A Wonderful thanksgiving

We love that we now get to travel to Grandpa and Grandma's house(don't get me wrong, I LOVED being able to walk), because it makes the holidays so exciting. We had Thanksgiving at Doug and Tami's home(their home is SO CUTE). All the kids then rode Lucky(Chris' pony), and then John and I and the kids drove to Spanish Fork to John's parents, and had another wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Saturday we went up to Chris and Laurie's home and watched the BYU/UTAH game. Chris finished their basement and made a nice theatre room, so John was happy, because it was just Chris and him downstairs. I stayed upstairs and did Laurie's hair, and listened to the game, but we had to watch the last few minutes, what an exciting GAME! That evening we went to Barrett's wedding, it was so fun to see everyone, Barrett looked very happy, and as he introduced Jeanine to John and I, I felt as if I had met her before because of their blog.(Blogging is GREAT!) Sunday morning we went to mom and dad's ward at 9:00 AM!!!!!!! It is really crazy getting four kids ready, and we all walked in two minutes before 9:00. What a wonderful Thanksgiving, four kids has definately made my life so full and I have sooooo much to be thankful for It took a while to hook up Lucky to the cart, and this was the one and only ride Lucky gave with the cart, because he squiggled out of it, and so Cam ended being the pony and pulled the cart and took thekids for a ride

Lydia, Brielle, Trey, and Marcus riding on the cart

Lydia, really loves Lucky, but she was really nervous to get close.

Payton and Bryson playing b-ball

Payton, Bryson, Marcus, Trey, and Brielle having a blast!

What were we thinking??

We were quite a sight at Buckle yesterday. Brigham is now 7 weeks old, and I am feeling like I need Clothes!!! I want at least one comfortable pair of pants until I can get rid of some of this baby weight. So Michelle and Cam, John and I, and Maryann and all 8 of our kids (under 7) decided we'd try the mall! We had two double strollers, and made our way into the store. I think we were quite a sight in the store on a Saturday night with both strollers by the dressing room and about a hundred pairs of pants. Maryann was trying on pants, I was trying on pants, Cam was trying on pants, and I convinced my husband to try on some pants(he hates buying pants because he wears shorts all winter), and Michelle was trying to keep peace with all the children while bouncing Brigham in her arms(of course he was getting hungry). It was quite a chore, and I'm not sure why we attempted it, but I'm sure glad we did, because I finally found a pair of pants. Yeh! Maryann got a cute pair, and John actually bought a pair too. I sure wish I had gotten a picture to show how crazy we were, but our kids really did not do too bad, but that's my opinion, I was trying on pants, I'm sure Michelle might say otherwise. We did see Santa, he was already at the mall. The kids were so excited, there was not even a line, they all walked up and talked to him. John got a few pictures on his phone, I will post them up here tomorrow. I love shopping with my sisters, and I think this stage in life is so fun. There is so many memories with so many kids I know that when I am older I will definately miss this part of my life.

Blessing day of Brigham Thomas Kemp

Grandma and Grandpa Meacham with Brig

Grandma and Grandpa Kemp with Brig
Uncle Greg and Brig


















Worn Out!!!

Lydia and Jemma putting on Makeup

Four down, how many more?
Lydia chillin' with Brig. Actually she was being so difficult, I couldn't get a picture of her, so this is the best I got with Lydia and Brigham.





Proud big brother!!

Lydia after a long, hard Sunday playing with cousins in the red St. George dirt.

Brigham's blessing

What a wonderful day. These are the days that I love being a mom; Payton and Marcus both got up and bore their testimonies in sacrament meeting, John gave Brigham a beautiful blessing, and our family filled up three long rows in the meeting. Thank you so much to those that traveled down to be with us on this day. Here are some pictures from today.

John made yummy sandwiches.

Laurie, trying to get Chris to take a picture with her.

Nice Chris!

Aunt Maryann and Brig

Brigham Thomas Kemp is definately a keeper, we love him.

Dinner was finally a hit

I hate when I make a fancy dinner, spend a lot of time, and my kids hate it. Last night I made a basic potatoes, ham, and bean dish, and my kids loved it. I made it up, so it's basically scalloped potatoes with green beans and ham. I boiled and skinned the potatoes, and then made a sauce out of a can of cream of chicken, 1 cup of milk, 1 small onion(chopped really small), and salt and pepper. Then I chopped up deli ham, and opened a can of green beans. I layered it starting with the potatoes, sauce, beans, cheese, and then layered it again. I warmed it up in the oven for about 20 min on 350 and my kids ate every bit of it. That is when it is worth cooking!!!!

I've Been tagged, so here it goes......

1. When I met John (we were set up), I knew when he came to the doorstep that I was going to marry him. I asked him what his last name was at dinner, cause I wanted to know what my last name would be.
2. I love to Hike--the farther and higher the better(as long as it is safe)!!! I love the mountains, they are so peaceful, and there is nothing like being on top of a mountain looking down.
3. I can not believe that Maryann's favorite day would include cleaning--ew! My favorite day um.....I love to go on a bike ride, shop with my sisters, go running, go to the park with my kids, but that is stuff I do a lot already, so my favorite day that I do not get to do a lot would be going snow skiing with my husband. I love skiing with him. I would finish the day off by going to a nice restaurant, and going to a movie. I love movies, my all time favorite is "The man from snowy river".
4. I have a huge desire to have EVERYTHING in my house have a home, and believe me, I am so far from achieving this, nor do I believe I will achieve this while my kids are young, but somedayI will reach this goal, is it possible? Those that know me, well would probably doubt this is a possibility because I am so sparatic(is that a word). I am the best at setting something aside because I want to find the perfect home, and then it developes into a pile. I would love to go to sleep one evening, and know that everything is put away where it goes, in it's own spot.
5. I love to rearrange my furniture, or design my rooms on paper. I always am drawing on paper how I would rearrange my furniture, and design my room to where I think it would change the look of my room, or just make it easier for my to get more organized. Most of the time I don't get it done, but I am always thinking and drawing on paper ideas. I would love to go back to school for design. My fav show is devine design if you have seen it, the designer draws out the room exactly how it turns out, and her designs are beautiful.
6. I love to lead music. My favorite callings that I have in church would be leading the music in primary, Young women's and Relief Society.
7. Um, let's see.....something interesting.......I can now understand why my mom said she had seven kids, I believe she said each one was so cute she wanted to see what the next one would look like. I love being a mom, and I love that my kids are so cute, and unique in their own special way. I often OFTEN wonder if I am cut out for this job, but am grateful that my father in heaven gave me four adorable children. I admire my mom, and hope to be able to have her strength, and passion, and for her and my dad's example of hard work. I don't remember my mom and dad telling us to do something without getting in there and doing it with us. My mom is an early riser, gets up, works out( I remember waking up to her jumping on her exercise tramp, she is so energetic at 6 am), and still makes a hot breakfast. I will always remember my carrot garden that I was put in charge of. Well the interesting thing is......although I'm not sure if I have my mom's energy, but I want more kids. AGH!!!! I want Lydia to have a sister. I cherish my sisters, and I don't know what I would do without them. Each one of them is an inspiration, and a strength to me. Lar, she makes me want to be a funner mom; Michelle, she makes me want to think of others before myself; and Maryann, well she makes me want to clean. I am going to tag Laurie Meacham, Lannie Elton, and Nicole Young.

Turning back the clock

I'm trying to organize my pics, and I spent way too much time looking instead. I can not believe we are on our fourth child, I remember the day we brought Payton(our first) home. I made this slide show of some of the pictures from our past, they are memories I never want to forget.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST

Matthew's Halloween Party

We went to Flagstaff Arizona this last weekend to see Lar and Travis and their new house. Our kids have the best cousins, they never stopped having fun. Matt's party was a blast, Lar made the yummiest Halloween cake. I am so glad we made the quick trip, it really was so fun.

Payton wanted to be Anakin, he loves playing star wars on the x-box.

Marcus loves Power Rangers, I really need to get the boys in karate.

Lydia is all girl, she wanted to be a princess, I found this cute fairy costume, so she's a princess fairy

Our little pumpkin

Oh how Lydia loves her cuz Brielle

Lar has a forst right by their house, the kids loved playing at this fort in the forest.

I am a Mother!!!

"You can't possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you.... Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on him forever." -Jeffrey R. Holland. This was quoted in the book, 'I am a Mother' by Jane Clayson Johnson. I highly recommend it.

Well today, I got up, got the kids off to school, (ok, John did that) fed Brigham, changed his diaper, and took a shower, got Lydia ready, and then fed Brigham again. John came home to watch the kids while I went to the grocery store to buy food to fix four dinners tonight. Michelle, Maryann, a friend and I made four dinners of the same thing and then divided them up among each other, so I won't have to cook this week!!!! Well, it is evening, we just ate, the kids are doing their homework, we will read our books and have family home evening which I am not prepared for. We need to take treats to two neighbors, because we got spooked and have to spread the halloween cheer. My kitchen looks like I made four meals, and well that's my job, I am a mother.

I have to thank my mom, she is my inspiration and my strength. She came to my house for five days when Brigham was born, and she didn't stop. She found something to do every minute. She brought cute activities for my older kids, and my house never looked better. My husband has been so awesome, he helps so much with the kids, and is always wanting to give me a break. My sisters, Lauralee, Michelle, Maryann, and sister-in-law Laurie cleaned my house spotless, of course they did it with 12 kids running around too. Maryann is such a motivater, she motivates me all the time. I love talking to Lar on the phone, she is such a fun mom. Michelle, well she could be my mom too. She just sees what needs to be done and does it. She is so mothering, and is just like my mom, just always doing something for someone else to lighten their load as if her load is not heavy enough (owner of a spa, mother of 3, young women's leader, and wife of the 2nd counselor). Well, my kids just informed me that we have a neighborhood block party. Looks like plans have changed, that's what is fun about being a mom, it is never ever boring!!!!

Families are Forever

Payton(7), Lydia(2), and Marcus(5), and Brigham(2 weeks)

Michelle took these pictures. I think she did a great job, it is hard to get 4 kids to cooperate.

It is amazing how different and unique each of my kids are, they each come with a personality right from the start. Because of an infection I got the first week, we gave him a bottle, and then I tried nursing him, and he fought hard for the bottle. He is a very easy baby except that each time I feed him, he will still put up a fight, I'm still not sure who's winning. I nursed all three of my kids, and so I know how convenient, and awesome it is, so I'm pretty determined to win this one.

Brigham Thomas Kemp

Born October 2nd 2007

Weighing 7 lbs 5 oz

20 inches long