Last, here is my bathroom after walking away to use it. The destruction just seems to follow wherever I may be! Maybe because I'm a little older with this one but it is just so cute instead of frustrating. I remember with the older ones constantly saying no and trying to get them to under stand 1 toy at a time, put something back and then get the next out. Not letting them play in the cabinets. Maybe thats why Danielle loves to sit on the floor and "help" Sammy reaarange my tupperware cabinet! By the way if anyone can help me get more than 5 pics in one blog I would appreciate it!

Here Lolo is trying to help clean and Sammy said "Wait I don't want those toys in there!" What was she thinking? Just because Daddy is coming home and I try to straighten up before he gets here, silly Lolo.

Here the hurricane justs sits and laughs. Kind of like the eye of the storm. He looks around to see what else he can destroy.

OOOOOO maybe the kitchen. Yes that is just what he wants. Sammy really likes to help me cook and clean up.

This picture is sideways, I couldn't get it to turn, but it is the lazy susan and the cabinet next to it. Nothing is safe, when Sammy is "blowing" through. When I went to Casa Grande a few weekends ago and left Danny home with all the kids, he was amazed and the destruction power of this little dynamo. He laughed every day and said he thinks he cleaned up like 12 times all day. I just laughed, it's funny how after 8 yrs we forget how much work it is to have a little adventurous kid crawling all over!

Hurricane Samuel

These are just a few pictures of the fall out from Hurricane Sammy. It blows through about 5 times a day in the house of 15. Sammy never really plays with anything he just wants it "out". If you put it away while he's out he immediately crawls back over and dumps it back.

This is the living room, it also follows wherever you may go.

It blows between the couch and coffee table even if you booby trap the holes.

It also empties whatever you used to booby trap the spot with!

Yum Yum!

Tonight I made Chili! I know that might not sound like much, but I have never made chili from scratch. Nope not ever. I did tonight though, and everyone liked it and there was only 1 big spoonful left! We had chilidogs for dinner and the missionaries came over and ate with us. They even liked it...I know they are not allowed to complain, but we have a different relationship with them. In fact I think Elder Carver could fit right in here with us! Scary I know. He is getting transfered tomorrow morning and stopped by to say good bye. Since they hadn't eaten yet we fed them. I like it when we get a missionary with a sense of humor. When he can hold his own around Danny. It shows Kody you can be "cool" and be a missionary. But back to the real reason i'm writing....I MADE CHILI!!!!!!!!!

Todays Blessings

1. I finished laundry and have almost put it all away.
2. Delivered invites to the first Dry Cocktail party! If you didn't get one, it is this Sat at 7, here!
3. Kids are all home and seem to be happy.
4. I read, cruised through, the Ensign. Liked the parable of 10 Virgins.
5. Elder Carver stopped to say good-bye, might be back for dinner.
6. Made plans to start a website!!!!!
7. Everyone is healthy.
8. I see and recognize Heavenly Father and Jesus' love for me and my family.
9. I get to take 2 kids to mutual tonight.
10. Enjoyed visiting with the Lowry's
11. Gave to a good cause.
12. My husband loves me!

Put on your big girl panties!

So I know this sounds like a wierd title for a post about my husband, but after talking, or rather venting with my mother this morning I realize there is no such thing as "big boy undies". When mom had similar annoyances with all the men she has had to deal with in her life. I realize it is a universal problem. They just don't get it. Don't blame me that you wanted up at 4:30 and turned your alarm off. I got up around 6 and woke up MY kids. They are the ones who need to pushed out of bed. NOT the 33 year old ADULT man laying next to me. If you wanted to be out of bed at the buttcrack of dawn then you should have gotten up. Why do I, as your wife, not your mom have to coddle you like a child? While I am deeply in love with this man I don't understand why he thinks the basic rules of adulthood don't apply to him. If there is something you need to do GET UP! I know that God gave men the Preisthood so they had something to be responsible for. But don't his wife and kids apply? Why don't men think like we do?

If your wife has to work today...get up and help get the kids ready to go to school and the sitters. Don't sit and watch the news while she gets ready then rush through prayer so you can be on time while the baby still sleeps and your wife has 5 min to get the baby to the sitters and still make it to work on time.

This is where I get that movie The Break Up with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. When she says "I don't want you to do the dishes I just want you to want to do the dishes!" Where he then answers, "Why would I want to do the dishes?" That's all we really want, am I wrong? The thought to enter his head, maybe I should help. Now, don't get me wrong I know I have a great husband. He plays superdad all afternoon when I have to work and he even has done more cooking than I have in the last few years, but do you have to leave the kitchen an absolute mess when your done? I don't enjoy scraping eggs off the stove on Monday morning after you made breakfast before church on Sunday! All I ask is that you don't blame me because you can't or won't get up when you want, or that you purposefully sleep an extra 20 minutes then yell at the kids because you need to have morning prayer RIGHT now or you'll be late! Get up when you need to so we can enjoy family prayer not have a sour spirit during it!!!!!

Alright I feel bettter now, I thinkk I can move on and have a better day. I love you honey!

I like this thing!

Ok, so only after 4 days I am hopelessly addicted to blogging! It is so much fun to surf through everyones stuff and then find more peeps and even old peeps I haven't seen in years! This rocks! I can't wait to really sink my teeth in. Unfortunatly Sammy does not agree and will not just play while I type away. In fact he screams at me until I pick him up and then he trys to type and mess everything up. So I will have to limit myself to nappy time and late when others are home to play with his highness. I can't wait to dig out old pics and then I'm already looking at scenes differently and reaching for the camara again. Just like when I discovered scrapbooking years ago. Yes I am old and have to say years ago since I started that after Lolo was born, almost 9 yrs ago. So here's to everyone I have found and listed myself as a follower. I'm normally against being a follower and tell my kids to lead, however I will admit to enjoying following you all! Here's to a great year!

WOW!

Today is the day Kody recieves his Priesthood. What an amazing and sad day. Why is it so much harder for me to watch him grow up than it is Danielle? I look at him and wonder where my little boy went. I wonder is he ready to be a Priesthood holder? Does he understand what it means to have it? Have I taught him the right things? Can I continue to teach him? Guide him? Will he still be my little boy? Will he change his mind about a mission? Then Danny reminded me this morning that he will give Kody the Priesthood. I guess I knew that but had not thought about it. It seems so sureal to be here today. With both Danny and Kody ready to grow more. Does this make me old? I'm sure but does it really matter? Not knowing that this is a good thing...that Kody has made this decision and wants it. Am I ready to be the mother of a Priesthood holder? Do I know what to do for him and what to teach him? I guess all we can do is jump in with both feet and learn together. Like I said AMAZING!

Well that is my family. Sammy is awake and not enjoying being ignored while I type. I think that is a good start and will fill in more later. The blog seems to be the modern form of journaling and family history with all the technology and ways to publish our pages. After all this is who we are, right? Our kids can keep on reading and enjoying this for a long time, with thier kids and grandkids.

Samuel Walter Oquist

Sammy is our last child. At least here on earth. He is his own little man with his blue eyes, fair complexion and RED hair. He is the exception in the Oquist family. I love this first picture of him with his smile hiding behind his hands. He seems to know that he has our entire family wrapped around his little fingers. In the picture of him standing, he is wearing his Korean kimono. Our close friend and Sammy's namesake, Walter is currently stationed in South Korea with the US Army. This was a Christmas present from Walter. Sammy is very spoiled! I guess that is what happens when you come along 8 yrs after all the other kids. Danielle and Sammy have a special bond that I hope they always have. It reminds me of my friend, Melanie who was the oldest of 6 kids and she has a similar bond with her baby sister. (Coincidentally also named Sam) I know he has a special purpose and the Lord wanted him here. I have no idea why I thought my family was complete with out him and sometimes wonder why we waited so long. Oh wait, I remember, did you read the post about Lolo?

Lauryn Lee Oquist

Lolo is almost 9 yrs old. Her nickname comes from our neice on Danny's side, Lynzie. She is only about 6 months older than Lauryn and started talking first. When she tried to say Lauryn it came out Lolo. The name is perfect, we have since found out that in Hawaiian dialect it means crazy. Lolo is full of life and sass! She does what she wants, when she wants and especially if she has been told not to do it. She brings a special spark to our family that would definately not be complete without her! She is going to try her hand at coach-pitch softball next month and loves soccer just as much as the other kids. Lolo has alot of empathy and feels sorrow for anyone who is hurt or down. She is always asking if the tv show is real and does not like violence. As you can see she can be just as goofy as all the other kids. One thing I am proud of with all the kids is that they dont need to conform to fit in. They try to set the trends instead of letting the trends set them. They are not embarassed by much. Currently she is struggling with being usurped from the youngest position and requires aot of extra hugs and kisses to prove we see her! I love that she always has a smile and hugs everyone!

Kody Daniel Oquist

Kody, Kody,Kody. What to say about my K-O-D-Y. I tell Kody that when he was around 2 maybe 3 he learned to spell his name and would run around saying my name is K-O-D-Y. I remind him of this because I want him to still be my little boy. Not the moody tween he is becoming! Nana and I used to tease him that he was so cute that all the girls will say, "Kody hold my hand, carry my books," he would get so embarassed and say no way, but it seems that this may true after seeing him in action at school and talking to some of his friends. Much less trying to get him to put down the cell phone and quit texting. At age 12 he has embraced the "cool" kid mentality. I try to keep him grounded and help him to hold onto his empathetic side. Kody has always been good at looking out for the underdogs, he loves little kids and is so good with them. As he gets older and becomes everything that middle school is I hope he continues this attitude and does not pick on too many kids. He can be too cool for somethings, mom walking him to class the first day, then turn around and become the king of goofy. As in his pic from the christmas card fiasco! He want s to be a pro-skateboarder and practices as much as he can. He is still getting good grades and is now playing the drums in the band at school. He also has shown interest in being a pilot if the skateboarding does not work out.

Danielle Naomi Oquist

What can I say about my Nelly? She is smart, beautiful and has a good head on her shoulders...most of the time. She is 14 and has the days counted down till she is 151/2 and will be driving. Danielle is a freshman at Tri-City College Prep, which is a charter high school geared to kids who want to move on to higher learning and are very goal-orientated. Or the "geeks" as I so lovingly refer to them. She is alot of fun and can get a little goofy sometimes. See the pic? That is from trying to get a fun christmas card pic for 2008. When I told the kids they could be a little goofy this is where it went. There is no middle of the road for her. She is working hard to get her YW recognition finished before her 15th birthday in June. I think she will make it. I call her my Supergirl, because she is definately the oldest and generally does all that I ask her to do, with only a little whining. I think she will succeed at whatever she does and let nothing stand in her way! U go girl!

My Muffins!

Here are the muffins! I love my kids. I am so glad I have each andeveryone of them. I love that they love each other and that they can have fun together. Danny and I have always stressed to them that family is numero uno. Friends will come and go, boyfriends, girlfriends will come and go, but brothers and sisters will always have your back. That no matter what one has done to you or vice versa that if someone else picks on one of your siblings you'd better be there to help. These 4 have almost grasped that and seem to enjoy each other and protect each other daily!

Okay here it goes!

I decided to just jump in. My mom and a few of my friends have been talking about "blogging" and trying to get me to do it, after talking with Brytani this morning about some other ideas that centered around this whole blog theory, I figured I would just do it. In case you are wondering where the name came from, Danny came up with idea for 15 as our family number because O is the 15th letter of the alphabet so he uses 15 or 5teen as a "tag" for us. I thought it would be fun to use for our blog also. Unfortunately I just gave up his secret since he does like to leave his mark everywhere, so now you know if you see a 15 somewhere around town or on something, we have been there. I am Kristi Oquist, I have been married for 15 years, almost 16, to Danny and we have 4 kids. The last one was a big surprise... yes i know that you would think that after having 3 I would know what signs to look for and what causes it. However, my mindset was that we were done and since I was on birth control when my body started to change around the 4th or 5th month I thought something was wrong...not pregnancy. So the girls at my new job so lovingly refer to Sammy as "Little T" (Tumor). Our kids are, Danielle 14yrs, Kody 12 yrs, Lolo almost 9yrs and Sammy 11 months!