Home Alone

The family is all in Utah, except for Michael and me. I've been working while Michael has been working it. He just got back from High Adventure.

Was so worn out at the end of it that there was utter confusion.

Had to cope with ruffing it in the wilds of Wisconsin.

Suffered through torturous vistas and strenuous activities.

Was forced to chop the wood.

Sat around a lot.

Practically starved!

Had to be outside in the dark.

I hope he recovers from the event. I don't know if he will.

Happy Holidays!

Here is Tyler in his Christmas band concert. The picture isn't very good, sorry. Tyer did very well, and was first chair for the saxophones!
Here we are makind our annual gingerbread houses. The kids look forward to it every year. I think it's because of all the candy I buy, they say that they just like making them. They did a pretty good job, even though I bought the gingerbread this year instead of making it. I just didn't have time...

This one is Hailey's. She only told us where to put the icing and she did all the decorating.

What a mess! Even though our Christmas days are pretty boring since we have no family around to visit, we all had a nice Christmas and I think the kids must have been really good this year. Santa was very good to them!

Happy 4th Birthday Hailey!

I can't believe my baby is 4 years old now! Wow, does time fly by....

We celebrated her birthday by inviting Hailey's friends, and their families, over for some snack and cake and ice cream. The cake was made with love by a good friend. Thanks Kathryn! Hailey loved having everyone over and also loved being the center of attention believe it or not.

Hailey and 2 of her best buds, Alex and Abigail

Here is Hailey's Top 10 for 2010.....

1. Music any kind, any where, but especially in the van on the radio so she can sing along.

2. Singing to Lady Gaga--Pokerface and Bad Romance

3. Dancing--she can really get down, when she thinks no one is watching

4. Preschool--Her favorite days of the week

5. Playing with friends, especially Alex and Abigail

6. Writing her name

7. Feeding the cats every morning

8. Storytime every night with mom or dad

9. Favorite foods-- PB&J sandwiches cut into shapes, mac & cheese, popcorn, popsicles, daddy's chocolate waffles, oatmeal and mandarin oranges

10. Wearing dresses whether it's "dress up" dresses, play dresses or church dresses as long as it's a dress, and she can twirl in it, she's happy!

I couldn't resist putting this one in! This is me and my "best buds"!

Me, Kathryn, Jolene and Toni

Fall '09

Isn't is really sad that I have to lump an entire season into ONE post?!? We had a great autumn season with lots of gatherings with friends, pumpkin patches, and great food! The fire below was a get-together at a good friends house. Doesn't it look inviting?

The next 3 pictures are at Hailey's favorite place to go-- Pigeon Roost Farm. We had the day off school so many of us from the ward went together...

Emily and her BFF, Joslyn in the Corn Maze...

Hailey with her BFF from church, Eden on the big rocking horse...

The kids picking out their carving pumpkins for Halloween...

Here are their finished Jack 'O Lanterns!

All dressed up for Beggar's Night! Tyler is Charlie Brown (ghost with holes all over), Michael is the Assassin from a Star Wars video game, Emily is Sandy from Grease, and Hailey is Snow White. They had a great time Trick-Or-Treating and as always, came home with their bags full! Happy Halloween everybody!

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Tyler turned twelve years old this year. I can't believe it! He is getting way too big for me. He is almost my height! I know I'm only 5'3", but still.....

Tyler had a great time for his birthday party. He and his 2 best buddies went swimming at Westerville Pool (Tyler's favorite), ate pizza, watched movies and slept over.

This was also a big birthday for Tyler as he receved the Aaronic Priesthood and is now a Deacon. He loves passing the sacrament on Sunday and takes his responsibilities seriously. What a great kid! Oh, yeah.. He also is in the Advanced program at school and is pulling straight A's. Pretty hard accomplishment, especially his math class as his teacher tells me he hardly ever gives out A's. Way to go Tyler! Now for his Top 10 of 2010 (in no particular order)...

1. Video and comuter games

2. Reading--I catch him up late reading too many nights to count!

3. Scouts and youth night on Tuesday evenings

4. Eating--anything but corn!

5. Swimming--especially at Westerville Pool

6. Golfing--Doesn't get to go as much as he'd like, but still loves it!

7. Camping--with scouts or family, it doesn't matter to him.

8. Playing the piano--he really is very good. Ask him to play something somtime!

9. School Band--He plays the Alto Sax. The very same one his dad played in high school.

10.Playing outside--running around, riding his bike, going to the playground, etc.

Happy 12th Birthday Tyler! Love you bud!

More Summer Fun.....Zoo!

What is that?!?

Can anyone take a good guess at what this picture is?

You're right! These are flamingos sleeping. Pretty funny huh?

Before school started, I took the kids to the Columbus Zoo. Their favorite part is feeding these green tropical birds who eat right out of your hand. Got some pretty cute pictures below. Tyler and Hailey were the only ones that would let the birds sit in them, but they had a great time anyway! Fun day....

Summer Fun!

Yes, I am playing catch up! I haven't been on my own blog for months now, and before it's gets much later I thought I'd better do some work on it before I forget what has even gone on this past 7 months. So...... here's some things we did this summer while in Utah. Every year we drive the 1700+ miles across the country, from Ohio to Utah to spend time with family and have fun. Enjoy......

The day after we arrived in the valley, we toured the new Mount Oquirrh Temple with some family. Here are our kids with Natalie and Jeff's little girls. While touring the temple we saw Elder L. Tom Perry. What a neat thing for the kids to witness an apostle of the Lord inside the temple with his family. The temple was so beautiful inside! I'm glad we had the opportunity to let the children see it.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Provo Freedom Festival Parade on July 4th. Everyone had a great time. Eeven though it rained just a bit when we got there, the day turned out really nice. Afterwards, we went to the Howards home for a picnic lunch.

Ah, swimming in the summer! Nothing beats a good dip in the pool on a hot summer day, and eating iceream afterwards. This year Michael wasn't much into swimming, I think he got wet for all of 20 minutes, but we still had fun!

Spanish Fork High School Class of '89 20 Year Reunion!

How and when did I get so old? Here's a picture of me and my two best friends from high school. Amy and Melissa. It was great seeing everyone and catching up!

That's me in the Fiesta Days parade with the class of '89


Fiesta Days parade!

Hailey looks a little mad, and she was! After the parade, we went to my aunt and uncle's new house for a picnic and some swimming. We forced Hailey into this Barbie life jacket just because there were a lot of kids in the pool and I wanted her to be safe. She HATED it at first, for about 30 minutes, then realized that she could go anywhere she wanted including jumping off the side of the pool by herself and not depend on clinging to her dad to be in the water. She had so much fun, she now won't go swimming without one!

Last day of Summer Fun in Utah. Here's mine and Natalie's kids. Yes, she's got 3 year old triplets! What fun they were! My kids had so much fun getting to know them this summer! We can't wait to go back!