Science Fair Project

For Tyler's science fair project he wanted to see if plants grew better with water, milk, or juice. He thought milk would do best because of the extra vitamins and protien and because milk and juice are good for people, they might be good for plants too. We got 3 plants and 'watered' each one everyday, scored them from 1-10 and took pictures each day for 2 weeks. The milk one got very stinky, so did the juice, and they had bugs around them (they were all kept outside on the porch). In the end, the plant given water grew best, then milk, then juice. We learned it was because the milk had fat and other nutrients, and juice has sugar and other nutrients that cause bacteria to spread which harms the plants. Water has the right minerals and nutrients without spreading bacteria.
GOOD JOB TY!

More Changes!

Many of you know we invested in a landscape company several years ago with some friends. Kenny and another partner were primarily responsible for the books, and another partner was responsible for managing the company and crews.

All was well for about a year, but after several setbacks, the company began to struggle. Long (dramatic and emotional) story short, ultimately our business partners decided to walk away from the company, leaving us responsible for a company we had neither the time (Kenny was already working full time, and still going to school), money, or know-how to run as well as the majority of the debt in our names. We closed the company. But, because the creditors still want to be paid, and will soon want to sue us (for money we don't have), we have to file for bankruptcy on all the business debt. Unfortunately, a portion of the debt was equity in our home so we need to include the house on our bankruptcy. After meeting with our lawyer, we have been advised this is our best option.

We are sad it has come to this, but we have lived in our home for over 6 years, and our boys continue to grow, so we have also outgrown our home. Fortunately, there are many nice rental homes out there, and we have found one that will be a better fit for our family and will provide us the opportunity to restart and rebuild. We signed the lease agreement and are officially MOVING the first week of March. The best part is, the rent is less than our mortgage now! The home is located in Highland Ranch, near Power and Guadalupe and is only about 10 minutes away. One good thing is since the kids go to a charter school, they don't have to change schools!



This has all happened so quickly! But everything has just fallen into place so specifically, and we have come to realize when that happens there is a purpose. We know better than to fight it. We have decided to have a positive attitude about the situation, and move forward with faith. We are so grateful for the support and love of our family and friends over the past year and for the chance to start over and have learned MANY hard lessons in this process, but we believe we will be better in the end.

Do you like my PEARD?

I gave the little boys a bubble bath the other night. I don't add bubbles often, so they were pretty excited. At first, Brayden didn't like the all bubbles sticking to him, eventually he liked it. But Mckay just kept scooping them up onto his head and face like Santa Claus. He kept asking me if I liked his PEARD. It just made me laugh, so I never corrected him. Love kids in the bath!

Strep Throat... AGAIN!

I woke up Tuesday morning with a sore throat and a head ache, not a good sign. But, I had things to do, so I took a couple advils and just tried to tough it out. As the day went on, my body ached, I was worn out and I was FREEZING cold. I even put on a sweater and turned on the heater in my car. Finally, at about 6:30 I crawled into my bed to get warm, and didn't get out the rest of the night. When I felt worse on Wednesday, I knew I needed to go the dr that morning before the kids came home early on a half day. I felt just like I did in November with Strep Throat, but didn't remember anyone I know having Strep recently. At the dr, the nurse took my vitals then swabbed my throat for the strep test. He told me he could already see the pockets of pus on my tonsils, so he was pretty postive it was strep. GROSS! Sure enough the test was postive. I told the Dr I had it in November too and asked if it was common to have it again already. He said anytime you're around kids (like my 4 children!) it's common to catch repeated cases of Strep. I told him NOBODY else in my family ever gets it though, just me! He said often times the kids are carriers of the virus so they don't get sick but just pass it on to me. Great! Thanks ALOT, guys! I got my anti-biotics and spent the rest of the day in my bed. So, with Mom out of commission for the last two days, my house is a wreck, my dishes are piling up, my laundry is out of control, and my kids have done almost nothing but watch tv and eat junk food. Gotta love when mom is sick!

Tyler's Pinewood Derby

We all had lots of fun at Tyler's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby! This year he made a brown car with pirate decals (Pirates of the Caribbean is always a favorite around here). We try really hard to allow him to do as much of the car himself as possible... after all isn't that what it's all about? Our stake makes a fun day out of it, each ward is scheduled throughout the day. They take the boys pictures and make pit-passes for them. They have a waiting room with cardboard cut-outs for pictures (Brayden was the only one wanting to pose for one), and a TV to watch the Cars Disney movie.

The races are run on the track in the cultural hall (complete with sound effects, and a screen showing the boys pictures), then into a different room for awards, and another room for refreshments. Our group was so small, they ran the races twice then averaged the scores together. Tyler was in 3rd place the first round, but 4th place the 2nd round, so he ended up with a 4th place ribbon. Tyler was thrilled. Good Job Ty!


Kenny and I were just happy he didn't get the flat tire award (last place) like last year, but the boys were hoping to win the cake that comes with the flat tire award. With four boys, by the time Brayden is doing Pinewood Derby, he might actually Win!

Changes for Kenny!

What a difference a year makes! Last year, Kenny was working hard in Scottsdale in the already busy tax season. At night, he was still going to school for his MBA. He was also serving as our ward's executive secretary, often spending more time at the church on Sunday's, then he did at work most days. It was difficult to spend much time together.

On Sunday, Kenny received a new calling as a Stake Financial Clerk. He is pretty excited about it, and we have been told it may be far less time consuming. He hasn't been released as executive secretary yet, so he will be doing double duty until he can be replaced. It is hard to imagine having him home on Sunday!

At work, he really loves working for this new firm. They are gearing up for the new tax season and he has already been assigned nearly 200 clients. His older firm did just over 200 returns the entire tax season, so we are expecting him to be very busy. He has also been assigned to several large projects, and can't wait to get started with those.

We are hoping with all these changes, we will be able to see him more, especially after tax season! But, who knows how many more changes this year will bring.

... And A Happy New Year!

On New Year's Eve, my sister Dawn re-married at my parent's house. She married a really nice guy named Paul Bailey. It was a small simple ceremony, with yummy desserts afterward. It was very nice. Congratulations Dawn and Paul!

After the wedding, most of us went to Dave and Felicia's house for some Rock Band, board games, and more food! We had a lots of fun and played until almost 2 am.

After such a late night, we all slept in New Year's Day! Later we went to the mall for some lunch and shopping. We also met up with my sister, Kristin, and her husband, Taylor, since it was her birthday. Happy Birthday Kristin!

Temple Lights

We finally made it to the temple lights for FHE after Christmas. We were glad we waited since it had been so cold and finally warmed up. We actually ran into a friend of mine from high school. It was funny, as soon as we said Hi, our husbands started talking 'cause they knew each other! Turns out they work together at Schimdt Westergard. What a small world!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas...

On Christmas Eve, Kenny worked part of the day, while I finished some last minute shopping, cleaning and preparations. Later I took the boys to my parents house for dinner and festivites, while Kenny stayed home to start playing Santa in the backyard while it was still warm and light out (building a new trampoline since our other one died on us). The idea was he would come over later on, but the enclosure took longer than expected because he was doing it by himself.

We had our family's traditional clam chowder, and quiche for dinner, then visited and played Ligretto while the kids played. My sister Chantelle and her family are in town from Tennessee so the boys had fun playing with their cousins they don't normal see. After delaying for an extra hour we left and took food home for Kenny. Because it was dark, and we closed the blinds over the back door, they couldn't see the fun in the backyard.




At home we did our own Christmas Eve FHE and let the kids open our traditional Christams PJs then watched the Luke 2 movie on DVD while drinking Hot Chocolate and eating cookies. Afterward, the kids went to bed abot 9:00 while we cleaned the kitchen and house until we knew they were asleep. Then we had LOTs of wrapping to do since I hadn't wrapped anything yet. Kenny actually did most of the wrapping this year while I gathered all the hidden bags of toys, and sorted piles per person, then filled stockings. We were finished by 11 and, after making a Santa delivery from our garage to the Lambs, were in bed by midnight - exhausted!




Christmas morning, the kids got up about 6:30 so we all got up to open presents. The boys were all pretty excited about all the gifts Santa brought. Unfortunatly, it rained during the night and was very cold, so they were unable to play on the trampoline.







Afterward, we always eat a big breakfast on our Christmas dishes from Old Grandma Crockett. The kids played with all thier toys, and Kenny and I each took naps. Later, we went back to my parents for Christmas dinner. The kids all played, mostly with the melting beads of Caity's. The adults played more Ligretto and visited. It was a wonderfully relaxing day spent with our family!

Christmas Parties and Santa Claus

On Saturday we had the day of Christmas Parties!

First we had our Ward Christmas Party, a pancake breakfast with Santa Claus. The kids ate quickly and were off to play with their friends until Santa came in.

This was the only time we saw Santa this year, so we weren't sure how Brayden would do. Turns out, he thought he was very interesting with all the hair and fur. Not at all scared.

Mckay was very thoughtful about what he wanted to ask Santa for. He wasn't sure if he should ask for several things, or just one special thing. He decided on a Cars Mega blocks set.

For 10 years, we have managed to keep the tradition of Santa alive, every year as the boys have gotten older we have wondered if this would be the last. This year, Santa is out of the bag, both Tyler and Ryan are in the know. Last year, I overheard them discussing ways to prove Santa was real to the kids on the bus. This year, when I believed Tyler was catching on, I pulled him aside and asked him what he thought about Santa. With a smile, he said he thought Mom and Dad were Santa. I told him I thought he was right, but nothing has changed, Christmas would be the same. I asked him not to say anything to the other kids. I explained to him it was like at Disneyland when they see Mickey Mouse and the other characters, they don't know it is a person in a costume and they really believe it's them. They get so excited, and it makes it so much fun. I told him that was why parents tell kids about Santa, it makes it more fun. He agreed, and promised not to say anything, but told me he believed Ryan already knew also. When I pulled Ryan aside, he right away told me he already knew about Santa and he wouldn't tell anyone, then ran out the door to play. (SO RYAN!) So, even though both boys are in the know, they are willing to play along.

Next we had our Crockett Family Christmas Party at Megan's. We got Danny and Gwen on web cam and had lunch then our gift exchange. We all had a lot of fun playing and visiting, but somehow, not one picture was taken.

Finally, Megan watched the boys while Kenny and I went to the Bishopric Christmas Party. We ate dinner and played games and visited. Again, no pictures.