The Warren Piece

Merry Christmas from the Warren's

2010-12-17T14:18:00.000-08:00

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Love, The Warren's

Halloween 2010

2010-11-30T13:13:00.001-08:00

Halloween 2010 was another sucessful year of candy gathering with the Warren's. We hit the Trunk or Treat at church and with 4 wards participating it was a great time. Abby dressed up in my high school cheerleading uniform and kept reminding me how she is almost as tall as me. Lily was a witch and a very cute one I must say. Spencer made a great Indiana Jones and loved the whip. Sadie Jane......well Sadie at the last min. wanted to wear last years Cinderella costume. I do have a picture of her in the fairy costume we bought for this year. Good thing 3 year olds have lots of Halloween events to wear their costumes to, no really she had to dress up 4 different times that week. She was in heaven.

Back to School Dinner

2010-10-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

Our annual Back to School Dinner was a enjoyed by all. We had the traditional Chicken Bakes, but this year switched out green beans for corn on the cob and the critics cheered. We drank sparkling cherry 7-up from our Fancy Nancy glasses and ate by candle light. Shaun and I were impressed at how reverently the kids sat as they all got Father's blessing for the new school year. Even Sadie Jane was excited and wanted to have her turn getting a blessing. I think they were just feeling extra mature after our special dinner. ;) The kids really love this tradition and we enjoy celebrating their sucess as they progress in school.

Sadie Jane's a Big Pre-schooler now!

2010-09-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little Sadie Jane began pre-school this fall. Nothing too intense, but goes to pre-school with her friends from church for 3 hours a week. She loves feeling like she is one of the "big" kids now and I'm amazed at how much I can accomplish when I have 3 solid hours alone! That being said I'm not wishing away my last few years with a little one at home during the day.

Sadie Jane is becoming such a spunky little girl. She can run amazingly fast for her age which is due, I'm sure, to the years she has spent trying to keep up with her big brother and sisters. She loves to use all kinds of big words like: absolutely, actually, and incredible. Shaun and I just adore her and sometimes do a double take because of how much she looks like Abby, and how much she acts like Lily. Below is the sequence of pictures I took as I tried to get one traditional "Back to School" picture of Sadie Jane.

First Day of School 2010-2011

2010-09-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

OK.....here we go. An update finally. Shaun asked me the other day if it was time for my yearly blog post. Ha ha, point well taken. So with out further ado here are our kids as they began their 2010-2011 school year.

Abby 5th grade

Lily 2nd grade

Spencer 1st grade

First Day of School 2009-2010

2009-09-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of the kids on their first day of school for the 2009-2010 school year. Isn't it funny how happy and excited everyone is on the first day back. So many new things..... new teachers, new clothes, new crayons. I just hope the new doesn't wear off to soon!

Back to School Traditions

2009-09-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

Here we are beginning a new school year. I can't believe that this year 3 of our babies will go to school. I have dreamed of the day my house would be less crazy and of all the things that I would accomplish while my children were at school and now as that time gets nearer I'm sad for all the time they are away. Isn't that just how life goes? You never appreciate what you have til it's gone. Luckily I still have Sadie Jane to kiss and cuddle and keep me busy.

The night before the first day of school we had everyone's favorite dinner (chicken bakes, grapes, green beans (not everyone's favorite) and last but not least Kool-Aid). The kids then got Father's Blessings for the new school year. A new school year celebration!!!!

She thinks my tractor's sexy!!

2009-07-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

We spent last weekend at my parent's house so that we could attend the annual Rimmer reunion with 5 generations of Rimmer's coming together in Arkansas. Hay season is in full swing on the farm and Shaun took the chance to play with "big boy toys" as he called them, and raked hay for my Dad.

Spencer's New Do

2009-07-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

This week I gave Spencer a buzz. It has been over a 100 degrees for a while now (unseasonably hot and humid) and he is always so sweaty that I thought it would be a good time to give his head a little break from the mini fro he normally sports. He was so cute when he went into the bathroom to see his new hair cut in the mirror. He grabbed his head and yelled, "WHAT??" After the initial shock wore off he really liked his new do. Especially the next morning when I informed him that we didn't need to wet, gel, and comb his head full of hair.

Happy Birthday Abby!!

2009-07-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

Abby had her last single digit birthday this year. Yes our sweet little Abby is now 9 and as lovely as ever with her beautiful blue eyes, perfectly sun kissed hair and darling freckled nose!! We had fun singing Happy Birthday and eating a cake that Abby designed and decorated herself. She got a set of scriptures and a pocket sized hymn book from Mom and Dad, a scripture case and great scripture stickers from Grandma and Grandpa, a new game for her Digi from Nanna and Poppa, and a subscription to American Girl Magazine from Uncle Shad and Aunt Corie. She said it was the best birthday ever!

That's a Wrap!!

2009-07-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

OK, so here we are at the end of another school year and I'm saying WOW that went fast! The end of the year is always fun with parties, graduations, programs, field days, award ceremonies, and the mixed emotions of happiness for summer break/ sadness of missing the daily interaction of school friends. Here are a few of the pictures I took over the last few weeks of school. I always wish I would have taken more but when I'm in the moment my hands are full (yes, even if you don't see Sadie Jane in the pictures she was there and making it a little tricky to get good shots) and I have to tell myself "next time".

Spencer graduated from Preschool!! He really enjoyed his two days a week with Ms. Catherine and Ms. Renna this year, but he is so excited to be in Kindergarten next year. Spencer is such a smart little boy and he has such a kind heart. He will do great! The other day he was sitting on my lap cuddling with me and I told him someday he would grow into a man and be to big to sit on my lap and cuddle and that I would be very sad. He told me to not worry because he would just sit beside me instead. Ohhh how I love that little guy!!

Lily had a wonderful Kindergarten year and we just loved her teacher, Mrs. Jenkins. At the beginning of the year, I wondered what Lily would be like in a classroom all day long, 5 days a week. She has the personality of a kitten, sweet and irresistibly cute, but watch out if she gets the claws out!! Turns out she is a great leader. In the mock presidential election she won and became president of her class and at the end of the year received the "Life Saver" award as her teacher teared up saying that she was very dependable and responsible. I was so proud and hope she can always steer her strong spirit in the right direction.

Abby had a very exciting 3rd grade year! She mastered her multiplication facts, learned to write in cursive, and read countless books! She is growing into a young lady and we are in awe! Abby adored her teacher whose name was also Abby, but known around our house and Mrs. Sandoval. We really were lucky to get Mrs. Sandoval. Abby thrived in her classroom and with the school change Mrs. Sandoval helped smooth the transition. We were so proud of Abby when she got a commended score on both her Reading and Math TAKS test. YEA ABBY!!!

Bad hair day

2009-05-18T17:23:00.001-07:00

WOW! That is some crazy hair.

It's not easy being green.....

2009-05-18T17:09:00.001-07:00

A few nights ago I went up to check on Spencer before I went to bed and had to get the camera to take a picture of what I found. I couldn't help but think that before I know it Spencer will be too grown up and I will long to find him in his bed cuddled up to Froggy with a picture book half read. Spencer loves Froggy and I love how Froggy looks so happy to have Spencer using him as a pillow. A Toy Story moment!

So blessed!

2009-05-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

So here I am, 30 years old. I'm not sure I ever imagined that I could actually be 30 and I definitely couldn't imagine what my life would be like at 30, but my Dad likes to say the only way to not get old is to die young so I'll have to say I'm 30 and loving it!!! I could have never imagined what a great life I would have at 30. That I would have 4 absolutely adorable children and a wonderful husband who makes it possible for me to stay home with them and soak in all of the joy and frustration that they dish out. I can't believe that at 19 I was smart enough to snag a great guy like Shaun.

On my birthday I spent the day doing the same ol' same ol'. Driving carpools, running errands, cleaning, mediating arguments, attending school events, homework, and last but not least trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I received calls and flowers from family and friends wishing me happy birthday as I went about my busy (and some what frustrating) day and it was nice to know that I was loved and thought of, but my favorite part of the day was when Shaun helped the kids surprise me with a cake (cheesecake) and flowers. After having to make a mad dash to the grocery store for last min. dinner ingredients (with all four kids in tow, so it wasn't much of a dash) I came home to find Shaun home early with everything set up and roses for each of the kids to give me. The excitement in their eyes was heart warming. They sang a great happy birthday and smothered me with hugs and kisses. Right then I felt paid in full for the days work and very thankful for the life I have been given. Shaun had lined up a babysitter (without me knowing impressive) so we headed out for dinner at Chipotle and to see a movie. Maybe 30 won't be so bad after all!!

Spring Break in Arkansas

2009-03-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Abby and Lily spent their Spring Break in Arkansas with Nanna and Poppa. They had a week full of fun! Lots of trips to the small town grocery store (Thunderbirds) for treats with Poppa and lunch dates to Joe's Pizza with Nanna. The girls loved riding 4-wheelers around the farm and having big girl time to scrapbook and get pedicures.

They made a trip to Wye Mountain for the daffodil festival. Little cousin, Maya, shared the day and made all the pictures even cuter. They were able to bring home bulbs to plant here to remember the day.

Poppa got new German Shorthair puppies to train to hunt birds and the girls were thrilled to get to go with Poppa to pick up the puppies and spend the week welcoming them to their new home. Abby and Lily named the new arrivals, Dot and Spot. The puppies fell in love with the girls and the girls enjoyed spoiling them. I'm sure Dot and Spot won't get Poppa to run in circles in the field with them anytime soon.

Lily tried to give Dot and Spot instruction on how to point a bird, but it always ended in a wrestling match.

On Saturday it rained, so they loaded up and went to town to spend some time at the Bowling Alley. This was the first time the girls have been bowling since they have gotten big enough to carry their own balls, and Nanna said they did great! Lily thought the shoes were silly.

Definitely a Spring Break to remember! Thanks Nanna and Poppa.

Really??

2009-03-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

I know! When Shaun and I were driving down to San Antonio last month we came up behind this car, and as we got closer I couldn't believe my eyes. The 4-wheeler was tied down to the top of the car! We discussed how the guy got the 4-wheeler up there (there was a spoiler on the trunk and the hood seemed to be in good condition) and the only conclusion we could come to is he either had a fork lift or he (with help) lifted it up there(he was a REALLY big guy). Any other ideas?? I'm glad we were able to snap a picture because it's hard to believe you could get a 4-wheeler on top of a car. Is that even legal?

Big Brother/Little Sister

2009-03-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

Spencer and Sadie Jane are so cute together! Sadie Jane just adores her big brother and thinks he is the coolest. She is always game to go along with what ever wild idea Spencer has. Here are a few pictures of the two of them playing.

I heard whispering coming out of the TV cabinet and opened the door to these little grins. Spencer was reading Sadie the Book of Mormon, and she was just sitting there loving every second.

They spent an hour stacking and "crashing" pudding cups. You gotta love it when they have a playroom full of wonderful toys and they are playing with everyday stuff!

Because I have a Sister, I always have a Friend!!

2009-03-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

So last week was my little sister Melissa's birthday. I wished so bad that I could take the day off and hop in the car and drive up to see her, sing her my very best Happy Birthday, and then take her to lunch. I was even more desperate when I found out Mom had a lunch date planned for Lis's birthday. I feel so close, yet so far away. Enough of my day dreaming of lazy days spent

hanging out with Lis (and all 5 of our kids, which wouldn't end up being a lazy day at all, but still lots of fun) and more about all the reasons I love having a great little sister.

Lis and I are as different as day and night. She is blond with blue eyes, I'm a brunette with brown eyes. She's an apple, I'm a pear. She has a laid back attitude, I need everything to be rigidly planned out. You would never know we were sisters if you saw us walking down the street, but she is one of my very best friends. She is a great listener and always on my side (I especially love that about her). I can always count on laughing when we're together. I love that we are now at a similar time in life and can talk about our days and laugh.

I moved to BYU when Lis was barely 14 and missed all of her teen years. I was thrilled when she made the decision to attend USU after high school and only be a few hours away. I LOVED the few occasions she needed a place to live between apartments or for the summer and I could talk her into staying with us. There were many times when I tried to reason with her on how much money she could save if she transferred to BYU and lived with us. Never talked her into moving in.

Lis has always been a wonderful Aunt to my kids. When she lived in Provo, after finishing school at USU, she would come over every week and give Shaun and I a chance to go on a date. When Aunt Lis came over it was the highlight of the week for our kids, and it was such a blessing to be able to get out of the house and know that our very young kids were happy and safe. Lis is now a wonderful mom to my darling niece, Maya. Maya, is a very lucky girl.

Lis, love you! Happy Birthday!

Aunt Lis and little Abby

Lis cuddling with Lily

Lis welcoming baby Spencer to the world

Abby visiting Lis at USU

Mr. Barrios and his soon to me Mrs.

Making Valentines!

2009-02-24T05:29:00.000-08:00

This year we made cute little sucker Valentines (I'm a sucker for you, Valentine!) for the kids to pass out at their class parties. The kids ate a sucker while working on their cards. We kept it simple and good thing because as soon as Spencer and Lily finished eating their suckers and writing their names they bailed on me. They didn't last long tying all the cards to the suckers. Abby and I ended up putting together the Valentines by ourselves. Abby is growing up so fast. She is so helpful and fun to work with. I can seen many years of projects ahead of us!! I'm a lucky mom and I hope my kids will always enjoy hanging out around the kitchen table with me.

A little get-a-way.........

2009-02-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, Shaun and I went to San Antonio for the weekend. It was so nice to have time together and remember how much we enjoy just hanging out. In everyday life we very rarely find time to eat a meal (alone and uninterrupted) together or have more than a debriefing of the current home/family issues. We love our lives, but with the kids, church callings, work, and a few other extracurriculars, we are running most of the time. What a blessing a weekend away is!!! We enjoyed just sitting and talking about all that has been on our minds lately and about all our hopes and dreams for our young family. San Antonio is a beautiful city with lots of charm. A special thanks to Nanna and Poppa for spending their Valentine's weekend with our 4 sweethearts. You can't imagine what that meant to us.

You can't visit San Antonio without seeing the Alamo.

In downtown San Antonio there is a huge Mercado. Sifting through all the imported goods from Mexico was a little flashback of our honeymoon.

The Riverwalk was amazing. The atmosphere was so relaxed and fun. We took a boat ride on the 3 miles of the river that winds through the city. I think Shaun and I would agree that the 200 year old trees growing all around the river were the stars of the show.

On our last night in San Antonio we ate at Casa Rio, the oldest restaurant on the Riverwalk. It was great to eat out on the Riverwalk. We felt like we were a world away from our everyday life. A true vacation!

Maya Baby

2009-02-10T16:20:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Maya Baby! I love you so much and feel blessed to be your Auntie Ang. Hope your year is full of hugs, kisses, and fun!

Our Little Texas Tornado

2009-02-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

Sadie is quickly transitioning into the "terrible two's" and I'm going crazy!! She is seriously getting harder by the minute to keep up with and can destroy a room in seconds. Shaun has nicknamed her our little Texas tornado. Lily was at this stage when the gulf was pounded in 2005 with all the hurricanes and he nicknamed her Hurricane Lily. I guess crazy 2 year olds (or nearly 2 year olds) remind us of mini natural disasters. Good thing Sadie Jane is so cute, it helps me laugh through my tears.

Sadie Jane had just rearranged all the plastic ware to make room for herself during a game of Hide and Go Seek.

You can't tell by this picture but Sadie Jane can really go to town on the spring horse. She really loves it when we sing Yankee Doodle while she rides. Hopefully this helps to burn some of her excess energy.

We love our Aunt Corie!

2009-01-27T17:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Corie!! January 28th is a very special day for the Warren Family. Dee's birthday, Corie's birthday and mine and Shaun's anniversary are all on the same day! Corie we are so happy Shad married you and gave us the most wonderful sister-in-law ever! It's been fun to have babies so close together, commiserate about the hard times of parenthood, and see our kids enjoy their cousins. You are such a fun aunt and always willing to take the time to make my kids feel so special and they know they are loved by you! I can never live up to your mani-pedi's or your glamorous photo shoots. You are so good at using all your fabulous talents in making a wonderful home and life for your family. Caleb and Janie (and Shad, too) are blessed to have you! We love you more than you know and miss you tons! Here is Corie...........

Halloween with Janie.

Washington D.C. with Abby.

Corie meeting Sadie Jane.

I love this picture! Corie is a dental hygienist and the tooth authority in our house according to my kids. Abby had her 1st loose tooth and she would not let me touch it, BUT when Aunt Corie wanted to try she said OK and without any drama had Abby's tooth out in a snap! Definitely the hero that week!

When we told the family Abby would be a "big sister".

Abby and Aunt Corie creating a sidewalk chalk birthday cake for Abby's 3rd birthday.

Corie and Lily at the Cabin.

Corie having fun at the Dallas Zoo.

10 wonderful years!!

2009-01-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary! I can't believe it has been 10 years. I guess the old saying is true....time flies when you're having fun. We have been blessed in so many ways and for that I'm so grateful. We have done so much together in the last 10 years. We have had 4 jobs, 4 houses, lived in 4 different cities, and had 4 adorable kids. Not to mention Shaun completing his MBA and me re-learning how to manage all that comes with a home and kids each time a new baby came. I can't think of a person I would rather be on this journey with! Love you Shaun!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2009-01-26T18:41:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about having a blog is that I can publicly say how much I love my family, and today I want to say happy birthday and I love you to my father-in-law, Dee. My father-in-law is a great guy with many talents and one of them is winning the hearts of all who come to know him. He is patient, kind, and soft spoken. He (along with lots of help from Marcene) raised great boys and for that I'm eternally grateful. Dee taught Shaun so many of the things that I love most about my husband; a great work ethic, loyalty, and responsibility. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my kids with Grandpa Dee.

Grandpa and Abby in Washington, D.C.

Abby & Lily with a darling doll house bookshelf Grandpa made for them.

Grandpa and baby Lily at the Cabin.

Grandpa saying Hello to Spencer Dee.

Grandpa and new little Sadie Jane.

Sadie Jane and Janie watching a movie with Grandpa.

Happy Birthday Nanna!!

2009-01-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

So for 11 years while I lived in Utah I would ask my mom, "Is there anything you would particularly like for you birthday?" and every year she would answer, "I just want you here." And of course a plane ticket was a little out of the budget so this year I thought for her birthday we would suprise her (since going to see her no longer requires a plane ticket) and show up at her house for her birthday, and she was so surprised!

Dad and Lis helped us keep the arrival time open and top seceret. We had a great weekend with our wonderful Nanna. On Saturday, Lis and I took Mom for a girls day out and got pedicures and lunch while Poppa, Shaun, and Eliseo played with the kids. Later that night, Oma & Opa treated us all to dinner at our favortie Mexican place, La Rosita's, and we enjoyed having a big table full of family! On Sunday, we made Cafe Rio Salad and birthday cake to celebrate and sing a grand "Happy Birthday" to our Nanna.

Mom, I love you! You are the best and I've learned so much from you. You inspire me to learn new things and never be afraid to try. Thanks for all the sacrifices you have made and continue to make for me and my family! I only now, as a mom, realize all that you gave to me growing up. Thank you , thank you, thank you!

Smarty Pants

2009-01-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

Spencer started pre-school this week, and he is the happiest kid on earth! I know I'm a little behind in getting him into a pre-school but to make a long story short between the move and changing our minds about sending him to Kindergarten next year (he has an August birthday and originally we were going to wait a year to put him in school) I just wasn't sure what would work. There was an opening at a school were several little boys in our Ward go and their moms loved the school, so it seemed the perfect fit and we signed up.

Spence got to get a new backpack and this is what he chose! It's really fun to get to see all that comes with having a boy. I usually ask the kids to look through hand-me-down backpacks to see if they find something they like but I just didn't think Shaun would go for Spencer using a Hello Kitty or purple butterfly back pack! Do you think you can get beat up for that kinda stuff in pre-school???

Spencer's class was upstairs and he felt so big walking up to his class. The school is really big for a pre-school and has separate teachers for PE, music, library, and Spanish. He loves that he gets to take his lunch to school like Abby and Lily. We visited the school mid December to check it out and get him registered and since then he has been counting the days until Christmas break was over. On the way to school he said, " I can't believe it's actually here, my very first day of school." He was so sincerely happy! He is such a great kid, and I'm sad to that I'm going to have to share my days with him with the schools he'll be going to for the next 13+ years. Makes me think of the little saying that motherhood is the only occupation were the goal is to work yourself out of a job. OXOXOX to my little Smarty Pants!!

A New Year with new accomplishments!

2009-01-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce that we have a new bike rider in the family! Lily has taken her training wheels off and is riding like a pro.

Here is Lily cruisin' around the cul-de-sac. She did so many circles I'm not sure that she didn't get dizzy. The weather has been beautiful and we are loving the time outside to burn a little extra energy.

We have a great walking path that runs through our neighborhood and goes right by our house. The kids like to use the path the speed down on their bikes. Lily is taking her first solo ride down the trail.

Lily and Shaun coming home from a ride on the trail. This is the back of our house. We love looking out to the green belt and walking path.

Way to go Lily!!!

A Visit with Santa

2008-12-29T08:21:00.000-08:00

The kids went to see Santa at the mall and tell him what they were wishing for this Christmas. Everyone was excited as we stood in the long line to get our turn with Santa. Even Sadie Jane was waving and blowing kisses, well that is until we plopped her down in Santa's lap. Sadie Jane wasn't so sure she liked sitting on Santa's lap. Santa was so sweet and listened patiently to the kids wishes. I love how each of our kids have a picture of them as a baby crying on Santa's lap! A right of passage,I guess.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

Here is the official Christmas 2008 picture.

This year the kids were very cooperative and I just love how the picture turned out. In years past we haven't had such a good experience! Having 4 babies in 7 years is lots of fun but it doesn't always make for a good picture taking experience. We feel very blessed this Christmas to have wonderful, happy, healthy, and extremely lovable kids. It's so fun to see them grow and learn and so sad to know the time is passing too fast. Which brings to mind another thing I'm thankful for! Lots of pictures and home videos, so I will be able to look back and remember just how darling they were!

Family Reunion

2008-12-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

I know I'm running behind on my post but I didn't want to let this great time slip by with out blogging about all the fun we had when Shaun's family came to visit. We loved seeing lots of new parts of Dallas that we hadn't visited before and most of all we loved just hanging out and letting the kids play and play. We are hoping it won't be long before they come back!!!

We took a trek over to Ft. Worth to visit the historic stockyards and enjoyed eating BBQ and having a rodeo clown make us a set of Texas longhorns.

Shaun, Shad, and Corie took a little ride on a mechanical bull after lunch. I'll have to say that Corie won the event. I always knew Corie was a cowgirl at heart!

I don't know who this guy is but it was really fun to see them saddle up a longhorn. They also have a cattle drive down the middle of the stock yard several times a day. We felt like we were back in the Wild West.

Dallas World Aquarium was great! You start at the top of the building in the tops of the tree of a rain forest with beautiful birds, monkeys, and sloths then slowly wind your way down into the deep ocean with all kinds of fish, sharks and even a manatee. We loved seeing the river otters swim super fast and the manatee cuddle with the man cleaning the glass on the tank.

Thanks to all the Warren's for a great family reunion! We can't wait to do it again! Love you!!

Election Day at the Warren's

2008-11-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

I love voting! I can still remember the first time I voted. It wasn't a presidential election year and I didn't know much about the city or the candidates because I had just moved to Utah to go to BYU, BUT I did find a candidate who was running for city council that spoke about an issue that mattered to me. At BYU,parking is an never ending problem. On campus you have to park in very specific lots. That is to be expected. The irritating part for me was that the apartment complexes cram so many students into these units that it is very difficult to provide enough parking. And if by chance, you actually wanted to visit someone in another complex, you can not park in their parking lot. You have to park out on the street and "hike" to the apartment. In a Utah winter that is such a pain. Long story, shorter! I got towed from a friends lot late one night and when I went to the impound lot to get my car they informed me they only took cash. WHAT!!! It was very late (or extremely early depending on how you looked at it) and I didn't have a bank account in Utah thus a trip to an ATM would have been expensive to a college student, so my friend took me from 7-Eleven to 7-Eleven cashing checks until I had enough to get my car back. So when a fellow BYU student announced he was running for city council, and promised to change the way these towing companies took payment for impounded cars, I was very excited. He got close to winning and made the current council take notice of the problem. The city began requiring towing companies take a credit card payment. It was a great lesson for me how government can effect even the smallest issues.

Lily too has been bittin' by the voting bug. Her Kindergarten class had a little mock election for class president to get an idea of how the process works. Lily won the primary election along with 2 other classmates. She had to prepare answers for questions that "concerned" her classmates. Here are the too funny questions and her VERY serious answers.......

1. What rules will you make?

Lily answered, "That the teacher is in charge. Don't be mean."

2. When someone gets hurt how will you take care of them?

Lily answered, "I will help them up and help them get to the teacher and she will help them get to the nurse."

3. Will you let us eat snack and get drinks? Why or Why not?

Lily answered," YES! If you are good you can get snack, if you're not good, NO! It depends on your attitude." Yep, her exact words. I think she's heard that before.=)

4. Will you let us go to centers? Why or why not?

Lily answered, "If you do your work you can go to centers"

I had to go into Lily's class yesterday afternoon to talk to her teacher and Lily proudly told me she won the class election. She was walking a foot off the ground. Her teacher then told me about the class discussion that had happened earlier yesterday. Mrs. J was showing the kids pictures of the candidates and telling a little about their families, nothing political, and one of the kids spoke up and said, "My daddy said he is not voting for the baby killer." Mrs. J said she ended the discussion after that comment. Kids are great! I then quizzed Lily on what else was said and she said "the smartest boy in the class" said that guy will steal our money. Too funny what kids pick up out of things they hear. The PTA also held mock elections for president at the school and McCain won. Lily was wanting to see who won the real Presidential Election when she came home from school yesterday, and when I told her we wouldn't know til tomorrow morning she was disappointed, and then this morning when she asked who won and I told her, she fought off tears! I tried to explain that it was OK and that Obama would be a good president and nothing in her life will change. Then she said she was just mad that her guy didn't win. If Lily is anything, it is passionate!!!

This is a funny comic that a friend sent me. Seems to fit in my life at the moment. Kids, Halloween, and politics!!!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-11-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!
Wow! What a crazy fun day! Our week was full of Halloween activities and parties. Abby had an Achievement Days party, Spencer had a playgroup party, Abby and Lily had school parties, we had the ward trunk or treat, and to top it all off we had our good friends over to trick or treat with us, eat dinner, and hang out! Whew! I was very grateful our costumes held up, everyone stayed happy (well most of the time), and the weather was wonderful.

Spencer and his friend Garette
both dressed up as pirates. It was
so funny to see them give their best
pirate faces. My friend Angie and I
teased that they looked like a East
Coast and a West Coast Pirate.

Cousin' lovin'

2008-11-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Nanna, Poppa, Aunt Lis, Uncle Eliseo and sweet baby Maya surprised us with a weekend trip down to visit. We had fun seeing our darling little "chunky monkey" army crawling all around. Maya and Sadie Jane have already become BFF's!!

My sister's keeper

2008-10-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

I just love when my kids enjoy each other! Sadie Jane and Spencer are beginning to learn how to play together now that Abby and Lily have gone back to school, and there are no big sisters to keep the peace. Spencer and Sadie Jane's play time doesn't always go so smoothly. The big brother in Spencer just can't help the teasing and chasing, and the little sister in Sadie Jane just can't help the squealing and crying.

That is why I ran for the camera when I found them sitting on the stairs so sweetly. They really are a perfect pair. Sadie Jane loves to be read to and Spencer loves to read, but the debate is still on as to who gets to hold the book!!!!!

Our little pumpkins!

2008-10-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

So here is a confession that won't win me the mom of the year award. I really hate carving pumpkins with young kids! I don't like the mess or that I have to help everyone with everything. Carving pumpkins doesn't seem like a family activity, it just seems like everyone is waiting for Mom or Dad to "fix" their pumpkin. I'm sure when the kids are a little older we will enjoy seeing their creativity but for now that's why we bought stick ins to decorate our pumpkins. This year we upgraded from our old wooden pieces to new Mr. Potato Head sets. Our little pumpkins loved them and were able to do most of the decorating themselves. It was a great FAMILY ACTIVITY!

Abby's Baptism

2008-10-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share these pictures of Abby's baptism. Abby was baptised in Arkansas (while we were visiting her Nanna and Poppa) this summer by her Dad. It was a very special day and we were so proud of her and love that she is trying to do what is right. Abby's Great-grandfather was there and participated in her confirmation. Time has gone so fast. It seems that Shaun and I were just bringing Abby home from the hospital and asking, "So what do we do now?"

Hey good lookin'

2008-10-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

The first day of school pictures are always fun. The girls were very excited see their new school and meet their new teachers. Abby is in 3rd grade this year and Lily's in Kindergarten. Kindergarten is a full day in Texas (opposed to the 1/2 day kindergarten program in Utah) and I wondered how Lily would do, but she has done great. She even has engry to burn when she gets home. I've been really happy with the school here. The schools are beautiful and have lots of extras. For example, the 4th graders broadcast a short news report from the Library, to all the classrooms, every morning, which the teachers receive on their laptops and project onto a screen for the kids to see. Lily loves the sign off of "Have a great wolf day!" (then a nice long wolf howl =) I'm hoping with 4 kids we will get our money's worth because property taxes are unbelievable here. The girls have made friends and love their teachers. I signed up for the PTA and I'm in charge of the Holiday Store. I had never heard of this position before but it is a very common PTA activity here. Holiday store runs the first week of December to let the kids Christmas shop for their parents. I'll let you know how that goes. It's bitter sweet to see my kids grow up and go to school. I miss them as babies but really enjoy the young women they are becoming.

Home Sweet Home

2008-10-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the new Warren Family home. We bought a house is Sachse, TX which is a small suburb about 30 mins north of Dallas. We are almost unpacked (thanks to a lot of help from Nanna & Poppa) and we are all finding things we like about the house (we really miss our old house and all the neighbors we left in Utah, so we will try to focus on the positive :) I love the bigger kitchen and that the elementary is so close the kids can walk to and from school (a true blessing because school starts at 7:30!!!!!) Shaun loves the small yard and decreased mowing time. The picture is deceiving because the backyard is so small he can hardly turn his push mower around! Abby and Lily love the neighborhood pool. Spencer loves his new friends Garrett and Kade. Sadie can't tell us what she loves yet, but I would guess she would say that she loves the door knobs in our new house. Let me explain. We have lever handles and she can open all doors including the pantry, the bathrooms, and the doors to the garage and patio. She is like a little tornado moving from one room to another letting herself in or out and leaving only destruction in her wake! I've never had a child be able to open doors at 16 months and it is definitely adding to the chaos of a busy house. All in all, we know the most important thing about a house is that it holds our young family close and safe, and gives us a place to love and teach them. We are truely blessed by our Heavenly Father to have each other.

Moving to the Big D!

2008-10-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

Well it all began back in December 2007 when Shaun applied for a position with the FDIC (a bank examiner position, the same work he did for the State of Utah, the only difference is the FDIC is the federal level) and after many months of doing the hurry up and wait game we found out that we had 2 months to sell our house and move to Dallas. Shaun began work on July 7th and lucky for us the FDIC provided a moving company. We can't imagine how we would have lived through the move without the help of movers!!!
The kids really loved the big truck that came to take our things to Dallas, and Grandma and Grandpa were great to keep the kids busy and out from under foot while we loaded everything up.
There where many "pull your hair out" moments and we got lots of "your out of your mind" looks as we took 2 different flights with enough luggage to last us until we bought a house, with our 4 kids under the age of 8, BUT we love our family and we made lots of fun memories!

Here we go!!!

2008-09-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm really excited!! I've wanted to start a blog for so long and I'm biting the bullet even though I don't really have much extra time. I can't wait to share all of our crazy fun life. So here's to my first post! Hopefully the first of many!!