Let's Party......

It was Jacob's Birthday today, and he turned 14 years old!! It seems like just yesterday that I held that tiny baby in my arms! He has been such a sweet boy, and has such a special spirit and brings so much joy into our lives, we are so lucky to have him. We had a birthday dinner with our family, and the guest of honor got to choose what to have for dinner. After the steak and potatoes, etc, Jacob opened his presents: Ashlee gave him a ball that lights up when it hits the wall , and We gave him some money(which, I'm sure will burn a hole in his pockets tomorrow). To end the night, we had his favorite, Banana Cream Pie, from Marie Calendar's. Happy Birthday Jacob!! We love you, and we are so proud of you!!

Happy 14 Birthday, Jacob!

School's out for Summer!

Thursday was the last day of school for us . I have always loved summer vacation, it was so fun just hanging out with my kids and doing fun things. Since they are older, however, I feel like I hardly ever see them. They are too busy with their friends, and other activities(Football camps and scouting, etc), to really spend a lot of time with me. I really miss those days!

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

I was looking through some of my pictures, and I came across this picture of Max. Since he was just a puppy, he always has to have something in his mouth, preferably white and soft:). He adopted this pillow pet from one of my kids, when they got too old for it! A wolf in sheep's clothing? No, more like a sheep in wolf's clothing!

Antelope Island

Ashlee's Fourth grade class went on a field trip to Antelope Island. Don had the opportunity to go with her. He had such a fun time with "his girl" and was grateful for the chance to spend some quality time with her.

The highlight for Don, was riding in the bus with a bunch of loud, obnoxious, excited to be out of school, fourth graders:)!

The kids were able to play in the water(very stinky water), which makes for a very stinky bus ride home. They took a picnic lunch. At the end of their field trip the teachers gave all of the kids a small little container to collect brine shrimp!!

Ashlee's Art work!

Ashlee just loves to create art! She has always loved to paint, and color. While having a sleepover,at a friends house, about a month ago she comes home and tells me that she has decided that she wants to learn to sew, and asked if I could teach her(I don't know how to teach her),because my sewing skills are VERY limited. So we decided we would learn together! We try to encourage her in this endeavor, because it is a good thing. Here is her latest works of art. Maybe she won't take after her mom in the creativity department !!:)

THE ZOO

Ashlee and Jake in front of the cougar,and sitting on the elephants trunk!

Our Fishing trip

In our family, one tradition we have, is that every year we go camping in the Uintah Mountains. Last Saturday, Don found out that the road to our property, was completely covered in snow. There were 10 foot snow drifts in some places. Because of this, it is impossible for us to get up to the property(obviously)! This has only happened once since we have had it, but with all the snowfall we have had it didn't surprise us this year...SO, we had to come up with a Plan B! We sat down with the kids, and ,decided that we would go fishing on Saturday,go to the zoo on Monday & have a barbecue!! On Saturday, we packed up the kids,with fishing gear in tow,and headed to a little lake in Ogden. It was a small lake, but there were lots of fish. It was Ashlee's first time fishing and she did such a good job (she Caught three fish)!! Not bad for her first time:). Jacob caught three too. We left with six fish,(enough for a fish fry). I bet you can't guess what we had for dinner! Yep, that's right. Fish!! I think it was the best fish we have ever had:)!!

My visit with Kris!

On Tuesday,I flew down to visit with my sister,Kris. I have been needing a break pretty badly and so I decided to go down to Arizona. We had the most awesome time,we went to the mall,she took me to dinner,and she was so sweet to make me some vinyl.(I never go home empty handed.)I just happened to be down there for the grand opening of Krispy Kreme donuts,so of course we had to get a dozen,or four.ha ha:).She was the best hostess ever,and made me feel at home. I was really glad I was able to go,I had a a great time. Thanks Kris,for the good time!!

Breakfast in bed!!

I just have to tell you about my sweet little Ashlee. She has always been such a thoughtful girl,always thinking about what she can do for others. I always get little notes,flowers,and pictures from her. Anyway, for the last month she has been planning a big surprise for mother's day. This morning I was surprised with breakfast in bed. She had arranged for Becky to come over and supervise her while she made me breakfast. There was a wonderful omelet(with the works),sweet roll with lots of frosting,a side of applesauce,orange juice,and some freshly picked lilacs from our garden! It was fantastic. And the best part was that she did all the work. It was so funny, she left a note on my door,telling me not to open the door. She was so excited, that she woke up every hour last night because she was afraid she would over sleep and I would wake up before her!! I love her so much and I am so grateful for the special morning she gave me.

MEMORIES!!

As I was driving down Highland Drive, I couldn't help but feel a little sad that the Cottonwood Mall has been torn down. They are going to build an outside mall(like the Gateway)and a few condos,office complex, etc. It was run down and I guess they figured that it wasn't worth fixing up. Anyway, it got me thinking of all the fun times I had at that mall. That was the place where me and my friends would HANG OUT, eat in the food court, spend hundreds of dollars,and pick up "boys"! It was also the same mall, where James would HANG OUT with his friends and eat at the food court, where Paula and I would go to have pictures taken of our kids at kiddie Kandids,and the many times my kids sat on Santa's lap, and the list goes on and on. It got me thinking of some of the fun times I had as a teenager,and as a mother. It put a smile on my face:)!! I know that things change, but it's a little bitter sweet for me. I'm just grateful for the memories that I have with the ones that I love. The Mall may be gone, but the memories will stay forever!!!!!

Well, my tulips finally bloomed!!

After much anticipation, and alot of complaining,My tulips finally BLOOMED! I guess it is better late than never. With the Weather being so cold, it took them forever to bloom! It was kinda funny, right after they started to bloom, James was playing Basketball and hit one of them with the ball. Oh well. Anyway here is the proof!!!

Josepn and the Amazing Color Dreamcoat!!!

Ashlee has been working very hard lately on her school play! Her School put on Joseph and the Amazing color Dreamcoat. She has had practices every Monday and Thursday after school for the last 2 months. I was actually very impressed with the production(Since it is put on by Elementary School Students). Ashlee was in the Chorus, and did such a great job. I really love this play ,it is one of my very favorites,and I have seen probably every production of it, including the one with Donny Osmond as Joseph. But I even enjoyed this one more, and it didn't cost me anything, but one dollar for popcorn! Yes, they even sold popcorn and drinks. It was so cute, Ashlee's 3rd grade teacher was Jacob. I am so happy that she loves to sing,dance and play the piano. She has a lot of talent and I love her so much. Thanks Ashlee for a fun fun night!!!!

A Visit from the Prophet!!

We have the opportunity of living in the same stake as Thomas S. Monson! For this reason,he will usually came to our stake conference and speak.I think our stake has the best attendance in the church:)I mean, who doesn't love to hear this man speak! So today was Stake Conference, and this was his first visit as our Prophet. Many people speculated that he may not show up. But as we were coming in, the congregation was standing, as he was walking to the front of the chapel. Such an awesome experience!! I have to say that it has been very fun "driving" past his house and seeing the security guards in his driveway. I guess just knowing how close he is!! Okay,I guess I should back up. I don't just drive past his house, James' best friend happens to be next door neighbors with The Prophet, so it is necessary to drive in his circle. Not that I wouldn't do a drive by, after all, he is our prophet. It was so awesome being so close to such a wonderful man, we feel very blessed to live so close to him! he informed us at conference that he will be staying in his home to care for his pigeons etc. Anyway, he was telling us stories of when he was a boy, and after each story he would say "now boys don't you try this". It makes you realize that he wasn't always an apostle but a little boy who got into a little mischief. I think that was good to hear(Being a mother of children who get into mischief)!:) There is Hope!!!

Three Plates and Gaining!!!

Football season is fast approaching, and nobody is more excited than James!! Since Football ended last season he has been working very hard perfecting his skills and building those muscles. He goes every other morning at 6:45 and stays after school for another hour to work out and lift weights! He has really come a long way, the boy is a strong sucker!! He can bench press 225 pounds, squat 345 pounds and power cleans 230 pounds!! His Coach told him he will probably start with the varsity football team as a junior!!! By the way James is #16:)!!