Thomas Troop

Soccer

2010-09-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Bruce just started soccer, he LOVE's it. His first game ever he scored 3 goals, when we got in the car he said "Mom I'm so proud of me, I can't believe I won 3 times." I love that he calls scoring winning. He was such a good sport too he cheered for his team and talked about how great they are too. I can't believe how big he gets each day. I Love being a soccer mom, our team is so cute I love teaching them, they make me laugh at each practice. It is a bit of challenge though with my silly knee, lack of knowledge on the subject, and my sweet Preston who thinks he is on the team too. Our team name is the Green Dragons, I felt so bad for the other team we played, they didn't score one goal. At this age it's about having fun not winning, I wish they would have been able to score a couple points. I can't wait to watch them play the next game:)

Crawdad fishing

2010-09-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

Bruce, Nelson, Aston, Joe, and James caught some crawdads when we went sailing on sat. The plan was to cook them up on Sunday and have some crawdad pizza. They all died before church was over so we promised our heart broke son we would go get some more on Monday. We headed up to Causey and got a couple but the slope of the shore made it scary with the boys. So we stayed for a hour or so then headed home to get Nelson and Lizzie, and the pass to Willard.

We had lots of fun catching them, Nelson even found a big frog but it got away before we could snap a picture. I was so scared to eat the little guys but they actually were pretty tasty. Bob wants to make a trap so it's easier to catch them. Then we had a family home evening on Friend and how to be a good friend. Then went over to the Rimmasch's and enjoyed some snow cone with them and the Riches. We are so lucky to have good friends in our lives.

Sailing with the Riches

2010-09-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

I love Sailing. We went out with the Riches and enjoyed all the lake had to offer. The wind was great we sailed around until lunch then headed to shore for some sandwiches. the kids played in the water for a while, and the boys went out looking for crawdads. Bruce thinks Nelson is the coolest, I'm glad my boys have good example's n the ward to look up to. After Lunch we headed back out, Crystine was getting a bit green and the kids all wanted to dive in off the boat so we dropped anchor and enjoyed the refreshing water. I loved swimming around the boat it is my new favorite thing to do.

Sailing

2010-09-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

We had a blast sailing at Willard Bay..It wasn't as pretty as Bear Lake but it was way relaxing and enjoyable, I think we are going to put in for the lottery and hopefully will be docked here next year. The boys and I played on the shore while my Dad and Bob got the boat all ready. It takes about a hour and half to get it all ready when it's not docked, but we really wanted to try different Lakes and see which one would be the best for us.

After they did all the work getting her ready, and the boys and I played it was time to head out and catch some wind. We had a good strong breeze and enjoyed the cruising around on the Lake. I think my Dad and I will always Love The Great Salt Lake, the smell of the salt just reminds us of the ocean, and the scenery is amazing but Willard was fun, I Loved the fact that I could swim in it with out felling all nasty, it's so close, and the bugs aren't bad until the sun goes down. We had talked about spending the night on the water, but I had to pick up our basket at 7 so we decided to take it out and leave it their over night and head back out on sat.

The boys had a great time and are getting really good and walking around on the boat. They love sailing and talk about it all the time. The sunset was so beautiful as we were heading in of the Lake.

messey

2010-07-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

Life has been...well to put it frankly, just a mess.. This year has been full of trails for us, but its half way over and we are all getting back to normal.. Bob's going to boy camp for a week..a whole week I am going to mess him like crazy but I am hoping to blog, write about all the fun and sadness that 2010 has brought. Now that it has been a couple months since everything I can see the lessons in each trail, I can laugh at the things that made me cry while they were happening, and I know how it all turns out so it's not scary to talk about any more. The Boys are doing great...Bob and I can barley keep up with all the energy they have. We have been so busy enjoying the summer, it's crazy to think that Bruce starts school in 2 weeks. My goal is to take the time to blog each day so we can look back on 2010 and remember how blessed we are, even when life is messy.

New Beds

2010-02-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve the Boys had a Brother sleepover and they loved it!! They want to sleepover all the time now so we finally went and got them bunk beds...They love sharing a room. I'm so glad that they are such good friends. Preston has really impressed me with how well he stays on his bed. Nap time I usually have to sleep with him but I love that time with him, he has to hold my hand and right before he falls asleep he smacks his lips together, It is the cutest

Preston's surgery

2010-01-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

We had to be there by 6 am so we woke up extra early took his before surgery pictures in his Hugh Hefner rope and headed to the hospital. Our little guy has been getting strep a lot and gags on his food a lot, they also had us test his oxygen at night and it gets dangerously low so we decided his tonsils need to go.... I think it will help with all his ear infections too. because they were putting him under anyways we thought what a great time to have his little peni trimmed (he was never circumcised.) When we talked to the urologist he said that the tonsils would hurt and he probably wouldn't even notice his peni. He was off way off our little guy cried every time he moved, or peed, or breathed it was heart breaking.

When we got to the hospital he was all smiles as usual. we got him all checked in and all his vitals taken... Then they took him from us that is were the smiles stopped and we both cried as he went down to surgery... It's a lot different sending some one you love in for surgery....I know he is good hands and that it's for the best, I just hate all the paperwork , "If you die it's not out fault" how can you feel good about signing that paper?

When his surgery was done, we got to cuddle and love him until he woke up..he was really sleepy and that was just fine, we just enjoyed all the cuddles he had. he didn't want to drink or eat his Popsicle's...although he did want to hold his Popsicle's and let them melt all down his arm. The nurse gave him a cuddly blue bear which quickly became his good friend. We had to spent the night so they could monitor..he did good all night his throat and peni gave him some pain it was so hard to watch him hurt so much. We Love this little Guy so much and hope that the pain he is now will prevent pain in the future

New Year's Eve

2009-12-31T08:15:00.000-08:00

We had a BLAST this year!! My Mom and Dad rented some lanes at the bowling alley. Our Boys have never been bowling and they loved it...They were so cute in their tiny little shoes, they did so good taking turns and cheering each other on.

I haven't been bowling in years and I had a lot of fun, I was reminded of when my parents were on a bowling league and I would go some nights and watch them play. Bob and I talked about starting a league, I think it would be fun, but time and money are always a big factor. :)

The bowling went from 6 to 8 they had a fun little count down at 8 and we all gave a big cheer and some kisses. I think that was the perfect thing to do with the kids. They also had a limbo contest...and not to bragg but I almost won....the winner was just over 4 foot and I was the only grown up to make it to the last round, I once won a phone in junior high. The school had a contest during a dance, I wore heels and still won. I'm just saying I can go low. :)

After bowling we ran over to Dan and Laura's, saw the gang...Kurt and Jodi were in town yeah..We played game's ate some grub, and the kids had a ton of fun playing with each other, we just barely missed Meg and Karl which made us sad, we were looking forward to seeing them. we only stayed for an hour or so, then headed on to our next destination...Kim's house

WE played games and ate some yummy soup..I started hiving at Dan and Laura's so I took some Benedryl so I was pretty much asleep when midnight rolled around. WE had a great new years eve and hope that 2010 will rock for our family.

Christmas Morning

2009-12-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

The Boys were so excited for Christmas this year...They came down the stairs and opened their stockings, They both LOVED their new friends, it took Preston a minute to realize his was a cat, OK a Minute and me saying MEOW, but then he loved it... He wants a cat so bad, I feel bad he will never have one, I need to breathe, we tried one once it lasted 5 days.

Bruce was such a good helper handing out presents and sharing the one's that Santa brought for both of them. My favorite was when Bruce opened the hat and scarf I had made for him, he had seen me making them, I had tried them on to make sure they were the right size, He knew he was getting them for Christmas...He acted surprized and sooo very excited when he took them out of the sack.
Preston was so sweet, he got so happy with each gift he opened.... I think that both of my boys would have been happy with anything as long as it was wrapped... all day they kept using the old wrapping paper and wrapping it around toys, taking turns opening them... They whole morning I couldn't stop smiling I LOVE MY LIFE.

We went to Bob's parents for breakfast, and to exchange gifts...The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins. They used one of the ribbons from a present and played Santa Clause...the kids at he front were reindeer's and the one on the back was Santa..It was the funnest thing to watch, they all played so good together and took turns. I love when they play like that.
Sophie wasn't feeling to good so Bob got a ton of cuddles out of her...WE have the cutest niece's and nephews. It was good to see everyone, Breakfast was so yummy. Mom and Dad got us a pressure cooker and a canning book I am so excited I really enjoy putting up our food and now we have the tools to do it and won't have to borrow any, yeah.

Next we went to my Mom and Dads.. They did the annual omelette's which were as always delicious. The kids had a ton of fun playing with the cousins and opening gifts. I got a waffle Iron I have been wanting for a couple years, I can't wait to use it.

I made my Grams a cute hat, Every time she sees me or Kim in ours she tells us that she wants one, so I decided to make her one. I thought she looked so cute in it. I am so glad that she live's with my parents, I love her so much and am glad that she is such a part of my kids life they love talking to her and giving her hugg-a-lov-as.

We all had so much fun just hanging out and laughing, My parents spoiled us all. Preston kept putting a box on his head and telling us to open him... He was my favorite present.

We went out and saw my Grandma Parent. All three of my boys had fun playing horse...they had me and Grandma laughing. She wasn't feeling very good so she had just stayed home that morning, she usually come's in to my Parents or goes to Shane's. We took her some soup and bread, I hope she had a good Christmas.

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads

2009-12-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

We had a very FUN very BUSY Christmas Eve..We went and had lunch with Bob's fam, read story's acted out the saviors birth, and opened jammies... Then went and watched the life nativity, and had soup with my fam... It was all a lot of fun. when we got home we put out cookies for Santa then the boy's had a brother sleep over... they were so cute snuggled in bed together...and they were both so excited for Santa to come. He called to let the Boys know to get in bed cause he was on the way. when Bruce got on the phone the first thing he said was "Sorry Santa I've been naughty."

Cookie at Grandma's

2009-12-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

Grandma had all the kids over to make Santa cookies...WE had so much fun, rolling the dough, cut it, and above all EATING it. I have to say that I too gave in and ate some dough, and then some more, and a little more after that. My stomach hurts and I know a cyst is probably in my future, but it was tasty, way tasty. Cookie dough is a big weakness.

I loved watching all the kids concentrating on rolling out their dough, I saw a couple tongues being bite, a trait we all owe to my Dad, if he is focusing on something he is biting his tongue.

Bruce and Preston had so much fun. Bruce is so much like me, in so many ways, he loves cookie dough, every time I looked at him he was enjoying some of that Delicious stuff. Preston has such a sweet tooth But doesn't eat a ton of dough like me and Bruce.

Grandma great came out and helped the kids they all flocked over to her and enjoyed having her help them make the cookies.

We all had a great time... Santa is sure in for a treat tomorrow when he stops in to each house and gets to enjoy all the beautiful sugar cookie the kids made.

The Creature in the Basement

2009-12-21T08:42:00.000-08:00

I LOVE our renters.... They are the BEST.. Keith called us late last night, the phone was charging so we didn't get it till this morning. He saw a lizard in the basement, yes a lizard. He had gotten up in the middle of the night to get a drink and same something scurry behind his hamper. He thought it was a mouse because he just saw the tail...When he moved to hamper he was startled to see and lizard staring up at him. He left the room, shuffed a towel under the door, and spent the night in the living room. When Bob got home they caught this little creature, I of coarse wanted to keep him and Bob wanted to find it a home. Keith had a friend who already had all the stuff for the lizard so they took him and named him pluto. I am amazed that it has lived in the basement for 6 month without a proper set up.

Henderson Christmas Party

2009-12-18T08:38:00.000-08:00

My fam's meet at the church a little before the Party started to set up...We found a great surprise in the kitchen, the crock pots full of meat juice from the Ward Christmas party a week ago...It smelled like death. My Hubbs is a great man, I'm so glad he took care of them, I don't think I could have stomached it, could you imagine if I throw-up, that has been my biggest fear with this surgery. We all enjoyed each others company.. It was good to see some of the Fam that we don't get to see as often as others. I know It lifted my Grams spirits, she has been so sad since my Gramps passing. I have been going out 3 times a week and helping to bath her and get her ready, I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve her, she has always been there for me and it feels good to be their for her. She talks a lot about Gramps, I am so grateful for the knowledge we have the next life, it brings us both comfort.

I love remembering all the tradition's I enjoyed as a child and watching my own kids enjoy the same things.. For as look as I can remember we've acted out the birth of our savior.Ican still remeber being Mary. Time really does fly. Bruce was a Shepard and Preston went through a bunch of costume changes before he settle on being a lamb. We opened gifts, ate some yummy food, decorated ordaments, tied a quilt made of gramps' jammies, and played some basketball. I left a bit early because my face started to hurt a bit, my Mom was sweet enough to help with the kids and bring them home.

The Truck

2009-12-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

Bob ran home during lunch to get the truck so he could bring his cool new invention home...He was cruising along Parker drive so he could stop in for a kiss (I was at my Mom's getting Grams ready) when his wheel popped off. He said he saw it bouncing off in front of him while he gripped tight to the steering wheel. I have always hated this truck....Really the weirdest things break on it...Who ever has a wheel just fall off? The Joy of owning a truck that hates you.

2009-12-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

I survived surgery, it was one of the easier surgery's and other then the blood draining down my throat I'm doing great. They were only able to get 60% of the cyst out of my sinus, because it was in a hard to get to location, but they stretched open my upper and lower tubes so they think it should all drain out. I have to wear a piece of gauze under my nose...it kind of freaked Bruce out but Preston didn't even seem to notice. I have had a really hard time sleeping. Bob has been so good to me, I have to sleep in a recliner for the next little bit. I hate not sleeping by Bob, so he held my hand, and read me story's until I got sleepy. I woke up every 2 hours, and had to drink something, breathing out of your mouth is so rough on your throat.. I am pretty sure I will be back to normal in a couple days...yeah

Dinosaur Park

2009-12-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

Our dear friend Anne got us a pass to the Dinosaur Park last year for Christmas, the boys LOVE going there, Bob and I thought it would be a great idea to let them go see the museum and play outside in the fresh air a bit. I could stay home and rest and they could get out and enjoy the fresh air and run around, hopefully come home tired and happy. They had a great time. Their is a pond with big trout that you can feed, and my cute little fishermen really wanted to catch them, they even asked a work if they could. I am so glad that they are such good friends.

2009-12-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

I'm headed off to have surgery....I'm a bit nervous , I've been up since 3:00 doing all sorts of crazy stuff, scrubbing the kitchen, cleaning pooh off of Bruce's shoes that's been there for months but today it's bugging, I ironed my pajama's....I've just been working off nervous energy... It's a good thing the time is finally here and I can quit being CRAZY. I wanted to get all caught up before I went in I'm in the middle of the Thanksgiving post....maybe I'll get time to post everything in the next couple days :)

Snowball Fight

2009-12-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

We had a big storm today.. Kim and Jeremy started a snowball fight and all the kids joined in. I was happy to take picture's and watch, it was cold out.

They all had fun running and getting each other. They would go out for a couple minutes and then run in and get warm, then go back out for some more fun.

Ward Christmas Party

2009-12-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

We had our ward Christmas Party tonight. they did it different then in years past, they had tents set up and we came dressed and Shepard's and enjoyed cheese, fruit, veggies, and meat. My boys were such cute Shepard's, they even kept their costumes on for a couple minutes.

We ate food and listened to the choir.. I love listening to my honey sing, he has such a great voice. The kids made a huge pile of the costumes, then laid on them like a bean bag, they used some for blankets and just laid back and enjoyed the show.

The Primary sang some songs as well. I can't believe how big Bruce is, he isn't even scared to go up anymore, and he sings the words he knows with such a strong voice. Preston can't wait to be big like Bruce ,he kept asking for his turn, and as soon as the kids were done he ran up on stage and sang a little song. He stayed there durning the closing prayer it was so cute to watch him fold his arms and bow his head until the prayer was over.

Christmas Village

2009-12-11T09:27:00.000-08:00

It was soo very cold tonight, but I really wanted to go walk through Christmas Village before my surgery so we put on our warm clothes, bundled up and went to see the lights. The Boys loved running from house to house, seeing all the fun decorations. They LOVED the ones with trains, we stayed at those house allot longer then the rest.

We posed for our annual picture under the Ogden sign and stopped by to look at the nativity and share our testimony's with the boys. This year that was a bit harder then in previous years the boys really wanted to go and touch the statues and kept sneaking under the rope. We stood in line forever and froze a bit but we finally got to see Santa. Bruce ran up and sat on his lap and told him he wanted a train set. Preston not a Santa fan yet and cried when I sat on his lap. As we left the house were Santa was we saw a man telling people about hot chocolate and cookie, he was wearing a red shirt and had a white beard. Bruce marched right up to him, and asked are you Santa too. I love this age Christmas is so magical for my boys, they love it.

Zoo lights

2009-12-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

We went with my family to see the Zoo lights. Payton and Birkley were sick so Holly stayed home and Evrett and Brewer went down with my Mom and Kim. It was super cold. the lights were really fun to look at. When you first walked in they were selling glasses that turned the lights into snowflake, Kim and I didn't hear the part about them costing anything so we kind of stole them. Good thing our Mom was there to keep us honest..

My Mom was so sweet and treated us all to a ride on the new merry go round. The kids loved it. I had Spencer and he was so funny, He would started screaming like he hated it then you would look at his face and he had the biggest smile. The whole way through the Zoo he would scream and we would all just laugh. We saw all the animals in the reptile house..It was feeding time and Bruce now things the Zoo keepers are mean for killing mice. Preston loved all the cute furry things, and Bruce of course loved the snakes and lizards. We also got to see the cats. You could she the mom with her three baby's, you could only see them faintly because it was so dark, and we saw the lynx while we were in the house Esther was crawling on the floor the lynx really took an interest in her and started pawing at the glass and trying to get her. Not mean, just curious.
We left the house and went up to see the tigers, we were gone for maybe 5 minutes when we noticed that our Wynnie wasn't with the group. We looked all over. I gathered all the kids in the house with me so all the other grownup's could go looking. The kids and I said a little prayer, It was so scary you just start thinking the worse. She had stayed in the house, when we all left to go see the tigers, and a zoo keeper found her and took her to their main building when you first walk in. It took us like 10 min to find her, the scariest 10 min ever. I am so grateful that she was just lost and not stolen. Up until the end we all had a great time. The kids were all a little sad that we didn't get to see the baby elephant, or the baby giraffe. But we promised them we'd go back in the spring, when it's light and warm outside.

Making Steven Cookies

2009-12-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

Our friend Steven Broke his finger and had to have pins put in.. He looked pretty miserable so we all decided to make him cookies. The kids had so much fun its been awhile since we've made cookies. Not eating sugar makes it hard to want to bake anything with sugar. The kids loved take turns stirring and enjoyed my favorite part...eating the batter.

After we finished the cookies the kids all played Bruce and Preston's new favorite game, Christmas. They take turns tucking each other in bed and telling each other good night, then one lucky kids pretends to be Santa and leave toys under the tree.. We play this game all the time it was fun to have the Peterson's over to play too.Bob put all the finishing touched on our house... My reindeer wouldn't light up but they are out there in the front yard red bows and all.. We are going to try and figure them out in the spring when its warm and we can do it outside. Bruce isn't a big fan of our house, or our tree. He really wants colored lights, so next year we are saying goodbye to our white Christmas and Hello to some fun bright colors.

temple square

2009-12-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

We went down to Temple Square to see the lights, we rode front runner down and then took tracks around Salt Lake. The boys loved riding the train, we saw a ton of different animals and lots of big trucks. We got to Temple Square and went and listened to a choirs sing the boys loved the music. Then we went and watched a show about family's with some nice Sister Missionary's. Bruce was very shocked that their were girl Missionary's. They were both really cute during the show and loved talking to the missionary's. We listened to the story of the birth of Jesus then walked around and saw all the different Nativity's form around the world. Bruce calls them Bethlehem's and loved looking at all the different ones.

We went in one of the building to get warm, it was really cold, they had some fun computer games that the boys played with for a bit.. Then Preston got mad, he wanted to take of his coat, and throw a fun little tantrum, He laid on the floor kicking and screaming , and I just laughed it looked so funny. Him in his stiff coat rolling around. Bob tried to calm him down but he was mad for a while. When we took him to pet the horses that seemed to help him fell better about life.

We kept missing tracks and had to Wait for another one, which was cold. But the boys had fun looking at all the new sights all around them. I didn't so much like riding on tracks, it smelled funny and most of the people were crappy. Bob got yelled at by some guy for taking pictures of us, I guess the flash was hurting his eyes. Sometimes people bug. We took pictures anyways.

We ate at Rumbi it was really good, and I think it was even food we can eat yeah. The boys gave chop sticks a try and told us all about Kung Fu Panda, they dances to the music and had a fun time. This is my new favorite place's to eat... We will definitely be coming back. The ride home was really noisy Bruce wanted to sit on a lower level so we unknowingly sat right by the wheels, the noises were a bit scary at times but we made it home safe and sound. Preston even managed to fall asleep in my arms.

putting up Christmas

2009-11-28T10:03:00.000-08:00

Today we got the Christmas decorations up... Preston was having a pretty rough day, just in allot of pain, me and him cuddled on the couch while Bob and Bruce put up the tree. Preston took a little nap and we were able to get most of the decorations up. Bruce did such a good job helping out his Dad with the tree, he loved laying under the tree, he told us he was our gift then we would tickle him open.... he is so sticking cute. I took pooh upstairs for a nap and when I came down Bruce was hiding in the tree box and jumped out and scared me. He is getting really good at hiding. Pooh woke up in time to help but the finishing touch on the tree. Bruce Really wants colored lights and colored balls like Mickey Mouse has on his tree, so We will be shopping the after Christmas sales looking for some funner decorations for next year. I love Christmas I love the lights and the smells, The time spent with family, I am really excited for all the fun things we have it store this year.

Thanksgivng

2009-11-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

We are sick, sick, sick at our house. The boys finally have a name for their sickness its Herpengina... I took them last week to Now Care, I 've been sick and was just being lazy, and seems how they are the closest we went their. They looked at Bruce who had been running a low fever, and throwing up. When she listened to his lungs she said it sounded like bronchitis but it could be the flu. I informed her I was recovering from Bronchitis ( the 2nd time this year) and she said Bronchitis wins.... very scientific guess. We went back 3 days later with huge sores in his mouth, he wouldn't eat anything and I do mean anything, and a high fever. The doctor said it was the Flu with gingivitis.... gave us some mouth wash and sent us home. Preston soon got sick with all the same symptoms, so we took him to Wee care that is were they told us they had herpingina, sounds like something a porn star would get not two little boys. Its a form of hand foot mouth disease only worse. Its a viruis so it just has to run it's corse.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving home alone... The boys have been so miserable, I would hate it if we got anyone else sick...it has been awful. Bruce is mostly feeling better but our Pooh is still pretty sick, it makes him fell better when we blow in his mouth, so Bob and I took turns. The dinner turned out great. It was really weird not seeing Bob's fam or My fam, but we did enjoy one another.

After dinner we cuddled in bed read some turkey stories and told the boys how grateful we are for them and there birth family's. November is national adoption month, in our house that fits perfect. Adoption has blessed our lives in so many ways, it has made it possible for Bob and I to know the joys of parenthood. Both of our Birth Mom's have taught so much, so much about love and sacrifice. I am so grateful for the gospel, I know if we do our best we will be able to return home to our loving Heavenly Father. He loves us and answers prayers, it's not always what we ask for but it's always what we need. I feel very blessed this holiday season.

Bob's bump

2009-11-16T10:22:00.000-08:00

Bob has this crazy bump on the back of his head....He won't go into the Doctor. It's kind of squishy and, well it creeps me out....

picnic

2009-11-16T09:56:00.000-08:00

Today Chloe was locked out of her house so she came over with Kim and her kids.. the kids all had a picnic in the entry. They had such a fun time. Well I thought I would make cinnamon rolls for my visiting teachers to let them know how grateful I am for all that they've done for me and my family they are great lady's Jesse has been my visiting teacher since we moved in, and she is amazing I am so glad that she has become such a good friend, I'm looking forward to becoming good friend with Miriam as well. I am really grateful for them grateful enough to make yummy cinnamon rolls, that I can't eat.Look at them they just kept staring at me.....taunting me, I am getting hungry very hungry... Carrots just aren't quite as delicious as these sugary tasty treats. I will be strong...I will.

dentist

2009-11-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

My Boy is getting so big. He went to the dentist for the first time today. Bob was able to take off a half day and be their for the big event. Bruce did so good he listened and was a great patient.. The night before we practiced going to the dentist, and all day him and Preston have been playing dentist.I'm so glad he had such a good time. He loves his new tooth brush. They are both really good at letting Bob and me brush their teeth.

Bob's 31st birthday

2009-11-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

We love our Daddy so so much. The boys got him some fun new lures, then they helped wrap them and made him a card with catfish on them. We love catfish, because they have funny moooshaches.

Bob got home from work and we had a ton of fun singing to him and having him open up his gifts. WE our so lucky to have him, he make me and the boys so happy.

After we headed to our favorite fishing hole and tried out the new lures. The boys had a tone of fun catching and then letting them go. I love spending time with my boys, they have so much joy in the things they do.

The weather was great, we really enjoyed getting out in the sun. I'm so glad we all got to go out fishing one more time before the weather changes. Preston had so much fun catching his fish, which look an awful lot like pond goop.

We came home and enjoyed some chocolate beet cake.. it was so yummy, We are starting to find more and more recipes we can eat which make us both so happy. Bruce REALLY enjoyed his cake, he kept eating it like cookie monster.

We had a great day celebrating our Dad... He is such and amazing husband and father, I am so lucky to get to grow old with my best friend..

Halloween

2009-10-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!We went to my Mom and Dad's and went trick or treating around their neighborhood. the kids had alot of fun running from door to door. Bruce and Wynnie were really good at taking turns at first then we had to remind them . They all did so good using their manner and being polite.

We went and visited all the grandparents, which was great fun...I wish we would have got to see Becky and her family, and Amanda and her family in their costumes. Next year we will plan better

Visiting the Grandparents and Great Grandma's, this is the first Halloween without my grandpa, We have always done chili and homemade doughnuts with my Grandma and Grandpa, I miss him so much and holiday's like this make me so sad I know He is doing great work on the other side but I really miss rubbing his feet, and back, and kissing his bald head.

Temple

2009-10-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Bob's family did his Grandpa's temple work today. It was really nice to go to the temple and get to witness Dad being sealed to his family, I think of waiting the 6 months for my boys and hard that was,I know Dad is so grateful to finally be sealed to his family. I am grateful for the gospel, I know it is true and that Family are meant to be forever. We had a luncheon at Annies after.

I love Grandpa Thomas and miss him very much I am very grateful for the time I did get do know him, He is an amazing man, the life he lived left an example of honesty and hard work for all who knew him.

Ward Carnival

2009-10-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

Our stake usually does a trunk or treat, but the last couple of years have been bad. So this year we did a Ward carnival, The youth were over it and had alot of fun bothes, they decorated cookies, had a fishing bothe, Carmel apples, pumpkins to paint, and doughnut races. Bruce and Preston had a tone of fun fishing. Preston also liked eating the pumpkin paint, I think he thought it was frosting. The youth did a great job and the kids really enjoyed them self's.

Carving Pumpkins

2009-10-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Bruce and Preston Hated cleaning out the pumpkins, they did not want to get their hands all slimy. They did how ever really enjoy cutting the pumpkins. Bruce did one with his dads help and then another all by himself.. he loved carving it alone.

Lunch with Grandma

2009-10-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

The kids go eat lunch at Grandma's work, dressed up every year. This year we got there a little late, and Grandma was almost off so her and papa decided to take the kids to McDonalds to eat and play. They had so much fun, playing and laughing together. I am so grateful for my family, and that we are all so close. I know we all have our moments, but we love each other and our kids all get to be friends.. I LOVE that. Bruce really wanted to be Spider Man or BatMan, but I told him I get one more year of him being a animal, so he picked a crocodial. I'm having a hard time with him growing up. Preston really watned to be a WITCHEY but we talked about and he decided a lion would be good too.

Work With Dad

2009-10-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

Bob went this morning and winterized the sprinkling systems he had done this summer. He did ours first, the noise woke Bruce up, he ran to the window and was his Dad working. He got so excited and told me he was going to go with dad to work. So I bundled him up warm and made him some hot chocolate and cereal. He insisted that he eat his breakfast outside so his Dad wouldn't forget and leave him home. They had a great day working together.

Canning

2009-10-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Kim and Me have been busy this year putting up everything. With our new diet its hard to find food we can eat when we put it up we know exactly what we get. I've done Beans, dilly beans, 2 different types of chili, stewed tomatoes, beef stew, Italian veggie soup, enchilada sauce, apples, apple sauce. I'm a little sick of canning and glad for the break. Kim found 2 quart jars and the DI, they are beautiful, I want some they just look wonderful.. I will have some next year for sure. We were canning and Bruce knocked over my pampered chef stone ware, his face fell as soon as it happened and he said, "oh Mom, I'm so sorry I thought it looked strong." It made me laugh so hard, He is such my good boy.

Leafs

2009-10-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today was beautiful so we went outside to enjoy the weather, who knows how ling it will last. The boys loved playing in the leaves. They had so much fun, raking, running and jumping, Cali was right behind them every step of the way. We are so lucky to have such an hands on Dad. Bob loves playing and laughing with the boys. We Love him so much.

I love when they play nice with each other, which is getting more and more often. I can't believe how fast they are growing.

The boys had aton to fun barring me in the leaves, i think they were getting me back for all the times I've but them in time out. I love Autumn time the weather is so nice, the leave are beautiful, soups are on the menu, and sweaters are my favoite they hide all the right bulges

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

The Thompson's, Peterson's, and us went to J&J' and rode their hay ride out to the Field and picked out some pumpkins. It was so much fun, the kids loved running around picking out the perfect pumpkin. It was a bit harder getting all the kids and pumpkins back to the car but we did it. Preston kept finding broken ones and bringing them to me, he really must have wanted a broken one. I was watching Spencer, so he came with us. He LOVED it he kept laughing and clapping his hands, which he usually only does when I vacuum or sweep. Bruce loved seeing Evey they are best buds, Bruce just thinks he is the coolest, which he is.

Logan

2009-10-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

We woke up to rain this morning, which we thought would work out good for us we left the house at 6, hoping that would mean the fish would be biting. We feed the ducks and Bob fished. We didn't have any luck at the lower dam so we tried another one, no luck there either. But we did get to see some Beavers... Ok so they weren't Beaver they were huge RATS.. we just saw their heads swimming around and thought they were Beavers until we got close enough to see their nasty tails.

We stopped at Cox honeyland on the way home, The boys thought the beehive was way cool..And they loved the different kinds of flavored honey. I think it would be so fun to have a beehive in our backyard. I have always loved bees, I remember trying to save one from the swimming pool when I was young.. I got stung, but I didn't care, for some weird reason I really like those little bugs. Best of all I got my fabric and I can't wait to redo the cushions in the boat.

Anniversary

2009-10-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Bob and me celebrated our Anniversary early this year and went to the Anniversary Inn in Logan. It was way way fun. Or room had everything...I'm a bit like Ross from friends and went to get ever Penny out of hotel rooms, Especially when they are a bit pricier then others. This room was perfect for that we played pool, it had a fun pinball machine, and was loaded with lots of yummy goodies to eat. We totally broke our diet and I am sure I'll get a nice cysts out of the whole deal but o-well we enjoyed ourselves. We got up to Logan early and did a little shopping, I found some fabric for the boat that goes on sell on Monday so I'm pretty sure we are going to make another trip up here with the boys on Monday. Then Bob did some fishin' we could so the fish they were so big, but not very interested in being caught, we went to a couple different places. It was really fun to just hang out and enjoy nature Logan is so beautiful. I can't believe me and Bob have been married for 8 years, we have been through so much and yet it still feels like we are newly weds. I am so grateful that I found such an amazing man, He is such a good husband and amazing Father..

We ate lunch at the Blue Bird, it was delicious, then we headed up to bear lake, hung out on the Beach, and of course went and checked out the docks and saw all the sail boats. I can't wait until next year when we'll take our up there. We came back home over Mote.. We were driving by magpie when a huge Moose ran in front of our car it was so close and scary.. I am so excited to get home to my boys and cuddle up to them.. I have missed them so much, but it was good to get away with Bob for a bit.

Horses

2009-10-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

My Mom, The Peterson's, me and the Boys walked around 25th street and looked at all the horses. Since they put them up my Boys make me a Bob drive down 25th so they can see the horses, It usually confuses me and I always picture really horse it takes me a minute. We've been talking about going and seeing them for months, the summer was just way busy, I'm so gald Kim invited us before it got to cold. Bob was helping his Dad so he wasn't with us and Jeremy was... That's really strange usually it the other way around.the kids loved looking at the horses and playing on the trains... Bruce told me he needed to go potty and I told him to wait on second and we'd find and bathroom, I was asking my Mom where she thought they would be. I looked over to get Bruce and there he was watering the flowers.. I can't help but laugh when he does that.

Indian trail

2009-10-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here we are agina this time finishing the 4.3 mile hike. The boys did so good Bruce hiked the whole think and didn't even complain he was such a trooper. Preston hiked a lot of it, until we got to the parts that had a big drop off on on side then his Dad carried him, He fell asleep for 40 min or so on Bob's shoulder. I went to take a picture and for some reason that woke him up. The hike was so beautiful...our camrea was missing it's memory card so we hiked the whole thing with the nikon and only got a few pictures with Bob's cell phone. We ate our lunch in a little log cabin almost half way through the trail, the boys thought that was great fun. I'm glad we went bakc and finished it, I can't wait to go in the spring.

Indian Trail

2009-10-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Peterson's and us went hiking on the Indian Trail toady...The leaves are changing, we've never done this hike but have heard how beautiful it is. It was really cold in the morning so we all bundled up, made some hot chocolate and headed to the tail. We looked at the map briefly, it's a well maintained trial, and Jeremy and Bob have done it before,so we felt confident we would make it to the end easy.... We didn't. We took a wrong turn toward the first and ran into all these weird fireplaces that looked like alters, finally we hit a big rock slid and kept looking for our trail, but it ended their. The leaves were so pretty and the hiking was fun, the kids way enjoyed it. At our lunch break Bruce even caught his very first grasshopper, he was so proud of himself. It was a good time. I have to admitted I felt a bit shafted that we didn't to the real Indian Trail, I know the ocd in me well track Bob and the boys back for another go at it.

Pumkin patch

2009-09-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

GG and Papa had all of us kids over for a barbecue and pumpkin patch... The boys loved picking out their pumpkins, and after many funny faced pictures I got one with them both looking and smiling. Preston looks up to Bruce and copy's everything he does, its really fun to watch the two of them become such good friends.

The kids all had so much fun playing together.. We always have fun at GG and Papa's. Every year Papa has planted and tended to a garden for the family, we have been so blessed by it.. I have put up beans and tomato sauce, which this year especially has been a blessing. Eating the way we eat is expensive, and hard to find food that doesn't include sugar is crazy hard, it is in everything, by putting up our own food We know we can have everything that is in it...We are so blessed to have such great family..

Canoeing

2009-09-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

We went to Causee to celebrate Paul's Birthday.. We thought it would be soo much fun to canoe back to the narrows and watch the kokanee salmon spone upstream. Bob and I did it like 5 years ago before we had kids and it was aton of fun...and really warm. we played mud football, and swam. This year it was not warm, not at all.

We got up to causee at about 5:20 and hiked the canoes down to the water... We had our canoe and then borrowed a family in the wards canoe... The canoe we borrowed was heavy, Way heavy, Paul and Bob carried that one down to the water, me and Jessie carried the lighter one. It was quite the walk, the wind was blowing. Bob and I had planned on it being warm, so we weren't quite dressed right, our friends were much more prepared for the colder weather. I had brought some warmer clothes thinking we might be a little chilled on the ride home, so we had sweatshirts, luckily for our poor boys. Of course we took our puppy's with us Tabby LOVES canoeing. We were about 50 yards from the shore when our Cali pup jumped over board, she was going after a dog on the shores. Cali is, well, special. I called for her and watched her swim circles for a bit. I know that causee has cold water I have swam in it many time's so I got worried our pup would freeze out there. So I jumped in. WOW that was really stupid I thought the water would go up to my waist and I would just walk over to her. That is so not what happened, the water went up over my head and took my breathe away it was so stinking cold I hung on to the canoe for a while trying to catch my breathe then I called Cali swam a bit and grabbed my pup out of the water. I climbed back into the canoe. Poor Stephen was scared after watching me act like a idiot, As I was climbing into the canoe he was really worried I was going to flip the canoe. Our canoe has seats that make it really hard to flip , I told him just stay on the opposite side and his weight would help keep it stable. His eyes got real big and he said "But you are way bigger then me." I climbed back in the canoe and started paddling, I was so embarrassed, and cold really cold.

We got to the narrows and hiked in a bit watching the water for the kokanee. Paul was really good at spoting them, we saw like 5 it was pretty fun. Henry found and caught a little tiny kokanne:) The water running into causee was freezing, the Kids were so cold, I felt awful, this was not suppose to be a cold activity.

The Lake was beautiful with all the leaves changing colors and the bright green background. We got back to the car and ate some sandwiches and snacks...We hope Paul had a fun time... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! We did really enjoy the evening, and will be better prepares next time.

friends

2009-09-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

The gang, hasn't gotten together in awhile....But with Kurt and Jodi coming into town, we had a Barbecue.. We were only missing 2 people, Courtney and Michelle couldn't make it. It was so great seeing every one. We have had sooo many great times, it seems like live is getting busy and we don't get together as often as we use to :(

The kids all had so much fun playing together... Bruce just loves Gerrick he always blesses him in his prayers and asks when they can play together.

The guys had a ton of fun playing Volleyball, I went back and forth from visiting and holding Kara to playing with the kids.

Karl brought his new four wheeler over and gave the boys a ride... Bruce thought was the coolest, when we go to Sams he always climbs on the one they have displayed, and is so sad when I take him off. Preston loved running and chasing with all the kids, they all had fun playing ring around the roisey.

Kara is such a cute little baby, she loves to smile, We miss you guys tons.

When we were leaving, Bob took the boys out and loaded them while I said good bye, and gathered up our food. He told me that he loaded Preston and went to get Bruce from the sidewalk, Bruce was staring at Blocaus and Paige's daughters (they are 16 and 14 I think) Bob called to him to come and get in the car. Bruce told him "no dad I am looking at them", with that Bob laughed and said "what." "I am looking at them dad", the whole time Bruce was just staring. Bob told him to get in the car. With that Bruce climbed in and said "fine Dad I will just watch them from here." I think we are in store for some trouble.

Bruces 4th birthday

2009-08-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

Today was Bruce's birthday..He took a nap before his party and was still asleep when guest started to arrive. I went in and wake him up, he was soo grouchey till about half way through his party. He wouldn't play any of the games of talk to anyone.

His Dad painted him a fun Lighting McQueen bean bag toss. Isn't my Hubbs quite the artist. The kids had a ton of fun throwing the bags into the hole. We also had a relay race were the kids dressed up in a car outfit and ran through a fun course, Bruce wouldn't play that game, it was the first one we did and he wasn't quite awake, but Preston had a lot of fun.

He of course LOVED opening up his presents.

Jamie had a fun tradition with her girls, when it was their birthday they got to eat the first bite of cake right off the cake. She said it was their cake and they should enjoy it. I thought it was a fun tradition and have carried it on with My Boys...Bruce LOVES being able to bite into his cake. GG made him his cake this year..Look how amazing it looks. It seems like just yesterday we were holding Jamie's hand as he came into the world, now he is 4 next year he'll leave me and start school, which he is so excited for. Both of my Boys are growing too fast. We really missed Jamie and the girls at his party this is the first one they have missed.

2009-08-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

Every where in Nature we are taught the lessons of patience and waiting. We want things a long time Before we get them, and the fact that we want them ALONG time makes them all the more PRECIOUS when they come.

-Joseph F. Smith

Last night we went up to the mountains and watched the shooting stars... It was amazing. I almost decided not to go, I was in a lot of pain. Taking some Darvocet and going to bed sounded allot better. But my 3 boys were way excited, and we were already at my Mom and Dad's, so we went. Bruce was so mad at first we would all OOH and Augh and he had missed it. He once even told the sky it was mean. I felt so bad that he hadn't seen any that I used my wish for that. I know how easy he can get distracted, so I had him come and sit on my lap and when I felt him move his head away from the sky I would remind him were to look. Soon he was Oohing and Aughing with us. Preston even saw a couple. I talked to them about Patience and some time we have to wait for things but they are always worth it. Then I got on the computer this morning to check up on all my friends and on the R house they had that Quote From Joseph F Smith. It hit me hard. This Month has been full of disappointment for our family. I have been going to a nutritionist since January to see if we could maybe just maybe fix my girl problems. With the 2 cysts I had at the end of last year I wanted to see if something else besides surgery could stop them. I haven't ate processed food or SUGAR since then and for me giving up sugar has been crazy hard I love frosting, cookie dough, anything with sugar as the main ingredient. At the first of July I went to a urologist and had 5 kidney stones, and a big ovarian cyst, the guy doing the ct scan was so impressed he brought me back to see it. He just kept saying look at the size of it, over and over. Maybe I would have been shocked if this wasn't all too common in me. I made it all the way to my car before I let myself cry. I went to the obgyn and they wanted surgery, But Bob and I decided to try to take a more holistic approach.

We are wanting to add on to our Family and a girl in our ward had just had her baby girl taken away from the state and asked on Sunday if we would do kinship and adopt her. All day Sunday we were so excited, the thought of having a baby girl just made us excited. We prayed and read our patriotical blessing and came to feel peace at the thought of her coming to our home and that with that our family was complete. I can't express what joy that felt like to not wonder if we didn't do the right thing and a child that was spouse to come to family didn't because of something we did or didn't to. To feel like our family was done, felt so peaceful. On Monday when we called about Her we learned that she had already been placed and that kinship wasn't available. I have felt pretty stupid usually we are right on when it comes to our kids. before Bruce we meet a girl and while we hoped that she would give us her child we knew it wasn't going to work out,With Preston we prayed about a couple other placement and with great sadness said no because we knew it wasn't right. I am sure the feeling were my own wishes and not the Lord will and sometime it's hard to know the difference.

Just like I was teaching Bruce about Patience and waiting, I am being taught that same lesson. I know that as long as we stay close to the Lord, Pray and Read the Scriptures, We will be lead to the children that are suppose to be in our family. I long to know what Pregnancy and childbirth are like, the joy of feeling your child kick inside you and watching them grow from doctors appointment. To know that they aren't being exposed to anything harmful, because I am not smoking or doing drugs. Even if I never get to know what that is like I do get to know what Motherhood is like. I love my boys so much I have longed for them and prayed for them and they are very very special to me. I am so grateful that Jamie and Brandy are in my life, they have taught me so much about love, and sacrifice. They are amazing.

Even though Monday and Tuesday were rough, I feel at peace today.

Catfish

2009-08-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

The boys LOVE going fishing with Dad.. They usually just catch Blue Gills, which are tiny and they throw them back. On this evening how ever they got a Catfish. Bruce was so excited, when they reeled it in he yelled "It has a MOOSTACHE!" the way he says mustache is so cute. This was the first time they caught anything worth bringing home, and Bruce was soo excited to eat his fish. We didn't want them to see their Dad kill the fish so we put it in the tote in the back of the car and figured it would be dead when we got home. We were WRONG. Catfish don't die. OK they do die but they are hard to kill. They can breath in water and out of water, Bob went in the backyard and tried clubbing it to death 15 hits later it was still alive. Bob researched on line how to cook it so it tasted good, and you leave their heads on while you skin them. We, ok not me I was not aloud in the kitchen and figured the animal was dead, Bob tourchered the poor creature while me and the boys watched a movie.... My boys all LOVED their catfish, it was pretty tasty for a fish. Bruce was smiling the whole dinner. Bob didn't share the details of the preparing till later that night, and he assured me we will be throughing any further catfishes back.

Air show

2009-06-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

Bob has been so excited to go to the air show...I don't like the heat,or the crowds, so I convinced him that we should watch it from the side lines, once you are on base you stay their till it's over. You can't take drinks in with you and there are so many people.

We loaded up the boys and went and found a great spot by the hospital.. we had a great view of the whole show....

The boys loved playing in Preston's new wagon... and throwing rocks. the enjoyed the planes when they flew over head..but not quiet as much as throwing rocks.

My Dad and the nephews joined us just a little before the Thunder cats flew.... They were amazing the way they fly perfectly in sink with each other.. The Boys all loved that. It was a good day I am glad Bob let me win a little.

Fernwood

2009-06-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

We went up to Fernwood in Layton with Bob's Family tonight. We roasted hot dogs and went for little walks around the campsite. It was a lot of fun. The Boys love playing with their cousins. Bob brought up his bike and took the kids for rides on his handle bars, they had fun with that. I love the Bob is with are kids, when he is around the kids arre always laughing and having fun..

Preston's Birthday

2009-06-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is 2, time has just flown bye. I want so badly for it to just slow down a bit.

I thought for sure when we told him to take his first bite of cake, he'd dig in, he bent down and gave it a kiss. the cupcake was another story that he ate.

He had a ton of fun opening up all of his presents. I love the way kids tear open their presents.. He made sure he told everyone thank you. He is so good at using his manners.. I am amazed at how well he can talk.

The kids all enjoyed the water and treats, Preston had a great time playing on the playground and with the water. I am still amazed that we were so lucky with him. The Lord knew we need his sweet personality in our home, he is sooo polite he reminds me to use my nice words, he is such a loving, cuddly child.

canoeing

2009-05-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

We went to Fort Bonaventure today. We explored the teepee's and then went canoeing the boys had a lot of fun canoeing in the pond. We looked for pretend animals in in the water...we saw a lot of stick alligators, and some lions on the shore..

race for the cure

2009-05-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

We went to Salt Lake City today for the Race for the Cure....My Mom went with us... It's been a year scince all this cancer crab hit our family... How greatful I am that so many people have dedicated thier lives to curing this disease, and while their may not be a cure yet the treatment options are amazing... My Mom has been through so much this last year, and is a true survior..I love you so much and am so greatful you are such a fighter.

Haircut

2009-05-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

My boy isn't even two yet, I am a little scared for whats to come. I was making little pictures for music makers and was using rubber cement to glue them together, Sophie needed some help in the potty so I went to help her, I thought the rubber cement would be fine the lid was on, it was on the desk. I was WRONG was wrong. I don't know if it's from him watching me color other people's hair or what but he painted his own hair... I panicked and tried washing it out which just made it into a nastier mess so with tears in my eyes I pulled out my clippers, my baby boy is bald...he looks older, and people have asked me if he has cancer....I am very grateful that the answer to that is no just curious.

Backyard

2009-04-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

One Day our Backyard is going to be rockin cool, until then my boys are having fun renting big man tools and fixing it up.... Ok my 2 older Boys, the skeet loader kind of freaked my pooh out a bit, look how scared he is in the picture, I'm sure that is some form of child abuse... But I swear as soon as he got scared I took a picture and then went and rescued him. The Peterson's came over for a barbecue...Doesn't it look Delicious? It looks alot better then it tastes... I still haven't got use to cooking for our new life style. Sugar is in everything I mean everything, salad dressing, seasons, I'll get used to cooking like this one day until then we will just eat good looking, yucky tasting food.

Costumes

2009-04-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

So Live kind of loves to happen, we have been in our house for 4 winter, spring seasons and never had problems with the basement, until this year. Our poor renter's woke up to a ton of water in there room so this is us fixing the problem. Our great friend Jared has a ton of costume and Bruce and him had a ton of fun playing different characters. Bruce has no sense of modesty, I wonder were he gets that, and just would strip down in our front yard and change. I looked over once and he was peeing in our front yard, He LOVES to pee outside and takes every chance he can to sneak a little relief in.

I am so lucky to be married to such a talented MAN. He is so well rounded and can fix anything. We dug down the foundation and remoter ed it and tared over it hopefully that will fix this issue. I LOVE alot of things about my old house, the crumble foundation is no longer on my fav list.

Sandbox Fun

2009-04-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors have a rock'n' fun sandbox, they all had a ball playing in the sand with each other... Hannah even let them barry her.

Easter

2009-04-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Boys had a great Easter Morning. They LOVED playing their new drums and getting lessons from their Dad, he can play a great toy drum.

Bob had to go to meeting so I got the Boys ready, one parent on Easter morning.... I think I was lucky to get them sitting somewhat still. The picture with Preston pulling his socks off kind of shows what getting ready for church was like. My Mom was sewing all the girls new dresses for Easter and Bruce said..."Grandma can you PLEASE sew me a new pink shirt?!" I Loved his new pink shirt, Bob wore a pink and blue tie so he matched them both.

On Saturday we colored eggs and had a Easter egg hunt at my Mom and Dad's. the kids had a ton of fun.Bruce really enjoyed coloring eggs this year. Preston didn't get into it to much, but he had a great time riding the princess car around, with his bottle in a cup. I love his little personality so much.

On Friday we had a fun dinner and Easter egg hunt at aunt Annies, with Bob's fam.... We had a ton of fun hanging out with everyone. ( My camera's battery is dead so I didn't get any shoots :( )

Sunday we Had dinner at GG and Papa's, It was loads of fun they made each kid a cute little Easter basket. The boys Loved their new Africa shirts..Thanks GG and Papa.

The BEAST is up

2009-04-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

We have been trying to find time and get this monster up for over 2 years now. we played the radio and listen to conference while we worked on getting it up. I am so amazed at how handy Bob is he takes such good care of us and knows everything about fixing things. Now that its up I am going to scrum it down and restain we'll have it looking new in no time. the kids are so excited to play on it.

Playing with friends

2009-04-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Kim, Suzie, and I have been exercising for a bit now in the morning, We walked last year but are thinking we need a little more this year, so we go to the Church and exercise in the gym while our kids all play. For the most part they play and are pretty good. Afterwards they always want to play a little more so today Jared came over and played with some playdough. They had so much fun together.

Gardening

2009-03-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

Our Bishop is buying a nursery, he had a late shipment and a early shipment so he has a ton of work that needs to be done. Bob and I went out on Thursday for our date night...Thanks Mom for watching my kids. It was so much fun. I have a completely black thumb and I try really hard to make it green, hopefully the plants we planted won't die. Every year we plant a garden and other then peas and a couple tomatoes it usually dies. We have big plans this year for our backyard, hopefully I'll learn a thing or too helping out at the nursery. He told us if we brought in some pots we could plant our own hanging baskets... so we took the boys with us on Friday and planted a couple basket they went crazy, they had to touch everything and loved to look at how the plants are growing. I'm glad they had fun, but think it'll be just Bob and I in the future, it was hard to get our pots planted with the boys into everything. Here is a little shout out to the nursery it's located at 40s 40w in West Haven and has the best plants ever so make sure you get all your plants from their this season :)

IKEA

2009-03-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

I was going to steal some pic's from Kim's web site, but I don't really know how to do anything like that so I don't have pictures of the actual Field trip, yes I did say Field trip. Ikea was having one of it big one day sales, and it was Kim's turn to have preschool at her house. We decided to make a Field trip out of that day go down to Ikea get or stools and let the kids play in their playland. way fun fied trip, for the kids you know. It was a success we got down there early enough for our stools and did some shopping ate lunch, then headed home with our treasures. I have to admitt something, I know I should keep it to myself it just proofs how crazy I am, Like the craziest person ever, and a bit dishonest...It's in my blood how I wish it wasn't but its their(not the dishonest part the crazy part, and I only thought of as being dishonst after the fact and am feeling some guilt for that). They were giving out tickets for the stool 4 per house I was given 5.... the last one was a golden ticket a extra sale item, I have no need for 5 stools in my kitchen 4 is going to be a bit of a squeeze, but my niece eat over a lot and its great to have the extra seating, so I gave my extra ticket to Marnea and some money. I got my 5 stools, spent an extra twenty dollars and it will probably stay in it's box BUT it was on sale, how could I not get it. Please don't think less of me I am a bit crazy when it comes to thing on sale I have NO control, I get it from my Dad, and Mom.
When we got home My boys pulled out their tools and but 4 of the chairs together, we don't have room for 5 and no need for 5. They had fun using all their tool and making the stools. I also got a bench for our piano I am so glad I don't have to use a kitchen chair anymore.

Ward Kite Flying Activity

2009-03-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

What a FUN FUN day. We went to the Big Dee Sports park and flew kites, ran around and ate yummy food. I Love when Kim does stuff with us, which is most the of the time, because she always takes a ton of cute picture, things we do with out her we only get a couple. I need to learn to take more pictures like she does. Everyone brought way cool kites, my favorite was the box kite, the Bucannon's made it and I can't believe it stayed in the air it was a lot heavier then the rest. Bruce loved the eagle, and Pres loved the nemo fish, which never did get in the air, the wind only lasted about 20 min, so if you were late you didn't get to do much flying.

We had bought some dollar ones from the Walmart, they flew great even without much wind, Bob was bummed their wasn't enough wind for his trick kite, I still have yet to see that thing in action. I am either under the weather when he goes out with the boys or the wind isn't strong enough. I really am excited to see it go, maybe one day.

We ate some yummy hamburgers, then all the little kids played on the playground, and the older once played football and tag and such.

Bruce had a ton of fun doing somersault and handstands on the grass. Which became a popular event and soon a bunch of kids were doing cartwheels and handstand. I was watching and cheering on when one of the kids called me old and said I couldn't do hand stands......

I dusted odd my skills and shod them how young I am.... that was the plan anyway, I think I pulled a muscle and I sure didn't have the skills I once had, I still think they were a little impressed. Hannah and I sure had fun goofing around.

Bob shod off how young he was too. He had fun Playing football with the youth and Paul. all was going well until they started a game of smere the guere ( we probably should come up with a new name for that game), Bob was getting tackled and twisted his ankle pretty bad, maybe we should just realize we are old... Or maybe we will just keep getting injured and enjoy living out our old glory days.

St. Patricks Day

2009-03-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

The Leprechauns got into our breakfast and turned it GREEN. Bruce thought if he licked off the frosting he would turn into Evrett.. He loves Evy so much and wants to be like him, he was sure the Lepracans put a spell on the frosting, he was way sad when he stayed Bruce.. but I am sure glad I got to keep my Bruce.Later in the day Minnie and the Girls came over to make some yummy cake pops. WE love all the cute treats on Bakerella and thought we would try it out.

We took picture like the Pioneer Woman, here is out cast over characters.. and the ingredients too!

We took turns smashing the Oreo's. The Kids did such a great job taking turns and really enjoyed helping cook.

We rolled the balls and started to dip them in chocolate, that's when we realized we are not Bakerella or The Pioneer Woman. They make it look so easy like anyone can make these cute pops. Ours turned out less then professional.... But they were way tasty and fun, so we may not be Bakerella but we are going to be enjoying their recipes in the future, if you want to see perfect cake creations check out their blogs.

Bruce and Sophie are WILD they are always running and wrestling they had a ton of fun sharing a chair during our cake making fun.

We made cute little clovers to go on top of the cakes... A lot harder then they look. Bruce, Hannah, and Wynnie all gave it a try and did a great job, maybe I'm just lacking in the cake decorating talent.

Maybe not just me, Kim thought it would be just as cute and allot easier to drizzle green chocolate over them, which worked great until she squeezed too hard and the bag broke...Maybe that is problem we used zip lock bags instead of real cake decorating bags. we had some cute clover's some not so cute, some way cute drizzled pops, and then one giant blob of green.

With food what matters the most is the taste and they were Delish

We went outside and played around on half a playground the kids made cute trains on the slide and had lots of fun playing in the dirt...Wynnie fell and ate some of the dirt, not nearly as tasty as the cake pops we made earlier. We cleaned her up and she was off again playing with all the kids.

Shane, our renter, got a new lizard and brought it out for the kids to all hold, he did this fun trick were Shane would rub his neck and but him on his back and he would stay their it was weird looking. Preston LOVED the lizard he held it and gave it kisses, I tried so hard to get a picture of him kissing the lizard but he was just too quick. Hannah held it, but all the other kids would only pet it. After we went in and had some yummy soup and rolls, then cleaned up alittle.

More Kite Flying Fun

2009-03-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

For Family night tonight we went out and visited with GG and Papa. We hardly ever see them, or anyone besides Kim, now that Bob is so busy in his calling. Our kids miss them and were so excited to go out and see them. One of Bob's favorite memories as a child is his Dad's big trick kite, so of course we had to share that memory with the boys. There wasn't enough wind to fly the big kite but ALL the boys had fun flying the little ones.

Plane Museum

2009-03-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

The preschool went to the Plane Museum today, it was so much fun.. I have never been, and I think I had as much fun as the kids. Kim made Bruce, Wynnie, and Sophie pose next to the toter, Bob keeps all his tools in one at work and Kim thought that would give him a good laugh, and it did.

Bruce LOVED all the planes, he kept talking about how his Dad fixes this one and that one, he is so proud of his Dad. Me Kim and Chrystine were the only family's that came, it was a good size group, I love to take pictures of Bruce and Lizzy, it is my dream that when they grow up they get married...I just LOVE her and her whole family they are the cutest.

They had the funnest little play area, the kids got to dress up like pilots and fly the air planes. All the kids had a ton of fun,

They got to play with all sorts of different airplane related toys, including Preston's new fav buzzy light year. I helped Bruce find a plane like the one his Daddy works on and he didn't want anything to do with the other planes. He wanted his Dad to come and play with him so bad, we for sure will have to plan another outing to come here when Bob doesn't have to work.

There was this really cute worker their who helped all the kids, fly a plane and balance a ping pong ball in the air with a blow dryer, Henry loved this he would cry if you tried to get him to put it down.
They all took turns riding in the little airplane they had... the kids loved all the hands on stuff, they all did so good sharing and listening. After we had snacks outside, it was really windy and cold so after snacks we went home, maybe if we go on a warmer day will check out all the planes they have outside too.

Frisbee Fun

2009-03-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

We had a ton of fun throwing the frisbee around today, even if Bob is the only one who can catch it. Bruce and Preston laughed so had when they got to throw or "catch" it. We ran around the yard having a ton of fun then the boys got to be airplanes, thanks to their strong Daddy. I loved hearing them squeal in delight when it was their turn to spin around and around.

I love bed time, we all read stories in the living room, cuddle, then say our prayers and march upstairs brush teeth and get our pj on. I am not one who can ever stick to a schedule but I love our bedtime routine and we never miss, sometimes we read more stories and some time we hurry through a short one. I am so glad that we get to spent this time together.

Music Makers

2009-03-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

Two super creative Mom's in our ward (Suzie McKeon, and Marnae Morgan) Stared a group called Music Makers we meet every Thursday. Our kids learn knew songs, they dance and play musical instruments. It is so much fun. Here are some fun pictures of the kids singing and dancing.

Preston LOVES music he loves to sing and dance. He is such a joy to our lives.. this video makes me laugh his little legs just move so fast and the rest of him is not so fast.

Crazy Utah Weather

2009-03-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

We got a little snow today. It is crazy to think two days ago we were at the Union Station enjoying the nice spring weather and then BAM winter hits us again. We decided it would probably be the last good snow storm of the year so we snow suited up and had a big snow ball fight. Bruce thought it would be a great time to enjoy a nice winter snack, and every time he wasn't throwing a snow ball he was eating one.

Bob so didn't play fair, he hit me and the Boys, on more then one occasion, right in the face. He had a couple of time outs but eventually he learned to play fair.

After bob got a couple of body hits on Bruce, He let Bruce get him his poor little face was covered in snow. I guess that will teach him to play dirty.

Preston had a ton of fun running and throwing snow balls at his Brother. he is growing so fast I can hardly believe he can throw a snow ball back at Bruce. We keep hoping their will be at least one more storm like this before the season is over.... The Lake is sooo low.

The Union Station

2009-03-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

We went to the model train show at the union station today. We got to ride on this fun little train, I thought for sure I was going to break it but Preston wanted to ride but would stay on without me. Luckily it worked fine and I didn't have to stop eating completely because I broke a ride.

I love Bruce's smile he looks like he is having so much fun.

The model's were fun to look at I can't imagine how much time it take the to build these things, look at all the detail. Preston and Bruce had fun watching them drive their trains around the track. It was a mad house, their were so many people there, we lost Bruce for the scariest 5 min of my life, I am going to look into a leash, I don't think I have ever been so scared.
We ate lunch with some really nice people from Roy. The little boy (he was about 6) told us about how is cat climbed into the dryer and his Mom didn't know, so she turned on the dryer. He was in their for a couple of minutes, but is fine now.

Right before we left Preston grabbed my Chi, we put his hand under cold water, and he seemed fine...until we had been at the train station for almost an hour, then he started crying and whipping his hand on my shirt, we got him some ice then made our way out of the maze. He has two sad little blisters on his fingers, it make me so sad, I should have had it up higher, I really didn't think he could get to it...Sad lesson learned. Sometimes being a new Parent is the worst, things you should think about you just don't. Burn or no burn we still had a ton of fun playing with the trains.

The Great Salt Lake Marina

2009-03-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

It wouldn't be a trip to Salt Lake without a little detour to our Favorite spot. Bruce and Preston had so much fun throwing rocks into the Lake.

We walked down to the actual Lake and stayed for all of 5 min, the wind was blowing and it got cold fast. Usually the GSL Marina doesn't smell like sulfur but the way the wind was blowing today it sure did, Bruce always makes us laugh when he smells "eggs."

I love this picture... I was walking back holding Bruce's hand when I looked down.. he is growing so fast, I know one day he'll stop holding me hand and that breaks my heart a little, at least I'll always have this picture.

Draper Temple open house

2009-03-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Our Boys LOVE the Temple, they sing the song all the time and always want to go to the Temple. We thought they would enjoy going to the Draper Temple, so we got tickets and took them.

After the Temple they had some cookies and entertainment (I have just started taking piano lessons and am just amazed at how well some people can play.) at the church, this was Bruce's favorite part of going to the Temple. They were busing people up to the temple from different churches around the area. We were the green bus, the boys thought it was a ton of fun to ride on a bus, and ask if we can to it again every time they see a bus.

I am so grateful to have the gospel in our lives, to KNOW that our FAMILY can be FOREVER. I am so grateful for my SAVIOR and the love he has for me. I am grateful for a living PROPHET who guides and directs us. I know the SCRIPTURES are true, and that if we prayerfully read them they with help guide us through this life. I am so grateful for trails I know as we seek help, that trail teach us thing we never could have learned otherwise, and I am grateful for cookies, and buses and the happiness they bring to my sons. :)

CAKE the best breakfast ever

2009-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

I had got the boys breakfast, the usual pancakes and bananas, Then I came in to the computer to look up some stuff, Bruce finished and Preston was just as quiet as can be. Which is strange because when Bruce is finished that usual means Preston is finished, even if he's not. I finished up what I was doing then came into the kitchen to find this...

He had grabbed the cake pan, knocked the lied off and was enjoying a delicious breakfast. He looked so cute with his frosting covered hands, and face I couldn't help but laugh.

A Child's imagination

2009-03-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

IS A WONDROUS PLACE. When we were outside today the kids decided to do a little gardening.
They dug a big hole....

Looked all around for the perfect "tree" to plant...

A little water....

and you have a tree. They have gone out every day that the girls come over and water it. They show anyone who will walk to the back yard their wonderful tree. I love the way their minds imagine things happen

The Playground

2009-03-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

We bought this playground about 2 years ago. It was on KSL and it looked like so much fun. We had been saving for awhile to get one and this worked out great, the only problem was putting it together. Bob has so little free time and works on it every once in awhile it has another big tower and a fun bridge that connects the two, normal swings and a tire swing. It needs to be stained like last year but we have to wait till its all up. The kids love it I can't wait to see it up and stained and looking new. That's our GOAL this spring. and hopefully a sprinkling system so we can have some grass.

It shouldn't bother me the kids LOVE it look at how much fun they have on the slide and climbing to the top. Plus they love the dirt and are going to miss it when it's grass and mulch. I am not going to miss how dirty they get:)

Kite flying

2009-02-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

We took Preston to the Doctor on Monday and my poor little boy has strep. We have stayed inside for the last tree in a half days, which has drove Bruce crazy. He said to me today can I please go outside and run Mommy, I just need to run. I have been checking his temperature and throat to make sure he isn't getting sick and so far he hasn't shown any signs, so after music makers we put Preston to sleep and went out and enjoyed the spring like weather. The kids loved running the kites up and down the sidewalk. Bruce's kite was the weirdest kite ever he would get it up and then it would fly straight down into the ground. Bruce didn't seem to mind he was happy with it dragging on the ground as he ran up and down the sidewalk.

In case any of you are thinking of flying a kite anytime soon I highly recommend protective ear coverings, like Wynnie has on. If she wasn't flying the kite she would have he Mom hold them, "But make sure you give them back when I fly next." she would say. Flying kites is apparently really noisy.

Wynnie had such a fun time flying the kites, she would run and then spin then run. The only problem was that she often got the kite stuck in trees, power lines esters face you know whatever was close by. Her face would of coarse fall to the sad look you've ever seen, then we'd get the kite unstuck and life was great again.

Making paper hats

2009-02-21T21:03:00.000-08:00

When we got home from Hardware Ranch the kids made paper plate hats Here is Bruce's with his Elk, he is such a good artist.

Hannah made a train hat for Bruce with Thomas and James

Wynnie made a ruffey (dog) hat for Preston he looked so cute in it I thought I got a picture of it but apparently I didn't. Anywho his head was too small for the hole so it was more like a necklace, he loved wearing it.

We had a really fun weekend with all the kids

Hardware Ranch

2009-02-21T20:46:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we headed up to Logan to see the Elk. Bob and I had gone up their years ago with our friend Andrew and thought the kids would really enjoy it. The lodge had allot of fun things for the kids to see and touch. They had a ton of different animal pelts so you could feel the different animal fur I loved the Beaver it felt really cool, Bruce really liked the wolf.

We all tried out our wing spanned to see what kind of bird we'd be Bob was a turkey vulture, Hannah really enjoyed this part of the trip. (Sophie, Bruce, Preston, Wynnie, Hannah, and Bob)

They had a sand box so you could see what the different animals tracks look like all put the elk prints were little plaster circles, the elk was a real huff it was so sick to watch the kids play with it, but they seemed to enjoy.

We had fun waiting in line, i went pretty fast and the kids had fun watching all the different horses come and go.

It was allot of fun to go on the sled ride and to get to see the animals so close. The would stop every couple of min and tell us different facts about the animals and the ranch. Preston hated when we stopped he loved having the horses pull us around and would get mad if they weren't.

Yes this is a picture of their potty. During one of the stops Bruce looked at it and said really quietly Dad what is that, is that their food when Bob told him he got this weird look on his face and said ohh it was really funny so Bob had to take a picture so he'd remember

These were are darling horses Nikki and Molly. The kids loved petting them and telling them thanks for the ride.

On the ride home we saw a ton of deer. I was really hoping for the trifecta and to add a moose to our list of animals but that didn't happen. I don't know what it is about a moose but they are my favorite animal to see. I love when we go camping at north fork we always run into a couple, I guess I will have to wait till summer.

Antelope Island

2009-02-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

We had the Peterson girls this weekend so Kim and Jeremy could go up to Midway for their Anniversary. We decided to go out and check out the Antelope Island Marina to see how high the water was there, then to go find some buffalo and have a picnic. It was kind of windy so the three little ones stayed in the car and ate there nutritious dinner. Hananah, Wynnie and Bruce had so much fun running around chasing each other and eating.

Here's a picture of Sophie, Ester and Preston enjoying thier dinner in the car. After Sophie and Preston ate they got out for a minute and played with the other kids.

I love the sunsets at Antelope Island they are always so amazing. We found two different herds of buffalo, the other one had allot more but the picture were too dark. I love the Picture below, this is why we've fallen in love with this place. The kids love the wild life, I love the scenery and Bob LOVES the sailing. We had a great time out exploring the Island.

2009-02-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

We didn't go out for our Anniversary, because we would have had to put Preston in shelter care and I just didn't want to sent him to spent the weekend with strangers. So we decided to get away this weekend for our late Anniversary. Bob surprised me and took me to the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake, it was amazing. I don't mean to sound like a baby but when we walked in the room and I saw all the rose petal's everywhere and the room it was so romantic I cried a little. I am so the type that if I was picking out a theme room it would be the jungle were we could sleep in a tree and think we were Tarzan and Jane :) but I am so glad Aaron went with the Romeo and Juliet suite it was killer romantic. I am so lucky to be with such a great guy he makes me happier then I ever imagined. He is a great father, and friend he teaches me so much everyday.

On Monday we went out to our favorite place, the Great Salt Lake marina to check out the water levels and walk around the shore. I can't wait to get back out there I love being out on the boat with my boys it is just the best. The water levels are looking a lot better then they did last year, We are hoping to back on the lake by April, with the cooler weather the lake is a lot nicer, their aren't brine flies, or humngo spiders. While we were walking around two boats went out We were so jealous. If you look close at the picture below you can see one of the lucky ones sailing around. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend. I can't believe we're going on eight years! I've learned so much about live these past years and I am so grateful I've had Bob by my side, he has helped me through some of the hardest times of my life. I really needed this weekend to be able to spent so much time with my honey was great, I would love to be with him all the time. With the economy the way it is, maybe I shouldn't really wish for that. :) I guess we could always life on our boat right :)

Rare moments

2009-02-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

I had to take Pictures of my boys cuddling. They are always wrestling and chasing each other. I don't know if I've ever seen them so calm. Don't worry it didn't last more then 5min. by the time I took the last picture they were back to being their crazy self's

2009-02-11T15:15:00.000-08:00

Bruce had so much fun at preschool today. He was so proud of the train he made and couldn't wait for his Dad to get home so he could show him. As we ere coming in the house on of the wheels fell of and his face was so sad, I helped him fix it and he was so happy. I love to see him get excited about things.

Snowman

2009-02-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

The snow was almost great packing snow it was just a little to wet as you can see our snowman started out a lot taller then fell over because of how wet it was. I have been getting my lovely cysts again this one was only 4.5 big for most people small for me, they don't operated unless they are bigger then 6 or aren't getting smalled after a couple of weeks. any who this one was on the same side as my surgery in November so it was pretty painful. Luckily Bob was able to take some days off work and help with the kids. This is what they did one of the mornings. Bruce was super happy because his last snowman had a unfortunate accident, Bob had to jump the car so he drove over the snowman to get to the car. This broke Bruces heart and he has brought it up allot lately. The picked out a spot on the lawn were he would be save from being run over again.
His eyes kept falling out we got a couple pictures with them in. Preston LOVES snowman. Wynnie had a snowman birthday party and they played a game with a sing snowman stuffed toy, he cares it around with him," noman nonman" and gets so mad when it stops playing. He also does the cutest actions to once their was a snowman and sings as he does it, I love when he sings songs I'll have to try and get him singing on video.

Snow Angels

2009-01-26T14:57:00.000-08:00

Bruce and Preston just LOVE the snow. we woke up this morning to a fresh new layer of the fun white stuff so we snow suited up and went out in the cold to enjoy the snow. The Mckeon's were out playing so Jared came over and they all made snow angels in the backyard. Bruce was so excited to see Jared now that its bad weather we don't go walking so we hardly so him.

Christmas Day

2008-12-25T20:57:00.000-08:00

We woke up way excited to see what Santa had brought, in the excitement we didn't get any pictures here's some of the boys playing with their kitchen set before we left for the day.

I LOVE Christmas morning, and here is the reason why, once a year we get to enjoy my Dad's omelette's they are amazing. For the last couple of years Ryan has taken over the role of "Dad" and he does an equally amazing job. I look forward to this meal all year round, it is better then Thanksgiving, better then anything. Just looking at this picture is making me mad that I have to wait another year before this great tradition will be repeated.

We ENJOYED our family breakfast and then opened up the presents . everyone had a great time.Brewer and Grandpa

Grandma Wynnie Kim Ester Jeremy Sophie and Hannah

Hananh, Ryan and AmandaPayton, Brett Evrette Birkley and Holly

My Boys

After my parents we went to Bob's parents for some reason I didn't get pictures their either. I am so grateful for both of our family's and all they do for us. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

Every year on Christmas Eve my family goes to the live Nativity. Bruce loved watching the story of Christ birth he keeping telling me what was happening from the story's we had been reading. It was really crowded and their were more the a couple mean people who pushed our kids out of were they were standing, I had to keep telling myself the meaning of Christmas so I didn't tell these people off. I think next year we are going to go on the 22 or 23 not Christmas Eve. They were really rude.
You can barley see Angel Moroni but he is on a tall ladder on the roof of a house, and the wind is blowing like crazy (being sailors now we get updates on the weather and when it is dangerous to go out on the lake and this particular storm brought in winds up to 120mph) It was scary to watch him up on the ladder, and you could see how hard he was trying to stay on it.

The kids all enjoyed the animals they use Preston was so excited when they came out. After the play was over my Family went to my Parents for soup. We went to Bob's family for Dinner and presents. Here is a picture of Beck, Ry and Hudson, I can't believe how tall Hudson is. It is fun to see him and Preston together, They are 8 months apart (Preston is older) and he is way tall then Preston, but I think they weigh the same :)

Here is Grey Amanda, Gracie, and Maggie I think Gavin is off playing with Bruce, they have such fun together. I think Bruce is excited to be around a boy his age he has so many girl cousins his age and only a couple boy cousins.

Every year GG reads us Christmas Story's. This year she did thinks alittle different and read us one of John's favorite story's Cowboy Dan. She had run across it going through some things and wanted to share it with us. Dad usually read us The Littlest Angel which always makes me cry, he didn't this year. I had told my Mom how much I missed it and she found a copy as she was going through my Grandparents things and gave it to me (there are a couple different copies of this book and this one happened to be the same one Dad usually reads) I cried as I read it to my kids. I know I didn't know John but for some reason I've always felt close to him, I always end up crying when I see picture of him or hear a story that reminds the family of him.

The kids all got pajamas from GG and PaPa they all looked so cute in them. We tried to get a group shot, if you notice my kids are the only ones not holding still. They have so much energy, My Grandma always tells me that's a sign of greatness.

Bruce was so excited to leave Santa Cookies. I tried this recipe from the Pioneer Woman (My favorite blog ever) She always has the best recipes. All but this one. I am surprised Santa didn't take back all the Present after he tasted them,

Sleepover

2008-12-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

We LOVE the Office it is our Fav Tv show we own all the seasons and love to rewatch them. Kim and Jeremy were behind on season 4 so they haven't watched any of this years season. We've been tivioing and saving all of them so we could have a big Office Marathon and get them all got up. We figured we'd have a big sleepover the kids got make some cookies and play and we would stay up all night watching the office (ok not all night Jeremy is NOT a night owl so we'd watch till he was done). Here are some pic's of our fun sleepover.

We made Ginger bread cookies for the neighbors. Sophie rolling out the dough was my favorite.

Bruce LOVES the Christmas tree. He has been wanting to sleep under the tree ever since we put it up. We figured tonight would be a great time to make that happen. I read them The night before Christmas, and The Nativity Story. Then we tucked them in to bed and they fell asleep surprisingly well. Then we watched the Office until around 2:30 I just love Dwight he is my fav

Christmas Village

2008-12-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

We went out as a family to enjoy Christmas Village all lite up. The boys loved looking at all the twinkling lights.

I love sharing my testimony with my kids, When we saw the Nativity I shared the storey of Christ Birth and why it is so important to us. I have made mistakes in my live, and I know I'm going to continue to make mistakes. I am so grateful to a loving Father in heaven who was able to have a plan so we could return home to him, and a loving brother who had the strength to endure so much in order to make it happen.

After the lights we went to Burger King and played in their playland. The Boys loved it!! It was fun and cheap.

Preston LOVED the slide!!

Bruce wouldn't climb up the thing without someone so Bob and I took turns climbing around like hamsters.

Making Cookies

2008-12-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

Every year the on the friday before Christmases my mom's family all gets together to celebrate Christmas. We bring white elephants, play games, eat yummy food, and most importantly enjoy the company of the family. Ever scince I can remember we've acted out the Nativity. I loved playing the different roles when I was little, and I love the now I can watch my children ast it out. We didn't take very many pictures of the night but we sure had fun. It's crazy to thing about last years Christmas. I am so greatful for every day my Grandpa and Grandma live, I love that my children know them. they are both so amazing I don't know very many families as strong as theirs. I love my cousins and am so glad that our kids all play and laugh together.

Bruce was the camel he loved it.

Preston didn't want to dress up so he was just cute, he knows how to be that real well.

We made cookies on Sunday the boys loved measuring out the ingredients and helping taste the dough to make sure it tasted right

The Temple

2008-12-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

What an amazing day! I'm so grateful to have the gospel in our lives. Bob and I have had a great opportunity to grow close to the Lord with our lack of fertility. We have prayed, fasted and received many blessing, through which we have been lead to our children. I know that both of these amazing souls were suppose to come to our home. I haven't wrote down Preston's story so I thought I would take this time to do that.

We felt like we should take the foster care classes and see what we felt after taking them. The course was a month long 3 times a week. After each class we'd talk a little about what we were feeling, but decided we need all the information before we'd make a decision. Each class was a roller coaster of emotions one minute we'd be on board and the next not so much. The last class was really hard on me and I didn't want to do it. I didn't think I was strong enough to bring a child into my home, love them, then sent them back. The last class we had a birth parent tell her story. On the car ride home I just cried and cried I told Bob I couldn't do it, and every time I said that, I felt this little voice inside me say "but what about me?". I knew that was the road we needed to take to grow our family, and that there was this child who was a part of our famliy who would come this way. We said no to the first 2 calls, after much prayer, but when they called and told us about Preston it felt right. He had been severely abused during the first 2 months of his life. The first time we met him it was a little strange he was so beautiful and little and we wondered how anyone could do what had been done to him. We talked about names, he was so young and we worried that they had used his name out of anger, we didn't want him to have any bad memories when we talked to him. We used a bunch of different names but when ever we said Preston he would give us this big wonderful smile, then raise one eyebrow.

He came to our home on Oct 9th and in December his birth Mom told me that she could see how much love we had for Preston and how much love he had for us. She wanted to give up her rights and let us adopt Preston. We went to court in Feb and both her and the father gave up their rights. I have only ever seen Preston's father we've never talked, but Brandy and I have talked many times. I am so greatful for her and think of her as a friend. I t was hard to sit in the court room and watch her give up her rights. She was crying and the judge was kind of harsh and asked why she was crying (I understand now legally she had to ask so Brandy couldn't come back and say she was forced agiangst her will to give Preston up) I sobbed as she explained it is just hard to know that she was not what was best for her son. I know Brandy loves Preston and that she just wasn't ready for the responsiblity of a child. We had another court date at the end of July our case worker had us pretty worried that his legal father might be able to get him. This was a man who had no blood relation with preston and Brandy had never got a divorce so he had legal rights to him. He had never meet Preston or showed any interest in him. Luckily the judge agreed and she terminated his rights at that time. We had to wait until November for the adoption to be finalized. My Grandparents were out of town until the first of December so on December 13,08 we entered into the Temple to be sealed as a family.

It was such a beautiful day the boys looked so amazing in their white outfits, it still makes me tear up to think of how happy they both looked. Bruce had a smile from ear to ear the whole time and he was so reverent in the temple. I know Preston felt the spirit there too, he had a sweet spirit when we were in the Temple and loves to talk about that day and sing "I'm going to the temple".

I'm going to toot my own horn a little, I fell in love with this cute smocked pattern I had found it was short sleeved so I had to make them sweaters to go over the outfits. I started working on them in Aug and didn't finish until the night before we went to the temple. I have never crochet or smocked before, Luckilly I have a talented Sister, and Aunt who helped me make the outfits, and some amazing visiting teachers who helped me with the sweaters, Thanks Natasha and Jesse.

The lucnheon was fun we had a potato bar and soup. Bob and I stayed up until 2:00am wrapping the potatoes and then loaded them in the oven so all we'd have to do is start the oven before we left...Opps we forgot to start the oven. Luckily Kim didn't forget about her oven full of potatoes so we started eating and then an hour later ate ours:) Preston was blessed at the luncheon it was so great to have so many of our famliy and friends there with us I missed those who couldn't be there, but I know how life can be.

I am so greatful every day for my family. I love my children and the amazing sacrfice their birth Mothers made. Adoption truely is about LOVE. I read another blog awhile back and this guy who had been adopted had some ugly feelings about his birth mom until someone pointed out to him her options : she could have aborted, kept him, knowing she couldn't give him the life he deserved, or care him for nine months, feel him kick and grow inside her, give birth, hold him then find a loving family who could care for him. Adoption is truely an act of amazing strength and love. Preston brings such a joy to our home I love to watch him and Bruce play and laugh together, I love how he dances to every song he hears and his love for animals and other kids. I am so greatful to Brandy for knowing she wasn't ready yet for the responsibility of raising a child and working on her life so she will be one day. Mostly I am greatful for the knowledge I have of the church and that family's can be toghether forever, that as we work on the little things every day the Lord with help us overcome our sins so we can return home to him. I am greatful that my parents taught me right from wrong and that they've shown me how to love others. I am so gratetful for my in-laws for raising such an amazing man who teaches me and my kids new things every day. I know this church is true with all my heart and that as we live it's teachings it brings a joy to our lives that helps us through trails and disapointmants. I hope I'll be able to teach my kids to love the Lord the way Bob's and My Parents taught us.

Going to the temple with Bruce and Mechelle to be sealed with Preston was a very long time coming. The process of adopting through foster care is just what Mechelle said about it, Roller Coaster. It was also interesting to see a bond with preston grow from when he was first placed with us, 'till the day he was sealed to us. At first it kind of felt like we were baby sitting him and soon we would give him back to his natural mother. But after a couple of weeks I stared to get attatched to him. After a couple of months I felt like he was my very own son, just sent to live with Brandy for the first few months. I am Forever in debt to Brandy for her giving up someone she loved dearly so that he could have a better life. I love my children. My Sons.

We had some amazing entertainment as we waited for all the food to get set up. All the cousins put on a great perfomormance. I love the way kids love to be in the spotlight. Conversely I hate it and would rather be celery, no one notices celery.

Christmas village

2008-12-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

We went to Christmas village and Mrs. Clause gave us a tour of all the cool houses Bruce and Preston had a hard time staying with the tour they were so excited to she all the fun house they kept running ahead of everyone. I loved watching how excited they got at each little thing.

This is a shoot of most the kids. I am so glad that my boys are going to grow up in a ward with such fun friends.

Christmas pictures

2008-12-09T22:14:00.000-08:00

I tried to take some cute Christmas pictures of the boys. Every year I think I am going to make Christmas cards and every year I don't. This year was going to be different. Bob is so busy at work and with church serves so I tried to take them alone it was hard to get them to smile and look at the same time, The picture below was the best I could get. I did however get a picture of Preston 's cute kiss face. I didn't get cards made this year, Maybe next.

Jingles

2008-12-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

We have a house Elf that comes every year we ring our Santa bell at the first of the season and Santa sends him to our house to stay till the end of Christmas. He is of course a magical elf and if we are good he goes back every night and tells Santa. If we are naughty or touch him he don't move and then Santa knows we were being good. We love having Jingles at our house and waking up each morning to see his new hiding spot.

Decorting the Tree

2008-12-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas, sharing the story of Christs birth with my kids and why it was so amazing, the smells, the candy, hot chocolate, sledding, spending time with loved ones, all the different decorations, twinkling lights, the looks on my kids faces with each new thing. The first time it snowed Bruce was so excited he was jumping on the stairs ans fell down, I'm sure it hurt but it didn't faz him he ran to the door and opened it up yelling Christmas is here, Christmas is here.

With all that being said I have struggled putting our tree up and all our decorations up I usually do it the day after Thanksgiving, if I could I would to it before Thanksgiving. This year I haven't felt well the surgery I had in Nov. has worn me out, I've had hives that I can't get rid of and all the medication the doctors have given me knocks me out. I finally pulled everything out of storage on Dec. 1 our tree is huge and took for ever to get up then I had to put the lights on 3 different times so that it light up all the tree (I was having a cheap moment and just couldn't spend the $7 it would have taken to buy another stand). Finally we got it up and had so much fun putting on the decorations.

Bruce got so excited about every decoration and loved all the lights he kept saying O it's beautiful. The way he says beautiful is so cute. The whole time the tree was up Bruce would add new ornaments to the tree he'd put his little people and trains in it and he'd always run in and show us his new perfect placement for his toys. It really made the tree look great.

Preston had a lot of fun as well he would point to the tree and speak his cute little Preston language to let us know what ornament he wanted next. Unlike Bruce he enjoyed taken ornaments off the tree and playing with them, not adding news to the tree. I have big stuffed Angels I put on the tree and He loved carrying them around, saying Baby, Baby.

2008-10-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

I try to get caught up, and then don't blog anything for weeks and get so far behind I don't even want to get on my computer. I've decided to start with today and the when I have time fill in the missing 3 months. (which were filled with tons and tons of great memory's, we had a fun family vacation, holidays, lots of summer fun.. hopefully I'll make the time to post all the events.) The last month has been very hard on Aaron and I, it started with a little cold spell and then the discovery of some new household pests. I hate mice I think they are awful little creators who carry disease.. they 're just yucky. I freaked out when we realized they were in the house and decided to go through and rearrange furniture get rid of any junk we might have,and make a spot for everything even if that spot is the DI. I can't stand my house being messy, this is a new obsession I got when I quit to stay home with the boys. My Mom says that with out a job my ocd gets put on my house any ways, we are still working on putting the house in order with no end in site. We took a little mini vacation (or that's what we called it so we weren't stressed the whole time) up to Idaho for Bob's nasty uncle's trial. It started on Monday but Bob didn't have to be there till Wed. It was a emotional hard trial all of Bob's sisters had been victims, however only Amy could press charges because of the statute of limitation. Amy was aloud in the court room for the whole trail but other witnesses weren't. I was able to sit with Amy through most of the trial. I am so grateful I could be there for her and Ashley, it was really hard for me to hear how this man did such horrible things to people I love and care for but I know it helped Amy and Ashley to have me their, Jim's family were so icy and mean, the more of us who could support each other the better. We all came home on Friday so we could so to Bob's uncle Rob's funeral. I never have meet him, he's been really sick with MS for a long time. It was really hard to see my Father-in-law loose his brother, and Grandpa Thomas bury his son. I love both of these men very much they are so similar. Uncle Rob was a good man who did alot for our country, and for his family, I'm grateful I got to hear all of the story about him. It was good to see all of Lee's family we only get together a couple times a year. We left Sunday afternoon to go back up to Idaho for the rest of the trial. We swam in the pool and while Amy and I were in court the kids all played at different parks, Bob testified on Monday, but we had planned on staying till the end of the trail so I could be their for Amy, and they said they might need Bob to testify again. We all went out to dinner that night as a family, we had just order when Lee called Jean to tell her his Dad had just died. Grandpa Thomas' death took us all by surprise he was so active and healthy, We had just seen him on Sat, and other then sadness he was great. We all hated that we were up in Idaho and Dad was home alone, Him and Mom talked on the phone all night. Bob and I packed up all our stuff and we took Mom home the next morning. I am so grateful Grandpa Thomas was a part of my life his example taught me so much, he was honest, and caring, sincere and always happy. I am going to miss him so much. Grandpa Thomas' funeral was on Sat. the Brothers both flew in to be their I love when they come into town, we spent the whole weekend with the family. Uncle Jim was found guilty on all accounts and with most likely spend the rest of his life in prison, sentencing is in Dec. After the brothers went home we've just been working on getting the house back together, which brings me to today. I really wanted to remember what Bruce said today which is the reason I got on to post. 1 thing Kim took him to Gymnastics today she said he did great and in the middle of class he even came to her because he needed to go potty (we have good days and accident days but he is getting better.) They went into the restroom and their wasn't a stool so she told Bruce you'll have to sit to go pee, he sat down and went to push his pene down but he had a crayon in his hand so Kim took the crayon from him so he could go pee. All of this just took to long for my little man and he peed alittle, and his pee darted out of the toilet and landed on Kim's skirt. Bruce stopped peeing and got this serious look on his face then he told Kim " it Ok it was just a little here use this (as he hands her a bunch of toilet paper) it'll try you'll be ok, sorry." then he finished peeing. My house is chaos today we are clearing of the pourch we think this is were those nasty buggers are getting in. My Dad came up to get some of his tools and bring Bob a shelves, I then called and invited my Mom up to watch the kids and have dinner with us ( Kim's family was here too) I hoped that Bob, Me, and my Dad could get the porch in order that night. We had finished dinner and were starting to get back to work, my dad put on a cartoon for the kids, It was Sponge Bob I have never watched Sponge Bob so I didn't want Bruce to watch it he was wining because he wanted to watch it. I asked him what is Sponge Bob teaching you ( in a sarcastic way I really like Dora and signing time show that are funcational) Bruce looked at me and said "its teaching me laughing" with his whiney please let me have my way voice. Needless to say he got to watch Sponge Bob I think laughing is a Great thing to learn.

Sailing

2008-06-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

Bruce and one of his Papa's, both of them went with us sailing today which really through my boy for a loop.He kept saying him instead of Papa, it was the funniest thing, because their was two of them at once he couldn't call either one by Papa.
Here is his other Papa. he got a phone call in the middle of sailing. I didn't know this and thought he was sea sick, but he was just tring to muffle the sound of the wind.
My great friend Anne' went with us out on the Lake I had to super confice her it would be fun and I'd tell her a big secret if she came. Were glad she came out with us I wish we would get together more she quite the gal.
My Dad at his favorite spot, when ever we go out he spents most of the time looking out the front.... He needs to do better at looking out we ran into ground close to Fremont Island.. It was easy to get out of and just soft mudd, but your heart sinks when you come to an abrupt stop like that.
This is Aaron before he saw the big spidar who had decided to make his sokc his home. The spidars out there are SOO BIG. This one is relatively small compared to the others. I LOVE to sail with Bob he is so professional he knows all the technical terms and shouts them at us as we all just stare back and ask "do you mean untie the green rope?"Preston had a great time, we weren't going to go because he had just got his tubes in but he is doing great. We are so blessed he is part of our Family.

Tubes

2008-06-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

Preston is always such a happy baby. Here he is smiling big before his surgury.I am so glad he is finally getting tubes, he has had ear infection after ear infection he would get over one and the next week have another. He is such a happy, content baby that it took me a while to figure out he the signs he was having them. He would cry or fuss he would just cough and have a runny nose. I'm gald he won't have to be in pain any more,even though he didn't really act like he was in pain before.Getting ready for surgery. the nurses were so cute with him. They gave him a cute Doctor bear, Pres loves stuffed animals. He did great until they took him from me he hated that, I wish I could have gone in their and been with him for all of it.Here he is playing with his stuffed animal. While we were in the waiting room I relized I had left his bottle on the conter. Aaron ran home after we got checked in thinking he would be back before he got out of surgury, but tubes are a quick proceture.

He cried for what seemed think forever, I tried everthing rocking, singing, standing up, bouncing, the nurses all tried to help but as soon as Daddy got there everything was fine. Yeah for Daddy's.Bruce loves helping out and singing to Preston. I'm so glad their Brothers.

Lauching the boat

2008-06-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

We got up at 5 am, I can't belive I was able to move that early in the morning, and we took the boat out to Antelope Island. Putting the mast up was way scary My Dad was way in front of the boat pulling a rope Bob, and Roger were in the boat and I was on the back end on a ladder holding the mast up. We were all in position when we relized I was not even close to strong enough to hold the mast up high enough. No one could move, if my dad moved the mast would fall, Bob and Roger were stuck on the boat because I had the ladder, I was stress out big time when a truck pulled up with two guys in it they came and took my place. He had to stand on the top of the ladder (the do not stand on part) on his tip toes to get it high enouhg in the air that it would go up. I wish I would have taken a picture but I was to scared to even think.
Launching the boat was a bit stressful aswell the Lake is really sallow and it took 3 tries and a guy in his boat with depth finder to find a channel deep enough for our kel. When we finally got the boat in the water, Roger had to leave for his granddaughters birthday. Don't you LOVE Bob's new truck it's so much nicer then his old one... wait a second this isn't his boat it's his Dad's ours broke down on the was to the Island, Thanks Dad for helping us out and letting us borrow your awesome wheels.
Bob, Dad, and I couldn't go throw all that work and not enjoy sailing so we went for a little boat ride. I think I had heat stroke and I was as burned as they come. The Lake was smooth as glass great for water sking crabby for sailing we all just sat their thinking the same think, it was my Dad who finally broke the silence, maybe you should have tried sailing before you bought the boat. It wasn't the fast pace hiked out boating you see in the movies but hey, I'm sure next time will be better,we'll wait for wind.

Nail Polish

2008-06-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Today Bruce found my nail polish. I thought he was asleep, he was being so quite, I went to check on him and I found him like this. Toes all painted he had painted a couple of his toys, it was all over his rug, luckily he only got a tiny bit on his carpet. he thought it was the greatest thing, and I admit he did do a dang good job considering he is only 2. Maybe he'll follow in my foot steps and become a cosmetologist, he has already cut his own hair.