What a sad tragic day it was yesterday. I just keep picturing my little emily's first grade class in the horrific situation, and I can't even stomach the thought of it. Emily woke up 2 times last night because she needed a drink of water, and needed to go to the bathroom. Normally, I would have gotten a little irritated about having to get up so many times, but this time it was different. I was so incredibly grateful to have my little 6 year old home safe and sound and calling out for her mommy. Today we were at Walmart and she snuck up next to me to hold my hand. Once again, the emotion of gratitude to have that little hand to hold came flooding back to my mind. Paul said, " can you imagine tucking all the kids in tonight....and having one empty bed?" I really can't. No mother (or father) should ever have to do such a thing.
  I love my little munchkins so much. I always try to speak kindly to them, give them kisses and hugs before they run off to the bus stop each morning, I make sure they each get tucked into bed at night feeling safe and loved. I know how quickly life can end, and i would hate to have any regrets about how i treated them. They are so little, so fragile, so special.
  Last night was our ward Christmas party. I really wasn't in the mood to go, but Paul built the stable for the manger scene, and i was in charge of costumes, lights and jello salads...so off we went. I am so grateful that we did. The program was beautiful. At the very end the primary children came to see the "real" baby Jesus, they were dressed like angels and shepherds as they stood by the manger and sang "Away in a manger." Such a special ending to a tragic day. Now go kiss your babies!

                                            { instagram picture. Sawyer was asleep.}

just getting our Christmas cards ready...thought this one of emily and her missing tooth was cute! i could just eat this little 6 year old up! She sure loves her mommy!

                                               how could you not love this little monkey!?

 

only pic of sam i could get...he had better things to do!

 

                                                                                       zach was proud of his REAL helmet and
                                                                                       his gr. grandpa's army tag.
                                                                                       (we had the original copied..he even
                                                                                          has the number memorized!)

halloween

another year of halloween "bolton" style! I think my kids would LOVE it if i took them to a store and let them pick out a "real" costume....but yes, i am cheap. We see what we can find at home first, then we shop for the accessories! sometimes i am so much like my mom it scares me!:)

 

SUNDAY

 today was our primary program...love. i will never get tired of watching my babies sing! It is so strange to have Zach in the back row of "big kids"... when did that happen??? i hate it! He is such a good, smart boy and has grown so much in these past 3 months.
 The door bell rings at 3:30 everyday, and i am greeted with about 10 boys asking for zach to come play hockey or flag football. It has been such a confidence booster for him.  It makes this mama so happy! Rachel and emily have darling little girls that love to play dolls and ride bikes together. again...love it! I don't think a single day goes by that someone doesn't mention how happy they are to be here.

 I had my camera out for a few minutes this afternoon, so i snapped a few pictures of our beautiful fall Sunday! Not sure where Zach and Sam were when this was going on... probably eating!:)

                                        emily with her signature pose...and then asked me to take a picture
                                        of her leggings and red shoes. (shoesmakeherhappy) :)

 

 

love her to death.

 

                                                            cute sisters
                                             

                                                                kissing a pumpkin

                                                             tormenting the kitten.
                                               (the kitty has been missing for 3 days.
                                            paul saw it in the church parking lot today)
                                          I have a feeling it "ran away" from Sawyer!

                                               must kiss sisters painted pumpkin. yum.

                                            went on a walk with little soybean to try to find
                                           the other missing kitten (yes, we had 2) :) yes,
                                           we stink at owning pets. ha ha

                                                 now it is time for bed. I love our street.
                                                                 good night.

family pictures

  My dear friend, April took our family pictures last month...i am so glad she did. I HATE pictures of myself, i feel so LARGE. I have never really had to worry about my weight before....i have never been thin, but just a normal healthy weight without having to "diet" (ugh, i hate that word.)
I have not been able to lose anything since Sawyer has been born. I go walking every morning with my friend, pushing two little boys up hill (both ways, haha!) AND i go  walking at night. I can even run a few miles now! STILL....NO WEIGHT LOSS! Now Paul on the other hand, started exercising a week ago and has dropped 10 POUNDS!!!! what the CRAP???  not fair.
  I saw a study the other day that said little girls will start worrying about their weight at age 6 if they hear their mothers complain about their own bodies and weight. Many of the little girls develop eating disorders and blame it on their mothers. YIKES! i didn't really believe it until emily came inside huffing and puffing! I asked her what she had been doing outside?  She lifted up her shirt and said she was exercising to get skinny. I about died. I quickly told her she was perfect and didn't need to get skinny...but we have been exercising as a family to keep our bodies strong and healthy. She really has been listening to me complain about how this baby weight is not coming off. Rachel pointed out a few days ago that we didn't have any family pictures printed. I secretly knew the reason why, so i made myself print some today!  one of my besties (keleen, i love you!) told me something a couple of years ago that has always stuck with me. She said that she gets her family pictures taken every year, even if she is bigger than she would like, because she wants to remember what her family and her life was like at that very moment. I love that.
  Anyway, I really didn't mean to ramble on and on about such a silly topic...it has just been on my mind lately... i am going to be brave and post a few....just to prove that we did have our family pictures taken! :)