Smith Family

Happy New Year!

2012-01-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

Lots of food, lots of games, lots of snort/laughing! Yep, that is the definition of this year's New Year's Eve party. We played games such as, Pictionary cards, Things, Imagine If and Texas Train.

Courtney and Preston were able to join the party and we had a full house. The kids mainly played down stairs or on the Wii while us "Adults" played our games. It always cracks me up when the Smith family gets together! We sure had fun!

Christmas Day

2012-01-04T12:05:00.001-07:00

Christmas Day was full of toys, candy, good food, lots of playing and laughing and lots and lots of noise!

Mason got a Cowboy town, Brooklyn got a princess castle and Dallas got a farm to play with. All of the cousins were so busy looking at each other's presents, it was a bit of sensory overload at first. :-)

I got Jeremiah back from last year. We agreed to not get each other presents last year and Jer went and gave me a pressure cooker for Christmas last year. This year, I got him a couple movies he liked. :-) It made me laugh. He was so mad at me. He he he.

That afternoon, we went to church for Sacrament Meeting. They had a nice Choir singing and program. I think everyone was so hyped up on sugar that it was impossible to get the kids to settle down. Little Dallas somehow got away from me and snuck up to the pulpit! How embarrassing!

Christmas Eve

2012-01-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve we spent at my in-law's house along with Jeremiah's parents, older sister Amanda with her family and Shayla, his youngest sister.

Santa Claus came to the house riding on a lit up fire truck! The kids were so excited to get to sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. He gave them each a box of candy and a little stuffed animal. What a treat!

After Santa left, all 14 of us walked down the street to the nursing home and sang Christmas carols in the hall ways.

After returning home, Grandma Mo read a sweet story about a special Christmas orange.

After her story, all of the kids got dressed up to act out the Christmas story. Ashlyn- as Mary, Mason- as Joseph, Logan- as a Shepherd, and Kennedy and Brooklyn- as Angels. Aunt Shayla read the Christmas story out of Luke and the kids walked in when their part was read. They were so sweet and reverent.

After getting pj's on, the big girls, Brooklyn and Ashlyn worked together to write a Christmas letter to leave out on the table for Santa to read when he ate his fudge and egg nog.

All the big kids slept in the same room Christmas Eve. It took quite a long time for them to fall asleep. Dallas had a hard time sleeping as well. He always does when he isn't in his own bed.

It was a little crazy and chaotic with all of the kids running around but it was a great Christmas Eve!

Zoo lights

2012-01-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

This year we took a trip to the Denver Zoo to see the Christmas lights.

It was so pretty! There were a ton of people there. Poor Mason was lolly gagging and when we found him, he said "I lost myself!" He was so upset. :-)

The kids were a little disappointed that the animals were all sleeping and we tried to explain that we were there to see the lights mostly.

Dallas could only handle half of the night and the rest he screamed and was done.

All in all, I'd like to go again but maybe when the baby is a little older.

Trimming The Tree!

2011-12-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

We usually have a tradition to trim the tree the day after Thanksgiving but this year we couldn't wait that long. thanksgiving night we put on some Christmas music, pulled out the tree and got busy!

I just love this time of year. The warmth of the lights and smells. The family get togethers and the cooking! Christmas is my favorite Holiday.

Spreading the branches.

Half of the lights worked. Thank goodness Jer got them all working!

My silly kiddos.

little copy cat Dallas.

Here you go!

Putting hooks on the balls.

Silly daddy wearing Mason's reindeer antlers.

What good helpers.

My beads boy!

All finished with my cowboys and cowgirl.

Thanksgiving!

2011-12-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

We had Thanksgiving just us this year. It was a very relaxed day but we all agreed, too quiet.

I am so grateful for my family. For the job Jeremiah has and enjoys. I am Thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I am able to share it with my children and watch their spirits grow. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to teach my children at home and really be there with them at this time in their lives. It has really been such a great experience to tutor them and see their individual personalities blossom. I am grateful for all of you great friends and family. I hope your Holidays are wonderful this year!

Dal with his be be watching the Parade.

Jer getting the turkey ready for the grill!

The boys watching the parade.

Sitting down for Thanksgiving Lunch!

Mason so excited to try the turkey.

Really the best turkey I've ever eaten. Great job honey!

Brooklyn Sooo full.

Dallas eating away.

Me with my candied apple cheese cake.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:54:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween everybody!

I wasn't sure the kids would be able to trick or treat this year. They missed the church trunk or treat. I thought they'd be too sick to trick or treat down Main Street here as well. I decided since Mason's fever hadn't come back since Monday night, also we have been pretty bummed about daddy being gone for a week for training at work, I let them go today. We only trick or treated for about an hour. I'm glad that was all.

All three kids were just exhausted. Recouping from being sick takes a lot of energy. Even the excitement of getting candy didn't help. Both Brooklyn and Mason were so slow and Dallas fell asleep not even half way through. We decided to go home and relax instead of do any more treating tonight. There is always next year!

Tough Week...

2011-10-31T13:59:00.000-06:00

This past week has been a tough one for the kiddos. Brooklyn started it all by getting a sore throat and runny nose. Dallas caught the runny nose but I don't believe his throat ever hurt. Poor Mason got it the worst since he had fevers, throat ache and the head cold. It was especially hard on them because they knew Halloween was coming up.

We had them rest up over the weekend. So far they are acting well enough to go trick or treat this afternoon on Main Street. So far we have been fever free for almost two days. The side effects are: Mason lost weight, tired and a little cranky.

Dad left today for a week. He went to Nebraska for a business training. That will not help the little one's attitudes much. *sigh*

Pray I make it this week with my head still attached!?

Jack o lanterns!

2011-10-29T16:19:00.000-06:00

It is that time of year again. Even though the kids have been feeling under the whether, we still wanted to carve pumpkins.

Jer made a cowboy, Mason and I made Frankenstein and Brook made a vampire jack o lantern.

Afterwards I roasted some pumpkin seeds. One batch was seasoned with Cajun, seasoned salt and pepper and the other batch was sugar and cinnamon. I think the kids liked the salty ones better since they were more crunchy. The sugar made the other seeds softer.

I just love my goof ball family!

1st snow fall!

2011-10-29T16:05:00.000-06:00

The first snow fall of the year! We got done with school and the kids wanted to go outside to make a snowman.

Dallas wasn't too sure about the hat and gloves but eventually became fascinated with the white stuff.

I was pretty impressed with Brooklyn and Mason's snow man. They pretty much made it all by themselves. :-)

Afterwards, I bribed the kids to shovel off the driveway by promising to have caramel apples and hot chocolate ready when they got done. Yay! Worked like a charm.

And life goes on...

2011-10-29T15:31:00.000-06:00

I've been avoiding this post for a few days now because it is hard to talk about. The short and sweet version is that we wont be able to build our house. We got news from the bank stating that the house needed to appraise for a certain amount to get a full coverage building loan and it didn't. We'd needed quite a bit of a down payment to continue. That was money we just didn't have.

I was feeling quite sorry for myself these past couple weeks. It is funny to me how the Lord teaches us through the times you really don't want to hear it. I was especially down and even though I was sad, I kept getting these thoughts that maybe there is a good reason why it didn't work out. Maybe in the long run, we wouldn't be able to afford a brand new house. Maybe I just needed to learn to be happy with what I have and not covet the things I can't have.

All of these thoughts kept running through my mind. Jer and I decided to once again go house hunting for something that is already here. We came upon a home that has been on the market since we moved here (about 4 years ago). At the time, they were asking more than we could afford. Now, four years later the house price has dropped enough that it was worth taking a look at. What we found was a home that is rough around the edges but with a little love and care, has the potential to be our dream home.

Jer and I mulled it over and prayed about it and decided to put in an offer! We were countered and ultimately accepted their counter.

Now the hard part, waiting and hoping all the inspections and appraisals turn out okay.

Here is to hoping!

2011-10-14T11:08:00.000-06:00

Well folks, after months and months of planning, phone calls and face to face meetings, we have finally decided on a bid and contractor. We now have everything into the bank.

All that is left to do is wait and pray.

We should know within a couple weeks if our estimate is accepted and the loan is approved. Once that is through, the excavation on the land will start! I am so excited I can hardly breathe!

Poor Jer is so nervous. I don't blame him. He did most of the hard work. I can't even think of the appraisal not matching up to the estimate.

Hopefully soon I will have some of our first pictures to post!

Busy busy busy!

2011-10-06T13:50:00.001-06:00

This past week, we have been crazy busy. It seems like everyone in town is dog sick and I got it. Jer caught it from me a couple days later. Luckily, the kids stayed healthy.
Sometimes, it seems like its worse for the parents to be sick than the kids because we still have to teach school, clean, cook and keep on working. The week passed in a haze to me. I know we worked on school. I spent a couple days of school teaching from my couch and snuggled in a blanket. Jer actually ended up taking a day off of work to help me and then when he got sick, he took another day off for himself.

SATURDAY~
Jer ended up taking Brooklyn to her volleyball game on Saturday. I was too sick to go. Her team won! She sure enjoyed that time with dad alone.

Sunday~
We watched General Conference. I had the big kids sit down with paper and crayons. Brooklyn took notes and Mason drew pictures of what they thought was important. I was pretty impressed with how well the kids listened.
There were a few talks that I loved on Sunday but the main over all message I got out of conference this year was to be bold, make a choice, be an example in these times and follow our Savior. I counted several times that the speakers said to fear not, and stressed that we need to Choose for ourselves. I kinda felt like they were trying to say okay brothers and sisters, its the last days, you've had plenty of time. Now its your turn to show us if you believe what you say you believe. I love the spirit that always comes into our home when we listen to Conference. I guess it helps that we are reading about King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon right now. It really helped me get ready to listen to the Prophet and Apostles.

Monday~
Jer and I got back our contractor's bids for the house we are building and they were higher than we expected. The next day I made an appointment to look at a few houses for sale here in town. That way we'd have options and weren't limiting our choices. Only one property looked descent but we still felt like we would be sacrificing so much space for the money.
That realization brought us back to the drawing board with the building project and after many phone calls, we were able to knock quite a bit off of our end price. I just realized it's better to do without some of those end finishes for now and still get the house than it would be to give up the whole project altogether. On top of that, there were ways to put some sweat equity into it and keep the cost down.

Thursday~
Jeremiah talked with the bank today and by Monday, if everything goes smoothly, we should be signing an agreement for the land and after we sign an agreement with our contractor we will be on our way to actually starting our dream home. If the bank goes well, we will be hopefully starting the house the last week of this month!

I have learned so much with this experience. Most of all, I've learned that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy.
In the grand scheme of things, building or buying a house isn't all that important, but because he is my Father and he loves me, I know that he cares what happens to me. I know that if we work hard enough and keep him involved with the decisions, things will work out.

Another Volleyball game!

2011-09-24T19:20:00.000-06:00

Brooklyn's team won both of their games today!

Today was picture day! Brook's games were played at the NJC stadium. Jer had a fire early this morning, I wasn't sure if he would make it to her game. Thank goodness for my father in-law who came early to help watch the boys while I helped Brook get her pictures taken.

Luckily, Jer made it just in time to watch Brook's 1st game start.

The girls were so cute. They were so excited to take pictures together!

I am so happy to watch Brook grow and enjoy herself with other girls. It takes me back to my childhood to watch her light up, just being a girl!

We are so proud of you Brook!

9 YEARS!

2011-09-17T21:31:00.000-06:00

(Okay, I know this is the cheesiest picture you've ever seen but this is what you get when you try to take a picture with one arm.)

Jeremiah and my 9 year wedding anniversary is this Monday, but since we live out of town, we decided to celebrate a couple days early.

Jer's parents were kind enough to watch the kid for us so we could go out for lunch alone at Jambalaya's in Merino, Colorado.

Jambalaya's has some really great Cajun style food. I really loved the jerk chicken wrap I ordered. :-)

I can't believe it has almost been a decade since we were married and sealed to each other for eternity. There are times when it feels just like yesterday that we walked through those doors. Other times I feel like we have been together for much longer than 9 years.

Jer,

I still remember why I fell in love with you 9 years ago. You were funny and cute, you loved your mission and had a great testimony, you got along with your sisters and looked up to your dad. You were adorable with your baby niece. You were so hard working that you had so many jobs it almost killed you.

Those were just some of the reasons you took my heart that long ago.

Now it is 9 years later and I can tell you for a fact that my love for you has grown. I love you because 9 years later you can still make me laugh so hard I almost shoot water through my nose. I love you because you are the most wonderful father and partner I could ask for. I love when you leave me notes outside my door to tell me you've taken the kids for a ride so I could get just a little more sleep. I love the random flowers you come home with, just because. I love how you get a high pitched laugh when you find something funny. I love how your face lights up when the kids come running to you when you get home from work. I love how much you get into your job and always put all you have into it. I love your determination. I love that on a hard day you are the 1st person I want to talk to. I love how you do crazy things or say random things in your sleep. I love that you always want to fix things.

I have realized that it isn't the huge things that have made us grow together through the years, but the little every day things that mean the most.

I love you babe for all that you do and all that you are! Here's to another decade of us!

Brooklyn's 1st Volleyball game

2011-09-17T21:05:00.000-06:00

We are so proud of our little girl! Brook had her 1st volleyball game today! We got up at 7 this morning and made it to Sterling by 8am for the game. She made three points in a row when she served!!! Now we just need to practice with her so she can go after the ball more. She was so happy to play, she didn't even care that they lost both games. What a happy go lucky child I'm blessed with! I feel so lucky to have her and her sweet personality in my life! Heck, after every hit she missed, she'd get this goofy grin on her face and look up at me and wave. Ha ha ha! I kept thinking "yes Brooky, you are cute. Now get back into the game!" Oh my! She is something else. I tell you!!!

Still planning the dream...

2011-09-16T11:50:00.001-06:00

I am writing this post in response to all of the questions I have gotten lately as to the progress of the house we are building.

I never knew how difficult it would be just to plan something. We have been trying for months now to get all of the quotes together that we will need, only to finally decide that it might be better for everyone involved to hire one company to do the whole project. (If we can get the right price).

They really aught to come up with a manual to get couples through the process of building a house.

The building process and stress all starts way before you actually put a single board into place.

1st there is finding a location. Then agreeing on a price that makes everyone happy. Next you have to take your material's list and plans to all of the contractors you plan on using and get bids on their jobs. That sounds easy except it isn't when people never get back to you! Finally you have to deal with the bank and get all your paperwork filed as well as discuss exactly how much everything is going to cost. That involves a lot of math and figuring. I am so grateful Jer is handling that part since I get so flustered. Heck the easiest part of the whole project so far is agreeing on decor!

Right now it still feels like a dream that is slowly taking shape. I know it will get done, its just getting all of the little details figured out and in order.
At the moment we are just waiting for one company's quote on the whole project and the bank to approve a construction loan.

We have been up and down with building our own house to possibly getting some contractors to do bits and pieces of the project or just hiring someone to do the whole thing altogether. I think we would love to do it ourselves from top to bottom but I just don't think that would be do-able with family (help) living so far away and everyone has a job already. It just seems like an impossible mission. We are now hoping to be able to afford to pay a company to build it for us.

Our original plan to buy land just outside of town didn't work out. The owners wanted way too much mula and we really didn't want to have to pay for a propane tank installation. Happily we have land right next door to the house we are renting. The owner isn't asking for an arm and a leg for it either. :-)

We are hoping (if all goes well with this company) to start the house by October 1st. Possible move in would be January or February.

Its a longer process than we anticipated. Thank you family and friends for being patient with us and our posts.

My baby is eating like a pro!

2011-09-12T12:58:00.000-06:00

Dallas is 20 months old today! He is doing pretty good in nursery. Yesterday he cried some but not bad enough to come get me. For a few days now, he has been using utensils when he eats! I am extremely excited about this! He refuses to sit in a high chair anymore and insists he sit at either the big table with the older kids or his little table. I just can't believe how much my little guy has grown in height and personality! Saturday Jer's dad came to the door and the older kids ran to him saying GRANDPA! next thing I knew, Dallas followed behind and said Grandpa for the 1st time! His vocabulary is growing and lately whenever he finds something funny, he bends his whole body over and laughs really big! :-)

We sure enjoy this silly boy in our home!

Akron Air Show!

2011-09-12T12:23:00.000-06:00

Saturday was the Akron Air Show here in town. Jeremiah's dad came up to see it. Jer couldn't visit with us because he is on the volunteer fire department and he was on truck duty from 7:45 till 4:30pm.

We had fun walking around. We saw lots of planes and old show cars. I got the kids each their own toy plane. My favorite part was when the Golden knights parachuted from the sky and performed tricks. Around 2pm Dallas got tired so I took him home to bed. I didn't realize it, but our porch was the perfect spot to watch the remaining air planes fly! We said goodbye to grandpa and watched the rest of the show from home. It was a great day!

Labor Day Weekend!

2011-09-08T10:47:00.000-06:00

Our three kids.

Ready to hike! This time last year he was in a carrying pack. He's so big now!

stopped on the bridge to look at the stream.

Rock climbing!

Ugg! This one is too big Mom!

Jer and I.

My bunch playing in the stream.

Thats my Dal, licking rocks. OH YEAH!

Getting wet, but having a blast.

My sweet hubby in his element!

Big Elk sniffing the air.

His heram. Ha Ha Ha!

Beautiful Sunset!

Elk at sunset.

Look how close!

This Labor Day Weekend, we went to our favorite place in Estes Park. It has a small hiking trial that is easy for the little ones and has a pretty stream for the kids to play in and a waterfall. This time we saw tons of Elk, some Deer and a few Blue Birds. We always love visiting this place. The beauty takes my breath away every time! The kids played hard this time and Mason cracked us up the way he fell asleep! After taking a few wrong turns and leaving the park after dark, we finally made it home to sleep!

Labor Day Monday we went up to Jer's parent's house and Jer helped Morris put up some sheet rock in his garage while Cindy and I went and ran some errands and school clothes shopping a little. I know Jer would agree with me that he hates shopping. I know he won't mind me saying how nice it was to go shopping with someone that won't rush me! It just felt GOOD! After that we ate hamburgers and visited for a bit. Jer and I must have caught a small cold because we were both not feeling well by Tuesday but even with the way I felt, I love three day weekends!!!

Volleyball girl

2011-09-08T09:57:00.001-06:00

Brooklyn has signed up to play Volleyball this year. She is really enjoying the practices and loves seeing some of her old friends from elementary school. All her practices are here in town and her games will be in Sterling Saturdays starting this Sat the 17th! I can't wait!!!

A New School Year!

2011-09-08T09:46:00.000-06:00

Mason working hard on his 1st math assesment.

My Brooklyn doing Language Arts.

School has officially begun! Once again we are doing Colorado Virtual Academy. The only change this year, I have acquired an additional student.

Mason Todd is my kindergartner this year!!!

We had a rocky start but once we put the family computer in the school room beside the school computer, schooling has been much easier.

Brooklyn is my 2nd grader this year and is such a big help with Mason and Dallas. Usually she starts her lesson on her own while I get Mason started then when she gets stuck or needs help with the reading I switch back and forth.

So far we have started a few motivation charts where the kids earn a sticker each day that they try their best and focus for their lessons. After earning all their stickers, they get a prize!

I am truly amazed at how different each of my children are. Brooklyn is pretty hungry to learn and I feel truly blessed to have her good attitude and helpfulness in the class. Mason is my little boy and he takes after his daddy. He takes quite a bit of coaching and encouragement these days but I think he will get there. Hopefully soon! Ha ha!

I am so interested to see how these two learn and grow this school year!!!

Denver Trip to the Zoo!

2011-08-23T12:51:00.000-06:00

Monday August 15 we drove to Denver with Jer's parents and his sister Amanda's family. We stayed at the Resonance Hotel there. It was pretty fancy. We got lucky and Jer and Dan were the guests of the day so we got special access to the 10 floor for snacks, complimentary sodas, and Breakfast! It was really nice!

The next day we went to the Denver Zoo. He hadn't been there together since Logan was a new born. It was lots of fun. The kids loved being together to see it all.

Here are the kiddos in our van.

The lobby.

Pufus!

Daddy and Dallas looking at the zebras.

the big girls!

I love the giraffes.

watching the polar bear. He looked so sad to me.

saw a sea lion show.

the girls with a snake!

trying to touch a sting ray.

walking with daddy into the jungle!

horseshoe crab.

Kimono dragon.

fell asleep with his feet propped up. Ha ha!

feeding the birds.

cute little guy from Madagascar.

Kennedy looking at the Orangutan.

This reminds me of Jer's and my 1st anniversary. Went to a zoo in Utah and he stood like this too.

Courtney's Wedding

2011-08-19T15:52:00.000-06:00

Friday August 12th, Courtney and Preston got married. We took lots of pictures outside the church. The kids were so cute in their pink and orange outfits!!!

Unfortunately, Dallas was a huge pill and I missed the entire ceremony and the cake cutting afterwards! Remind me to thank you later D D (lovingly nick named Darn Dallas now).

Congratulations Courtney and Preston! Hope you two have a wonderful and happy life together!

Decorating for the Reception!

2011-08-12T09:43:00.000-06:00

Jillian and Amanda singing here comes the bride.

the sisters!

Uncle Preston with Brynlee

Aunt Shayla with Kennedy

Dallas walking through the lanterns

Dallas watching the wedding video and dancing

Mom Smith decorating the food table

It was a little chaotic with all the kids but we made it!

All done! So pretty!

Its always such fun when you gather the Smith family together! Yesterday we decorated for Courtney and Preston's reception! The kids were all over the place and we had tons of things to do. We were so busy we worked right through lunch. By the time I got us some dinner and started to drive home, Dallas crashed in the car. It was a big day but it was fun.

Brook's 1st Calf Ride!

2011-08-10T15:32:00.000-06:00

It is one of my favorite times of year again! Fair time!!!

We signed Brooklyn up to ride muttin' bustin' Saturday August 6th, but found out last minute that you have to be 4-6 years old for that so we asked her if she was brave enough to ride the calves instead. She was super excited! Unfortunately Jer's phone didn't record a video and my phone only got a very blurry picture but she had a blast and can't wait to do it again next year.

The rider who stayed on longest won a buckle! Brook wasn't the longest but she did a pretty good job! I'm so proud of my little girl! As a reward for being brave they got to ride on the carousel!

My excited little girl!

that's my little cowboy!

baby Dal

the kids getting ready to ride.

Mason said, he's looking at me mom!

Brook getting a better view.

Ye haw!

That's my big girl! climbing over the fence back to dad.

The reward for being brave!

Akron Parade and Muttin Bustin

2011-08-10T15:07:00.000-06:00

Friday August 5 was the Akron Parade. Then we took the kids to the fair and see the muttin bustin!

Sitting pretty patiently for the parade to start.

The three boys!

playing with their candy bags!

Waving hello to the rodeo princesses!!!

Jer with the two babies!

The two little girls waving.

Akron's old fire truck!

Wow! what a big tractor!

poor kid hanging on for dear life!

they are so cute riding those sheep!

Courtney's Bridal Shower!

2011-08-10T14:42:00.000-06:00

Wednesday night Aug. 3rd we had Courtney's bridal shower! First, Jill and Amanda called Preston and asked him questions about Courtney to see how well they know each other. For every wrong answer either one gave, Courtney had to stick a marshmallow in her mouth! It was hilarious to see her cheeks get so full!

The next game we did was pack a suit case and told her that she and Preston are on a vacation but the power all went out. The only way to survive is to put on everything from the suitcase while not being able to see.

The last game we did was to make wedding dresses out of toilet paper! Cindy, Courtney and Caralee were on one team dressing Courtney and Me, Amanda and Jillian we on another team dressing Jill. It ended up being a tie! The little girls judged the dresses!

When we were all done, the little kids had a big time playing in all of the toilet paper!

laughing too hard! She's gonna spit it all out!

oh no! the power went out!

hurry put on that brightly colored bathing suit to survive!! he he he!

pretty brides!

Brook decorating Amanda.

Sterling Fire House!

2011-08-10T14:17:00.000-06:00

All of the cousins minus little Brynlee in front of the fire station.

Mason bug in a fire truck!

Logan's turn.

Ashlyn and Brooklyn driving!

He drove the big fire truck out for us to look at.

Brook had a turn.

Mason's turn!

Even Amanda had to try it.

love this picture!

Wednesday August 3rd Amanda, Jillian and I took all of our kiddos to the Sterling Fire Station! One of the fire fighters took us around the fire house and showed us the Trucks, equipments and even let the kids squirt the water hose! They ended the nice tour with someone sliding down the pole! Mason wants to be a fireman even more now!!!

Music, pizza and of coarse, hill rolling!

2011-08-10T13:53:00.000-06:00

There is nothing better than listening to music, visiting with family and watching the kids have a big ol' time!

Here the kiddos are running around and rolling down this little hill.

Father and daughter having some one on one time.

Look at the boy's faces! LOVE IT!

Eating pizza and holding his sippy. Life is good.

Poor little addi had an accident. We all knew it would happen when we saw her crouch down. Oh boy! funny girl!

Brynlee and Ashlyn being cute!

Sterling Pool Park!

2011-08-10T13:37:00.000-06:00

Wednesday July 27th we took all the cousins to the Sterling Pool Park. It was a pretty hot day and the water felt good!

We started out at the kiddie pool where they all had fun, but the bigger kids wanted to go to the big pool. We picked up all of our stuff and the kids and lugged it over to the bigger pool, only to find out that the water was much cooler and the kids were harder to keep track of over there. So, back to the kiddie side we marched! Ha ha ha! I only had one scare with Dallas falling in. I jumped in the pool to pick him up and in the process landed on Brooky. She was okay and Dallas was safe so no harm done. Its always so nice to watch the kids playing together!

School Supplies!

2011-08-10T13:23:00.000-06:00

Once again we are schooling with Colorado Virtual Academy. Mason will be schooling at home this year as well as Brooklyn! Mase is in Kindergarten and Brooklyn is in Second grade. They have both been super excited to be home together for school!

Their boxes arrived on July 25th and they loved opening each one to see what they will be learning. Brooklyn loved seeing all of her new reading books for language arts. She was also very excited to see rocks and minerals that she will be learning in Science this year.

Mason was very happy to open is very own set of boxes and is excited to see that he has science as well!

We organized the school room and I had daddy bring in the school desks from the garage.

We are almost ready for school to start August 24th!!!

Here they are opening their boxes!

The school closet all organized.

The big computer desk and white board.

Mason sitting at his desk practicing his Alphabet.

Home at last and Colorado Springs!

2011-08-08T14:28:00.000-06:00

We are home at last! Our flight made it safely and I was so exhausted! It didn't help that I got sick the last couple days of the cruise so I didn't feel to well when we finally got to see daddy again. Poor Jer had missed us so much and was so bored without us that he was raring to go and do something as a family. We decided that we would spend the night at a hotel instead of try to drive home and the next day we went to see the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

When we drove home, I never thought Akron looked so pretty in my life! The fields were very golden yellow and I just had to stop and take a couple pictures of it! I guess You've wormed your way into my heart Akron, Colorado! When did that happen?!

Day at Sea and Back Home!

2011-08-08T14:14:00.000-06:00

Lobster towel buddy!

Brook and Mason jumped into the pool with their clothes on! Way to go Grandpa! he he he!

So proud of himself.

So I broke out the swim suits.

Brook and Mase had a blast in the hot tub area.

Dallas and I just hung out and watched.

Ta da! They discovered the super slide!

Mason Bug Loved It!

So did Brooky.

Why is it that everyone goes nuts on the last day! Here they started a Congo line.

Dallas was just watching probably thinking, What the heck is going on?!

Dad and Ma got a monkey towel buddy their last day.

The BEST sandwich ever! Pannini with pesto, tomato, mushrooms, and mozzarella!

My three kids waiting at the air port for 3 1/2 hours! It was something else! We only had a giant circle to walk around in to pass the time. We made it though. Dallas slept the whole flight home almost and didn't even cry when we landed! Yay for answered prayers!!!

Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

2011-08-08T13:49:00.000-06:00

The usual daily walk along the pool while eating icecreams.

When we docked in St. John.

This bear was on the sidewalk so we took a picture with him.

Gotta love this sign!!!

Rented a car and drove to Saint Martins to the bay of Fundy.

Little fishing village with lobster cages and boats.

Ma and me in front of the caves with the kids!

Mason found some seaweed! ew!

just playing in the OCEAN!

Dallas sitting with Grandpa finding cool rocks.

Sooo Beautiful!

At the Salmon River... Look mom, I saw a fish jump!

Grandpa teaching the kids how to skip rocks.

Dallas passed out.

lobster hats!

Giant Moose!

we found this pretty peacock or swan when we got back to our state room.

Dallas ate some Chicken nuggets while he watched Tangled on the TV.

I ordered some shrimp cocktail and a steak for dinner.

Dad accidentally ordered it to his room so it was pretty cool by the time we ate it but it was too funny!

___________________________________________________

All in all, Saint John was my favorite place! The kids loved playing on the beach! I loved the views!!! So much fun!!!

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada!

2011-08-02T16:00:00.000-06:00

Here Dallas is eating a banana for breakfast before our 1st shore excursion!

Brook and Mason eating a good breakfast too!

Halifax, Canada!

Going on the Harbourwalk! One of the longest boardwalks in North America.

Sailboat! Wish we would have been there for the sail days! tons of sailboats on those days.

Just looking at the sites.

A camera man stopped us and asked us to be on the news! Here he is hooking a mic on Ma!!! We were on TV! Granted, I'll never see it but... still!

Pretty little town!

Our family in front of our ship!

loved the striped sail!

Brook with a very friendly lobster!

bag pipes??? not sure why either. But it was nice!

We went to the Maritime Museum!

The wooden lady from an old ship.

Titanic Exhibit!

The Archway the 1st class passengers used to walk under to get to their deck.

a huge wooden anchor.

The light for a lighthouse.

another light house light. Brook was trying to find the flame. There wasn't one. Its an illusion.

The Acadia!

This Anchor was made in Pennsylvania. No Way!!!

another sail boat!

little Island with a light house!

my penguin towel buddy! When we got back to our ship this is what we found.

My dad and the crazy tired Dallas! Room service again tonight. Oh darn! ;-)

Halifax was such a neat place. I loved seeing the sailboats and walking along the board walk just taking in the neat shops. one of my favorite places was a little cafe' with tables outside. It had the most beautiful bright blue glasses! It reminded me of a french cafe! I want those glasses one day!!! I can't believe we were on TV too! Ma did a great job talking. I would have been so nervous, I would have jumbled the whole thing!

First Sea Day!

2011-08-02T15:14:00.000-06:00

Sunday morning we came back to our state room to a towel buddy and the place a made up!

Grandma watched Dallas While Grandpa and I took the kiddos to explore the ship and see the ocean.

Looking at the Ocean!

Sitting on the Lido deck. Brook was at Camp Carnival having a blast! Mason didn't like it too much so he stayed with us.

Me and my Mason Bug!

Love this picture of the kiddos! up on the higher sports deck.

Ice carving! It was an Indian Chief!

Me and Brooklyn at miniature golfing!

Dallas just hung out and loved that putter!

Brook and Mase putting!

Ewww! The hairy man competition!!! LOL!!!

Mason loving his top bunk bed.

Me eating the best chocolate cake ever! Gotta love room service!

My brave boy climbing up the ladder.

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Our 1st day at sea was sooo much fun! We walked a lot, ate good food and played put put. We also saw some of the hairiest Italian men I'd ever seen and watched a professional ice sculptor. It was such a great day!

Goodbye to Grandmas & Leaving on the Cruise!

2011-08-02T14:40:00.000-06:00

Goodbye Great Grandma Davis.

Bye Bye Great Grandmadoo.

Oh they aren't related or anything! hehehe!

Driving to New York where our cruise ship is!!!

Mason fell asleep.

Entering the Lincoln Tunnel.

The Lincoln Tunnel!

The G.W. Bridge!

Entering our Cruise Ship!

My room!

Hello!

The front glass elevators! Las Vegas style!

Brooklyn, Ma, Dallas and Me at our Muster station learning about life vest safety.

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On Saturday the 16th we said goodbye to the Grandmas and drove to New York to climb aboard our Cruise Ship, the Carnival Glory.

We checked out our state rooms and then before we knew it we were on deck at our muster stations to learn about what to do in an emergency. Then we took and Registered the big kids with Camp Carnival so Brook and Mase could do lots of fun activities during our first day at sea!

The 1st evening we had early dining at 6pm and we all went to our Golden Room for dinner. I ordered Talapia, Dad had Steak and Ma ordered pork chops. Brook and Mase had pizza and I got Macaroni and Cheese for Dallas. Dallas was so overly tired, he was a huge struggle all throughout dinner. I was especially nervous because of all the glasses and plates on the table. I quickly decided that dining in the regular dining room would not work out for Dallas so from that night on, I ordered room service to my state room for us. It was much less stressful!

The kids were SOO excited to be on such a big boat! They couldn't wait to see the ocean but it was too dark to see when they went to bed so they'd have to see the next day...

The Hill Cumorah & Marie's Visit!

2011-08-02T13:57:00.000-06:00

Brook and Mason in front of the Hill Cumorah Monument!

The Pageant stage and audience! (no, that is not the original rock the plates were hidden under)

Me and my Best Friend!

Alexis the Diva!

Squirting water with the ducky!

My sick little girl really wanted to play but felt too bad.

poor baby!

Dallas giving Grandma Liggett loves!! I love this pic!

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Monday the 11 of July we drove to the top of the Hill Cumorah to see the Monument. I'd never been up there when the Pageant as all set up before. I was amazed at the amount of seats that were set up and that isn't counting all the people that bring their own blankets or just stand! What an awesome production and play! I really wish we had been able to watch it but maybe another year. The kids would love it!!!

The next day my best friend Marie drove 2 1/2 hours to come see me! I had been looking forward to visiting with my friend for months and months! She brought her daughter Alexis with her and I was so excited to meet her! Lex is such a sweet little girl and so cute! She and Mason ran around and she played really well with Dallas too! I tried to keep Brooky away from the other kids because the heat exhaustion I thought she had that afternoon turned out to be the same bug Mason had around the fourth of July! :-( My poor baby was so sweet though and just slept and snuggled with her bear. Thank goodness my parent's home teacher ended up being a doctor! He was my life savor since finding a doctor when you are out of state is a huge pain! Dr. Rucker was so awesome! He took a look at Mase for me and even helped with Brook! I'm so glad too because we were leaving on a 5 day cruise that Saturday and that would have been miserable without a way to get antibiotics for the kids!

Palmyra!

2011-08-02T13:29:00.000-06:00

Ma, Mase, Me and Brook by the statue of the Savior in the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center!

Mason and Brook looking at the Golden Plates replica. Mase asked me "Mom, are those the REAL golden plates?" Oh my sweet little boy!

Ma with the kids, ready to watch the Joseph Smith movie!

The Sacred Grove!

We thought we were in the sacred grove but this sign was posted. This was the Smith family property line, see the big rocks? Moved by oxen.

Brook and Mason by a big tree in the grove. Maybe it was here when Joseph Smith said his prayer?

love these fences! In front of an apple orchard.

LOVE THIS PICTURE! How sweet holding hands.

The Smith family barn. Used to be Brigham Young's Father's. He donated it to the Church. Its just like the one the Smith's had.

The Smith home. Lucy Smith helped pay for the acreage and home by painting on canvas rugs...

The Smith cabin. This is where Joseph lived when he was 14.

Palmyra Temple!

See the Temple in the background???

Me and the kiddos on Temple grounds.

Monday July 11th we took to two older kids to Palmyra while my dad and Megan watched Dallas at home. First we stopped by the visitor's Center and watched a film about Joseph Smith's first vision, then we went to the top of Hill Cumorah (pictures to follow). We walked on the Temple grounds. Then we went down to the Sacred Grove and walked around the Smith family farm and the Smith Cabin!

Oh how lovely was the morning! This is the song that fills my heart every time I walk through the sacred grove! I'm so happy my kids were so well behaved. I think they could feel that it is a special place! It always strikes me how much our Father in Heaven watches over us and loves us whenever I hear the story of how Joseph hiding the golden plates under the floor boards in his father's shed, then the spirit told him to move them, so he moved them to the loft in the shed. When the mob came to find them, they ripped apart the floor boards but they never looked in the loft and the plates remained safe! Its the little promptings of the spirit that let us know that God looks out for us!!!

Brook and Mase were amazed at that story! I sure hope their little hearts are old enough to understand these stories and to take them to heart!

The Priesthood Restoration Site!

2011-08-02T12:53:00.000-06:00

I love the big Pennsylvania blue stone they used on this path way to the monument!

Here is Brook and Mase sitting on the fence by the monument.

My three kids!

Brook and Mase found these awesome trees nearby! look how old they look! Maybe there were here when Joseph and Emma's cabin was here!

The old Cemetary. I love these old thin grave stones!

So happy they kept the original grave stone on the back!

The stream Emma used to get water!

Mason pointing to the place we believe the baptisms happened.

On July 9th Ma, me, the three kids, Ma's friend Cory and her son all went up to Susquehanna to the Priesthood Restoration Site. I just love that place!!! I'd been a few times as a kid and the spirit never fails to confirm to me that the priesthood is real and wonderful things were restored in that place!!! It was so amazing to be able to share that with my kids. I hope its an experience they will not forget.

We saw the monument of John the Baptist confirming Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey. We went to the old cemetery where we saw the grave sites of one of Joseph and Emma's infants that died and both of Emma's parents. Then we walked the path down to the Susquehanna River where Oliver Cowdrey and Joseph Smith were baptized! Along the way we saw the natural spring that Emma used to walk to to get their water. I loved all the Day Lillies we saw all over!

I'm not sure how much will change now that they are going to add on to the restoration site, but I really hope these places stay untouched!

Camping & Birthday!

2011-08-02T12:22:00.000-06:00

While we were camping for a week we got to come home a few times for appointments and things. One night we came home and ate yummy cake and pizza and threw Mason a birthday party! The Great grandmas gave him a basket full of toys! He and Brook were so spoiled while they were there!!!

Going to Pennsylvania!

2011-08-02T12:08:00.000-06:00

At the Airport in Denver!

In front of the Montrose Building after church.

the two big kids helping great grandmadoo with the garden!

Dallas fell asleep with his finger in his sock hole!!!

Pushing a shopping cart all over!

Dal in front of my parent's house.

Poor Mason got sick the 4th of July week and missed all the fun and fireworks.

Brooklyn surprised me by making this Nephi out of playdough all by herself.

Little Dallas loved sitting on Grandma and Grandpa's tractor!

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On June 25th the three kiddos and I flew to Pennsylvania to visit my family for a month! I was extremely nervous to fly with Dallas because the last time I flew with an 18 month old, he cried non stop for 4 hours and then got sick on me!!! Thankfully Jeremiah was able to give us all a blessing before we left and for the most part, Dallas was pretty good through the flight. He only cried the last hour when we were descending and I think it hurt his ears.

Sunday we were able to go to church with my parents at their branch. Well, I should say we tried since Dallas was so out of it, I ended up leaving the two older kids with my dad and grandmas and Ma and I took Dallas home to have a much needed nap!

The next day we took the kids camping in New York at this very pretty camp site. They had fun running in the woods behind the site and building fires. Dallas couldn't get enough of sucking on rocks for some strange reason. LOl! We cooked Dutch oven of course! knowing my dad, we doesn't just do anything a little bit, he goes all the way! So we had a prep station, a cooking station and a clean up station for Dutch oven cooking. We made some pretty yummy dishes though!

pictures will be to follow! bare with me, we have lots!!!

Early 5th Birthday!

2011-06-24T15:24:00.000-06:00

The kids and I leave Saturday to visit my family in Pennsylvania for a month. Jer was going to miss Mason's 5th Birthday, so we celebrated a couple days early! I made a cake and Mase got to open presents. It was small and quick but very nice! I can't believe this little guy is 5 already!!! I remember the day we came home from the hospital with Mason. he was my quietest baby. Mason was so content to just sit with you and relax. He is still content to just sit with you most of the time! Mason is my shy little bug, he loves to follow his sister and do anything with her, he is my healthy eater, give him any junk food versus a banana or cucumber and he'll choose the fruit or veggie. Mason is pretty shy and does not like to get his picture taken. We sure love having his sweet personality in our family!

Happy Birthday Mason Bug!!!

First and Last T-ball Game!

2011-06-23T11:31:00.000-06:00

Because I signed Mason up for T-ball way before I realized how busy we'd be, Tuesday night was Mason's 1st and only t-ball game.

Mase was a crack up!!!

He kept standing on the field with is hands in his pockets. He batted without the tee! It was really nice!

Playing at the Park

2011-06-21T14:50:00.000-06:00

It has been crazy around our house lately, so when the kids asked to go to the park, I took them.

Dallas is a crack up with his walking stick. He reminded me of an old man walking. Brook and Mason are such good buds most of the time. I hope they learn to appreciate that connection as they grow up. :-)

They were constantly sliding down the slide together or on the teeter totter. I just love this last picture of Dallas. He usually doesn't smile on the swing but I got lucky and snuck this big cheesy grin out of him! Love It!!!

These are the days that make me LOVE summer!

T-Ball!

2011-06-21T12:15:00.000-06:00

We are gonna miss t-ball pictures tonight so I decided to take Mason bug out and take a few just of him. I signed him up before I realized how busy we were going to be this summer so Mase will miss a few practices and games but he sure is enjoying himself anyway. We had fundamental practice this morning and I have to say, I'm kind of impressed at how well he does. This is his first year and he is pretty good at holding the ball the right way and his follow through is usually spot on. Maybe he'll make a great baseball player when he gets older!

Socializing!

2011-06-20T16:26:00.000-06:00

We have lived in Akron for 4 years now! June 11th was our 4 year anniversary. I will be the first to admit that I didn't like it here in the beginning. It was completely out of my comfort zone. We live 30 minutes from any civilization and shopping. When I say shopping, I mean Walmart! Oh yeah, we are big time here!

At first it wasn't so bad because we had Jer's parents and our sister and brother in law here to do things with. After they moved I got really depressed and lonely. I would have done just about anything to move out of here! It took me a couple years but I finally just learned to adjust to not having couple friends. We got used to just doing things as a family and not making an effort anymore. Once or twice a year we would go visit family. I've even learned to like it here in Akron. It grew on me I guess. :-)

This past weekend, we broke from that tradition and finally made some plans! Saturday we had the Reid family over. They are newer in our ward and *gasp* a young couple with two cute little girls! We had so much fun, I forgot how nice it was to do stuff with other couples. To laugh so hard, it makes you cry! :-)

Then on Sunday after church we invited our neighbors over, the Agans. We had talked about it forever and finally I got off my behind and asked. It was so great! The kids ran around while us adults talked and actually had a real conversation that didn't involve my son telling me about his bodily functions!!! Lol!

What I am saying is, I could totally get used to weekends like this!

Now I am off to prepare for my Pennsylvania trip. I need to...

finish a baby sling for my friend. (I've been such a slacker!)
I need to mail that same sling
I have to make a list of everything I need to pack
get birth certificates together for our plane/boat rides.
do laundry
pack

I'll be in PA this Saturday! I'm so nervous for the plane ride!! I hope I don't forget something!

The Plans!

2011-06-17T16:26:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure if many of you know this but we are in the planning stages of building a house! We just got our plans in the mail yesterday and we are super excited! Now we have to work on getting price quotes from companies and narrow down our search on land lots then submit it all to the bank for our land/construction loan! Once that gets approved, the hard part will start. :-) We are hoping to do a lot of the work ourselves (with lots of help from family!) and just contract out those things we can't do. Jer and I have been trying to narrow down our preferences now, so we wont fight about them later when the project gets more stressful. So far so good. we like a lot of the same styles and what we differ on, we compromise. I'm hoping this will just be the first of many blog posts I'll be writing on this subject! Wish us luck!? We are excited, scared, inexperienced and hopeful! This is something we talked about for more than 8 years. It never looked like it would be a possibility until now. I think it took us looking for house after house to buy and coming up disappointed to realize this would be our best option. :-)

My Birthday!

2011-06-17T16:14:00.000-06:00

I've had a pretty good birthday this year! Jer's mom and dad treated us to a babysitter and Jambalaya's for dinner the night before! This was my first time trying it and I really liked the place. Plus it was nice to go out as adults for once.

Then, on the day, Jeremiah took the last 2 hours of work off to take the kids for me, but I couldn't stand the idea of being home alone while they had fun together without me so I tagged along. Ha ha!

We went to walmart to pick up a couple things, then we ate dinner at Cables in Fort Morgan. It was very good! After that, Jer bought me an ice cream cake and we went home to enjoy it!

Thanks honey for the love and the great birthday!!!

Family Fun!

2011-06-10T12:48:00.000-06:00

This past week, Jer's sister Jillian came up with her daughter Addison. We were able to hang out a couple times with Jer's other sister Courtney. We had fun playing at the Burger King play place and then jumping on the trampoline and running through the sprinklers. My kids sure do enjoy their cousins when they come to visit!

Brook and Addi playing together.

I call this the peace queen! haha!

Here is a picture of three of the cousins doing a thumbs up!

Memorial Day!

2011-05-31T11:18:00.000-06:00

Jer took me out this Memorial Day. We had to get out of the house so we took the kids to the park!

It was so nice to see the kids enjoy themselves in the warm weather.

Lets Go Fly a Kite!

2011-05-31T10:41:00.000-06:00

It is starting to feel like Summer! I absolutely love Saturdays in the Summer. This past Saturday we spent a lot of time outside with the kids. Jer and I cleaned and reorganized our garage. While we were doing that, we found a kite so we took a break to fly it with the kids! luckily we live on the plains where is is incredibly windy!!!

After we finished with the garage, Jer and I took out the kid's bikes and Jer's bike (mine is still unusable since both tires are blown). Jer helped Mason learn to ride his bike without his training wheels. Mason is sure growing up! Daddy and Brook had a bike race while Dallas tagged along.

It was a perfect day!

Family For Dinner!

2011-05-29T19:46:00.000-06:00

Friday Jer's parents and sister's Jillian and Courtney came by and ate pizza off of the grill. We had fun visiting and playing Just Dance.

I love watching the cousins play together. It makes me wish we could all visit more often.

I am so excited for Memorial Day weekend.

Horrible Rain!

2011-05-24T22:30:00.000-06:00

This week it has been raining and raining! Here in Akron, Colorado we just don't see much rain ever!

Jer and I were watching a movie while the kids were playing downstairs when all of a sudden Brook and Mase holler up to us to tell us that water was leaking from Brook's window! Jer and I rushed downstairs to find the window well was not draining and the water was rising.

Jer scooped up as much water as he could with a bucket and is still outside in the rain trying to find sand bags or whatever he can find to fix it.

We called out land lord but he is away and there isn't much else we can do for now except do our best to keep the water down and away.

It is going to be a long night!

Aly's Reception!

2011-05-23T12:47:00.000-06:00

This weekend was my good friend Aly's reception in Colorado Springs. She and her husband Hiram got married last Saturday in the San Diego temple. I was so bummed I couldn't be there so I made sure we made it to the reception since it was fairly close!

Aly and I were best friends when we were younger. It makes me so happy to see her find someone as sweet as Hiram. They seem so great together! It was so nice to be there and see Aly's parents again!

Before the reception we made sure to eat at Fargo's. Its our favorite place to eat in Springs. They make the best pizza ever! One of our favorites is the Big Red. It has cheese, ham and tomatoes on top. The best part is the crispy crust! The kids love the restaurant's decorations. The self playing piano is always a hit!

This weekend was busy and quick but it was well worth it.

Mo's Birthday!

2011-05-23T12:33:00.000-06:00

Friday was Jer's dad's Birthday. We drove up to Sterling to Celebrate. We gave him a card and I made my truffle chocolate cake. Jer's sister Courtney has moved back home so that was really nice too.

I really love this man! Jer's dad is such a sweet guy. He is always playing with the grandchildren and loves to joke around.

Thanks for making me feel like another daughter Mo!

My Preschool Graduate!

2011-05-20T15:50:00.000-06:00

Mason's teacher Ms. Jen! She is the best! We will sure miss her.

Also Ms. Gretta!

Today was Mason's end of the school year program. Jeremiah's parents and sister, Courtney came up to see it. We all gathered in the gymnasium to watch Mason perform. Mason walked in all right and then he gave me "the look." I knew what that look meant, it said that there was no way in heck that he was going to sing and dance in front of all these people!!!

The next thing I knew, he folded his arms and covered his face with them! If that wasn't crazy enough, he proceeded to sit down on the floor in the fetal position! His teachers couldn't get him to participate so he just came back to sit with us.

Jer and I tried bribing him with treats or with a surprise if he'd just go back up there and dance. Then we tried threatening... Man he was stubborn! He finally had enough of all of us begging him to go back up there so he stomped his way up to the front and then cried really loudly that he didn't want to do it! I could have died!!!

They called his name and he received his metal and laminated scrapbook of pictures throughout the year. I managed to weasel a smile out of him while he was up there only by making silly faces at him.

Can I just say, It still amazes me how different my children's personalities are! Brooklyn would have been stealing the spot light. Mason almost threw an all out tantrum in front of the whole school!!! Oh boy, am I excited to see how Dallas reacts under pressure.

I am so excited for this school year to be over! Bring on the Summer!!! Only one more kid to go and then its Summer break! Yay!

Easter/Mother's Day!

2011-05-09T14:07:00.000-06:00

Because i didn't get pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits on Easter, I got them on Mother's Day.

This year wasn't as difficult for me. I think it was due to the fact that we have been so overwhelmingly busy that I haven't had time to even feel sad. For that, I am grateful!!!

This Mother's day, my parents sent me some beautiful flowers! Jer and the kids gave me cards and a movie. We spent time together and Jer even cleaned and folded all of the laundry! That was the best!

I just want to post my feelings on Mother's, it goes something like this:

"May each of us treasure this truth: One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one." - Thomas S. Monson

I love this quote! I had a great testimony of women and motherhood before I became a mother because of the amazing example i had growing up of my own mom. Now that I am a mother, my feelings go even deeper. I get glimpses of how our Father in Heaven must feel sometimes. The joy he must feel when we obey and grow and the heartache he must endure when we chose contrary to his teachings. I completely believe that we have a Heavenly Mother who loves us!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day!

Belated Easter pt 1

2011-05-03T10:46:00.000-06:00

I almost totally forgot to make hard boiled eggs this year so the big kids dyed them late night on saturday night. (I know, I am a slacker.)

They had fun putting glitter on them and making dinosaur eggs. We cracked those first then dyed them, so when you take the shell off it, it is white with colored cracks that look like a dinosaur egg.

Jer tried making the Easter roast on our new grill and it turned out fabulous! It had a thick layer of smoke flavor that was amazing. It didn't taste like a normal oven roast but it was more smoky and BBQy.

I forgot to take pictures of the kids in their Sunday dress since my camera battery died so I will post those pictures later.

Sorry I haven't been around lately. I've been so busy looking for new houses and getting school done that I've been super overwhelmed. I hope this phase in our lives ends soon so we can settle down and just enjoy our family time. I feel like all we do is look for the next home or next job. Now that Jer loves his job, I'm hoping we find a home soon that we can call our own for the first time!

Just one of those days

2011-04-18T20:50:00.001-06:00

Actually, its been one of those weeks. Between Jer and I starting our new diet, the kids taking advantage of single mommy, and Jer working from early in the morning until late at night every night I feel like I've been going insane!

I went and bought a multi vitamin today because I have been so drained! I'd almost say its not worth it except I know eating this way has been getting me the results I've been looking for for so long. Its unbelievable how many different things I have tried to get into shape. I guess success comes with a price.

I'm not even sure if my extreme tiredness, irritability and crazy emotions are coming from the lack of sugar, lack of caffeine or just the lack of my husband being around to help me with these rowdy kids! I broke down today while doing school with Brook and that was a first for me. Its almost summer and I know we are both barely hanging on. Frankly we are both tired. I'm worried about next year. On top of the lack of motivation, Dallas put his hand in his dirty diaper!!! I was at the end of my rope!

We need daddy home and soon!

Then comes the awful guilt because I was doing SO well with reading scriptures and praying and I felt like I was in a good place. Then today happened! Bang! I feel like a terrible mom for yelling and like I'm terrible for wanting to just quit.

All I can say is, tomorrow has GOT to be better.

Okay, I'm done venting... Goodnight!

New Cut!

2011-04-16T11:40:00.000-06:00

I got my hair cut today! It was getting way too long and I was sick of it! It feels so much better now! Yay!

Kids say the craziest things!

2011-04-14T16:43:00.000-06:00

I got a letter in the mail announcing that this Friday will be a make up day at Mason's school.

I read it to Jeremiah and Mason all of a sudden yelled...

No, Mom!! I'm a BOY!!! Boys DON'T wear MAKE UP!!!!

Jer and I laughed our heads off! The things this little boy comes up with sometimes! haha

Oh and this is the "mad face" Mason lately. Oh, that attitude sometimes!! Most of the time it just makes us laugh at his crazy moods. Ha ha!

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

2011-04-13T15:07:00.001-06:00

Dallas loved his doggy on the way to the museum!

The kids were so excited to see pirate all over!

My llama kiddos!

ooo termites!

Mummy! Brook and Mason could not be turned away. kinda creepy! haha

love the DINOS!

Brook had to get a picture of her with her "brown bears".

I loved how tiny they looked next to these walruses.

It was spring break this last week. We usually do something special with the kids for spring break and this year it was just passing us by. The last weekend before they went back to school, we decided to take them to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. They had a special exhibit going on about a real pirate ship! The kids always love the animals especially the huge arctic ones and the African animals. Brook and Mase were fascinated with the Egyptian mummy and the dinosaurs! It was a very packed and busy day but it was worth all the fun!

Surprise!

2011-04-06T15:29:00.000-06:00

Today Brooklyn's hair was driving me crazy! It had gotten so long and stringy that it just was a mess to brush or do! I asked Brook if she'd like a trim and she told me she wanted it shorter so I only ventured to her shoulders. That was as far as I was comfortable going. She is also growing out her bangs so those may be interesting for a while. I know it isn't professional but I didn't think I did to horribly. The thing is, it may come as a shock to daddy so we are going to surprise him! I sure hope he likes it!!!

Visiting Dad.

2011-04-06T13:34:00.000-06:00

Monday evening we got a call from Jer. He had mentioned how he wished he had some movies to pass the time during the long nights. I told him that we'd be happy to make a trip up there to give him some.

It was a little spontaneous but we made it about 9:00pm. Jer and his coworker James showed me around the substation. They even took the kid inside one of the control rooms to see how it works! It was nice to see daddy and sneak in one more hug before he was gone for the rest of the week! We didn't get back home until almost 11pm but it was worth it.

Conference Weekend is the Best!

2011-04-03T19:34:00.000-06:00

All ready for Conference!

I think there were a lot of Temple words said. Look at Brook's chipmunk cheeks!?

Saturday night we set up the camping tent in the basement. Brook and Mason had so much fun!

They were so stinkin' excited!

Dallas has been such a good boy lately. So happy and playful! He sure is going to miss his daddy while he's away on a work trip this week.

I just love this man to death! I love his expressions when he speaks and when he puts his hands out like this. I just can feel the love he has for each of us!

I LOVE Conference Weekend! This year I tried to be more prepared. I wanted my kids to be more involved and listen better so I printed off a Conference activity packet from http://www.sugardoodle.net/ . Then I remember my cousin making snack bowls and had her kids eat one snack when they heard special words. I did that too and it worked like a charm! Our words were family, testimony, faith, temples, Jesus Christ, scriptures and Holy Ghost!

This was the first conference my kids made it almost all the way through! That is so exciting to me! Jer and I were able to take notes and really get the most out of it. I can finally see a day when I will be able to make it through a meeting when my kids wont interrupt! Hurray!!! Thanks Jamie for the great idea!

My favorite talks this Conference were...

Saturday Conference

Jean A. Stevens talk about our little ones and following their examples of faith and forgiveness.

President Eyring spoke about having charity.

Sunday

President Uchtdorf and how the Lord expects us to open our mouths to share the gospel.

Paul v. Johnson said that after our darkest test is our greatest growth and we should not resent our trials but be grateful for them. I loved that. It really hit home with me lately. I really need to not resent my trials.

I loved David A. Bednar's analogy of the light, how the dark room and the light switch coming on is sudden brightness and then the sunrise is gradual light. Revelation is like both examples and I loved how he pointed out that we glorify the sudden revelations but overlook the little gradual revelations that we hardly notice. I had felt from time to time that maybe my testimony was not as strong because i haven't had the hit over the head revelations like I have in the past but Bednar's talk reassured me that I just haven't seen all the wonderful sunrise revelations in my life!

I am totally excited that Fort Collins is getting a Temple!!! It is a little closer to us and I hope that it will make it easier to switch off watching kids with another family so we might be able to attend more often. :-)

Elder Richard G. Scott was another favorite. I loved his council to us Married couples and how we need to show expressions of love more.

Lynn G. Robbins had a great talk about Being and Doing. I need to Be more often. Especially with my kids. He gave GREAT council about parenting. I loved it!

Those were my favorites and the ones that really hit home this April Conference. I really hope you all were uplifted and feel just as spiritually fed as I do!

Spontaneous Picnic

2011-04-03T18:59:00.000-06:00

Last Friday I was not feeling so well. I was fully intending to take a day off and relax to get better. I even called in sick at Brook's school when I got a phone call. It was our land lord's realtor. He wanted us to be out of the house 2 hours later so someone could show the house. I didn't mind but it was pretty inconvenient since all of us were in our pj's still and I was sick. I made the best of it and packed up a picnic for lunch and the kiddos and i headed to the park. I'm sure glad we did too since it was such a nice day outside and the kids had so much fun!

Dallas even swung on a swing for the 1st time!!! Yay!

Bed Time!

2011-03-30T23:28:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite things lately is our bedtime routine. My kids just make me laugh!

First, it starts out with Dallas. He drops down to his belly and army crawls backwards to the stairs. The funniest part is that he drops down about 4 feet away from the stairs and it takes him so long to find them with his feet! By the time he manages to get to the bottom the older two kids are running around starting the 20 questions. "Mom, where is my soft blanket?", "Dad can we watch Golden Compass tomorrow?", "Oh I forgot a drink!" and so on... :-)

Dallas LOVES his blanket and lately he has been cuddling with it as it COVERS his face so he runs into walls and things! Ha ha! Pretty soon its prayer time and they are tucked into bed with millions of blankets done just the right way, the door is cracked just the right amount of inches and we sneak upstairs. Of course no night would be complete without the last minute "MOM!" over and over again until I want to pull my hair out. Why do they always wait until I hit that top step to ask me one last thing? Oh but I love those little crazies and I wouldn't have bed time any other way.

He finally learned to go down the stairs!

Yep! He can't see a thing!

This is my little Dal. He loves to hold his blanket up to his ear while sucking on the end. Silly I know!

Brooklyn is my little stinker. There are never any just smile normal pictures with her! HAM!!

Sweet little Mason bug. The first to crawl into bed and the first to go to sleep without coaxing.

Night night Griz!

Sick baby

2011-03-30T17:10:00.000-06:00

We've all been sick in our house lately. Jer sounds the worse but he went to the Dr. on Monday. I took Dallas to the Doc yesterday and she said he may have RSV. She wanted to see how he did with a nebulizer at home first. So far I love how well it works! Best of all, we weren't immediately giving Antibiotics and sent home. This way we get a chance to see if it is just a virus and maybe get better. I just am not a big fan of Antibiotics for little kids. He absolutely hated the mask but he was just too cute when he tried to lick it.

Primary Talk

2011-03-27T17:16:00.000-06:00

This Sunday Brooklyn had a talk about Heavenly Father speaks to us through the Prophet.

We prepared early this time and Brooklyn was able to practice reading her talk every night to us.

This Morning came and I didn't even have to stand up there with her. Mason was a big helper and held up the picture of the Prophet for her and I was able to sit back and listen to her. She did such a good job!

It makes me so proud to see her grow! Pretty soon I will blink and she will be a teenager.

Great Job my little Brooklyn! You are such a ray of sunshine in our lives. We are so lucky to have your sweet spirit in our family! I hope you keep up the good work! I look forward to watching your testimony grow!!!

1st black eye...

2011-03-22T20:47:00.000-06:00

Today our land lord's realtor came to take pictures of the house so he can put them up on his website. I was going a little nuts making sure things were straight and put together. (We did JUST move in) Things were bound to be a little scattered. We explained to him how nice it was to have the basement as a play room. I was kinda priding myself on how great it is to let the kids run around downstairs in the basement. They could basically roll around as much as they want.

Well, I was proven wrong tonight. Mason was trying to tag Brook while she was running and I guess she didn't see the bottom steps. She face planted and got her very first black eye. I don't know if any other mom's feel this way but I get conflicted when my kids get hurt like this. 1st I wonder why they don't listen to me when I ask them to STOP running and 2nd I feel terrible when they are hurting. I tend to start out stern and then I always melt and it drives Jer nuts I think. Ha ha.

Poor Brook was SO upset. I think she was mostly afraid that she looked bad. She looked in the mirror then came out and said, mom its purple! I told her yes and it just needs to go away with time and that she needed to keep the ice on it, it would help with the swelling. Then she said, but I don't want to look bad!

Poor little girl. I hope she'll learn to not run around when we tell her to.... Probably not, but I can hope.

Little family get together

2011-03-22T20:32:00.000-06:00

Jer's sister Courtney was on spring break this past weekend, so she and Preston drove up for a visit.

It was Preston's Birthday so we had a little party for him at our house. The kids were super excited to do something for Preston for his Birthday. They had an idea to make him cards. I was pretty impressed that they did so well. We had cake, presents and some yummy dinner. After that, the boys went and put in a water heater with Jer for our land lord and us girls stayed to visit and play. Courtney, Brook and I danced with a game on wii called just dance. It was lots of fun. I'm so glad we actually have room now to entertain. It was a short visit but it was so nice! Thanks guys for coming up!

Courtney was giving Pres a hard time about being 31. I didn't have a 3 candle so she just put the 65 cause you know... he is SO old! Kidding!!!

Preston reading our funny card we gave him.

Opening presents

Courtney sneaking a pic with Brook and Mase.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2011-03-17T14:20:00.000-06:00

Guess there wont be any pinching in this family today! :-)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Everyone!

Cabin Fever!

2011-03-17T13:53:00.002-06:00

Yesterday we felt cabin fever like crazy so I took the kiddos outside to ride bikes and play. They were doing so well! Brook finally wasn't afraid to ride in a circle on her two wheels. Mason was riding faster without stopping and Dallas got on his trike for the first time and was pushing it with his feet. The next thing I know four little kids come running over asking if they can play with us for a little while. I said sure you can! Then I noticed their mom got in her car and she drove away! I asked the older girl where her mom was going and she told me to go lock up the school cause she is the janitor. Now, I don't mind playmates over at all but I DO mind it if I wasn't even asked to babysit or if I've never even met the mother! Who leaves their children at a complete stranger's house. I haven't even met our neighbors yet since we've moved in here. I know its a small town but come on people! She eventually came back but she went straight into her mother's house and never even talked to me. I mean come on!? At least meet the person you leave your children with! I eventually just sent them home because we were done riding bikes and they were not following my rules on how we treat our toys. For example, we try not to ride in the street (obviously) or the field because it has a ton of these really hard spikey weeds that have popped our bike tires before. I asked them to stay on the sidewalk please and they just didn't listen or didn't care.

Okay, sorry, I had to vent. I'm done now.

Welcome to our new place!

2011-03-13T18:20:00.000-06:00

The front porch.

Stairs going down to the basement.

Jer watching tv in our living room

The kids eating in the dining room.

Mason bug eating and here is the kitchen. sorry for the mess. We are still unpacking.

The office

The school room/extra bedroom.

Brooklyn's room

the basement/playroom

Mason and Dallas's room

The mud room off of the garage

The master bedroom and below are the closets!

Welcome to our new rental home! I sure hope you enjoyed the tour!!!

If I could buy this house today I totally would! I love everything about it. Especially the windows with the blinds inside them. I told Jeremiah that I am taking a ton of pictures of this home because if it is the nicest home we ever get to live in, I want to remember it!