Perry-

I don't have a picture but I still wanted to give everyone an update on me and what I am doing. Lately I have been playing rugby in PE at school. I didn't know how it was going to turn out, but at the end of the unit, I agreed that rugby was my favorite unit that I have ever done in middle school PE. It is aggressive, fast pace, and it is a big team sport which I like.

On thursday Emmie had her 1st grade gingerbread play. She got to play the role of Katrina (Mrs. Clause's granddaughter) She did excellent and remembered all her lines.

We got a cute picture of Kellen smiling. He's now 8 weeks old in this picture and we're so excited that he is finally smiling with a lot of personality.

Earlier this week Davin had a basketball accident that caused him to break his tibia in two places and snap his MCL ligament. Thursday he went in for surgery and had to have two screws put in his leg. But he is not in to much pain and the surgery is definately helping.

I have to thank Brad for producing a perfect Thanksgiving turkey. I am one sleep deprived lady that was considering a meal out for Thanksgiving, but the troops came in and took over. Thanks to Nana for all the fixings and Grampy bear for clean up duty. The kids all pitched in too. Now on to Christmas. I have tried to tell Kellen that he needs to sleep at least 4 hours at a time, but he just isn't listening!

A favorite scripture that guided us through this Thanksgiving week...

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; and ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19

I just can't believe that my "little" boy is growing up. He didn't know what he was getting himself into when he agreed to learn those songs and to put that costume on. I wasn't sure if he was going to go for the whole thing, but by the 3rd song he wasn't afraid of the 50 pairs of eyes staring at him. He actually did all the hand motions and even had a grin at times. It just doesn't seem right that he is big enough to do what his big brother and sisters have done before him.

The anual Thanksgiving turkey trot at Warm Springs middle School was a success for the Guinn family. Miss Josie Kate came through for us and brought home the turkey. Thanks a bunch Josie Kate.

Josie wanted to make sure everyone knew that this was Kellen's first smile, and it was at her. He is getting bigger and more alert. Thank goodness he isn't too fussy. He just likes to eat every hour to two hours in the evening. This presents a challenge for the mama trying to tend to five other children's needs!

I thought I would get some pictures up of our new addition. Kellen Trey Guinn was born last week. He is so cute even if he nurses all day and night! The family is so glad that he is here now, and we are really complete. The top picture is Kellen with his Wertner cousins minus our college student Jessica and our missionary Jake.

The new Guinn is due to arrive on Tuesday. The family decided to have a little celebration, and they even invited some of the boys. Grampy Bear can't believe that he has reached an unnamed age of maturity and has finally attended his first "baby shower". The presents were opened in record time as big brother Brody is always in a race. The games were loud and competitive, and we just couldn't imagine where all that desire for winning came from (Mom and Dad)! The cake was delicious thanks to Heather honoring my wish for the only cake I like - Sue's carrot cake. Now as soon as we all recover from the flu the little guy can get here!!!!

Josie got her award this week for fifth grade. She was really excited that her hard work and attention to instruction has paid off. Her teacher is Mr. Zajec, and she is very happy in his class.

Homecoming was this Saturday. It was my first date, and we had a great time except for the raunchy dancing and we ordered way too much food. My date is on the right, her name is Alexia.

Here is Davin in his "new" used birthday car. He still has to wait until the beginning of November to have his full driving independence, but he seemed excited and slightly shocked with the surprise.

Six Flags Magic Mountain:

For my 16th birthday my dad took me and a couple of friends to Magic Mountain to challenge ourselves with some of the biggest coasters around. They proved no match for my friend Tanner(left), Kevin (middle), and myself (right). My dad went on just about every ride with us until the end of the day where he opted to sit out and read a book. =P Anyways we had a great time with all of the Muslims that were in the park (it was Muslim Day at 6 flags).

This is my first post on our family blog, so we'll see how it turns out! But things are looking good. Basketball and school are all going well. And I've got the big homecoming dance coming up....better get a matching tie with my date soon or it will be too late! Hello, to everyone and feel free to say hi!

Emmie and her friend and classmate, Payson, received awards from their teacher last week. She was really happy about it because her Daddy was the one that got to go to the awards assembly. She is off to a great start in 1st grade.

I really enjoy watching cooking shows, and cooking. One of my cookbooks is a cookbook for kids by Rachael Ray. I wanted to share a recipe I tried because one of our friends was aTsking for recipe ideas.
Mexican Rice Bowl
1 T extra-virgin olive oil
2 T butter
3/4 pound chicken tenders cut into bite size pieces salt and pepper to taste
2 cups white rice
1 quart of chicken stock
1 T Sazon seasoning blend by Goya
1/2 cup of tomato salsa
1/4 cup drained chopped olives
2 T chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (a handful)
tortilla chips for serving

Sautee chicken in olive oil and butter until lightly browned. Add the rice and cook another minute or two. Then add chicken stock to the pot and Sazon seasoning. Raise heat to high and put lid on pot while you bring to a boil 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer and put the lid back on. Cook until rice is tender but still a little chewy in the center, 13 to 15 minutes. Stir in salsa, olives, and parsley. Turn off heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Serve hot in bowls lined with tortilla chips. The chips make great dippers for the rice!
Enjoy!
Perry

Brody got to go to the museum with his preschool class (and mom) yesterday. We had such a great time running around the hands on science museum. He especially loved the glow in the dark tunnel and this hot air balloon basket. I can't believe my little guy is old enough to be in preschool.

Josie had her immigrant report and feast day at school. Her immigrant was sister Pittaluga from England. It was a great success as she took in orange chocolate chip scones to share with her class. Sister Pittaluga was a great sport to attend the feast with all of the 5th graders!

This week I got to go to my first dance class. It is a combo class where I get to do ballet and tap. I got new tap and ballet shoes. The dance my class is going to be working on is a dance about a ballerina that comes out of a CD player. Emmie

This week I totally got taken out by the goalkeeper in my soccer game. The score at the time was 0-1, and I was going to score to tie it. The team we were playing was our arch enemy, Arsenal, and the ref didn't even call a foul. We ended up tying the game 1-1. Josie

This week I went to ding-dong ditch a giant cookie cake and balloons to Davin's homecoming date. But when I walked up to the house, her whole family was eating dinner in the kitchen, so they ended up catching me in the act. Luckily, Alexia (his date) was upstairs at the time, so her mom told me to just leave it on the front porch. I was so glad that she hadn't seen me and that it all worked out in the end. Perry

I like helicopters and airplanes. I started preschool last week. I like playing with the big fire truck. I went to feed the ducks, and I saw a turtle. They live way deep in the water. I like to snuggle with my blankets. Brody