Holden's birthday

Here's a quick video of Holden's birthday. I'll blog more later.

President Orr

This actually happened last week but I wanted to report that Chandler was set apart as the President of the teachers quorum in our ward. Tevin is his 2nd counselor and surprisingly seems to be OK with what could have been perceived as a slight. I think both boys understand that the call comes from the Lord.

Chandler seemed surprised when I explained to him that only 4 people in a ward hold priesthood keys and right now, he's one of them. He's taking the calling very seriously and did a great job of standing in front of all the brethren during priesthood opening exercises this afternoon and announcing what the teachers quorum would be doing on Tuesday.

We're proud of our Chanman!

Update

We left at 6am on Tuesday morning and arrived in California around 11 am. We relaxed for a couple hours and then received a phone call from my dad that it was OK to come and see my grandma. When I first saw her I was shocked at how much she has changed in a couple of years. She looked so weak and small. I re introduced all the kids to her and she said each of their names and the kids leaned over so she could give them a kiss. Holden was the only one who wouldn't. He thought she was a ghost and would not go near her. I felt so bad. The day I got there was the last day that she would talk. I was rubbing her hands and that would make her fall asleep. My sister Alison was rubbing her feet and she would keep on telling us it tickled. We spent about an hour and a half with her then it was time to let her rest again.

The next day we let the kids hang out with cousins and just I went over for a bit to visit with my grandma again. I talked to her and told her of my favorite memories. When she woke up from sleeping for a minute I made the mistake of asking her if she was dreaming about grandpa who passed away a couple years sooner. She closed her mouth shut and started breathing very heavy. She was crying. I felt horrible. I called my dad over and he helped calm her down and he said she misses grandpa so much. I spent a lot of time with her and talking with my dad and lost track of time cause I was going to leave that night. But we ended up staying the night again and came home of Thursday. We got home around 3:30 yesterday.

Then I got a text message at 2:30 this morning that my grandma had just passed away. I laid in bed crying until I fell back to sleep. The funeral will be held on Tuesday. So we will be leaving Monday to go back down and coming back Wednesday so the boys can get back to their dads for the holiday weekend. I just have to say our little Sloane stayed with her great grandma for about 30 minutes rubbing her head and holding her hands. A couple of her girl cousins wouldn't touch her and Sloane said it was OK and showed them what to do and then they were not afraid to touch her. She even gave her a kiss goodbye. I cry just thinking about how tender hearted she is.

I am so glad I went down to say my goodbyes to her. I was unable to do it with my grandpa. It meant so much to me the last few moments I had to be with her. She was a great woman and great grandma and she will be missed deeply. She touched every ones lives that she came in contact with. And I am happy she is back with our heavenly father and with her wonderful husband. You will be missed.

OK I just realized that the day of her funeral is Chris' and my wedding anniversary. oh wow

Going out of town

I just wanted to let you know that the kids and I are headed to California. I got a call last night from my dad that my grandma isn't doing to well and the doctors only give her a couple days to live. I wasn't planning on going down but when all my siblings and my dad went to see her today she was talking and I got a text message from my older sister to get down there while she is still responsive. So as of right now I will be gone until Thursday. I want to thank all of you who have offered to help me with things so I could get out of town. It is great to have wonderful friends who can jump in whenever you need it. I hope I can return the kindness when you are in need. Thanks again.

Holden & Sponge Bob

We finally received our new camera as a replacement for the defective one we purchased online about a month ago. I'm just testing the video function.

What to do

OK, with the economic crisis going on Chris and I are trying to be careful due to you don't know where your future is going right now when it comes to your job. Well we had a family home evening on finances and to help the kids understand what is going on. So I told the kids to only put 3 things on their Xmas lists. Well all Tevin wants is an Electric Guitar package that is around 179 at Costco. Harrison wants a Bass Guitar package that is around 199. Chandler bless his heart only asked for some controllers for the PS2 that come to be around 100 for all of it. Then they all have shoes on their list. We are not sure what to do with the 2 boys that asked for the guitars. Any advice???

Sloane's Birthday

Yesterday was Sloanie's 7th birthday and as you see, she had a wonderful day and was obviously well compensated. Apologies for the fuzzy pics but we are still waiting for our camera to be repaired so in the meantime, I am using my cell phone.

Krissy asked me write a blog entry dedicated to our special little princess so please bear with me as I'll no doubt come across as very biased;

As our only girl, Sloanie has always been very special to Krissy and I. She's always been very well behaved (especially compared to her younger brother!) and is particularly mature for her age. Sloanie and I have always been very close but it seems as though our already strong bond continues to increase as she gets older. I try to find time for daddy/daughter opportunities as often as possible although I'm sure not as often as either of us would like. One of our favorite games is to come up with the most disgusting sandwich ever and believe me, we've come up with some doozies. Although on Sunday's we change the game slightly and talk about our favorite things about Jesus. I'm continually amazed and how spiritually insightful she is and how deeply she thinks about spiritual things even at a young age. Each night I give her a 'bus ride' to her bed where she and I kneel down and say a prayer together. Her prayers are so precious and spiritually mature for her age. She's had a great love for the Savior even before she could speak.

Sloane does very well in school, in fact she was the student of the month in October. What I find especially impressive however is her attention to detail and her love of homework (sounds just like me, right Mom & Dad?) She's actually sad when she finishes her homework and is downright upset if her teacher doesn't assign homework on a given day. Believe me, neither Krissy or I were like that and we have no idea where she acquired/inherited this strange behavior (Grandpa Gibson maybe?).

One attribute Sloanie did inherit from Krissy is her desire to be kind to everyone regardless of differences. She goes out of her way to befriend kids who are new, shy or different. I was NOT this way as a child (although I'd like to think I've made some progress as I've gotten older) so I'm very thankful Sloane takes after Krissy in this regard. A couple of nights ago Sloane and I had a good daddy/daughter talk and I told her how much I love her and how special she is to me. I told her for the very first time about a spiritual experience I had as a teenager. Of course I won't go into specifics but I knew from that time forward that my first child would be a girl. Sloanie got a bit teary when I told her about my experience and I think she knows her daddy loves her.

Obviously we love our little girl very much and are grateful for the privilege we have to be her parents.

Check out this Website

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ my mother in law sent me this website. Nordstrom is changing the look of all their cosmetics and everything is on sale for a $1.00. I went and ordered some stuff that would of cost me close to a 100 dollars and got it for 15. This is no joke. I promise you. Show your hubbies, maybe they can get ya some stuff for Christmas. I gave Chris a list. But they would have to move quickly I think before it is all gone.

Halloween Pics

we currently do not have a digital camera. These picks were taken with Chris' cell phone. Holden is a little blurry. My friend has a good pic of him and when I get it I will post it. Holden loved trick or treating. He was kinda slow so we came back home and got the stroller. Then Chris took him back out. At first he didn't want to go but then learned what to do and loved it. Sloane hung out with her friend Brigitta(sp?) and came home at 8:30. We were pretty much kidless all night and then we let the boys have a couple friends stay the night. All in all it was a fun night and I was in bed by 9:30.

I told chandler he is in charge of carving the pumpkins every year since he is the only one that enjoys doing it

Sloane makes a pretty pirate. We were not going to do pumpkins this year but then I got puppy eyes from Sloane and Chandler and at 4pm yesterday I was able to find 2 pumpkins. Chris drew the faces, Sloane cleaned them out and Chandler carved out the faces. I didn't even have to do much.

Tevin wasn't going to dress up. He was just going to be a teenager. He then ended up being a ghost and went out with friends to a haunted house. Let me remind you tevin is terrified of haunted houses. To go to this corpse nightmare it cost 10 dollars. Tevin paid got to the front and then chickened out. He was mad at himself and so we let him go again. Paid another 10 dollars and finally did it. He was freaked out, but we are proud of him that he made it through. Next year we will have to try and get the other boys to do it.

Our civil war hero. He looked so good. He already has a school teacher who would love to have his costume when he is done with it cause she teaches 7th grade as well as the civil war and would love to display the costume when she teaches it.

This is Harrison's last year as santa. His pants are getting too tight and his arms are too long. But he sure has used this costume to its fullest. 3 years in a row he was been santa

Protective Son

Chris and I were in the office talking and then we started making out...yes even after 8 years of marriage we still enjoy that.lol. Anyways, Holden comes walking in and says "What you doing my momma?" Chris and I started busting up laughing. He then said "That's my momma."

Halloween

Well Wednesday night was our ward Halloween party that I put on. I was counting on maybe 150 people to show up and it ended up being over 200. We had a chili dinner then a carnival for the kids. People seemed to be enjoying themselves. Sloane, Holden and I were all in our pirate costumes and got many compliments how cute we all looked. Can I tell you when these ward parties are done with I come home so tired and sore from standing, running around, putting up tables and chairs and then cleaning up. I love my calling and I am already planning Christmas. I had parents mad at me for not having a trunk or treat this year and I will have some mad at me at our Christmas party because I will not have a Santa. I am glad the bishop supports me on these. I think if you want to see Santa go to the mall. In a church building it should be focused around Christ. I am going to do a Bethlehem theme. So hopefully it will all come together.

Anyway, kids are all in their costumes and ready to trick or treat, but they still have 3 hours to wait. I wish Holden knew how to tell time. He keeps on asking to go treat. Too cute. This will be the twins last year to trick or treat. Actually Tevin doesn't want to go but Chandler is and then they are done. Hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.

Oh by the way some of you are wondering about Holiday plans. We are staying her for Thanksgiving. I have family coming up. We will try to come to the Tanner Xmas party but not sure. We are still working out dates for Xmas with the boys. I have them Xmas day until new years (I think) but am not sure. I hope this helps

Hate Mondays

I use to never have a problem with Mondays. But now that our lives are so busy the weekend go by too fast and then boom back to the busy life. How do I get my life to slow down. Sometimes I feel like I am going to loose it. Life is rushing by and I am not getting the chance to enjoy it and before I know it all the kids are going to be gone. Am I always there for my kids. Do I notice problems that they might be having or am I too busy to see if I am needed. OK I will stop complaining. Just had to vent a second.

Sloane and I had a fun Saturday. I went to Super Saturday and made beaded jewelry and found a new hobby in that. Then I hurried home cause Chris bought Sloane and I tickets to High School Musical 3. I have to say I enjoyed this one the most. I can't believe how many young girls there were in the movie and I applaud the fathers that took their daughters. It was a nice time with Sloane. She even went out in line and got her own popcorn cause I had Holden asleep on me. I was very proud of her.

I always enjoy Sundays because I sleep in until 10am which is very much needed. Church was very spiritual. Talks and lessons were all about Prayer and it was nice to hear peoples experiences with Prayer and how in 3 Nephi Chapter 17 or 18 can't remember exactly how Christ went often to talk to his father in heaven through prayer and how he prayed for the Nephites. I really enjoyed Sunday school.

Anyway, time to make dinner. TA TA for now.

Missing Hubby

I don't know what the deal is today, but Chris left this morning to go to Vegas and will be back tomorrow night. I always miss him, but for some reason I am missing him more this time. If I could of I would of went down with him. He looked so tired when he left today. I guess I am a little concerned. You would think I love the man or something....lol. I can't believe that next month we are going to be married 8 years. They have gone by very quickly.

Tonight I am going to go and scrapbook with a couple of friends. I finally figured out how to upload my pictures to Costco.com and will pick them up here in a bit. I had fun cropping and picking what sizes I wanted on each photo. It will also be nice to have a break from the kids for a bit. Tevin is grounded so he is my babysitter tonight. I don't know what Tevin is thinking of sometimes, but this morning Chandler was in the bathroom with the shower running and was getting ready to undress and get in. Well Tevin rushed into the bathroom and climbed into the shower before Chandler could get in. Chandler came upstairs all mad. I told him he should of hit him. I wouldn't of cared. At least not this time. When I took them to school, I told Tevin, Chandler get the shower from 7 to 7:15 and then he gets it at 7:15-7:30. If you wake up late then your out of luck. Hopefully this works. Tevin is mad he wont be going to night games tonight with friends, but sooner or later he is going to learn.

Well gotta run. Holden just dumped out a whole bag of oreos on the floor.

with it finally

Well after not knowing how to do much on the blog a friend of mine helped me change my template so it was cute like everyone else's and she also showed me how to put music on our blog. To the older generations that read our blog sorry for so much rock n roll. So enjoy the new things I can do.

Mom Gibson we got the package today and Chandler loves his costume and the beard for Harrison looks great. I hid the stuff for Sloane for her birthday and I will wrap it for ya.

I thought the twins were done with football, but the varsity coach told them to turn in their freshmen uniforms and get the varsity ones. They are the future players for Pineview and he wants them to be ready for championships so they go practice with the big boys and are there on their games dressed out and ready to play if needed. Tell ya the truth if Chandler had to go out there against varsity players I don't think I could watch. But they are having fun and think it is all cool.

Holden had fun today dumping out 600 Dixie cups all over the floor and building towers. I had fun cleaning them all up. This morning Tevin said hi to Holden and Holden's response was "leave me alone tevin I am eating" I thought it was so funny. Holden also always hears Chris and I complain about Headaches and the other day he came up to me with his hand on his head and told me he had a headache. Needless to say I didn't tell him that he was my headache.

Nothing Much

Well it has been a few days since I last blogged. Nothing much has been going on. I have been in the spring cleaning mood and I have been at DI daily dropping off huge trash bags full of things. I have also been working on our backyard. I will love next spring when we have a fun backyard to play in.

I am also pouting that I have to wear my glasses every minute. I am so blind now. I have noticed things getting pretty blurry. Chris laughs when I don't have them on cause I squint to watch TV. Signs of old age I guess. My sister was 36 too when her eyes started going bad. So get use to the new 4 eyes I have.

Kids are doing well. Holden is actually behaving these days. The twins have their last football game tomorrow. I will be glad when this is over. Takes too much of our time even knowing I love going to the games. Harrison is funny as usual. His new crisis is that he thinks he is getting fat. Yes he has gotten chunky but I keep telling him he is going to grow here pretty soon so be patient.

Sloane got student of the month in her class. She is so excited. I can't remember if I mentioned this already or not. She is also addicted to watching "The Sound of Music" and "Annie". She loves the fact that I loved these movies as a kid. I bought her the soundtracks for her birthday which is approaching very quickly.

Since I have been cleaning out things I have noticed how much the kids have grown since last winter. Sloane especially. She has gotten pretty tall and we are going to have to buy a new wardrobe for winter along with pretty much all the kids.

Well all the kids are gone to school and Holden is at a play date so I am going to lay down for a bit. I am sick of sleepless nights I have been having. I also spent 4 hours on the computer doing tax stuff last night and I don't think I can handle being on the computer anymore today. Have a great day.

One ugly haircut on one cute kid

Come on, be honest, have you ever seen a worse haircut? As some of you are probably aware, it was necessary for Krissy to buzz Holden's hair due to some cradle cap that has never cleared up. Unfortunately, Holden wouldn't sit still so we'll probably need to get him into Fantastic Sam's sometime this week (they'll need to live up to their name to fix this mess). By the way, Krissy isn't about to strangle Holden even though it may look like it!

Anyway, hope everyone enjoyed conference this weekend. As usual it was inspired counsel specifically regarding the economic and other societal challenges facing the U.S.

By the way, you'll notice what I DIDN'T mention. Good thing I'm able to compartmentalize and focus on other things, otherwise I'd be in trouble!

Chris

buzz

Well after 5 hair washes on Holden i finally buzzed his hair. It was so bad that the clippers wouldn't go all the way through his hair. He looks a lot older. Chris wasn't too thrilled, but at least we know it grows back.

The boys went up north with their dad and went to the morning session of conference. Tevin was texting me telling me that they were in the 16Th row from the front and that he sees a lot of people he recognizes. He loved the feeling he felt when the prophet came into the room. He sat by a family from England who came to the states just to go to conference. He said he never paid such close attention to conference before like he did today. Chandler and Harrison said how totally cool everything was. And they loved listening to the Tabernacle choir. This will be an experience the boys will never forget. I still remember when I went and I was 12 years old.

I couldn't believe that there is going to be a temple in Rome Italy. I loved hearing the congregation all whispering and how President Monson paused and smiled. That is so major since it there are mostly Catholics there.

Chris said if the cubs loose tonight that he was going to stop being a fan.... I wont hold my breath. He also said that we will not be going to Arizona in March either. He is so upset with the cubs. I feel so bad for him.

Time Flies

I can't believe it has been a week since my last post. A lot has happened during this time. On Thursday of last week at the boys football game, Tevin made a touch down. He jumped into the air and caught the ball between his legs and couldn't believe he caught it for one thing and then he started running as hard as he could and he could see the other team coming at him and he was yelling cause he didn't want to get tackled by them. Well he made the touchdown and then got tackled by his own team mates. This was a 60 yard touchdown and he was so excited and talked about it all night. He tells the story so much better and it makes you laugh. Well I missed the entire thing cause I was stuck in traffic on the freeway. I missed it by 2 minutes. I couldn't believe it. Chandler was the one that told me and he ended up finally playing the entire last quarter.

We then had my sister Heidi and her husband Allen and 3 of their kids come up for a quick weekend. Allen was called to be High Priest Group leader in his ward and wanted my grandfather to set him a part as a high priest. It was so neat to see my grandpa in a suit again. I can't remember when the last time was. It was a spiritual experience. My grandpa also announced that he would give patriarchal blessings again just to family members. I hope when the boys are ready he will still be around to do them. Allen ended up fixing our flood problem in our backyard. Now we can finally get all the weeds out of there and NO MORE FROGS!!! Thanks Allen. It was a fun visit.

I have been busy planning the ward Halloween party and doing science projects for kids and running here for this and here for that. Tevin just announced all his pants are too short and now we need to buy more. I think he is now 6'3 who knows. He wont sit still long enough for me to measure him. Well tonight is another football game and look forward to watching it. I think next week is their last game.

Kids have also made their Christmas lists and Tevin is so unrealistic. Everything on his list cost over three hundred dollars each except for the Electric Guitar he wants. I told him I was going to throw that list away and to try again. Chandler wants Chicago Bears stuff and an Iguana. Harrison a bass guitar and 2 cans of whip cream....gotta love it. Sloane's list consists of birthday and Xmas. She told me what I don't get her for her birthday to give the rest of her list to Santa...too cute.

My dad had fun calling me the other night to tell me the Dodgers are coming after my cubs. I said bring it on. yesterday we kept calling back and forth rubbing it into each other when our teams did well. Needless to say the Dodgers WON!! UGGG..My dad reminded me I was first a Dodgers fan. That is when I started to love baseball. I guess I kinda am rooting for both teams to do well. Hopefully the cubs will WIN tonight.

Today Holden and Landon(boy I babysit) decided to put Vics vapor rub in their hair. I have washed their hair 3 times and I still can't get it out. I am sure Holden was the instigator. I don't know how they found the jar. I thought I had it up high in the medicine cabinet. Anyway, my house smells like vics and it is making me sick.

Circus

Last night I took Sloane and Holden to the circus. We got there about 45 minutes early and found good seats and ate cotton candy and did the pony ride. The circus ended up starting 30 minutes late but once it started Sloane was glued to everything. She loved that they were playing high school musical songs to different things the acrobats were doing. Holden was starting to get tired so I went and bought him a unicorn (yes I tried to talk him into a light saver or a sword -something boyish but he wouldn't have it). But when the clowns came out Holden laughed so hard and Sloane didn't think they were that funny. The biggest attraction was of course the elephants. The kids loved them. Holden was a little scared since they were so big. Well we ended up getting home at 10:30 and both kids were fast asleep in the car within 2 minutes of me starting the engine. It was a fun night and I am glad I took them. I wish the boys could have gone, but they were with their dad and Chris is down in Vegas. I have pictures on the blog but I put them starting with the end of the night to beginning. Sorry!! Brain Freeze again.

mommy children time

Some of the circus entertainment

Pony RIde and toys

eating cotton candy

Going to the circus

Cute Story about Holden

First of all when I was looking at one of my old blogs I noticed I spelled Holden's name wrong. In church yesterday I had to ask Chris to verify the spelling cause I wasn't really sure. I am really loosing it I think. Anyway,

Holden loves to look at a picture of Sloane that I have displayed when he misses her. Well today he took it off the shelf and was laying on the couch looking at her and he kept on knocking on the picture and saying "Sloane are you there?" I asked him what he was doing and he said "Sloane wont talk to me." I started laughing and tried to explain that it was just a picture and she was at school and couldn't talk to him right now. Then he rolled his eyes and said " Oh Dang it!"

Finally a cute story instead of one that is going to put me into an early grave. Chris told me I forgot to mention his number 1 birthday present which was the Cubs winning their division on his birthday. WOOHOO

Chris' BIrthday

Well I think Chris had a good birthday. He spent the day preparing and going over his talk that he has to give this morning. We gave him his gifts in the morning which were a briefcase for his church stuff (from the boys and I) Sloane got him a wallet to hold all his business cards, Holdon bought him sock...lol. And I still need to make him an angel food cake.

Last night I planned a dinner at a restaurant called Iggy's and had a some of Chris' friends from Learnkey meet us there with their wives. There was about 9 of us all together. We had so much fun and I haven't laughed so hard in all my life. Our friend Jolene and I were in term oil a little bit because our other friend Scott use to be a partner with Tai Pan Trading. We were devastate when we heard that one. He gave up his share because he thought it wasn't going to grow anymore. Well look at it now. We were giving him a guilt trip and teasing him at how much money he would have now if he wouldn't of left the company. Oh well. We were there from 5:30-9:00. We were having so much fun chatting we lost track of time. We all haven't been together like this for about 4 years. It was a blast and I know Chris had a good time. We hated to end it but Chris had to get back on his talk. But our friend Ken and I put in the word for Chris to be sung to and sure enough they did. Chris got a little red and I ate his dessert they gave him because it was too chocolaty.

Ken made a comment to our group last night how they may all hate the bosses of learnkey, but look at how they have brought all of us together and this kind of friendship we all have will never die. So ken thanked them(the boss) for bringing us all together. There ate only 2 of our group still left at learnkey and it is a little better company to work for now.

Well that is how Chris spent his birthday. Thanks for the phone calls and emails he received yesterday.

Twilight Sisters Weekend

Well last night my mom informed me that our sister's weekend will be in June of Next year in Forks Washington for a Twilight Convention. My sisters and sister in laws on my side will be going. We will be staying at a bed and breakfast most likely that will fit us all and make the cost not be so high. We are all very excited. It will be just fun to go to Washington. I have always wanted to go there. I can't wait to get the agenda of what we will be doing there for 4 days. The convention is for momma fans of the Twilight series.

Curried Chicken

I am in a cooking club and we exchange meals every Tuesday. Well this week I made a dish that Chris and I just love and it is Curried Chicken. Well the 3 people who had it this week all called me and told me how much they loved it and their family wished they had more. Well I thought I would share the recipe with all of you.

Curried Chicken

2 T Butter
1 can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 apple peeled and finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped
2 tsp curry powder
2 cups of chicken cooked and diced
1 12 oz can evaporated milk ( I sometimes will use coconut milk)
1 cup shredded carrots, peas, potato's these are all optional if you would like to add to the sauce

Saute apple and onion in butter until onion is clear. Add curry and saute for one more minute. Add soup, milk and chicken (if adding veggies add them at this time as well). Simmer on love heat for 20 minutes, until onion and apple are tender and sauce is thickened. (You can add up to 1/2 cup regular milk for a thinner sauce). Serve over hot rice.

Since I am on Weight Watchers, I use Fat Free Soup and Evaporated Milk. I hope you try it and let me know what you think.

Scare of loosing photos

Well today I was having fun putting pictures on our blog. Our camera is broken so I was putting my SD card in another digital camera and when I did that an error message came up and deleted half my pictures. I tried finding them by putting my SD card in my computer and couldn't find them. I had my friend Tonya over and she called her brother to see if he knew what to do. I was missing all pictures from June till now. Well I decided to go to Costco and see if my card would work on their computer and it didn't. I asked to speak to someone who knew a thing about cameras and let me tell ya Shane was my life savor. He told me when you take pictures on one brand of camera and then put your card into another brand the other camera will have a hard time formatting the pictures. I took the pictures on a HP camera and then put the card into a Kodak one and the Kodak couldn't read the pictures. Well Shane spent an hour on the computer at Costco and was able to retrieve my 694 pictures from the card and burn them to 2 Cd's. The pictures were not restored back onto the card but at least I have a hard copy of them now.

I owe Shane so much. I was in tears and sick to my stomach. But now I am fine. I will not do that again.

Holden wet from the rain

Down poor

Yesterday we had rain hit us really hard. Sloane was in it as fast as she could.

Tevin in is the game and chandler is watching him on the sideline numbers 88 & 36