Backpacking 2012

Jake took the boys on there Backpacking trip in August! Matthew and Mckay really like to go backpacking. They went to the Unitas's. This was a hard hike but they made it and had a good time! It also rained/hailed on them for a  few hours one day-Jake said that was an adventure! Craig and Jessica went all in all they had a good time! I am so thankful Jake can take the time to do these fun activites with our kids!

OOWWEEE

In August Jake cut his hand really bad! He was at home doing yard work with the kids, he was cutting a board with a Skill Saw and he cut his hand.  I was at the store and so he drove himself to the ER-I know nice huh?? Good thing the ER is like a minute away-not that I would recommend Payson ER to anyone!! Anyway we got to the ER they took a look at it and paged a surgeon-who called back 2 hours later and did not want to come in on a Saturday afternoon. He told the DR. to stitch it up and send us on our way- so they did.  But he needed surgery! Nice?? So we went to a specialist and a week later they cut the stitches back open and did surgery.  He cut the main sensory nerve to his thumb and index finger. If we didn't fix it his thumb and index finger would be numb the rest of his life. He had also cut an artery and would have lack of blood to his hand. It was a quick surgery took about 2 hours but it was also very painful! Jake has NEVER had surgery before so it was kinda funny the way he was acting. He took 2 weeks off and then went back to work.  I tried to get him to take more but if you know Jake-he goes CRAZY sitting at home!

I am so glad that it wasn't to bad-really could have been worse! But I think next time we will drive to Provo hospital because we would have gotten better service and would have had surgery that day! This also really scared the kids-they were really concerned about Jake. I'm glad this is behind us and Jake is feeling better!

Summer Camping 2012

As usual we went camping ALOT this summer! The kids just can't get enough! Camping is Matthew's thing- he would rather go camping then do anything else-if we could he would stay at my parents property all summer long! We have so much fun up there! The biggest reason why Matthew likes it so much is because he can drive the 4-wheelers and the Can-Am. Matthew even had his friend up for a weekend-good times! We have been teaching Mckay and Marcus to drive also which they love. Its kinda nice to have them drive me around for a change!  This year a big fire called "Seeley Fire" nearly burned my parents property. It is so sad to see all the burnt areas and the beautiful mountains destroyed. I know this is all part of nature but it is still so sad. We didn't get up there until after the 4th because of the fire we weren't allowed.  I think it made us appreciate it more! We spent several weekends up there with cousins and had a GREAT time! I am so thankful for our beautiful mountain and that we can have little getaways up there whenever we want!!

Summer Crazy 2012

Well its been a crazy, fun and busy summer! We have had alot going on and its not over yet! We have been playing baseball, soccer, swimming, backpacking, going on weekend getaways, doing scout camp-outs and I love it! I am not looking forward to August when it all ends and we have to head back to school! I love Summer and love having the kids home! On a sad note we have not been able to get to my Family's property-we are missing that! We have been out camping just not to our favorite spot! The Seeley fire here in Utah burned for nearly 3 weeks and I think by the power of prayer-and much gratitude my dad's property did not burn! But from what he says its a miracle-it burned all around the border of it and they actually built a fire line threw the property next to my dad's to stop the fire-but we got lucky and it rained!! We still havent' been aloud up there but are able to go this weekend and hopefully we can see the damage! So Sad about that I wonder were all the animals go? And  look at the beautiful land that was destroyed! I know we appreciate it more and are anxious to get up there! So thankful for my parents they are GREAT and we love them so much! I will have to post pictures when we actually get up there!  Sorry for all the posts but I want to remember this summer and all those things we did!! Love My Family!

Baseball 2012

The reason I haven't been blogging has alot to do with baseball its been busy! Marcus was on the Angels and Matthew was on the Mariners! What a great season! Mckay decided not to play because he is playing Club Soccer and is practicing 2 nights a week and thought it would be to much. He could have done it and he actually said he missed it-maybe next year. The boys had alot of fun and loved playing! Marcus team went to the State Tournament they took 3rd in Payson. They played 3 games at state and only one 1 so they were out. He was bummed about that he really loves to be apart of a team! I wish I would have recorded him. He Cheers on all of his teammates and yells for them it is so cute! He is such a little guy but sure has a heart of gold! The picture is of Marcus and Nicholas who is our neighbor and a friend to Mckay and Marcus-Marcus played his team in Baseball and was even cheering Nicholas on during the game-Love my Marcus!  Matthew's team was amazing and full of talent! I think we will be seeing some of those boys play in High School and  give Spanish Fork a run for there money! Matthew's team was first in Payson, Santiquinn, Nephi.  They were literally undefeated all season until there last game and they lost by 1. They went on to state and played 4 games and one them all. Then on the last day at state they were playing for second and the game went into double overtime and they lost by 1. Then they played for 3rd and I think they were exhausted and lost by 4 to Spanish Fork. Overall they took 4th! I was so impressed-these boys started playing at 5:30pm and didn't stop until 10:50pm with a total of 17 innings that night! AMAZING! Spanish Fork is GREAT at Baseball it came down to 3 teams from Spanish Fork and US-From Payson! We gave them a good fight! It was SO fun and some intense Base-Ball but we loved it!

Arches

At the beginning of June we took a little trip to Moab. We have been to Moab before but never to Arches National Park. It was a blast and we even stayed in a hotel. The kids loved it! We would get up and go on a hike in the morning and then make it back in the afternoon to swim.  There is ALOT to do down there we have thought about going again to Canyon lands which is like 20 miles from Maob.  We love a good hike and these hikes had lots to see! One of our favorites was the Delicate Arch it is something I think everyone should see-its Beautiful and so worth the 3 mile hike! I think you could literally take all your vacations in Utah and see all the National Parks and you would be amazed!! We want to get the kids to all of them...... someday!

Timberline/Camp Tiefie

Matthew has had a jam packed summer! He likes to keep busy! In the middle of June he went to Timberline for a week then came home for 2 days and went to Scout Camp Tiefie for a week.  He was absolutely exhausted when he got home and hungry........... the first day back he said mom can we go get a Subway Foot long!! I said Absolutely I think you more then earned it! Subway is his favorite. Timberline is a a Leadership Training Camp for Boy Scouts and you have to be invited to go.  He learned alot and really enjoyed himself. He was telling me that next year he wants to go back and be "on staff" which means one of the youth leaders.  We will have to see he has to write a letter and then they interview the kids that are interested.  At Timberline most of the kids were complete strangers.  Matthew told me they put the boys in groups of 6-7 and nobody knows each other and you spend all week with those same boys he said they become your brothers! I loved that he said that! So proud of him and his willingness to do new and scary things! At Camp Tiefie he got to go with the boys from our ward.....His BFF Matthew came this year (I think he was looking forward to spending the week with him). He had a great time. He forgot to put on sunscreen and he got burned SO bad-he blistered! He had to speak in Sacrament and said "Sunscreen is a good thing!" I guess maybe he learned?? We missed him and I found myself thinking about him wondering what he was up to! Glad to have you back Matthew-Proud of you!

Speedy

Today May 8th Mckay competed in the 4th grade Hershey's Track Meet.  The Track meet is held at Payson High every year in the spring on different days they have different grades and 7 elementary schools all compete.  This is such a fun event my kids love it-it is one of the things we love about Nebo School district the opportunity to do things like this. Macrus competed last week and he did great he made it to the semi-finals and then got out. He was super excited to just compete. Today Mckay competed and he lived up to his nickname "Speedy".  He is Super fast and on his soccer teams nobody can beat him in a race.  Today he raced the 50 meter and made it to the semi finals-came in first and then made it to the final were he came in fourth!  He did GREAT he raced 7 different schools and got 4th! He is truly speedy! I was so impressed! Love my BOYS!  Congrats Marcus and Mckay!

Soon To be M.I.A.

Spring is the busiest time of year for us! I can't believe how busy life all of the sudden gets.  So I will probably not be posting and will be MIA for awhile.  This week kicks off with a BANG its Baseball season! We only have Matthew and Marcus playing but with games 2 nights a week for both and a practice that's alot of running around for me! Matthew is playing in a league that is playing in Nephi and Santaquin and Salem so we will literally be all over! This is the first year Marcus is playing in "Big Boy" league as the boys call it were they actually keep score and it counts-he is SUPER excited! We have all kinds of end of year school  shows, and projects etc..... Mckay is also playing Club Soccer and has been deciding between two teams which has been crazy-two different teams want him to play with them!! Decisions.....decisions...So life is hectic-but if you know me I like keeping busy! I just hope its not to BUSY!! I know I know wishful thinking! So that's were we will be camped somewhere between the baseball park, school and the soccer field!

Marcu-saures...........

On April 12 we celebrated Marcus 9th Birthday! We use to call him Marcu-saures because he use to LOVE dinosaurs so much and would play with them all day everyday. Not so much anymore he still loves animals but has moved on from the dinosaurs. Marcus wanted to go to the Zoo for his Birthday so that's just what we did. He is a lucky duck every year his Birthday falls during Spring Break at school so he doesn't have to go to school! We had a fun day and he asks me all the time when we can go back! Marcus also had a "late night" at our house with 3 friends Nicholas, Brennen and Mckay (brother) these three would be his Best Buddies! They had a good time played video games ate pizza and watched a movie all smiles from the boys! I can't believe he is getting so big considering he is the runt in the family! He is usually the smallest kid in the class but sure has a cute personality! Marcus loves to play with friends, play video games, read Fable Haven, loves animals, basketball, baseball and swimming. Marcus is very sensitive and gets his feelings hurt easily I think he is sensitive to others because of this.  He also loves to go to scouts and loves the gospel he wants to bare his testimony every chance he gets he says church music is when he feels the spirit most! I admire his sweet testimony and love for others! What a special part of our family he is! Happy Birthday Marcus!

Just a Little Girl...................

On April 2nd we celebrated Madelynn's 5th-YES 5th Birthday! I can't believe how the time has flown! I was thinking back to the day I had her. I thought for sure she would be born on April 1st and the joke would be on me and she would be a HE! I was VERY excited to have a girl and had waited a long time for her! What a GREAT girl she is! (Most of the time-He he) What a Happy and Outgoing kid she is! She brings us MANY smiles and laughs daily. For her Birthday I let her have a little party with a few of the neighbor kids that are her friends. We had a great time that is until she was "showing off" her AMAZING cart-wheels-(she can do them one-handed) and fell and hurt her arm!-NICE. So after all the kids went home she was still upset and in obvious pain so I took her in the the after hours care and sure enough it was BROKE! Poor Madelynn! This would be her 2nd broken arm-now we no that it hurts just as bad to brake the other arm!!LOL What can I say?? Live with her is NEVER dull! This broken arm has not been a fun one it has really bothered her and she has been in pain-maybe she will learn?? Probably Not! A few quick things about Madelynn- she is SO brave, she loves to learn, Madelynn loves a good adventure and we have been on many adventures together, she likes to sing and dance, she enjoys gymnastics and is pretty good at them, (her teacher wants to put her in an advanced class-maybe when her arm is better!) She is very caring and loves her brothers! Some of her favorites are the color Pink, her new leapster, Tangled, Her baby dolls, Lip-gloss, Hershey Kisses (she will do anything for one) and she loves to be read a good book! She also says she wants to be a Mom when she grows up-I love that! We are LUCKY to have her in our family!

Basketball Season

It's basketball season at our house with a house full of boys that's a total of 3 nights a week and 3 games on Saturday morning! But I have to say it's so fun! They are all on different teams and Jake is even coaching Mckay's team this year. Matthew's coach is one of our neighbors and he has been teaching him to be aggressive........I know Matthew and aggressive?? Well he can be aggressive but that would be to his brothers!! lol When he played on Saturday I was very surprised he actually had 3 fouls! So proud!! Mckay on the other hand?? Not the same kid he just wants to WIN WIN WIN!! He is VERY aggressive to much so his dad has had to take him out of the game a few times! Not so funny. Marcus is a little of both he is a really good shooter and of all the boys enjoys basketball the most! I am surprised at how well he playes because the Elementary School tells me he has "Poor hand eye coordination" but he is not so bad on the basketball court! Anyway its been fun and busy! Jake is also reefing basketball games and playing one night a week.

I Heart Marcus!

OOHH How I love My Marcus! He did something on Valentines Day that I want to write down so I can tease him about it later! LOL I had to work on Valentines Day so Marcus and Mckay had to get off to school alone in the morning. At about 8 am my phone rang and it was Marcus he is known for his funny phone calls to me about random stuff!! He said "Mom I put on these pants (like I can see them??) and they just don't feel right??" Me "well put on different ones then!!" Marcus "OK-and mom Happy Valentines Day and I love you! " Me " AAH Thanks" So I thought that was that! OOHH no..........Later that day when I got home before the kids and he walked in the door I was Mortified!! He was wearing his Pajama shirt with a pair of jeans! Nice! He ran over to me and said "Mom i forgot to change my pajama shirt this morning!" Me "No Kidding??" Marcus "But the good news is...............When I got to school I realized I had it on and it was on inside out and backwards so I ran in the bathroom and changed it the right way. I don't think anybody noticed!" Me "I hope nobody noticed!" Then he proceeds to tell me and show the pants he had on-lets just say OOHH MY!??!! The pants he was GOING to wear to school were Madelynns and they had pink hearts on them!!! I said "Good thing you decided to change out of those pants can you imagine wearing pants with pink hearts on Valentines Day??" We both laughed I laughed so hard I was crying!! He really is clueless about what he wears and really doesn't care! I have to say That i LOVE that about him-I think the world is in more need of people who don't care about there clothes!! And lets just say I bet the School things his mother is Crazy or something...........and I don't care!! I bet I won't get any "mother of the year awards" but man I LOVE this BOY!! He is so Sweet and kind to others which I think is more important than the clothes he has on!! Happy Valentines Day!

Rex

It did not take us long to realize we needed to heal our kids hearts and finding another dog was exactly what we needed! We looked for a few days and actually found 2 but there was no way we were getting two puppies. We ended up finding this cute little guy he is a toy Poodle and he is very cute! We are allergic to most dogs but not poodles-they don't shed. The kids are just loving him and we are finally starting to get him trained! We named him Rex. We still wish we could have our Rusty back but realize that is not possible. So here we go again with a new puppy and all that not so fun stuff that come with them!! We are all feeling much better and love our little Rexy!! (Now if he could just hurry up and get potty trained!!)

Thanksgiving

Let's just say it wasn't our best Thanksgiving this year! The day before Thanksgiving our sweet little dog Rusty ran out in the road in front of our house and got ran over and died. I was at work Jake was home and had to tell the kids! At least they did not see it happen. This was VERY difficult! Everyone just started crying and crying it was really sad! I never thought that we were "one of those dog people" but we totally are! We just LOVED our Rusty and still miss him Daily! Every morning he would run into our room and jump in our bed looking for me if I wasn't there he would lay in my spot! On the days I did not work I would take him on a walk in the mornings he loved that. Every time we came home he would run around jumping all over us because he was so excited to see us! It is strange to me to see the daily things this little dog did to just make us smile and feel loved. This made us all a little sad for Thanksgiving! We celebrated by going to Jake's parents house and we had a good time ate lots and played around. I was thinking how Thank-full I am to just be a family!