We cut down our christmas tree about a week ago. It is a family tradition to go to the same spot that Mark has gone for his whole life. It is really fun for about the first hour. Mark takes forever to pick out the tree. We look over every tree on this big lot on a mountain side. Mark can not decide and I start to get grumpy and the kids start to get cold and then they have to go back to the car and then I start telling Mark to get a tree quickly. By this time both John and Wendy, and his parents all have their tree on top of their car ready to go. Twenty minutes later we finally cut down our tree and strap it to the top. We always get beautiful trees and they look great in our house. It is very fun to decorate the tree and keep traditions alive. Mark let Kaleb put the angel on top of the tree this year and he was so excited. It sounds like getting the tree is very hard, but it is a fun family tradition and I am so glad that Mark gets so involved and loves a good tree. The boys feel so proud to help their dad cut and carry the tree.

The kids had such a great time in Pittsburgh with their cousins.  This is the kid table during Thanksgiving dinner.  We all ate lots of food.  The weekend was fun-packed with snow, muesuems, and hanging out.  The kids could not wait to get outside and play in the snow.  Massachusetts has still not got any snow that's worth going outside and playing.  Kaleb and Kayden loved  jumping on the tramp and doing flips.  Fun stuff.  Tosh pulled out all the fun family traditions- chocolate french dessert, dipping chocolates, and eveskevers.  It filled me and helped to escape reality for a couple of days.  I am thankful for family.

Mark and I reliving our glory days when we were in Highschool.  If only life could still be so simple.  
This is our family all dressed up for the Ward Halloween party.  Mark and I like to dress up as well.  Mark was a football player, I was a cheerleader, Kaleb and Kayden were nijas, cooper was Mr. Incredible, and Colton was Superman.  
We had such a great Halloween.  The weather was perfect, we did not even need jackets.  Colton was a little scared at first.  He did not want to get out of the stroller until he got the first piece of candy.  The candy changed it all, then I could not keep him in the stroller and he wanted to go up to every house.  I really like Halloween, so I was also excited to trick-or-treat too.  It is a sad truth of being the youngest of four boys- you know what candy is at a young age.  The kids went strong for a couple of hours.  We had to push them at the end, especially Kayden.  Kayden does not care for candy like his other brothers.  He would be the only kid excited to get an apple.  We have lots of candy, so I might just gain back the five pounds I recently lost.

We went leaf peeping today.  I have lived in Massachusetts for 8 years and I just learned that is what looking at leaves in the Fall is called.  We are so lucky to love in such a beautiful place.  We have had gorgeous weather and beautiful scenery.  The boys had lots of fun jumping in the leaves ad climbing all over the rocks.  Unfortunately the photos do not do justice, so you will have to come and visit us if you really want to see how beautiful they are for real!!

People kept staring at us and counting the boys and asking if they were all ours.  Hard to mistake our four boys since they all look like each other and were wearing red sox shirts.  They were a little concerned for my boys safety jumping off rock walls and scaling the sharp rock cliffs.  We know they are going to be okay.  We are standing right by our children and watching them.  It's nice to know that people are concerned about our children or maybe they are not around four boys that often.  We just have to grin and bare it or grow thicker skins.  Our lovely day at the mountain (that's what they call this in Mass.) ended with the Park Ranger yelling (rather loudly-everyone turned to look at us) at Cooper and Kaleb for walking off the path.  He told them to get back on the sidewalk.  Our boys were puzzled why he would yell at them.  They told us they were capable of going down the small side of the mountain to the parking lot. 

Colton did not want to be in any pictures.  He wanted his mom to hold him and love on him.



Celebrating boyhood!  What a marvelous sight.  They are full of spunk and energy and they are mine.  I have become more appreciative of the fact that I am a mother of boys.  What an overwhelming responsibility.  When I look at these cute faces I can face the challenge.  Mom I know you will love these photos.

Look at Cooper go!  He really has taken off riding his bike.  Kayden decided it was time for Cooper to learn to ride his bike without training wheels.  He took them off by himself and taught Cooper how to ride his bike.  I came outside and he was riding on the grass with Kayden holding on to the back.  It took him only a couple of days to get the hang of it.  He calls his bike the motorcycle, dirtbike.  If anyone is in need of their children being trained to ride a bike without training wheels, Kayden is available.

A funny thing happened to me today involving these flowers.  I have been driving past this farm stand on my way to Target for a couple of weeks.  Every time I drive by I want to by Hydrangeas, but I do not have any cash.  Today I had some cash, so I decided I would buy them on the way back from the store.  I was at Joann's waiting in a long line with a son who needed to pee.  I was irritated and on edge.  Colton was not staying in the cart and cooper keeps asking if I will buy him candy.  I get to the register and swipe my debit card to pay for my items.  It is taking a long time to process my transaction.  Finally she tells me the machine is not working.  I have to put an item back and then use my cash.  I am upset and leave the store frustrated.  We head home and I drive by the farm stand sad and mad.  As I passed the farm stand I noticed a yard that had lots of Hydrangeas.  I decide to stop and ask them if I could have some of their flowers, thinking that I will never see them again.  I pulled up and knocked on the door and a familiar face opened the door.  At first I could not put a name with a face.  I said I know you.  She said, I am Dr.  blank at Amherst Pediatrics where my kids go to the Doctors.  I told her who I was and hesitated to ask her if I could have some of her flowers.  She thought I was asking if I could take some of her hydrangea plants to plant in my yard.  She was delighted when I asked for cuttings only.  I then cut some to make me feel good on a beautiful Autumn day.  Long story for flowers.
The boys decided to make some scary Halloween masks.  They were very excited about their masks and ran around the house trying to scare Colton and I.  Colton was scared and actually started crying and they removed their masks to show Colton they were his brothers.  We are really getting into Halloween this year.  We have hung ghosts from the trees and decorated our porch with dead trees and other creepy stuff.

Our Cute little Kayden started kindergarten this year and turned into a monster.  I told him that an Alien had come and stolen my Kayden and I did not want this Alien to stay in my house.  Today I think my Kayden is starting to be himself.  He is talking kindly and letting me hug him.  He stayed in his bed at bedtime and did not yell for me to come back into his room.  Everyone warned me that fullday kindergarten would be hard, but I did not think it could be this bad.  Hopefully we are on the upside of this adjustment.  Kayden loves girls and I am a little worried.  He says that all the girls are nice to him and he likes to play with them and not the boys.   While he is playing soccer he is also waving and talking to the girls.  Kayden is 5 going on 16.

This picture is taken of my cute Grandma Chambers with my family.  Four generations.  We were in Utah and she was not looking to good.  She was not feeling well either.  My mom came back to Massachusetts shortly after we got back from Utah.  She was worried that my Grandma was not going to make it too much longer.  She died a couple of weeks later.  I am glad that I had the opportunity to see her and spend time and get this photo.
These are the cutest boys.  They like having their pictures taken.  Cooper especially loves to ham it up for the camera.  Colton is starting to say words.  He says shoe and then goes and gets his shoes and brings them to me to put on to go outside.  He is saying more, out, ouch, and all done.

We are now getting back into school life and getting into somewhat of a routine.  I do miss Kaleb and Kayden, but I am really enjoying spending time with Cooper and Colton.  They are really becoming good friends.  Cooper likes to pull colton in the wagon and push him on the trike.  Cooper likes to make car motor sounds as he pushes Colton.  Cooper has also enjoyed making mom and dad's bed into a spaceship.  He hides under the covers and shoots his gun out at the Aliens.  Colton loves getting his shoes and putting them on to go outside.  He really needs to start talking.  He tries to talk, but we just don't understand his language.  If that doesn't work, he tries to pull you to what he wants and if that doesn't work he screams.  Most of the time he wants popsicles or chocolate and other times I am just puzzled.  All I can say is that 2 children are a cinch and that 4 are real hard.  I love them and enjoy all their creativity and energy.  

The Huber family has been staying with us and our children are having so much fun.  Everyday the kids ask when Rachael, Taylor, and SarahAnn will be at our house.  They have been great to have in our home.  We are grateful to get to know them better.  I think they are longing to get back in their own home.  It has been 6 weeks since they last slept in their home.  They are good sports and have good attitudes about everything.

We have had a crazy summer and now it is over.  It is really sad.  I wasn't quite ready for school, but here we go.  Kaleb got baptized last Saturday.  It was so special.  He was so excited and so composed for the baptism and confirmation.  We had great family support and appreciate all those who traveled so far.  It is kind of hard to watch your children grow up and change from little kids to big kids.  We can't stop it so I guess we just have to hang on for the ride.

Kaleb learned how to swim this summer while we were in Utah.  He was jumping off the diving board and sliding down the slide.  It was really awesome to see him accomplish this feat.  Kayden was jumping off cliffs at Barton cove with a life jacket.  He is so brave and daring.  I hope he will always use common sense.  Cooper was kicking in the pool, hanging on to mom and putting his face in the water and blowing bubbles.  He was really proud of himself.  Colton got a staff infection from the water so he stayed out of the pool.  He didn't care all that much about the water, except to throw things in the pool.

Kaleb got a skateboard for his birthday.  Today after school, Kaleb and Kayden asked me to come outside and watch them do a trick.  Kaleb laid down on his stomach on the skateboard and then Kayden laid down on him.  They started going down our semi-steep driveway heads first.  I got really nervous and wanted to run and stop them, but I took a deep breath and let them go.  They made it safely down the driveway and were laughing all the way up.  I told them I thought it was dangerous and they told me they had done it lots of times.  I hope I survive four boys.

We did not get to go on all our trip, but it was okay.  Cam and Amy are moving back to Utah and had to pack their whole house up.  It all went really fast.  I bet they feel this more than I.  Katrina's baptism was great.  The spirit was strong and she was very happy, even if she had a broken arm.  It was great to be with family.  On the way home from the trip, I was sitting back with Kaleb and Kayden.  We stopped to get something to eat and as we stopped and a car pulled up next to us.  The person was smoking.  Kayden looked over at me and said, " I can't take it anymore, I don't want these people to smoke."  He is so concerned that they are going to die and it really hurts him.  Kaleb learned all about smoking in school and taught us all about it.  Now my kids are worried all the smokers are going to die tomorrow.  It's nice to see they are concerned for their fellowmen.  

We got Cooper a bike with training wheels, so he could be like his brothers.  He looks so cute riding it and he is really good.  They look so cute all riding around together.  It make me feel a little old to have 3 kids riding bikes.  Oh, well I'm getting old.

Today I took the three younger boys to the doctor for Kayden's physical before he enters kindergarten.  It was lots of fun.  When I go out with more than 2 boys I get lots of stares and comments like bless your heart or good for you.  I saw the nurse practictioner whom I see alot because I can get into her in a hurry, since my boys esp. Kaleb had strep throat so many times last year.  So I tried to come prepared, but we were there for over an hour and you can only keep three boys locked up in a room for so long.  Colton pulled out all the paper towels under the sink and Cooper had his cars and toys spread out all over the ground.  By the time we left there were crackers all over the floor and chairs.  Norma was so sweet and says only nice things and tells me that my hair looks pretty when I pulled it up, due to lack of time.  After we destroyed the room it was time to go--thank goodness.  While we were waiting in the doctor's office to go back with the nurse.  The nurse comes out and calls Kayden and the other mom who was waiting too, stood up to go back with the nurse.  We looked at each other.  I asked what the last name was.  It was my kayden.  The other boy in the waiting room was named Kayden also.  Kayden is not a common name, so it was odd to have tow kaydens waiting to go back with the doctor.

Today I was making Kaleb's teacher a thank you present.  While I was painting I had the boys painting some blocks.  I made them take off their clothes, so they would not get any paint on them.  We painted and had a good time.  When it was time to clean up I noticed I had paint on my shorts and shirt.  I should of changed also.  Painting with kids is messy.

We are getting ready to leave for our summer trip.  We are driving 9 hours to Pitsburgh, 6 hours to Kentucky, 9 hours to Buffalo, and 6 hours home.  We will then drive 5 hours up to Maine a few days later.  We are crazy to drive this much.  Our kids are going to have so much fun.  We can't even drive to the park for 10 minutes without someone asking when we are going to be there.  Hopefully we will survive.

Yesterday we went for a walk at Groff park along the path.  The boys love being outside.  We walked a long way.  We saw some gross, huge, dead bug and a dead snake.  Kaleb wanted to keep the dead snake.  No way.  The boys ran almost the whole way.  I don't know how they keep their energy going for that long?  We live in a beautiful place and I am so grateful for the beauty that surrounds me.

I am really getting good at driving our lawn mower because the kids ask me to drive them around every day.  I asked Mark to teach me how to mow since, I am driving I might as well be getting something accomplished.  I was mowing and giving Cooper, Kayden and Colton a ride in the mower and we came to the front part of my yard where there is a slope.  The kids were all on one side and leaning a little out of the trailer.  As we came up on the hill the trailer tipped and the kids all fell out.  They were not hurt, but they were scared.  I explained that they would need to spread the weight out so it would not tip.  Cooper would not get back in the trailer, but Kayden and Colton got back in and we finished mowing.  I have not given the kids a ride since that day, I will be more aware of where they are sitting.

It is wicked, hot here right now with lots of humidity.  It is brutal to go outside.  We were outside in our swimsuits yesterday spraying the hose and swimming in our little pools.  I sat in the little pool with Colton and Cooper splashing water all over me.  I wish I could be swimming in a big pool.  I told Mark that we needed to find a place to swim.  Everyone swims in lakes and I don't know if my boys will swim with all the fish.  My friends with the swimming pool left me.(just kidding)

Colton has had an ear infection for the last 10 days.  We got him on medicine, but it did not work.  He is on another med, so hopefully it will work.  I really want my cute little boy back who laughs and likes to play.  I took him to run errands without my other boys and he cried the whole time.  I had to just leave the store.  

I have been making fun crafts with my cricut.  I made some cute wall signs for Colton and Cooper.  I have lots of fun things in mind and I drive my husband crazy with all my projects because he has to help me make them.  

Oh what a lovely day.  Sometimes I feel like I am on a roller coaster and I can not get off.  We have had some interesting things happen in our life.  I went for a school meeting for Kaleb last monday.  Earlier this year we had taken Kaleb in for some testing at Kumon, a tutoring place.  He tested as having dyslexia.  It kind of freaked me out, but Mom does great and she was very helpful and supportive about the whole issue.  So I started looking into lots of programs and things that could help Kaleb.  I discovered Brain Gym on the internet and it turns out Mom had the whole program.  What a blessing.  Well, we have been doing the Brain Gym every morning and it was helping, but we dragged our feet about other programs.  So finally I decided to get him tested through the school.  The meeting on Monday was to talk about the test results.  Kaleb tests average on everything, but visual recall on a small section of the test.  Three of the testers all found the same thing and suggested we take him to an eye doctor to have his eyes examined.  They concluded from the test results that Kaleb does not have a learning disability and that letter reversals were normal till age 9.  So anyway we are a little relieved and now know Kaleb is brillant, but needs to try harder.  

Mark got a little trailer that hooks on to the riding lawn mower.  The kids are having so much fun riding in the back of the trailer.  Mark originally got it to fix our driveway with all our pot holes.  He would ride the lawn mower up to the empty lot next to our house and fill the trailer with dirt and then drive down the driveway and unload all the dirt into the holes.  This process was taking a long time and in the meantime our neighbor was watching him.  He came over and started laughing at Mark.  He told him it would take him a week to do all of this and put trap rock down.  Our neighbor does this for a living and Mark and him figured out the cost of Mark doing it by himself.  The cost would be 750 and our neighbor said he could do it for 1,000.  We jumped at this offer and now mark and I can give rides to the kids instead of hauling dirt.  Today the kids had a playday with friends.  I was driving all the kids down the driveway in the trailer, except Kayden who was riding his bike.  We were going to feed our neighbor's horse some grass.  All of a sudden Kayden's bike chain broke and he could not ride.  I could not help him because I had a trailer full of kids.  We stopped at the horse stall and I look over and my other neighbor's friend is helping him put the bike chain back on his bike.  He tightened it with a wrench and put wd40 on the chain.  What a nice guy.  I am glad because I could not of fixed the bike or fit it in the trailer.  I am so glad for my yard.  I don't know very many places I can ride a lawn mower with a trailer full of kids and feed horses not even going on the street.

I am really working on my yard.  You may not be able to tell that much if you are from the west.  Every time I dig I hit about 10 rocks.  My whole yard is lined in rocks.  I am trying to get other things to grow other than hosta.  Hopefully the whole Young family will be able to see our house and rocky yard in August.

Cooper is still potty training and today he peed through 4 pairs of underwear.  He sure likes to tell everyone he is potty training, but not actually go on the toilet.  Somedays he stays dry and others not at all.  He sure likes to pee on rocks and trees.  

Colton is crazy.  He is climbing up our playset clubhouse all by himself and trying to go down the slide.  He mastered the little slide and moved on to bigger better things.  He likes to follow his brothers and they like to move.  He likes to do a trick of standing on our kitchen chairs and hanging his one arm and leg off the chair.  He loves to giggle and explore.  He has lots of bruises to prove it.

Kaleb and Kayden are going to a Karate weapons clinic on Saturday.  I don't know if that is a good thing or bad thing.  They might be able to take anyone down with a swoop of their foam numbchucks.  All I know is they love Karate right now and we are supporting.  

On Fridays a friend and I switch watching each other's children.  Today was my turn.  Cooper was in with his little friend eating a snack.  I told them if they finished their snacks, I would give them a brownie.  I walked out of the room and overheard Cooper say,"hey Sarah Ann would you eat my bread."  She said, "No."  He was trying to get the brownie without eating the snack.  How do they learn these things so young.  They were all outside and I heard Kayden telling his friend that our neighbor had seen a bear in their yard.  I heard his friend say he thought it was a good idea to go inside.  They left Cooper and Sarah Ann outside.  I then heard Cooper ask Sarah Ann if she thought there was a bear.  She said no and they continued playing.  So trusting.  Cooper is still potty training, I am beginning to loose hope.  We were in the bathroom going potty and so was his friend.  He went potty and then she went potty.  He looked at her and got real upset.  He asked why she did not have a penis.  I explained that girls do not have a penis.  He said it was unfair and that he wanted to be a girl.  Hopefully he won't be upset for the rest of his life.  I doubt it.  All the boys I know like being boys.

I made some delicious french bread and some eclairs.  I could not get mom's recipe, so they were not as good as she makes, but they were still good.  Who knew that one day we would all turn out like our mom.  Not too bad.  I find myself saying so many things like she used to say to me.  I hope my boys turn out just like Mark.

I am sure that everyone has heard about China.  It makes you so grateful for what you have and all the comforts we enjoy.  I cannot complain about my life.

Yesterday was wednesday and Kaleb and Kayden have karate.  We were out doing yard work so the boys could earn extra money to go to karate camps.  I went inside to get their uniforms ready and they were dirty.  I put them in the wash on the quick cycle.  They got their shirts and jackets on and we were waiting for their pants to finish washing.  When they finished we jumped in the car and I hooked them to the window so they would blow as we drove and hopefully dry.  On the way to karate lots of people were staring and wondering why we had pants hanging out our window.  The boys were laughing so hard.  We pulled up the karate and got the pants out and they were still damp.  The boys put them on.  Kaleb did not want to go inside because he was so embarrassed, but Kayden was ready to go.  Kayden could care less what people think of him.  Well we ended up turning around and going home.  They will do a makeup class on monday.  Well we tried to be efficient and get it all done, but it did not work out.  I almost made Kaleb go in, but remembered how I felt when I was young and got embarrassed.  Sometimes it's not worth all the craziness, but I am sure they will remember this driving experience for the rest of their lives.

I have been running this week.  I have gotten up at 5:45 to go on tuesday and thursday.  I thought I was going to die, but I am making it.  I run with 2 friends and we run 3 miles.  I am wicked sore, but I think I might get in shape after all.  When I was in Utah Kim went with me to try on a swimsuit.  I got the kind with the little skirt.  When I tired it on she said I should get the regular bottoms.  I lifted up the back to show my legs and butt.  She said, "  the skirt looks cute."  I have to realize that I am getting older and everything is heading south.

Life is getting more interesting every day.  Cute little Colton is starting to really climb up everything.  I walked into the kitchen and he was sitting on the table.  I could not believe that he could get up there already.  He climbs up the chair and then onto the table. He is climbing up the stools and reaching for things on the counter.  Luckily he is so cute.  When I picked up Kaleb from school he was walking around and saying Hi and waving to everyone.  I can't hold him anymore.  He just wants to walk and move.  He likes to go down slides.  He climbed up our little slide and went down by himself.  

Kayden and Cooper had a play date with some friends today.  When we got there they were running late so we waited for them.  They drove up and Kayden opened the door of their car and said this car is freakin messy.  I was so embarrassed.  I need to teach him manners.  Kids just say what they think.  

Well today was mother's day and it was really nice.  I am still at the stage of loving mother's day.  Mark made me breakfast of crepes with strawberries and whip cream.  We all got to go to church together, which was great.  The primary sang and did a great job.  Kaleb and Kayden had to be persuaded to go up on the stand, but sang when they got up there.  The boys all made cute pictures for me and Cooper made a darling colored noodle necklace, which I wore all day with pride.  I usually do not wear too much jewelry, but I loved this necklace.  The men made dinner for the moms.  Mark was in charge of the dessert and luckily the cake auction for the young women was last night.  We bought 3 cakes and a box of chocolate covered strawberries.  We took 2 cakes to share.  It was a great day.  Today at church the young women came up to me and said that I must love cake.  I told them I did like cake, but I bought so many cakes to support them to go to camp.  Our ward probably thinks Mark and the boys and I will eat all the cake by ourself.  Well I guess we could.  Then we really would have to start a weight loss clinic.

First Blog

I guess it was just a matter of time before I had to get up with technology.  I really am bad at staying in contact with friends and family, so I decided I would bite the bullet and get connected.  It is May 8,2008 and I just got back from women's conference in Utah.  I left my four boys home with Mark and they did really well.  Mark cleaned and cooked and cleaned and cooked alot.  He worked so hard and did not sit down.  He also lost 6 pounds because he did not sit down.  I should open up a weight loss clinic involving my four boys.  They can get anyone to lose weight.  

I was extremely spiritually uplifted and enlightened at women's conference.  I am really glad that I am a women and appreciate my influence in the lives of my children and family.  I was also able to attend the temple twice and really appreciated the closeness of the temple.  It was amazing to drive five minutes and be at the temple.  

As many of you know I have been Extremely afraid to fly and in preparation to fly I was so nervous and my stomach was tied up in knots.  I had trouble sleeping the night before and I was feeling so sick.  The morning of my flight I felt like I was going to throw up and I could not calm myself down, I had thoughts of not going on my flight and just staying home.  I was too anxious to see my family and have the much needed time away and be spiritually uplifted.  Mark had given me a blessing the night before and I had been praying like crazy.  So I went to the airport with my mother-in-law and still thought I was going to die.  I started getting dizzy and really sick to my stomach.  We boarded the plane and as we were taking off I grabbed the vomit bag and started heavy breathing.  I was sweating and feeling so sick and praying the whole time and all of a sudden I felt fine.  I wasn't scared anymore.  Heavenly Father just took my fear away and I was okay.  It was amazing.  I had never had anything happen like that.  It was a miracle.  I just had to walk out and Heavenly Father did the rest.  I think that was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life.  I was so limited with this fear and now it is gone.

My boys and Mark are happy for me to be home.  Mark appreciates me more and he has even been making the bed in the morning and taking the garbage out without reminders.  Colton did not like me for the first day, but has now warmed up and is back to his cute self. He is into everything and climbing up everything-chairs, stoves, and stools.  Cooper is still potty training peeing in lots of underwear.  He is so cute and talks nonstop trying to keep up with Kayden.  They both keep talking and telling the other one to stop.  Cooper and Kayden are always entertaining me with their tricks.  Kayden is the smartest boy in the world and knows everything.  Let's just hope he keeps up this great confidence.  He loves to give family home evenings up in his room and is always planning them.  He loves to write and learn and sometimes wants to give up playing with friends for learning.  He is always counting and learning about the world.  He wants me to cut off my mole on my face and watch how they do it.  Kaleb is now a yellow belt Karate boy and thinks about all the other belts he will earn.  He is so focused on earning money to go to the extra camps.  He tries to do all sorts of chores for money.  He ask if he can get paid 50 dollars to clean the whole house.  I asked if he would pay me 50 dollars to clean the house and he said no.  He loves music and wants to play the piano, guitar and drums.  If you are ever missing a CD, it will most likely be in his room.

I love my boys and so glad that I am their mom.   Alissa