Santa's Lap

We went to our ward Christmas party a few days ago and the boys got to sit on Santa's lap and get a candy cane. Mason watched his brothers go first, so he didn't have a problem sitting on his lap. He was just a little curious about who we were entrusting his well-being with.

Mason

Tucker

Hayden

Mason's first time in the snow

Last week we got hit with a big snow storm. The kids really wanted to go out and play even though it was still coming down hard and really windy. Mason was soooo excited to get out of the house. He wasn't ready for what was waiting for him. But even though he kept falling and slipping and landing face first in the snow, there was no way he was going back inside.



We were hit with another storm a few days ago, and this time we waited for the wind and snow to stop. Mason had a more enjoyable experience the second time around.

Rollerskating

I took Brianna and Hayden to the roller skating rink for a friend's birthday party last month. They both did really well at sticking with it. They were probably falling down every 10 seconds, but they didn't want to give up.

Gosney Elf Dance

If you would like to see the kids doing their "traditional" elf dance, then click on the following: http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/yB3nG0Dhxdbelx6oIt3z

To see Anna dancing with them "disco style" click here: http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/dl8PgY6jfNK9Wfa1RWFT

And for the grand finale, Gabe decided to join them for a barn dance: http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/Dbgfurvkkr81QgECm5zA

After viewing a dance, just click on the back arrow at the top of the web page to come back to the blog.

Boys Hair Cuts

Last week I gave the boys haircuts. It's the first time I've done all three of them together. The older boys just sit on a stool and watch tv while I buzz and cut. Mason watched the other two first, so he wasn't scared. He just sat in his booster and let me use the trimmers. He was only annoyed that he couldn't see the trimmers while I was cutting his hair. Next time I'll have to do it in front of a mirror.


.......Hayden's before and after.......



.......Tucker's before and after.......

.......Mason's before and after.......

Hayden's Turkey Song

After lunch today Hayden told us he wanted to sing a turkey song that he learned at school. We "enjoyed" it so much that we asked him to sing it again so we could tape it and everyone else could "enjoy" it as well.

Daddy the "steam roller"

Video Palooza

Today I thought I would video tape the kids and have them each do a little interview.

Tucker's Interview


Mason's "Interview"


Hayden's Interview


Brianna's Interview

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Hayden's 6th birthday was on October 30th. In the morning we had a hot breakfast together as a family and I made Hayden six small pancakes. We let him open one present, which was a V-tech kids digital camera. He was so excited. He's constantly begging to use my camera to take pictures and make movies. So we knew it would be the perfect gift. He's been using it non stop for 4 days now.

In the evening Gabe and I took him out on a birthday date to Trafalga. It's a play-land type place that has miniature golfing and go-carts. He had so much fun and Gabe and I really enjoyed having the chance to spend time with just him. Without his siblings around to get him all riled up, he was like a different kid. We had his family party on Halloween after trick or treating. I didn't want to stress myself out trying to make a Mario cake, so I asked him if a number six cake would be okay, luckily he's pretty easy to please.

Hayden's cake

Hayden opening his Pirates of the Caribbean Treasure Hunt Game

He received an Indiana Jones movie from Grandma Gosney

From Grandma Burt he received a Spiderman Operation game

Trick or Treat

The weather was perfect for trick or treating, so the kids didn't need to bundle up and everyone could see their costumes. Kelsey and Ben brought their kids to trick or treat in our neighborhood, so we had quite the parade of kids.

Brianna dressed up as a witch

Hayden and Tucker were Mario and Luigi

Mason went as a giraffe

Carving Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins for Family night yesterday. Brianna helped the boys draw out their patterns and Gabe and I helped the kids carve them. I wanted to do something a little different this year, so I got a white pumpkin and made a haunted house. I'm pretty excited at how well it actually turned out.


The kids weren't too excited about putting their hands in their pumpkins and made sure to keep the pulp at spoon's length.

Brianna's pumpkin

Hayden's "Jack Skeleton" pumpkin

Tucker's pumpkin before it lost an eye and got an eye patch

After we finished carving the pumpkins we of course had to take them outside and light them up. They look pretty good out on the porch.

The last 12 days of October

The last 12 days of October have brought us: 1 black eye, 2 parent teacher conferences, 3 birthday parties, 4 extra days off of school, 5 things sold on Craigslist, 6 runny noses, 7 trips to the grocery store, 8 missed naps, 9 turns in time-out, 10 completed sudoku puzzles, 11 loads of laundry and 12 family hugs.

Yesterday we went to Aurora's birthday party. The kids had a lot of fun playing with her new moon sand (Kelsey is a brave woman), and of course eating cake and ice cream.

Brianna watching Aurora open her new jewelry box.

Tucker really wanted to hold Jemma, he's a natural.

This week I made the boys felt mustaches for their Mario and Luigi costumes. They insist on wearing them nearly everywhere. So I have made quite a few because they keep loosing them.

Mario and Luigi

A long time coming

I know we've been a bit remiss in keeping family and friends updated on our lives. Despite the fact that the dishes are piling up in the sink, the kids are running around half clothed and we get to cereal for dinner (again), I am dedicating myself to posting updates and pictures of our "eventful" lives for all to read and see.

Gabe: Continually working hard on his career, his second job, his schooling, and his roll as father and husband. Despite the demands on his time, he still schedules in moments for telling the kids stories, doing the dishes, and taking the kids on a walk so "mommy" can look for her sanity under the misplaced couch cushions and toy covered floors.

Anna: Aughhhhhh! Well not so much anymore since we've hired a "Mother's Helper". Oh yes I did, and I'm not ashamed! Gabe was thoughtful enough to suggest I get a little assistance, and it's been wonderful. My days consist of the normal motherly duties, as well as the "usual" heated dart gun fight with the boys, a couple races on Mario Kart, assisting Brianna with homework, working on sewing projects, wishing I had time to scrap book, and exercising.

Brianna: Delightfully energetic, stubbornly opinionated, a second mother to the boys (mostly the bossy part), and extremely imaginative. She is a fun older sister and one of the most sought after kids on the street to play with. She is a great help around the house and is a budding artist.

Hayden: AKA Mario. He loves to play with Tucker, and they love to play Super Mario Brothers. He is going to be Mario for Halloween and he and Tucker call each other Mario and Luigi wherever they go. He is enjoying kindergarten and loves to read books with mom.

Tucker: AKA Luigi. He too loves playing Super Mario Brothers and is going to be Luigi for Halloween. He also enjoys playing with and teasing Mason when Hayden is gone at school. He loves to walk to the mailbox with mom and get the mail with the mail key all by himself.

Mason: He's an energetic 14 month old, but still loves to give mom and especially daddy hugs. He's learning to say a few words, "hello", "ball", and "uh-oh". He spends most of his time watching the front door and waiting for his chance to escape. He's been found crawling in the street, eating out of the flower beds, and sampling the decorative rock landscaping in the front yard. I've decided we need a chime on the front door so that it sounds every time the door is opened and mom has a heads up.

Spanish Fork: We moved to our new home in Spanish Fork In July of 2007 right after Mason was born. We love living here and especially enjoy the close knit community we have with our neighbors. Unfortunately for Brianna the boys out number the girls 1 to 5 on our street, but she enjoys getting a little rough now and then.

We were able to get our yard in this last Spring as well as install a patio and pergola in the backyard. It was a labor intensive project that was well worthwhile and one we plan never to do again. We did put in a huge sandbox for our kids, about 10 x 6 ft, which has been the hot spot for all the neighborhood kids.

We hope to have a guest room created by next summer and would love to have any and all come visit.