Avery's School Christmas Program

We love our kids school, can't say enough good thing about it.  Every year they have a Christmas Program.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of the parking lot, it took us about 1/2 hour to find a parking spot,  it was crazy.  They combined the 1st and 2nd Graders this year.  In my opinion they knocked the other grades out of the water!!

Wait can't tell were she is.  ( It took me awhile to find her)

Oh there she is, she doesn't like that she always in the front, but I love it.

Heart Broken

There are many times that I wish that I had a gift with words. Especially on days like today.  I don't have the right words to say, but will try.

My heart is broken today, for my brother and his wife.  Their sweet little girl came into the world early this morning for a brief time and then went back to our loving Heavenly Father.  We knew she had some heart problems, but were much worse than expected and couldn't be fixed.  I know personaly have been filled with an uncompendable sense of peace, and am so greatful for the knowledge that I have of families being  forever, and someday Bret and Amy will have their sweet Ella.

They are living off of student loans at the moment, and Amy's Sister, who also happens to be a very talented photographer, has set up an account to help with the funeral cost.  Visit greenappleimages.com/blog for more info, and a beautiful picture of sweet Ella.

Cute Family

A couple nights ago,  I went and took family pictures for a good friend.

Aren't they cute!

She LOVED to pose in front of the camera, it made my job so easy.

This little guy, sure did keep me on my toes.  Hes quite but hes quick, and I could not get him to smile for the life of me.

I think by the end, his dad did want to throw him in the lake!

Family Picture

We haven't had the family together in 2 years, and haven't been able to get my Dad in agree to a picture in I don't know how long.  Sunday was my brothers homecoming, and my mom was able to talk my Dad into a quick picture before church.  Not too bad for trying to not get wet from the rain, and setting everyone up.  Thanks to Kurt for coming over and pushing the button, so I could be in too.

He's Home

My brother Craig got home from his mission earlier this month.  We all went to the airport to welcome him home. (Of course)

Here is my cute sister, can you believe that she is 7 months prego, in this picture.

It makes me sick, and no its not her first.  Maybe I wouldn't be so reluctent to have another if I looked like this.

Tate really enjoyed the airport, both Bret and Cody took turns running around with him.  Man where is that kids parents?

Another cute sister and Brody

Here he comes,  Brody decided to run down to meet him, but he just kept going.  We had to yell at Craig that hes ours and to grab him.

When ever you would ask Brody, " Where's Craig", he would say "On a Meession"

I think he still says that.

Mom gets first hug!

We are glad he is home, we missed his Craigisms, and little songs.

Breakfast of Champions!

Mmmmmmm, Pumpkin Cake!

So good in fact, I had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

HALLOWEEEEEN!!!

See this shirt, this kid is obessed! Because he had his "cars" shirt on, I could not get him to dress up.  If you asked him what he was, he would point to his shirt and say, " Lightning McQueen".  I was happy with that

Avery and Allie were witches this year.  Allie would not wear the hat, because she was too worried that it would mess up her hair for the evening.  The funny things we will do for our hair.

We went to my parents  block party this year, where we claimed a little spot on the side walk and ate.  It was the perfect spot.  It was at the entrance to the circle, so we got to watch everyone come in.  Right behind us were the hot dogs, but was the kids were excited about was the snow cones right in front of our little spot.

And we ate Snowcones,

Cotton Candy,

Lots of Cotton Candy!

and more snowcones

My Children are alittle posessive when it comes to food!  Tate was afaid that Brody was there to take is snow cone.

We missed Daddy this year, he was out Hunting, but I think the kids had a great time.

Criss Cross Will Make You Want To.....

Jump, Jump!!!!

Tate worked so hard to put his pants on all by himself today. We just didn't have the

heart to change it.

So yes, this is how he wore his pants all day long.

Two

At the beginning of July Tate turned two. I still can't believe it. I have been kind of a slacker of a mom with birthdays for my kids this year. As you can see his birthday cake this year was Hostess Cupcakes. Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly satified with these little treats, but not exactly what I had in mind. We tried to explain to him how to blow out the candles, but he just wasn't understanding. So Daddy to the rescue to show him how its done.

Here he is patiently waiting for those cupcakes. Look at those eyes, don't they just make you feel so bad for making him wait.

Finally, he was in heaven. Maybe it wasn't too bad that they were just store bought cupcakes?

He got this truck, he was so excited about it. It even has a drill so that he can take the entire thing apart. I am still not quite sure if I am excited about it, I am finding skrews all over the place.

Happy Birthday Buddy, We Love You!

Kids B/W Headshots

I needed to get pictures of my kids up on my wall, so I took some pictures of the kids. Hopefully I will get on the ball soon and get some ordered. For now they will be here on our blog.

A Illness has overtaken our House

So you better stay away!

Its called the "I can't do that" illness. Its followed by uncontrollable temper tantrums, and running around the house like a chicken with its head cut off.

Every Morning it begins:

"Time to make your bed," "I can't do that!"

"You need to take a shower,' "I can't do that!"

" Let's Brush your hair," "I can't do that!"

"Pick up your toys," "I can't do that!"

Everyonce in a while I will throw in,

"Its time for Breakfast," "I can't....wait?"

So by that time I know that it has just become a natural responds to any thing I ask my girls to do. ( Tate still doesn't talk much, but I am sure the illness will set in as soon as he can)


So I believe it is time for some medicine. I think Dr. Mom is going to prescribe some heavy doses of HARD WORK and lots of encouragement. To show them that they can do some pretty great things, even if they are hard, and especially if they don't want to.


And to prove to my children that it is possible, I am going to give up my most favorite thing in the world. Chocolate! Yes, thats right. I have got to do something drastic. It has become out of control, and I really don't want it spreading to other families.

I Love to See the Temple.

I'm going there someday...

Last Saturday, we got a chance to take the youth of our ward to the open house of the Gila Valley Temple. All I can say is what an amazing opportunity it was to get to go. And to be able to go with them. At 9:00 am we started the drive to the temple, and got there just in time for lunch. We were able to get into the temple about a half hour earlier than our scheduled time. What a wonderful experience to be able to take the Youth through the temple. To see their faces light up as we walked through. You could see it one there faces that they knew where they were, and that they wanted to be able to go back someday. I love the youth of our ward, they are the best.

More Strawberries.

Is it possible to get sick of these little gems?

Strawberry Holiday

Here is todays Harvest!! You could say that we are having our own little strawberry holiday at our house this week. Everyday we pick about this many strawberries from our garden. And they are huge, and so good. We have had to throw quite a few of them into the compost pile, because by time I get to picking them they are too ripe. We sure are enjoying them. I would say it is the year of the Strawberries.

Dream Chicken Coop

If ever there was a dream chicken coop, this would be it!






















Nate and I have been debating if we should get us a few little chicks, and how and where we would build a chicken coop. As soon as I saw this one I knew it had to be it!

Check out the blog here

Mud!

This is what happens to our backyard when it rains. And we are getting ready for another round tomorrow. Oh boy, this boy loves to play in the mud. He was mad the day I made him come in the house. We will see how much more we get tomorrow