tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69211755821181911532024-03-13T10:19:49.547-07:00Mike, Val, Emerson and MaddenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-31198333025017493692012-07-18T14:52:00.000-07:002012-07-18T14:52:01.803-07:00family pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in case you don't already know, my sister alyssa is so talented. she did such a great job taking our family pictures! love you lyss! if any of you in utah need your pictures taken call her, she is amazing!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-19372842972668990402012-07-18T14:47:00.001-07:002012-07-18T14:47:32.460-07:00summer fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we decided that we would spend a couple months in utah (since we don't have a house and mike doesn't start work until august). I signed emerson up for tball and he loved it, but is now ready for "real baseball"</div>
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taking the kids to summerfest in orem. they loved it.</div>
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but not getting their pictures taken:)</div>
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emerson decided that he needed eye black for tball because his uncle ryan wears it to baseball, he decided to put it on himself!</div>
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we got the pass of all passes in utah so we have spent a good amount of time at trafalga. we took the boys on the bumper boats but got put in with a bunch of 10 year old kids that thought it would be fun to spray me in the face the entire time. this was before the action happened. i was soaked after, like dripping wet. i had so much mascara in my eyes i couldn't even see, mike was taking video of it and laughing hysterically the entire time watching from the side!</div>
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we got to go to lake powell with the halls.</div>
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grandpa and emerson</div>
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madden swimming with aunt kristin</div>
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finding seashells on the beach</div>
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the boys loved driving the boat with grandpa!</div>
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we had such a good time. we stayed on a huge houseboat with a slide, had kayaks, fishing boat and speed boat. mike did a ton of wakeboarding and we loved just relaxing under the sun!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-86403741127309255862012-07-18T14:34:00.001-07:002012-07-18T14:34:08.002-07:00moving to florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i am usually a great planner but this year i think i have fallen apart in that category. i can blame part of it on the fact that moving with the air force had me so confused.....anyway we ended up packing up our 24 foot penske truck a couple days before graduation. as soon as the graduation festivities were over mike and i were on the road to florida. my parents were kind enough to watch our boys so we wouldn't have to take them with us:) </div>
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this drive was insane. not only did our penske truck move so slow (it would top out at about 65 mph and it took a lot to get it there) it was a gas hog. i think on the trip we averaged about 6 mpg! we got started at about 2pm and drove until we couldn't keep our eyes open. we ended up stopping somewhere off the road past el paso texas to sleep. we knew we wouldn't sleep for long so we just decided to sleep in the truck. i probably got an hour of sleep because i was so cold and uncomfortable. mike slept like a baby but after 3 hours i decided it was time to hit the road. so we drove for another 19 hours.....</div>
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at about midnight we arrived at our good friends house in new orleans. dave and natalia were so kind to offer us a place to stay the night, especially because they just had baby #2 10 days before we arrived! as soon as we got there mike and dave headed out to take a small tour of the french quarter and pick up some yummy pastries. i stayed back with natalia and held their sweet baby girl. we went to bed at about 2 or 3 and were back on the road at 6 am. </div>
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i can't wait to go back to new orleans. it was such a cool place. the homes are so unique.</div>
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we finally arrived in florida after 38 hours of driving and about 1900 miles. it was an adventure! i wasn't sure what i would think about living in florida but i must admit these beaches are incredible and even though we are so far from our family i think this 3 year adventure will be so fun!</div>
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a few days after we arrived it was time to unload our truck into a storage unit. we worked on unloading for a few hours in the morning and then went to look for houses. by the time we got back it was about 11 pm and we realized we left our lock keys in our realtors car, so at 11:30 we had to meet up with her to get our keys. the fun began again at midnight and we finished up a little after 4 am. it was horrible. we started unloading so bad that halfway through we were deciding what furniture we would just throw in the dumpster because we were sure it wouldn't fit. somehow, we got it to fit but it was the worst packing job anyone has probably ever seen. when we finally finished up we had to drive over an hour to get the truck weighed so we could get paid from the air force and then drive another hour back to have our rental truck back at 7am when it was due. it was a crazy night!</div>
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finally unloaded, huge sigh of relief!</div>
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now, i can't wait to find a house so we get to do this all over again....ahhhh!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-118369768826294262012-07-18T14:16:00.001-07:002012-07-18T14:16:21.384-07:00graduation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
May was a month long celebration (along with a lot of packing etc) but overall so much fun. To celebrate Mike's graduation we headed out to Fogo de Chao. We heard it was amazing and it did not disappoint! </div>
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The week before graduation we went to a MWU graduation banquet. It was so fun to be with friends and celebrate their accomplishments. A group shot of some of our favorite people!</div>
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The picture of Mike with his suite "B" he loved these people and became so close to them. He felt so blessed to be with such a great group of people and teachers!</div>
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The graduate!</div>
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both of us....</div>
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parents.....</div>
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and inlaws......</div>
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me with some of the greatest girls I know....</div>
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me and abby my sweet friend</div>
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abby, robyn and I. I am making such a weird face:)</div>
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the 3 amigos mike-bret-todd</div>
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and us girls me-bri-ashley</div>
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mike-todd-nate-bret</div>
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there is no denying how much we will miss all of our dental school friends! we have so many good memories with all of them!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-38503663570350603802012-02-20T08:49:00.000-08:002012-02-20T09:04:18.439-08:00tough decisionsIt has been a long time since I blogged. Mostly because I have had no free time the last few months. This has been the busiest and most stressful time of our lives. We have had a lot going on and have been faced with some very difficult things. <div><br /></div><div>One of those things stressing us out has been a decision to do an Air Force residency year or not. We have been back and fourth so many times and never felt completely comfortable with the decisions we were making. Back in November Mike was offered a place in a residency program at Scott Air Force base in Illinois (right outside St. Louis, MO). We went back and forth but by the beginning of December we had decided to not to do it. Now we were waiting until we got our 3 year assignment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime in mid-January we were contacted by a dental director at an Air Force base in New Mexico. I kinda freaked out about it. I knew that this was a base that we could very likely go to and the fact that the director was contacting us scared me a little. This base is located by a city called Alamogordo. There is not much there. The mall consists of a JC Penny and KMART. I told Mike there was no way I could live there and he agreed. He decided to call the Air Force and see if there was still a chance of doing the residency. They said we could still do it and offered us our spot back at Scott Air Force base. We thought about it a lot and told them we would do it, hoping that after we would have a better chance of getting stationed in Italy for our 3 year payback. </div><div><br /></div><div>A couple weeks went by and we had still not submitted our official acceptance letter. Last Monday I finally told Mike that we needed to send it in. For some reason both of us were so hesitant on sending it in. We just felt really uneasy about it. Ultimately, we prayed about it and just knew that for whatever reason we were not meant to do it. So, once again we made another phone call and told them that we were sorry but we couldn't do it. The Air Force people have been very nice about it and very understanding which I am thankful for!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, just a few days later we got our official orders and our 3 year payback commitment will still be at Scott Air Force base! I cannot even describe my relief when I knew we weren't going to New Mexico. I am sure Alamagordo is a great place to live but I don't think it was for me:) Illinois seems like a great place to go. There is a lot to do there and I am so excited for our new adventure! </div><div><br /></div><div>I am convinced that everything happens for a reason and I am looking forward to finding out why things have gone the way they have. Now we get to start making plans for our big move and find a house which we are SO excited for! I can't even believe that school is almost over, graduation is in just 3 months!!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-8032721020396146752011-10-28T14:16:00.000-07:002011-10-28T14:22:29.627-07:00a cool blog to check outHey friends. I haven't blogged in FOREVER mostly because I have been way to busy. Today I am just doing a quick post for my cute cousin Megan. She has been given a cool opportunity to attend the Biggest Loser Ranch for the second time. She has won contests and has attended the Biggest Loser Finally and met a ton of Biggest Loser contestants. <div><br /></div><div>She is on her own journey to lose weight and because she is starting to have these opportunities with the Biggest Loser she needs people to follow her blog and make comments. She has a lot of cool stories and pictures on there from her past experiences and will continue to have them. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, if any of you are fans of Biggest Loser or just want to help support my awesome cousin please visit her blog and become a follower and or make comments. We really want to help support her in this! Her blog is http://couragetofinishwhativestarted.blogspot.com</div><div>Thanks!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-18539928111127568902011-07-28T15:16:00.000-07:002011-07-28T15:27:21.848-07:00one downi am so EXCITED to say that my first semester back to school is finished! i couldn't be happier about it. i have LOVED being in school this semester. going back to school at an older age has made me appreciate LEARNING and i have loved it. i was so nervous to go back (it is a little over 8 years since my last college semester) and i wasn't sure i could do it. <div><br /></div><div>now, i will take a few weeks off and start another. </div><div><br /></div><div>update on the rest of us:</div><div> </div><div>mike: started his final year of dental school a couple months ago, i can't believe it! our time in az has flown by! he just started studying for the boards part 2 which he will take in nov or dec. we are also working on our air force application for the residency program for next year. we should know in october if we got it and where we will be moving....how EXCITING:)</div><div><br /></div><div>emerson: this cute little boy is turning 4 on sunday. i can't believe how fast it goes. he is bored to death and we are all looking forward to having the summer over with! he likes to spend his time writing letters on everything....himself, walls, sidewalk, paper....anywhere. he also loves playing batman legos on the "xbox free."</div><div><br /></div><div>madden: madden is 2. he has the funniest personality. he is a partier. he sleeps less than his older brother and if he can even sense something fun is going on he will stay awake at all costs. he loves going places and wrestling his dad who he still calls "mike" and his "bro-der." he is a very aggressive boy that i just want to kiss all day cause of his killer dimples.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-77109550835642288812011-06-29T08:46:00.001-07:002011-07-08T08:35:11.939-07:00UTAH<div>This post is a little late. We have been back from Utah for well over a month. It was a good vacation overall. I usually come back to Arizona feeling ready and love being here. This time we spent some time in the canyon and it made me so homesick for this place. Provo canyon has always been one of my favorite places and I have missed it so much. We took our friends up to check it out. The boys all loved it! They threw rocks in the river, climbed on an old train and ran up and down the train tracks. The weather couldn't have been more perfect either (one of the only nice days while we were there). </div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMvETY68Dco/ThcfEY6e0dI/AAAAAAAAAm8/ie-vM3gOlUw/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMvETY68Dco/ThcfEY6e0dI/AAAAAAAAAm8/ie-vM3gOlUw/s200/DSC_0250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627000419690402258" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFZ73wwXzmg/ThcfELngccI/AAAAAAAAAm0/eS83D6aGj3A/s200/DSC_0227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627000416121156034" /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoAdRhHYZ3U/ThcfD-r2CZI/AAAAAAAAAms/w-Kpr-8tHf4/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoAdRhHYZ3U/ThcfD-r2CZI/AAAAAAAAAms/w-Kpr-8tHf4/s200/DSC_0213.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627000412649687442" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AgEehXg_DNo/ThcfDiOC_oI/AAAAAAAAAmk/K6dL7GurvKs/s200/DSC_0203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627000405008514690" /><br /><br />The other big part of our trip was being able to see our cute little nieces Katelyn and Kassandra. It was our first time seeing baby "KK" and the boys couldn't get enough of holding her. She is such a sweet baby and is beautiful! Every time I go up to Utah Katelyn and Ezra usually don't recognize me which makes me sooo sad. I got to watch Katelyn a few days during the trip and we became friends. She played and smiled at me a ton and we loved every second of watching that sweet little girl!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUoUFV2NGIk/Thcd_3_bQOI/AAAAAAAAAmU/DRPiolalS8A/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUoUFV2NGIk/Thcd_3_bQOI/AAAAAAAAAmU/DRPiolalS8A/s200/DSC_0185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626999242621665506" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J1bfsXHiEA4/ThceAMpgjkI/AAAAAAAAAmc/9CwljAlHP_U/s200/DSC_0271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626999248166882882" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNi3obVdz34/ThcgClSw-VI/AAAAAAAAAnU/6YwOgYBirO8/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNi3obVdz34/ThcgClSw-VI/AAAAAAAAAnU/6YwOgYBirO8/s200/DSC_0334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627001488165370194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Erdl5MLCEEo/Thcd_KnfgrI/AAAAAAAAAmE/YXYt5FyyONo/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Erdl5MLCEEo/Thcd_KnfgrI/AAAAAAAAAmE/YXYt5FyyONo/s200/DSC_0176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626999230441685682" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXRIyukWvFg/Thcd_TGgWgI/AAAAAAAAAmM/Dso29gCaU-I/s200/DSC_0183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626999232719247874" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NNy2lex8VFE/Thcd-n2e4oI/AAAAAAAAAl8/U2G-BhC9eC0/s200/DSC_0173.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626999221109318274" /><br />Because I am a loser aunt I didn't get any pictures of Ezra:( I love that boy so much too. We got to do lots of things together and I love his fun personality to pieces!<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TiBui9TCNTE/ThcgCZn7rHI/AAAAAAAAAnM/sxyy8pXDZHs/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TiBui9TCNTE/ThcgCZn7rHI/AAAAAAAAAnM/sxyy8pXDZHs/s200/DSC_0279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627001485032926322" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>One cool thing that happened was in Salt Lake. Me, Mike, Alyssa and my Mom decided to take the kids to the Book of Mormon exhibit in Salt Lake and then have lunch with Justin because he works downtown. We parked in front of the conference center and we were in a hurry after the exhibit. My mom asked us if we had ever been on top of the conference center, we hadn't and wanted to go. We were out of time but I just said let's just see if they will take us up real quick. After a little debating we finally just went up. The guide took us right up, we looked around for a few minutes (I could spend a long time, it is so beautiful up there)! We were walking towards the elevators when Mike stopped and looked across the small room. He started speaking Italian and ran over and started hugging a guy. We were so confused until he finally introduced me. Turns out it was an Italian guy and his wife visiting from Italy. He had been wanting to see Mike but everyone told him we were living in Arizona and it wouldn't be possible. Later that night we met up with a bunch of people and went to dinner. Mike was in heaven. They were really great and I had a good time but learned that I need to speak Italian. I was the only one that didn't speak. It was such a cool thing for him to see them!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-54529504149563729132011-06-21T19:26:00.000-07:002011-06-21T19:32:56.575-07:00The boy who potty trained himself<div>madden.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQov0X2Iga8/TgFTSZSspjI/AAAAAAAAAls/NPDvys2bj_M/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQov0X2Iga8/TgFTSZSspjI/AAAAAAAAAls/NPDvys2bj_M/s200/DSC_0294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620865385427150386" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQov0X2Iga8/TgFTSZSspjI/AAAAAAAAAls/NPDvys2bj_M/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>this funny little guy had no interest in being potty trained right when he was turning 2 but only a month and a half later he decided he was going to be. Madden would just come tell me "I pee, mommy" and so I would take him, and that's how it went with this boy. We have been going pretty strong for 2 weeks now. We have occasional accidents (especially at our friends house) but he is doing pretty well with hardly any effort on my part:) </div><div><br /></div><div>He just comes up with things all on his own. Tonight Mike told him he would be right back and to count to 3 and he did....we never taught him to count to 3 but he just knew:) he is cracking us up all the time. We love this little baby guy!<br /><br /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-84777955084193086002011-06-15T07:48:00.000-07:002011-06-15T08:13:53.647-07:00gramps<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMugH_GD3sw/TfjHsq73L6I/AAAAAAAAAlk/26Q-nrnyInI/s1600/IMG_0044.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMugH_GD3sw/TfjHsq73L6I/AAAAAAAAAlk/26Q-nrnyInI/s200/IMG_0044.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618460105398235042" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Sunday morning (June 12, 2011) my sweet grandpa Schroeppel passed away. This weekend has been full of sadness. I was blessed to be with my mom, my aunt kim and my cousin meg when I got the news. We stayed up on Saturday night until about 2 am crying and talking, waiting to hear the news that he had passed. On Sunday morning at around 7:30 we heard that he was gone. We were all in a hotel room together in Tempe because we had gone to Les Mis the night before. Our girls weekend wasn't quite what any of us had expected but I am still grateful we were able to cry together.</div><div><br /></div><div>Monday morning we all headed up to St. George to attend funeral part 1. It was so emotional for me. This was the first viewing I had ever attended. This is my first grandparent pass away. The whole experience has been hard to handle. Thankfully though, my grandpa has lived such a great life and that gives me a lot of peace. </div><div><br /></div><div>I came away from the funeral yesterday with a feeling of such love and gratitude for my grandpa. He is one AMAZING man who is loved and respected by so many people. My grandpa spent his life in service for others. My grandpa is one of the funniest guys I know. He is hilarious. Yesterday everyone talked about his wit and humor and that is one of the things I will miss most about him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although we were not able to be with him when he passed and did not get to say goodbye, I am grateful for a great visit I had with him back in Feb. He was in the hospital and we were just getting back from our San Fran trip. I decided to make us leave later than we wanted so I could just go say a quick hello to my grandpa in the hospital. I ended up staying for 2 hours, just me and him. We talked, laughed and joked. During my 2 hour visit I think my grandpa had 3 or 4 different visitors from his ward and neighborhood. These people all told me how much they love my grandpa and what a great man he is. I loved this visit and for me, it was such a sweet memory that I have with him. I am thankful I was able to spend that time with him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grandpa has been such a good grandpa to all of his 49 grandkids:) I know my grandpa loves all of us equally and we all feel special and loved by him. I think that is a pretty amazing thing especially with how many of us there is!</div><div><br /></div><div>I will miss grandpa but I know I can see him again. I am thankful to be a part of such an amazing family. I have so many great cousins, aunts and uncles. I feel pretty blessed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday is the final funeral in Utah County. I am flying up on Saturday to be there for it. I am guessing there will be more tears shed in honor of such a great guy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-48275411521677940312011-06-09T12:21:00.000-07:002011-06-09T12:52:43.712-07:00Girls Night in VEGAS!I have A LOT of blogging to do but I will start with my mother's day present this year. Mike decided to get some guys together and send us wives to Vegas for a night. We were all a little excited and a little nervous...we went and had a ton of fun! Our guys scored some major points for this one. They but us up in the Palazzo hotel which was AMAZING! Here are a few pics from our trip.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fzmgarDrn-4/TfEgCXD3-vI/AAAAAAAAAlE/yg1d_ZKy5xs/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fzmgarDrn-4/TfEgCXD3-vI/AAAAAAAAAlE/yg1d_ZKy5xs/s200/DSC_0136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616305435229813490" style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div>As soon as we got in our rooms (which were soooo nice) we realized we could be as dumb and immature as we wanted so we jumped on our beds, jump off a ledge onto our beds and giggled, it is pretty fun acting like a 5 year old again!</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fzmgarDrn-4/TfEgCXD3-vI/AAAAAAAAAlE/yg1d_ZKy5xs/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KAIy_YnvP4/TfEgDNKjyMI/AAAAAAAAAlM/4vPcTDsUN5k/s1600/DSC_0139.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KAIy_YnvP4/TfEgDNKjyMI/AAAAAAAAAlM/4vPcTDsUN5k/s200/DSC_0139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616305449753364674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div>In the lobby of the Palazzo. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eICke1tnik/TfEgDYiXJNI/AAAAAAAAAlU/O35-jWR921I/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eICke1tnik/TfEgDYiXJNI/AAAAAAAAAlU/O35-jWR921I/s200/DSC_0145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616305452805989586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>After Jack Sparrow scared the life out of me and Heather, she got a picture taken with him. He was very friendly:)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evf0RYqZg4c/TfEgD5PeRDI/AAAAAAAAAlc/XfDxFZBJWdQ/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evf0RYqZg4c/TfEgD5PeRDI/AAAAAAAAAlc/XfDxFZBJWdQ/s200/DSC_0149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616305461585134642" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>We thought we got all dolled up before we went out but then realized we were in a whole other world when the guy taking our picture asked us where in the Midwest are we from:) I think we might have been the only girls on the strip in denim at 10pm!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgMlU4TBLaQ/TfEfIGHn4PI/AAAAAAAAAko/XXlRo1E7diQ/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgMlU4TBLaQ/TfEfIGHn4PI/AAAAAAAAAko/XXlRo1E7diQ/s200/DSC_0150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616304434249720050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>After dinner at our $40 buffet. It was the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan. It was much more gourmet than any buffet I had ever seen. The best part for me was the desserts, they were fantastic!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLj7XEiu84Q/TfEfHhI-gPI/AAAAAAAAAkg/jWdSyUZg1dg/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLj7XEiu84Q/TfEfHhI-gPI/AAAAAAAAAkg/jWdSyUZg1dg/s200/DSC_0152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616304424323285234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>After dinner, we shopped until midnight, tried to find a karaoke bar, with no luck and did a little gambling....only a dollar on the penny slots. We got hit on by weirdo guys at 1 am and decided to head up to our rooms.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSmA-inNbNY/TfEfHLFO5SI/AAAAAAAAAkY/HR-ofZL237s/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSmA-inNbNY/TfEfHLFO5SI/AAAAAAAAAkY/HR-ofZL237s/s200/DSC_0159.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616304418402002210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>We spent the next few hours talking and laughing...Jill didn't make it the whole time:)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDTmNjS3Vjg/TfEfGonT44I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/H67FpXIFfw8/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDTmNjS3Vjg/TfEfGonT44I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/H67FpXIFfw8/s200/DSC_0162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616304409149694850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>Ash, Heather and Me on one of our beds (picture taken at 4 am:)</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day we woke up, went down to sit in the hot tubs, got ready and went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Here is a picture before we left Vegas.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GW_TtTSQK8I/TfEfGAJcoNI/AAAAAAAAAkI/jonM4eBG4dQ/s1600/DSC_0164.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GW_TtTSQK8I/TfEfGAJcoNI/AAAAAAAAAkI/jonM4eBG4dQ/s200/DSC_0164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616304398287020242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>We missed some of our good friends who couldn't make it but wanted to:( but we had such a good weekend and can't wait to do it again soon!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-6735758142118284232011-05-03T07:36:00.001-07:002011-05-03T08:02:40.794-07:00disneyland 2011Disneyland was so much fun this year! We made a sort of last minute decision to go and it was the best time we've had yet. This year we got a 3 day military park hopper pass for $98 a person. It was an amazing deal! I was so happy that my mom, dad and Ry could come down and extra happy that Lyss, Jus, and Ez could come too. I miss these people so much!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC0-wHotayk/TcAV-aCfgRI/AAAAAAAAAj0/HsV0I-QQSvE/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC0-wHotayk/TcAV-aCfgRI/AAAAAAAAAj0/HsV0I-QQSvE/s200/DSC_0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602502098334744850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOuNjfbs3F4/TcAV-p_eTKI/AAAAAAAAAj8/0-QZ04R_9pM/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOuNjfbs3F4/TcAV-p_eTKI/AAAAAAAAAj8/0-QZ04R_9pM/s200/DSC_0110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602502102617050274" border="0" /></a><br />Alyssa and Justin drove down to Cali and had quite the adventure, to say the least. Between a ticket, new tires and rims, taking Ez to the ER their trip ended up being a lot more expensive. I am so thankful they came anyway, we loved having them there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CD1lMeN8hc/TcAVfoGS7fI/AAAAAAAAAjk/F1E1XDW7CO4/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CD1lMeN8hc/TcAVfoGS7fI/AAAAAAAAAjk/F1E1XDW7CO4/s200/DSC_0065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602501569532849650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjcZLbqgPJ0/TcAV95IivVI/AAAAAAAAAjs/3-4UZFV8Vnk/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjcZLbqgPJ0/TcAV95IivVI/AAAAAAAAAjs/3-4UZFV8Vnk/s200/DSC_0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602502089501752658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTPbEcA7bus/TcAVfFvHBeI/AAAAAAAAAjc/5RoWyWq4Iuw/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTPbEcA7bus/TcAVfFvHBeI/AAAAAAAAAjc/5RoWyWq4Iuw/s200/DSC_0105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602501560308794850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u81t5OVgfpw/TcAVe9-PFFI/AAAAAAAAAjU/xXSxxoWJF7U/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u81t5OVgfpw/TcAVe9-PFFI/AAAAAAAAAjU/xXSxxoWJF7U/s200/DSC_0118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602501558224753746" border="0" /></a><br />Emersons favorite ride was driving these cars. He also thought it was pretty cool meeting Mickey Mouse (even though he was terrified at first)!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOx-7obFhKA/TcAVee4xm9I/AAAAAAAAAjM/avZoEnQb2iU/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOx-7obFhKA/TcAVee4xm9I/AAAAAAAAAjM/avZoEnQb2iU/s200/DSC_0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602501549880351698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRa5xGO_wfw/TcAVeIsrVUI/AAAAAAAAAjE/pDqbcUjbw_0/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRa5xGO_wfw/TcAVeIsrVUI/AAAAAAAAAjE/pDqbcUjbw_0/s200/DSC_0146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602501543924028738" border="0" /></a><br />I loved seeing all the boys together. Madden was all about Ezra but Ezra wasn't so sure about him (he might have felt a little smothered:) But they were still sweet together. Poor Ez was sooo sick for most of the trip.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBnZuxS7vBU/TcAUjPoj9JI/AAAAAAAAAi8/SrJG4lo4Y8c/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBnZuxS7vBU/TcAUjPoj9JI/AAAAAAAAAi8/SrJG4lo4Y8c/s200/DSC_0162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602500532173534354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjPStCaCVa8/TcAUiRtGl1I/AAAAAAAAAi0/EkvUzowpTGE/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjPStCaCVa8/TcAUiRtGl1I/AAAAAAAAAi0/EkvUzowpTGE/s200/DSC_0202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602500515549583186" border="0" /></a><br />The boys were so excited to see Lightning McQueen and Mater, Emers is so excited for the new cars movie! California Adventure is opening up cars rides later on this year, guess we might have to go back:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRYLVbB9Zjg/TcAUiId51kI/AAAAAAAAAis/ximYAWnzpEQ/s1600/DSC_0216.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRYLVbB9Zjg/TcAUiId51kI/AAAAAAAAAis/ximYAWnzpEQ/s200/DSC_0216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602500513069913666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ki2c_tgSjik/TcAUhspVMeI/AAAAAAAAAik/l5R6Sktxf-A/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ki2c_tgSjik/TcAUhspVMeI/AAAAAAAAAik/l5R6Sktxf-A/s200/DSC_0219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602500505601651170" border="0" /></a><br />We celebrated Madden's 2nd birthday at Disneyland. We had him open presents and he got to wear a button so that people in the park would wish him Happy Birthday. We love you baby guy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RnYCzZSLhXY/TcAUhfh-8DI/AAAAAAAAAic/Azj5ll68ES4/s1600/DSC_0206.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RnYCzZSLhXY/TcAUhfh-8DI/AAAAAAAAAic/Azj5ll68ES4/s200/DSC_0206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602500502081171506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60wjzWWMDfY/TcATocczWZI/AAAAAAAAAiU/zqgzgBN9ycI/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60wjzWWMDfY/TcATocczWZI/AAAAAAAAAiU/zqgzgBN9ycI/s200/DSC_0222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602499522001590674" border="0" /></a><br />Because we had 3 days there we would usually go to the park in the morning and take a few hours off in the afternoon and go back at night. It was so nice although next time I go, it will not be when Utah has spring break, it was way too crowded!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQijqleIh0w/TcATnsd5YfI/AAAAAAAAAiE/PI7iLNnKpjk/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQijqleIh0w/TcATnsd5YfI/AAAAAAAAAiE/PI7iLNnKpjk/s200/DSC_0242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602499509121278450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAahiZmnh04/TcATn5dIEOI/AAAAAAAAAiM/bE30ndayty4/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAahiZmnh04/TcATn5dIEOI/AAAAAAAAAiM/bE30ndayty4/s200/DSC_0230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602499512607707362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5vw-EW4r64/TcATnBVWnaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/xz9sivP0V74/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5vw-EW4r64/TcATnBVWnaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/xz9sivP0V74/s200/DSC_0252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602499497542720930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feLoFui1bik/TcATmobqt_I/AAAAAAAAAh0/nXop14CiEWA/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feLoFui1bik/TcATmobqt_I/AAAAAAAAAh0/nXop14CiEWA/s200/DSC_0248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602499490858317810" border="0" /></a><br />Our last day we made a stop at the beach. It was freezing cold but Madden got a kite for his birthday and we wanted to try it out. Kites work great on the beach with all that wind:)<br /><br />It was a great vacation!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-91868997660400977242011-04-18T15:12:00.000-07:002011-04-26T07:52:41.255-07:00Baby is 2!A couple weeks ago my sweet little madden guy turned 2. I have been thinking a lot about this sweet little boy and how grateful I am to have him in my family. This picture below was just a few days after madden was born. Although Madden wasn't planned I can't imagine our family without him. He has brought us so much happiness. Here are some pictures of the things I love about this baby!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhAMVa_QOwo/Ta3VSHLM0qI/AAAAAAAAAhk/IYsehZWkYeA/s1600/DSC01055.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhAMVa_QOwo/Ta3VSHLM0qI/AAAAAAAAAhk/IYsehZWkYeA/s200/DSC01055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597364419031782050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Madden is ready for anything. He is just waiting around for something else to happen so he can do it. The second we brought out his cake he was filling his cheeks with air to blow out those candles. (I didn't even know he would know what to do).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIOn4g_Eaw0/Ta3VRop9FFI/AAAAAAAAAhc/Sh82MZqiSA8/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIOn4g_Eaw0/Ta3VRop9FFI/AAAAAAAAAhc/Sh82MZqiSA8/s200/DSC_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597364410839274578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He has such an angelic face and is a sweet boy but he is also my wild child:) Madden likes to test the boundaries and pinch, bite, hit or kick me. I will always tell him no Madd, we don't hit mommy, sometimes he will say "sorry mom" in his sweet voice. Other times he will do an evil laugh and run away. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ecY-MiGh4c/Ta3TqJr20fI/AAAAAAAAAg8/KIEbm7leTb0/s1600/hall_0093.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ecY-MiGh4c/Ta3TqJr20fI/AAAAAAAAAg8/KIEbm7leTb0/s200/hall_0093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597362632999227890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He is all boy. He loves to wear hats, shoes football wrist bands or anything else he can find. He also wants to be doing every single thing Emerson does. Madden has to wear his backpack every time we take Emerson to school. He will literally follow Emerson around the house all day and follow every move, sound or action he does. It is pretty cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JS07V9JjRvg/Ta3VRK_O_RI/AAAAAAAAAhU/LEx6ylb_YkY/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JS07V9JjRvg/Ta3VRK_O_RI/AAAAAAAAAhU/LEx6ylb_YkY/s200/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597364402875464978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lately Madden has been a good helper. He wants to help me with every single thing I do. He will vacuum, wash dishes, wipe counters, sweep and mop. I only wish he would just put his energy into those things, most of the time he is pulling things out and off of places, throwing toys all over the floor or the worst one yet, hitting our tv with a bat and breaking the 47" flat screen....nice!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iG6Fqw1W_Kg/Ta3VQmRBBgI/AAAAAAAAAhM/pH2dr5ElvlI/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iG6Fqw1W_Kg/Ta3VQmRBBgI/AAAAAAAAAhM/pH2dr5ElvlI/s200/DSC_0103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597364393017935362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My favorite thing Madden does is "be aggressive". The picture below is exactly what he does when we tell him to be aggressive. It is so funny! After he does that he will usually tackle us or something. He loves to wrestle his brother and daddy any chance he can get. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pb7Ostl2X4Q/Ta3TqTJNdEI/AAAAAAAAAhE/o2TAWhilOgk/s1600/DSC_0306.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pb7Ostl2X4Q/Ta3TqTJNdEI/AAAAAAAAAhE/o2TAWhilOgk/s200/DSC_0306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597362635538265154" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGlnFm_6RLg/TbbYHtai9-I/AAAAAAAAAhs/__p032yTTqo/s1600/DSC_0385.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGlnFm_6RLg/TbbYHtai9-I/AAAAAAAAAhs/__p032yTTqo/s200/DSC_0385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599900813643413474" border="0" /></a><br />I absolutely love this babies dimples. They melt me. I love that he calls his daddy "mike" and laughs about it. I love that he calls emerson "bro-der". I love that he says "hike" with his football and tackles us. Even though he is a wild, crazy, energetic boy I love him so much. He is so fun to be around and still has a very sweet personality. I am so thankful for Madden to be in our family, we would be missing out on so much without him. <br /><br /><br />Happy Birthday Baby Guy! We love you lots and lots!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-72049614143759563142011-04-03T13:51:00.000-07:002011-04-26T07:32:15.141-07:00April FoolsI have never really done anything for April Fools before. This year my friend Heather and I decided to do a last minute April Fools party for the kids. So, Heather made the cupcakes and I put some crafts together and the kids came and had a good time. We handed out treats in a white sock we put cocoa on. Heather made these great cupcakes that looked like spaghetti and meatballs and mashed potatoes with butter (the butter was a starburst). It was fun to put together. The kids all ran around and had a good time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlcuPUP7WGY/TZjet6Zyl5I/AAAAAAAAAgw/FbGl-21cpiA/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlcuPUP7WGY/TZjet6Zyl5I/AAAAAAAAAgw/FbGl-21cpiA/s200/DSC_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591463817733379986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbSDEIqJLsY/TZjetYnnMJI/AAAAAAAAAgo/_ygaPMEMhLU/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbSDEIqJLsY/TZjetYnnMJI/AAAAAAAAAgo/_ygaPMEMhLU/s200/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591463808664547474" border="0" /></a><br />Heathers fabulous cupcakes....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0EeDP1C8L4c/TZjes4VCqqI/AAAAAAAAAgg/kar8tLtegJI/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0EeDP1C8L4c/TZjes4VCqqI/AAAAAAAAAgg/kar8tLtegJI/s200/DSC_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591463799996721826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-io3VQl_-384/TZjePJIAdcI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/eWu7N74fm_M/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-io3VQl_-384/TZjePJIAdcI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/eWu7N74fm_M/s200/DSC_0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591463289109378498" border="0" /></a><br />The kids in their "crazy" hats and making green slime....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UXfRZIp2b14/TZjeOqxYylI/AAAAAAAAAgI/0FXW97zbSwY/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UXfRZIp2b14/TZjeOqxYylI/AAAAAAAAAgI/0FXW97zbSwY/s200/DSC_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591463280961440338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRmJXzjTUJM/TZjeOH56pVI/AAAAAAAAAgA/r9isyQzHkJg/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRmJXzjTUJM/TZjeOH56pVI/AAAAAAAAAgA/r9isyQzHkJg/s200/DSC_0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591463271601972562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next year I think it might be fun to do an adult april fools party. There seemed to be lots of fun ideas online:)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-18932271119371655522011-04-02T06:28:00.000-07:002011-04-07T17:34:26.319-07:00Young Women's Campout AdventureWe decided to have a super activity for our young women. We made plans to go canoeing on the Verde River. I knew going into it that it would be an adventure, I just didn't know how much of an adventure it would be.<br /><br />Day 1 we arrived in the White Tank Mountains. We set up camp and relaxed. Lucky for me, Emerson and Madden got to come up and spend with us. They loved it up there. Emerson got to play baseball with everyone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCbf-6dsvXY/TZclWVw0N6I/AAAAAAAAAf4/AIG-48lbOH0/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCbf-6dsvXY/TZclWVw0N6I/AAAAAAAAAf4/AIG-48lbOH0/s200/DSC_0239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590978528133003170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These boys were spoiled rotten with attention from all the young women. All the girls were so great with them and played with them the entire time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y81o72CiFks/TZclO0npWqI/AAAAAAAAAfw/oDgW6jEiFTc/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y81o72CiFks/TZclO0npWqI/AAAAAAAAAfw/oDgW6jEiFTc/s200/DSC_0257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590978398977088162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTDEGcv--qw/TZclOfX99-I/AAAAAAAAAfo/_Dj7Mx6PHwk/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTDEGcv--qw/TZclOfX99-I/AAAAAAAAAfo/_Dj7Mx6PHwk/s200/DSC_0295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590978393274185698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The girls set up all of the tents on their own. They were awesome!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpFZy98LIZA/TZclOJ4mQBI/AAAAAAAAAfg/AU7bm1zS5aU/s1600/DSC_0217.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpFZy98LIZA/TZclOJ4mQBI/AAAAAAAAAfg/AU7bm1zS5aU/s200/DSC_0217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590978387505463314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We took a hike to a "waterfall" and saw a rattle snake on the way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQuTqHM05Ls/TZclNqyVZMI/AAAAAAAAAfY/OzNFeiIA-I4/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQuTqHM05Ls/TZclNqyVZMI/AAAAAAAAAfY/OzNFeiIA-I4/s200/DSC_0278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590978379157693634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOLmUt20We0/TZclNUrygJI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/E_pENHBi-Ds/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOLmUt20We0/TZclNUrygJI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/E_pENHBi-Ds/s200/DSC_0222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590978373224661138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That was the first day....<br /><br />Day 2 was a different day. It started off great. We went to McDonald's for breakfast and then headed a hour and a half north to get on the River. We got on our canoes at around 10:30 am. We were all really nervous because most of us had never canoed before. We got on the water and realized that it really wasn't too bad. The river was slow, wide and we just slowly went along.<br /><br />After being on the water for a couple hours things started to get interesting. I had one of my cute young women, Katie with me. We somehow drifted to the side and couldn't get away and went right into a huge tree with tons of sticks (not really any leaves). I was laying flat on my back because the sticks were so thick. I was trying to push my way out but it was really hard. Finally we got out and I realized there were about 50 spiders in my boat!!!!! Yes, SPIDERS!!! all shapes and sizes. This was my worst fear by far. I was freaking out! I was standing in the canoe, jumping and screaming, stabbing and stomping the spiders with my feet and my ore. It was horrible.<br /><br />I survived.<br /><br />After lunch we headed out again. A few people had tipped there canoes but we hadn't yet. I was thankful because the water was cold and it was only 65 degrees outside. Well, not long after lunch did everyone start tipping over. The poor men on our trip spent the entire day getting all of us un-stuck, getting water out of our boats and convincing the girls that we needed to keep going. I could make this post sooo long and tell you about every single time we tipped over and had scary adventures but I won't. I will just say that it got so bad that almost every girl was crying and at one point they couldn't do it anymore. We had been through so much that last couple hours. So the girls decided to get out of their canoes and start walking. Obviously they couldn't go alone so since I was the only female leader with them at the time, I went with.<br /><br />We thought we were almost at the end from where we got out of the water so the plan was to just follow the road along the river until we got to the cars. We walked for about a mile and we didn't see any cars. We did run into a lady and borrowed her phone. We found another couple from our group and they came to pick us up....in their Toyota Camry. We fit 8 girls in the back seat and I sat in the front seat on one of the other women leaders laps:) It was so funny. We were all soaking wet, freezing from the wind and emotionally exhausted!<br /><br />The next few hours was spent wondering if the rest of our group on the river was okay. We didn't have any contact with them and as it got dark we were really scared. The rest of our group had to get all of our abandoned canoes down the river for 2 miles!!! We thought we were at the end but we weren't, we still had a long way to go.<br /><br />After many prayers and waiting we located our group and got back together at around 9pm.<br /><br />Next, we were getting ready to load up and one of the trucks wouldn't start so we had to get a tow truck to drive us back. When the tow truck arrived we got loaded up and then our driver decided to go off the path a little ways and got stuck in the parking lot!!!! It took a half hour to get us out and finally we were on our way at 10:30pm. We went and loaded the canoes and got a ride back to the White Tank mountains....arrival time was 1:30am.<br /><br />It was the craziest day I have ever had. We were all emotionally exhausted but thankful to have everyone safe. Our goal for the trip was unity and we got it!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-88446499624185869082011-04-02T06:11:00.001-07:002011-04-05T13:58:23.780-07:00Phoenix Childrens MuseumThis place was amazing! The boys had so much fun here and I was pretty impressed myself. It was in a cool old building in downtown.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNthEdhju_A/TZci8dg155I/AAAAAAAAAfA/J-FJfqKgaSM/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNthEdhju_A/TZci8dg155I/AAAAAAAAAfA/J-FJfqKgaSM/s200/DSC_0190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975884513634194" border="0" /></a><br />Emerson in the HUGE playhouse.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kIsdYx7LVI/TZci77Jo7iI/AAAAAAAAAe4/SsmEWEBwmjA/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kIsdYx7LVI/TZci77Jo7iI/AAAAAAAAAe4/SsmEWEBwmjA/s200/DSC_0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975875289509410" border="0" /></a><br />They rode trikes through a pretend carwash.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89N3hi7j8tg/TZcif-FHRYI/AAAAAAAAAeA/kjoVIVt1JTI/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89N3hi7j8tg/TZcif-FHRYI/AAAAAAAAAeA/kjoVIVt1JTI/s200/DSC_0179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975395039495554" border="0" /></a><br />Madden liked Emerson to taxi him around. He never wanted to get out of that back seat:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mOCN1bV2IA/TZci7nf3MlI/AAAAAAAAAew/G2BAB1IJAAo/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mOCN1bV2IA/TZci7nf3MlI/AAAAAAAAAew/G2BAB1IJAAo/s200/DSC_0168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975870014009938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKjN9QKv--4/TZci7ZY7YBI/AAAAAAAAAeo/vNmweYBqWEM/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKjN9QKv--4/TZci7ZY7YBI/AAAAAAAAAeo/vNmweYBqWEM/s200/DSC_0170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975866226827282" border="0" /></a><br />they made hats....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJjcvP2fygY/TZcihbvj4dI/AAAAAAAAAeg/tNRtw19xieM/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJjcvP2fygY/TZcihbvj4dI/AAAAAAAAAeg/tNRtw19xieM/s200/DSC_0156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975420182028754" border="0" /></a><br />Painted a castle....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNGdNWH1cVs/TZcig3SRnEI/AAAAAAAAAeY/mnUXqrimNbo/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNGdNWH1cVs/TZcig3SRnEI/AAAAAAAAAeY/mnUXqrimNbo/s200/DSC_0138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975410395520066" border="0" /></a><br />went through the noodle forest...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6icFuEonjs/TZcigsRfheI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/_0Pfz6Epg0g/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6icFuEonjs/TZcigsRfheI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/_0Pfz6Epg0g/s200/DSC_0131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975407439447522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0l49z9vlTaE/TZcigOE1oNI/AAAAAAAAAeI/tflGWJbXiSA/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0l49z9vlTaE/TZcigOE1oNI/AAAAAAAAAeI/tflGWJbXiSA/s200/DSC_0128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590975399333306578" border="0" /></a><br />and went grocery shopping and checked themselves out.<br /><br />I hope we go back again. These boys loved every minute!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-32932336703441709272011-04-02T05:24:00.000-07:002011-04-02T05:34:48.238-07:00Spring Training<div style="text-align: left;">Being in Phoenix in March has its perks. One of them is attending spring training games for way cheap. We got tickets to the Mariners for free from the Air Force base. Rob and Rocio came to visit us so we took them along with us. It is nice to sit on the grass and enjoy some sun. I don't think we watched much of the game but it was a good time anyway!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubfxWVwP910/TZcXHeVAJGI/AAAAAAAAAd4/aoiOcaL7tPQ/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubfxWVwP910/TZcXHeVAJGI/AAAAAAAAAd4/aoiOcaL7tPQ/s200/DSC_0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590962879571436642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kzWgwPg0C1Q/TZcXHMj6zbI/AAAAAAAAAdw/SLZkbIxw4VA/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kzWgwPg0C1Q/TZcXHMj6zbI/AAAAAAAAAdw/SLZkbIxw4VA/s200/DSC_0059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590962874802163122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaWyn8pngoI/TZcXGxzyV1I/AAAAAAAAAdo/j4HqZBnxrWY/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaWyn8pngoI/TZcXGxzyV1I/AAAAAAAAAdo/j4HqZBnxrWY/s200/DSC_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590962867620960082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8oEGP-Afv4/TZcXGv9aObI/AAAAAAAAAdg/o4N0Ur2ejrY/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8oEGP-Afv4/TZcXGv9aObI/AAAAAAAAAdg/o4N0Ur2ejrY/s200/DSC_0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590962867124451762" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-83433213234658795222011-03-27T20:21:00.000-07:002011-03-27T20:34:56.470-07:00BeefFor Mike's spring break we decided to watch a dog for Dr. Call (who is over Mike in the clinic). When beef first arrived my boys (and myself) were terrified. It took Emerson only a couple minutes to warm up to him. It took Madden a day or so. These boys loved having him at our house. Beef loved to follow us everywhere we went in the house. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xos1yOP8mNU/TY__vTZ-zJI/AAAAAAAAAdY/j7kH1KCq4bU/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xos1yOP8mNU/TY__vTZ-zJI/AAAAAAAAAdY/j7kH1KCq4bU/s200/DSC_0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588966850718256274" border="0" /></a><br />Emers grew attached to Beef very quickly. Every time we would leave the house he wouldn't want to go because Beef would miss him. He would also suggest that we take Beef with us. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEhC2mrRIaY/TY__vGK010I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ugdOdjoJZ8Q/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEhC2mrRIaY/TY__vGK010I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ugdOdjoJZ8Q/s200/DSC_0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588966847165028162" border="0" /></a><br />It was a huge growing experience for me and the boys. At least they aren't scared of dogs anymore!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-42402857445954347872011-03-08T14:08:00.001-08:002011-03-08T14:12:19.294-08:00New ObsessionCall me a grandma....but this thing is a little addicting for me!<br /><br />www.jigzone.com<br /><br />Mike is cursing his sisters name for introducing me. We spent time on a Saturday night "racing" each other. How nerdy are we?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-41890879506200357972011-02-22T10:03:00.001-08:002011-02-22T10:28:18.538-08:00these boys<div>These 2 little "angels" really do melt my heart and often make me feel beyond blessed......</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bNTKNRk9x8/TWP7KbyUyuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/OYvk30EEvtg/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 184px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bNTKNRk9x8/TWP7KbyUyuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/OYvk30EEvtg/s200/DSC_0113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576576920290904802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lds9ShPF-EU/TWP7Jrmn8WI/AAAAAAAAAc4/gxDoqd79P0M/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lds9ShPF-EU/TWP7Jrmn8WI/AAAAAAAAAc4/gxDoqd79P0M/s200/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576576907356926306" /></a><div>There are, however, many days lately where I am feeling completely overwhelmed by their energy and attitudes:) I always thought it was "terrible two's" but I am finding that it was more like "terrific two's" and "terrible three's". I feel horrible every time I lose my patience which seems to be happening WAY more than it ever did before! I am sure I am not the only mom who is going through this or has gone through this before but sometimes I just need to vent:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wnOsAG668c/TWP7JdjI9uI/AAAAAAAAAcw/ME87mikCdow/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wnOsAG668c/TWP7JdjI9uI/AAAAAAAAAcw/ME87mikCdow/s200/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576576903584216802" /></a></div><div>We seem to have many days like this picture above (we all feel that way). Emerson is mad at me and I at him. He is throwing fits, calling me names (this is a new one) and being mean to his brother. Madden is a sweet boy but he knows what he wants and he will fight until he gets it! There is no changing his mind! He knows how to destroy everything and most of the day I feel like I am following them around cleaning up the mess. Today I need a break so they are being watched by the TV:(<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div>At the end of any crazy day I get into bed and forget all about it. I start telling Mike about all the funny and creative things they have done. I remember how lucky I am to be their mom and I feel so grateful. I wouldn't change my life in any way no matter how hard the day is. Even though these boys can be a lot to keep up with they are so sweet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing them happy together is the greatest thing for me. Madden looks up to his big brother so much and wants to be just like him. Madden loves climbing on the coffee table and jumping off to Emerson on the couch. They laugh and laugh together.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JeVJu02-kJI/TWP7IyC7POI/AAAAAAAAAco/5e-WpA0OG-0/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JeVJu02-kJI/TWP7IyC7POI/AAAAAAAAAco/5e-WpA0OG-0/s200/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576576891906374882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></div><div>Emerson and Madden love just staring at each other and smiling. It is so sweet and I am glad I got to capture it on camera when they were just out of the bath. <br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxXFF2RXKGo/TWP7J4HATII/AAAAAAAAAdA/WJCWm0sKCyw/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxXFF2RXKGo/TWP7J4HATII/AAAAAAAAAdA/WJCWm0sKCyw/s200/DSC_0085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576576910713965698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now I will go back to trying to get ready for the craziness that awaits us starting this weekend. Mike's mom is moving down to AZ on Thursday, we get to "babysit" a dog starting on Friday....yes I said a dog. at my house. and I am DEATHLY afraid of them, DEATHLY afraid! What am I thinking?! Then my brother and his wife will come down the following Thursday for a quick weekend visit. It will be so busy but fun!</div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-17990318208892619832011-02-17T12:58:00.000-08:002011-02-17T13:08:16.379-08:00a project<div>I have always hated this table we got at a garage sale. I think we bought it with the chairs for $10. It has always served it's purpose but now the boys are "too big" to eat on it so I decided to change it up a little. <br /></div><div>Before:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkgpz72_BQQ/TV2NBmVLr9I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/pAgXREfL8AI/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkgpz72_BQQ/TV2NBmVLr9I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/pAgXREfL8AI/s200/DSC_0088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574766972363321298" /></a><div>After:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F04u7M77t7Q/TV2NBeUZGxI/AAAAAAAAAcI/-JIBlt0dcvQ/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F04u7M77t7Q/TV2NBeUZGxI/AAAAAAAAAcI/-JIBlt0dcvQ/s200/DSC_0098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574766970212522770" /></a><br /><br /><div>The top is a chalkboard now so they can color on it. They think it is pretty cool!</div><div>Emerson and Madden have also been doing projects of their own. They have been busy the last couple Saturday's going to Home Depot and Lowes to do the free kids projects. They feel pretty cool in their aprons and glasses:)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x44hszAax3g/TV2OB7vThiI/AAAAAAAAAcg/lEbuVqzp3-o/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x44hszAax3g/TV2OB7vThiI/AAAAAAAAAcg/lEbuVqzp3-o/s200/DSC_0141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574768077621659170" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-83715227242507281632011-02-04T07:29:00.000-08:002011-02-04T07:50:35.148-08:00Happy birthday to Mike<div>Mike is always wanting to get away from the kids so for his birthday I surprised him with a trip to San Francisco. I booked the trip back in October cause I found an amazing deal on airfare and kept the secret until his bday on Jan 24!<div><br /></div><div>We left on Thursday Jan 27th. We drove to St. George so the kids could stay there with my parents. Friday morning we took off to Vegas and flew to San Fran. Here are some pictures from our trip...</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwd_whhBpI/AAAAAAAAAcA/5hSCduVPmtE/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 115px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwd_whhBpI/AAAAAAAAAcA/5hSCduVPmtE/s200/DSC_0126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859820344903314" /></a><div>Mike bought us a new camera for his birthday so we had lots of fun playing with it.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwd_vb4GKI/AAAAAAAAAb4/GIq-ysxlcuY/s1600/DSC_0191.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwd_vb4GKI/AAAAAAAAAb4/GIq-ysxlcuY/s200/DSC_0191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859820052813986" /></a></div><div>Scary picture, I know! We were on a double decker bus going over the golden gate bridge, it was soooo windy and rainy. I am terrified of bridges and heights so it wasn't a good combination for me! I was scared to death because our bus kept swaying. Mike thought it was so funny and was laughing and taking pictures of me the whole time....what a guy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwd_Z_RvdI/AAAAAAAAAbw/xSSH4OKNUpY/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwd_Z_RvdI/AAAAAAAAAbw/xSSH4OKNUpY/s200/DSC_0181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859814295715282" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdUmxFRvI/AAAAAAAAAbo/vHJRG41vryw/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdUmxFRvI/AAAAAAAAAbo/vHJRG41vryw/s200/DSC_0170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859078991464178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdUVLlrmI/AAAAAAAAAbg/LWjGPx4pBVY/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdUVLlrmI/AAAAAAAAAbg/LWjGPx4pBVY/s200/DSC_0032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859074270801506" /></a></div><div>This was at an NFL store. We walk in and I notice all the kids clothing on the main floor. As soon as I see the sign that says adult clothing I ask Mike if he wants to go upstairs. The look on his face was so funny. He thought it was "adult" clothing at first and was in shock that I was asking him if he wanted to go up. I was so confused because my mind didn't get what he was thinking of at first. As soon as I realized why he was shocked I started laughing so hard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdULqbooI/AAAAAAAAAbY/xEK5LBcP24w/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdULqbooI/AAAAAAAAAbY/xEK5LBcP24w/s200/DSC_0097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859071715811970" /></a></div><div>All out of sourdough bread.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdTxaW6gI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/QAGKi2U6VA0/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 110px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdTxaW6gI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/QAGKi2U6VA0/s200/DSC_0031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859064669071874" /></a></div><div>I loved this place. The food was so fresh and good.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdTlS7FBI/AAAAAAAAAbI/L1B59JF0F98/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TUwdTlS7FBI/AAAAAAAAAbI/L1B59JF0F98/s200/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569859061416662034" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our vacation was so much fun but exhausting. Our boys didn't miss us a single bit. They wouldn't even talk to us on the phone. I guess Nana, Boppa and Ry are too much fun! We were only gone for 2 nights but it was a quick little getaway. I can't wait until we do it again!</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-9165348622741098462010-12-14T11:12:00.001-08:002010-12-14T11:26:35.440-08:00The last 2 Santa encounters have gone like this....<div>Year 1 (2008)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TQfERwkuQHI/AAAAAAAAAa4/H5sZWOiV7Gw/s1600/DSC00714.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TQfERwkuQHI/AAAAAAAAAa4/H5sZWOiV7Gw/s200/DSC00714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550620875133173874" /></a><div>Year 2 (2009)<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TQfCvyg9PrI/AAAAAAAAAaw/037S1QCAJwA/s1600/DSC01937.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TQfCvyg9PrI/AAAAAAAAAaw/037S1QCAJwA/s200/DSC01937.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550619192027070130" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Do you think we will have a better time this year? <br /><br /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-47126521206160639522010-11-05T07:43:00.001-07:002010-11-05T07:55:14.229-07:00You know what makes me happy?<ul><li>It is November 5th and this weekend I will finish up my Christmas shopping except for 1 thing (just waiting for a better deal to come). I am so excited to enjoy the holiday season with no stress of buying gifts!<br /></li><li>Alyssa, Justin and Ezra come to see us 1 week from tomorrow!</li><li>Finals are next week for Mike and then he will have a few days off and then go back for 4 days and then get another week off.</li><li>I got 10 hours of sleep last night.</li><li>I found 2 dresses at Target yesterday for $4.50 each.</li><li>I am going to have another niece born at the end of April.</li><li>I have so many great friends who I love to pieces.</li><li>Our lives are about as busy as can be right now but we are happier than we have ever been and feel a million blessings surrounding us!</li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921175582118191153.post-63328498311546351882010-10-18T08:30:00.000-07:002010-10-18T08:38:38.968-07:00Part 2 of my projects<div>The past few weeks ha<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>ve been CRAZY for me. Mostly because I fill my limited free time to doing huge projects while Mike is at school. It isn't very easy when I have two little boys around but we made it work. </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to move Emerson and Madden into the same room. I spent a lot of time re-organizing toys and cleaning. I painted the room and hung all the decorations. I love their room now. It has turned into one of my favorite rooms in the house.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TLxovKvr-SI/AAAAAAAAAaA/l1wZBbC6VO4/s1600/DSC03170.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TLxovKvr-SI/AAAAAAAAAaA/l1wZBbC6VO4/s200/DSC03170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529409602051635490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TLxou_t4ENI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/1Y2XLtxNhAk/s1600/DSC03173.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TLxou_t4ENI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/1Y2XLtxNhAk/s200/DSC03173.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529409599091249362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TLxouW1beSI/AAAAAAAAAZw/FheZ3CZFBJ0/s1600/DSC03169.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI1APcqjNE8/TLxouW1beSI/AAAAAAAAAZw/FheZ3CZFBJ0/s200/DSC03169.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529409588117076258" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>I also painted another bedroom, the backsplash in the kitchen and the alcoves in the house. I am so glad to be putting the house back together:)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5