Finally...

I've wanted a good family photo for quite some time now.

Friday, we went out to downtown Provo with Cristina and she took some great pictures of us.

She did a great job! 

(I just wish I wasn't fat but no camera can change that!)

Here's a few of my favorites...

Month of Thanks -- Day 23

Today I'm thankful for Cole.

Here is is with a BYU cheerleader after a basketball game.  How he met a cheerleader...?

What can I say about Cole?

Cole is hilarious. 

 Cole is smart.

(Did you know he wants to be an Orthopedic Surgeon when he grows up?
He's got it all planned out.) 

 Cole has an infectious smile. 

 Cole is a good cook.  

(He's baking a cake as I type this.)  

Cole is a charmer. 

 When Cole gets something in his mind, 

he will do what it takes to make it happen. 

 (Or at least try really, really hard)

 And Cole is a ladies man. 

For example, here's a conversation from Cole's wall on Facebook (which, by the way, is open to anyone who is his friend on facebook so I'm not invading his privacy or anything like that.  And I'm pretty sure just about anyone who reads this blog is his friend on facebook.) :  

Cole posted:  

Seriously. I need 8 treadmills. Does anybody have one that I can borrow for a little while?

Friend 1:  Wait a minute. Why in the heck would you need 8 treadmills?

Friend 2:  because it's cole. you learn just to accept this fact. and i wish i could convince my parents cole, i just doubt they will let me....

Cole:  For the talent show!!! Haha!! Thanks for your concern Emily. It makes me feel wanted.

Friend 2 again: wanted? don't ever feel unwanted cole...just think 9/10/11 :D haha

Cole:  Nice!! I can't wait!!! Haha!!

Yes, he was looking for 8 treadmills so he and his friends could do the Ok Go, Treadmill Dance at the PHS talent show.

Only Cole would attempt something so random and unusual.

His friend, Friend 2 (a friend that's a girl -- not a girlfriend), described it perfectly when someone asked why when she said,

  "Because it's Cole.  You learn to just accept this fact."

She couldn't convince her parents to let him use their treadmill but 

it looks like he may have rounded up the 8 wanted treadmills.  

(It's not 100% but it's looking good.)

Like I said, he gets things in his mind and he (usually) makes it happen.

Back to his little conversation ...

Did you notice after the treadmill talk, Friend 2 says,

 "Don't ever feel unwanted Cole...just think 9/10/11."

Do you know what 9/10/11 is?

Cole turns 16 on 9/9/11.

Yep, the kid's already got a date almost a year in advance.

That's Cole for ya!

I can always count on him to make me smile! 

Thanks for being you, Cole!

I love you!

Month of Thanks -- Day 22

Today I'm thankful for 

Emma.

I sure am thankful for her spunkiness and sense of humor.

She keeps us all on our toes and is such a joy.

I love that she knows who she is and

 doesn't try to change for anyone.

I love that even though she was born here in Utah, she hasn't developed the Utah accent.

She pronounces every "t" and syllable in every word.

I love that she plays with her dolls and loves to cook.

I love that she is smart and is especially good in math.

She is a doll and we are so blessed to have her in our family.

I love you, Emma!

***

I was looking through my pictures on the computer and came across these doozies.

She loves to get on the computer and take funny pictures. 

 These were taken by her. 

 She likes to do this with her friends when they come over too. 

 I just had to smile when I saw these.  

Some of them were with her friend, Cassidy who has moved to Washington. 

 They were so cute together!  

(and some of them were pretty freaky!)

Month of Thanks -- Day 21

Remember a couple weeks ago when I was thankful that my family was healthy and wasn't getting sick like a lot of people around us were? 

Well, we have proven, yet again, that we are late bloomers.  

All of us were sick (except Cole and Scott) over the past couple of days. 

 Emma, Max, and Lee had the stomach-type flu, Elisabeth had an ear infection, and I had a sore throat and achy-type flu.  I had to teach Relief Society today (our teacher cancelled the last minute) so I just went to Relief Society.  

I already didn't feel well then I walked into the RS room and it was blazing hot.  They opened the door for a while but some of the older ladies were getting cold so they closed it. 

 I don't like it when it's hot.  

I don't function well in the heat.  

Well, I had to teach and apparently you could tell something wasn't right with me today (so I was told).  I tried to leave quickly after but an elderly lady pulled me aside after and 

asked if I was having hormone problems. 

 Nice.  

It's come to this!

I don't know what's worse, 

being asked if your pregnant when you're not or if you have hormone problems.

*sigh*

Today hasn't been the greatest day but I'm still thankful!

I'm thankful that everyone seems to be feeling better.

I'm thankful that this week is a short week and that we get to spend lots of time together as a family.

I'm thankful that tonight we were able to laugh together.

I'm thankful that Lee and the kids straightened up the house while I took a nap today.

I'm thankful for the yummy Snicker salad we got to enjoy that Elisabeth made and forgot to take to her ward's Munch and Mingle.
(My hips aren't thankful but I am.)

I'm thankful for a warm house.  It's freezing outside (we got our first real snow today).

Mostly,
I'm just really thankful for these kiddies...
(Even if I can't ever get them all to smile nice for a picture!)

Month of Thanks -- Catch up again...

I'm not going to make excuses.

So, I'm just going to jump right on in on another catch-up post.

(I'm lazy or something this year!)

I'm thankful for awesome parents.

Mom and Dad with Elisabeth at her graduation from SUU April 2010.

I have the best parents a girl could ever hope for!
They've both had struggles the past couple years and I'm not going to take having them here with us for granted ever.  
I'm so thankful that they are both doing well.
 I'm thankful for the awesome examples they are to me.  
I love you Dad and Mom!
...

I'm thankful for this guy...
(I know it looks like four boys but look close!)

Jake's classic Quads picture.  (My camera is broken so I'm having to use old pictures.)  This one always makes me laugh!

Have I mentioned how proud I am of Jake?
 (I can't help it.  I am!)
He is working so hard in school and really has grown into an awesome young man.
(and I LOVE his quirky sense of humor!)
I still don't understand half of what he's studying (He obviously doesn't get his smarts from me!) but I know it's pretty cool stuff.  He's working on his second year at the UofU and is very happy right now.
I can't wait until he comes home this week for Thanksgiving!
I love you Jake!
...


I'm thankful that my English class (from hell) is over.

...
I'm thankful that the mouse we had in our kitchen this afternoon missed running across my bare toes!
Yep, we have a mouse.
I'm really not surprised since the kids have been leaving
nice little invitations (old food laying around the house)
for its little mice friends and family.
I was going to make Max's birthday cake this afternoon and I opened the cabinet to get a bowl out when a mouse came out of nowhere and ran across the kitchen under the stove.
I was in bare feet and it ran right out in front of my toes.  Ew.
Have I ever mentioned that I hate mice? 
 Well, I do.
I saw that thing run and I jumped (yes, I jumped!) up on the counter and sat there until Scott and Cole came to try and catch it.  They ended up scaring into whatever house it came from but they tried to get it.
Now we have poison set up and hopefully we won't see it again.
(FYI -- it's harder getting down from the counter than getting up.   Just saying.)
...

I'm thankful Max had such a fun birthday!
Happy Birthday Max!
I can't believe he's eleven now.
I took him and his best friend Coleton to see the new Harry Potter movie today.
What funny boys they are!
We were waiting for Lee to pick us up and they decided to do a little Parkour while they waited.
Seriously, I wish I would have had a camera with me.
I was hilarious!
Happy Birthday Max!
I love you!

Month of Thanks -- Day 16

Today I'm thankful for

 my beautiful Elisabeth!  

I'm so grateful for the amazing young woman she has become.

She's doing a wonderful job with her first class of rambunctious 5th graders and 

she's really enjoying teaching.

We're blessed to have her in our lives. 

I know the commute up to Taylorsville isn't fun but I'm glad she's still living at home. 

 I get the chance to hear about her days and still be a part of her daily life.

I know the day will come that I won't so I'm relishing these days now! 

I love you Beth!

Month of Thanks -- Day 15

I'm thankful that my boys,

Scott Houghton and Cole S. Houghton, 

aren't afraid to be their goofy selves and are willing to do projects such as the new daily announcements for their school.  

So, I give you, the very first video announcements.  

It just makes me smile!

(The video was too big to post so here's some still shots of it.)

"PHS RULES!"

Do I have funny kids or what?

Month of Thanks -- (I'm just behind!)

Well, I haven't been doing very well keeping up on my daily posts!  

What can I say?

Life's been busy.

But just because I've been busy doesn't mean I haven't thought about my MANY blessings.

I just want to list a few of them to catch up a bit and hopefully will do better the remainder of the month.

Here's what I'm thankful for...

I'm thankful that 

I only have one more week left of my stupid English class.

It has been more than frustrating.

That's all I will say about that.

I'm thankful that

 Jake came home yesterday and we got to visit.

He left this afternoon but I'm glad to have gotten to see him even if it was only for a short time.

I'm thankful that 

I got to spend time with Cricket and Cortney and my awesome parents yesterday. 
 It was only for a few hours but it was fun as always.

I'm thankful that 

I was able to go grocery shopping and stock my newly cleaned pantry.

It's a good feeling to know that there's food in the house.

Now, I just have to keep the kids from eating everything at once!

I'm thankful 

to be able to work with amazing ladies in Relief Society.

They are great examples to me.

And finally for today, 

I'm thankful 

for time to just sit and talk with my family.  

  I love it when it's just all of us sitting around shooting the bull and laughing!  

Month of Thanks -- Days Seven, Eight, and Nine (yeah... I Know!)

Well, it didn't take me long to fall behind this year, eh?  

First off, I'm thankful for the BEAUTIFUL weather we've been having!

Seriously, 

I LOVE IT!

Yes, we've had some wet weather, but to look up at the beautiful blue skies against the yellow and orange leaves and the colorful mountains...

JUST GORGEOUS!

I love living in Utah!

Second, I'm thankful that I have a husband that will call me during the day just to tell me 

he misses and loves me.

I was in a presidency meeting yesterday and I got a call.

I quickly got off the phone and was smiling.

The ladies I was with asked me who that was.

When I told them, they were all, "That's so sweet!  My husband never does that!"

Yeah, Lee's thoughtful that way.  :)

Third,  I'm thankful that my kids are capable of getting themselves up and ready in the morning since I am in NO way a morning person. 

And just for reminders...

A really good quote I found today.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” 

(William Arthur Ward) 

I love this time of year!

Month of Thanks -- Day 6

I'm thankful for my son, Max.

*Photo by Lara Hinckley

He puts a big smile on my face whenever I think of him.

We joke around that he's our Peter Pan because he really loves being a kid.

He's got a good friend whose family owns a farm.

Max loves working and playing at the farm.

I'm so happy he gets this opportunity.

He spent the afternoon yesterday harvesting potatoes.

You would have thought the kid had died and gone to heaven!

He really enjoys the farm.

We love Max!

He's a joy and we are blessed to have him in our lives!

Month of Thanks -- Day Five

Today, I'm thankful for this guy...

my best friend.

I love you!!!

(Isn't he handsome!)

Month of Thanks -- Day Four

I am thankful that I get to go back to school and
 study something that I really love.

I'm not a huge fan of the general education classes but 

I am totally enjoying my design classes. 

Right now I'm in an InDesign class and learning about page layouts.

My instructor has been a graphic designer for almost 30 years and
I'm learning all kinds of cool things from her.
I love that my classes are small and I have the opportunity to really get to know my instructors.  

I've gotten a lot of good feedback and suggestions and I feel like I've taken my first little baby steps into becoming a designer.  

I'm pretty excited!

So, today,

I'm thankful for my education.

Month of Thanks -- Day 3

Today, I'm thankful for this kid...

Scott in the Denver Airport while on his way to the International DECA Competition which he got to compete in because he made 2nd place in the Utah State DECA Competition.  Yeah, he's cool like that!

He is my third child and

 a pure joy!

Whenever someone needs help, he is there with a smile.

He's a parkour king, dating legend, and loves to have fun.

He's also the mastermind behind this little masterpiece that I'm still having a hard time believing he pulled off!

Right now, he's preparing applications for colleges, scholarships, and awards.

He's a senior.  

I can't believe it sometimes! 

As hard as it is, I know he'll be ready to face the world.

Today I'm thankful for 

my awesome son,

Scott!

Month of Thanks -- Day 2

Today was voting day.

I exercised my right and voted.

(Did you?)

For weeks (months) now we've all been bombarded with campaign commercials, junk mail, phone calls, emails, & facebook "discussions".

Usually by the time election day has come, 

I've had it with it all.

(I about went crazy with people jamming their "views" down my throat!  Really, I don't need to constantly be told what to believe. I can make up my own mind, thank you very much!)

This was an important election.

Our great country is still struggling.

There are many who are placing blame on all the problems we are facing.

Oh, I've gotten an ear full from people on both sides of the spectrum!

Well, I don't pretend to know all there is to know about politics.

Truth be told,

I often distance myself from a lot of discussion when it comes to politics.

I don't like the extremes.

I wish more people could just come to the middle.

I don't like parties.

(Well, political parties that is!)

But one thing I do know...

we are darn lucky to live in this great country!

Even with all the problems, 

it's still the greatest country on Earth!

There are some that said that this was just a "mid-term" election and because it wasn't a major election it wasn't important to vote.

We do live in a free country and we do have the choice to vote or not,

but for me, personally, I think it's a right and privilege that shouldn't be taken for granted.

So, today 

I'm thankful for the opportunity to live in a country where its citizens can have a voice and have freedoms.  

I'm thankful for the opportunity to vote.

Month of Thanks -- Year FIVE! (what the...?)

What the heck?

I've been blogging (off and on) 

for five years!?! 

Pretty crazy. 

Well, as anyone who has read my blog knows

(Does anyone still read it?)

 the month of November is the lovingly called

The Month of Thanks.

This is when I try to post everyday about something I am thankful for.

(I say say try because, well you all know too well, I'm not perfect.)

It's a way for me to get into the Thanksgiving spirit and work on my attitude of gratitude.

This year has been a tough one but I have SO much to be thankful for so 

here goes...

Month of Thanks -- Day One

Today I am thankful for 

health.

Not that I'm in the best health of my life, 

but my family (Lee and the kids) and I have been blessed with relatively good health.

I keep hearing about families having to deal with stomach flu and strep throat all the time (or even worse) and it makes me even more thankful that we haven't had that trial.  

(knock on wood!)

I'm also thankful for doctors and medical personnel that have worked so hard in taking care of my loved ones. To respect privacy,  I'm not mentioning names but 

I AM SO THANKFUL 

for medical advances and medical personnel (and loving and supportive family members) that make it possible for my loved ones to be well again!  

So, today,
I'm thankful for health.