Auction For Claire & Benson

This is an auction to help Claire and Benson - the two children of one of the girls I went to high school with. There are over 120 items up for auction and many are super cute. It is a great cause and you'll get something great out of it too. To view all the auction items just click on the "Auction for Benson & Claire" box. The auction has already started and goes until November 16 at midnight.

Here is a little bit about Claire and Benson:

Benson and Claire were born with a rare genetic disease in which their liver produces too much oxalate--called primary hyperoxaluria. Claire's condition has progressed much faster than Benson's. She has been on dialysis since she was 3 months old and is on dialysis 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. She is now on the waiting list to receive a combined kidney / liver transplant. It is expected Benson will eventually need similar transplants.

Benson and Claire are part of the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). This non-profit charity helps children in need of life-saving transplants by organizing volunteers to raise funds for transplant-related expenses. With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, transplant patients are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure. Please visit www.cotaforbensonandclaires.com for more information about COTA and Benson and Claire's medical journey. Consider donating even a small amount to help this family through a dual kidney / liver transplant for two children. 100% of all funds raised are used for the kid's transplant-related expenses. Thank you for helping us spread the word and for giving hope to Benson and Claire.

For more information about Benson and Claire go to
http://givehopetobensonandclaire.blogspot.com/ and http://cotaforbensonandclaires.com/

Jana this is for you!!!

Jana here are the pics of my "Austin Sundae".

Here is the story for those that don't know it:

This happened about 2 years ago.
I was on the computer doing bills and balancing the checkbook (when I do
this I tend to tune everything out). I remember hearing the fridge open and
close but it didn't phase me. I continued with bills.
A few minutes later Chase comes running in and says "Come look what we did to Austin!"
That is never a good sentence so I hurried into the
bedroom to see what destruction had been caused. To my surprise Austin was
sitting in her crib COVERED in chocolate syrup.
As you can tell she was enjoying every minute of it. They also got syrup all over
their room and the bathroom. I had to laugh at this-mainly because it was that or cry.
So I grabbed my camera and had a good laugh.
Still to this day Chase and Gavin ask when they can make an "Austin Sundae" again.
They think it would make a good Family night. Maybe some day...

My Little Artist....

Today I went over to my mom's house to have my sister, Alicia, help me with my hair. I needed some ideas of what to do with my mane for family photos. Well, things got a little too quiet...except for Alissa crying in the background. I've come to realize that when things get quiet my kids (more importantly Austin) are probably getting into something or making some kind of mess.
Alicia and I went to check on our six kids and this is what we found.......

.....Austin and/or Baylee found the permanent marker and a canvas
or two to work their artistic abilities.
(I think I found out why Alissa was crying)




Go ahead laugh, I did!!!

P.S. I think I found out why Alissa was crying

The last two CRAZY months!!!!

I've had a lot going on the past two months. Two of my cute sisters got married, so that means that I have two new brothers.

Terra married Daniel and Stephanie married Steve.

Sorry Terra I didn't have my camera at your wedding...
it got misplaced and this was the only one
I could find with just you two. ; D
Both ceremonies went really well and were a lot of fun. We had the family involved right up until the day of on both. It was super busy but everything turned out in the and and both were amazingly beautiful. I was even able to make Stephanie's wedding cake.


I got to be a room mom for Chase's Valentine party at school. That was a lot of fun. Chase and his classmates were so excited to hand out cards and candy to each other. It's funny to look back at what we all acted like at one time. They got to play games - like Mailman, Mailman (like Button, Button but they had a paper heart that was the "Mail" and the one who was "it" was the Mailman. They each had a turn being the Mailman and hiding the Mail.

This is before during and after the Valentine pass out. As you can tell they had a ton of fun.


We've had a lot of snow on and off the last little bit. During one of the big storms Scott took the kids out and played in the snow. They made a giant snowball and a hill to slide down. They were all bundled up and reminded me of the kid on "A Christmas Story". Alissa didn't get to stay out with the big kids so I took a picture with her snow hat on anyway.


Then I ended up with an infection that put me in the hospital for two nights. I wad dehydrated and had to have an IV and antibiotics pumped into me. It wasn't bad as far as hospital stays go but I don't want to do that again. ; ( I'm glad that I have the husband that I do because he stayed home with the kids and took care of them and the house while I was up there.

While I was in the hospital Austin fell and hit the side of her head on our computer desk. She ended up with her first Shiner. She was tough though. I think dad had a harder time with it than she did.


The first weekend in March was super busy. First we went to the Draper Temple Open House. I got enough tickets for my whole family and Scott's. There were almost 50 of us all together. Scott's mom and two sisters were up from Cali and came too. That was a neat experience to be able to take my kids through the temple and show them what was in there. I think their favorite room was the Celestial Room. They kept looking up at the chandelier. Gavin said "It is even bigger than grandpa!" They were amazed at everything. Austin keeps saying "I'm getting married in the temple." It was a lot of fun. The next day was Alissa's blessing so we had all the family there for that as well. It is nice to see so much love and support. I also had to talk in Sacrament Meeting. Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! The new Young Women's presidency had to talk on the 5th article of faith. (Oh ya, I got put in as the new YW President the first part of Feb.) I did ok but I don't like giving talks. After church we went over to my mom's for dinner. We took some 4 generation pictures. It is cool to be able to do that. I only knew 1 of my great grandparents and think it will be cool for my kids to see pictures of them with theirs.

Take a look at her dress...my Grandma Bodily crocheted it. It is so pretty!!
Thank you Grandma!!!


Scott with his Dad and Step Mom

Scott with his Mom and Grandma and Grandpa Buchanan

Me with my Mom and Grandma Bodily

Me with my Dad and Grandma and Grandpa Ivie


This is my happy little family!!!


Austin and Alissa just chillin' on the couch.

I just had to add this one because I think it is cute.

Meet Alissa

Well here is my new one...
Alissa Joy Hulet

Born January 1, 2009
at 8:26 A.M.
7 pounds 2 ounces
19 1/2 inches long



She got to meet her excited big brothers and big sister.



We are so happy that she is finally here and that she is so healthy and cute.
I will post more pictures later.

Santa's Lap

Our ward had a Christmas Brunch and Santa showed up.

Two of my two kids were happy to sit on his lap and were ready
to let him know what they wanted.
But one (bet you can't tell which one) didn't want to be anywhere near him.

Hulet Family Olympics!!!

Well, during the Olympics my kids were so into all of the competitions...especially the swimming, gymnastics and the races. So we we decided to have our own family Olympics at the park. We had six events: the 5 meter swim, shot put, 5 meter hurdles, gymnastics, saber, and the 25 meter dash.

Opening Ceremonies


Swimming:
I even had enough swim caps & goggles for each of them.

My favorite pics!!!


Saber


Gymnastics


Closing Ceremonies with Awards


After we were all done we tied it into the Plan of Happiness. We each have to work hard to reach a goal. At the end we all work towards and hope to attain the gold medal (Celestial Kingdom).