......LIFE AS WE KNOW IT.....

Through the eyes of my Trenton

2008-11-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

So our conversation went like this: This was the day before the election

Trent: Mom, who do you think will get President?

Me: Well son, I'm not sure but I can tell you who I HOPE it will be.

Trent: Well, I know who I DON'T want it to be.....

Me: Who son?

Trent: The (me just cringing as to what will come next) one with the black hair.

How grateful I am for a son who does not classify people by the color of their skin. I would like to think that I do not either, but the world seen through the eyes of child really does bring it into perspective. He is so thoughtful and caring and always worried about others. He truly is a blessing to me.

I caaaaaaaaaan't wait!!

2008-11-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning mom and I are taking all 5 kids (had to bribe Tyson with lunch and new coat LOL) to Disney on Ice....I've never been to something like this before and I think the kids are going to love it! Yay :)

.....CHANGE......

2008-11-04T21:42:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure what to say here. In the light of trying to remain politically correct I probably shouldn't say a word. I do; however, think that it is pretty cool to be witness to the first PARTIAL African American president elected, but isn't he half Caucasian as well????? Anyway, any election of a President is history and I'm proud to be an American where we are blessed with the right to choose. It doesn't seem like anyone listened to my choice though. LOL

PLEASE SAVE MY SANITY!!

2008-11-02T21:25:00.000-08:00

Where oh where can you find good blogging templates? I've been searching and searching....nothing...any suggestions? Please? If I have to look at this purpley purple any more, I'll scream!!!

Happy Halloweeeeeeennnnn

2008-11-02T20:11:00.001-08:00

Well Halloween was fairly short-lived at our house this year. While it was fun, it was just so rushed. The kids hardly got any candy (oh bummer :)) and it seemed like they were only mildly amused. Vale had their last game the same night and I think that had a little something to do with it. As a matter of fact, the more I sit here thinking about it, I'm feeling really bad. I probably should have taken them to a few homes after we did the trunk or treat.....after all, it wasn't cold!!! Can you believe it? I mean, in years past we were always trying to find ways of putting every last layer of clothes we could under the costumes, and this year we didn't even need coats! So that was a blessing for sure.

We did, however, have a great time carving pumpkins and baking Halloween sugar cookies...NONE of this I have picture proof of though :( See, I've been out of blogging for too long.

Here are a few pictures

......where to begin

2008-10-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Where do I start!!! ACK! You've missed out on so much and I'm not sure how to compile it all together :D I'm thinking that I will have to sit down and just make a mass picture post of the last 6 months or so.

Okay so really quick update:

Nate....same stuff different day....seriously LOL....although we are preparing for a little something in November but I'm sure he would kill me if I put it on here....hmmmm just think Edward scissors hands and frozen peas LOL

Angie....Well I'm making progress with my bucket list LOL Did I mention I made one? I'll have to put it on here before too long. A few of the things on the list: To play guitar and piano and to run a marathon....I've decided that there is no time like the present and I'm teaching myself guitar...I've learned a whole 5 chords LOL I may make a video of my pathetic self when I've mastered them :) The marathon....well it's no marathon but I'm up to 3.1 miles...so my first 5k. One step at a time huh? I'm also loving clogging this year.

Tyson: Tyson Less is doing fabulous. He got on honorable mention this 9 weeks and is working on Honor roll for next 9 weeks, just finished football, and waiting on basketball.

Jake: Jake is in chess club this year along with scouts. He's doing wonderful in school and can spell like nobody's business. He's grown so dang tall that I can hardly keep him in his pants.

Trent: Trenty is doing another year of clogging, loving kindergarten, and just got a citizenship award today for his class.

Eli: Well Eli is just a bundle of energy everywhere he goes. I LOVE this age. He can do anything his brothers do if you ask him.

Sophie: Ha, well Soph is just like the boys. Who said boys and girls were different? She is exactly like the boys and she has them wrapped around her finger. She does wear the pants in the family.

Okay all for now and I'll be trying to figure out how to catch this poor blog up.

I'm back :)

2008-10-23T18:01:00.001-07:00

More to come!!!

Clogging 2008

2008-05-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

The boys performed for their spring clogging to the music of the 60's and a theme of "grease." They were the t-birds complete with leather jackets, and I can't even tell you how stink'n cute they were!! They even had "greased lightening" on stage :)

Trent graduates from Preschool!!!!

2008-05-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

I will officially have three of my five children in school this fall full-time. It makes me so sad that kidnergarten is full time :( I just think we're pushing these sweet little babies to grow up way to fast...but that's a whole other post LOL...Trenton graduated from Preschool last week. He was so excited and they had a great time. They all met out at Rachel's house and Cresta (Mrs. Kelso) had some great little areas all set up just for the kids. The wind was blowing like crazy, but the kids had a blast, a perfect way to end the year!!

Soph is 9 months old!!!

2008-05-15T11:51:00.001-07:00

My baby!!! Oh my gosh, she's growing in leaps and bounds now. She's still army crawling everywhere, she just doesn't want to get up on her hands and knees. She pulls herself up to everything, stands for very short periods of time with no help, says "momma" and "bubba" and is just a joy. She has such a sweet little spirit. Last time I took her to the Dr.'s she was 18lbs 8oz...I'll take her next week and edit her length and weight, but last time we took her in she was in the 90th percentile for her height...maybe she'll be tall :) She eats everything we do basically and is refusing to take her pacifier...I guess that's not a bad thing....she has two bottom teeth and one that just broke through on the top.

Jake's baptism....

2008-05-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

What a special day for our family!! On May 3rd Jake got baptized by Daddy and then afterwards we went out to eat at Winger's....

Jake filled out a "Baptism Spotlight"...it reads like this:

My family: Nate, Angie, Tyson,Jake,Trent, Eli, and Sophie
My favorite food: Candy
MY favorite color: Blue and pink.
My favorite TV show: Zac and Cody
My favorite thing to do on a sunny day: Watch t.v (He is his father's son LOL)
My least favorite thing to do: Play football (gasp)
My favorite primary song: I am a child of God.
When I grow up I want to be: A baseball player.
Something special about me: Loves to tease.

After everything was all done, Trent came up to him and said "JAKE, I can't WAIT to be baptized, you did AWESOME in that water" LOL...I think he was more excited than
Jake was! LOL

The Wedding

2008-05-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

And the wedding.....

Just a little background on "flat Justin" everyone was able to make the trip, but poor Justin. He is in Alaska, and just couldn't get away...SOOOOO we decided to make a "flat Justin" LOL...it was rather funny....he bbq'ed, saved seats at the wedding, jumped on the exercise bike, and even took some great pictures with his brother LOL

Sophie's first plane ride, first wedding, and get's to meet her name sake for the first time

2008-05-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

We've been busy!! The last weekend in April was full of first's for Soph....we went down to Southern California for my Gram's wedding and it was beautiful!! Everything was perfect...from the weather, the wedding, being around family...awe man, I wish I could go back...I miss my family so much. Aunt Toni taught us how to do the flower arrangements and they turned out pretty awesome if I do say so myself. I wish so bad I would have gotten a picture of all the boutineers and head dresses for the flower girls...Uncle Mac cooked up an amazing Tri-tip and Gram just looked breath taking...Anyway, Sophie was an angel and enjoyed meeting her family for the first time. I can't wait to go back next year! Nate and the boy's stayed home, so it was a nice get-a-way for Sophie and I.

I'll do two slide shows...this one is the whole trip, the next one will be the rehersal and the wedding....

Easter 2008

2008-04-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun Easter! Jake got to go with Grandma Nancy to Redmond, but the rest of us stayed home to color eggs and wait for the Easter bunny!

The Easter bunny brought me WHAT?!!!

All ready for Church Easter morning....

I missed 7 months!!

2008-04-11T20:51:00.001-07:00

How could I have missed 7 months?!!!! Soph started army crawling like crazy and is into everything!!! She's eating quite a bit of baby food now and is just a little love.

Just for Aunt Deanna....Sophie Jean Jean at 8 mths

2008-04-11T20:46:00.001-07:00

Sophie Jean Jean is 8 months old tomorrow!! As I type she is pulling herself up to the couch! She's getting soooo big!!

R.S.V :(

2008-03-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the day I took Soph to see the Dr. for her "well-baby" check-up she was healthy...as in NOT sick! There was a little boy in the waiting room that was coughing and looked terrible. As a matter of fact, I almost scooped him up and took him to the hospital....I could see the germs flying through the air and landing on Sophie..ugh...I can be a germaphob, so it totally made me gag, not to mention the lady right beside me proudly telling her friend how her little boy (who she let play with the toys...who does this?) had a spiking fever, vomiting, and diarrhea! Oh, I just about got up and left with that story LOL...anyway, a few days later Sophie turned up sick, and I mean sick. Fever, terrible cough, yucky nose, unable to sleep or eat because it was so bad...anyway, long story short.....I took her in for what I thought was an ear infection only to be told that they admit her to the hospital for RSV http://children.webmd.com/tc/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-infection-topic-overview because her oxygen was down to 92/93 and that her lungs sounded terrible...*insert crying emoticon here* I felt sooooo bad. ANyway, she got a breathing treatment, a shot of Rocephine (thick peanut butter shot..soooo thick and hurts like heck!) and I was told to bring her back the next day...we did and repeated the whole thing again. We did it again the next day as well and she looked like she was on the mend. Well, four days later we landed right back in the office with a terrible ear infection that didn't get cleared up the first time...poor Soph!! So she is now on another antibiotic and finally feeling a little better. The pediatrician told me to try to keep her from catching another cold this season...so we have become total homebodies...only going out if we have to....hence the reason I am not at church today...anyway...here is a picture of the poor baby being sick...(What kind of mom takes pictures of her kids while they're sick?)

OH MY FACE!

2008-03-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

Poor Eli was sliding down the slide that his brothers had jimmyed against the trampoline and fell off...his face was so scratched up. Later that day he woke up from his nap crying that his ear hurt, so Nate took him to the Dr. and he had an ear infection :( Gosh, when it rains it poors.

I know the picture is sideways, but I thought it was the best way to really see the abrasion LOL

WOW SOPHIE TURNED 6 MONTHS

2008-03-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

A month ago on the 12th! I'm a little behind the times!!
She went for her check-up and is 17lbs 6oz and 29inch long...very healthy and happy! A half a year old baby girl :)

100 things about me

2008-02-09T12:19:00.000-08:00

Okay Mar, I totally took this from ya, but I really wondered if I could come up with 100 things about myself :)

1. I was named after my grandma Jean.
2. I have one younger brother.
3. I wanted more siblings.
4. I have two children that were born with a clubbed right foot.
5. I love earthtone colors.
6. I love the ocean, but am afraid to go in it anymore
7. I overanalyze and overthink most things in my life.
8. My dad died when I was 16 from cancer.
9. I have irrational fears, one of which is dying in a car accident.
10. I love to dress my children in expensive clothing.
11. I love shopping for the best deal, this is like a high for me, which is why I can do #10.
12. My Grandma Esther calls me "baby" and I love it.
13. I am 1/4 Mexican.
14. I love to laugh.
15. I once laughed so hard I peed my pants :)
16. I am probably too hard on the one's I love the most.
17. I have a problem with telling people no.
18. I hate being too hot.
19. I am a Grandma's girl.
20. I had an awesome childhood despite my dad having cancer.
21. I have not been happy with myself in 12 years.
22. My dad and mom's family have an intense love for me and I know it....I feel completely loved by them.
23. I have a nervous laughter which causes me to laugh at inappropriate times and places.
24. I bite my nails.
25. I love to exercise, but don't do it enough.
26. I do not have a pet.
27. I love to cook.
28. I have decided not to have anymore children :(
29. I care way too much what others think of me.
30. I worry over everything.
31. I love going on drives with my family.
32. I can't stand to have my nails painted, I think I do, but as soon as I paint them, I peel it off.
33. I have ocd in that I count my teeth, beats to music, how many steps I take, and when someone talks, sometimes I see the letters on a keyboard and imagine how I would type it. This isn't something I do everytime, but I catch myself doing it nonetheless.
34. I hate math.
35. I know how to play the saxophone.
36. I want to learn how to play the piano and the guitar.
37. I hate hate hate the wind.
38. I never finished college and I wished I would have.
39. I got married at 18, which is probably why I never did #38.
40. I am a certified dental assistant, but decided to be a stay at home mom after Jake was born.
41. I love the medical field.
42. I would love to be an OB nurse.
43. I am almost a certified Medical Transcriptionist, I've been typing for 2 years and I love it so far.
43. I love teeth and it's the first thing I notice about people.
44. I didn't have a cavity until I was 23 years old.
45. I like to be right.
46. I can be selfish sometimes.
47. I love to read.
48. It's hard for me to say I'm sorry, except to people that I don't know, then I appologize for things that are not my fault.
49. I have a real interest in "old" things...houses, recipes, people etc. If I could just have my Grandma back for a minute to pick her brain...
50. I've made huge, life changing, mistakes.
51. I have a hard time forgiving myself (see #50, and #21)
52. I love the internet and probably spend way too much time on it.
53. I've never had a ticket.
54. Sometimes I wonder what it is I'm supposed to become, what I am supposed to be doing, and if I will just "know" when I get there.
55. I am a perfectionist in that if I can't get it done "right" I won't even start.
56. I like hair products.
57. I hate my hands.
58. I need to be more positive LOL
59. I have a terrible memory.
60. I am learning to clog.
61. My favorite season is the Fall.
62. I love going out to eat.
63. I love photography, even though I am such a novice.
64. I love old country songs (Willie and Merle are the top of the list)
65. I do not know how to make bread, although I've tried for years to learn.
66. I have a hard time telling me how I feel.
67. I'm a people-pleaser.
68. I loved being pregnant...I mean really loved it.
69. I like my eyebrows.
70. I like to hear gossip.
71. I love the smell of wet dirt...I want to eat it (now how random is that?)
72. I love fruit and most vegetables.
73. I hate to grate cheese.
74. I love puzzles and word games.
75. I get side-tracked way too easy.
76. I love grocery shopping.
77. I love hot baths, but don't like bubbles really.
78. Christmas is my favorite holiday.
79. I struggle with making new friends, which floors me, because I've never had this problem before becoming an "adult".
80. I like reading or hearing about other people's lifes,accomplishments etc.
81. I broke my brother's arm when we were little.
82. I can braid my own hair.
83. I pick things up off the floor with my toes a lot (clothes, toys, whatever) and I like to see if I can pick up different things...it's like a game with me LOL
84. I love watching Grey's Anatomy.
85. I wish Sophie could have a sister.
86. I am a picker...I love to pick at zits and blackheads.
87. I had braces.
88. I don't know how to dance.
89. I know my husband loves me.
90. I could eat oreo's soaked in milk all day long and be just fine.
91. I am 5'8" and wish I were taller.
92. I love to read.
93. I make lists all day long.
94. I played with Barbies until I was in the 8th grade.
95. My dad called me "pumpkin"
96. I am a night owl, I can't get up in the morning to save my life.
97. I love cookie dough.
98. Seeing someone eat alone or at the movies alone makes me so sad.
99. Music inspires me.
100. I love my life and I'm trying to enjoy every minute.

WOW, I did it....that was hard! It only took me an hour LOL

Some Marsha, I mean Sophie "FIRST's"

2008-02-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Sophie is the Marsha Brady of the blog I think....I can hear the boys now "How come the blog is all about SOPHIE! SOPHIE SOPHIE SOPHIE.....The only thing I say is that she is totally changing by leaps and bounds...so one more Sophie post, and then I'll move on for a few days LOL

She just started eating cereal, rolling over, and playing like crazy! She's just growing like a weed...

Did someone say JUMPEROO?

2008-02-02T20:54:00.000-08:00

I know I went overboard on these pictures, but they are so funny. This is the first time she really figured out how to jump in the jumperoo. I got out the camera and just started snapping pictures. The boys and I were laughing pretty hard at them. She was having a BLAST in this thing. Our #1 toy for sure!!

D is for DIEGO

2008-02-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

Eli is CRACKING us up with his infatuation with Diego..and his scooter...he gets on his scooter and literally flies around the kitchen and dining room area..in his Diego helment and.notice his P.J's? He has two others with Diego as well....

here are some pictures of our scooter riding, Diego loving, Eli Danny....

My Great Gram.....June Rossi

2008-01-20T14:48:00.001-08:00

I love you!! I'm so thankful for this picture, because this is how I remember you. One of the things I loved most and will remember always is the way that you smelled. I'll never forget it. I loved how I could go over to your house and watch wheel of fortune with you whenever I wanted. I loved how you asked me to brush your hair. When I was little I got to measure how tall I'd gotten by the buttons on your shirt. You taught me how to crochet, you sang to me, made me laugh, played boggle with me at the Gold mine, fed me apples and cheese for snacks, let me play in your lipstick, showed me old photographs, gave me sugarless gum, took me to the Dairy Queen, took us trick or treating in deer camp, and took me "ard selling". You seemed to be always happy. When I got older, there were some things that I have to laugh at now...like you putting mayonaise in the fruit salad....now this wasn't so bad, but you kept the mayo in the cupboard...opened LOL...GRAM!! I'll never know how you did it!

Gram, I'll say it again, I love you. Thank you for setting the example to be happy, to love my husband and my family unconditionally, and the importance of vitamins *wink*

I'm truly grateful that you are with Grampa now, it was just not right that you were apart!!!

All my love,
Angie

Sophie Jean Jean bean is 5 mths old

2008-01-20T14:27:00.001-08:00

Let's see...zerbert's are her favorite thing to do now. She is still so quiet though...it takes an army to get her to laugh, but Trent has the special touch, she always laughs for him. She is just a joy!!

Here are some others to help celebrate the occasion.....

This one is from last month, but it was so sweet, I had to post it.

Did someone say SLEDDING?!!!!!

2008-01-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

Well, for the first time in years we got to sledding!! We were almost desparate enough to go up to Bogus Basin, but it decided to snow and save us a ton of time and money! Trying to find something that wasnt' already being used was kind of a problem. We did end up finding a small hill that was perfect for the kids. The only downside was that it started snowing, and with us not having a four wheeler to haul everyone back up the hill, the kids got really tired and wet really fast. But it was so much fun while it lasted. I don't think there is anything that can make you laugh like sledding..it's like terror and fun all wrapped up together LOL ..even my mom got up and went down...I don't think I have ever seen her sled before..it was hilarious!..... These are in no particular order!!

Tyson TOTALLY wiped out on the first time out....which is why Eli wouldn't budge out of the Suburban...he witnessed the wreck LOL...he scraped up his face pretty good, pulled his shoulder, and hurt his thumb.... they joys of sledding....

NEW YEAR'S DAY

2008-01-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, New year's has become one of my most FAVORITE traditions with Nate's family. Grandpa Gary makes his famous mafa chicken, rice, prawns (tempura and breaded this year), and we have potato salad, cut up veggies, raw fish (eek), dessert, and I can't remember the name of it, but that meat that you dip in hot mustard and seeds...what's the name?!!!! Let's see...you name it, it was there.........sooooooooo good. We all pitch in and get it done....so much fun I tell ya... Everyone in the county pretty much shows up now LOL....Unfortunately I only have a few very random pictures, I think I was too busy eating to take any :)

This is a little story in itself...Jake got to go home with Josh (Miko's friend) and go hunting for the day! He was absolutely beside himself! They came home just in time to eat......and Jake was toting his treasure!! It was a perfect way to start the New Year! Thanks Josh!!

Happy New Years!! 2008 HERE WE COME!

2008-01-20T12:42:00.000-08:00

Wow, okay I'm not going to say "The time is just flying by" I'm not, I swear........but seriously?!! Where is it going?! I can't believe that yet another year is gone. New Year's eve has become a "family" affair since we have so many kids that no one cares to watch them all LOL So this year we gathered at Nancy's for some really cool fireworks. Vale has started a tradition of a really cool Firework show for NYE. Since we live in Vale, we NEVER get to see fireworks so this has actually become something that we all look forward to. Jeff and Mar were able to come down with Brooks and Ali this year so we got to hang out with them too....we invited family and friends over and ate, played games and ate some more :) It was a blast and a perfect way to ring in the new year.

Some "not very good" shots of the fireworks...

The kids enjoying the fireworks...but it was SOOOOOO COLD!!!

Miko catching the show just before leaving....

Back inside enjoying the food

The kids loving getting to play with their cousins...

Trenton....happy New Year's eve my love...

Jake, being the the sweet monster...loving the caramel corn...

Soph's first New Year's eve....

Jake plays a mean game of tic-tac-toe

Ali being silly for the camera...Jake actually took this picture :)

Aunt Mar and Brooksie....

Little Jeff jr.

Another picture Jake took...Eli and Braxton are long lost buddies at Gram's house!

Eli, played hard and had a blast....

The kids winding down and watching movies...

Daddy and Sophie

Uncle Jeff and Brooks

Soph...she can't believe it's a new year either LOL

Brooks playing with Braxton

Happy Birthday to me!!

2008-01-20T12:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess I'll say it.........I'm 31. I totally remember when my mom was 31, so what does that mean?! On December 27th I turned 31 and for lunch Miko and Nancy took me out for lunch...it was so much fun hanging out with just the girls...then Nate took me and Soph out to a movie and a quick bite to eat while mom watched the boys in the evening. When I got back, mom had a great gift for me, one that I've always wanted........an accoustic guitar. No pictures, but it's beautiful. So now it's time for me to learn how to play. Nate and I really celebrated two weeks later when we took a day to hang out in Boise and eat at the Cheesecake factory...my new favorite restaurant. So I definitely had a great day!

HE CAME.....HE REALLY CAME!!

2008-01-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We LOVE Christmas time in our home. We have a tradition of one person opening a gift at a time, so everyone can see what everyone else gets and you have time to thank them etc. The boys actually do really well waiting for each other and they get soooo excited to see what everyone gets. Most of the time, the boys help each other out with opening any way :)

This Christmas the boys came out at about midnight to see what Santa had brought. We made them go back to sleep for awhile and I think they made it to about 7:30 until they came and got us........

After playing with our toys for a little while, we went over to Grandma Nancy's...

Sophie in her little "Baby's first Christmas" outfit from Grandma Nancy.....

Christmas Eve........

2008-01-20T09:44:00.000-08:00

Every year we rotate Christmas day and Christmas Eve between my family and Nate's. This year Mom and Kevin joined us here at the house for Christmas eve. We opened gifts, visited, spent time in the kitchen, and just enjoyed the holiday. It was a really fun time. We missed my brother though...he went Elk hunting that day and got one, but it took off and they had to track it until they found it. It was one of those things I guess.....but Heidi did come over and enjoy the festivities....

They boy's excited to open gifts...

It was just soooooo beautiful, I had to take a picture

Hanging out with mom in the kitchen

Enjoying the spread..........

Sophie trying to figure this all out......

Eli, needing help opening a gift

Wearing his new gift from Grandma Ruth and playing with his gift from Grandma Rossi..he's love'n life.

Oh man.........what is it Trent? Grandma got Trent a really cool gift this year.....

A GUITAR!!!

The boys sporting their new sweatshirts from Heidi's Grandma Ruth...she's such a sweetheart!

Daddy passing out the gifts

Jake with his new Spy car from Grandma and Kevin

Daddy opening up a gift from mom and Kevin

Soph got too close to the tree and was really trying to figure out what this thing was all about

Eli ready for Santa to come after a long night...

An ATTEMPT at a family photo

2008-01-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

YEAH RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT is all I can say LOL. This shot took us about 2 hours to try and get right.......

here are some of the reason's why I am NOT a photographer LOL

We decided on this one.....it was the very FIRST picture I took.......
Not the best picture ever, but better than the others.

When it was all said and done, I ended up taking them to Kiddie Kandid's and letting them wrestle them....they were ANGELS.....what is up with that?!!!

Okay......seriously..........

2008-01-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

Has it been THAT long?!! Wow, okay I'll start from where I left off.....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snoooowwww...

2007-12-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

The first snow fall of the season was on Monday morning. Later that day it warmed up and melted away, but it was fun while it lasted!!

Sophie Jean is 4 months old.......

2007-12-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

Soph turned 4 months old yesterday....I'm not sure how or why but time is flying by!! She is laughing...(although it's pretty pitiful, it sounds like she's crying)she's almost rolling over, she's reaching out and grabbing things, and did I mention that she's just so dang cute that we can't go anywhere without perfect strangers swooning over her.....here are some four month pictures......

The clogging cowboys!!

2007-12-13T07:22:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to go watch brothers perform....

Some how Trent ended up with the girls LOL

Before the show......

Jake started the performance out.....

Well, we put the boys in clogging about a month ago and let me just say....it is the best thing going around here!! The boys LOVE it! They are pretty dang good at it too. They performed last week for their end of semester recital and then others have asked them to perform as well. So today they are performing for a church party and Saturday they will perform for the Christmas Holiday Bizarre. They also performed for the school. I can't get over how much fun this is....

Christmas Parade

2007-12-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

I took the boys to the parade while Nate and Tyson were gone to the State Championship game. It was cold, but not as cold as it has been in years past. It was a lot of fun. I have to laugh at the picture of Jake and the bag of candy though. A float was going by and there was a pinata that kids and adults were trying to break on it....well the pinata broke and a bags of candy went flying! LOL...apparently someone forgot to open the bags of candy......LLLLLLLOOOOLLL.....I still crack up thinking about it. Of course the look on Jakes face when this bag of candy came flying at him was priceless. He thought that was pretty cool!

Let there be light.....

2007-12-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

Nate and the boys worked hard to put up the lights on the house. I will have to edit this post when I get a picture of them at night....they look soooo beautiful! They did such a great job....and the best part...no one fell off the roof....another successful year!!

Eli really really mad that he doesn't get to go up on the roof...sorry bud!

Good job Daddy!! I know you're cold, but it's worth it...right?!!!!!

Tyson is helping, but I'm not sure about the other two!

The Christmas tree saga......

2007-12-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we tried to go find our Christmas tree this year at the "Christmas tree farm" like we've done in years past. It's been so cold, but SSSOOOO fun that we've kind of made it a tradition...we get the tree and then get Chinese food. SOOOO we bundled up the kids, loaded them in the car and set out for our Christmas tree adventure...

Sophie bundled up for her first ever Christmas tree hunt....

We got there and MAN was it ccccccoooooooolllllllldddd........I mean down right freezing. It started sleeting, the wind was blowing....but the kids were all smiles and ready to start looking......

We looked and looked and looked. I told the kids that we get the tree that makes our heart sing LOL....So, I would find one and the boys would say..."wait...let me listen for my heart to sing", after a minute they would say "nope, my heart isn't singing" LOL....

Sophie being a good sport.....but wondering if it's worth it.....

Jake and Trent thought they would be funny...."MOM"! I hear, "we found the PERFECT tree!!" So I run over there and find this.....they think they're hilarious!!

Finding, what they thought, was the perfect tree....

It was a sad thing to think about.........BUT the only trees we liked, someone had already tagged....it had to be done. We went home without a tree that night.....

Tyson's Christmas concert.....

2007-12-10T09:13:00.001-08:00

Okay, just a warning.....such blog-worthy things are happening at lightening speeds that I'm beginning to wonder if I can get it all on here.....so things are going to be randomly thrown on here with no regard to order.....LOL

So as I was taking pictures of Tyson in his annual Christmas band concert, I had flashbacks of my own. I had such memories of trying to find my dad in the crowd, finding him, and wishing I hadn't. He would pull such faces that I was laughing so hard I couldn't play....I wished for a moment that dad could be sitting next to me pulling faces........

This year they actually had the recital at the high school instead of at the over-crowded, too hot, can't see your child so why did we come anyway, middle school...we all rejoiced until we walked in to the gym to find they had set it up the EXACT same way they had in the middle school and had not taken advantage of ANY of the space at the high school? WHAT THE HECK?!! I tried to get over it LOL

Okay two brothers waiting patiently for a seat......

Sophie wondering what in the world is going on....we stood and waited for quite some time before they got some chairs to set up in front of the bleachers (I know....I'm harboring resentment....I seriously need to get over it, but I really need to find out who in the heck set that up, so we can do it differently next time LOL)

Here they come....Tyson has played the sax for a year now and he's actually pretty dang good!!

Tyson and a couple of his buddies....

Happy Birthday Eli Danny!!

2007-12-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

I can't believe Eli's three (If you ask Eli he says..."I'm free")..........I know it's cliche', but life is happening at turbo speed. We celebrated Eli's birthday here at our house with the family. Grandma Nancy, Grandma Maureen, Uncle Whit and even cousin Waico made his way over!! We ate tacos, cake and ice cream, opened gifts, and visited. It was so nice....

Waico, Uncle Whit, and Jake.....

He wanted to open gifts first.....priorites you know ........

The offical "3rd birthday cake"....My attempt at creativity LOL...I made a chocolate cake, crushed oreos on top for "dirt" and put some cool whip for "rocks" I served it in the back of his gift from us....a big Tonka truck, it was a hit and Eli loved it.

Birthday boy get's the first bite.....

He wanted to eat with his gifts LOL.....please excuse the messy face!!

Out of all the gifts....He LOVED his Diego undies...but I think I got the best gift of all for Eli's birthday.....he wants to go potty in the potty now!!!!!! YYYYYYYYYYAAAAA YYYYYYYYY Thanks Diego!!Just before going to bed in his new Diego pj's ....are you sensing a theme? He had to have his brother push him as fast as he could....

GUESS WHOS BAAAAAAAACKKKK??????

2007-11-26T08:01:00.000-08:00

THE CAMERA!! YAY....Everyone can rejoice with me now. I got it fixed and had it back on Thanksgiving, but it didn't work. I took it back the next day, and we found out that the memory card was corrupt....so I got a new memory card and we're back up and running. I've had it out ever since I think LOL.

For some reason I got sleeping babe pictures, this almost never happens and since I have my camera back, twice in two days....now see what I almost missed out on?

First one....Eli was working very hard on an art project as you can tell, and when it had been awhile since we had heard from him we looked in on and and found him sound asleep. There was something all over his face though, and at first we couldn't figure out what it was......but it didn't take long to realize it was HAIR!! I guess he got bored working on his art project LOL.

Second one.....Sophie has gotten to be such a big girl that we finally broke out the exersaucer....it is so much fun to see her in it.....She plays in there for a really long time....I put her in it this morning and she was happy as a clam. I ran it to get my camera to get some of the first shots of her exploring her little world.

I'm so glad I did too, because the first picture is just priceless!! LOL.....

Well I took a few pictures and decided to update the old blog, when I realized that I didn't hear her anymore....I took one look and had to grab my camera again....

Thanksgiving

2007-11-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

So it was a mad rush to get my camera back and Thanksgiving morning I finally have it in my hands again, I turn it on.....and nothing.... :( So, I'll just have to write about it, no pictures :(

Thanksgiving was held at my mom's this year in her new home. It was so nice. Gram Esther was there, Whit and Heidi, Nate and I and our gang, and of course mom and Kevin. It was quite, but nice. I think the best part of the whole day was Gram's homemade blueberry pie for Nate...OH MY GOSH...so yummy. We got there at about 12:30 and I helped finish up dinner while the guys went up to watch Clemmens in the big game. We finally sat down at about 3:00 and ate entirely too much food and visited. It was Soph's first Thanksgiving...I'm just so sad I didn't get any pictures. Anyway, mom kept the boys that night and Soph and I went out shopping the next day. Not too early though, we left at about 8am and got home about 9pm.....we were tuckered out BUT..........I FINALLY have a shopping partner LOL.

Ramblings

2007-11-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

Well, I have so much to report and in no particular order of importance......first of all...my camera is at the repair shop *insert crying emoticon here* Jake was trying to help me by putting the memory card in and it bent a prong....I took it to Boise and they said that it would at least a week....*insert another crying emoticon here* I feel like someone has taken my voice from me....I didn't realize how much I used that to voice how I was feeling.....and Sophie is looking particularly cute today and I can't share it with anyone :(

Next....... I got a call from the school today about Jake...they are concerned about something...I'll report more on this later...we're trying to figure out something that my "motherly gut" has been telling me for a very long time.....As soon as we find out for sure, I'll post....I guess I should note that it is not life threatening at all. Think auditory processing disorder....once again, I have a habit of exploding a mole hill into a mountain....so that is why I'll post more when we find out.

Okay, then I replace my cell phone that I have yet AGAIN run over with the car....(I know, I know) and they give me a number that apparently was that of a girlfriend of a....are you ready for this one?......an INMATE! Yes, I get about three or four phone calls this morning from a recorded voice telling me I have a phone call from a Federal prison....ummmm what?! It took me until the fourth call to realize that all I needed to do was push 7 to tell them that I don't accept phone calls from a prison....ugh...oh and apparently this girl was very popular because I get a text "hello" from the other side of the state from an unknown number....niiiiiiiice.

And a word of advice from Trent today.....because I have had a pretty bad day......

**"Mommy, you're not looking too great, I think you need a massage"**

Thanks Trent

Happy 3 month birthday Soph!!

2007-11-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Soph!! Where is the time going?!! You sweet little girl you, I can't believe it....you're smiling, cooing, trying to figure out how to laugh, and you have everyone in this house wrapped around your tiny little finger! We love you baby girl!!

2007-11-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

6 Things about me
Tagged by Marilee

The rules of the game should be posted at the beginning of the post. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I love to create......anything really, usually by.....sewing, scrapbooking, photography.

2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE professional baseball. Nate and I went to a game in Seattle a couple years ago and I now I'm hooked....

3. I love do-it-yourself projects. I put in our hardwood floor a few years ago which has been my biggest project and my next project is going to be to re-roof our pump house. I secretly long to be a contractor. If I could do anything I wanted to, it would be to build things.....Paige on Extreme Home Makeover is my hero~!

4. I started playing the saxophone when I was about 12 years old. I want to learn how to play the guitar and the piano before I die.

5. I love to find good deals....it's an addiction of mine LOL...please see post "Dumpster Diving"

6. I love the smell of dirt after it rains....so much so I want to eat it?!!! Yes, I know, I need help LOL.

2007-11-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

These were taken on Grampa's farm today.......

A-P-P-L-E-S

2007-11-06T10:37:00.001-08:00

APPLES.....I have apples coming out my ears. I bought 148 pounds of apples last week. Seriously, no it's not a typo...1-4-8 pounds of apples. Just so you know, if crap hits the fan....... we have apples!! I took a picture they were so pretty....They are delicious, crisp, sweet, and perfect. I used 40 of them to make apple pie filling and froze it instead of canning this year, so I have enough for about 6 or 7 pies in my freezer and since I was at it, I went ahead and made one for the family dessert tonight. ..........
So that's roughly 120 pounds still to go......hmmm I am also cutting some up for the coleslaw tonight and thought about drying some as well.....apple crisp, apple bread, fried apples........I need more ideas.....

The dumpster diver.....

2007-11-05T14:14:00.001-08:00

Okay, so as I was growing up I had the opportunity to experience many things. One of the best experiences was dumpster diving.....yes....you read that right. Let me tell you, my Gram is one of the most classiest people I know. Martha Stewart has learned everything she knows from my Gram.......BUT, a deal is a deal and others trash are some people's treasures.... There are a couple dumpsters in Southern California that hold the priciest, most elegant, beautiful fabric that one could find, but more than that, they hold some of my dearest memories of my youth that are priceless to me. Gram would load my brother, cousins, and myself up in her Mercedes Benz and we would often find these treasures that were unbelievable. We'd jump in the dumpsters and start digging. We would bring up brand new fabric that had been thrown away, sometimes whole rolls of fabric. We would load up her trunk and soon she would have pillows, dresses, curtains, bags, table clothes, bed spreads, and blankets made for the whole family. I would venture to say that there is a little piece of our dumpster days in every member of our family's home still to this day. So I tell you this story so you can understand WHY I am such a bargin shopper. It's almost an obsession.....I get some weird high when I can find the deal, and it's almost like I can't stop until I find it. It's a talent that has been passed down from Gram and shared with my Aunt's and now myself. So on to my story......I cleaned out the toy room one day and was passing down the toys to the Youth Ranch when I found it. I swear, I heard music. It was calling to me.....there sat the one thing I refused to pay full price for, but was having a hard time finding it, even used, for much less than $100.00. A jogging stroller. I told the boys to stay put and literally ran over to it. I could see the eyes of passer by woman as big as saucers as they found it as well. It was brand new, I'm not kidding.....the tires were flat but it looked like it had maybe been used one or twice. So, I start looking for a price tag and can't find it. A lady who works there made my day...."Give me 5 bucks and it's yours"......I'm sorry........what did you say?!!! 5 bucks?!!!! SOLD! I just about broke into dance.....I loaded it up and dropped it off at Les Swab. So for the time being my obsession has been fed.

(I just looked it up online and brand new it's $179.99......yes, so that's a $174.99 savings in case you're wondering. )

Here is Sophie enjoying her first ride.....

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeennnnnnn

2007-11-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

Halloween was actually a nice night. It was decent, not freezing like normal. We went down to the church and did the trunk or treat and enjoyed hotdogs, hot chocolate, and donuts. We wrapped it up kind of early because of school the next day, but it was nice nonetheless. After it was over, I was helping Jake brush his teeth and the "loosest tooth in town" FINALLY came out. THANK THE LORD.....honestly, this tooth was a source of much contention....Jake refused for anyone to touch it. The thing would literally turn around in his mouth, flap when he tried to talk, and forget about eating anything....he would show it to perfect strangers. We're so happy the tooth decided to give up the ghost. LOL!

Carving FuN......

2007-11-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

We got started on the carving a little late this year, but we got it done. For some reason Nate and I both pretty much hate carving LOL. We're kind of secretly hoping that one year the kids forget it LOL....

FHE

2007-10-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

For our family night we went on a drive (A BIG SURPRISE HUH? LOL) and I FORGOT my camera, of course this is the night we see a HUGE badger, Nate and the boys shoot a pheasant, and there is a beautiful sunset. I took some pictures when we got home though......hope no one is offended by this >.......
I must add that we do not have a dog, and if anyone has ever been pheasant hunting in corn, it's a bit difficult to get them to come out of the corn without one. Sooooo of course my husband is a bit perplexed as to what to do, when three boys from the back of the Suburban shout out...."We want to do it"! So, Tyson and Trent start out through the corn yelling, making as much noise as they can, while Eli and Jake follow Nate. I decided to stay with Sophie while she slept, when suddenly I hear three shots followed by cheering....the next thing I see is three boys (Eli had come back before this happened) running with a rooster in hand yelling..."we got it, we got it" and the proud hunter behind them with a smile.....I wish I had my camera.

o

Tail measured 22 inches

2007-10-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

Pictures of the day for Miss Soph.....

2007-10-29T14:44:00.001-07:00

I know I have sent these to most of you already, but I had to put them on here. I am so grateful for this part of the world we live in. One of my favorite things is to go for drives in the fall. It just so happens that here in this little corner of the world, those two things make for some beautiful photo opportunities.

2007-10-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

I found this today and had to add it.....it's totally fitting for all mom's

2007-10-28T18:21:00.001-07:00

Sophie 11 weeks old.

4-Wheeler fun

2007-10-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

Uncle Whit and Heidi came for dinner today after working on building a fence all day, and took the boys afterwards for a 4-wheeler ride, which is on the boys' list of top ten fun things to do!

Uncle Whit hanging on for dear life.

Taking the corner actually pretty good.

Making it back safe and sound.

Eli gets to have some fun too.

Now Trent is learning how to drive.

Hang on boys!!

One of the funniest pictures I've seen in a long time. The boys and I just cracked up. I don't know if you can enlarge the picture, Trent has a hilarious look of terror on his face, and his hair is blowing straight up in the air, Whit's eye's are as big as saucers, and Jake is just having a great ole' time......I love this picture :)

2007-10-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

A Sophie fix for the day.

Sophie

2007-10-24T20:31:00.001-07:00

Sophie is just realizing that she can use her hands. Her little fists are starting to open and today she was batting at her toy for the first time. She is changing everyday, so be prepared to see and hear a lot of her :)

#55

2007-10-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

We love our #55. Tyson played in the 5th and 6th grade championship on Saturday against Nyssa. They lost 12-0 :( It was a crisp and COLD day with the wind blowing like crazy, but Tyson did an awesome job though. Tonight we go to turn in his jersey and he said that next year he'll try to get #58 (Go uncle Jeff!!) whatever number he gets, We can't WAIT for him to play, we love football :)

The first one......

2007-10-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are. The first official blog post. I'm doing this for a few reasons, but the most important one is because I feel sooooo far away from family and it breaks my heart that they can't see our kids grow up. I feel like this would be an awesome way to keep in touch.