Ok so this Christmas season really was incredible. The gazillion pictures don't even do it justice. Highlights were Wertner's coming from TN, college Wertner's coming to Nana's, wonderful family parties with extended family, healthy children(this seems insignificant, but it can ruin the whole deal for the mom!), visit from Gpa and Gma Guinn, Davin's ankle healed enough to play bball again, and time - time with my busy children - there is nothing better!

Christmas day at Nana and Grandpa's

Christmas day
Christmas Eve with Jens0n cousins

Some Wertners, some Jensons, and some Guinns

Group shot in front of our dead Southern Cal Christmas tree

Christmas gathering in Malibu - so great to catch up with extended family!!!

Brody as a Christmas tree for the kinder performance

Annual gingerbread house party - it was the best one yet!

Emmie singing at the ward Christmas party

Brody singing at the ward Christmas party

Before

After
Exactly 10 inches for locks of love. I love you Emmie.

It is that time of year again!

Thanks for getting the tree just right :)

News Flash ... Josie Kate is a teenager!!!!

Josie, You are beautiful, which I have told you repeatedly is not important. What is important is that you are kind and intelligent, happy and helpful, diligent and fun. You are sensitive which is not a bad thing like some may want you to believe - it is especially sweet with you because it is combined with a toughness that will help you make it in this life. The sensitivity is a special gift you have to offer this world that lacks. I love you every last bit! I hope 13 will be an amazing year for you!!!!!

Went to Nana and Grandpa's for Thanksgiving. Had a wonderful meal and relaxing day with my favorite people. Got the Christmas pictures taken!!! Yea!!! Davin was happy it only took 30 minutes. Sat down all 10 of us and did some service for a loved one. I would like to do a service project every Thanksgiving. We sure missed our recent Tennessee transplants, but they were having a wonderful day too. Then we went straight into soccer. I really wish Thanksgiving weekend was without activities because Brad takes a couple of days off and it is a nice time to just be a family - go to the park, the movie, have a picnic. I am trying to be positive though, so we are off to San Diego for a 3 o'clock game and a 7:30 game.

I felt so happy today when I woke up. A good night's sleep on a comfy bed with a week of school vacation in front of me, a crisp night and morning with the sun streaming through some clouds and half of my Christmas shopping complete seem to do it for me. Now it is dark and raining and I just feel like jumping on the couch with a bunch of blankets and snuggling! I do feel bad for the dog, he must have cabin fever. I am thinking about Thanksgiving and what kind of service we are going to do - some of the gang really only think about the food (not mentioning members by name here, but we definitely have some foodies at our house)! I am thankful for many things. When I think about how thankful I am for my family, it actually makes my insides zing!

This is Mrs. Naerbo with her 3rd grade class. Emmie is front and center in the pink of coarse. I went in on Fri and did a Thanksgiving craft and treat with them - so fun.

Also on Fri was Brody's Kindergarten songs and feast. He is dressed as a Native American, but he had the part of the Puritan minister. He repeated the line throughout a story, "praise the Lord." Not sure what we think about this, but it was just a skit haha.

Also on Fri was twin day. Brody and his classmate may not look much like twins, but they sure are good buddies.

Friday was also the turkey trot for Josie. Sadly I couldn't be everywhere, but Brad, Brody, Kellen, Grandpa, and Nana were there to cheer her to her victory and the prized turkey. Thanks again for our turkey Josie - what will I ever do when I actually have to shop for one?

So much happens in this Guinn life we live, and it happens fast. I can hardly keep up, but we love it and certainly wouldn't trade it. The dad is back - yahoo!!!! Kellen is talking up a storm, and is really aware of everything that goes on. A couple of days ago he was going up the stairs as Perry was running down, and he stopped turned and said, "cute!" Perry stopped and turned up to him and said, "what did you say?" To which he responded, "you cute." Wish I had a camera to capture the smile on her face! Brody had his school conference for kindergarten. He is young, so we really went back and forth on sending him, but according to his teacher, he is having a great year so far in academics and citizenship - way to go Brody (Mom says you are special - don't ever forget!) Emmie is getting ready to start up dance again after soccer which she reminds me of often. The mom just had to have a month off with activities for her and Brody! She has been focused on passing off her multiplication facts up to 12s, and is taking the test for the 12s as I type. She is so hopeful because then she gets to go to Math Masters with the 4th graders! Josie has long term subs in her 4 core subjects - unbelievable! The language arts and social studies is great, but the math one doesn't even give them the lesson. She is in Algebra which is such an important foundation for future math that I was starting to panic. Not Josie. She just signed up with the textbook online and takes the lessons from the textbook website. Thank goodness she is willing to put that kind of time in. Drum roll please ... Perry got her learners permit. She turned 15 1/2 on Sunday, Nov 6th and took the test Monday, Nov 7th. Drum roll please... Davin just got his first official job! He has always taken odd jobs during breaks and summers, but hasn't been able to find anything regular that would work with AP classes and basketball. He is now a ref for the Murrieta Youth Basketball League. He has 3 games on Sat., so we will see how it goes. I waited for Halloween to pass and started painting the family room and kitchen. It is finished, and we are so happy. Kellen keeps walking in there and saying "like it mom, like it". This is just the surface, I really could write a book! Oh, I forgot that somewhere in there I had a spaghetti dinner for 40 church girls and their moms at our home - 8-11 year old girls are beautiful. I love being with them! We also got college apps done and sent in last week- gulp!!! I love this life. Our family focus right now is on treating others the way you want to be treated and thinking of others first. I just can't stand it when the focus becomes following rules and obeying. Come on guys, we can do it. Our home is a much more peaceful and positive place to be when our focus is in the right place :)!

Big Brother helping out with math

(I had to take a quick picture because this is what makes me love this big family - when members help without being asked because they love each other!)

Halloween night 2011
Josie and her friends were 80's girls. I grew up in the 80's mind you. The fact that my life was a Halloween costume made me feel older than I did on my 40th bday in June!

The spooky dinner

2011 Guinn pumpkin carving

Brody exhausted after trunk-o-treating

All the Guinn kids heading to trunk-o-treating

Brody, Kellen, Emmie

Halloween 2011

So Brad has been gone during the week for 3 months now. I have done a lot of scripture reading and early bedtime to have the energy to run a family with 6 busy children using patience and love. I have definitely not been perfect darn it - I got the time wrong for a couple of practices and raised my voice from time to time especially during the dinner bedtime hours. (I cried twice which is a lot for me!) There were several nights when we had soup or ugh frozen food like taquitos, but we had dinner together every night even if it was at 4:45 on Wednesdays for 15 minutes between 3 children's practices. The food and practice schedules aren't even the half of it. Add homework, projects, church activities, supplies (always requested the day before they are needed), cleaning, shopping, emotional support for older children, doctor appts., classroom help, workouts, Halloween costumes, park days for little ones... and you get the picture. I am so happy that tomorrow is the last day. The thing is that I had help. Guinn kids have been amazing. They know we are a team thank goodness. My parents have come out to stay with little ones while I had doctor appts., and my Mom "forced" me to go on a wonderful weekend getaway while my Dad manned the home front. The scriptures helped me the most. Mosiah 24:14 -15, "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs ... the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." See I realize that what I am doing with my life right now is good works and Alma says to his son Heleman in Alma 37:34, "never be weary of good works, be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls."

Josie has her first cross country meet.

Here she comes through the finish line in ......
First !!!!!!!

Look at that concentration :)

The take off

relaxed at the start

Kellen is two!!!!!

This boy is so cute and sweet and two. This week he has discovered markers - markers on walls, markers on closets, markers on counters, markers on balls. He is talking up a storm, has a cute sense of humor, loves his buds Emmie and Brody, loves his big buds too. He has a favorite radio flyer bike that he wants to take everywhere even the store, and he zips down our hill on it chasing down his brother like he is big! He gets very excited about trucks and books, and he finally goes to nursery without crying the entire time. Kellen, we love you and feel like the blessing you are to our family is beyond measure.

The girls (minus Josie) at the party

Mom at the birthday party

The boys at the birthday party

Kellen helping with his birthday cake. It was serious business!

This is the last picture of Kellen when he was still ONE

Davin turns 18

Yes it is difficult to believe, but I have come to accept that my baby is an adult. He is an amazing individual and has been blessed with gifts and talents that have helped him to be successful and happy and to serve others. I wonder sometimes if we have taught him all that he needs to know to go out into the world at the end of this school year, and the thought makes me gulp for air. I am cramming a little now to be honest, and I have never been a crammer! Love you tons bud.

The Friend party
Here is a shot I snapped of some of the friends with "the jumpy". Davin had to have a jumpy and he was right, it was a huge hit. The party was fun and crowded - I think Davin was satisfied with the last friend b-day party this mama is going to throw him.

The family party

Thanks nana and grandpa for the birthday steaks! Davin was happy to get some red meat, and I was happy not to have to cook it. It was a relaxing day in Irvine, and watching conference with you guys is the best.

The real birthday

Davin opened his presents surrounded by his "people". From the time Davin was little and could talk, he would ask where his "people" were whenever there was an occasion. Back then it was a couple of cousins, some dear friends that lived near nana. Now it is these guys. I know they bug you sometimes, but nothing is the same with out your "people". You have learned so much patience, tolerance, and love from your "people" - I have seen tremendous growth in you in this area in the last year especially!

Perry Homecoming 2011

Thank you thank you thank you for being a beautiful young woman inside and out.

We had 1 hour to shop. Perry tried on 16 dresses at a bargain store and found one that was modestly beautiful and affordably priced that made her happy. I hope this is not beginners luck for this in the Guinn house as we have a lot more dress finding to do I am sure. The dresses were so short this year I heard one dad say, "These aren't homecoming dresses, these are San Diego night out on the town club dresses." Not Perry's! You rock!

Perry's friend Eric had 8 dates!

Kelsee, Nichole, Brooklyn, Perry, Liz, Eric, Sage, Audrey, and Kristen have been friends for a long time so it was so fun that they all went to the dance together and that Perry let me take some pictures and be the chauffeur.

I hope you made some good high school memories Miss Perry!

The big boys off to church in their new suits.

Davin got his first suit since his baptism one. The kids here don't wear them. In fact, they hardly even wear long sleeve shirts. I have been wanting to get him one, but we decided to wait until he mostly stopped growing. I think we are just about there, but just in case we left room in the sleeve and pant leg to let out. He is 6'5" now without shoes. Davin went on a recruiting trip to MIT and Northeastern recently. He enjoyed the visit to Boston since he hasn't really travelled much, but I just can't imagine him going that far away! Before he went, he really thought the idea of MIT was exciting - I mean it is MIT, but he has had time to think about it and is leaning toward not going all the way to Boston. We are trying our very hardest to just guide him and give him space to explore his options without just telling him what we "know" would be best. For those of you reading this that have not gotten to this with your oldest yet, it is challenging - guide, advise but not push. They do have to come to the decision for themselves even if you do know what is best!

Taylor Swift here we come!!!!!
Heather and the Wertner clan ran away from home and landed in Memphis, TN. This so obviously was not O.K. with any of us, and to make it up to us Tim has been following through on his bribery promises:)! First up, a trip to TN for me and Perry to meet up with Jessie, Alyssa, Brooke, Lauren, and Heather. I can't even get started on describing the mansion they live in - just think dream house! Taylor Swift was in Nashville so we made the 3 1/2 hour drive to meet up with her too. (well almost meet:))

Look how close the four older girls were to her!

Jessie is the go to girl for planning. She made sure the four older girls had floor seats so that when Taylor walked by they could actually touch her - and that they did! She sang some of her songs from this tree as close to them as it shows in the above picture. Perry had the time of her life.

Ready for some Taylor Swift fun

The car drive there was fun too. For me and Heather the concert was fun, but the memory building was the purpose and the highlight. These woman we were with are amazing daughters of God who shine in this world. It is a blessing to be with them - they stand out wherever they go.

Mom and Perry ready for the concert

Perry is the oldest daughter in a family of six. Our one on one time is on the slim side. She is the most undemanding individual I know - I am so lucky. So, we went big with our "date" and made it 4 days with plane rides and hotel rooms and concerts and lots of eating out. It will be a special memory for us I am sure.

Perry with Luke Walton from the Lakers

(I don't know why this picture loaded sideways?) Unfortunately on our way to TN we stopped in TX and got held up at the airport for 8 extra hours. We tried to make the best of it and Luke Walton showing up sure helped. He is coaching a TN college team during the lockout.