Ice Fishing

Seth went ice fishing!!!








Grandpa Rick took Seth ice fishing a few weekends ago. Even though it was cold, Seth enjoyed sitting out on the lake waiting for the fish to bite. They then ventured closer to the shore--that is where they found the fish. Seth was able to catch SIX! He had a great time fishing despite the cold & frezzing temperature.

Lovely Lilacs

Around the middle of March I have three lilac bushes that bloom. It is my favorite time of year! Not only are they beautiful but everytime you walk outside the scent of lilac fills the air. Here are several pictures I took so I could share my love of these amazing flowers with you.

Saint Patty's Day

This Saint Patrick's Day we all woke up to fun leprechaun Surprises! Messy rooms, gold coins, and special green treats were all left by the leprechauns.We also had lucky charms for a traditional Saint Patty's Breakfast! Dinnertime is always fun on Saint Patrick's day because almost all the food we eat is green! Green jello,chicken-pot-pie,green kool-aid, and even green grapes! We had a great time celebrating Saint Patrick's Day!












(Didn't Andrea do a great job on this post?! I'm glad I taught her how to blog--it will help me out in the future when I'm too busy to update. --gina)

Bidwell Park

What better way to celebrate daylight savings time than to enjoy the extra hour in the park.



After dinner this past Sunday, we took the kids for a walk through 5 mile park. The weather was great and the kids even posed for a couple of pictures. We all enjoyed being out in the fresh air and the kids especially liked skipping rocks in the creek.

The time we spent together in the park was very simple, but very powerful for me at the same time. I love my little family. I am so blessed to have them in my life. When the week seems long and the quarreling between the kids seem like too much to handle, I'm going to pull up these pictures to remind myself of the fun memories we have shared together.

Basketball Season

It is basketball season at the Chatfield home. Both Aaron and Seth are enjoying and playing in some great games.

























Seth is playing in a league called "Upward Bound" sponsored by Grace Community Church here in Chico. He's getting a lot of playing time and learning some new plays. He's a great defensive player and he sometimes even gets in a fast break. I think our basketball days with Seth are just beginning.

Aaron is involved in several basketball leagues. He plays on a CARD (Chico Area Recreation District) team with guys from Matson & Isom during the week and then he plays with the Chico 3rd ward team for church ball on Saturdays. He loves the game and it's great exercise. We've only had one twisted ankle so far. Last weekend Aaron played in the PV Alumni game. He was able to see several old friends and have a great time!

(Aaron with a good friend from High School, Brad Voth.)


(Chris Fife, Aaron, Matt McLaughlin, Tommy Irvine)



Here is a video that Seth took at the Alumni game. It's not very long since he was just trying out the new video camera option on my camera, but he was able to get Aaron rebounding and passing off the ball in which Brad Voth was then able to make a shot. GO TEAM!!!

Family Night

For Family Night Kiana was given the assignment of choosing the game. She chose "Hide and Go Seek"--but with a twist. She wanted us to play it in the dark and the seeker could use a flashlight to go and find everyone. The last one found was it.

Since it was raining outside we had to play the game inside. We only had 5 rooms that we could use, so some of us got quite creative. The best hiding spot goes to Aaron who hid on top of the refrigerator. Now remember, the house is completely dark and the seeker was only able to use a flashlight to find the hider. Aaron was actually the last person found when he was hiding in this spot.

Hmm, I wonder who is hiding under the tablecloth?

Haircut

Every six weeks or so Seth needs a haircut. I decided to document it this time because he was having such a fun time. Yes, he asked for another buzz cut. He feels it's easier to take care of--no combing required. Who knew haircuts could be so much fun. Now this kid is enjoying life!

7 Stitches

We took a trip to Enloe Outpatient Care this past Wednesday.


Kiana was enjoying a bike ride with Andrea, when Andrea stopped suddenly in front of her. Kiana then crashed into the back of Andrea's bike, throwing Kiana off of her bike and landing her VERY HARD on the pavement. I think Kiana was in shock. When she came into the house to tell me she had fallen she wasn't even crying. After looking at the deep cut on her chin I knew that stitches were in order.We had gone through stiches before with my son, Seth, TWICE! However, Aaron was the one to take him to have the stitches done--this time it was my turn--I still took Aaron with me for moral support.

Our timing at the outpatient care was perfect--they took us right in and prepared Kiana for the procedure. For those of you who don't know Kiana very well, she is soooo interested in anything medical. She loves seeing people's injuries and helping them when they are hurt. She is always asking questions about various health/body issues. I think we have a nurse or doctor in the making. Despite her injury she was wide-eyed and curious--enjoying the experience of being in a medical facility. After the 7 stitches were completed she was able to have her wrist x-rayed, which just added to her thrilling medical experience. The technician was great with her; allowing her to see her x-rays when they were finished. Kiana continues to tell us that it hardly hurt at all, although she squeezed my hand during the whole procedure.

We now have to clean, dry, and cover the wound for 7 days until the stitches are removed. Kiana does fuss a bit when it is happening but she still insists that it be done. She often wants to do it all herself. She continues to tell people that she has a "Starburst" on her chin since that is how the doctor described her cut due to the way it had split open.

When we came home that night from getting the stiches we walked into the kitchen and found Andrea & Seth making dinner for everyone. After going through this experience with Kiana, I felt so blessed to have such two thoughtful kids! Andrea even made Kiana some yummy valentine cupcakes to put a smile on her face--looks like it worked!

New Bike

Andrea is our saver. She rarely ever spends her money and is competing with us to see how much she can save in her savings account. She has been thinking of getting a new bike since she has out grown her old one--her legs just keep on growing.

A couple of weeks ago we took her downtown to look for bikes and she found "The One". She did have to think about it for a while because she would have to spend some of her own money to buy it. (We told her we would go in on half of the cost)

Well, we went and bought the bike on Saturday--it is beautiful! It's brown with pink and white flowers. It's called a cruiser bike with a VERY comfortable seat. Andrea is thinking of buying a basket for the front. It even has reversible pedals so she can ride it without shoes--very fancy!

Kings Game

Aaron and Seth were able to attend a Kings game this past Friday night. Even though the Kings lost by 20 points (defeated by the Bulls) they had a great time. They Munched on treats (served by their own waitress) and were able to view the game from row two. Yes, ROW 2! It's great to have friends who invite you along on such a sweet deal! Thanks Dave and Hunter for an amazing basketball night!

Speeding Ticket!

O.K. I admit it. I was finally pulled over last week and issued my first speeding ticket. UGH! After all these years of speeding I guess I deserved it! No, I did not cry to try and get out of it. I took the ticket graciously, despite the humiliation I felt.

I am not telling this story to brag. I am hoping by sharing I will make myself more aware of my "need for speed" and SLOW DOWN! So, go ahead and give me a bad time about my ticket--I'm hoping the harassment will help me ease up on the gas pedal.

365 Reasons

I am still serving as a counselor in the YW presidency. At our last activity we gave each of the girls a poster board and asked them to write at the top; "365 Reasons to Be Happy". We then told them to think of the things that made them happy in life and to write them on their board. We encouraged them to think of one new thing each day that they could add to their list. By the end of the year, their board should be filled with happiness.

I decided I would take on the challenge and start filling a poster board with happy things. I've put it on the back of my bedroom door and have added a new "reason to be happy" each night. It has been a lot of fun thinking each day, what has made me happy. Some of the things I write down are quite simple, but it is amazing to realize the things that make my list don't come with a price tag. I've also noticed my kids and husband coming in at night to see what I've added to my happiness board.

Here is my list from the last 18 days--In no particular order. I hope I can make it to day 365!

Aaron
Hot Chocolate
Seth
Sleep
Visiting Teaching
Andrea
Naps
Kiana
Hugs
Sunshine
My Mom
Blogs
Pillows
Basketball Games
Slippers
Friends
Family
Flowers

Christmas Day

I think I should finish off the year with our pictures from Christmas day. It was very quiet and relaxing with just the five of us Christmas morning. We all slept in until eight and then Andrea read us the first Christmas story from Matthew while Seth and Kiana displayed the nativity for us to see.

After emptying our stocking, presents were passed around the room. A lot of fun things were given and received. A new purple bathrobe, electric toothbrush, book lights, gift cards, a new red Christmas dress, movies, a wedding Barbie, a new bike basket and plenty more!

We enjoyed spending the entire day together. Some of us stayed in our pajamas all day! How grateful we are for the many things we have, but especially for each other.

Christmas Eve

Our tradition every year for Christmas Eve is to go to Grandma Leila's and Grandpa Rick's house.

This year we enjoyed a delicious dinner with all the trimmings. We then headed over to the church for a Christmas pinata. (The cultural hall gave the cousins plenty of room to run around and pick up the fallen candy.) This year my sister Kathryn & her family were with us for the festivities. After the pinata was destroyed and all the candy was collected, we headed back to Grandma & Grandpa's for some Christmas carols. The grandkids then opened their present from their grandparents. The grownups then enjoyed a fun gift exchange. Oh, and you can't forget the wonderful desserts to finish off the evening. This year we were having so much fun, dessert was forgotten about--I guess we were enjoying the evening too much. We then headed home to put out the Christmas cookies and milk for Santa Claus.

Hurry to bed or Santa won't come!!! :)

Out with the Old . . In with the New!

I received a new camera for my birthday/Christmas--I must have been on Santa's good list this year! I love my new camera and will not be sad to say goodbye to my old one. Going from a 3 megapixel to a 10 is heaven!!!


(Can you see how my new camera took a great picture of my old camera and that my old camera couldn't focus that well on my new camera--ohh . . . the small pleasures of life!)