Keepin it cool

Madisen's special day!

2012-02-12T19:29:00.001-08:00

I feel like I don't get very emotional when I blog very often but this one might do me in. My sweet, smart, loving, bundle of joy, Madisen took the first step of many in her journey to further her relationship with her Father in heaven and continuing her eternal progression here on earth when she chose to be baptized yesterday. I didn't realize just how many people had come to support my daughter until I walked into the Relief Society room and had a hard time finding a seat. Madisen beamed from just being baptized and was so excited to be confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost and a blessing just for her from her Dad. All clean and dressed in white surrounded by friends and family she oozed pure JOY as she hugged those in the room with her. It was such a sweet spirit that filled our hearts and welcomed her as the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

Skipping ahead since my pictures won't download to my computer

2012-01-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

Well...Christmas and New Years did happen even if there is no evidence of it on my blog. It was great and we, as usual, didn't make any resolutions so not much to talk about any way.

This week has been an interesting one. First I feel as though the kids only go to school part time any more since they have had 4 day weeks the last couple of weeks and following their long weekends they have missed a couple of days because of illness. I guess it's just been weird so I thought I'd mention it.

Following all this weird school nonattendance Madisen got her tonsils and adenoids removed a couple of days ago and despite my preparations for a miserable child she had done awesome.

Waiting to go back she was nervous but her doctor and nurse and anesthesiologist were fantastic putting her at ease. It a was time to go to the OR and I went to take Piggy from her and the nurse let her keep her with her so that helped too.

After getting home she wouldn't sleep but ate ice chips and ice cream and Popsicles all afternoon which was what she had been excited for for months. She's doing great and hopefully she will continue to recover quickly and get back to school. Only a few days at home and she's ready to get back to her friends.

Wow I need to catch up

2012-01-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

So below are pictures of us to get everyone caught up on what we've been up to. I'm going to be better at keeping this blog updated.

Disneyland in October. Not many pictures but we had a blast

Tanner turned "a decade old" in September. He got a cell phone and a gun. So mom's freaking out he's so big and Dad is awesome for talking mom into both gifts.

Above, Tanner's first day of 5ht grade and below is Madisen's first day of 2nd grade.

Halloween isn't my favorite but I even got into the fun of dressing up.

Our Skeleton Gangster

Madisen picked this out. We are not sure what it is but she looked cute and really grown up.

The kids on Thanksgiving

Last but not least is Tanner playing flag football. He did so well this season and absolutely loves it. Next season he's off to tackle football which I hate.

Donald Franklin Latimer

2011-06-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

Donald Franklin Latimer

June 1, 1922-June 4, 2011

This is my cousin Brian presenting the United States flag to my grandmother at the graveside for my grandfather's service in WWII.

Tanner's turn

2011-06-13T15:47:00.001-07:00

Look and that laugh...
Where do I even start to brag about this kid? This past year he finished 4th grade with flying colors. It only took him 5 years of school to finally realize that he gets as much as he puts in. So after the first trimester he worked really hard and did extra credit when ever possible and stayed on the A-B honor roll the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. I can't believe he only has one more year of elementary school and then it's off to Jr. High.

He has watched his cousins participate in the Massula Children's Theatre the past couple of years and decided during the tryouts I had taken Madisen to that it looked like fun and he joined in. He was cast as one of the "Camelotian's" in the play "King Arthur's Quest." They rehearsed every night for a few hours for 5 days and then Saturday performed twice. He had a blast and wants to do it again next year. He's the one on the left in the second row of the picture above.Tanner played AA Minors the year in Little League with the D'Backs. He had an amazing coach and grew leaps and bounds from all the hard work and many hours at practice. All the hard work paid off as they took 1st place in the League for the over all season and then were invited to play in a special baseball tournament called the Tournament of Champions and on Saturday they took 1st place in that they had an amazing season that was a blast to watch.

He is such and joy to have in my life. He is the most amazing big brother. I was looking through Madisen's year book at all the signatures and on the front page Tanner had written, "Have fun in second grade. You have done a great job. I am glad Heavenly Father sent you to be my sister. I love you."

This last week was a bit of a struggle for him. He had to choose between playing in the championship game with his baseball team or attending his great-grandfather's funeral. After talking with him Monday night he decided that he thought grandpa would tell him to play ball instead of coming to the funeral. Madisen and I got up and were about ready to walk out the door when Tanner came running down the stairs, dressed in his suit, tie in hand and crying, "I need to go to the funeral with you." He had been my little rock all week reassuring me when I got teary eyed that Grandpa was happy and no longer in pain. He was quick with a hug and full of smiles. We got in the car and when we got to the church he found my mom and that is the one and only time I saw him cry. He told her he was exactly where he was suppose to be when she asked if he was sad he was missing his big game. He is an amazing kid with such a strong, protective, gentle spirit.

These are the hands

2011-06-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

These are the hands that were in the circle the day I was blessed at only a few weeks old while surrounded by the power of the priesthood and was given a name and a blessing, There hands held mine as I said my last good byes to my brother and father at the tender age of 5. These are the hands that baptized me and confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when I turned 8. These are the hands that pointed at the back yard when I was sick and home from school while saying, "I guess we will have to just take ya in the backyard an shoot ya. That is the only cure for hybobalobis." These are the hands that would hold mine while walking into a daddy/daughter activity while missing my dad the most. These are the hands that set up cones and taught me how to parallel park a car because my mom didn't know how to. These are the hands of my chosen witness when I got married in the Las Vegas temple for all time and eternity. These are the hands that held my children and oodled at them when they were just infants, who tickled them as toddlers and clapped at every "performance" in their living room at every visit to great Grandpa's house. These are the hands that gave me strength when I thought I couldn't go on. And these are the hands I will miss dearly until we meet again in heaven because these hands are sealed to me for all eternity. Families are FOREVER!!! And for that I am truly thankful tonight, for tonight I have one more angel in heaven watching over me. I love you Grandpa!!!

Madisen's update

2011-05-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

Well since I'm so behind I decided to update one kid at a time. I'll start with of course, "ladies first". We went to Disneyland back in December and Madisen, being my thrill seeker, was so excited that she was finally tall enough to ride the California Screamer. It was the first ride we headed to and she and her dad took her first ride together. Tanner was "absolutely not getting on that thing" but after some persuasion he decided not to be out done by his baby sister and now it is both of their favorite ride.

Madisen and Justin on her very first ride on the California Screamer

She played soccer after taking a season off and rocked it!!! She is the best keeper on her team and only had 2 goals scored on her the whole season.
Once a year the Massula Children's Theatre comes to our town and puts on a production in just a week. This year they did "King Aurthur's Quest". It was so cute. Madisen played mini Merlin and was hysterical. She has found her calling. She loves the stage and is currently working on her song for the talent show audition next week at school.

As I mentioned in the previous post (months ago) Madisen got very special gift for her birthday this year. I arranged an all girls trip to Disneyland and her and Shayna had a blast. Erica and I did too!!! We met Minnie Mouse and all the princesses. They got their faces painted and wore matching t-shirts and pajamas. They kept saying all day girls rule and boys drool. So fun!!!

Shayna, me, Madisen and Erica

"Finally I get my face painted! This is the best day of my life!"

Madisen is growing so fast. I can't believe my sweet baby is 7 years old. She is such a joy and delight in our home. I love having her to brighten our home and keep us laughing.

I'm such and looser!

2011-03-13T19:12:00.001-07:00

SO much has been going on the past few months since my last post I'm not even sure if i should back up or just pick up where we are in our everyday lives...?

Christmas was great! Madisen got a super cute vanity and Tanner got a Nintendo DSi XL. They were both very happy and I'm happy to say they are still just as excited about them three months later. We had dinner at our house that night where the kids played games upstairs while the adults played Taboo where once again the girls won the boys!!!

January found us a bit restless and looking for a weekend away from the city and work so we headed to our cabin in New Harmony over a long weekend. We went to the tubing park in Brianhead and had a blast. The weather couldn't have been better. It was warm enough to melt the snow on the tubing lanes so they were faster to ride down. The kids were giggling and having so much fun as we raced down for hours.

February was suppose to be just a normal month. Madisen turned 7 on the first, (I took her to Disneyland with a friend just the girls but that needs it's own post to follow soon), Justin turned 33 on the 9th, then came Valentine's Day which we celebrated with a fantastic dinner at the Eiffel Tower restaurant and we bought a new house. I will post pictures in a few days after we get the kids rooms painted.

Tanner started another season of baseball with Little League and Madisen is playing soccer. They both just participated in a play with the Missoula Children's Theatre this past week so to say they are busy is an under statement. We are so blessed to be healthy and happy and hope you all are too!

Catching the Christmas SpiritFun

2010-12-21T18:09:00.000-08:00

At Christmas time we always go to The Magical Forest with our friends the Furber's and the Zyla's. This year was no different. We had dinner at Red Robin and then headed over to walk through the Magical Forest of trees and ride the train. The kids love it and as long as they do we will continue to go.

Tanner eating a giant lollipop.

Cute Madisen posing it up for the camera!

The kids were making faces in a large ornament and this is what they looked like in the reflection. It was hysterical.

Family picture

After two years we headed back to Disneyland to see if we, Justin and I, couldn't get out of our funk and get a little more "Christmasy." Turns out that was just what we needed. We had a a blast!!! I really missed that place. Madisen and Tanner were both tall enough to get on every ride and they did. Tanner was really nervous about riding the California Screamer roller coaster but was giving the "rock on" sign as we exited and was mad that the line was so long and we only rode it once. Madisen rode Indian Jones for the first time as well with he eyes squeezed shut. We were able to meet up with some friends and just had a very laid back relaxing few days with the kids!!! Merry Christmas!!!

The kids were so excited to talk to Jack and Sally. The conversation was way cute and went like this...

Jack: What are you asking Sandy Claws to bring you for Christmas?

Tanner: A DSI XL

Sally: OOO

Jack: I don't even know what that is

Sally: Me either but it has a lot of letters.

Sally to Madisen: What would you like?

Madisen: A vanity?

Sally: May I come over to do my hair with you?

Madisen: Yes I will have my mom give you our address.

Our favorite spot in the park...the CHURRO STAND

Madisen got to stand in line to meet Tinkerbell and Tanner was having nothing to do with it.

My sweet silly kids, so glad they love each other.

Day one Madisen rode the roller coaster while Tanner need a little more time to decide if he wanted on or not. So I have pictures of her riding not Tanner because when Tanner rode the next day I was on it with him.

Family Pictures

2010-12-08T19:30:00.000-08:00

I have never been so happy with family pictures as I am with these! My kids were so good since we were outside and they were able to explore a little as we shot with our photographer, Cheryl Snow. We had such a fun day and I can't wait to get these hung on the wall.

Flag Football

2010-11-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

Tanner turned up the speed to score three touchdowns in the playoffs. I don't know who was more excited him or me!!!

This is maybe my favorite picture form the whole season. The boys were so upset when they lost the last game but even through the tears Tanner was smiling as his coach gave them the "hole your heads up pep talk."

This season Tanner decided to give flag football a try and really liked it. It was a huge commitment and all though some days he didn't want to put in the practice it was worth it in the end because they had a great season. It was so fun to watch them play too! The day of playoffs started at 7:30am. Tanner scored 2 touchdowns and they advanced to the next level playing at 11:30. We won that game which was exciting since this was the game that pushed them into the finals. They were up against the Titans who were undefeated and who thought they had it in the bag to win our little underdogs. Tanner scored a touchdown in this game but sadly we lost by 3 points placing the team 2nd in their divisions. The boys played hard all season and had a blast too. Their coaches were awesome and made the season enjoyable for the kids and parents alike. Great season Bengals!!!

What did you do Friday night?

2010-11-16T08:32:00.000-08:00

Our plan was to go to dinner and a movie but after dinner we didn't really want to go sit through a movie. We first tried a little shopping but with all the punk teenagers running rampant through Town Square we got annoyed and left with a plan to see a later movie. Somehow the conversation changed to this. We made a quick trip to Costco to buy the supplies needed to plastic wrap Dan's truck. After we finished the boys really wanted to see his reaction so instead of waiting until the next morning to get a phone call Justin called Dan making up a story about loosing his key to my car in his truck the night before and out he came. Dan was so happy that his truck was wrapped up tight and he got to see his boys. It was so much fun!!! Oh to be fifteen again....

"X" marks the spot!

2010-11-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

The following is the account of what happened in Tanner's own word.

"I was doing a stunt on my bike and was riding down the dirt hill as fast as I can. I hit a rock and went flying off my bike."

I think it's hilarious that he was "doing a stunt!!!"

Fall fun

2010-11-02T13:40:00.001-07:00

Everyone knows Halloween is no my thing but this year I tried really hard to have a better attitude about it and it lasted right up until we were about half way done trick or treating Halloween night. As posted in a previous post we made Halloween lanyards, carved pumpkins, went to trunk or treat at the church and even did trick or treating Halloween night.

Pumpkin carving this year was a lot more fun than work because the kids are getting older. They helped clean them out and picked how they wanted them be carved. Justin helped Madisen while Tanner and I worked on his. He punched out the holes and I did the actual carving. Madisen gave words of encouragement to Justin as he patiently carved hers out and them she took all the credit for how awesome it turned out.

Madisen's pumpkin

Tanner's pumpkins

The fact that I didn't have to go to a store to buy the kids costumes this year helped keep my attitude in check. I wanted Madisen to be the cute Mad Hatter last year and she was not interested. So when I suggested it this year and she immediately agreed that it was a great costume was fantastic. She looked so cute! Tanner's costume was a little more complicated than Madisen's. He is getting to the age where he wants something gross and bloody and I draw the line at that. When he finally decided on Prince Caspian finding one was difficult since it was last years "it" costume. I tracked one down 10 days before before Halloween and it arrived at the house just a couple days before his big party at school.

Halloween night getting ready to trick or treat with our friends.

The cutest kids out trick or treating Halloween night

Last but not least...after a few hours Tanner had had it with the itchy knight costume but still wanted to go with his cousins around grandma's neighborhood. So Justin gave him his funky teeth and wig and off he went as "the black hoodie puncher", which is really funny to our family who knows the back story behind the phrase "black hoodie puncher."

So here's to surviving another Halloween and to planning a party at a friends house for next year!!!

2010-10-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

The other night Justin and I drove separate cars to a family party and the kids split between us on the way home with Madisen riding with Justin. I pulled into the garage right after Justin pulled up and Madisen got of the car. I always pull in and put the car in reverse to use the backup camera to make sure I'm all the way in and this is what showed up on my backup screen. It was so funny I couldn't stop laughing.

Tanner in the backup camera.

Madisen in the backup camera

Recipe's

2010-10-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

I made snickerdoodle cupcakes with a carmel buttercream frosting yesterday and posted about it on facebook. I had several people ask me for the recipe and since I don't want to post the recipe on my blog and get in trouble for calling something mine that isn't I've posted the website that the recipe's came form instead. They were really good and I hope you all like them too.

www.marthastewart.com/recipe/snickerdoodle-cupcakes

www.marthastewart.com/recipe/caramel-buttercream

Craft night with the kids

2010-10-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

I only have pictures of the finished project not the process since my hands were covered in paint. After school we went to Hobby Lobby to get supplies to make our halloween luminaries that my sister said were so fun and easy that even I couldn't screw them up. I invited a friend nd her little boy to come make one too. The kids had a blast playing and as you can see they did theirs without any intervention from me, the total control freak! Tanner made the orange pumpkin and the non-striped ghost. Madisen's are the striped ghost and she painted a little of the green goblin and quickly got distracted. I, saved/finished the green goblin and saved/finished the purple goblin as well. The pictures suck because my camera is in the car which Justin is driving tonight.

Tanner...when did you grow up?

2010-10-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

Tanner...where do I start? He is the light of my life and cute to boot. He started 4th grade this year and thinks he is so cool because he gets to play on the bigger playground now. His favorite thing at school is P.E. and his least favorite is art. He turned 9 a few weeks ago and we took him and some friends to Pole Position Raceway to celebrate. (actually we felt like crap parents because we were in Puerto Rico for his actual birthday so we bought his love and affection with a super awesome birthday party prior to going.) It was a blast the kids were so cute. I have never seen them so serious in my life. They drove with white knuckles clutching tight to the wheels and straight faces and exploded with excitement as they exited the course. Lastly for Tanner he is playing flag football this season instead for soccer. He seems to really like it. He plays offense and is actually pretty good. Being fast on his feet and little seems to be working to his advantage.

Just a handful

2010-09-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

I don't have enough time right now to tell you all about our trip to Puerto Rico. I will post details later. Here are just a handful of my favorite shots.

Justin and Jenessa

In the rainforest

The city after it rained. It was so clear and beautiful!

My friend Mary has almost this same picture from her trip to Puerto Rico and I love it.

Entering the main shooting area at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro fort.

2010-09-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

So it's that time again...back to school! This year the kids are in first and fourth grade. The morning was uneventful since I had ironed and hung up their first day of school clothes a week earlier. Lunches were packed shoes were by the garage door. We had plenty of time to shower, do hair, eat breakfast and get to school. Madisen kept insisting she wasn't nervous she was just excited. Being in half day kindergarten was hard for her since she got board easily waiting for Tanner to get home. She couldn't wait to go the lunchroom and eat with her friends. Tanner was a little nervous since he's more like me and likes things to run the way they are planned out in his head. He hugged and kissed me at the car and then it was onto the playground to meet our new teachers. The kids walked side by side ahead of me which I didn't like. I wanted At least Madisen to hold my hand but she insisted on walking with Tanner. He put his arm around her walked her to the lines. Suddenly Tanner announced he was going to find his class and called out "bye Mom." My heart sank until I realized I was still holding all his school supplies in my hand so I would "have" to go find him to "give him his stuff." I walked Madisen to her line and met her teacher. This is where she grabbed my and and asked me very bravely to stay until they walked to class. I traded places with Justin for just a minute to take Tanner his supplies where I received a fist bump and a "see ya later." Then it was back to Madisen who was still insisting on not being nervous despite her pounding heart. We said the Pledge of Allegiance and walked the few feet to her classroom where she hugged me and walked into her classroom with a huge smile on her face. They had a great day and love their teachers. Lunch was a success they even ate their snap peas!!
The next day she jumped out of the car and hugged me. I went to take her hand to walk her in and this is where she said, "I don't need you." and ran after Tanner onto the play ground. They got to the playground and I got in my car and called Justin and cried!!!

2010-08-20T15:26:00.001-07:00

AAAAHHHHHH!!! I'm so not computer savvy. I have been trying for the last hour to build a seating chart for our primary program and I cannot figure out how to get the chart the way that it is in my head onto the computer screen. SHoot me now and put me out of my misery!

New way to bond

2010-08-17T20:37:00.001-07:00

This is what happens when Justin takes the kids out for an evening with Dad. They come home with a new something. This time it was a gum ball machine for Madisen's room and a R/C car for Tanner. After putting the car together and charging the battery out we all went to drive it. Justin loved driving this thing so much the next day he came home with one for himself. After charging his and Tanner's batteries out we went again to drive/race them. Both the boys were having so much fun that giving Madisen a turn was very hard for them. SOOO the next day in walks Justin from work carrying, you guessed it, a car for Madisen. They love them!!! Madisen is the most cautious so she wins most of the races though by default, because the boys flip their cars in the middle of the race giving her a chance to pass them and win. It is so fun to watch them all play together.

Setting up for a race.

This is the first day they came home with Tanner's car. As you can see Justin is hogging the remote which is why he need the kids to have their own cars.

Oh yes, this is what I do while they play...take pictures.

Kindergarten Graduation

2010-08-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

We survived! It was touch an go some days but after going to school all day long, five days a week,switching to half day kindergarten was a big adjustment for both myself and Madisen. Her program was so cute. They sang songs about the ABC's, money and friends and ended with Proud to be an American. She got up the morning of the program and said to me, "I might get a little emotional today. You know when we sing that song about the soldier's. Because they really did die for us. And it's a rally big day today. And I cried when we practiced." So I waited an watched to see what would happen. She had been practicing all week and was ready to go on stage. She smiled and sang her little heart out and made it through the soldier's song just fine. When I asked her if she made it through without getting "emotional" she responded, "Of course I was I stage so I held it together."
Below is a picture of Madisen on the last day of school after a trip to the dentist. She officially chews like a cow because the poor girl has no teeth!

Totally worth it!

2010-08-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

You know how it goes. You get your kids all dressed up and do their hair for school pictures. Pay the twenty some odd dollars and end up with your kid cross eyed, or sneezing, right? Well this one is worth every penny. If, only it was the yearbook picture!!!

Beat the heat

2010-07-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for a real shaved ice place here in the valley for the past two summer's and I happened upon the Purple Penguin about a month ago. It is the real deal and the service is great. So stop by and relive your childhood, or mine, with a snocone today.

It is located in the shell station parking lot on the corner of Horizon Ridge and Arroyo Grande

Super Surprised!

2010-07-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

I never thought that Justin would ever organize anything for my birthday. It's so busy at work that usually it comes and goes with a last minute cake and ice cream with family which is always great. This year however he out did himself after some "encouragement" from my wonderful friends. Rachel and Erica told me they wanted to take me out on the 5th because they were going to be out of town on the 11th. I thought that would be perfect since my mom had called the day before to see if the kids wanted to go see Toy Story 3 with her about the same time we would be leaving. Justin would pick them up from her house when he was headed home from dinner with his boys. They picked me up around 5 and we went to the Fashion Show Mall since we never get over there with our kids and we thought it would be fun to go some where different. We shopped for about an hour and then Rachel said she had made reservations at Maggiano's. We headed up to check in. This is when things got a little strange. Rachel walked up to the desk and said, "we are three girls here for DeMille." I thought why does he care that we are girls and why is the reservation under my last name? They walked us over to a booth that wasn't fully set up yet and we stood there a minute and then they sent us back to the front desk where we stood there looking a the pictures that Erica was very interested in. (Weird!!) That was when another waiter came over and said' "Ladies your room in this way." Erica and Rachel take off nearly running while I am left chasing them down asking, "what room?" Yep there were the Rollin's, Boehrer's, Terry's and the Weaver's for my surprise party. There were personalized menu's on the table, balloons and the most perfect cake! The food was awesome as usual at Maggiano's and the company and conversation was fantastic!!! Thanks to all of you who came and who helped Justin get everything organized. It was so much fun. I couldn't ask for better friends!!!

Yep that is my own menu!

All my fantastic friends

The cake from Freed's bakery. Erica picked it out so thank you is was so perfect and delicious!

Kaylene, Me, Lesile(standing), Erica and Rachel

Sorry the pictures are just ok. Justin had the camera all night.

Pyro Fever

2010-07-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sticking with my summer fever theme, it's hit us again! Justin and Matt have had this "pyro fever" for a few years now and I think it may be genetic because Tanner seems to have been born with it. And it is extremely contagious especially among males. Symptoms include a: 1.heightened interested, to the point of obsession with fireworks.

2. the inability to think rationally around fireworks.

3. the loss of all common sense or awareness of a budget while shopping for fireworks.

4. the urge to hold a welding torch as if his hand will actually fall off if you put it down when fireworks are within 50 miles of the patient.

5. Lastly, a huge case of Peter Pan syndrome that last until the last firework is set off. This one however has consequences of it's own. Watch carefully for the repeated jumping up and down immediately following their show followed by a sadness that can only be consoled by the promise that the 3rd of July will come around next year!

(To view a short video of the show click on the weaver writes link on my blog list at the left.)

We've got a fever!

2010-07-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

It first started a few weeks ago...about the same time as the start of World Cup Soccer!!! Justin has had the games on in the office as he is at work in the back round. His friend Matt is just as crazy excited about it as Justin, so when the U.S. team advanced the excitement grew bigger and bigger. So Saturday our two families came together to watch the U.S. play Ghana. Below are a few pictures of the festivities. Too bad we lost!

Matt and Justin

As the national anthem started to play the kids lined up like the U.S. team does. Aren't they so cute?!

Justin and Matt celebrating the one and only U.S. team

Next came a fever that only seemed to hit me and that one was caused by

ECLIPSE: the TWILIGHT SAGA

I tried to do the same thing as last year by reserving the front row at the Fiesta but was told that they were all sold out. So I remembered a friend telling me about her family reserving an entire theatre at the Rave so I thought, why not? We started our night out at Cheesecake Factory then headed over to the theatre to watch the third movie in the Twilight series. It was so fun!!! Really what more could you want? Thirty something mom's, drinks, popcorn, Robert Pattenson, and Taylor Lautner with his shirt off most of the movie!!! Can't wait until next time.

Lt to RT- Erica, Rachel, Jeffery, Me, Tanner, Lauren, and Cristen at Cheesecake Factory

Erica and me with our two boys.

Our private theatre

Tanner at about 2:45am on the way home after a very long night.

We are still alive and well

2010-06-25T11:33:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day weekend we spent a few days in Hurricane at my aunt's house. All of my sisters and my brother were able to be their with all of our kids. The only people missing were Mike and Justin who were back home working. We had such a great time. We spent all day outside by the pool which is my favorite way to spend a day. Thanks to Mike and Nancy for all their hospitality in hosting our quick "family reunion."

Lacey put some dish soap on the trampoline and turned on the hose. The sound of children laughing filled our ears for a good 30 minutes.

I only included this picture of me and Lauren because everyone always asks if I was really there since I an=m always behind the camera. This is the one picture I am in the entire three days.

Cute little Benjamin was so excited to jump in and then see his pictures right after.

Matthew was trying to teach Lauren how to ride the ripstick. It was so funny!!! I chose this picture because I can almost hear him thinking "if I let her fall I'll be in big trouble."

We visited an ostrich farm where the kids got feathers and mom bought a couple of eggs. One single egg equals about 10-12 chicken eggs. I have no idea if it tasted good because I would not eat it. For that you would have to ask Erin. After all she'll taste just about anything.

GO RED SOX!!!

2010-05-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our second tournament game and we played the Angels. The last time we played them we got our booties kicked but last night was a totally different story. the kids played great! It was one of the most exciting games i have watched. The Angels are one of the better teams so the kids were nervous about playing. The last inning ended and we had won by 2. The umpire however said there was still a minute left on the clock and started another inning. The Angles rallied and got 5 runs. We were up to bat, had scored one run and needed one to tie and two to win. There were two boys on base and only one out and the umpire called the game due to time. Thinking we had lost I was so mad. But turns out we did win. The rules state that if the game goes over more than 1 hour 45 minutes then they take the score from the last inning. The best part of the night however is that my bot hit his first ever HOMERUN!!!!

Playing catch up...again

2010-05-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

So things have been a little crazy the last few weeks. This post will be a little long but feel free to just look at the pictures. That's the fun part anyway.

A few weeks ago my sister in law got married. We had a great time at the wedding. The kids looked super cute and danced the night away. When it was time to go they were actually happy to leave and were asleep before I got up the stairs to tuck them in.

Madisen dancing at the wedding.

My little man isn't so little any more. He was antsy waiting for the wedding to start since we got there an hour early. I found him watching the players golf. He is so CUTE!!!

Madisen loved her dress. She posed for about 5 minutes. I just think this one is so cute. She was so serious and trying to "act like a model."

Tanner LOVES the YMCA dance. Here he is as one of the Village People during his favorite dance of the night.

There have been a lot of changes in our ward so our Pinewood Derby kept getting pushed back. The day finally came and the boys were more than ready to see how their cars stacked up to their friends. Tanner's car did well falling right in the middle of the pack. All in all the boys had a fantastic time and so did we!!!

The car is finally finished. Tanner was so funny saying, " I might not win but my car looks gooooood."

Dad and Tanner adding the clear coat to make his car shine.

Hey batter batter!!! The official Little League season is over and we are now playing in the tournament. They won their first game yesterday and will play again this week. Tanner played so well. His first up to bat he hit a triple and I freaked out. He could have turned it into a home run because he is super fast but our third base coach stopped him on third. His second up to bat he got a double!

Dad helping Tanner get on his catcher gear.

Last but not least we have big news. NO I'm not pregnant, I got my tubes tied Monday so we are officially done having babies. The decision has been made for along time but I made it permanent a week ago. We love our kids and feel such a huge responsibility to raise them right in this crazy and sometimes scary world. We are so blessed to have healthy, happy, funny, smart, (I could go on and on), kids. Thanks to Cristen for having another baby so my kids can get their baby feel.

Race For The Cure

2010-05-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

My sister called a couple of weeks ago and asked if I was interested in running the Race For The Cure 5k. With only a couple of weeks to get ready I was really nervous and wasn't sure I would be able to run the whole thing and finished with a decent time. I rallied a few friends who I thought would be interested in actually running with me and it came down to just me and my friend Erica who were able to participate. SAturday morning arrived an I got up at 6:15 which was a miracle in it's self for a weekend. I left the house at 7:10 and picked up Erica, and headed over to the start line in Las Vegas. Feeling as though we were running late we quickly walked from our car to the start line, met up with my sister, her husband, and boys as well as my sister in law and little brother who thankfully had safety pins for our numbers. We pinned on our bibs, started the timer and started running. We finished in 35 minutes and only walked about 10 minutes of the 35. Thanks Erica for sticking with me and my stress fractured shin. We had a great time and are looking forward to our next run!

What you can't see in this picture are the matching pink and black watches we were wearing.

2010-04-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Host:	Me
Location:	My House
When:	Wednesday, April 28, 11:45AM Add to my iCal Calendar
:
My sister showed up the other day wearing a very cute watch and when I asked where she got it she replied, "I made it at a watch party." I thought I have to have one, so I'm hosting a party at my house. I know that many of you still have kids a t home during the day so I say the more the merrier, bring them. Check out www.sundaeshoppe.blogspot.com to see pictures of just a few watches people have made. Call me with any questions and I hope to see you on the 28th!!! This is for anyone who reads my blog and would like to attend. You can email me at jushandjen@hotmail.com with any questions or to get my address.

Living with Madisen

2010-04-06T12:31:00.001-07:00

Madisen is my angel. We wanted a girl so bad when I found out I was pregnant because we already had a boy. She keeps us laughing and our toes all the time. We bought the kids new bikes since they had both out grown theirs and we were riding the other day along a bike trail near our home when all of the sudden Madisen we off her bike and sliding on her belly and forehead. How she did this I still don't know it was the oddest thing. Still I ask how are you riding a bike and scrap your forehead? Only Madisen could do this! This afternoon she has had a couple of funny conversations I thought I would share.

Madisen-Mom girls have girlfriends.

Me-Yep girls call their friends girlfriends but boys don't call their friends boyfriends.

Madisen-Nope they call them brothers

Me-Where did you learn that?

Madisen-Dad

A few minutes later as we are watching Dancing With The Stars...

Madisen-She isn't covering her back. Why don't these girls cover their backs. I hate that.

Me-Nope she isn't

a few dancers later...

Madisen -SHE'S COVERING HER BACK!!! Now that's what we like to see. Vote for her!

My 100th post!

2010-03-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

100. My middle name is Dawn.

99. I love my jazzercise instructor.

98. Winter in my favorite time of year.

97. The year I graduated from high school.

96. My favorite color is purple.

95. I say the word pissed even though I know it bugs my mom.

94. I love the rice for El Torito. (a restaurant near our house)

93. My bike is purple.

92. My eyes are brown like my Dad's.

91. I want to skydive but only in Hawaii where it would be worth it.

90. I hate my floor plan in my house.

89. I'm grateful for my house even though I hate my floor plan.

88. I want a weekend car.

87. I would repaint my house every year just for the change.

86. I have one crooked tooth that bugs the crap out of me.

85. I am obsessed with having clean floors.

84. Cap'n Crunch is my treat when I'm on a diet.

83. I hate going to the dentist!!!

82. I hate getting my teeth cleaned!!!

81. I use to hate my nose until I realized it looks just like my Dad's. Now I hope nothing ever happens to it.

80. I have a big forehead.

79. The year I was born.

78. I love boots.

77. In high school I was the girl who was going to have 6 kids in 6 years! YIKES!!!

76. I fell in love with Justin at first sight!

75. I was in President Hinkley's ward while he was prophet. Although I never met him.

74. I think this is very hard.

73. I lived in 15 different places/houses in 24 years.

72. I have two kids and have never had a contraction.

71. From age 16-21 I worked for 13 doctors, 2 nurse practitioners, a dentist, a juicer(Zuka Juice), and a mouse.

70. I might go back to school.

69. My favorite comedy movie (right now) is Couple's Retreat.

68. I can still sing all the songs from the Scripture Scouts cd's I had as a kid.

67. My favorite primary song is "If the Savior Stood Beside Me."

65. I have given 1 talk in church in the last 11 years.

64. I had to buy a "youth" bike because my legs were too short for the "women's" bike.

63. I love going to Jazzercise.

62. I would love to travel the world and take pictures and get paid for it.

61. I am the second child of five.

60. I don't want to work in my office even for a short period of time.

59. If I could visit anywhere in the world tomorrow I would go to Rome.

58. I don't like my straight hair but would probably feel the same way of I had curly hair all my life too.

57. I sang my Alma Madar at a school assembly my senior year.

56. I never wish to go back to high school!!!

55. I love so sing really loud in the car.

54. I don't like making my bed but do almost everyday.

53. I still have my very first driver's licence.

52. I love the beach.

51. I want a dog but it has to be little and be fully trained before it lives here.

50. Has anyone ever actually finished this?

49. My wrist is the same size as my 6 years olds.

48. I've had surgery on my eyes twice.

47. I wear a size 5 ring and it's too big.

46. My favorite song out of the hymn book is "Come Follow Me."

45. I love Rascal Flatts. I have all their cd's and all their extra songs you can buy on itunes.

44. I have been reading so much lately I don't think I can pick a favorite book.

43. I love to hear Tanner tell the story of Nephi getting the brass plates from Laban.

42. I have had my ears pierced 4 times and still only have one hole in each lobe.

41. Every now and then I love to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But only two or three times a year.

40. I like Port of Subs better than Subway.

39. I hate sleeping with socks, but always have cold feet at night.

38. I wear a fragrance called unconditional love

37. I love shoes but have to be sensible now that I am in primary every week.

36. I like the way the Twilight series ended.

35. I only watch the news when Justin turns it on.

34. I would love to be the singing time teacher in primary.

33. I want to buy a piano so I can learn to play it.

32. I would rather watch baseball than play it.

31. How old I will be this year.

30. Growing up I thought everyone got a free Slurpee from 7-11 on my birthday (7-11) in celebration of my birth!!!

29. The age I will claim to be the rest of my life.

28. Number of pairs of shoes I own.

27. I love flip flops.

26. Team Edward not Jacob.

25. Team Jace not Simon.

24. Team Peeta not Gale.

23. Am I done yet?

22. I use Bare essential make up.

21. I love to lay in the sun and get hot and tan.

20. I want a porch swing in my backyard. Or even better a hammock.

19. I saw Wicked in San Francisco and would love to see it again.

18. I never thought I'd say this but my heart is in Primary.

17. I drink a lot of Diet Coke from Sonic.

16. My favorite hamburger is an In-N-Out hamburger with grilled onions.

15. I want to attend a session of general conference with my kids when they are old enough to pay attention the whole time.

14. the story of King Benjamin is my favorite.

13. I will go on the back East trip when Tanner is old enough to go.

12. I want a backyard big enough to have a gigantic pool.

11. I like to roller blade.

10. I'm so glad I only have 9 things left on this list!!!

9. The number of rings I own.

8. Age of my favorite boy in the whole world.

7. I want to live on the beach when we retire.

6. Age of my favorite girl.

5. I want to serve a full time mission with Justin.

4. I have owned 7 cars.

3. I like to color.

2. I love to swing on the swings at the park.

1.I LOVE, LOVE,LOVE, LOVE being a Mom.

2010-03-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I posted about all my mom's grandkids. Tonight i was editing some of those pictures and came across this one and thought I would share my thoughts about these special people in my life. I'll start with Cristen. Growing up with Cristen was difficult at times but she was always good for a laugh. We shared a room most of our childhood and that I think was the start of many fights. She was messier than me and I was a control freak. But she was always the first to my side when i would cry or just needed backing up. Because we were so close in age as we got older and got into high school is was so great to have my little sister there to eat lunch with and always laugh with. She loves my kids to death and they love her!!! She is the first person I call on a bad day. She listens to me cry, rant and vent about anything and always has great advice even if all she does is burst into laughter. Her laugh is so contagious.

Next is Pollyanna, or as most people know her, Erin. Where to start? Erin was the constant happy in our home. Even now when she comes to visit she is full of joy and excitement over everything. Growing up she decided she was tired of sharing a room so she moved into the closet under the stairs where she slept on the boxes of food storage for a good 6 months or so. I'm not sure why she moved back into her actual room, I guess that is a question for her. She dances with her shopping cart in the store and races with my kids in Target. When I need a creative idea or a poem for primary she whips one or more up and has them in my in box within minutes. She sends random texts that put a smile on my face, even when they are as simple as "any idea how to get outlast lipstick off my kids face? or I love you and thought you needed to know." Most the time those come at just the right moments, like when I'm ranting to Cristen on the phone.

Last but not least is Matthew. The BABY of the family. He was the one when we were all in trouble for something and none of us wanted to cop to it that we would send out to mom to say he did it. Being the baby he hardly got in as much trouble as one of us girls would have. He's been locked outside in his underwear, spent more time in the emergency room with stitches or a broken something than any of us. Matthew is the one we thought we were going to loose when he was so sick and the closest doctor to help him was 8 hours away in Salt Lake City. That was the scariest 48 hours of my life so far!!! Despite being raised by a bunch of girls he has grown into a man who honors his Priesthood and loves his wife. He is a fantastic uncle spending hours playing wii with my kids. I can't talk about Matthew without talking about his wife who I love as if she had grown up my sister! He is a lucky guy to get Lauren in his life and so are we.

Yep, you all should be jealous that these are my siblings and not yours!!!

OUCH!!!

2010-03-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

Getting back into our routine after track break usually takes us a few days of running around crazy in the morning to get out the door on time. Last Tuesday was one such day. I felt like I needed to get a load of laundry started before we left for school so I loaded up my arms with all the dirty clothes, my cell phone tucked under my arm and socks on my feet. Down the stairs I went and as I got four steps from the bottom all went to !@%&. It was just like a scene out of a movie I'm sure where the actor slips all contents in their hands go flying through the air and the actor is left in a heap at the bottom. of the stairs. I'm made a lot of noise and not second had gone by before both my kids were running down the stairs themselves to see what had happened. I was crying despite trying my very hardest not to and there is my sweet Tanner looking down at me with as much concern as he has in his entire body and he said, "Should I call 911?" I said I was fine and just needed a minute while thinking oh goodness no please don't call 911 I would rather die!

I thought for sure I had at the very least broken my arm but after a few x-rays on Friday morning I found out it is just every bruised and swollen!!! Thank heavens I didn't pass out and wake to find the fire department in my home!

I took these a week after so my arm looks much better than it did a few days ago

Oh how I love to SLIDE!!!

2010-03-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

Here we are again at the beginning of yet another exciting baseball season! Tanner is playing on the Red Sox team again with Coach Ryan and Coach Matt. He is doing very well so far. He is hitting the ball more accurately and fielding better as well. He would play baseball all year long if he could he loves it that much. I love to see him out on the field in all his gear it is so cute. My favorite thing though has to be when he plays catcher.

Opening night

Tanner hit the ball and made it to second base nearly missing a tag out by sliding. When the next batter was up Tanner got to third paused a second and headed into home which from this picture I clearly wasn't ready for. He slid into home again barely escaping an out!!!

Justin and Matt are good friends. During our first game Justin text Matt to look up at our camera and the next thing I knew he was on the third base line posing as if for a magazine. Those two are so nutty!!!

Red Sox's biggest fan!!!

FIve to go...

2010-03-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's right after this one I have five posts to get to my 100th post. Wow I can't believe I have that much to say. Mostly this has been about keeping family member's who are not near us updated on what is going on with the kids and our lives. And since it has been so long since I last sat down at the computer I have a lot to catch you all up on. I'll start with why I have been so busy. As most of you know I am the 1st counselor in the primary presidency in our ward. A few weeks back they called a special meeting for our ward and the mission hills ward to inform us of the changes they were making to the ward boundaries. I was pretty sure we would be losing our 2nd counselor and many of our teachers but was surprised at how it has affected me in other ways. First losing our 2nd counselor sucked because I have gotten to know her and love her! Not having her with us every week feels weird. Second our primary is about half the size we are use to. No excuses now for not knowing all the kids names! Third and for sure the most challenging for me is that their have been many changes when it comes to the people we had serving as teachers and such in primary. My church BFF, as Justin calls us, got moved from our singing time teacher to young women's. I know that this was not done lightly as we both made it very clear how happy we were in primary and how much we loved having her do the music. But in the end the Lord decided that she was needed in young women's. The lesson here for me is that I can't control everything no matter how hard I try. As a side note, when I learned she would be moved I started to think about who I could get to replace her and the first and only person that came to mind was called so welcome to her and you are going a great job!

Dan, Erica, Jenessa and Justin on the boat to Alcatraz.

Justin and Dan in jail at Alcatraz

Jenessa and Erica. Notice we are not in the cells. We left that to the boys.

Dan and Justin in Chinatown. We can't take those two anywhere!

With summer time just around the corner Justin and I decided to finally so to San Francisco with our friends Dan and Erica. We had a blast!!! Even sitting here looking through the pictures I am laughing out loud by myself. We walked the Wharf, watched Wicked which was AWESOME, visited Alcatraz, and ate a lot of great food. This was the first time I remember being in San Francisco had I can't wait to go back. Above are s few pictures of our quick trip.

We have also started baseball season and I will post details and pictures in the next few days since it is now time to go pick up Tanner from school, get home work done, get to baseball practice and make it to my meeting on time tonight.

Lori's Grandkids

2010-02-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

Erin was hear a couple of weeks ago and the kids were inseparable during the hours they were awake. It doesn't happen very much that they are all together but when it does it's a blast. We spent an afternoon together at the park where I think is where they had the most fun. Sadly with Michael traveling with his dad he is the only grandchild not included in the pictures below.

Grandma got a warm and very excited welcome as she joined us at the park.

Little Jordan

Clockwise- Tanner, Madisen, Benjamin, Jordan, Jacob and Ora

Abbigail is the youngest until either Cristen or Lauren give a new one.

Ora, she is almost 5

Benjamin, age 4

Jacob, age 3

Madisen age 6

Tanner is the oldest at age 8

Happy Sixth Birthday!!

2010-02-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

My baby girl!!!

My little diva posing in the backyard before school. Those tights were in shreds by the time I picked her up just two and a half hours later

Celebrating after knocking down just four pins!

Bowling at Sunset Station. She won her game with a whopping 92

Yep, you read that right, my baby is six years old! She has been such a joy in our lives. She came into the world screaming and has been making her presence know ever since. Whether by keeping us up nights while she was sick or giggling so hard that she makes all around her join in on her laughter. She is so full of light and goodness and oozes with happiness and sunshine.

This year for her birthday her cousins happened to be visiting from Utah and she couldn't have been happier. She started her day with a Cinnamon Toast Crunch breakfast and then it was off to school in her new clothes. After handing out brownies to her classmates at the end of her day we checked Tanner out of school early and headed to McDonald's for lunch. After that we went bowling and ended our day at the park where the kids ran wild for 3 hours. We had so much fun and the kids were a joy to be around.

Walt Disney World

2010-01-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

Like the two years past Justin and I have gone on a "work trip" with our friends the Terry's. This year we went to Walt Disney World. It was so COLD!!! We arrived on a Friday night and when we landed the pilot announced it was 31 degrees outside. It stayed that cold for the next two days and by day three we were thrilled to see the 40's. From there it got progressively warmer everyday until Friday when it was 65 degrees as we boarded our airplane to fly home to a week of wind and rain and cold here at home. We had a blast despite the cold weather. Below are a few pictures from our adult only trip to the happiest place on earth!

We spent a lot of time at Disney Quest which is a huge arcade in Downtown Disney because it was so cold. This is a picture if us entering the Pirates of the Caribbean game. This was a blast. We put on the 3D glasses and had to shoot down the ships and buildings with the skulls on them to achieve the highest ranking of Masters of the Sea, which we reached 4 times!!! This is me and Justin inside out hotel the Polynesian at Walt Disney World.

This is Joe and Leslie at Hollywood Studios.

An hour after i tucked them in...

2010-01-04T14:12:00.001-08:00

I sent the kids upstairs to brush their teeth and climb in bed. A few minutes later I said prayers and tucked them in to their own beds. With hugs and kisses handed out I went downstairs to finish up primary stuff on the computer. An hour later I went to up to check on the kids and go to bed and I found this! Madisen snuck into Tanner's room right after I went downstairs and they had been playing Super Mario Brother's the whole time I thought they were sleeping. Tanner is obviously not worried about getting caught!

Christmas and all the stuff that goes with it

2010-01-01T13:36:00.001-08:00

Another Christmas season has come and gone and I'm just now getting around to posting pictures of our festive activities. I'll start with the annual hanging of the lights on the house. This year we scaled it down a bit because of time. Justin was outside for two days instead of three. We had a few malfunctions but in the end we were happy with it.Next you'll see the Christmas tree. The kids had my camera one evening and were taking pictures of the tree and this was one of them. Madisen said this one looks like when you lay on the floor and look up at it.
Here we are at Christmas Eve. We were very busy that night going form the dinner at Jusitn's moms house and then over to my mom's house right after that. We had a lot of fun. At Justin's moms house we had a talent show that every family had to contribute to. The Jones' wrote a poem recapping the year, the Vivier girls sang Santa Baby, the Potter's danced as if they were the Peanuts gang from Charlie Brown's Christmas and Madisen sang "If I could Fly Like a Snowflake" aloe since Tanner is too cool to participate.
This is my foam gingerbread house. I bought it because I hate trying to build one from the kits you can buy at the store. They never stay together and are a mess and in the end they look like I gave it to a bunch of toddlers to have at it. This one looks awesome but that is after 3 hours of hot glue and frustration. I think I am going to scrap gingerbread houses from my list of things to do at Christmas.
Here we are a few days before Christmas at my moms house to do Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Pender who drove down from California to spend an evening together.

Madisen started asking her Grandma DeMille for a Snuggie for Christmas in October. She would tell me every time she saw one in the store that Grandma was buying her one for Christmas. So here is is a Snuggie from Justice which she LOVES!!!
This is me and all Justin's sister on Christmas Eve and his Mom's house

Christmas Eve in our new jammies by the tree before going to bed so Santa could come
Madisen asked Santa for Zhu Zhu hamsters for Christmas. This is the only picture I have of her showing me her presents. Bad mom I know.
Madisen was so concerned about Santa's cookies and milk this year. We set out pumpkin chocolate chip bread and a big glass of milk and she ran down the kids and went immediately to the plate to see if he ate his treats while visiting our home during his long night.
Tanner wanted and iTouch from Santa. He sat on his lap and gave details about what it was and what it did. That night we came home and we went to the website santas.com to check to see if the kids were on the nice or naughty list. This was about three weeks before Christmas Eve. Madisen was on the nice list and Tanner ended up on the "maybe, keep trying" list. But for that three weeks he was nice to Madisen, volunteered to clean the toy room and bathrooms, He was a whole new kid. As you can see Santa was impressed with his effort.

Last but not least this year Justin and I had everyone over to our house on Christmas night for dinner which was so much fun. We had prime rib, turkey and all the sides. It was a great ending to a great holiday season.

This year the kids were really focused of the true meaning of Christmas and always looking for and opportunity to serve someone somewhere. They helped each other in small little ways quietly and without seeking recognition for it. It brought such a wonderful spirit into our home and has refocused us on the important things in life. So Happy New Year!!!

A few pictures of our house in New Harmony

2009-12-12T09:37:00.001-08:00

This is one of the bedrooms (i think) but as you can see we had to rip out all the old drywall which revealed abode walls. It looked way worse than this. At one point I just went back and sat in the car because I was freaking out that it would never be livable.

The siding on the house was peeling off and had not been updated in probably 40 years. As they pulled up the floor Justin found old newspapers from the 1930's, that they used as insulation, under 7 different linoleum.

These pictures aren't great since Justin took them with his camera on his phone but you can get the basic idea that it went from bad to worse to AWESOME! The kitchen is not very big but it gets the job done. Well, so far, the microwave is great. We haven't used anything else.

This is the final outside picture!! A few months ago Justin drove his little brother, nephew and brother in law up to lay the sprinkler system and grass. It looks great and smelled even better.

Visiting Santa

2009-12-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

While in Utah last weekend we decided to go see the Live Nativity in Tuacan which is hopefully going to become an annual tradition. We had a great time. The play is only about 15 minutes long but it helped to put us in the true Christmas spirit. Prior to taking our seats we stood in line to see Santa. This is always a little scary because my kids like to change their minds at the last minute and ask for something random that hasn't even been mentioned until then. This year we had no surprises as Tanner asked for an iTouch and Madisen asked for Zhu Zhu Hampsters and all their stuff.

After the play we took a couple of pictures of us in front of the big Christmas tree and stumbled upon wooden cutouts of elves and the nativity. Who can resist putting their face in a wooden cut out?

Meet Santa's special helpers below!!!

A weekend in New Harmony

2009-12-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

My three favorite people

Madisen, Sterling and Emma

Snow bunny Madisen

Me and Justin

Tanner

Madisen and Me

Got to love the pink headband that Madisen wouldn't wear so Justin did!

I think Tanner did the most sledding.

DeMille Family

Madisen sledding on her belly.

We took so much time apart last year fixing up the house in New Harmony Utah and now it is time to enjoy some weekends there. The kids were more excited about this weekend than our last few trips to Disneyland and this cost way less! We loaded the car up with all our recently purchased snow stuff including heavy coats, snow bibs and pants, gloves, scarfs and hats, Thursday and headed out of town. After a short visit at Grandma and Grandpa's house we drove the rest of the way up the mountain to our house affectionately know as "Harmony in the Hills". At our arrival Justin got our and turned on the gas, power and water and started up the heater in the house while the kids and I sat in the warm car. After about 20 minutes we went in to the house which by now was a very brisk 50 degrees. We quickly changed into jammies and snuggled down in our blankets to get warmed up and get some sleep. The next morning we dressed and waited for the Vivier's to get there. We then drove Cedar City for a quick bite to eat and a stop at the local Wal-mart for some sleds. Up the mountain we went to Brian Head for some sledding!! We found a spot at the end of a closed road and hike in about 100 yards to find a great little sledding hill. The kids had a blast. I thought for sure the kids would be done playing after about two trips up that hill but we lasted almost two hours playing and laughing as we all took turns sliding down the hill whether it was on a sled, our bellies or bottoms. We can't wait to go back. Maybe next time without the kids so I can learn to snowboard!!!

Cliche, I konw

2009-11-26T21:27:00.000-08:00

We had a great day here is Henderson. I guess I am going to do the cheesy thing and tell you all what I
am grateful for. Starting with my wonderful husband who works so hard a worries about everything so I
don't have to . I have been so blessed to never have to work outside my home since bringing the two
most wonderful children into this sometimes really terrible world. I am also so indepted to the military men
and women who sacrifice so much to keep us safe. A special thank you to Brian and his wife!! Of course
I am thankful to have been born into the church so that I never had to wonder about where I came from or
what is waiting for us after the test. Last but not least I have to say I am super happy to have been born
at a time full of modern inventions such as cars, air conditioning, indoor plumbing and so forth. Yep once
again I have branded myself a city girl I know. But I am a very, very blessed and often times spoiled city
girl who loves her family and thanks the Lord everyday for them.

Go ahead and laugh at me

2009-11-21T20:40:00.000-08:00

So my car was so dirty and out by my sister Cristen's house is my favorite drive thru car wash. It's the one that power sprays everything instead of scrubbing the car with already very dirty fabric brushes. Anyway the kids were in the back seat and teasing me about opening the doors in the middle of the wash and I let my OCD take over and I started checking and rechecking that the windows and the doors and finally the sunroof were really closed. Right before entering I pushed the closed arrows on the sunroof and pulled in. The car wash starts the kids squeal and pretend to open the doors while I am yelling "don't even think about it. That' so not funny!!" While turned around I feel drops of water hit my leg. I turn around to discover that there is water dripping off the "oh crap" bar. I happen to have a towel from the day before's workout so I grab it and wrap it around the bar and notice that there is also water dripping from the bar on the other side of the car as well. So now I am panicking thinking that my car is broken and leaking all over. I am going to have to buy a new car because I can;t drive a car the won't keep the rain out. The car wash is still running and all the sudden it is literally raining on the front seat of the car. I am drying as fast as I can with my two hand towels all the while thinking "I am going to have to buy a new car!!!" Finally the car was his over and we are pulling out. I think if I get out and dry the roof maybe we can make it home without getting totally soaked. So I pull up and get out to discover the sunroof is vented open!!! I can't open the sunroof unless the sliding inside roof thingy is open so it never occurred to me that the vent could be open without the inside roof thingy open. IT CAN!!! So all I got was a wet car when I thought I would have a new car!

So many countdown's

2009-11-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

Here is my list of countdowns for the next few weeks...

1. New Moon midnight showing 11 hours

2. Thanksgiving 7 days

3. BLACK FRIDAY Shopping 8 days

4. Back to School after a 4 week long track break 10 days

5. Weekend in New Harmony Utah with the snow

and kids. 13 days

6. Christmas Day 34 days

Yep, that is what I have to look forward to right now!!!

aaaahhhhhh...

2009-11-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

I don't think it is too much to ask that after giving them two hours to have their rooms clean that that not look like this!!! (now I sound like my mother)

If you look closely you can see Tanner in the center of this picture playing his Nintendo DS

Madisen's room is actually worse than it looks. Everything is stuffed under her bed!

We'd like to introduce...

2009-11-11T16:46:00.001-08:00

Speedy and Tank!!! Justin called this morning and asked me to bring the kids down to the office because he had a surprise for them. About 6 weeks ago he came home and told me he had talked to a guy and was going to bring home turtles within the next couple of weeks for the kids. I was less than thrilled since he had just made the decision on his own without taking any of my feelings into consideration. A couple of weeks came and went and I just thought that the deal had fallen through. I was wrong! it just took a little longer than they thought. As you can see we do have turtles. I have to say that thought I was less that happy about the idea of them I already love them as do the kids.

This one is hers and she is already saying "come to mommy" when she holds her.

Madisen and Speedy

Tanner and Tank

Tanner's hand looks huge next to this little guy.

This one is Speedy. I had to mark him with a sharpie so we could tell them apart.

Scentsy Party

2009-11-10T16:40:00.000-08:00

For those of you who may be interested I am co-hosting a Scentsy Party Thursday night from 6-8pm. If you would like to come post a comment with your e-mail address and I will send you the particulars.

2009-11-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

All Hallows Eve is not my favorite holiday. When I was younger we would go to Disneyland which I loved because I didn't have to dress up or hand out candy. Everyone said when you have kids your attitude will change. It didn't...until this year. Although I still don't love it this year was much more fun than years past. Tanner came home from school about 6 weeks ago after his class had been to the library with an idea for a pumpkin. He has been so excited about it and had swore Madisen to secrecy s no one else would steal his idea. A pumpkin snowman. We bought a bunch of pumpkins last week and on Friday night got to carving them. Tanner and Justin worked on his while I carved Madisen's. Tanner was so proud of his snowman.

The kids always get to clean out the guts!

Madisen and Tanner with their pumpkin snowman and their "family" as Madisen called them.

For the last three years Grandma DeMille has called the kids and invited them to come over and make caramel apples at her house. I, as a neat freak mom, appreciate this. They go over, unwrap the caramels, help stir it on the stove and dip the apples all the while getting very sticky. So thanks mom for keeping the mess at your house and just sending home the yummy apples!!!

Grandma and Madisen

Finding costume that isn't too young or too gross for boys is hard! We went three or four costume shops and looked on line for about a week before realizing we would have to come up with something ourselves. Tanner kept telling us he wanted to be a hippy but all the hippy costumes you could buy were too girly and cheap so we set out constructing our own. I found the pants on line at Children's Place while looking at clothes for Madisen. The great thing about them is that now Tanner is done with them they are going in Madisen's closet since they wear the same size. The rest we found at various costume stores. He was thrilled and I think he looks great!

Madisen's costume took about five minutes. It was on sale and she was happy!

I love this picture!!! She looks so cute with her little black nose.

Tanner in his wig!!

So, I may not have been completely converted yet I am less of a Halloween grump this year than in the last 15.

Who says the kids get to have all the fun

2009-10-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

We were invited to an adults Halloween/Birthday party for a friend. The invitation encouraged us to wear costumes which I haven't done since I was probably 11 years old. It took a few trips to several costume stores to find something that was approptiate to wear in public. As the pictures show I was a witch along with my sis-in-law. Justin was DOG the Bounty Hunter and Scott was Officer Dangle from the show Reno 911. We played pictionary, and a few other games and munched on goodies before retuning home to our little goblins.

Justin and Jenessa

Jusitn, Jenessa, LeAnn, Scott

Playing catch up

2009-10-25T19:27:00.001-07:00

Time is something that gets away from all of us but lately it seems it is sprinting by and I can't catch up!!! I am the first counselor in the primary so I am over the primary program for the year. I am NOT complaining because my other choice is scouts which, let's face it, is not for me. Our program was last week so the last four weeks have been a blur of parts, seating charts, name tags, pizza, ice cream, soccer , school and the thing that helps keep me sane, Jazzercise. I am happy to have this years over and will start working on next years much sooner. That is me.

The kids are still playing soccer and loving it. Justin has started bribing them to play harder with money. Tanner gets $5 for every assist to a goal and $25 for every goal. While Madisen gets a dollar for an assist and $5 a goal. We have had to pay Tanner $5 and Madisen is trying really hard but has yet to "profit" from her game. We will see what happens next week.

Tanner is so cute on the field! He is playing so well this season. It is so fun to watch him and the rest of the boys as they really "get it." Madisen had team pictures this week which turned out super cute. The girls all had their hair done and were so excited thinking we had no practice that night. Of course their coach had them practicing after pictures but they managed to have a great time. Below is a picture of Madiesn with her BFF on the team. They both lost their teeth the same week and were so happy to share that magical moment.I posted a couple of weeks ago that Madisen lost her first tooth. A few days later she wanted me to check her other teeth to see if any more were loose and they were not. She got sad because she likes the tooth fairy to come. The very next day she came running an screaming down the stairs that her "tooth was coming out and there is so much blood!!!" I was sure she had just bit her tongue or her lip but as I got closer and checked it was true her tooth was coming out. After twisting and pulling and more screaming it was out. When I asked her how it got so loose in one day she said, "it wasn't loose. I fell and hit my face on the desk in the toy room and then there was a lot of blood and my tooth was turned backwards!!!"
Last but not least, I love the fall. The decorations are out and so are the jeans and boots!!! WE took the kids to the pumpkin patch/carnival on Friday night. It was way ghetto but the kids had so much fun so I guess that is what counts. I HATE Halloween so costume shopping is not fun for me. I put on a happy face and get dragged from store to store as we search out the perfect costume. Tanner's is super cute and so is Madisen's. I will post pictures after Halloween!!!

Simple Math

2009-10-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

Picture 1 +

Picture 2 =

her first visit from the tooth fairy!!!

Fall Soccer 2009

2009-10-04T12:16:00.001-07:00

Well the weather has finally cooled off here in our part of the desert and we are thrilled. The heat is always welcomed being it is how we make a living but when there is not as much work to be done we are happy to see the heat go and pull out our jeans and boots for a while. With this cooler weather come soccer Saturday's for us. This year Tanner is playing on the Stingers U9 boys team and Madisen is once again a Ruff Ryder. They are both doing well but something lit a fire under Tanner's cute behind and he has really stepped it up this season. Being on of the smallest on the team he has to run faster just to keep up but he is proving week after week to be determined to be good at this. This year they have gone from playing on a small field with only defenders near the goal to a larger field playing with a goalie. It is really fun to watch them learn to stay in their positions as well as try and

determine when to break away from their position and help out a teammate.

I love this picture because Tanner is smiling so big!!!

Madisen, as I stated above, is playing on a U7 girls team the Ruff Ryder's. She is only five but wanted to play with her friend Brinley who is older so we chose to play up a couple of levels so they could be together. She has really good games and then there are games like yesterday where she is more concerned with other things than soccer. When she is on her game she is awesome but she is easily distracted. Yesterday we brought snacks and that is all she could think about. She skipped down the field or danced her way to the kick off line more than she ran. Those games are hard for me to watch. I find myself yelling for her to get her head in the game which leads to her sings the "Get Your Head in the Game" song from the movie High School Musical which leads to more distraction and dancing and less soccer playing. How did I end up raising Erin? She is a delight to have around and her mission in life is very simple SPREAD JOY. Side note...the first game she played this season was against another team who wore purple jersey's and they had matching hair bows. This was a distraction for a few of the girls on the team. They asked why we didn't have matching hair ties. So Brinleys' mom and I decided that we would not be shown up in the accessories department another game. That week at both practices we made these hair bows which our coach gave us grief about. This week two of the girls lost their hair ties during the game and unlike the boys who continue to play if they loose a shoe they both turned around and picked it up causing us to loose possession of the ball. OOPS!! At least they looked cute!!! Next game I will bring bobby pins to secure those tighter.

My Rebel Girl

2009-09-22T16:30:00.001-07:00

With Tanner and Justin in New Harmony for the weekend with just the boys, Madisen and I were left behind in the super hot desert to find our own fun. She played in her first soccer game of the season and then we had lunch with Grandma DeMille. I had a special treat planned for her that evening...a UNLV football game. She had a blast!!! She cheered, clapped, and sang. The highlight of her night, however, was taking a picture with "Reb"!!!

A very special day!!!

2009-09-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

Last week we scheduled Tanner's baptism interview with the bishop. He asked all the standard questions and Tanner gave all the standard answers until Bishop asked him about the word of wisdom. When asked if her knew what is was he answer no, so the Bishop explained and he then remembered we had talked about it. Their dialog on this subject went like this

Bishop: "So are you suppose to take harmful drugs, or smoke or drink alcohol?"

Tanner: "No"

Bishop: "Why not?"

Tanner: "Because I'm only a child!!"

a few days later...

It is Saturday morning and the kids woke up super early full of excitement. Tanner came into my room and jumped up on the bed, gave me a huge hug, and with a grin as wide as he could get it said, "Mom it's my baptism day." We readied the house for the lunch we were having after the baptism, showered and dressed. Tanner teased his little sister and kicked her in the process to which he had this to say "it's okay that will be washed away in a couple of hours." All I could do was laugh. A few minutes before we left Tanner received the special gift he had been asking about all week...his very own scriptures!!

Off to the church we went to pick out his clothes and get prepared for the big event.
Tanner with Mom before changing into his white clothes.
Here he is all dressed in white and looking angelic. He sat quietly and listened to the talks and the music. He was the first to head to the font where he was at last baptized. While I was helping him straighten his tie I asked how he felt he grinned and said "great, but dad bonked my head on the bottom of the baptism tub." That's right folks we were only doing it once.

We had all our family over for lunch and cake and ice cream. The kids ran around and the grown ups talked. Tanner blew out his candles like a pro with no spit. Thanks to my friend Leslie who made the cake which Tanner loved. And a special thanks to all of you who came near and far to be with us on Tanner's special day!!! He felt so loved and supported.

Where were you 8 years ago today?

2009-09-11T16:17:00.001-07:00

It was 6:45am September 11. 2001 and we were in the waiting room of St. Rose Hospital watching the news as we waited to be taken back to the delivery room. Breaking News flashed across the screen at the same time they called "Jenessa we are ready to take you back now." I was scared and shaking as I lay in the hospital bed hooked up to a fetal monitor and IV's in preparation for the c-section that was scheduled for 8:00am. The nurse busied themselves with all the usual stuff while all the time whispering to each other. I asked several times if everything was okay with the baby and was assured that he looked great. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me some meds to calm my nerves and walked me into the delivery room to place my spinal block and a few minutes later Tanner graced us with his presence. He didn't cry and I immediately began to panic and ask if he was all right and my mom responded "He's here and he's perfect!" through her tears.

Here it is 8 years later and I feel so blessed to have this special angel in my home. He brings light to every dark day with his sense of humor and very charming smile. My heart breaks if he is sad and soars when he is happy!!! He will be baptized in a week and we are so excited for him to feel that sweet spirit on his special day. During his baptism interview that bishop asked his about the word of wisdom and specifically asked, Should you drink or smoke or take harmful drugs?" Tanner responded "No." When the bishop asked why he said, " because I'm only a child." I love this kid and he keeps me laughing all the time. I pray as he gets older he will keep his child like faith and grow strong in the gospel with an unwavering testimony of who he is and where he came from. Happy 8th Birthday Tanner!!!

First day of school, first day of school

2009-08-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Well here we go again. Last year Madisen went to the preschool program at the elementry school as a peer mentor in the autism class. She was gone five days a week all day. So this year you would think she wouldn't be all that excited to go to kindergarden since she is only half day. You would be wrong!!! She was so excited this morning to go to her class. She got up and got right into the tub and didn't complain even once about how long her hair was taking. She went outside and was waiting for me in the backyard to take first day of school pictures. We walked Tanner down to his line and she ran to her class from there. It was so fun to see her excitement.

Tanner was super excited this year because he has been waiting for third grade so that he can play on the bigger playground. This year his teacher is Mrs. Bresnaham and he is in class with a couple of kids from our ward which is awesome!!! He is very excited to learn cursive and division. Thanks goodness our friend Joni is also a third grade teacher at a different school and will be around to help me with Tanner's homework.

Lauren

2009-08-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

I love my sister in law!!! How my brother got so lucky and gets to keep her for eternity is still beyond me but because he had the sense enough to marry this sweetheart we get her too. Just this past month I have had the opportunity to get to know Lauren better. I love that they are moving back here closer to us even if it is temporary. (I am trying to make it permanent, so brace yourself Matthew) We went to dinner tonight and she went shopping with me and helped to pick out some new stuff for my house. Tomorrow she and I are going to watch Big Brother and she is going to help me hang the stuff I bought tonight so that it is straight because on my own, I a hot mess. Anyway I just think she is great and I love her!!!

What to do?

2009-08-05T13:10:00.000-07:00

So I have to speak in church on Sunday and Justin was already scheduled to be out of town up working on our house in New Harmony Utah before I was asked to speak. In light of the tragic event which occurred last week in our ward and his guilt of being unable to attend church the day I speak he is taking the kids with him to Utah. So that means I have all day Saturday to myself.No kids to get from school, of dinner to cook, homework to do or lunches to get made for the next day. I can't remember ever not having at least one child home with me all the time. It is going to be so weird. I am getting a massage and facial but I am not sure what to do with the rest of the day as my talk is already written.

2009-08-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

I attend the funeral of Iysha Rebecca Rose Kryuer this morning. She was 2 1/2 years old when she drown in her backyard pool on Wednesday afternoon. Listening to her parents talk about her and learning about her sweet spirit was truly uplifting. It has forced me, in their tragedy, to refocus my efforts and love every minute I have with my family. Dishes in the sink, dust on the floor, laundry to fold, the phone ringing are all things that can wait until later. They talked about her sweet spirit and her love of everyone. They spoiled her and gave her everything she could ever want or need. She went everywhere with them they could take her, even to work for the first two years of her life she was in the office with them. They loved her fully and she loved them. Though we don't always understand why the Lord does things the way He does I have a testimony in this infinite wisdom and trust Him fully. May we all include this family in our prayers.

The last of Hawaii

2009-07-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

I love to take pictures of the American flag being flown in different places that I visit.

Justin and the kids getting off the helicopter.

Family picture right off the helicopter.

Napoli Coast line. This is my pilots favorite spot on the island of Kuaui.

This is the waterfall in the Movie Jurassic Park. It was more beautiful in person than any shot I could take through the window.

This is one of my favorites! It was taken outside our hotel room!!!

These are a few of the pictures we took on the helicopter ride and other random pictures from Hawaii.

GROSS!!!

2009-07-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

According to my husband I am unamerican because I hate hot dogs and ketchup. Not just hate but detest. The smell makes my stomach turn and my appetite disappear! So needless to say this is about the grossest thing I have seen in a long time. Just the visual made me not want to eat the very yummy sandwich I had just ordered!!

it's hot!! Can I go back here?

2009-07-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

To the left you will see Mermaid Madisen. She wanted to be something on the beach since a few days before we made Tanner a "girl". We tried to make her a muscle man but she didn't want to kneel down in a hole so we settled on a mermaid. There are no pictures of Tanner because he doesn't think it is fair that he was a girl and Madisen got to be a girly thing.

Below are pictures of Wailua

Trails. We had the luau in the evening so we spent the day sight seeing and playing at he beach. That evening we went to the Grand hyatt for their luau. It was completely lame. I DO NOT recommend it!!

Way too much money for a buffet and lame show. But seeing that that was the only thing we did that we thought was lame it was all good. The picture of Justin and I and of Tanner in his way cute hat were taken at the Grand Hyatt hotel so it was good for a great back round. The show was so lame Tanner feel asleep! Yep there he is sleeping at the table. We left early and from what we hear didn't miss a thing!

Some times he knock's my socks off...

2009-07-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

Yes folks I am now 30 years old and feel as though I have earned it. Some people feel like 30 is such a big deal and the dread it. I don't feel that way at all. I actually like being 30. I have 2 great kids, a successful business, a wonderful husband. Everything I ever dreamed of growing up. I have. Every year my birthday comes and goes and Justin gets all stressed out about it. This year was no different. Not only is it smokin' hot and we are super busy at work but there wasn't any "thing" I really wanted. Sure there are things I could buy just to have but nothing really that I wanted to spend the money on. While in Hawaii we discovered that we, both Justin and I, love Cake Boss. It is on TLC on Monday nights at 10pm. Watching them make these crazy cakes is so fun and I envy there artistic abilities. Let's face it I have very little myself. One night about a week before my birthday Justin was again hounding me about what I wanted and I still had come up with nothing. We sat down to watch Cake Boss and when it was over I said, "I want a cake like that." Thinking he wasn't paying attention and only answering him with that answer to get him off my back I totally forgot about it. As you can see he didn't. The next day he called 5 bakery's made an appointment and went in for a consultation. He tasted cakes, frosting's, fillings, picked out the colors, and designed the cake. Oh to be a fly on the wall at Freed's Bakery that day. He was there the same time as three other engaged couples were there designing their wedding cakes picking out my cake. It was not only beautiful but delicious. Sometimes he knocks my socks off. I love him so much!!!

Angels among us.

2009-07-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a couple that looked sosatisfied in your life? This weekend was the

Don and Ora Latimer Family Reunion in St. George, Utah. These are my grandparent, my mom's parents, and they have ten children, 56 grandchildren, 97 great-grandchildren with three more on the way. Yes that's right soon they will have 100 great-granchildren. Of these we had 157 (i think) in attendance. And what a wonderful weekend it was. On Friday we met a church building where the kids, played, danced, sang, we had face painting, and they even made bead necklaces and bracelets. We split for dinner and met back up at the church for Family Home Evening. We talked about being the clay in the potter's hand and they handed out clay to everyone to mold. We molded everything from tree's to temples, and various types of animals. A couple of people got hard clay and couldn't really mold anything. The object lesson went on that if we have hard hearts we aren't as easy for our Savior to mold. My Aunt asked if we thought our grandparents had hard or soft hearts and hands then ask everyone if they had any memories we wanted to share about Grandma and Grandpa about how they have shared their soft hands and hearts with us. Madisen raised her hand and when called on she "Grandma always play tea party with me when I come to her house." Grandma got teary eyed and I got teary eyed...ok we were already teary eyed. We are Latimer's what do you expect. Several stories were shared but because I cry too much I was hoping that one of my siblings would stand and say what I knew all of us were thinking which is they took care of us after my Dad and brother died. We lived with them for a while, when we were sick we got to go to Grandma's house where she took care of us. When we lived in the house directly behind them Grandpa made a fence that went over the wall so that we could just go over the fence instead of walking around. The back door opened up into their bedroom and I am sure I never called before going over and they always welcomed us with open arms. Usually fed us too! Grandpa gave us blessings when we needed them. He came to the school several times to change a flat tire on my car. They took care if us but most important they took care of my mom. After Dad died Grandma slept with her for a month. I will never forget that. She didn't leave her side until she was ready to try to be on her own. I love them and they are the best grandparents in the universe and they are mine!!!

Follow me up a tree!!!

2009-07-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Yep that's right they are dang cute kids!! May be even the cutest kids you have ever seen. It's okay to think they are cuter than your own. I won't tell anyone you feel that way.

If we were at the bar at our condo in Kauai and I couldn't find Tanner I knew just were to look. He was in the tree. On day one he found this tree and climbed it as far as his little monkey legs would take him. I loved this night. Justin and Tanner were going to go see Transformers but seeing how there is only a few theaters on the entire island the line was wrapped around the building to buy tickets and that brought them back to the condo for some kalua pork nachos. I had gotten Tanner and Madisen ready fro a night out so they were clean and cute and smelled good so when I let them go play on the beach in the surf I also sent Justin up to the room for my camera. The sunset was beautiful and my original plan was to shoot some scenic shots of the sunset and the beach and our view and ended up with some really great shots of the kids. I was soaking wet from the waste down by the time I finished. The kids laughed, ran, squealed and had a blast just running and climbing trees to an hour or so and then it was up to the room to watch Cake Boss and settle down for the night. Have I mentioned yet that I want to go back?

More from Hawaii

2009-07-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

Tanner while in Poipu found this "Chief's necklace" on the beach. We tied it on for him and made him the boss for the rest of the day. He got to choose where we ate and weather we stayed at the beach or went back to the pool. He loved it.

My skinny kid! You can see his ribs in this picture!

Jenessa, Madisen, Justin and Tanner in the pool at our condo Kauai!!

Tanner and Madisen in the ocean. Thanks heavens someone was thinking and brought lots of floaties so that my kids didn't drown. The current was so strong and after a few hours Madisen was being flipped and tossed around even in the floatie. That was when we were able to plead our case to Chief Tanner and beg to go back to the pool. Madisen said to him, "my belly is full of the yucky salty water and I am gonna barf on you if I get any more in my mouth."

Sunscreen, sand, the ocean, umbrellas, Red Vines, my kids laughter and Diet Coke what more could anyone need in this life. I know I have said it tons but I love watching them on the beach. So carefree, very few rules, the vast ocean that seems so huge and always makes me think about what is really important in life. High tides, low tides, just like life and all the beauty, wonder and adventure in between!

The first couple of days in PARADISE!

2009-07-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

First day in Hawaii after a long day on an airplane. We were so excited to be near the beach and eat some good food. Next we headed to the pool to let the kids wear themselves out so they would go to sleep in a couple of hours!! Long day of traveling wore me out but as you can clearly see I wasn't super happy to have landed in paradise!!!

I know it's been a week since we got home and I am just getting around to telling you about our Hawaiian getaway!!! That is because I still want to be there. If my kids weren't already missing school the entire week we were gone I would have begged and pleaded and made all kinds of promises I didn't intend to keep to Justin to stay longer. We had the best time ever. The condo we stayed in, just to start, was super nice. It had stainless steal appliances, top of line washer and dryer, two ginormous bath tubs, three showers, two bedrooms, granite counter tops. It was nice. I could seriously live there the entire summer. The pool was way nice two, with two slides a kids wading pool, a "lazy river" type round about with a couple of "caves" the kids loved to hide in and three spa's.

The kids at Santa Monica Pier on Father's Day and just a few hours from flying to Hawaii!

Justin and the kids at the bar at our condo. They had the best kalua pork nachos!

The kids in the back of the Mustang Justin rented. Not very practical with all the luggage that we had but fun!!!

This is us at the first beach that we found and loved!! The kids snorkeled and played in the sand for a couple of hours before heading out to Poipu.

This our first full day on the island of Kauai. We got up and dressed for the beach, which is pretty much how we started every day. The kids got lathered in sunscreen and we were off in our Mustang Convertible to find the perfect spot to play for the day. We found a beach which was rocked off so that the kids could play in the ocean and not get knocked over by the waves. They really wanted to snorkel and this was perfect. They could touch almost the whole way out to the rock wall and there were plenty of fish to see and on the third day there was a sea turtle that must have been dumped over the wall during high tide. We stayed there for a couple of hours got some lunch and then headed out to Poipu, on the other side of the island to play with the other cousins that were there with us. We stayed there for three hours when the waves started tossing Madisen around like an rag doll and she had had enough of the salty water. We loaded our stuff up and went back to the condo to swim in the pool.

Tanner at the beach in Poipu.

That was day one. We have many more adventures to tell you about but they will have to wait until later since it is time for bed and the kids are still playing the drums behind be. When I say the kids I mean Tanner, Madisen and Justin.

Little kid bare feet

2009-07-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

I love to take pictures that much is already public knowledge. It annoys my husband and after a few shots Tanner has had it as well. Madisen could go all day if I had the time. This past few months, as I have been scanning all our past pictures I have noticed that most of my favorites have one thing in common...bare feet. So here are just a few.

Heading to L.A.

2009-07-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

This is the kids throwing darts to pop the balloons to win their "super awesome prizes" The three grown men in front of them went away empty handed and dazzled by Madisen popping two of her four balloons and Tanner coming away with three out of four popped! Yes they are that cool!!!

Me, Tanner and Madisen on the pier

Well the time had come to gather our belongings a head out to L.A. where we would spend the night in a hotel room and fly out the next day to start our 7 days in Hawaii. Sunday morning we loaded our suitcases, yes there were alot of them, into the car and we headed out tho what we thought would be four and half maybe five hours in the car if we didn't have to stop more than once. Well things didn't really work out that way. About 15 minutes from Baker, CA we parked on the highway for about an hour and a half while the California highway patrol cleaned and cleared away a car accident. My kids thought it was really cool to see a helicopter land on the street and then take off again. Needless to say the 4-5 hours turned into 7 1/2. We finally got to L.A. and got checked into the pretty scary hotel room for the night. The kids having been in the car all day were restless so we drove a few minutes to Santa Monica Pier where they kicked butt on the dart game and came home with really "super awesome" prizes. We had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen which was really good and then it was off to bed because we had one more day of traveling before we reached our final destination of Kauai, Hawaii.

ALOHA!!! (Almost)

2009-06-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

Let the countdown begin!!! That's right after about 7 months of planning we are only a few days away from a much need vacation to Hawaii!!! This time we are taking the kids and have so many fun things planned. I will post pictures when we get back and fill you all in on the details. But for now I have lots to clean and pack! (I wish you all could see me, I can't stop smiling!)

Short notice

2009-06-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow, Wednesday 17th, I am having a grocery smarts coupon class at my house at 6:30. I started using this website and system about three months ago and am surprised every time I go to the store and save as much money as I spend. Last week I went to Vons and spent $59.79 for 43 items and with a savings of $86.76. That averages out to $1.39 an item!!! Everyone is welcome and bring your friends!! If you need my address you can e-mail me and I will give you the info and directions!!!

My funny kid!

2009-05-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

Tanner is on track break this week. The other day we went shopping to get a few t-shirts and a couple pair of shorts for summer and he chose all his own clothes. It was a little scary for me to let him loose since i am a total control freak about what my kids look like in public. And Erin thanks me for this since she gets all my super awesome hand-me-downs. Anyway he came over to me in the girls department all excited and holding a pair of plaid shorts with a t-shirt that actually matched and two other t-shirts that had these two sayings on them, "Dad thinks he's in charge" and Sorry girls, Mom says no dating." How funny is that?!! Oh and the the plaid shorts and t-shirts were on the manikin.

We went to dinner the other night at Marie Calanders. When we were all finished and walking out to the car I notice Tanner had some french fries in his hand. I thought he just grabbed a few off his plate as we walked away from the table. he stuck them in his mouth and we continued walking to the car, which I had parked really far away for who knows why, and I look back behind me to checked that the kids were still close and Tanner had more french fries in his hand and is eating them. Come to find out he had put all the fries left on his plate in his pockets!!

Yesterday he was in the office and I could here him playing with a bag and couldn't remember shat I had in there is a bag but just let that go because he wasn't in my face telling me for the millionth time he was bored. a few minutes later me emerged in a toilet paper bag, the size you get from Costco. He jumped in it toward me dropped to his knees and tucked his entire body into the bag. I can't believe he can fit.

I love that kid!! He keeps me laughing all the time.

Memorial Day Monday

2009-05-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Tanner playing in the water balloon fight.

Jenessa, Mom (Lori), Cristen

My love, Tanner, and me

A few of the kids after the water balloon fight. Getting them all together proved to be too hard since we only have 6 out of 16 in this picture.

Mike at the grill. We were all starving thank goodness his hamburgers were good.

Madisen after sliding down the slip n slide would stand up and smile at the camera every time.

Memorial Day was fun. Mom and Mike decided to have a BBQ in their backyard. They bought a three lane slip n slide which was a huge hit. The kids played on that for 3 hours when it got a hole in it. Between the slip n slide and the spa the kids stayed wet and cool. Earlier in the day Mike, Mom and Hailey spent an hour filling water balloons for a water balloon that lasted about 7 minutes. Only two injuries occurred and all had a blast. At the end of the day the kids were happy and the adults were ready for some quiet time. If you want to see all the photos you can see them at our family website http://web.me.com/justind36/Site/Welcome.html

Thanks for Mom

2009-05-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

I grew up with the most amazing mother in the world. Now many of you are probably thinking that your mom was pretty great and we all feel like our own mother's are the best but mine really is the most amazing!! If there was a contest for the most awesome mom in the world mine would win hands down. I'll list just a few reason's why...

1. She survived raising 4 children on her own after a tragic car accident sent her husband and son to heaven.

2. My baby brother, who is probably mad I just called him baby, had a cyst on his brain about the size of my fist. He was diagnosed at the age 9 or 10 and had 15 surgeries over the course of 9 years on his brain. The closest doctor qualified to treat him was in Salt Lake City, we lived in Las Vegas.

3. She was always there. If we had a play, concert, ball game, whatever. She was there.

4. She worked full time and still managed to do all the mom stuff. Grocery shopping, homework, laundry on and on. And she managed all the Dad stuff too.

5. She answered any and all questions we asked her with complete honesty. Even the inappropriate ones asked in very public places. (Pea can explain that one)

6. If we needed to talk about anything we just had to go sit on her bed and wait for her there. It didn't matter what time it was or what we wanted to talk about her bed was as good as any shrinks couch. I shared a room with her for a while and on many occations was shooed out when a sibling need her.

7. She had a testimony of the gospel and shared it with us regularly.

8. Friends were always welcome. We even had a few strays stay with us. If a friend had a fight with their parents and needed cooling off she would phone the parents and tell them their child was safe and welcome to stay until morning.

9. She had wore out scriptures. And has since bought new ones. The worn ones are in my sons room. I catch him reading them on almost a daily basis.

10. She helps me remember my Dad and older brother who are now my special angels. At only five years old when they died I have very few memories of them but she helps to keep them fresh and shares new stories with me whenever she thinks I need one.

I am happy! For real HAPPY! Life isn't always peaches and cream but because of her example I push through the hard days and bask in the glory of the great days. This weekend has been great. The kids are getting along, the house got clean, we have great friends and family. This week end is always hard for me. It surprises me every year how hard it is still. It will be 24 years since we got that terrible knock at the door telling us that there had been an accident. My heart still feels heavy thinking about that day. How weird it was to have everyone around the house crying. Strangers coming and going. Feeling very small and somewhat lost without Michael their to help me understand what was happening. But that day also changed my relationship with my mom. We were a team now. All we had was each other. That was the gift that the Lord left the day he called Dad and Michael home. So I guess all I want to really say is thank you Mom for teaching me all I need to know to be half the mom you are. Be grateful for you blessings and count them everyday. Even if it is just a bowl of ice cream after you put the kids to bed.

New Music

2009-05-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

So I got a call from my mom yesterday and she said, "you have to change the music on your blog." At first I thought what is wrong with the music on my blog? I choose good clean music and always have. However, it turns our that she listens to the music while at work. So, Mom, if there is something you don't like let me know and will change it for your listening pleasure!!

Easter Weekend

2009-04-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

Easter egg hunt at Aunt Crista's

Coloring eggs

That Easter Bunny must be pretty tall to hide all these eggs up high

In their Sunday best they look like little angels

I don't know what happened with the weird circle of light around Tanner's head. I will have to redo his pictures next Sunday and pretend they are from Easter.

Of course she is striking a pose. Madisen becomes such a ham as soon as the camera is on her!

Well as with every holiday we were busy this weekend. Saturday we went to our ward breakfast at 8am. I now most of you are thinking 'wow 8am for the ward breakfast. I am surprised you even went.' To be completely honest I am way to antisocial to go at all no matter what the time but being in the primary presidency and helping organize the Easter egg hunt for our quarterly activity obligated me to attend. The kids had a blast making their little bags and socializing with their classmates outside of sharing/singing time.

Next on the list was to get the rest of what we need to make spinach dip and cook the ham to take to the family Easter dinner. We went to Crista's house where we ate delicious food and the kids played outside for hours and had another egg hunt.

We came home and it was time to color our eggs for the Easter bunny to hide. Tanner had a Star Wars Clone Wars kit while Madisen got the glitter kit. They were so fun this year. We didn't need to help them every step of the way but instead got to sit back and let them do their thing. Tanner had an egg that looked like plant earth and Madisen was thrilled with the glitter.

Finally it was time for bed considering I had been going at full speed since 5:45 in the morning.

Sunday morning brought Tanner into our room at 6am and i was able to convince him to let Madisen sleep until 7am so that she wouldn't be too grumpy the rest of the day. He woke her the second the clock changed to 7 and we went down stairs to see if the Easter bunny had come. They hunted for eggs and sorted through their baskets discovering the "potty putty", Nintendo DS games and sour watermelon candies. We ate pancakes for breakfast and got ready for church. Primary was great! My kids came home so excited to teach me about the resurrection and how much Jesus loves us. Madisen told me the Easter story using the handout she made in class and Tanner was very touched by the movie we watched in sharing time. That afternoon we went to my Mom's for dinner with Cristen and Bobby and their boys where, yep you guessed it, they had another Easter egg hunt. This one I think was their favorite because all their eggs were filled with money!

Terezin- day three in Prague

2009-04-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

I haven't yet talked about day three in Prague because it was a very emotional and hard day. We took a bus about a hour to the town of Terezin known also as the Jewish Ghetto. The fortress, built in the 1780's was designed to protect the access routes used by enemy troop to penetrate into Bohemia's hinterland during the Prussian-Austrian wars in the 18th century. In the early 19th century it's Small Fortress served as a prison not only for army offenders but also for political prisoners of the Habsburg monarchy.

Terezin earned it's worldwide notoriety in recent times when the Czech lands were occupied by Nazi Germany. The fortress was at that time set up as a huge place for persecution of the Jews. The Prague Gestapo Police Prison was set up in the Small Fortress and the Main Fortress the town of Terezin it's self became a Ghetto, a concentration camp for Jews. This was originally intended to be a transit camp for Jews but became like all other camps an execution spot. The town and it's original population were forced out as Nazi Germany took of the entire town. The Nazi's used Terezin in a propaganda campaign and showed Terezin as a "self -administered Jewish settlement territory" Some 14,000 men, women and children from Czech lands, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Slovakia and Hungary were deported to Terezin. In the final days of the war another 15,000 prisoners, mostly seriously ill or on the verge of total exhaustion arrived in Terezin from the concentration camps in Poland and Germany that had been vacated before the advancing front could save them. Some were already dead and the mass majority of them were executed shortly after arriving there, either at Terezin or after being shipped again to other camps near by.

Terezin was not only a place of untold hardship and suffering but also a witness of enormous courage, devotion and never-ending struggle to save those doomed as victims of the Nazi genocide. Less than 4,000 of the 87,000 inmates who left the camp in "Eastern" transports survived. The victims also included children who left behind drawing that have since epitomized to the whole world the heinous nature of the "final solution", constituting a lasting memento to the post war generations.

This is a summary of the pamphlet from the Terezin Memorial.

As we walked from the bus to the fortress, or concentration camp, we first came to this massive burial site. More that 10,000 people are buried here. Their bodies were transported here from other mass graves around Terezin and given the proper ceremony and burial they deserved.

This is a "cell" that would hold up to around 30 people at one time. This is a picture of the entire room. It was bitter cold in the winters and blister hot in the summers. They had no heaters in these rooms, although we did see a few in bigger rooms. But even then it was a single, tiny wood burning heater for a 100ft by 100ft room. After leaving here I don't think I complained once more about being cold.
Here they would stuff as many Jews as would fit in this room. They would sleep on all four levels of this bunk bed. About 6-7 deep and lying head to toe. These "beds" lined all three walls with a single "bathroom" and a single tiny heater. A few of the rooms had table lined up down the middle of the room.
The white structure above the doorway is the guard tower. On the right side of the courtyard are the small cells that are pictured above that held about 30 people and on the left are the solitary cells. The solitary cells had no windows and no toilet.
This is the execution courtyard. After being led down a long tunnel they would end up here where they would line them up on the wooded platform and shoot them. They would then take them to the crematorium in mass numbers, assign them a number and one by one cremate them. The only good thing I can say is that they did put their remains in a urn which you can find at the memorial sights throughout the city and even at the fortress itself.
Here we are in the tunnel that led to the execution sight.
This was the "hospital." In the final days of the war a typhoid epidemic broke out which led to the death of many of the inmates who hadn't been shipped off to Auschwitz or other near by camps.
Here is where the Jews were told to hang their clothes for sterilization. Needless to say they never got them back. They were given a prison uniform at that time.
These are the train tracks the prisoners were forced to build. They lead to Auschwitz.

Being there made me so grateful that I live in a free country and get to worship who, what and when I please. From the moment I stepped off the bus there was a feeling of reverence in Terezin. I was walking on what is now sacred ground for those who had loved ones who were murdered at the hands of the Nazi's. I count my blessings everyday that I have a testimony of the gospel. I would hate to be standing in front of God and Jesus Christ having done what was done to hundreds of thousands of His children. Of everything we saw and did on this trip this day will stay with me forever!

Madisen cracks me up!

2009-03-25T12:28:00.001-07:00

Lately Madisen has been talking more than usual which means that she basically never stops talking. She jumps from one thought to the other with no connection between the last and current thought. This makes for very interesting conversation especially when I am not completely listening to her. Here are a few things she has said lately...

I got pulled over for speeding the other day while coming home from soccer and while we were waiting for the officer to write up the ticket she was silent. WEIRD! I looked at her in the rearview and saw tears running down her cheeks. I turned around and asked why she was crying and she said, "i don't know how to drive a car and i don't even know the way to our home, so with you going to jail how do I get home? Do I just have to stay in the car?"

This one came out while driving in the car so I wasn't really listening to what she was saying before this comment but I do know it had nothing to do with our country or politics at all.

Madi-"Mom. that Obama dude who is like the president. Well he has a black face."

Mom-"Yep he does. Tanner turn around in your seat!"

Madi- "Hum...well Miss Lydia and Miss Evelyn have brown faces"

Mom- "Tanner if I tell you again how to sit in the car I swear... that's right Madisen. "

Madi-"Mom Tanner is turned around in his seat and is putting his cream face in my cream face."

Mom-"Tanner!!!..."

Tanner-"I know your swear.. whatever that means."

Laughter erupts from both the kids

Kids say the funniest things!!

It's that time again!

2009-03-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

SPORTS!!! The kids started playing again a couple of weeks ago, but this time Tanner has chosen to play Little League instead of soccer. He is a rookie this year and is playing on the Red Socks team.

So I am learning a whole new set of rules and cheering to "keep your eye on the ball" instead of "get that ball." At least on Thursday nights. He is catching on faster than he ever did in soccer and he loves it. He is on a team with a couple of boys from our ward which is good. He is so hard on himself if he strikes out. He hangs his head and comes into the dugout disappointed but his team mates a very supportive as well as his coaches. We will just work harder and he will get better with every game.

Come Saturday morning it is off to the soccer field with Madisen who again this season is a super star on the field. She is a natural. Last week she was about 5 feet from the goal, dribbled with her right foot and slammed it into the goal with her left foot. She was so excited and her coach about fell over that she scored using her left foot from that far away. She is playing with a friend from our ward too named Brinley and I love that. They will hopefully be great friends forever if we as their parents have anything to do with it.

Madisen our little "RUFF RYDER"

They are so fun to watch. It is the greatest thing for a parent to see their kids develop self confidence and make great friends who share the same beliefs and morals that we work so hard to teach them. I love having a few families with kids our kids age who we can socialize with and know that the conversation and activities will be some that we would approve of.

Day 2- Sightseeing in Prague

2009-03-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

Jenessa, Leslie, Briton and Melinda in the hotel getting ready to leave for the day

The Municipal Building

Justin

The Powder Tower

Joe and Leslie

Jenessa, Joe, Leslie, Melinda and Briton. Joe says that the way they knew we were Americans is because every time you us we were standing in the middle of the walk way blocking the sidewalks with ourselves and umbrellas.

Jenessa, Leslie, Briton and Melinda at Charles Bridge with Prague Castle in the back round

Justin and Joe wanted to film a scavenger hunt of unusual things we stumbled across and it started day one while we were walking to find something to eat and saw two guys shooting up crack on the steps of a building in the middle of a busy sidewalk. As to not be too obvious they were filming them Justin turned the camera on Joe and Joe began to talk like a news reporter doing a story. So the rest of the trip they started and end the day with a "take" and added things that were interesting throughout the rest of the day. Justin's video is actually very good and will be on our website soon. I will post the website address when I get it posted.

Well here we are day two in the Czech Republic. We stayed in Prague to see the sights there and had a blast. We all woke up late so we got started about 11am. We visited the Municipal Building, The Powder Tower and did a little shopping in an open market in Old Town(i think).

The Municipal Building is where they use to hold meeting and court but has since been turned into a museum. When it was being renovated the government wanted the old columns which were damaged during their civil war replaced and the people objected. So if you look closely you can see white dings in all the columns which show where they were hit by bullets or canons.

The Powder Tower was used for years as the place where they loaded bullets and canons with gun powder thus earning it the name the Powder Tower.

Also we stumbled into Charles Bridge that night and took a few pictures of Prague Castle despite the rain that was drizzling on us. Joe and Justin wrapped up taping the closing broadcast for the days events and we walked back to the hotel and played Jungle Speed until we were delirious with exhaustion and I was getting slap happy. I was laughing so hard at nothing by myself and missed my sisters. They would have laughed with me at nothing!!!

Prague-Day One

2009-03-07T16:45:00.001-08:00

Justin and I getting ready to ride the subway for the first time as we head to the train for

Kutna Hora.

The family crest made of actually bones.

Justin in the Church of Bones.

Stained glass in the St. Barbara's Cathedral in Kutna Hora.

Joe and I on the bus in Kutna Hora. I am smiling but behind the smile is pain from being sooooo cold! That day I had on thermals, socks up to my knees, a scarf, hat, gloves and hand warmers in my gloves as well as in my pockets and was still shivering all day long. But I pushed through and was very grateful that it warmed up a few degrees the next few days we were there.

I decided that since we had six full days in Prague that I would blog about each day individually so that I could add the pictures that I wanted to as well as being able to remember what exactly we did and saw each day.

The first full day we had there we took a train about an hour out of town to Kutne Horna. While there I experienced many firsts. As I mentioned above we took the train which I had never done. Finding the train station we thought would have been very simple which it was. The tricky part was finding the place to buy our tickets as well as finding the correct platform that we would need to be at to get on the right train. We found it in the nick of time boarded and headed out to visit the Church of Bones and St. Barbara's Cathedral.

The Church of Bones is exactly that, a small church which houses actual bones which make up the chandelier, a family crest, and basically every thing in there you see. The bones had been dug up from near by graves, cleaned and sterilized and finally used to decorate with. Sounds creepy? Well it sort of was.

At St. Barbara's Cathedral was beautiful. The stained glass and old wood pews are beyond description. The pictures don't do them any justice. I tried so hard to get them as true to what the eye was seeing but failed miserably.

We had some really great food while in Kutna Hora too. This was the first meal we ate that I thought "oh I won't actually starve in this country." We rode a train, walked for miles, saw some great and interesting sights, ate good food and returned to Prague on day one.

13 days and counting...

2009-02-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Well after almost a year of anticipation the count down has begun for our trip to Prague. I am so excited! we leave Feb 25th and come home Mar. 5th. Yes folks that is eight days. Well technically we are flying for two days but still six days! It's gonna be awesome. We plan on visiting Prague Castle, the Jewish Cemetery and this little no name pastry place we saw on the travel channel. Hopefully we will be able to go to Austria and see the concentration camps and maybe Paris to see all that wonderful city has to offer. I plan on not sleeping much and freezing my buns off and having the time of my life!! Did I mention it is 8 days with just me an Justin? YEAH!!!

Madisen's weekend with Grandma

2009-02-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

This is Madisen with her "faith box"

Getting her nails done.

Madisen at Aunt Nancy's with her new puppies.

Madisen at Grandma and Grandpa's house. She is teaching Grandpa how to play Nintendo Dogs

In October Tanner went to Disneyland with Grandma DeMille and Madisen stayed home. This weekend it was Madisen's turn to have a weekend alone with Grandma. I picked her up from school early and took her over to Grandma's house to go to Utah. They were going to visit Grandma and Grandpa Latimer. She was so excited! While there she got her nails done, visited Aunt Nancy and got all the attention she could get from all her Grandparents.

On the last night they were their they couldn't find Grandma Latimer's ring. Madisen said a prayer to find it and promised that if Jesus would help them to find the ring she would sing some church songs. A few minutes later Grandma Latimer thought she should check the binder one more time and there they were. Madisen was so excited and said "Grandma I felt the Holy Spirit" and she started to cry. Grandma Latimer gave her the little pink box she kept her rings in and told her that inside that box was faith. You can't see it but it is their as long as you want it in your life. She has been talking about it over and over since she got home. She has even teared up again a few times. I am so happy that the kids have learned some very important lessons early in their lives. I hope as their mother I am able to help them remember the feelings they have had and help them strengthen their testimonies throughout their lives.

Eternity

2009-02-06T18:09:00.000-08:00

Eternity is such a giant concept for most of us to really comprehend. I was reading some other blogs today as well as an entry on our family website that has me thinking. I have been thinking about heaven. My thoughts use to be of white fluffy clouds, and sunshine all the time. But then came that day 25 years ago that changed heaven from some place abstract to some place very real. It became a place I HAVE to go and not just a place that would be nice to go to someday when I die. I now had two of the most important people in my life there. And Michael was only seven when he died so he will be in the Celestial Kingdom because he didn't reach the age of accountability. Growing up I put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect in every way. Knowing that if I wasn't I wouldn't be with Michael and Dad forever. Almost to the point of driving myself crazy. Let's face it this is an impossible task without an understanding of the Atonement. Once I learned and gained a testimony about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and what it means in my life things got easier. I am not alone in this quest for perfection and whenever I screw up He is there to pick up the pieces and set me straight again. I write this because people we love die everyday whether we have known it was coming or it is sudden, tragic accident. I won't know why Dad and Michael were taken back to heaven when they were until I am able to see the work they are doing in heaven. In the mean time I can pray for comfort to know that this was God's will. He needed them in heaven more than I needed them here on earth. At times when I get mad, and I still do get mad, or I miss them, I pray again for the comfort I have felt many, many times and put my trust back in Christ's loving hands.

Today I am thankful for my family. For a mom who continued to take us to church, made me go to seminary and got up early to drive me there, worked hard, and prayed harder. She is the most incredible person in my world and there is a special place in heaven waiting for her!!! I have the two most amazing kids. They teach me everyday not to sweat the small stuff. And words cannot describe my wonderful husband. He looks at me crazy when I cry for no reason and holds me until I am done. He works so hard so that I don't have to. He is my rock here on earth and I am lucky to have him with me for eternity.

FIve years ago...

2009-01-31T19:21:00.000-08:00

She didn't have a name for the first few hours since I was sick from the c-section. Finally my mom comes over and says she needs a name. We had two picked out Kena and Madisen. I told my mom I didn't care and to just pick one, all the while hoping not to barf in my hair from speaking. She said "I don't really like Kena so I choose Madisen" All I could say was fine.

This is Madisen at 8 weeks old.

Six months old

18 months old with an attitude!

I couldn't post about Madisen without including Piggy! This was the day Piggy and Madisen met and became best friends. Look how pink she use to be!

This was the first time Madisen split her head open and got stitches. This time she got 18 the second time it was only 5.

Dang she is cute!

I took these this afternoon before we went to her birthday party. I can't believe it she is a little girl not my baby anymore. And she is gorgeous!!!

Five years ago the nation settled down on their sofas and turned on the Super Bowl. Just another afternoon of friends, family, food and football...well for most. I don't know who was playong or who won just that Janet Jackson had a "wardrobe malfunction." While most of you were watching the game we were welcoming a new little angel into our family. Madisen Jeanne was born February 1, 2001. She weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces and was 18 inches long. And she came with a very strong lungs. When Tanner was born he didn't make a peep. I thought something was wrong with him. But no he was just a quiet kid. Madisen she was a whole different case. I knew that she was just fine from the screaming that started before they had her all the way out.

Words could never begin to tell what a blessing she in to our family. When she was eight days old she got a really high fever. I took her to the doctor and he immediately sent us to the emergency room. They took a blood sample, urine sample and did a spinal tap on her to find out what was wrong. She had a UTI and was in the hospital for 48 hours on antibiotics. That was so scary. Then at about 6 months old she got another fever that we couldn't get down. It was so bad and so high that she started to have seizures. We called for Cristen to come and watch Tanner and headed over to the ER. On the way their she got better so we took her back home and watched her all night until we could take her to the doctor and have her checked out the next morning. Again she had a UTI. This happened about every 6 months until she was three. She has had stitches in her forehead twice. Thank you Dr. Ripplinger for the very small scars. She runs into walls and trips over nothing all to jump up and yell "I'm ok." and keep right on going. She loves to take care of her dolls. And to take care of anyone smaller than her. She is very nurturing. She says the funniest things and has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger. She is our sweet angel and love having here in our family.

Though the years Madisen has brought joy to our home. She is always smiling and laughing. She loves her brother more than anything else in the world. Above I have posted a few pictures of her that I have taken and love. Some of them have a story to go with them and others don't. I guess I just wanted to say Happy Birthday my sweet girl! I can't believe my baby is 5.

Toot my own horn! And get motivated again.

2009-01-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken last March and I hate it. This is the first time anyone has seen it.

This is my before picture

I can't remember ever taking a picture in my swimsuit that I didn't delete from my camera!

I do have to say my arms look great!

As most of you know I have been working really hard to loose wight and eat healthy so that I don't get all the diseses that go along with being over weight. This really started when I was filling out paper work at the doctor for Madisen and realized how many things I had to check off that her relatives have. Things like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer! SCARY!! I decide that if I don't set the example and instill in my kids a love of exercising an eating healthy they could end up battling their weight along with all the things listed above. So here what I am doing.

I guess first I will spill my guts an tell you what I weighed when I started back in August....178 pounds. Now for some people this is nothing but being that I am all of about 5' 2" this is alot of extra fat on my body. My goal is to get down to a size 6 or 125 pounds. I have been doing Jazzercise since August and I LOVE IT! It is my new drug. I need my fix every week. I started out going two days a week and love it so much that I am also taking the night class two days a week. If you are looking for something you can do and love this is my recommendation. I pay for it up front so that I feel like even if I am tired one day if I don't go I have just wasted that money. Most of our rec centers in Henderson have classes and though the other instructors are good we definently have the best one at Black Mountain. I am down to 135 pounds and have not been eating what I should through the holidays. But with working out I have been able to eat whatever and maintain my weight loss just by continuing to exercise.

So that is my plug to find a Jazzercise class and fall in love with it!

Routine

2009-01-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

Ice staking for the first time. We should do that again it was way fun!

I am so happy my kids love each other.

Their is nothing better in the world than that face. He lights up my world!

What lucky kids to have come to the best grandma in all the world or eternity.

I remember posting something about Madisen falling asleep in strange places. Here she is sleeping across the barstools in the kitchen.

He is such a goofball! Last summer the kids came down stairs and had switched clothes. It was hilarious!

We love to visit Aunt Erin she has the best park right near her house that we went to two years ago when we visited. My kids still talk about it.

Who is that fatty on the right? Oh wait that is me 40 pounds ago!!!

SUPER CUTE KIDS!!!

Justin and Tanner love to go to baseball games! They are trying to go to every baseball field by the time Tanner turns twelve.

Life has been so normal lately. The kids go to school. Justin goes to work. I go to Jazzercise and run errands. Pretty boring. But I find comfort in boring and routine. I like to have lists and rules and a plan so boring is good. I have posted some of my favorite pictures form over the past few years since blogging in still new for me. Hope you like them even though they are mostly for Erin. We love ya and miss you in our boring everyday life.