The Philips Family

Donald (Donny) Edwin joined our family on Dec 24, 2002 at 8:04 in the morning. He has brought to our family creativity, love, and an intense and unmatched love for all things shark. By the time he was three, he could identify over 30 species of sharks by sight. He is an amazing big brother "Big Big", and loves his younger siblings. I cannot imagine my life without him, and thank the Lord often for the joy in raising such a choice spirit. Donny, I love you so much. Thank you for choosing me to be your mom! First bday. Naughty, naughty. Second bday Third bday Fourth bday Fifth bday At almost 6. Seventh bday Eighth bday We love you so much Donny. Happy Birthday!

I thought I had gotten away with no trips to see Santa this year until Bree asked about it a couple days ago. I then went to the Mall's website to see when I could take the kids for the ever pleasant hour long wait to see a semisweet old guy, who will tell my kids that they can have the $250 lego set if they were good this year. Dec 23 from 12-3 &4-9 were the times we had to choose from, because you know there is no way that I am taking them out on Christmas Eve. I decided the earlier, the better. So I set out with five kids in tow (I had McKenna today) to see Santa. Clearly, Mallory loves Santa. Poor guy, I am just glad she didn't hit him hard enough to make his heart stop. Can you imagine how that would ruin Christmas for all the kids in line behind us? David was so starstruck, he could hardly speak to Mr. Claus. Oh, if I could have only stayed for a couple more hours to give my tired holiday ears a break. Bree asked for something that she is NOT going to get. Bu...

Sometimes...less is more.

I don't know how the pic of her with Grandma and Papper didn't make it in, I could have sworn I clicked on it. Anyway, I wanted to make sure it made it in.

On December 18, 2009 Mallory Jade joined our family, weighing in at 5lbs 9 oz and exactly 5 weeks early. Our tiny bundle has brought our family immeasurable joy. She is now almost 20 lbs, can walk about 7 steps at a time, and LOVES the lid drawer in the kitchen. Here are some pictures of our first year with her.

I thought I would post this story for those of you who missed it three years ago. Has anybody ever wondered how far a gallon of milk would go if propelled in the house by a five year old? Well, neither had I, but today I found out. First, the breaking point is on the side around the circle indent. This is where the flood started. The actual jug did not go far, but oh how the milk did. One inch of milk ALL OVER th ekitchen floor! And for the record, a 31 year old medium build woman WILL slip and fall flat on her butt, sending a geyser of milk (from the jug which she had secured about 5 seconds earlier, saving about 1/3 of the milk) about five feet in the air. (Yes, I was covered in milk. Who knew milk worked just like hairspray when poured into human hair? Good information to have if you ever run out of hairspray.) This will make the baby scream, sending a friend running to see what terrible tragedy had just occured. Which in return, will send the friend home to fetch her mop ...

On our way home from Salmon, we hit quite a bit of ice. Pretty crappy road conditions, if you ask me. Ed on the other hand thinks if you can see beyond your car the conditions are good. We debated this a bit, then I gave up. It took about 45 minutes extra to get to our first usual stop, Idaho Falls. I had decided that since the kids had been reasonably well behaved in the car, I would get them a Happy Meal. Inside the girls Happy Meal was a watch. The rest of the 3 1/2 hour trip went as follows: Bree-Mom, it's 1:55. (it was 36 minutes fast) Me-Thanks Bree. Bree-Now it's 1:56. Me-Thanks Bree. Bree-1:57. Me-Thanks Bree. Bree-1:58 Me-Thanks Bree. Bree-1:59 Me-Thanks Bree. Bree-Mom, you don't have to say thanks every time. Fast forward 56 miles, 1 hour and 39 minutes, and about 67 (I am NOT kidding!) updates. Bree-It's 3:38 Me-(nothing) Bree-It's 3:38 Me-(nothing still) Bree-Mo'om, it's 3:38. Me-Thanks Bree. Bree-You're welcome, Mama. Apparently I do need to...

I knew we would see lots of family on our trip to Salmon this week. I wrote myself a large note on my bathroom mirror so I would not forget my camera. I wanted to get pictures of cousins we rarely see and of the beautiful landscape. I failed to bring out my camera for everything but a sign on the bathroom door where we stayed. You see, I am about as crafty as a no handed bear on crack. I want something like this on the kids' bathroom door and knew the only way I would be able to remember it would be to take a picture of it. This was more important than any other picture on this trip apparently.

On November 18, my mother-in-law, Patricia Rae Somers Philips went home to our loving Heavenly Father. She LOVED babies. When we had a baby, she was always so anxious to hold him/her. Here are some pics. We will always love and remember her. I am not quite sure why there weren't any pictures taken of Grandma on this trip, but this is at her house.