  =)

Issachar and his brothers

Devin was fortunate to take the opportunity to be in our Stake Musical.  This was a big time commitment but it was such a positive experience for him and the crew.  The fun thing is after a few rehearsals he came home and said they needed some children in the play so he invited all of our kids to participate in it as well.  They had a blast singing in it and rehearsing with other kids in the play.  I couldn't find any really great pictures of the kids but below is some fun pictures of Devin in the play.  He is quite the actor and this was his very first play to be involved with.  I think he is quite a natural.  The costumes, scenery, acting, lighting was all so professional.  I felt like it could be a show on Broadway!  It truly was a hit!

 The brothers angry at Joseph for being the best loved of his father.

"Go Go Go Joseph"--We found some awesome attire at the DI

Finale with everyone on stage.

Calypso Number-Devin is doing the Limbo

Stage Pictures--Just goofing off.  

Music Competition

Traeden played at the Music Competition for Smithfield Health Days.  We were really proud of him because he worked so hard to get his piece polished.  This is The Sorcerer by Carol Matz.  Enjoy.  It's only one minute long.

Happy Birthday Traeden!

Candy Bar Game

Lego Creation Game

Candy Bar Game

Eating Treats and Hanging Out

Candy Bar Game

I've been planning for a few months now to surprise Traeden with a Birthday Party with his friends from school and the neighborhood.  We normally don't give party's on 11 year old birthdays but I felt like this is a really important year for Traeden to have a friend party so I planned to do a surprise party.  It was so much fun to coordinate with parents, who were completely supportive.  Most of the kids didn't even know they were going to a party until they came home from school and were told then so they couldn't ruin the party.  I thought that was really cool of them!  Here is what we did.

• While waiting for Traeden to come we played a balloon game where you have to get a balloon on a target by blowing up a balloon and letting it go.  It is really funny to watch where all the balloons land, everywhere you don't want it!
• Then we did a lego creation game.  We divided into teams and they got a random bag of Legos and a time of 10 minutes and had to create something with as many parts as they could.  They got really creative.
• We did a skittle game where you had to transfer Skittles from one cup to another cup.  Samantha finished all of her skittles first.  I think she has some good wind power playing the flute.
• We also did the classic Candy bar game with die.  
• They played a little bit of Mario Cart and then played outside on the tramp.  
• We fed them pizza and soda floats.  

This was really fun for me to plan and it was fairly inexpensive to do.  Traeden said it was his favorite birthday ever so mission accomplished.

1st Place!

We are all pretty excited to find out that Traeden got 1st place in the Health Days Music Competition.  The age group was for 1st graders-5th graders.  He will get to play for Health Days May 10th at Sky View High School.  He is excited to get a trophy and $25.  He played "The Sorcerer"  It was his festival piece for Federation this year.  Ya Traeden!

Soccer Season has begun

Peanut finding eggs at city egg hunt

Devin catching chicken at Kabuki Japanese Stake House

We have three children in soccer this year and had our first game Saturday.  We are happy that Traeden and Conrad are playing on the same team this year so it will make it a little easier to get to all their games and practices.  Samantha and Conrad played goalie and did a great job.

This Saturday we celebrated our 100 days of practicing by taking the kids to Golden Corral.  We all ate too much and had a great time.  The fun thing with Golden Corral is they have cotton candy.  The kids were in cotton heaven and had fun making beards out of it.  It was a hard thing to practice without missing a day but all the kids did it so I was really proud of them.

Easter Morning Smiles

One last thing...Abi said the funniest thing today.  While she was on the toliet she hollers to Sam and I, "My poo did a burp!"  I just love how little kids think things out.  

1st Lost Tooth

Samantha lost her first tooth!   She was so excited and for weeks has been talking about losing it but was really nervous to pull it.  After a few attempts by herself, dad and mom she finally got it out by mom.  This was my first tooth I got to pull out for my children so it was pretty cool.  She has shark teeth right now where she has two layers of teeth.  So much fun.  Conrad just lost another tooth last night.  The tooth fairy has been busy visiting our house!

Jazz Game Surprise

For Valentines Day I told Devin he had to wait because he would be getting his present a little late.  I had an awesome friend get us tickets for the Jazz and Spurs game on Presidents day.  I told him we had plans that night but didn't tell him what it was and until the day he had no idea what I had planned.  That morning the radio talked about the game that night and he started thinking that might be the plan but still not sure.  I had my parents watch the kids and we got dinner at Crown Burger and parked there.  We had such a great time.  The game was awesome.  I packed Devin's Spur's jersey and I borrowed my friends Jazz shirt.  The Jazz almost won so the game was pretty exciting.
This weekend Conrad had a violin solo to perform for judges at a Festival.  He was nervous and it was a really good experience for him since this was the first time to be adjudicated.  He did a nice job.  We are working on getting him to play with more emotion and dynamics.  He was a little too nervous to worry about the dynamics but he did very well on all the notes and rhythms.  It's really fun to be the supportive mom but I get so nervous for my children.  I know how hard they have worked and I have heard their songs on their best notes and on their worst.  It's just so great to see the improvement they have made.
Conrad is turning 9 years old this week and he is so excited for his birthday.  We had a little family party for him tonight.  I was reading a letter I had wrote him when he was five years old just last week and I was so surprised at how much I knew about him and how much he is still the same.  I told him that he has a big imagination.  That he is caring and loves to make people happy.  He has a beautiful and quick smile.  He is a good friend to his sister and brother and makes friends easily.  I told him that he is very smart and remembers many things for a long time with great details.  He is an excellent musician and is willing to do hard things on his violin.  He is a good reader, tender hearted and has a fun sense of humor.  He loves life and we love him.  I could write him a letter today and it would still be about the same.  I'm so proud of Conrad and happy he is in our family.

Happy Birthday!

Valentine Fun

I had a Valentine week.  I started making sugar cookies on Saturday for my family, my preschool kids and Devin's work associates.  My grandma Titensor would bake sugar cookies for all her grandchildren.  This was not just any sugar cookie.  These were specially made for each person with their name on it.  It was huge!  I looked forward to going to grandma and grandpas house every Valentines and devouring my own cookie.  So because of these fond memories I have want to pass the tradition on.  

Monday and Tuesday we exchanged valentines in preschool and each time it was a little chaotic so next year I think I've figured out a way to make it less crazy.  Each day there was one child who didn't give their valentines out.  I didn't discover it until everyone was already gone.  Monday I didn't give my cookies out.  So next year I will have everyone sit with their valentine sack and each child, one at a time will go around and give everyone a valentine.  That way we won't forget someone.  

Devin surprised me and bought me an hour massage that I will cash in on Monday afternoon.  I have had one massage before when I was pregnant and it was really nice so I'm looking forward to it.

Saturday the Titensor Adults went to our annual Valentines couples dinner.  This year we went to Maddox for lunch.  I love Maddox.  This has got to me my favorite restaurant.  The servers, hostess and just so professional and the food is awesome.  I tried the Buffalo burger.  I've never had buffalo meat before and I was very surprised at how much it tasted like a beef burger.  Buffalo is a leaner meat.  

Saturday night we had an adult party for the ward.  The Elder's Quorum and High Priest were over the activity so Devin did a lot to make this happen and it turned out really nice.  They had everyone bring a dessert and they made homemade root beer and ice cream to make floats.  

My whole week has been filled with amazing food.  Not so great on the healthy eating side so this week I've got to do better.  

Today was our ward conference and the ward choir sang "My shepherd will supply it's need"  It is so beautiful here are the lyrics which testify that Jesus is our Shepherd.  My favorite verse in the song is the last and the concept of coming home to God and being welcomed like a child at home.  

My Shepherd will supply my need:
Jehovah is His Name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy's sake,
In paths of truth and grace. 

2. When I walk through the shades of death,
Thy presence is my stay;
A word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head. 
3. The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise!
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.

BOM study and preschool

Devin and I have been studying the Book of Mormon in a new way this year and it's been great.  Each night we alternate asking each other a question that the other must answer from scriptures from the Book of Mormon.  It has been fun, challenging and very enlightening.  We have done better with couple scripture study since we started this then we ever have.  Last night Devin asked me, "Why is the church called after the name of Christ."  I've learned a lot and it's fun to try to stump each other so we really have to search and study.  

I am really enjoying my preschool.  I really feel like I'm doing something good for these kids and it's a great feeling.  We went on a field trip this week and it was awesome.  We did a combined music therapy group (intergenerational) with a group of older adults at Sunshine Terrace and Terrace Grove.  To see the smiles from both the children and the older adults was priceless.  It brings a whole new level of energy when children interact with their grandfriends.  I did my internship at Sunshine Terrace and so the memories of this was just so special to me.  I'm so grateful for Jennifer Birchell (my internship director) and all she taught me.  Jennifer and I planned this session together and it was so much fun to do this together.  I would like to do this each year with my preschool.  

  

Monster Concert

Traeden participated last night in the Monster Concert at the USU Kent Concert Hall.  It was quite a concert.  They had 465 student play in just one hour.  On stage there was 20 pianos and several keyboards and the concert was just seamless.  They had a great storyteller tell a fun story that kept the whole family engaged the entire hour.  Traeden played an exciting piece called "Fire Dance."  He did awesome!  They had three rehearsals this week to get it ready to play.  The family enjoyed the concert and had fun sitting by Grandma and Grandpa Titensor.  Then we got treats at Zeppi's which was yummy!
Devin has encouraged the kids to be in the Stake Play with him and they have been going to a few practices and seem to be enjoying it.  Throughout the day I hear some of the music from "Joseph" from at least one of the kids.  I think it will be a great experience.  I'm excited to be in the audience and the supporter of this event.
Last weekend we decided we needed to experience winter so we drove an hour up the canyon and went tubing up Logan Canyon with a friend.  It was a blast.  Our friends own an old Snowmobile that was used to pull the kids up the hill.  This was so nice and made the sledding last for more then just a couple runs because everyone is just so tired to climb up the hill again.  We sustained no injuries, which I was grateful and just had a great time in the outdoors.
We are looking forward to Valentines and have plans to make lots of sugar cookies, go on a Titensor Couples dinner at Maddox, and have a ward Valentine party.  We are also looking forward to having a new Titensor join the family.  Danny and Melissa are due to have a baby at the end of February.  They are having a boy.

Let it Snow!

Yesterday we had a nice day indoors while it snowed for most of the day.  Got lots of laundry done and had some good family time. I wanted to post a few pictures today.

Cubbies built by Don, Devin and Greg!

We have really enjoyed using these cubbies that Devin's Dad help build with Devin and Greg.  They are so nice to have for the kids to put muddy boots, coats, gloves.  I'm looking to glue some clothes pins on so we can hang up wet gloves and hats.

Samantha's Flute Class at WSU

Cindy Henderson a professor at WSU taught a master class last Saturday that Samantha played in.  She played Honeybee and did very well.  I am amazed at her attention span and the things she has learned playing the flute.  This has been a really good fit for her.  Cindy told her that she has the perfect flute lips so her embouchure is very good.

Traeden with his Arrow of Light

Traeden got his Arrow of Light in December.  He was excited to hang up his arrow in his room.   The Order of the Arrow young men came to present the awards and did a great job.  I think it's really neat that they make a big deal out of this.  The cub scouts really look forward to this and the costumes are just awesome!

Abigail with Santa

We went to the Cache Valley Mall and all the kids got to sit on Santa's Lap.  Abi was a little nervous but she talked about it forever.  Santa had a real beard!

The Overly Gingerbread house

The kids had a great time making the gingerbread house and even more fun when they ate the candy.  They were even invited to go to a friends house to each make there own.  They had a great time!

This year in Relief Society, our theme is "It's a Year of Learning."  We had a combined meeting today with all the sister, so the Men took over the Primary and YW Callings so everyone could attend.  It was neat to see everyone there.  I would like to keep my New Years Resolutions and each Sunday renew those commitments by review my goals and then make a commitment to do a little better that week.  I'm not worried if I have a bad week, I just need to keep renewing those goals and I will do better.

January?

Warning, This is a long post.  It's been a while since I've blogs so I am apologizing for the length right now!  What a crazy January.  The weather has been very dry, no snow, but in Cache Valley it's cold!  In preschool we decorated snow with colored water put in spray bottles.  Not a lot of snow to color but they all found some to spray.
Today I played for the Spanish Branch and we sang Called to Serve.  I was excited because this is a really fun hymn to play so I'm up there enthusiastically playing the hymn and after the 2nd verse finish and see the conductor standing there starring at me waiting.....  It felt like forever till I got my hands back into place and start playing again.  I hear a few giggles and I couldn't help giggle myself.  I play through another verse and look at her again and she starts another verse.   I'm thinking oh I really should have looked at the Spanish Hymnal to see how many verses.  This was the first time I have played a hymn with different number of verses.  I'm really curious to hear the English Translation of the last two verses of Called to Serve.
We had such a great Christmas and later I will share some pictures of our holiday.  Some of our highlights:
Our Holiday Open House:  This turned out to be so fun we will definitely do it again.  I did simplify the menu for my own sanity but we had oodles of food left over that I gave away to friends and family and froze some for later.  I ended up buying some fun ornaments from Oriental Trading Company that the kids really enjoyed.  My mom and dad came up and were such a great help.  Here is what we ended up making and eating:
 Rice Crispy Treats, Pumpkin Bread, Lemon Bars, Summer Sausage, Cheese, Crackers, Carrots and Celery with Dip, 7 layer dip and chips, Wassail and Hot Chocolate.  We had about 70 people come sometime during the night.  It was so nice to visit with neighbors and friends.  Hopefully everyone else had as good as a time and they will come back next year.  =)
Christmas Caroling at Sunshine Terrace and to Neighbors:  We had a great time with a couple families in the ward and went Christmas Caroling to a nursing home and we also did a night of caroling to some older sisters and brothers in the ward.
Christmas Day in Woods Cross:  We had a really nice dinner at my parents and opened presents with cousins  over Skype so Scott and Brittany's family could be a part of that.  That was cool.  David and Bonnie had us over that night for some pie and games.
Cedar:  We visited Devin's Parents in Cedar for a couple days and that was nice.  We took a day to visit Zion's and a hike and picnic.  It was awesome to be able to be outdoors in December without your hat, gloves and coat and sit on the grass to eat lunch!
New Years Eve:  This year we went to a friends party on New Years Eve and had a babysitter over to watch the kids.  We went to a really cool restaurant in Logan called Kabuki.  A Japanese Steakhouse where they prepare your meal right in front of you!  The chefs were so entertaining.  The experience was so awesome! I even tried fried  After dinner we had a game night until midnight.  Just a fun time with friends.
Now that the new year is here we have set some new years goals and we are doing pretty good.  The kids are Devin are working on practicing for 100 days in a row, on their instruments.  We also set a goal to clean up the kitchen completely after every meal.  It has been so wonderful to have the whole family work together to clean up the kitchen after dinner.  The girls and I do breakfast and lunch since the boys have to jet to school and work.  There is so much peace in me when I have a clean kitchen.  I love it!