Life's little moments

Halloween 2009

2009-11-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

This has been a crazy Halloween! The kids have all taken turns being sick! Taylor and Dylan were the first with it--fevers and coughing. And they were home from school 4 days and both missed their school parties! Gretchen started getting sick on Saturday, but felt fine enough to go trick-or-treating with the boys. Then she stayed home from church and school two days--fever, coughing, chills, dizziness! Poor Blake had one of his sickest days on Halloween. I still want to put him in his costume and get some pics of just him.

Monday before Halloween

2009-10-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

Our tradition, the Monday before Halloween, is to carve our pumpkins. A few weeks earlier we went to the pumpkin patch and the kids picked out the pumpkin they wanted. Dylan would not reach into the pumpkin for anything! Gretchen wouldn't either! Taylor was the one who loved cleaning out the pumpkin (surprise, surprise seeing how much he loves worms!). We also decorated some sugar cookies. They liked eating the M&Ms that were supposed to go on top, rather than the cookies themselves.

Funny Baby!

2009-10-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

We went out to eat at Chili's last weekend and Blake was being so funny! He kept resting his chin on the table and then looking around with his big eyes. The kids were laughing so hard. And Mike was lucky to get a picture. They also thought it was funny that the server spilled a little water on his head as she was passing out our drinks. Blake didn't even notice.

Mike's office

2009-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

One of our top priorities on a long list of things to do in our new house was to finish Mike's office. My brother-in-law did most of the work! Then Mike took on the painting. He had the kids help him a little and they thought it was great! It is done and he is working from there now! His "office" was next to the washer and dryer in our old house in the unfinished basement. Now he can reallly get some work done!

Afternoon at the Cove

2009-10-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the most beautiful Fall day. We packed a picnic lunch and headed for a fun local fishing hole. We stayed for a couple of hours, each of the kids taking turns holding a pole. Gretchen was the lucky one this day, she caught two! Taylor caught one and Dylan got to reel in a couple, also. Blake and I just relaxed on a blanket on the grass. I love these Fall days when you appreciate the warmth the sunshine brings. I tried to soak it up knowing that Winter is not that far away!

Starting solids

2009-10-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

Blake started eating solid foods just before he turned 6 months. He likes all the different kinds of cereal and seems to like most of the fruits and veggies. He seems to really like pears and squash. It is hard to go from just nursing to taking the time to prepare and feed him solid food, but I know it is part of growing up! I'm enjoying this last baby so much! We all just love him!

Fun in the Bumbo seat

2009-10-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

This is Blake at the end of September, almost 6 months old!
He is my first baby that I've gotten to use a Bumbo seat with--they are so great. Blake is pretty good to sit and play with toys. He really is a good baby!

Fieldtrip to the Fire station

2009-10-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

We went with Dylan's preschool to visit the fire station. The fireman who spoke with the group did a nice job talking on the kids' level. We had fun looking through the fire house and Dylan loved going in a fire engine!

I'm so behind...

2009-10-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in so long and I have so many old pictures I need to get up! Life is so crazy with baby #4, now 6 months, and moving into our new house! I hope to get on top of things soon. Here is one picture of cute Blake at 5 months old...more to come soon

First Day of School

2009-09-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

My big kids! Gretchen is now in 4th! Taylor in 2nd! And Dylan is in his second year of preschool! Gretchen and Taylor got C track this year. We were still up in Midway when school started and moved in as they went off track. So, they just started school two weeks ago, when C track went back on track. They are adjusting to their new school pretty well.

Cascade Springs

2009-08-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

This is worth checking out sometime.

Evening at Zermatt

2009-07-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

The Zermatt resort is just down the street from Mike's parents house. We had some coupons for free carousel rides from Mike's sister, so one evening we went with Don and Jo and we walked around the resort, looked at the goats and the fish in the pond.

Afternoon outing

2009-07-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

During our stay in Midway we would usually get up in the morning, have some breakfast, then go on a walk around the block and then go to the Wasatch Stake park, to play on the playground and look at the ducks. We would come back, play or do some workbook pages, have lunch, maybe watch a show...then by about 2:00 we would be ready to get out. Sometimes we would go to the grocery store or library, or maybe get a snow cone. Then other times we would drive around Midway, seeing the sites. This is just one of them.

Day at the beach

2009-07-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

We had a great day playing on the beach area of Deer Creek Reservoir. We didn't have any of the jetskis or a boat, but the sand and water were still fun!

Last week - Wednesday

2009-07-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

My parents made the drive last week up to Midway. They picked us up and took us to lunch at Dairy Keen. Then we went to the Heber Park. My Dad and Gretchen were the photographers for this blog post.

Geocaching

2009-07-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

We found it!

A fun thing that we've discovered, is geocaching! You find out the global position of a hidden container, follow the coordinates and the clues and then find it! The kids thought it was so much fun!

Mountain meadow

2009-07-15T21:33:00.001-07:00

We were heading back to Midwa y from Park City over Guardsman Pass. I had the camera in the car, so we pulled over quick and snapped a few pics! It was a beautiful afternoon and gorgeous wildflowers in this mountain meadow!

Independence Day!

2009-07-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

We went up Provo Canyon, to South Fork park, for a nice outdoor breakfast with my family. We played and had fun at the park until about noon. Then that night we got together again in Midway. We drove out to a field, the kids piled into the back of Grandpa's truck and we watched firworks off of Memorial hill. It was a fun 4th!

Goodbye cute house!

2009-06-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

August 2004
June 2009

We moved out of our house this past week! With the addition of baby Blake to the family and with Mike working from home, we decided it was time to move into a bigger house. It took us 4 months to sell it, we took less than we wanted, but in this economy we are glad it sold! It is hard to say goodbye to this home of ours. It is packed full of so many memories. We also put a lot of work into the house and yard. I had to put up these before and after pictures. What a difference almost 5 years makes! That little weeping cherry next to the house went crazy and is huge. We also planted trees in front and along the side, which you can't see--but they have grown so much. The lawn looks tons better. We put in the back yard while we were living there. We planted strawberries and raspberries back there. They were finally just coming in and producing lots of fruit. The kids had great friends close by that they played with everyday, jumping on the tramp in the back or kicking around a soccer ball. We had lots of fun barbeques, hanging out in the shade of the house, in the summer. Neighbors all around were great, too!

I have to say thank-you to great ward members and neighbors that helped us pack up our PODS and clean the house. That helped us so much! I haven't been able to do as much, having a nursing baby. Thank you also to friends and family that watched my kiddos so that I could pack!

We have loved living in that house! We are excited to spend the summer with Mike's parents and then hopefully get into a new place in August.

Soccer player, Dylan!

2009-06-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Dylan played his first season of soccer this Spring. On a team with some kids from our ward, he really loved it. He has watched Taylor play for a few years and was actually crying that he didn't get to play. So, we were so glad we could get him on a team. He would tell everyone that his team was gray and was excited to show off his uniform, which he, himself kept hung on a hanger in the closet.

Best Ward Ever

2009-06-21T23:54:00.001-07:00

Today was our last Sunday, going to church in our ward! Such a sad day. I feel so, so attached to this ward. I think, that is, for many reasons...probably the number one reason was that I served as Relief Society President for a time. I cared (and still do) so much about every sister. I visited everyone except maybe one or two in their home with my presidency. I can think of a memory with almost every single lady in the ward. I feel such a connection to everyone--I realize they might not feel the same for me. But, I think that happens when you worry and think about, pray for, and love someone. And I really did that for all the sisters in the ward. I am honestly so impressed with all the ladies in the ward, too. They are always caring about and serving each other. Everyone is so friendly and inclusive. There isn't too much gossiping or people holding grudges. Everyone is pretty laid back and easy going. Anyway, I've just loved living here and watching these wonderful ladies raise their families and be such good examples to me. Thank you all. Thank you also to all of those who have loved and taught my children in primary. I thank you for helping build their little testimonies. I love you all and really hope we will find our new home nearby! Here is a slideshow of some pictures I took back from '06 during a couple of our Enrichment activities. It's fun to see how we've changed since then!

Big Sis

2009-06-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

Gretchen has been such a big help with baby Blake! She asks everyday, several times a day, if she can hold Blake. It helps me, especially when I'm making dinner or trying to get something done. She can't wait for the day she can just pick Blake up and walk around with him. I keep saying, I'll let her know when I think Blake is big enough!

Last Day of school

2009-06-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the scooter brigade. Ready to ride on the last day of school. The kids would ride to school when the weather was warm enough, which is mostly downhill, then they would be picked up from school, putting their scooters in the back of the car.

Gretchen went from K-3rd grade and Taylor K and 1st. It was a great school. I know the kids will miss all of the friends they made over the years.

Taylor turns 7

2009-06-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, I love that first picture. Taylor looks so handsome and grown-up and I love that smile! For his birthday this year, all he wanted to do was go fishing, he even missed his soccer game and forgoed having a birthday party with his friends so that he could go fishing with his Dad the whole day. The Friday before his birthday, Dylan and I went to the school and brought him Subway for lunch. Taylor was sure he could eat a whole footlong himself. Well, he made it through half and I said he could finish the rest at home. He also brought Blow-Pops for all the kids in his class as his birthday treat.

The next day was Saturday, the big day. As soon as T and Mike were awake they were out the door. They went fishing first at the pond near where we live. After a couple of hours they stopped by home so Taylor could open his presents. Then they headed up to Midway, picked up Grandpa Don and hit the river. It was a long and fun day. Taylor caught about 6 fish. They had lunch at Grandma and Grandpa's house and then some cake there too. Then they made their way back home and fished some more at the pond, until it was dark. Taylor had a great time! We love him so much and we're so glad he's part of our family. He can be so cute with Dylan and Blake, a good big brother. He and Gretchen are becoming good friends too. He is very smart, especially with numbers. He is growing up so fast!

This picture says it all!! The big smile and the big fish!

Blake at 6 weeks

2009-05-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures last week when Blake turned 6 weeks. He is doing better--sleeping longer at night! That makes me a much happier mom! I feel tons better, too. I have a lot more energy and feel like I'm getting a little control over my life back. We are so happy to have little Blake in our family!