Pumpkin Carving with the Claysons!

Thank you Great Grandma Bock

Yesterday we got a wonderful package, filled with goodies for Claire, Owen and I. Great Grandma Bock made Claire a cute dress, which she loved, and sent Owen a great sweatshirt, and I got a cookbook. Thank you for making our day, and we will post pictures soon of the dress actually on! We can hardly wait to see you at Christmas!!!

Preschool

I know I said a long time ago, that I would post pictures of the preschool. OK, so school has been in almost 2 months, and I'm just getting to it. It is so hard for me to not have a janitor, that I never think of running down there and taking pictures. Chad did such a great job on this, that I just can't not show it off. This used to be part of my garage (our garage was huge, so we can still park a car and Chad has a tool area). We built the whole thing in, and have outside access from the backyard, so people don't even go in our house. It is turning out to be a great blessing for our family because I can still spend a lot of time at home with the kids. I was also lucky enough to have one of my young women (who is home schooled), come to my house each day to babysit. It doesn't get any better than that!

The Joys of Dressing Themselves!!!

I can't tell you how hard it is for me to let my children (mostly Claire), be independent and pick out her clothes. I fell like I have good taste, but she doesn't. She is so picky now that I have to take her to the store, and make sure that she likes something before I buy it. I found the cutest outfit the other day for our family pictures, but she didn't like it. It's not worth buying it because she will only wear it the one time I make her, and then it is done. Oh well, I just have to give up, and let her dress herself - that is HARD!!! Last weekend we found her a new hat and gloves, and boots, and I can't get the things off of her. She has worn them everywhere!! For FHE we went to visit a new member of our ward, and she refused to take them off. Oh well, at least she was warm.

Claire is ready for snow!! Almost - does anyone know where I can find some 4T or 5T snow pants - I can't find them anywere. I'm sure once I get them, she will wear those all the time too!
Saturday morning - we bought them on Friday!

This is not Owen's jacket, but his good friend McKinleys. She came over to play and when her mom held her coat up for McKinley to put on, Owen ran right over, and got ready to "go." I'm sure this picture will provide good blackmail in the future.

Fall Is Here!

We just love Fall! The other day for Family Home Evening, we were outside, and the kids discovered throwing leaves. When we went outside a few days ago, there were a bunch of new leaves. We raked them up, and had a great time. One of the best parts about Fall, the cold I could do without!!

Sunday Drivers

We were so happy to have visitors on Sunday. Grandma and Grandpa Clayson, Aunt Jeanna, Aunt Shanna and Uncle Trevor all came. It is always fun to have people over. Claire and Owen just love having new people to play with them. Thanks Grandma for playing their game, they loved it!!

Dancing Queens

Our neighbor friend Ellie came over to visit a few weeks ago (yes I am behind). The girls had so much fun, they put on princess dresses, and danced. Even Owen joined in on the fun. It is so nice to have a friend live so close by. They love to yell "hi" to each other across the street.

Little Miss Tattle Tale

So Claire has learned how to tattle on others. The funny thing is that she learned it from a boy who was always tattling on her. So, when she wants to tell on someone she says, "she did (whatever)." It's really funny because almost everyone she is annoyed with, or plays with is a boy, and it makes them very mad. The funny things they learn.

Clayson Family Update

Ok, so my life has been crazy, and I haven't been the greatest blogger, so I just wanted to update you on our crazy life. I'm honestly not really sure why it is so crazy, maybe this will help me sort it out! :-)

Owen and Claire are doing great. Owen finally doesn't cry his head off when the babysitter comes to watch him during preschool. I think he knows that he will see me again. He is also now going to nursery, it is a little bit early, but Chad and I were tired of not going to class. He loves it, and it is nice that Claire is in there with him for a few more months. Owen is also talking like crazy! Everyday he amazes us with something new. He loves to sing, and will join in on Old McDonald any day. He has also discovered The Wiggles and sings many of their songs - joy!! His favorite word this week is wet. So, he gets himself wet or anyone else wet and thinks it is great to tell you a million times.

Claire is busy. We decided to take her out of dance class because it was a struggle to get her to go without crying. We will try again next year. It just wasn't worth the fight for me. She keeps busy by coloring, painting, and being a princess. She has discovered the computer and knows how to get to her favorite site, Disney. Therefore, we have to be very good about logging it off each time we are done with it. Do they come out smarter??

Chad just had another convert baptism last week, and it was fun to help him with that. The Elders counted 75+ people there, which was great! She is a girl about my age with a little boy, so I look forward to getting to know her better.

I am keeping busy with preschool, cleaning (does that ever end??), and just taking care of things around here. I am still loving young women's. A couple of weeks ago we went skeet shooting, and I even beat some of the men, I have to say I felt pretty good about myself!

That is everything from the Claysons now. We are just trying to get used to the cold weather (and snow - yes we had about 3 inches last Saturday). Claire could hardly wait to build a snowman, and I didn't have the heart to tell her that he snow clothes didn't fit anymore - I guess that will be my mission this weekend - snow clothes. Oh, one more thing. Kim Sorenson, I can't get in your blog anymore - I need another invitation, I feel like I don't know your family anymore, send me one if you get a minute. Talk to you all soon!

4 Things

I have received this e-mail from quite a few people, so now that Tania challenged me, here are my answers!!

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Wife and mother
2. Teacher (3rd and 4th grade)
3. Waitress at On The Border (yummy!)
4. After school and summer program director at a daycare

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Troop Beverly Hills
2. Tommy Boy
3. Never Been Kissed
4. 10 Things I Hate About You

Four Places you Have Lived:
1. Oakdale, CA
2. White Bird, ID
3. Rexburg, ID
4. Nampa, ID


Four TV Shows that I watch:
1. Dancing with the Stars (I'm addicted!)
2. The Bachelor (those ladies make me laugh)
3. Lost (when will it start???)
4. Ellen (If I have a chance)

Four places I have been:
1. Disneyworld
2. Hawaii
3. Caribbean
4. India

People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. I'm not a very good e-mail buddy!

Four of my favorite foods:
1. steak (preferably made by someone else)
2. Papa Murphy's gourmet vegetarian pizza (yum!!!)
3. chicken strips (from anywhere)
4. most Mexican food

I would rather be right now:
1. on a cruise!!!
2. Visiting my family
3. Disneyland (it's the happiest place on earth - really!)
4. Anywhere tropical

Four friends I think will respond
1. Not really sure

Things I am looking forward to in the next year?
1. My first successful year of preschool
2. Christmas - I just love it!
3. Maybe another baby (this is not an announcement!)
4. Summer - I already miss it!