Thanksgiving 2013

We traveled from Colorado to Utah for Thanksgiving this year.  It was my brothers' year to be with our family and not their in-laws.  So, it was nice to have ALL of my siblings, and ALL of my neices and nephews there, along with my father and his wife, Sherri.

The dinner was delicious, of course, but being with family and having such bounty was the true blessing.  We had a great time playing Catch Phrase in the evening, as the kids all schemed how to spend more time together.  They just love each other so much...it warms my heart.

In the photo, from left and forward to right and forward:

Isabel Ellertson (turquoise sweater), Kyle Ellertson (red stripes), Rory Ellertson (red & beige stripes), Bryce Ellertson (gray), Sara Mac Gillvray Ellertson (green) shirt, Jim Ellertson (tall plaid), Summer Shippen Mac Gillvray (blue), Andrew Mac Gillvray (in back with blue t-shirt), Ethan Mac Gillvray (blue sleeves, grey middle), Avery Mac Gillvray (floral leggins, cream shirt), Haylee Mac Gillvray (white shirt, floral skirt), Katie Mac Gillvray (pink shirt, in front), Becca Mac Gillvray (black & white blouse), Jennifer Smith Mac Gillvray (brown sweater), Todd Mac Gillvray (blue shirt, big beard), Alex Mac Gillvray (gray & blue hoodie), Mary Mac Gillvray (in back, berry blouse), Marcie Mac Gillvray Thornbrugh (red & white shirt), Allison Mac Gillvray (pink striped shirt), Jay (Jerald) Thornbrugh (blue #61), Jorma Thornbrugh (gray and black striped shirt, on end) Timothy Mac Gillvray (sitting), Sherri Mac Gillvray (sitting).

School Pictures 2010-11

Another school year has begun, and so far, so good. Isabel is now in 5th grade, Bryce in 3rd, Rory in Kindergarten and Kyle in Preschool. They are good students...well behaved and they enjoy learning. They all have their own strengths--and I can already see how they each learn differently, etc.

I'm so proud of my kiddos.

Getting Ready

Bryce will turn 8 this year. He had his Baptism Preview tonight...and he came home just so happy and feeling special. I could just tell by the smile on his face that he was feeling really excited in that "spiritual excitement" kind of way. I'm so glad.

For this past year, he's really worked on preparing himself. Where once he wouldn't even say a family prayer beyond a meal prayer (because he knew what to say and didn't have to think about it)...now he'll say family prayers with sincerity, he'll participate and sing when we are singing church songs, he's really starting to be a part of it...and it's because he's wanted it...he's wanted to prepare for baptism. I couldn't be more proud. This June/July, he'll be getting baptized and I really think he's as ready as he can be. I'm so proud of him (have I already said that?).

Breakfast with Santa

Our last horra as a primary presidency (we were release about 4 weeks ago) was this Primary Breakfast with Santa. This was the kids' time for a church Christmas party, since our ward decided to do an "adult Christmas party." We had a lot of fun planning this. I've really enjoyed working with the ladies in Primary. I already miss that connection. Anyhow, the Breakfast with Santa went really well. The decorations came together so nicely, and it all looked great. The breakfast went smoothly and the activities were great. We had a nice lady from the ward take pictures of the kids with Santa. They turned out great...although Kyle wouldn't look at the camera! The activity was WELL attended and fun. So glad. Yay!

School Pictures 2009

Every year, I've been assembling the kids' pictures into a collage. I love grouping them together...and then I enjoy seeing years past and how they've grown and changed. It's so fun watching these wonderful children grow...though, I wish it wouldn't go so quickly!

Halloween & The Loot

We've had a great Halloween. Parties, parties, recital, and trick-or-treating. NOW--the LOOT! The kids had a great time! It was a fabulous night for it too--who would have thought that after a week of snow being dumped on us, 3 snow days--that we would have a beautiful night for trick-or-treating...but we did!! The kids had so much fun. We put a few layers on UNDER their costumes, they wore hats, and off they went. They were plenty warm as it was so nice out. They came home happy, and bags heavy with candy. Halloween 2009=SUCCESS!!

(Isabel...thanks to Grandma and her costume making...had 3 different costumes this year....1 for our ward trunk-or-treat (Vampire), one for a birthday Halloween party (Mermaid), and one for her recital and trick-or-treating (Mulan/Geisha). WOW!)

A New School Year

Another school year from my kiddos has begun. I'm so excited for my kids this year. Bryce has the same teacher that Isabel had for 2nd grade...Ms. Luebbert. She's a peach. We really like her, and Bryce already knows her a bit as she was his Tech Lab teacher last year. He's been very excited knowing that he would have her this year for his teacher.

Isabel has Mrs. Jaimes for 4th grade. (I can't believe she's in 4th grade!) Our friends have given her great compliments and told us wonderful things about Mrs. Jaimes. I was impressed at orientation and I think Isabel will enjoy being in her class. One thing I loved was that Mrs. Jaimes is a HUGE proponent of reading. Reading is so important and I hope my children enjoy it as much as I have in my life. There is NOTHING like a good book.

Here are my kiddos going off to school--and with their new teachers!

Mother's Day 2009

I had such a fabulous Mother's Day! I couldn't be a happier mom--my children truly fill my heart. Could I be luckier. They treated me like a queen--and gave me so much love. Look at these faces...they angels! Even when their little devils, they are my angels, and I'm so lucky to have them!

Accomplishments

I know...it's been FOREVER since I've blogged. I don't know why, but it just hasn't been a priority, and there really hasn't been all that much to blog about in my opinion.

Isabel & Bryce have been in karate for a few months now, and they are enjoying it and working hard. They earned their first belt and stripe last week! We were really proud of them--they worked hard (and Isabel was really nervous/excited)--but they did fabulous. The teacher is impressed with their concentration and with how hard they work. I'm a proud mama! Yay!

So, as you know, I've taken up sewing...teaching myself with the help and tips from my mom and my friend Shauna. They are both excellent seamstresses--so I'm lucky to have their help. A couple of months ago, Shauna and I went out for an evening--dinner, shopping and a movie... well after dinner, I just had to "stop in at Jo-Ann for a minute or two." We went there, and stayed....skipped the movie and stayed until it was closed. We went through and found patterns and fabric. Her family was going out of town for spring break, and since she needed to stay behind and work, we would have a whole week of evenings and 2 full week-ends to sew! Just leaving it all out and set up and sew! We've had a WONDERFUL time sewing--a week of fun.

I made a jumper for Isabel and then I made a tepee for the kids. And they both turned out! I really like the jumper and I LOVE the tepee. The kids love it and it is CUTE! I couldn't be happier! I'm still amazed that when I sew, it actually works and makes something. I can't wait for my next projects....hmmmm what will it be?

Out For Some Pictures

It was a beautiful November day...unbelievable...64 today here! Tuesday is going to be 69!! Anyhow (getting side-tracked in marvel of the nice weather in NOVEMBER)...we went out today and took some family pictures. Okay, one of my major PET PEEVES in life is going to get family portraits done...or even for just one kid. Waiting for the photographer to be ready (and I have an appointment!), keeping the kids calm, keeping the kids clean, getting them to like some total stranger and actually smile for them....not my happy day. But I do love having nice portraits of the kids.

About this time of year (Christmas card time) I know I need a good family photo. Have any of you ever gotten (or sent) cards that have just pictures of kids on them, and you're thinking...who are these kids?! You really need to put your pictures on there too--so we know who is sending these to us (reading the name on the card is not enough)--I want to visually see how my friends are getting older too, after all! =) I digress again. We went out on this beautiful day, to a canyon that is mere steps away from our house (although we drove over there as to keep the kids from dilly-dallying). My friend Natalie and I worked out a trade...I put all her Christmas Card addresses into a spreadsheet so she can send out her cards this year (without having to hand-address her cards), and she take some pictures of our family with her talented eye and fabulous camera. **I love trades** We got some great photos of the family together and I wanted to share some of the fun ones with all of you. So here you go. So much better than going to a studio!!

Memory Making

I have been SO busy for SO long now, I really haven't taken much time to scrap...in fact, it's been MONTHS. For something I enjoy SO much, it makes me sad that I haven't done it in so long. I've almost ignored the urge--because I'm too overwhelmed (with other stuff) to think about it.
Last night, I was putting some Girl Scout newsletters that I've been doing for her troop, in her scrapbook. I sat and looked through my past work and realized how very much I miss it.
Tonight, I took to it! I had no meetings and didn't have to run the kids anywhere. Yay! So, after dinner, I locked myself in my office and sat down and digi-scrapped. I love doing it this way. Look below, the same layout, but I can throw them in each of my kids' books and they'll never know how much easier it was for me (and quicker) to do it this way, than to do it with actual paper. I still do miss the hands-on, cutting, gluing, etc....but this way is practical for me right now. Plus, I can get a kit of digi-scrap files, and I know that they match and that the embellishments will "work" on the page.
It felt really good to do a little "memory-making" again tonight.

Our Halloween Tribe

We had a great Halloween. It was excellent trick-or-treating (probably the best we'll EVER EVER have). The day was in the mid-70s and the evening didn't even require a jacket. Last year...2 sets of underclothes, winter coats, hats, etc. We loved it this year! Yay!
Thank you to Grandma Mac for the making of the costumes...they were so much fun and we. Thanks Auntie Marcie for letting me borrow your get-up this year...it was awesome! We had a lot of fun and a great night.

4 Little Indians

Halloween is coming and Grandma Mac really came through for us! What a fabulous seamstress and creator she is. The kids just loved being dressed up in their indian costumes. I love that they all matched. There wont be many years where they can have the same theme and matching costumes...so yes, I'm enjoying it now! Thank you --AGAIN THIS YEAR-- Grandma Mac! We love you.
Trick or Treat!

My Children, 2008-09 School Year

I love school pictures. I love it too that I can take the younger kids and get theirs done there at the school at the same time. It's easier for me to do this, than to take them to a portrait studio (one of my most UN-favorite things to do). I really love the way they turned out too. I just look at my little blessings and can't believe how full my life is--I can feel my Heavenly Father's love for me when I look at the sweet children he's entrusted to my care.
(Isabel-8, Bryce-6, Rory-3, Kyle-19mo)

1st Day of School

I have a little bit of catching up to do on my blog. Since I just had my tonsils out and I'm laid up in bed, I've got my laptop and I thought I'd get to work....in between sleeping and not eating. Ha!

Well, Bryce & Isabel went off to school just a few weeks ago. I can't believe that Isabel is in 3rd grade (I have to keep reminding myself--3rd!!), and Bryce went off to all-day-school in 1st grade! He was excited to the bus TO school and HOME FROM school. I'm so proud of my kiddos. They were so excited to go to school and get things started. I love that they love school...and I hope that continues for a long long time.

Citizen of the Week

So, Mom had a really busy weekend...making two posters! Bryce had been selected as Citizen of the Week. We got to make a poster board for him too. He took that in on Monday. Then Wednesday, he got to take his favorite book to share with the class. Friday, he got to take 5 of his favorite toys to school (I hope they all come home). It was a special week for him too. We had fun creating his board.

I'm so glad he enjoys school!

And Now....Bryce!

We got Bryce's Kindergarten picture back today, and he is looks so handsome! I don't know why I get so extremely excited when school pictures get back, but it is fun fun fun! To see my children's progress--it warms my heart.

Bryce is LOVING Kindergarten, and doing SO well. He comes home every day and says he got a "green day"--meaning good behavior. He's having fun learning and when I ask what his favorite part of school is, he says "recces"--he's a kid, and a boy through-and-through.

Bryce has begun a more advance gymnastics--he's been taking it for about 3 years now--and they are giving him a good workout. He's also begun swim lessons twice a week--the boy is busy! We sure do love him.

(Blue shirt is Pre-K Green Shirt is Kindergarten)