Thanksgiving!

Today we drove up to Jer's parents house to eat dinner. Mom Smith and I split up the food so we didn't have too much to make. I made the sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin turtle pie, Cranberry Cherry dish (I forgot it at home but I did make it.) and I made mom a truffle chocolate cake for her birthday.
Cindy made the turkey, potatoes, green bean casserole and a fruit salad. YUM! Everything was so good.

I love Thanksgiving, not only for the great food but also for the warm memories and family you get to be around.

I'm so thankful for my family. They are so wonderful. Both my parents and grandparents but also my extended family and my in laws. I feel so lucky to have all of them in my life. I'm especially grateful this year for my kids and wonderful husband. It is so amazing to watch these children grow and learn. I love you Jer for being there for me every step of the way!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Sad

We got Jake for Brooklyn's 4th birthday. He was only 8 weeks old. Jake was so loving and playful from the beginning. Every time we went outside to walk or play he was so excited and just happy to be with us.

We posted him up on the Odell's bulletin board because we are moving and the new house owners do not tolerate animals. I really didn't think we'd be able to find a family for him in time. We are moving this Friday!

I had several phone calls from a couple families but the second family was really excited to get him. They'd been looking for a lab dog. Their mom had labs. The father told me that his son has gone through dog training classes and I felt so good to know that Jake would be well taken care of. Today is Jake's 1st birthday too.
This truly was a blessing. I was really stressing about how we were going to find a good home for Jake in time.

I didn't realize how sad I'd be when we gave him away. He really was a sweet and cheerful part of our family. Any time we felt bad we'd go out to sit with Jake and he'd cheer you up in no time.
Good bye Jake. I know you will love your new family.

Its a miracle!

Finally!!! Everything has been worked out with Phyllis. She is the one that owns this PINK house. I can't believe how hard it was to convince her that we are good people who would make good renters. The house was Phyllis's mother's house and I think she is very sentimental about it.

Its about 1200 sq ft. and Yes it IS pepto pink. Outside, inside and everywhere! She loves the color too. She wants to repaint it the same color. AHH. I'll say this though. It has 3 bedrooms and a dishwasher and that's what I wanted. The back yard is amazing and the kids are going to love it.

We move in December 1st. I'll update anyone who wants our address when we switch our mail over.

My Boy

The other day we were all laughing at something funny that Mason said and Brooklyn asked me what she used to say as a baby. I thought a minute and said gosh I'm going to have to get out the video tapes cause I can't remember very well. It made me worried. Our video camera broke before we had Mason. I don't have very much of Mason recorded at all. I want to write down as much as I can remember now before this horrible memory of mine files it away, never to be remembered again.

We didn't know if Mase was ever going to talk. He was such a quiet baby. Brooklyn spoke so early that I was beginning to get worried about him. But once he started, he just kept on going.
Right now Mason is saying the cutest things. (We think they are cute anyway) Our family adopts words when we think they are cute.

Mason isms:
Blankwet-blanket
muka see?-Let me see?
pweez? Last time?- Please? Just one last time?
You fine it!-Find it mom!
There are so many more that I can't remember right now.

(2 1/2 years old)

(oct. 2008)

For a while there Mase started making these hilarious faces when he was excited. He'd even ball up his little fists and shake. One day he just stopped. Its so sad when that happens.

(Aug. 2008)

I know I already posted this but I can't get over how crazy and how much of a joker Mase is...

I was bathing Brooklyn when suddenly she yelled at me that mason just jumped back into the tub the stinker!
(Feb or March 2008)

I can't believe how different my kids are one from another. Brooklyn, I can't get to eat lettuce to save her life but Mason loves veggies. Salad, carrots, fruit you name it. He hardly touches meat. Who would have thought! I just hope he keeps it up. I could use one non picky eater in my house!!
(July 2008)

(Jan 2008)

(July 2007)

That's my little guy! Yes, he dresses up even more than his sister does. heels, boas, purses you name it. His dad is beginning to worry... jk!
(March 2007)

(June 2007)

When Mason started to crawl it wasn't really with his arms and knees. He was my army crawler! Hey, it build upper body strength.

(Oct 2006)

I absolutely love it when my kids finally get their bottom two teeth! I love the 2 tooth smiles!!!

This is the picture of mason's official first smile!

(Sept. 2006)

This one is out of order but Jer just has a way with the kids. He can make mason just crack his head off. They love their daddy.

Here is Mason at two weeks old. Its not his first picture but its the one we chose to put in our baby announcements. I can't believe how much he's changed since then. The time really does fly by.
(June 2006)

We love our little bug! He has been a joy to our family. Mason is very warm and caring. He loves to give hugs and shares so well (most of the time). It amazes me how these little babies come into our lives and your whole world revolves around them. Its like your heart beats out of your chest once you hold that little spirit in your arms. Their bright eyes so curious and willing to learn. I feel so blessed to be able to teach and grow with my kids.

BYU Ballet!

Here we are waiting to see the Ballet!
So excited!

Tuesday night Jer took me and the kids to see the BYU Ballet perform Fairy Tales and Fantasy at the college in Sterling. Call me weird or crazy but I just love shows like this. Ballets, Broadway, Operas you name it and I get mesmerized by the talent and the stories.

This Ballet was really nice. It was geared for kids. They opened with a dance about Raymonda then they did Romeo and Juliet. Brooklyn loved Sleeping Beauty because they had so many different fairies dance. Giselle was next but my favorite was Swan Lake.

The dancers were all housed in volunteer member's houses and even some non LDS families were kind enough to offer their homes.

I have to tell my sweet husband Jer how much I love him for taking us. I know he'd rather stay home and watch football or something manly but it really was a one time opportunity for us in Akron. It felt so good to get out of the house.

Jer even noticed that one of the male dancers had went to the same mission as him! Small world.

I've Been Tagged

Tagged

8 T.V. shows that I like to watch......
1. Jon and Kate Plus 8
2. CSI NY & Las Vegas
3. 24 hour design
4. The Big Reveal on HGTV
5. Ghost Hunters!
6. House
7. The 70s Show
8. Ace of Cakes

8 things that happened yesterday.......
1. Got Brooklyn ready for school
2. Fed Mase breakfast while Jer took Brook to school
3. Vacuumed, swept, and did dishes
4. Got Mase and myself dressed for the day
5. Showed a family our dog but they weren't ready for all of his energy :o(
6. Made lunch and picked Brook up from school
7. drove to Ft. Morgan to pick Jer's meds up and went to Greeley for Christmas Shopping!
8. Ate dinner, got home and got the kids ready for bed.

8 favorite places to eat(no particular order)
1. Wonderful House!
2. Lone Star
3. Red Robbin
4. Red Lobster
5. Jonny Carinos
6. Wingers (there isn't one here:o()
7. Texas Road House
8. Don Pablos

8 things I am looking forward to......
1. Getting out of Debt so we can buy a House!
2. losing weight
3. Brooklyn starting K.
4. Mason learning to stop getting into everything!
5. Moving into the pink house (Sometime this century!)
6. Jer getting his Journeyman's license
7. Going back to school one day to get a degree
8. Going on vacation! Anywhere special or out of the Country.

8 things on my wish list......
1. To pay off bills and be able to breath easier
2. Get food storage together for all 4 of us!
3. To be closer to the temple so we can attend regularly.
4. To settle down and stop moving every other year
5. get a tired climber so I can get in shape without having to feel embarrassed around other people.
6. Move at least to a town that has a walmart and isn't 30 minutes from church!
7. live closer to family and close friends.
8 lose some weight so I feel better about myself.

people that I tag.......
1. Amanda
2. Courtney
3. Leah
4. Melody
5. Faith
6. Erica
7. Nikki
8. Jen

And anyone else that wants to.