Dressing Up To Play In The Mud

Hiking before the snow comes!

2012-01-20T19:30:00.000-05:00

This looks painful for MJ:)

Thanksgiving Trip!

2011-12-14T22:47:00.000-05:00

Downtown Disney, watching them make the Carmel apple's that look like Mickey

MJ didn't like being on there

LL loved it!

Las Vegas

out of place Disney picture of Jack loving Lego land

Largest chocolate fountain

Fun with the Family!

2011-11-18T19:05:00.000-05:00

School Pictures

2011-11-02T16:58:00.001-04:00

I decided since school pictures cost so much and I really don't want to pay for them, I would take our kids school pictures this year! So here they are, and I can't believe how big they are getting.

If you are interested in pictures click here...

Pumpkin Patch & Wedding

2011-10-21T12:03:00.000-04:00

Jack and I had so much fun going with LL's class to the pumpkin patch yesterday! All the kids were so good!

Jack and LL in straw maze

LL playing on the tractor tires

they found their pumpkins

my cuties all dressed up

Grandma J. She is beautiful!

Matt and Mark

Mike and Jana cutting the cake

Their first dance as a married couple!

Fun trip home for the weekend!

2011-10-11T10:40:00.000-04:00

I had a great trip home to P-Town this last weekend. I got to take some fun pictures of family and see a lot of my family! I love living closer!

Aiden and Emma were so easy to take pictures of, Aiden said I know I am suppose to snuggle my sister and smile. He had it right:)

We celebrated MJ's 7th Birthday all weekend long!

I took some fun pictures of my kids while out taking pictures of my parents too.

Peek-a-boo!

Hot Air Balloons!

2011-09-26T19:21:00.000-04:00

We had so much fun watching the balloons and now the kids are excited to go back next year!

Picture Taking!

2011-09-19T17:58:00.002-04:00

I have been so lucky to take friends and families pictures here are a couple and if you want to see more check them out here.

Some Summer Fun!

2011-08-25T10:50:00.004-04:00

We are really enjoying our time here in Boise already! a fun day at the train depot

LL's 5th birthday (my ugly attempt at a Tangled cake)

our new friend Trixie

Kids having fun before Jana's Bridal Shower with Uncle Mike

Hanging out waiting for school to start

Running Day 1

2011-08-11T16:53:00.002-04:00

I have a new goal. I want to keep track of my running and see how long it takes me to run 500 miles. I had a good start this morning with 3 miles. I look forward to getting back into shape and my first step is running. Good luck to anyone else trying to do the same:)

Drive Across From NY to ID

2011-08-04T11:46:00.007-04:00

We had a fun trip across with our 3 kids. We enjoyed the time together and the kids didn't really complain about the trip and how much we were in the car. We tried to stop often enough so they didn't feel like we were in the car all day. Our first stop was Kirtland, OH. Starting the trip off right with some singing and dancing, typical girl style.
Kirtland Temple

cute kids, and Matt:)

Another stop at Southbend, IN where I walked around Notre Dame's campus while Matt got lost driving the car from one spot to another. Construction is maddening.

Chicago, IL for some awesome pizza. A must have if you ever go there!!!

Blue Earth, MN where we had Dairy Queen and found a mighty green giant. They are standing at his feet.

rock jumping contest in Sioux Falls, SD. Which happened to be our favorite stop on the trip

The Corn Palace in Mitchel, SD. Not really worth the stop, but it was still pretty funny to see.

Matt decided to go long for the trip:)

Wall Drug in SD. If you haven't been there you need to stop, it is funny too. And the kids had a blast!

Mt. Rushmore where we stayed two days to take a break from driving!! And MJ became a jr. ranger there.

raging river right next to the road as were were headed to Cody, WY. We actually met another family there that were moving from Conn. to Cal.

shoot out in Cody, WY (lame!)

family reunion skits in Island Park, ID

all the grandkids on Matt's side of the family and Grandma Jeanne who made the cute pj's

Enjoying our last days in New York!

2011-06-15T13:30:00.008-04:00

Yes I said last days. We are moving and are very excited this is a slip that I made for LL to go under her dresses, thanks for the idea Jene'memorial day parade with Friends...

our favorite part of all the parades here

Jack's favorite part

has to help mom no matter what:)

High Falls in Rochester, NY

this one is for Grandpa Ernie. It's a horse made out of baseball mitts

Sacred Grove

Hill Cumorah

our fun tye-dyed shirts

Fingernail rap! take two!

2011-05-29T22:23:00.001-04:00

Fingernail rap!

2011-05-29T22:17:00.002-04:00

Catching up on pictures!

2011-05-27T14:19:00.005-04:00

LL's spring concert for Preschool
LL dyeing eggs

MJ Dyeing eggs

Easter findings

MJ's final Concert for school!

Mrs. Strack, MJ and LL after concert

Oh my goodness!

Mrs. Gentil and LL

fire pit I made in the back yard

retention wall I made on the side of the house

Green house I made out of old windows

Boston Trip!

2011-04-22T08:24:00.007-04:00

We had a blast in Boston, MA. We got to see a bunch of old friends and see one get married too. Here are some highlights. Jack with Matt's phone
Eli and Jack were pretty funny together
Make way for ducklings statues revisited

Chinatown Boston, MA

riding in style

trouble

watching the subway go underground

Spring is Almost Here!

2011-03-10T13:40:00.006-05:00

Flat Gracee went on a little trip with us to Palmyra and the Smith Family Farm MJ and Jack digging in the dirt

Yummy!

MJ had a fish in the school art show. It's a really big thing for all the schools here.

playing in the mud

Go Broncos!

my YW basketball team

another project finished

chalk board paint

we swept the family off to a fun water park when we got tired of all the snow, it was a blast

frozen Niagara Falls

isn't this what you do with your tights when you get a hole in them?

dancing before church

another project

Projects

2011-03-05T21:38:00.007-05:00

Happy 30th Birthday Matt! He got a lot of surprises through out the day!

I bought a dresser for Jack's room on craigslist and then refinished it

we are still finishing our window and guest room. The girls were excited to help us paint too!

Our bathroom faucet was not working all the way so I replaced the drain and faucet...

My mom's birthday present that I made with my cricut!

We decided that an ottoman would be nice for in the basement, so I made one...

Books

2011-01-31T14:22:00.004-05:00

I have forgotten to post about the great books I have read and one that I am reading but can't put down. Between a Rock and a Hard Place is the one I am reading right now. What an interesting book. This kid is a walking miracle. He has some amazing stories that he tells while he is stuck in a do or die situation. Great book!

Crazy story of a little families life and how they deal with their dysfunctional family! Sad but so interesting at the same time Couldn't put it down.

Matt always gets me the new Richard Paul Evans book for Christmas. The last three years he has done this and usually I finish the book before New Years, but this year I read it in two days. Is that bad? No, this book is amazing like usual! All of his books are great reads.

Surviving the Winter

2011-01-18T15:22:00.007-05:00

We are surviving the winter, especially since we have a few really fun places to go sledding. Jack and LL waiting for MJ to get off the bus
cute kids

playing in the back yard

snow in the hair:)

I still can't believe that he's 2!

Send me in coach!

wonderful packing paper, entertained them for an hour.

strawberry milk everywhere, we just found some yesterday that we missed on the wall. He thought it was hilarious, I had a different opinion.

MJ thought it was pretty funny to wear Jack's coat

sledding with dad, LL thought it was too scary

yes he did throw it at me

Jack loves to sled too!

MJ's Documentary

2010-12-27T14:57:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T14:12:00.003-05:00

Jack wasn't to happy about getting up from his nap, so he snuggled LL on the floor for a min.

MJ's big present

Christmas morning

Jack waiting patiently

pet pillows

popcorn shirts from grandma Pam

Happy 2nd Birthday Jack!

Snow is falling!

2010-12-12T15:45:00.004-05:00

We got about 1 1/2 feet of snow, maybe more with wind and stuff off the roof, but it was so powdery that the girls were sad they couldn't make a snowman with all the snow we had. So we played and waited.... and waited...
and waited...

and waited...

Jack's new favorite game, he loves to cook with mom.

Jack got himself dressed to play in the snow.

then it started to melt and it was time to make a snowman. But if you know our girls we couldn't make just one. There had to be a boy and girl snow people:)

the girls hair is my old flowers from the garbage. LL laughed at me as I pulled them out.

crazy cute kids

2010-12-05T16:05:00.004-05:00

Here are some fun pictures of my cuties!MJ after making bird feeders.

Jacks favorite job, that's the Dustbuster in his hands.

Say cheese, he's taking your picture!

What can I say it's LL.

and typical Jack. Does something naughty when mom leaves the room.

Step 4: Window Well/ more pipe repair

2010-12-05T15:48:00.004-05:00

Okay, so we have had a lot happen since my last post. We had a rain storm come through and found out that our black pipe solution was not a solution at all. So we replaced it with this PVC pipe. I hope it works.Here is a look at the almost finished wall from inside the house.

Now a shot of the finished wall from outside the house.

And this is from last week when we had a major rain storm came through. I have to say it has been a pain but we are grateful it is over. Yes that is standing water! I woke up at 5am and thought I need to go check the egress window. I went downstairs only to find that water was trickling through under the window because the window well was filled with water about half way up the window. I ran up and got Matt we preceded to go bucket out the water for the next 2 hours. Our insurance adjuster advised that we buy a submersible sump pump. We ran and bought one right away. It saved us, until it burnt up. We were told it would shut off when the water got low, it never shut off. So at 11pm the next night Matt checked it before going to bed and found that it wasn't working and the water was starting to fill up again. So that night was the worst. We set an alarm every hour. We would get up and empty the water then sleep one hour until about 6:30am when it finally stopped coming in so fast. Then at 7am Matt went and got another submersible sump pump. By then the water had stopped so we haven't even taken it out of the box. I am sure we are not taking that back to the store. I don't want that to happen again. BLAA!

Step 3: Window install

2010-11-15T17:00:00.004-05:00

Here is what we started with.
after cutting the drywall away

Matt starts the cutting

and after I use a drill to put holes on the inside to help break through

after one little hole we didn't think it was going to work

then I went outside to get the saw, and noticed that it was all cracked on the outside

after 40 mins this is what was left

but then the framing didn't go as planned and this was our solution for the night

framed the next morning

and installed, Yeah!

and we didn't fight at all, seemed like a good home project so far. It's not finished but I think the hard part is done.

Playing Photographer?

2010-11-12T13:25:00.001-05:00

Thanks for letting me play and take your family pictures!

Stage Two: replace pipe

2010-11-09T13:43:00.002-05:00

I am starting to think that this window will go pretty smoothly. Knock on wood:)We found that our window well needed to go out farther and that meant replacing and moving this clay pipe. Lucky for us it was just drainage and now sewage.

now I hope it doesn't leak:)

The start of the egress window!

2010-11-05T14:40:00.002-04:00

We are installing an Egress window in our basement. It took me three days of digging. I only dug it while Jack was napping so considering that I think it went pretty fast. I will be updating this with more pictures as we keep working on this project. Day 1
Day 2

and Day 3

Halloween and Fall Fun

2010-11-01T13:05:00.003-04:00

The girls kept telling me that this was their witches broom.This is his face while watching the girls throw leaves at each other...and this is his face when they decided to throw them at him. my little golfer
Jack- golfer, LL- Pink Super Girl, MJ- Silvermist (from Tinkerbell)
they say Pumpkin Surgeon on them

Grandma Pam comes for a visit!

2010-10-20T21:05:00.000-04:00

We were all so excited for Grandma Pam to come visit for MJ's birthday! The weather was perfect and we all had a blast. Enjoy! Just before the Sacred Grove
Gma Pam and Jack
Jack was being a stinker and not wanting to smile for any pictures

strong museum of play with grandma

scarecrow festival

this one was Matt's favorite (can you tell?)

MJ turned 6

her birthday cake was teacup cupcakes, they were so cute and fun!

LL at the sacred grove

For Madison

2010-10-16T21:22:00.001-04:00

MJ turns 6 Today!

2010-10-07T10:54:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday MJ!

It's amazing to think that my big girl is getting bigger! Happy Birthday beautiful girl! We love you and look forward to celebrating your big day. And Happy Birthday to Aunt Jana too!

new quilts!

2010-09-29T21:48:00.005-04:00

So since I forgot the first day of Preschool picture LL really wanted this one to be her first day even though it's more second week of school picture.
and it wouldn't be LL without a pose!
Cleaning the moss off our roof

The matching quilts my mom made for the girls. So cute and I love that they are matching. Thank you mom. Oh and for any P-roy area people she has a quilting company now. You can take it to her and she will quilt it at the house.

Love/Hate relationship?

2010-09-27T10:43:00.002-04:00

Jack and LL are so funny together. Before Jack was born we worried that LL would not like him and be very jealous about our time with him. But it has been the complete opposite. LL loves to be with Jack, to kiss, hug, hold hands with and bother in any way possible. But Jack on the other hand only likes this love about once a day. He is usually pushing her away or screaming. It can be funny and frustrating all at once. But I do like seeing them play together. They are cute! Jack is pushing her away, but she really wants a hug:)

Fall is coming!

2010-09-24T12:50:00.004-04:00

We have been playing outside as much as possible now that cooler weather is here. We know that winter will be here soon and then we will be stuck inside until March. So enjoy some of our fun activities! Jack and I at the park
Jack digging at the park

They all invaded our bed!

All cowgirled up

dancing like Hannah Montana

feeding the ducks on the Erie Canal, the ducks got so close to LL that she retreated into the stroller and threw the bread from there. Every time I gave Jack a piece he would scream when I told him to throw it, and he would eat every other piece. Good thing it hadn't gone bad yet.

Preschooler?

2010-09-18T21:11:00.003-04:00

LL started preschool last week, and I was so worried about walking there in time that I forgot my camera. Well, we made it there and we were even early! She was so excited about going, she wore a pink skirt and tights, because she wanted to look pretty for her first day of school. Then to top it off they gave her pink play dough to take home. It was the perfect first day for LL.

5K

2010-09-11T21:25:00.002-04:00

I ran in a 5K this morning. It was called Run for Mercy. There is a great place here called the Mercy House that takes in people that need help or are homeless. The funny part is during the race I stayed near the same three people and we would take turns leading then falling back and right at the end one of the ladies that I ran beside the whole race decided that she wanted to beat me across. We sprinted to the finish and we... tied. Oh and we were a long way off from placing first considering the first place ended in 17 minutes, and I don't run that fast. But I had fun! We both laughed after it was over.

Virginia Vacation

2010-09-08T14:54:00.011-04:00

We just came back from a wonderful vacation to Hershey, PA, Williamsburg, VA and DC area. We had a great time and got back the night before MJ started 1st grade. Enjoy! Jack helping mom with her flip flops
cute girls before our vacation
tickling dad

chocolate world

3D glasses

MJ lost her first tooth in the hotel, she was so excited until she found out that it bled too

oh so cute!

even better with all three

having fun with the Drakes

walking to the WWII monument and Lincoln Memorial

WWII Monument

BSU/ VT football game in FedEx Field where the Redskins play

We would have liked it better in the BSU section, but we were smiling more as the last touchdown put us ahead and didn't hear anymore drunks yelling at us about BSU being a joke.

MJ's first day of 1st grade!

our bus stop friends

bye sniff sniff: she was so tired when she got home

Finally!

2010-08-24T15:22:00.007-04:00

So I am officially a slacker. But now I am caught up! So enjoy. And if you are crazy and want to see more click here. Jack at the park
My new toy, thanks mom!
Lily turned 4!

Jack is going to BBQ some hot dogs for us. Don't you BBQ with no pants on?

a fun lunch with Dad during the week

Camping with friends

Jack was entertained by the car doors during camping

2nd Annual Ice Blocking party!

Oh my!

We went on 10 hikes this summer. It was a fun summer program our town has. The kids and I had a blast doing it. Fish Hatchery was our last one!

Hiking with Megan

exploring on the hike

And yes I turned another year older!

From NY to WA and back!

2010-07-18T16:35:00.009-04:00

We had a great family vacation out to Washington to see family and friends. Here are just a few pictures from our trip, if you aren't exhausted by these and want to see more click here. Enjoy! MJ loved playing baseball with Tyson and Trevin. It was her favorite part of the trip (along with about 10 other things we did). But by the end of the two weeks she started to catch on and could really play with them.

We had a family reunion in Coeur d'Alene, ID at a fun place called Triple Play. It was so much fun. There was a water park, bowling alley, go karts, mini golf, laser tag, and much much more. Here is a picture of LL bowling with the little kids balls, they loved it.

We had our own fun game of disco bowling too.

Grandma, Grandpa and all their grandkids! This was at Silverwood.

Train ride at Silverwood, they loved it. Trevin, MJ and LL.

Jack was wiped out. I changed his pants and he never moved.

Then he wakes up and does this, yes we threw it away!

Grandma spoiled the girls with some princess stuff, and LL insisted that Mom and Grandma participated too. Aunt Carrie hide herself from this adventure, but we caught her later with the nail polish.

Haven

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson and all their Great Grandchildren that could make it to the party.

Everyone that came.

Haven cutie!

our new cowgirl boots, thanks grandma Pam.

Haven and Jay

Sage covered in chalk

If you look close you can see the crop duster in the sky to the left of the sunset.

Branding cows, Matt had never been so we broke him in right.

pool fun out back

Trevin

Tyson

oh Grandpa, they have you wrapped around their fingers

the plane ride home

airport celebration, welcoming home soldiers

MJ's Spring Concert!

2010-06-28T12:52:00.002-04:00

MJ's school has two concerts during the year and her spring concert was just before school ended. It was so cute and she loves signing the songs, so we get to hear them all the time. Part of her class just before the concert started
all the AM Kindergarten classes

enjoying the graduation cupcakes

her wonderful teacher and classroom aid, Mrs. Johansen in the white shirt and Miss Adams in the black top.

Dancing in the rain!

2010-06-25T10:10:00.005-04:00

Alan Jackson Concert

2010-06-18T12:32:00.002-04:00

There were six of us. Matt got us tickets through work and we sat in their private box. It was a blast. An excellent concert. Chris Young, Josh Turner and Alan Jackson

House Projects!

2010-06-14T13:06:00.014-04:00

First off is going into the attic to set mice traps. Good luck with that!
up goes MJ

up goes LL

Hot Tub before we sold it and had to help the guy get it out to his trailer, never mind that is a another post all together. I am not going there.Hot Tub gone thank goodness.Patio mess from the electrical work to the Hot Tubfilling in the holes
finally put back together. I know not perfect but that is next summers project.

Next is our garden

isn't it great!and yes I did do it. Aren't you proud:)

Memorial Day and Canal Days!

2010-06-06T17:04:00.011-04:00

The girls have been really into fashion and doing their own hair. Just wait, I will try and take more pictures next time. It is really funny. Check out the stuff on her pants too.
feeding the ducks

they didn't like our biscuits, only the bread why is that?

canal days crowd

chainsaw artist

No matter where we go I can always find a fellow Cougar fan, even if it's a thug vandalizing property

sitting in a pot or on the pot?

Memorial Day Parade

more parade

yes he's my son

silly girls waiting for the parade

we stepped outside to water the grass and came back in to Jack asleep in his high chair, cute boy

Pool fun!

2010-05-28T11:00:00.005-04:00

It has been so hot that we got out the turtle pool and had a blast LL loved jumping in with Jack

MJ tried to be graceful about it, they were so cute

little man

My mothers day gift, I love it but the present should have been putting it together. It only took me 2 hours.

A Lot of Visitors!

2010-05-18T21:11:00.006-04:00

Matt's Grandma served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints out here in Rochester, NY 20 years ago. We decided that she needed to come back. So through great help (Jeanne and Jana) we got her a ticket, on a plane and to our home. It was so much fun having her tell us old stories and to take her to the church sites that she didn't get a chance to visit 20 years ago. We are so glad that we could experience this with her. We love you Grandma! We hope to see you in Idaho soon. Grandma, Jeanne and Jana
Niagara
Lilac festival, it wasn't the best because the lilacs were all wilting. They bloomed about 2 weeks earlier. But we were told that it's always hit and miss with the festival.
pansie sculpture at lilac festival (american flag)

Jack in his handsome Sunday suit

family in Fayette, Ny at the Peter Whitmer farm

Fayette again

my handsome boys

all our visitors at Niagara Falls

silly girls

Jeanne and Jana with Sal the mule

Normal, I guess...

2010-05-09T17:33:00.018-04:00

So I decided that I would stop saying that I have been procrastinating about my posting and start saying this is normal. I can't figure out why but I guess moving into our new house might have something to do with it.

yes he spilt this then started eatting it right off the floor

Moving into our new place!

gardening girls

there is still a ton to do, but they are really good helpers

Jack was helping me make Joni's Cinnamon Bread, Yummy!

Stollen Mother's Day gift. I bought it for my mom, then decided that it would look so good above my piano and then ended up keeping it for myself. I am horrible. But we do have the same taste. Love you mom!

Easter...yes it is late!

2010-04-16T14:05:00.010-04:00

We enjoyed spending Easter Weekend here in NY. We had a beautiful day for the hunt too. We had our friends the St. Cyr's come over and join us. We had to wait until they got here to hide the eggs so the candy inside wouldn't melt. We walk down to the Erie Canal a lot and this is the train that we always stop to see.
My favorite flowers as a surprise from a special man

dying our Easter eggs

yes Jack is trying to drink from the glue bottles, and yes they are closed

finished

a wagon ride before the hunt

the race is on for the eggs

smile girls

Jack got excited when he found that the eggs had candy in them

Crohns & Colitis Walk

2010-04-12T09:08:00.004-04:00

http://online.ccfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TS_homepage
My aunt Julie and my friend Heather both have Crohn's and I am walking this year to help raise money for a cure. If anyone would like to donate let me know. I have it up on my FB page too. We walk on June 12, 2010.

To donate click on the link and go to the top where it says find a walker/ or dontate to a walker and type in my name. Thanks!

Having Too Much Fun!

2010-04-01T11:19:00.006-04:00

Static Head!

Jack tried but it really didn't move

painted faces

Silly kids and Dance Recitals

2010-03-29T17:59:00.008-04:00

LL with her Green Milkshake MustacheMJ's mustacheWe had to pin Jack down for a picture, the girls thought it was fun These are cute pictures of LL's Dance Recital

here is the start of the tap part

LL was so nervous, but she did great!

picture of our friends girl twirling

Enjoying the spring weather!

2010-03-19T14:46:00.003-04:00

MJ and I took Jack to the Hill Cumorah to take some pictures. Silly MJ
Great walkway/park that I always drive by and finally stopped with my camera for some pictures. I will have to stop again when flowers are blooming.

say cheese, good shot MJ

cheesy Jack

Our neighbor Megan

Pioneer Ryan

sidewalk chalk we have missed you

old woman LL

2010-03-14T10:26:00.001-04:00

Jack's new pj's

2010-03-09T07:09:00.001-05:00

my little cowboy

Sugaring!

2010-03-07T08:31:00.005-05:00

We decided to go Sugaring which if you don't know what it is you are missing out. It is what a Maple Syrup Farm calls it when they are making maple syrup. The season just started and we didn't want to miss out, and Matt's brother was in town which gave us the perfect excuse to go have a fun weekend. We also made some stops at the Church sites.LL at Smith Farm

MJ running on the Smith Farm

The Sugar House wood supply

drinking sap from the tree, it tasted like water with a hint of sugar in it

watching them boil it down to syrup, they let us taste the in between sample too, which was like a nice hot glass of maple syrup, a little watered down I guess

knock knock!

Winter fun!

2010-03-04T14:48:00.004-05:00

MJ playing in the snow with Bella our neighbors dog.

Matt shoveling the drive way after a big snowfall, I'm sure he was happy that I stopped to take pictures half way through.

Mess Monster strikes again. Jack decided to dump some saltine crackers on the floor then eat them. Caught red handed!

The girls climbing the big snow bank after we got 2 feet of snow.

Sledding

2010-02-21T08:58:00.004-05:00

Since we had a week off of school we decided to go sledding with the St Cyr's. The kids had a blast, and the parents did too. Claire, LL, MJ and Jack eating snow burgers (that's what they called them)

Jack didn't like it much, so he just sat and watched. Right before MJ and I went down the hill

Matt wiping out on the sled

mischievous smile by LL

The Dress

2010-02-17T09:33:00.002-05:00

Here you go Aunt Heather! LL really wanted you to see the dress.
V-day treats we made, thanks mom they turned out great.

Jack decided to help me with my latest sewing project.

Sand Volleyball

2010-02-17T09:31:00.003-05:00

Yes I do live in New York and it is snowing still. But I get to go every Tuesday and play Sand Volleyball with Matt's Law Firm. It is so much fun! See I told you Dad!

Catching up!

2010-02-10T14:02:00.007-05:00

I have been falling behind in updating my blog so here you go! Enjoy! the girls had fun at The Little Gym at a birthday party

LL was worn out from running around
MJ is in the striped shirt

The front of our new house, if everything goes as planned!

back yard

kitchen

front room-their stuff still

morning room/sun room

rec room-basement has office and 1/2 bath down there too

LL's Dance

2010-02-10T09:13:00.002-05:00

Two more weeks!

2010-01-28T14:49:00.003-05:00

So our doctor didn't tell us that she would have two more casts put on so that they would stay set until her braces came in. But these casts can go in the bath, so no more stinky casts.

Stinky Casts!

2010-01-27T12:10:00.002-05:00

MJ is finally getting her casts off today. I hope that everything goes well and I know that she is excited because we woke up to snow on the ground. Which means she can finally go play in the snow. Wish us luck!

Princesses on Ice

2010-01-20T14:10:00.002-05:00

MJ, LL and I went to Princesses on Ice here. The girls loved it. I think I enjoyed watching their faces as much as the show. We look forward to next years show. the girls before the show started

Too Much Going On...

2010-01-16T08:22:00.007-05:00

So that is what I am claiming for not posting in a long time. We have done a lot but it's mainly because I have been a slacker. Enjoy. And if you want to see more pictures click here.

Matt and I woke up to a foot of new snow on our driveway. I only got my camera after we shoveled. Thank goodness our neighbor came and helped us, there was a ton of snow. as you can see in this picture that is our mailbox on the side. I had to shovel it out so the mail would be delivered to us.

child labor? She loved it!

Jack's birthday, yes I know it's almost been a month. I'm slow!

Smith Farm in Palmyra in winter

Amazing statues at the Hill Cumorah visitors center. If they come to a visitors center near you, I urge you to go see them, they are amazing. Here is a video I found that someone made about them.

the St Cyr's come play

Jack's cupcake adventure

2009-12-29T13:37:00.001-05:00

The Christmas List

2009-12-29T09:36:00.002-05:00

The Christmas List

Written by Richard Paul Evans

I loved this book. I read it in two days, with three kids that is saying a lot. Usually i don't recommend his books to my husband Matt, but this one I told him he would like too. I am a sucker for his books. I have loved everyone that I have read. If you haven't read any do it they are great!

Happy Birthday Jack!

2009-12-26T08:23:00.003-05:00

Jack is 1 today! Happy Birthday big boy! I still can't believe how fast he has grown up. My favorite thing that he says is Uh Oh. He loves to torture his sisters and thinks it's funny when we tell him no. All the good traits of a boy, right? Merry Christmas everyone!

Up and Walking around!

2009-12-22T20:47:00.002-05:00

I promised my parent that I would take a video of MJ walking in her casts so they could see her. Then I added another video of Jack at his wonderful words. He usually talks a lot, but he thinks it's funny to say Dada when I want him to say mama or anything else. Enjoy!

She's home and doing great!

2009-12-19T12:01:00.005-05:00

MJ had a deformity in her feet. She has had it since she was little, but it has been getting worse over the years. So we finally went in and had it corrected before it got any worse. So now she has two green casts on her feet. She will be getting them taken off on Jan 28th. Lucky for her she is only going to miss two days of school because they are just about to go on Christmas break. She will be walking on them soon and for now she is getting spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it!

My Sister's Keeper

2009-12-12T08:50:00.003-05:00

I just finished this book. Wow, what an amazing story and at the same time about the saddest thing I have ever read. I recommend this book, but have a box of Kleenex near by.

Where did my baby go?

2009-12-07T08:19:00.004-05:00

What happened to my baby boy. He is all of the sudden a little boy, messy eater, into everything and loves to torture his sisters. Turning one the day after Christmas, time has just flown by!

and another Christmas quilt finished and ready to be mailed.

Tacos?

2009-12-02T09:55:00.001-05:00

LL- Mom I don't like Tacos

Me- Good because we are having Taco soup and not Tacos

MJ- Mom, I love Tacos, because I am a Taco Master

Matt in South Korea

2009-11-28T10:50:00.005-05:00

Matt flew to S. Korea for work and had about 1 hour to walk around and see the Korea around their hotel. Here are some of the pictures he took of his trip there. a park across from their hotel
view from the hotel

the luxurious toilet, it was heated and even had a dryer (I know that's gross)

Getting ready for the Holidays

2009-11-23T18:00:00.004-05:00

Here are the cute Christmas outfits that Gma Pam got the kids.
I left the room for just a minute and came back to this, poor boy! He didn't even cry he was just trying to see the music to special agent oso.

Then it was MJ's turn

crazy boy

School Pictures

2009-11-16T13:58:00.002-05:00

mess monster returns

2009-11-11T14:16:00.000-05:00

Well, he is a cute monster!

Vacuum Woes!

2009-11-06T12:06:00.002-05:00

So I was vacuuming the other day and all of the sudden I got something good, one of those loud clicking sounds (you know what I'm talking about). Then it kept going and going like it was bouncing around in the bag, when BANG! dirt started to shoot out of the filter. I thought oh great I broke it, then I though okay this is good I broke it (I have been wanting a new vacuum). I opened up the front to find a huge hole in the bag and the little plastic piece that I sucked up . To make a long story short, I changed the bag put the front back on and went back to vacuuming. Maybe I need to find a bigger piece of plastic to break the old beast.

Fall Fun!

2009-11-02T10:19:00.005-05:00

Our neighbors sister crimped all the girls hair on Halloween. So we all got to re live the 80's for one night
MJ's class after the Halloween parade

waiting for the parade

LL's witch costume

this was her face every time she put her hand in the pumpkin

and MJ thought it was the coolest thing ever

jumping in leaf piles

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T21:33:00.005-05:00

Happy Halloween from our Princess, Good Witch and little Duck!
MJ's Tinkerbell pumpkin
LL's Butterfly pumpkin

Matt's self portrait pumpkin (that's what he said)

the Scarecrow we made for Grandma Pam

Jack's silly face pumpkin

and my Washington State Cougars Pumpkin

Falling Behind?!

2009-10-19T15:54:00.010-04:00

Wow we have been super busy, Sorry! My Aunt Cozy flew out for a week and the night before I was cleaning and getting the kids ready for bed when my mom called and asked to talk to MJ, I thought okay, so I put it on speaker phone and she told MJ that there was a package on the front step. I thought she had tracked a package or something and opened the door and there was my mom standing on the front porch. I couldn't believe it and come to find out that everyone knew but me, my neighbors knew, the St Cyr's knew and almost everyone at Matt's work too. So to say the least I have been having a blast and sad that they had to go home. Aunt Cozy and us at Powers Pumpkin Farm
Grandma Pam and LL running out of the Teepee inside the big teepee's

G-ma and Jack

the yellow chicken they also had a pink, blue, black and white one

MJ, Megan, LL and Ryan being... um normal?

I enlisted the help of the neighbors kids to dig up our garden, they were looking for worms

by the handful to be exact!

MJ's cake and Party went really well

Matt won the ward chili cook off (he was very proud of his trophy)

LL jammed in the car with our corn stalks (she asked every minute if we could drop them off somewhere)

dancing at Strong National Museum of Play

Jack did not like Big Birds nest

shopping at Wegmans in the museum

sisters racing

postmaster MJ

Erie Canal

Chase Farms sitting on a giant pumpkin

Happy 5th Birthday MJ!

2009-10-07T08:16:00.003-04:00

I still can't believe that I have a 5 year old. She has grown up so fast and is such a big help to me. Happy Birthday beautiful girl!!

MJ's spelling

2009-10-06T10:45:00.003-04:00

MJ looks at me and says, "Mom, I know how to spell Peanut Butter... J I F... Peanut Butter" I laughed and said, "no honey that's just the brand it's called Jif. "

Prima Ballerina

2009-10-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

I never thought I would have a Prima Ballerina, but I do!

apple picking/corn maze

2009-09-25T08:13:00.005-04:00

We should be asking our neighbors if they are sick of us yet. But they keep coming back for more, or it's because they live next door and can't run away. We all went to The Apple Farm then to a corn maze. Where we got lost then ended up finding a lot of the clues to find our way out and giving up before the kids started eating the corn right from the stalks. I don't think Ryan liked us telling them to go into the scary old barn for a picture, he looks worried
corn maze

yes that is matt and I on a peddle bike and tricycle racing, don't you do that all the time?

9 months old

after eating our yummy cider donuts

apple picking

steph and LL

Brian and Megan getting the ones way up there in the trees

Matt and LL say, "Want one?".

Ice Blocking

2009-09-23T21:13:00.003-04:00

Yes that is right! For everyone that doesn't know what Ice Blocking is... you sit on a block of ice and ride it down a hill. Yes we learned it in Idaho, but it is so much fun and we had to show our neighbors how it was done. Then we found out that Brian is crazier then we are on a block of ice and that Steph just doesn't do silly thing like that, okay she didn't say silly she said scary, but she did take all of our pictures for us.

We did tell him that the ice would be in blocks, so this just tells you about our friends and how much fun we had with them.
And you can't go ice blocking with out making a chain, which all of us ended up rolling down the hill

MJ's First Day of School

2009-09-13T21:49:00.001-04:00

And I didn't even cry, it was hard not to follow the bus, but I kept really busy and we both made it through her first day with flying colors.

Our Vacation Out West

2009-09-09T09:02:00.008-04:00

We had a blast on out vacation out west. We flew into SLC, Utah and then drove the next day to Las Vegas for Matt's younger brother's wedding (not by Elvis). The next day woke up and packed up and drove back to SLC, Utah stayed the night. Then got up the next morning and drove to Idaho Falls, Idaho and stayed 4 days. While there we saw Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, WY. After that we drove back down to Provo, Utah and visited BYU campus ran into Afton after her French test, had a mint chocolate brownie and then drove to Pleasant Grove and had a BBQ with some friends from Matt's High School years. Then we stayed two nights in SLC, Utah and went to Temple Square, had to die for Waffles and Frits at a little place in SLC with some Williamsburg/mission friends. Then got up way too early and came home were were we are still recovering.
Capitol Building in SLC

Temple Square

Great Friends, thanks again ladies

Matt and friends Thanks again Mike for hosting the BBQ

all the cute kids from the BBQ

Oh Maddox, we miss you already

LL on 4 wheeler

MJ on 4 wheeler

Yes that is me on a dirt bike

and Matt on the same one

Minnie LL

Rexburg Temple

Bar J Wranglers

Jeanne and Grandma Jorgensen in Jackson Hole

West Yellowstone after the park

Old Faithful

Hot pots

yes they are looking at the elk above

Visiting Grandpa Johns grave

the reception

Mark and Natalie sealed together

Aunt Jana doing her auntie job, well at least two are smiling

the start of our trip to Las Vegas (sorry that was our trip backwards) If you want to see more click here!

Fish Hatchery and Hike

2009-08-27T17:55:00.001-04:00

The Wall That Heals

2009-08-24T17:45:00.001-04:00

not to be left out...

2009-08-19T08:35:00.005-04:00

Here are a few pictures that I have been meaning to get on here. Enjoy! Thank you Grandma Pam and Grandpa Ernie
having fun in the turtle pool

and yes MJ thought of this one all by herself!

mess monster returns

silly girls posing for the camera

our garden

fugeicles (as they are called here)

Messy Megan

the pirate/princess party

2009-08-19T08:01:00.004-04:00

We had such a fun time planning this party and having all LL's little friends come join us. Her request was a castle cake with her in the tower. So here is my best attempt at that.

Pirate MJ

LL turns 3

2009-08-14T07:43:00.002-04:00

I can't believe my baby girl is turning three today. She has grown up so fast. And if you ask her how old she is turning she will say 6 and I really think she means 12.

Happy Birthday Big Girl!

Sleeping Frog

2009-08-09T18:19:00.001-04:00

Visitors

2009-08-05T21:52:00.003-04:00

another fun trip to Niagara Falls

Big Project and Birthday Wish!

2009-07-31T08:54:00.006-04:00

So for my birthday I asked Matt if we could rip out the big nasty bush in front of our place in put in some smaller nicer looking plants. He didn't want to say yes but I told him that's what I really wanted and then he said yes. 5 mins later I was outside chopping away at the big nasty itself. If you look right under the front windows there is a long green bush, "the big nasty" as I will now call it.

we even found a little friend in the garden before finishing everything, and now I wish I would have known about toad houses, he now lives under our back deck. here is the finished product minus the grass we planted and extra mulch laid down around the plants.

Summer Fun!

2009-07-29T08:59:00.002-04:00

We have made some great friends next door to us and our girls love playing together, so I decided to take some pictures of them playing together. Enjoy!

LL, MJ, Megan, Marin and Mallory

And it wouldn't be right of me to take this picture and not share it, right?

Jack is on the move!

2009-07-20T17:34:00.002-04:00

I set him in the middle of the girls room during their bath time so he wouldn't get hurt and after 5 minutes I checked on him and this is how I found him. And he got mad at me for taking him out too.