Beating the Winter Time Blues

Kaleb and Karmindy Playing the xlyophone!

The winter hasn't been kind to me this year. In fact the snowy and hazy days have really gotten to me. I think I get seasonal depression during this time of year which makes for very long days. The sun rarely shines and when it does it is hazy. Blah! I like to blame my unproductive self on the weather. We as a family have done a lot of hibernating this year and haven't been up to too much, needless to say our little family blog has been sparse with new posts. At the end of January, one of my friends called me to see if the kids and I would like to accompany her and her daughter to Discovery Gateway in Downtown SLC. My kids and I love Discovery Gateway, so we jumped at the chance to tag along. My friend has a pass so it was nice because she was able to get us in free.

Kaleb the New's Anchor!

Karmindy the swan princess!

The kids had a really fun time playing with all the fun stations. The Market, Farm Country area and riding the dump trucks around were a favorite. My kids literal can spend the whole day in the farm area. I love that they love the great outdoors and I really think that stems from having a Grandpa that likes to raise chickens, and cows. Both Kaleb and Karmindy loved sitting on the life like horse, planting and collecting veggies and fruit from the garden and loading it into the make believe truck.

Kaleb enjoys the Market and being the Grocery Guru!

Kaleb shopping at the market looking for good deals!

Giddy Up Horsey!

Kaleb loading the veggies into the truck!

It was a nice little outing and it is really fun as a mom see their imaginations at work during our little excursion!

Dinosaur Museum

Mark had Martin Luther Kind day off this past Monday so we decided to do something fun as a family and get our rambunctious kids out of the house. January is not one of my favorite months living in Northern Utah. It is COLD, the inversion is YUCKY, and the snow ISN'T PRETTY anymore!

We have a season pass at Thanksgiving Point so we decided to head down to the Dinosaur Museum where walked around and let the kids look at all the cool Dinosaur exhibits. My kids love Dinosaurs and also love watching, "Dinosaur Train" on KBYU kids in the mornings, so this was a welcomed treat for them. It was so fun to spend time with the kids and watch them get so excited about looking at the Dinosaur bones! We asked Kaleb what his favorite dinosaur was after the outing was over and he said the T-Rex's. Karmindy's response, "Dinosaur Bones!"

After the museum we head over to JCW's Burger Joint for dinner. It was so nice to get out as a family!

The Dancing Queen was NOT meant to Be!

Two of my friends and I decided to enroll our girls in a little Dance Class called the Twinkle Toes at the Black Diamond Dance/Gymnastics Studio in South Jordan. I was so excited to get Karmindy into dance. She dances here at home but not on command. I didn't let this deter me from putting her in the class but it should have been my first indication that she might not be quite ready. Anyone that knows my daughter, knows she is a free spirit, feisty, spunky and has her own agenda! If you are not apart of her agenda then she won't give you the time of day. That is just who she is and she has been like this since birth! :D

My little Dancing Queen was NOT meant to be. When we first got to the studio we were greeted by the nice instructor. She took us back to the classroom and asked the girls to sit on circle plastic disks on the floor. Karmindy didn't want to have anything to do with it. As the class progressed things got continually worse. While the teacher was teaching, Karmindy was in "Butterfly Mode:" She busied herself with other things. She was collecting the plastic circles on the floor and took them over to the window, sat on the window sill staring out at what was going on outside and raced around the room. Whenever the teacher would ask her to join the other two girls, she would answer with a defiant "NO" and would lay on the floor and roll her eyes at the teacher! I was so humiliated! I know that she is a sassy 2 1/2 year old but she never acts like this at home. I am sure the instructor thought I was MOTHER OF THE YEAR!

After the class, we went into the Gymnastics room where the girls were encouraged to walk along the balance beam, jump on a trampoline and slide into a pit of square spongey cubes. As the girls were doing all this, Karmindy was running around checking out all the equipment and would have nothing to do with the teacher or the other two girls. She finally did like going down the slide into the pit but that only occupied her attention for a couple of tries. Then she was off running around the room again.

After we left the studio to go home, we went to go pick up Kaleb at School. As I was headed down the road I heard my tire blow. My tire must have been flat or gone flat while in the studio and while driving down the street to go pick up Kaleb it had blown. To make matters worse, I was late picking him up! I didn't know what to do. I ended up driving slowly on my flat tire the rest of the way to the school(maybe 1/2 mile). As I rolled into the parking lot, My tire and rim were smoking AND a little on fire! It was the icing on the cake! Teachers and parents were gawking at me wondering what the heck I was doing and who the nut was driving on a bare tire/rim.

It was NOT ONE OF MY PROUDEST MOMENTS AS A MOTHER!

After getting the car taken care of and getting back home, I called the studio and pulled Karmindy out of the class. I think I will wait till fall to try again!.... Maybe! :D

Kaleb's Birthday Party

The Birthday Boy!

Kaleb's Guests!

Mom, Karmindy, Melodie, Jaxon, Cadence, Kaleb, Addilyne, and Caleb. A few of the kiddos didn't want their pictures taken!

The day after Kaleb's actual birthday we had a party for him at McDonalds up at the District. My kids love McDonalds; especially Kaleb! We thought it would be the perfect place to throw his 6th birthday party. McDonalds provides the happy meals, balloons, cake, and takes care of the cleanup for a small fee! It was under $70 bucks! What mom doesn't love that?

Kaleb invited 10 kids! 9 of them showed up! ( I know, I don't know what I got myself into!) Luckily, Mark was able to be there and also one of my good friends volunteered to come and help wrangle the kids. When the kids arrived we took their orders for lunch and then let them go play while it was being prepared. We then all sat down and ate our lunches, sang to the birthday boy and ate cake and opened presents. The kids then went and played on the playground equipment until the parents arrived to pick up their kids. The kids had a blast and so did the birthday boy! It all turned out great! Next year though, I think we will keep the numbers limited to 5! :D

The birthday boy blowing out his candles

Jaxon T., Matthew P., Addi H., Kaleb and Caleb B. helping the birthday boy open his presents!

The birthday boy with some of his friends!

Kaleb's VIP

Mr. VIP himself showing off his poster!

The Poster that Kaleb and I made together!

The day after Kalebs birthday (Friday), I headed to Kaleb's kindergarten class for Kaleb's VIP day! For VIP's the mom's of the students go into the classroom and share a few things about their children with the rest of their classmates. I made Kaleb a poster (Kaleb helped) with his darling baby pictures, star stickers and baseballs (his favorite). I also took Kaleb's fish, "Captain Nemo" in as an added show and tell bonus. Kaleb loved being the center of attention and got to come up to the front of the room with me and talk about himself. The kids loved learning more about Kaleb and asking him questions about his favorite things. They also got a big kick out of Kalebs fish! I heard several of the boys in his class tell him his fish was cool and to come and sit by them. Too funny. I think his fish was a hit! After his VIP was over we shared one of his favorite treats, M&M's.

Here are a few Facts that I shared with Kaleb's Classmates:

1. Favorite Colors: Orange and Yellow

2. Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese, Curry, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Donuts, candy (skittles, m&ms, & starbursts), PB & J's, yogurt.

3. Favorite place to go: Boondocks and eat out with his family.

4. Favorite Activities: Play baseball, ride his bike, play with friend and his little sister, be outside, play in the sand box, play his leapster and wii games, go out to eat, and play with his playmobil pirates.

5. Favorite things about school: recess, going to centers, doing art projects.

6. Favorite Friends: Karmindy, Matthew, Adilynne, Jaxon, Cadence and Emma.

7. Favorite Movie: Toy story 3, Pirates of the Caribbean.

8. Pet: "Captain Nemo" his Beta Fish.

Some things I didn't share with his class but want to record. . .

Kaleb is a very good brother to his little sister and such a good son! He is always very considerate of me and Karmindy and will often ask me what he can do to help me out. Kaleb is very patient with others and is a tender heart. He loves to make friends and does so easily. There isn't a single person I know that he can't get along with. Kaleb is very mellow and easy going. He doesn't get his feathers ruffled very often. Kaleb is really very smart and catches on quickly to things. He loves to learn new things, read books and has an interest in music. I often hear him singing or humming a tune while he is playing in his room during afternoon quiet times. Kaleb is a self motivator, if there is something that interests him he will seek it out and try and learn about it. He is very analytical and loves to sort things out. He is very good at building things and can follow instructions with out getting frustrated. Kaleb has a love for the "Great Outdoors," and would be outside all day if i would let him. It doesn't matter if it is rain or shine. Kaleb loves going to church and singing primary songs. He recently was challenged in Primary to read the scriptures for at least 3 minutes a day. I have actually found him looking at our scripture picture book by himself with reminding him.

I truly am so grateful for Kaleb! I am honored to be his mother and be given the chance to raise him. I hope I am doing an ok job, for he truly is a good boy! I fill a little inadequate at times because he is such a good little boy. I hope Kaleb always knows how much I love him!

Kaleb turns 6!

Kaleb gets his excitement for birthdays from his mom! He talked about his birthday weeks in advance! On his birthday he woke up very early (6:45 am) and requested his traditional bowl of cereal. I would have made him a special breakfast but he LOVES his cereal and after all that is what he requested. After breakfast, we opened presents. Kaleb got a lot of fun things. We gave Kaleb a dog pillow pet. He has been wanting one since before Christmas. He now sleeps on him every night! We also got him another Leapster Explorer game and some swim trunks

and shirt for him to wear to the rec center pool when it opens in February. Kaleb was also spoiled by his grandparents: a bowling ball game, pirate ship, Christmas collection DVD and clothes.

He also was so excited to go to school where he said he couldn't wait for his classmates to sing to him. After school when I went to go and pick him up I found him beaming from ear to ear. His class had sung to him and his teacher had made him a crown and had given him a treat sack with a notebook, wiggly straw, some candy and a pencil.

Kaleb loved his gift from his teacher and was very excited about his present from her. He also loved the balloons and chocolate donuts that we got for him and put by his chair in the kitchen while he was away at school!

It is a tradition in our family to let the birthday boy or girl choose their dinner and dessert of their Choice. Kaleb requested his Dad's famous curry (potatoes, carrots, chicken and onions in a savory gravy and served over rice) and wanted apple pie for dessert!

Just a little added memory: As his parents we got a kick out of the fact that Kaleb wore his crown hat the whole day on his birthday! I guess he just wanted to make sure everyone knew it was his special day and expected everyone to treat him like royalty! Isn't that what birthday's are about??

I can't believe my little boy is 6! Where is the time going?

Kaleb seemed to enjoy his special day and loved that everyone made a fuss over him!

Christmas 2010

Christmas this year was a magical one with the kids. We took them to see Santa at the mall in November right before Thanksgiving and they could hardly wait for him to come and leave presents for them on Christmas Eve. This year I made a candy countdown and every morning Kaleb enjoyed getting his and Karmindy's Christmas treat (two m&m's) out for them to eat. They also enjoyed having Jingles (Elf on the Shelf) stay with us. Each morning the kids (mostly Kaleb) would run out of his room and search the house top to bottom looking for Jingles. Jingles loved the kitchen and was often found riding on my wire mesh rooster and chicken. The kids thought it was hilarious that Jingles must have been riding the rooster and chicken around the house while they were asleep.

Several weeks before Christmas, we took the kids down to Thanksgiving point to see their Christmas light display. I have a membership there and we got in for a total of $4. The kids loved the light display and loved driving around looking at all their lights.

Our Christmas Eve was a quiet one, but it was really nice.

Early on in the day the kids and I made sugar cookies together and then for dinner that night, I made a Honey Ham, with patriotic salad, Cherry Cheesecake, stuffed mushrooms, rolls, and shrimp cocktail served over Cream Cheese with chips to dip in it. We also drank our weight in Sparkling Apple Cider. The kids loved the Bubbly. After dinner, we let the kids open up a gift from us (new pj's and slippers). Kaleb and Karmindy loved their new Santa PJ's and their 1st pair of slippers. Karmindy really loved her princess fur trimmed slippers. She calls them, "Slip-a-dees." She has worn them every day since. Kaleb also loves his slippers and also wears his daily. The newness hasn't worn off almost two weeks later!!

Christmas morning was a wonderful one! It was a nice one especially since we didn't have any sickness. Last year the kids were sick with the flu on Christmas morning, so it was nice to not wake up to, "Mom, I threw up on my new pjs!"

Karmindy was the first one up and came and jumped in bed with us. That was around 5:45. I kept telling her to go wake up Kaleb so we could open presents but she wasn't too interested. We both fell back asleep. Around 8 am, Kaleb came in with excitement in his voice. Santa had come!!

The look on their faces was priceless when we walked into the living room. Kaleb was the most excited of him and his sister. Karmindy was still not quite sure what all the hype was about. Kaleb enjoyed opening all his presents. Karmindy opened a few but opted out and let her brother open most of hers. Karmindy tends to get overwhelmed by new things we have noticed. She doesn't like busy places with lots of people and doesn't like new experience. All in all the kids loved their gifts. Kaleb got the Playmobil Pirate ship that he asked Santa for and also got a Leapster Explorer from us. He has been playing his Leapster Day in and Day out. We got it for him in hopes of curing him of his Mario obsession. We figured we were ok with him playing computer games as long as they were educational and so far we have hit the jack pot. Karmindy got a doll house and Princess tent from Santa. She also got two La la Loopsy Dolls from us and Kaleb. She really loves all her gifts!

We really enjoyed our Holiday weekend and are looking forward to Christmas next year!!

2010 Frisbey Family Newsletter

Merry Christmas to all of our Family and friends! It has been a very good year for us. It hasn't been with out trials or ups and downs but it has been a great year! We truly love the Christmas season, especially since we get to focus on what is truly important in life-family, friends and most importantly our Savior. We are truly grateful our Saviors sacrifice for us and are so grateful for his life's example.

I very seldom do a newsletter to send out with our Christmas Cards because I find them to be obnoxious. Don't get me wrong I love reading other peoples newsletters but I don't think any one would really like to read what we have been up to. I don't think we lead that exciting of lives! However, I received a newsletter from a friend who simply stated things that she would like to remember about her children and family. I loved it. I know that is what newsletters are for but hers had a different feel. These are things that I want to remember from this past year. I hope it isn't obnoxious! :)

Mark has been very busy with work this year. He changed departments with in the company that he was working for and is now focusing more on programming and learning a new computer programming language-Linux. He is so excited to be learning something new. Mark loves to learn new things and was feeling a little stagnant in his previous position so this has been a welcomed transfer and a wonderful/new challenge for him. Back in September His office building moved and he is now working in the Cotton Wood Heights area. His boss has been amazing to work with and let's Mark work from home 4 out of the 5 days during the week. It is nice to have Mark home during the day! The kids also love having their daddy home and enjoy going down stairs to say hi to him or run down and give him kisses or hugs. Mark also enjoys playing WOW (world of warcraft) and other computer games in his spare time. He has enjoyed beautifying our home in and out and enjoys fiddling with his remote controlled helicopter and boat. Mark has also enjoyed working as a Nursery Leader in the primary at church. The kids love him and many a time when you peek in to the classroom he is holding several kids because they all enjoy being with "Brother Frisbey."

Ashlee enjoys being a domestic engineer (SAHM) to her two beautiful children. They keep her very busy but she loves being able to stay at home with them and teach them. Most days she feels like it is truly is the hardest job in the world but is rewarding to her to watch her kids grow.In Ashlee's spare time she enjoys cooking, blogging, socializing with friends on Facebook, get monthly massages, plan GNO with her girlfriends in the neighborhood, sewing, crafting and making her house feel like a home. She also finds the time to help out in Kaleb's kindergarten classroom twice a month! After serving in the Primary Program for four years she was released and called to serve in the Young Women's Program as a Mia Maid Advisor. She has been serving for only a few weeks but is truly enjoying rubbing shoulders with the girls and leaders and is very excited to have a change of pace and serve in a new organization.

Kaleb: Kaleb (5 1/2 years) started Kindergarten in August and attend Midas Creek Elementary. He is in Mrs. Titus' class this year and loves having her as a teacher. Kaleb loves to learn and is doing very well in his studies. Kaleb's favorite thing about kindergarten is going to centers (tables with different activites). He also loves recess! The past two months, Kaleb has been bringing books home and has been enjoying learning how to read with mom! Kaleb also enjoys playing with neighborhood friends, helping dad out in the yard, ride his bike, play the wii, singing in his room and helping mom in the kitchen. This year Kaleb was asked to sing with a couple other boys in our wards primary program and he did a wonderful job. He has a beautiful voice when he sings(when he doesn't get too shy). Kaleb is a wonderful big brother to his little sister and loves to entertain her and make her laugh. Kaleb is a dream child and we are so proud to have him as our son.

Karmindy: (2 1/2 years) is our sassy tomboy and is quite a little spitfire. She keeps us all on our toes and makes us laugh all the time. Some of Karmindy's favorite things to do are watch movies, go to nursery, help mom cook in the kitchen, play with her kitchen (mom often finds her pots and pans and kitchen tools stashed in her kitchen), play with her dolls and my little ponies and follow her big brother around the house and torment him. She has been known to hold her own and can easily pin him to the ground when she wants him to do something. Some of the cute things that Karmindy does is randomly say "FACE!" in a deep voice. We don't know why she says this word in a deep voice but we all laugh and she thinks she is quite the comedian. Karmindy loves to read books with mom and dad and can count: 3,4,7! (We are working on that!) She can also identify the color pink and is not interested in any other color. Karmindy is such a delight and we love having her apart of our family!

We hope you all have the Merriest Christmas and hope that the New Year is a wonderful one for all our family and friends!

Love The Frisbeys

Mom's Tiny Chef

I have been in my kitchen quite a bit lately cooking up a storm and trying new recipes for my cooking blog. I have been trying to get my blog up and running and have enjoyed this little hobby. My long term goal is to eventually make a little extra spending money through sponsors and advertising. We will see though, in the mean time I just enjoy trying new recipes and crafts as a little hobby to keep me busy when I am not chasing kids. During my baking and cooking adventures, it isn't rare for my kids to pull up a chair to the kitchen counter and want to help out with what I am making. Both Kaleb and Karmindy love to help in the kitchen; especially Karmindy. It is very fun to have her helping out and is fun to see her cute little hands busy with mixing or pouring ingredients into a bowl for me. She is a very good helper and a very good taster. I captured these darling pictures of her after we had made cupcakes one morning. She enjoyed licking the beaters and tasting all the batter and frosting for the cupcakes. I love my little girl and it is so fun to have a little helper in the kitchen. She truly is a cutie and is my tiny little chef!

Karmindy has been learning the song, "If by chance you meet a frown, change it to a smile song" in Primary. I often will ask her where her smile is when she is grumpy or ornery and she will on cue smile big and put her finger to the corner of her mouth. It is very cute!

Kaleb's Kindergarten Christmas Program

On Tuesday, Mark and I ventured to Kaleb's school to see him perform with his kindergarten class. They put on a very cute Christmas Program. Kaleb's teacher is a very nice lady and put a lot of effort into the songs that they sang. While the kids sang their songs they wore jingle bell bracelets and reindeer hats. It was so cute to see Kaleb all dressed up.

After singing several songs, the kids and parents were encouraged to go to several different tables(centers) to complete crafts together. There were four projects in all. At the first table, Kaleb made and ate a marshmallow/pretzel snowflake.

The next craft was putting together a elf magnet to hang on the fridge.

His third craft was making a snowman book mark.

Kaleb with his friend Adilynne

At the last center, Kaleb did a kind of where's waldo coloring activity. He was given a coloring picture that had several things he had to find in the picture like trees, candy canes, elves, and Santa. It was a lot of fun to be able to spend some one on one time with Kaleb and see him preform and participate in the crafts and interact with the kids in his class. After the program we went and picked Karmindy up who was staying at a friends house and we took the kids to McDonalds (Kaleb's choice) for happy meals and to play on the park. It was a fun family activity!

Kaleb with his Teacher Mrs. Titus

Going to see the Dentist...

Two weeks ago, we visited the dentist f or our 6 month check ups. We all passed with flying colors except Kaleb. Kaleb had four tiny little cavities between his teeth. I was a little upset because we are pretty diligent about keeping our kids teeth cleaned; especially since I was a dental assistant for 2 years and I have seen some really bad cases where parents had dropped the ball with their kids oral health care. I know getting cavities are just a part of life but I was fearful of how Kaleb would do. I didn't want him to have a bad experience his first time getting a cavity filled. He has always enjoyed going to the dentist and is so brave. I think it is because we started good oral habits when he was really young and since I was just fresh out of assisting it was really important to form those habits with him. On Monday this past week, I left Karmindy with her daddy (who was working from home that day) and took Kaleb to the dentist. When we got there we were called right back and Kaleb got to choose a show- Tom and Jerry and then the Hygienist came in to numb Kaleb's mouth. I was so nervous for this part but he did great and didn't even cry. He was so brave and kept telling me that his mouth was feeling funny. After the numbing juice was into his system, our Dr. came in and filled his cavities. Kaleb was amazing and did what ever they asked of him. He only panicked a couple of times but quickly calmed down. In the end, Kaleb got two prizes(a huge pen and a mickey mouse puzzle) and I took him to go get ice cream afterwards. After getting home, Kaleb said he was a little scared but loved going to go get ice cream with his mom and get prizes!

Watching Tom and Jerry at the Dentist Office! Kaleb thought it was cook he got his own headphones and own tv!

Still smiling after all the drilling! Look at those puffy cheeks!

Forgetful Santa!?

This past Friday evening was our ward Christmas Party. Our ward did a yummy dinner that included Ham, rolls, side dishes and desserts. We always look forward to going because it seems we just catch that Christmas Spirit a little more. The primary put on a cute little live nativity and sang Christmas songs. It was a wonderful evening of being surrounded by good friends and food. One of the kids' favorites is being able to have Santa pop in for a bit so he can take requests for Christmas and give the kids a treat (candy cane). My kidlets have been very excited to see Santa. Mark and I took the kids to the South Towne Mall in Sandy to see Santa at the end of November and they were excited to get to see him again Friday night. This year we were able to get at the beginning of the line so our wait to see Santa didn't take all night like it did last year. When it was our family's turn to see Santa, Kaleb was the first one to sit on his lap. Kaleb hopped up on his knee and Santa asked him what he would like for Christmas. Kaleb had this funny puzzled look on his face and said: " Don't you remember? I told you at the Mall!" Mark and I about burst out laughing. Poor Santa, also had a funny look on his face but patiently said, "Well, help me remember one more time!" Kaleb proceeded to tell him that he wanted a Play mobil Pirate Ship with pirates and a watch, which he forgot to tell Santa about last time about. The watch was a new item for Santa to take note of.

Kaleb rebuking Santa for forgetting about his Christmas Gift!

When it was Karmindy's turn she hopped on Santa's knee but didn't give him the time of day. You just have to know our sweet daughter, if you want her to do something, it has to be what she wants to do or she just gives you this side faced look and glare with her eyes. Totally funny! All in all, I think the kids had fun seeing Santa. I just hope he took notes and REMEMBERS what to get Kaleb for Christmas this year!

Karmindy with her glaring eyes! I can just imagine the thoughts in her head: "This guy is so not worth my time!"

Are you for real?