A Bakers Dozen

Last night we went out to celebrate our 13th Anniversary! Life has taken us lots of places we didn't expect, but life is good. And I feel blessed to share it all with Mark. Mark, thank you for all the laughs, support, love, and for carrying me when things are hard. Love you!

Hairs Cut

Easton has had lots of haircuts at home. But this was his first experience at a barber. Despite the tears, he sat still and cooperated really well. Perhaps it's the lollipop that kept him from running from the chair?

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for being married to my best friend!

I am thankful for my sweet (and crazy) boys who we can never get a picture of!

Good friends to celebrate the holidays with!

Fun experiences with my family!

More fun with family and friends! We went to Omaha last week to watch our Alma mater BYU play Creighton and had a ton of fun! It was a lot of fun to have our good friends the J family with us.

And I am thankful for a kid who invites me to school functions, sits by me, and even gave me a hug. Congrats Mason on your DARE graduation!

What a Difference

Last week we went to Dallin's school music performance. It was so good. The kids were amazing. They had worked very hard (and the music teachers do such a great job) to put this program on for their families and friends. As we were watching Dallin, I leaned over to Mark and asked Mark if he remembered Dallin at preschool programs. What a difference! He was the kid who frowned and did not participate. And look at him now, smiling, singing, and dancing. He even had two speaking parts. It was so much fun, thanks Dallin.

I know this picture is dark, but that little guy in the red shirt, hands down, and looking so sullen. That's my sweet Dallin.

In love

I love when I find pictures that the kids take on the camera. Sometimes they are random, like a picture of a toy or the carpet, but then these types appear...love them!

I took this picture not too long ago and oh my...how cute is he. Those big brown eyes, they melt me.

All Things Fall!

We start with a birthday. Happy day Mark!

Throw in a couple of running races. The John Deere run was a 5K for me, and sprints for the kids.

This race is the annual Urbandale Elementary 1 Mile. Mason and Dallin ran the mile and Drew and Easton did sprints for the younger kids.

Play some soccer. I was so proud of Drew. It was his first time playing and he really got into it.

Had our annual trip to Berry Batch Farms to pick apples, pumpkins, and raspberries. Easton really got into the picking of the raspberries, or should I say he really got into the eating of the raspberries.

Chose wisely!

A quick day trip to Nauvoo, Illinois. There is an LDS temple there and an 1840's historic city. We enjoyed the perfect fall day there.

And the carving (or coloring with crayons depending on who you ask) of the pumpkins. Always a fun night!

Cub Scouts

The boys worked hard this summer in Scouts and the work paid off in the form of a whole lot of achievements. This was the first pack meeting since May...lots of awards.

Dallin received his Bobcat and numerous belt loops. He has also been working hard on his achievements. I am really proud of him.

Mason received 3 Webelo pins, belt loops, and a big one - the Religious Knot. He is well on his way to his Arrow of Light.

Good Thing You're Cute!

Getting caught up in a baking project, I failed to recognize that the flour bucket had disappeared. I did manage to notice before he emptied the bucket, thank goodness he only had time for a few handfuls.


He seems ever so upset to be caught in the act.

Girl's Weekend of Waiting

My friend and I had this grand idea that we would drive down to Kansas City, meet another friend there and have a very nice dinner and then head over to the Event Center and watch the So You Think You Can Dance Tour Concert. So we bought great seats on the floor, got all the kids situated, made lists for the hubbies, and left with PLENTY of time to get there and not have to rush at all.
Oh, but if only it worked out that way...
So we get off right on time, which was a miracle in itself after all that happened to be going on that day. Tank is full, bags are in the car, and we are off. And then what should happen, but the Interstate happens to be closed for over 20 miles due to a semi full of fertilizer tipping over and spilling it's highly toxic load. So divert all Interstate off onto a small country road and what do you get 2 hours of stop (mostly stop) and go traffic. Oh heaven we get back on our way. Only to run into construction traffic. No problem call up Kansas City friend tell her to meet us at Event Center, pick up fast food, hop back in car, and eat on the way. No problem we have 40 minutes to go and less than 15 minutes to drive.
And as we are close enough to see down town, but not close enough to the exit we run into construction traffic again. So what should have taken 15 minutes took 90! Arrive at parking garage. Which only takes cash on event nights...no cash. I was going to get some, but we ran out of time. Thank you attendant who takes a chance on us and lets us park and pay him two minutes later (the ATM was at the entrance of the garage).
Yeah we get to our seats 45 minutes after it started. And no kidding the great seats we paid extra for - can't see anything, even on the tips of our seats moving our heads around those in front of us constantly. And to top it off the lady in front of my Des Moines friend had a fro, huge red poof! We all become mad...who drives 6 hours to sit in expensive seats and you can only watch it from the big screen they are projecting it on to. NO WAY!!!!
So up we get and find some empty seats that we can see and enjoy from. And thank goodness it all worked out in the end. We did have fun at the concert. And it was so good to see Kansas City friend. Who made us cinnamon rolls Saturday morning before we headed back!
All this in less than 24 hours.
We will laugh about this in a few days and I will always be grateful that I was stuck in a car with a very good friend who I can talk and talk and talk with. Besides count your blessings - at least there were no kids sitting in the back screaming.

The Claw

There are always the little things you want to remember and for me this is definitely one of those things...

It started with Dallin and Drew. They love to see the garbage truck come and collect the the big bin with the pinchers. Two weeks ago they introduced Easton to "the claw." This morning as we were all getting out of our beds, Easton heard the garbage truck. He immediately ran to the windows and began screaming, "CLAW! CLAW!" To which everyone of the boys came running, opened the blinds, and lifted Easton so he too could see the wondrous garbage truck. Entertainment at its finest.

The truck with the claw, unfortunately I couldn't find a picture with the claw extended (but you get the idea).

First Day of School

With a bit of a heavy heart I sent three boys off to school today. THREE. I am always a bit sad to see summer come to an end. We had a lot of good quality time together...lots of good memories made.
There was lots of excitment this morning. So seeing them happy and ready to go was exciting to me as well.
Drew started kindergarten and I think that may be where my heavy heart comes from. He was definitely ready, but this mom was not quite ready to give up that time I had with him before all day kindergarten. But he was so cute and so excited to get there. Nothing but smiles. Love that kid!


So farwell summer and hello fall!

Reminders

There have been several things lately that have reminded me just how blessed I am by my knowledge of the gospel. And what it comes down to is that my family is what brings me hope. There are trials, bad things are unavoidable in life, but there are also glimpses of heaven each day.

July

July has been a good month. We spent the Fourth in Colorado. We took several hikes, played outside, and enjoyed. We did what we love and that is being with family. Blessings come in the form of nights of family dinners where everyone is laughing, kids are running, and no one wants to leave the table because the company is so good. We had that. And we loved it.

July brought freedom. And a scaly leg.


And lots of hot summer days filled with neighborhood projects, pirates, and a whole lot of dirt.

And a few surprises...there are truly no Lego free zones in my home.