Seivert-Webb Family

CLCS Spelling bee.

2012-02-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

Callie was asked to be an alternate in the CLCS Spelling bee. She never made it up to participate, and her classmates were eliminated; along with just about everyone else, so quickly that I think it may have been the fastest bee on record!

These poor kids just spelled one wrong word after another....

But we got some pictures out of it!

Maybe next year, Doll!

2011... in pictures

2012-01-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not EVERYTHING about this year, but it has the last part, and some of our more substantial happenings.

Halloween.

Hopper's Birthday.

Last day at Bacchus Elementary.

First day at Christ Lutheran Church & School.

Christmas program at CLCS.

Christmas program at Christ Lutheran.

Decorating the Christmas tree.

Christmas.

My last post talked about "waiting" for Christ Lutheran to have a position come open, this was to be the best scenario for me, Callie and Ethan. (unless you factor in that I was SUPPOSED to be basking in "quiet time" now after 20yrs of parenting!) *sigh*

That call came. In the MOST dramatic fashion, of course. I had interviewed for a position with Philo T. Farnsworth in November, they had room for Callie and Ethan and were very interested but I had made a commitment to CLCS for the month of December while someone was on maternity leave, and they just couldn't make it work with two weeks off in December... but I had the job otherwise. Tough. I had JUST told Doug how UNFAIR this was.... but that I was going to call Philo back and tell them that I would withdraw from the CLCS commitment.

I quit crying, picked up the phone, got voice mail of the person I've been working with for MONTHS trying to secure a position there. I advised her that I have tried every way possible to keep my word, but that I had to have a job; could she she possibly find another substitute?

I walked out of my room, down the stairs, phone in hand and sat down at the kitchen table. That is when the phone rang......

"Hi Catherine, I got your message and I think we can solve this problem right now"

Pen in hand, writing down all the details of when I will be starting, when the kids can start and what position is being offered... crying the WHOLE time. I'm sure she thought I was crazy!

Cody had walked into the kitchen by this time, totally confused but sure something was wrong! Poor kid. Doug told him he was pretty sure something really good was happening and that I was fine. When I got off the phone I was completly overcome; I could barely breath. Doug sat down and with tears in his eyes said "just watching you is making me cry"

The kids started the Monday after Thanksgiving and then the "waiting" was on for baby Clawson, which took another week, and it was GREAT. We got to take the kids to school in the morning and I got a much needed break.

The kids LOVE their new school, not even a beat was missed. They have terrific teachers and have settled in and adjusted amazingly well, we all have.

We had three birthday's. Cody turned 20. Hopper 18. (Doug turned 45 if really interested!) then school Christmas programs. We had a little "Staycation" downtown and with that Christmas was easily and happily dismissed.

We spent our New years eve seeing "Ghost Protocol" and then picked up the kids and had Italian Nachos at home. 2011 is the third in a row that I figure "good riddence"

My new "job" is such a bright spot in my new year. Kids go with me to school and we leave together. I see them at lunch and in the halls. We are all together, and that makes me very happy. The job itself is fulfilling and the people are like another "family" and I am very grateful to have secured such a great place to work with so many terrific "side" effects...

Welcome 2012. Please be kind.

Life.

2011-10-04T17:46:00.006-06:00

It happens.

We have been busy, too busy I think. I sometimes I find myself just wishing our life could/would just SLOW DOWN.

Followed closely by my desire to have things quit changing. I'm not generally Change's biggest fan, and I'm going through ton's of it on a just about weekly basis.

Time has come to go back to work, I do want to (sort of,) but I want to be happy in that role, and I know that means finding something that will incorporate my little ones.

Lucky for me, I found a place that does, and it's a great place. Christ Lutheran Church and School. I love this place. I have subbed a few times now, Pre-K, Two year old room and toddlers; LOVE each of these rooms, but I have a real affinity for the 2's/toddlers. I just really loved these kids, and it's a place I can really "see" myself. I love that the idea of God, higher purpose and Christ centered values can have a place in school.

Problem is, they don't have anything full time, even part time right now... So I am in a holding pattern.

In the meantime, I started one job, hated it but hung in there for 2 mo's.... then started getting interviews for Special Ed assistant, and I interviewed for an elementary school that I really had a good feeling about, and they offered me the position, two seconds AFTER the Jr High offered me the same position! I ended up telling the Jr High that I was going to pass, take the Elementary job....

This begins a series of "comedy of errors" that is just funny, but irritating, I don't even have the motivation to tell the story here... but I finally started last Tuesday.

Special Education= Autistic group. Surprise!

I don't know much about Autism or what kids with autism are "like" but I am about to really find out that it's a TOUGH GIG.

I have been punched, kicked and hit. It's been a week.

Autism=S.A.D just a sad situation. It's volatile and unpredictable and exhausting.

Worst of all... everything you know to do and be as a woman/Mother is out the window. Every natural instinct you have is WRONG with these kids (most anyway)

Touching, hugging, TALKING and reading are all unwelcome activities and for some will get you hit, kicked or otherwise hurt.

So, I am back to square one. This job won't ever get me benefits, is more than likely less money than where I just was and where I am trying to go.

I could do without the constant turmoil. What to do, what to do.....

I don't feel like wasting time with things that don't really make me happy, and with things that don't have any value to them, a "job" for the sake of a job just isn't going to be enough, I guess I have Sundance to thank for that, as I know if you're going to work, you can be happy with your work and with the company that employs you and with the people you work with.

I will probably make that commitment to Christ Lutheran and hang in there until I can get there as a permanent resident, which I feel is more "when" then "if"

Even with a scenario I love, I am having a hard time with my ever changing "role"
It's not fair. I have to try very hard to remind myself that sometimes life isn't.

Sometimes, you have to keep your eye on the bigger picture and just put your faith in the feeling that your feet are on the right path.

But I could do without the turmoil, have I mentioned that?

Catching up, once again...

2011-10-01T13:26:00.001-06:00

Well, here I am.... again, catching up. I am going to try, really hard to get back on track. We've had a busy last few months.

Changes, and more changes. I'll be happy when it seems like I'm not making some change every few weeks...

Our Summer....

2011-08-12T09:13:00.001-06:00

Our Summer.

HAS. BEEN. BUSY.

We Went to Disneyland in June, via Las Vegas, we had a full day where everyone was together, it was really terrific. The boy's returned home, and we went on to Disney.

Dolly had a birthday right after we returned home, she turned 9... my how time flies.

We had family come at the end of June/July, it seemed like we were hopping the whole month of July with family visiting, swimming, various activities with cousins and Aunts and Uncles and Grandparent's.

I started working. This is a mixed bag of emotions, and quite frankly, the bravest thing I've done in awhile. There isn't a good time for Mom to be gone, and it's taking some getting used to.

The kids will finish this week, and then have all of next before they go back... Ethan to 1st grade, Dolly to 4th.

We still have another week of activities, and I will be posting pictures again soon.

Our summer has been a lot of fun, probably the most fun we've had over our "off track" time that I can remember. We've made a lot of memories......

All four children, TOGETHER for the day

2011-06-24T10:15:00.000-06:00

It's not very often all four are together with us.... big boy's are off and running in life now. So it was a real joy to have us all together for the drive to Las Vegas... We got to swim and eat dinner together, then we walked the strip, the big boy's rode the New York, New York roller coaster and the little one's just loved all the lights and people (well mostly, Dolly said "I don't like all these smoking people... and those BAD cards they keep trying to had us!")

The nice thing about walking the strip with little kids? They don't even try to hand them to you!

Happy Birthday, Dolly!

2011-06-24T10:03:00.000-06:00

June 24th. Just means one thing....

DOLLY'S BIRTHDAY... so far.....

.. A little boy counts down.

2011-06-07T15:47:00.000-06:00

Ethan has 7 day's til his 6th anniversary of his open heart surgery... he wanted to make a chart AND demanded that we do 5 things that HE WANTS TO DO, it's HIS DAY!....

Little boy doesn't know we'll be in California, at DISNEYLAND that day.... he's gonna lose his little mind when he finds out!!!!!

School lunch for Ethan

2011-06-07T12:29:00.000-06:00

This kiddo was so excited to go to school and eat school lunch! He got a pin (that turned out to be his student #) but he had it memorized anyway.

Personally, I wish they would both let me pack lunches. I really find the choices to be limited, fatty, saturated in salt and really not that good tasting either. But, neither will let me. I may have to have a mandatory day when the school season starts....

To make it even more fun, Callie's class was serving that week, so we had Callie, Makenna and Max all "welcoming" him. He got his own "helper" to take him down the line, pick out milk, lunch and then grab silverware and veggies..... he loved it.

He's a big boy now. Even this year at the pool he can get in WITHOUT my getting in with him, so we are really heading down a new road this year.. I am very ready for a new road. I think I'm about to find a whole bunch of "new" in my life coming up soon......

New wii game

2011-05-23T08:59:00.003-06:00

Boy is this a fun game! It's fun to hear the songs and watch the kids, the only real problem, they want it UP LOUD... and it goes on for at least an hour after school. It's great physical activity for the kids and they love it!

Dr. John Hawkins

2011-05-23T01:47:00.001-06:00

What a wonderful Doctor, and human being Dr. John Hawkins was. Dr. Hawkins performed Ethan's open heart surgery when he was 5 months old. He was kind, funny, professional and mostly warm and empathetic, and THE BEST. literally. The best pediatric cardio thoracic surgeon in the world, and lucky for us, right here when our family needed it.

Every time I met/saw Dr. Hawkins he was so very kind, and it floored me how he could remember people, the thousands of children that have passed through his operating room. It's what made him so good at what he did.

Dr. Hawkins was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer almost two years ago, and he lost that battle last Sunday. A true loss for the world. He literally operated on children from all over the world, every day, several times a day.

The day before Ethan was to have open heart surgery, his nurse, Bonnie called to say that due to scheduling issues, Dr. Hawkins may have to pass to his associate Dr. Kouretas... I expressed my grief at this, it's like when you are pregnant, and you have this Dr for 9 months, and then they try to give you some resident to deliver your baby... I told her that I felt we "knew" Dr. Hawkins, and that he KNEW Ethan's heart, we wanted him.

Dr. Hawkins made it happen. He operated on a sick baby for 7 hours before moving right into Ethan's 5 hour surgery.

We are so grateful to Dr. Hawkins, his service to the "heart community" for all the time he spent being the best at what he did.

One morning after surgery, Dr. Hawkins made "rounds" and we were talking about how far this surgery had come in 20 years, he said 20 years ago babies with Ethan's condition were sent home to "be kept comfortable" until they failed. Now, they can go on to have normal, healthy lives. Dr. Hawkins noted that as much as he had learned what to do in the past 20 years of practicing, he knew what NOT TO DO, and that it was just as important as what he knew. I thought that was a remarkable statement.

The world is better because of Dr. John Hawkins.

Silly kid!

2011-05-04T08:42:00.002-06:00

Tubby time

2011-05-04T08:40:00.000-06:00

The last two are of them watching the end of the NASCAR race..... so upset that Jimmy Johnson isn't going to win..... well, not really, but it's becoming a family affair!

Thyroid update.

2011-05-01T00:03:00.001-06:00

It's been about 2.5 mo since I began seeing Mark Johnson in Orem. He has me on 3 "drops"

1. For thyroid. Which, btw, he says it right where he wants it now.

2. Progesterone. WOW. What a difference that made. just a couple days after I started that I was able to "wake up" and get going.

3. A raspberry root. This one is for hormones in general.

Last week, he let me add Phosphatidyl. whatever. can't pronounce it, but it's to help stop the production of cortisol, which at this point is the last "problem" and unfortunately, goes hand in hand with thyroid. SIGH.

I am LOVING feeling better, BUT am having such a hard time with this weight that I CANNOT get off.... it has truly gotten under my skin, into my head, and makes me crazy. YET, I am, at the same time OK with who I am, more so than ever. I KNOW who I am, I KNOW what I am made of, and I know that I will continue to battle against my own body. I can be very determined, and I am still very hopeful that a remnant of what I looked like will return as my body tries to re learn what it has forgotten.

The very bright side of things is that I am now doing a whole bunch of stuff that I had really forgotten that I used to do ALL THE TIME, like:

VACUUMING. Really?

MOPPING.

LAUNDRY.

LISTS. Yes, I have even forgotten that I am very motivated and driven by LISTS.

KIDS AND CHORES. I am now right behind them, like I'd been for 18.5 yrs BEFORE this ugly little issue... kids could not be more pleased. wink, wink.

EXERCISE. If you know me, you know this has never been an issue, and yet, as you struggle to do it, knowing how much better it makes you feel, you JUST CAN'T.

I don't " I JUST CAN'T" anything. And I just couldn't.

BUT I'M BACK. A little more so everyday, and for the first time in a very long time, I'm very hopeful that I can win the battle.

Again. If you are getting to be 40, and you've noticed a few subtle changes, things that just don't seem right, act. research. be your own advocate. Things change at 40, I wish I could say it's all thyroid, all pituitary decline, but 40 is it's own beast, things are just going to be different. I am now mid life, and everything I do to keep young at heart is hard fought.

As we approach Mother's day, I am so grateful for a Mother who showed me how to stand up, take charge, and love myself, and who gave me an almost perfect "model" of how to do it. It makes it much easier to not be so hard on myself at this time of change and trasition. It also helps that she is still present and active in my life, still giving me that lift when I need it, those words when I can't find them, and the treasured gift of knowing, STILL, that she loves me and is proud of me.

For Grandmommy... (Callies Easter dress)

2011-04-29T13:47:00.000-06:00

This has become my new favorite color on Callie! (I've become quite fond of it for myself as well).

Baby blue. It looks stunning on her. I also LOVE gingham, always have, so when we saw this the weekend we went to Las Vegas, I just had to have it for her Easter dress.... best part? SHE LIKED IT! More than one person in church commented on how adorable and "soft" it was, then "AND SHE WORE IT?!" Yes, she liked it, let me dress her up too, like a real dolly!

Easter

2011-04-26T11:41:00.000-06:00

What a wonderful Easter we had! As usual, I didn't have any idea what we were doing as of Friday for Easter dinner... seems like that just isn't "the thing" anymore.

Levi text me on Friday asking if I knew what was going on for Sunday... nope. No one's even said a word about Easter. We decided to make our own and just move forward. Macy's had a pretty good deal that included the ham, salads, rolls, asparagus and angel food cake with strawberries.

I cooked, and we had it here. Turned out perfect. I got two more bar stools so all four kids would be at the bar, and we had just enough grown up, including my brother Jacob and my Mom, for everyone to have a seat at the table. Hopper was here too, but Coder had to work, so he came in the morning to go to church with us, which was so nice of him.

I love Easter. Even more than Christmas.

Ouchies!

2011-04-20T12:23:00.001-06:00

We spent some time at the park Sunday, and he really proved his membership to the "boy" club!

first he fell off the scooter and scraped up his hand, then he managed to get several misquito bites too!!! We had some fun with it though, and Bactine really takes the itch out of the bites!

Brothers

2011-04-19T23:40:00.000-06:00

What else do I say?... My Mother said it best I think....

I LOVE big brothers who love LITTLE brothers.

Well said Ma.

Soccer dude!

2011-04-14T21:17:00.000-06:00

Ethan was signed up for soccer today, he waisted no time picking out his uniform, since he got to pick for the whole team since Daddy is the coach!

What a joy this little boy is, always happy (mostly) and has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for almost everything he does!

Callie was signed up for volleyball, but she won't have a shirt til Saturday.....

SPRING DAY!

2011-04-12T09:13:00.001-06:00

Boy did we make the most of the "somewhat" spring-like weather! It was a bit windy, and it was MUCH nicer when the sun came out, but we made the best of it.

We had found these kite's a few weeks ago and bought them, then HID them.... today it seemed like the right time to get them out.. Hopper was here, and he helped Callie put hers together and Daddy helped E.

I was pretty impressed with the kite's themselves, Doug and I reminissed about how often we would end up buying two and THREE kites while the boys were little, I remember one of the last times with Spencer, going back to the store TWICE in one afternoon from a kite that bit the dust either from the wind itself, or from hitting the ground, and we remember spending a lot of time trying to get the to actually FLY.....

These were nice kites though, stayed up in the air, and I think we only had two ground hits and once where Callie's got a bit stuck in a tree, but Spencer maneuvered it out!

We spent about an hour outside, camera in hand; of course. Today looks like it will be overcast and rainy, so we may have picked the perfect day so far!!!

It was really fun for me to just work the camera (pick up a kite once or twice) and hang out with Hopper... we laughed and had a good time together, I sure love Hopper... and Cody, Callie and Super E!

Spring is a com'n... and it can't come soon enough for us!

(PS. If you "click" on any of the picture "boxes" it will enlarge the sequence.. some are worth it!)

Levi.

2011-04-11T12:31:00.000-06:00

Levi, is FINALLY graduating from college. It's been a long three years.

CONGRATULATIONS LEVI. I was so happy to have played a role in his annoucements, the pictures are me, MINE! ;)

It's truly an awesome thing to have the accomplished, and Mike is next! I have AWESOME brother's!

New shower curtain!

2011-04-09T16:17:00.002-06:00

It's been so long since we bought a shower curtain; we were a bit sticker shocked at how much they are now! The last time we purchased one, the boy's were little... it was $10 bucks.

We decided since the boy's are so very rarely around anymore, that we would change up the bathroom upstairs and make it the little one's. I thought it would be additionally cute to have them pick out the frogs that they thought were "them" and if they aren't cute enough, they picked two frog's together to represent them! Ethan picked Hopper and him, and Callie and Cody... I sure love my kids, and I love that they love each other, I guess in the bigger, way far away scheme of things, I hope they will see each other as gifts that, when we are no longer here, they will still be great friends, and very involved in each other's lives.

Pretty deep for a shower curtain post!... :)

Let me save you some trouble....

2011-03-29T10:36:00.002-06:00

If you are a reader of my blog, and you are over 40, I want to tell you something that may save you some precious lost time.

For over a year now, I have felt pretty crappy. My usual spry self has been replaced with someone who is tired; a lot, hair falling out, skin drying out, gaining weight, at least 20lbs now ( I could be exaggerating a tad there, but pretty darn close!) quite often cold, and just plain cranky.

First I thought it was peri-menopause, seemed reasonable. My Mother started that at 42, so I knew it was a possibility, and the "symptoms" seemed to match up enough to be plausible.....

Then, My Mother said I ought to look into Thyroid issues, something she also started experiencing in her 40's.

After reading about it, and hearing my Mother's experience, I decided I had enough information to justify the trip to the doctor, the $1,000 dollar trip to the doctor, which is all out of pocket, and ended with "there's nothing wrong with you"

HMMMM...

There IS something wrong. I know it. I remember a ward member telling me about this guy she takes her whole family to, "he knows more about the human body than anyone I know"... so I call her, get his name and number and decide to "think" about it!... all of 5 min, then I decided that since I was at a dead end with traditional help, and she had so many good "for instances" that I am just going to go.

Mark Johnson is a chemist, that's what his 1st degree is in, chemistry, he is a holistic doctor, takes his work VERY seriously, I was impressed with what he "knew" about me without even saying a word. He does an accupuncture test, says everything in your hand has a direct connection with your insides, said "in a few minutes I will have a STORY about you"... and he did.

First thing, I am probably NOT peri-menopausal, my thyroid is DEFINITELY not working; not diseased, but not functioning properly, and the thyroid controls your whole metobolic/pituitary funciton, well, FINALLY we're on to something.

I left with two bottles of drop, one for thyroid and one for the fact he says I'm highly allergic to mold, which he says would be partly responsible for so many sinus issues, mold of course is everywhere. He asked me to return in a month and bring my Dr's thyroid test results with me...

I left that office about as hopeful as I've been in over a year, giddy almost. Not only did he seem to know and understand what I was saying, but he was able to explain to ME why things are the way they are.

Last week I returned, told him I wasn't feeling "much" difference, and that I'm still battling fatigue. He said he had writen down three possible scenarios for me and that afte he looks at the numbers again, he'll know more to adjust....

All my "distressed" areas did improve, the thyroid numbers were the least moved, but they had gotten just a slight bit better, and that my overall hormone "picture" had improved. I told him I had read something that suggested maybe testosterone or progesterone was a possibility and he said he had also noted on our first visit that may be an avenue to explore.

I left with a new "mix" and had ordered the vitamins he suggested that may help, which I started the next day. That was Thursday, I woke up on Saturday and was just "awake" I got up and showered, got ready for the day and felt pretty good... the same thing happened Sunday and then again on Monday.... it's Tuesday and again, up and able to really accomplish things without feeling that I'm struggling against the current, the fact that it is 8am and I'm OUT OF BED is something of it's own miracle. Seriously, I can't really make you understand, by reading, how exhausted I have been, and it's just not me.

When I was doing my 5mile walk disc the other day, Leslie Sansone said something to the effect "if you do this and watch what you eat, you'll lose those lb's"... that's the standard formula. Reduce calories, bump up your exercise and you'll see results.....

IF YOU ARE OVER 40 and you can't seem to make anything work, and you've noticed you're just not "yourself" I suggest maybe there is something else going on, and that no matter how hard you try, you're fighting a losing battle. One thing Mark said was between my thyroid and my cortisol levels "you are fighting a battle you will NEVER win" and that was so liberating to hear; IT'S NOT ME, it's my body and all the internal dialogue that went "get up! get with it! try harder!" was neither true nor possible, literally.

Go get checked, there are many diseases/ conditions that can cause multi-similar symptoms. In the end, Mark said the results of my thyroid test put me in the BOTTOM 16%.... and I paid my Dr $1,000 to tell me nothing was wrong, get my husband all worked up that I spent $1,000 to find out nothing was wrong, AND be left wondering what to do next because I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG!

There. I hope I just saved you some trouble. :)

OH! PS. When I showed Mark the very popular, most "recommended" multi vitamin I started taking to try to help, he scoffed. Says all those multi vitamins are basically pee'd out before they ever have a chance to be adsorbed into the system, he recommends one called Superspectrim, says it's time released and actually works. You can get those at http://www.superspectrim.com/.

Callie's new game

2011-03-22T00:18:00.000-06:00

Babysitting Mama! This game is SO CUTE! For the wii system, it introduces "problems" with the baby, and you have to follow the game to "fix" the baby... Funny to listen to her YELLING " I AM doing THAT!" and yet the baby still cries!

So it is with real babies. There is a whole line of these "Mama" games. Cooking Mama is probably next!

The past MONTH!

2011-03-20T16:11:00.000-06:00

Things got crazy and neglected in the past four-five weeks... funny how there weren't many pictures taken in the past month, but oh well.

The Mcdougal wedding was last night, so I've not had time to do a whole lot, but the other pictures are Valentines, the cookies I made with my Sister and Ethan with the dog he got for Valentines from his teacher, also, Callie found a new place to read, on the staris.. it was cute.

I took some interesting pictures of Doug, it's fun to play with the camera... speaking of which, mine crapped out, about two weeks ago, when the "fixes" from Canon produced no result, I had to purchase a new one, in part because I had a WEDDING... I was able to use the Canon loyalty progam, and get an upgrade to the T2i.. nicer camera, but eventually, I want one that is like the MONSTER TRUCK of cameras... I actually don't, but when I envisioned "upgrade" I really wanted to body to be bigger, but it's about the same.

The Wedding was great, the camera did great, and it's a big deal for me personally because it was the first time I walked into a wedding and wasnt' really a nervous WRECK inside.. I guess continuing to agree to take these kind's of pictures is "creating" a photographer, however, I still just feel like someone who takes pictures, not a photographer, but we'll see what happens!

Las Vegas Motorspeedway

2011-03-14T17:11:00.002-06:00

This little boy was EXHAUSTED!

Who knew I was a NASCAR fan?

I HAD A BLAST. I want to go back... TOMORROW. Doug is now SO EXCITED we have ONE COMMON INTEREST!!!

Seriously, we were so close to the cars.... the track, the fence and us! I got gravel on my face just about everytime they went by... 41 cars going 187mps!! it is a RUSH... literally! and I recommend it.

It was warm, it was hot dogs and diet coke and a hat on, that was blown off my head and into the stands, which the nice people behind me found a way to get back to me!

Who knew? I am hoping we'll go to another before the year is over, until then, if there is a NASCAR race on, we're probably having food and making a day of it! ;)

Mcdougal Bridals

2011-02-19T21:01:00.002-07:00

..Just a few so far.... it really is a THRILL to see "work" turn out so beautifully.....

A new computer

2011-02-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

High resolution. FAST. a PINK "C".....

In the words of Mcdonald's..... I'm LOV'N IT!

My husband text me yesterday... " You want your valentines present early?"

..."uh, sure.. you seem excited"

"I am. and so will you"

We ate lunch, then he went out to the garage, came in, told me to close my eyes....

I SCREAMED! I was not expecting this for a few months maybe. Doug has REALLY spoiled me in the last two months, really. seriously. I appreciate it, him, so much.

Silly Ethan!

2011-02-11T16:18:00.002-07:00

This boy. I think he may be the cutest boy... since the other two boy's!!!

This is why I LOVE my camera (and that new lens I have)... when he's being so doggon adorable, I get to click away and capture it forever.

Ethan. the fourth jewel in my crown.

Daddy-daughter Valentines dance

2011-02-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

Talking to Grandmommy on the phone!

Wearing the pearl necklace Doug gave to me

It was just short of UNBELIEVEABLE that she wanted to go! We were both shocked.....

She had a great time, did the funky chicken, the Macarena, and had a great time with a few of her friends that were there too! She even THANKED her Dad; again this morning as she ran out the door for school.." Thanks for taking me to the dance!"..... maybe she's "becoming" a girl after all? ;)

Cambrie

2011-02-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

I've been taking care of this little love bug for just about a year now... since I will be returning to work starting next week, I won't be able to anymore.. we've grown to love her, the kids absolutely LOVE her, ALL FOUR OF 'EM! She get's quite a bit of love and attention when she's here, and she's an absolutely beautiful child, no matter where I took her, people stopped to tell me how beautiful my child was!.. and since mine are, I just smiled and said "thanks!"..

We will miss her. Since she is over at my Sister's quite often, I suspect we'll find our way over there to see her, but we will miss our Thursday's with her. She has been a joy to watch. We love you, Cambrie!

goals.

2011-01-19T23:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have some! I have decided that being home this past year is why my stomach is THREE TIMES grosser than last year!

I am not as active, and the funny thing is, I'm home more now, RIGHT? but the more I think about it, I am going to bed instead of doing my normal workouts... SO, I started training for a 1/2 marathon this week.. big goal, but I think it's more about the "moving" than the end result, and IF I actually run a 1/2 marathon, well, I should hope I'm 15lbs lighter, AND my stomach resembles less of a blob of marshmallows! GROSS.

I am going to buy a laptop that will suite photo editing better, higher resolution and bigger memory, boy do pictures eat at my memory, so now that I am officially going back to work, that is one of my goals. The new computer will be JUST for my stuff, and hopefully I will have more access to it.. man do I have to fight for every minute on this thing.. except NOW. almost midnight. everyone's ASLEEP!

Disneyland. I am taking my kids to Disneyland.

That's it. THREE goals. Now, just watch to see how fast I can pick them off the list!

Uncle J's visit...

2011-01-16T16:51:00.002-07:00

Uncle J's so nice, he brought a surprise for Callie doll too!.... THAT'S a great UNCLE!

This is why he's such a ROCK STAR.

My little man's birthday!

2011-01-12T18:41:00.002-07:00

Well, against demads for otherwise, HE TURNED SIX.

With balloons.

Cupcakes in class..

TWO birthday parties.. one for friends, the other for family... it was a BUSY day!

He got lot's of toys, more than he needs, considering Christmas is barely two weeks prior..

Right now, he's out with my brother, PICKING OUT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT!

He is a loved little boy.

naturally.

Happy birthday; little man.

New year, birthday and new background!

2010-12-31T16:10:00.000-07:00

Since Ethan's birthday is next Friday, and it's the beginning of a new year, I thought the "CELEBRATIONS" blog background was fitting.

Ethan turns S-I-X next week, that's so hard to believe...

2010 is O-V-E-R, that's so hard to believe.....

I guess weather we agree, go along with, or welcome some changes, they come around each year, I think it's mostly a good thing. I always feel the new year is a "new beginning" and I'm usually hopeful that it will be a better year than the one before, sometimes I think that's it's been a waisted thought, but in the end, I guess it's better to start off that way.

At the close of 2010; I've had a big year. I quit my job of 11yrs, my big boy's are off and running, and they just don't need me the same, which is a hard adjustment to a Mama who loves like I do, and peri-menopause has entered my life... MID LIFE. What a thought, sometimes it's very scary to think about being at a mid point, but that's where I am, it comes with it's own slew of issues to deal with and navigate through, my age number isn't a big deal to me, I'm 42, I don't care if you know that, but I don't think I ever considered that I would have any sort of "menopause" words attached to that age, but alas, it is very common... luckily I have a terrific Mother who has given me a sort of "bible" to reference, and a whole lifetime of wisdom and security to know that I am ok, just as I am, and that "this too shall pass".... I have a pretty nice guy to live with too, and he's holding his own, nicely.

At the close of the year, I have found myself car-less most of it, a predicament I am not fond of, it has made me kinda crazy truth be told, so has not working. I like to work, and I will go back to doing "something" this year since Ethan will start 1st grade this summer and I don't think I could find quite enough within my four walls to keep me from going crazy M-F... on the other hand, I have expanded my photography equipment and my knowledge and skills, and that has continued to be a great source of fun, I have made some money with it, and given some people great happiness through pictures, and I have amazed myself a few times with what I captured, it's truly a gift that I hope to expand upon this year... I really love it.

My children continue to be my greatest source of joy, I expect that to be the way of it forever! "Thank God for kids" my crowning glory, my life's work...

I hope the new year brings.....

Friends to play with for my Doll

Another healthy year for my Ethan

The beginning of a college education for my Coder

..And more Santa suits for my Hopper!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-30T20:58:00.002-07:00

Well, since it's taken FIVE day's to catagorize, edit, color correct then sort them and add some features, I think I will just let the pictures tell the story.

Christmas 2010 was really, REALLY nice... FANTASTIC really. Both big boy's were home for Christmas morning, which was by far, the greatest gift, all four kids in the same place, all having a good time together.. laughing, hugging........ the big boy's really found the joy in the giving this year, they both made the effort to buy things for their younger brother and sister that they would love, such a "moment" to watch, I am truly a blessed woman.

It's too bad I can't really show you what the Petey card did, when you open the card, he rocks out! shaking his guitar, it was hilarious, Hopper got that one for me, along with the large frame to put pictures in.. Cody was pretty much bullied into buying me a rotisserie cooker, that's going to be a funny memory for him one day, I really did march him to the store and have him buy me that.. to my credit, I bought the chicken! ... I really am smiling to think about this Christmas, it goes down as the best by far.

I was truly spoiled this year. Doug got me an external flash for my camera, a new lens, tripod/mono pod combo (I really like shooting with the monopod more than a tripod) and the LARGEST digital photo frame out there.. so far. I LOVE THIS THING.

My ONLY regret about this Christmas is that Mom and Dad Seivert left for Wisconsin on Christmas eve, so they came Thursday night and had it then... I was making sugar cookies/frosting at the time, so there are no pictures of that... Callie got a "Paper Jamz" guitar and Ethan got Lincoln logs, both a HIT. Mom had bought me the new Richard Paul Evans book, which I devoured in THREE DAY'S TIME, I really love his stuff, and this was no exception, "Promise Me".. if you get the chance to read it; DO IT!

Hopefully, yours was a Very Merry Christmas too...

Hopperclaus

2010-12-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hopper text me Friday night that Santa would be at his work tomorrow from 12-2, and that I should bring the little one's down.... I asked him if he would be there; "yes"... sure! we'll be there at noon!

We had Callie and Ethan's little friends Rachel and Gavin for the day, so they were all so excited to go see SANTA.

When we got there, Santa is walking around the building, he yells at me and I tell him "the kids have gone inside" and in the store I go, Santa coming a few seconds behind me.

Santa walks in, say's "Ho Ho Ho" and "Merry Christmas" and goes to a chair sat next to a Christmas tree. I already have camera in hand, but I turn to one of his co-workers and say " is Spencer here?"... YEAH, (pointing to Santa).. THAT IS SPENCER!

HOPPER IS SANTA????!!!!!!

By then he already has Ethan on his lap, asking him what he wants for Christmas... My son. Santa. He did such a great job, he played the part VERY well, like someone who has some experience with children, and a heart of gold.

The kids figured it out... but that was ok, it was a RIOT...

Christmas party

2010-12-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

We had our ward party last night, it was fun... the Primary kids were asked to dress up as people/animals that they had been assigned on Sunday, Ethan was a wiseman, and Callie was an angel.. it was a pretty cute little production!

My latest obsession!!!

2010-12-14T17:08:00.001-07:00

glee. WHERE HAS THIS SHOW BEEN? I have been aware of it, and often thought "I'd probably like that show;" being musically inclined and all, but WHOA! Callie and I are addicted. Two weeks ago I bought the glee Christmas CD, then I bought the music to season 4, for no other reason than the song "Marry you"... if you can go watch the episode titled "FURT" the wedding scene is totally worth it, someone needs to get married like that and include ME! I'm available.

The second is probably not new, but I happened upon it one afternoon and was fascinated by the subject, I don't recall now what it was but I was hooked, now we record this one too...

OH!

.. This one too.. Doug and I will laugh ourselves silly at this one...

Christmas at our house.

2010-12-11T09:23:00.003-07:00

Even though I've not been much "in the Christmas mood" Ethan wanted to decorate last week... BAD! He could hardly contain his excitement as Doug brought up the tree and all the Christmas "stuff" came up. I went much lighter on the decorations this year, I think this year, more than any other, I just want to get through Christmas so we can get on to SPRING!

Something about the cold weather this year, the smog, snow.... I wish we lived somewhere warmer this year. My cousin in Arizona just posted about the 80 degree weather they were having this week.. sounds kinda tempting to me. Personally, I am "feelin it" right now, I MISS my Sundance family this time of year for sure, this is my first Christmas not at Sundance in 12 years, it's made me sad.

Anywhoo, we are in full swing for Christmas here, the kids are excited, it looks, smells and feels like Christmas around here, the choir just had thier Christmas program last Saturday, and it was AWESOME! I think I could perform like that EVERY weekend, such a joy to me. The BEST part about the concert? ALL my kids were there! with two teenage boy's, this has become a much more cherished happening. It was great to look out and see them all there, including my Mother and Doug of course, my biggest fan.

As I type this, the choir is singing "Silent Night" in the background, and I am all the sudden "in the mood"....

For Hopper.

2010-12-10T21:18:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, I will forget that I have not either edited a file, OR I will forget to post after... this happened with Spencer's birthday. After noticing that Cody had a birthday post but NOT him, which I first argued that there was!.. not so. I owe him his post.

My Spencer. What a kid. Smart, handsome, FUNNY (well, most the time) and quite frankly, adorable. Spencer was my "angel baby" he was SO FREAKING CUDDLY as a baby/toddler/little boy.. I couldn't pinch his cheeks enough, kiss is cheeks enough, and hug on him enough, and what was great was Spencer didn't EVER stop me! He was perfectly content with his place as "Mama's boy" for a very long time. Spencer never wanted me upset at him, he would spend a great deal of energy wanting me to be happy; "Ok, Mama" "don't be mad at me Mama" "I love you Mama"... you get the idea.

Just tonight, I stopped at his work, he fixed me my diet Pepsi with lime, even squeezing the lime for me, and then, right in front of all his co-workers and patrons, leaned across the counter and kissed me goodbye! Spencer's heart is very, VERY big.. always has been, and when you have a smart, good-looking son, who will then kiss you in front of God and everyone, well, you've SCORED!

Spencer. The second jewel in my crown. I love you.

Coder turns 19!

2010-12-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is right; I DO have a child that is NINETEEN! It's not right.

Since he is an "adult" (not really, he still needs my loving guidance, daily) he worked all day, at BOTH his jobs, so we celebrated two days later @ The Golden Corral... Cody loves this place, it's a buffet, so for the most part it was a perfect place, we got a small room to ourselves and all the food/dessert you can eat! It was lovely to just "walk away" after we were done, no clean up involved, I highly recommend it, however, I don't recommend letting them turn 19!

My old stomping grounds!

2010-12-03T14:48:00.001-07:00

The Granger High School Choral room.....

Choral Arts Society of Utah is performing with The West Valley Symphony tomorrow, and they practice in that room, since they have instruments and we just have voices, we went to practice for two day's over there, Tues and Wed's of this week, it was a trip, as it looks pretty much the same, even the piano! I sat in just about the same place I sat in for three years starting 27yrs ago... I even walked down the hall and around the corner to my english/contemp writing classroom, where my english teacher, Mrs. Woodward, told me I am a very "gifted writer"... funny how some things just stay with you, like singing.. all these years later, to return, camera in hand before they tear the place down to build a new one.

Our guest artist is David Osmond, a 2nd generation Osmond, with a voice LIKE BUTTER! It outta be a great show, the most surprising part is "The little drummer boy" piece, man do I HATE that song! and we've been practicing for a few months now for Christmas, each time lamenting how much I HATE THIS SONG... well, something about the orchestra did "something" to my opinion of this little song, and I am now MOST excited to perform this one tomorrow!

My creative idea...

2010-11-29T19:43:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, as I wandered by the $1.00 section at Target, I had a thought.

Buy some of these things, here and there, and put them in a basket. THEN....

When the kids do something that is positive and good, cooperative, obedient; etc... I can use this as a motivator and reward for doing what they should be doing. SO, I was able to put this into action last Friday... I came home from shopping to kids who were bored and REALLY at each other, I told them to pick things up, got them putting laundry away and making beds, and told them there would a "fun reward" if they got it done WITHOUT fighting.

This worked like a charm. So tonight, when they were once again getting on each other's nerves, I told them to get picked up and maybe there would be a "reward".... as we speak, they are both on the floor doing a floor puzzle, Ethan is helping Callie, and it is quiet and happy....

I'm a GENIUS.
Well, sort of.

Letter's to Santa

2010-11-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Ethan suggested it was time to write Santa a letter this morning, I had this cute little book that I bought after Christmas two years ago, that I forgot about last year, but was right on top of it this morning! The kids sat down at the table, armed with all the ad's we keep to help us know what they want, which is EVERYTHING in the ad's...

They opened each letter with "Dear Santa" and ended with their names at the bottom.. they were both so excited. We then drove down to Macy's and they put them in the mailbox to be delivered... both requested a response from Santa, asap... here's hoping!

Snow baby

2010-11-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

I must have snapped 30 pictures of him walking from the sledding hill to our backdoor.... WHAT A CUTIE PIE!!!

Snow day!

2010-11-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

When we bought this house, we had two little boy's.... we picked the lot because of the Jr. High right on the back of our yard, we figured it would be a good place for the boy's to run and play, and of course, sledding in the winter....

10yrs late, two more little children are sledding on the Jr. High hill, along with other's that always come to do the same thing, sometimes it easily becomes a hill covered with friends, and the fun can last for hours, as it did on this day, the kids had THREE shifts of friends that day, and by the end of the day we had soaked four pairs of socks, two bibs, four pairs of jeans.. there was a lot of clothing, mittens, hats and gloves piled up in front of the fireplace by the end of the day.. what an invaluable addition to my home the fireplace has been, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of my Parent's helping us to buy that, and for Papa coming to run the gas line and make it work, the sunken front room was not a place we spent much time until the fireplace came and warmed it up!

Ethan's Thanksgiving class party

2010-11-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

Since I am Ethan's "room mother", I got to put together party... we made indian hats, made a little Thanksgiving card that they used their hands for the turkey. Then we had a small "feast", consisting of crackers, cheddar cheese, marshmallows, cheetos and apple juice! Then we went over to Mrs. Thompson's class to watch Charlie Brown Thanksgiving... we had a few minutes when we came back, so we passed a pumpkin around and when it stopped, each child got to say what they were thankful for!

I thought it was a pretty decent party, considering I realized on Monday that it would have to be the next day!!... so much for hoping to have it "together"....

The other night...

2010-11-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Monday night. It's only 6pm. Kids are fighting with each other...

Callie wanted to make cookies, but after refusing to help her brother pick up before we could do that, I advised her we wouldn't be; "I now didn't FEEL like helping her".. bummer. But, with the kids still at each other I had to do something so I put in "This is it".. the MJ movie, and VOILA! they were instantly entertained and then began following the "moves"... it was funny, and it did the trick!

Ethan READS a book!

2010-11-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

Ethan picked up this little book at Grandmommy's and he really picked it up... he was still doing so well this morning that we took the book to class and he read it to his teacher, who is adorable! She was very excited, and emotional at his reading that book... the best picture is the ONLY one a little blurry... wouldn't ya know it! He was so proud of himself, and she told him that she was going to give him her microphone and HE was going to read it to the whole class!

I absolutely LOVE her...

She told me that Ethan told her he had missed her, very much.....she thinks he's adorable, and I agree!

Saturday RS project

2010-11-09T09:01:00.001-07:00

This was on of the options for our ward Super Saturday.. thankfully, unlike so many other years, it was the only thing I really wanted to do! It was simple, the only complicated part, and took longer than the project, was gettting Walmart to print the picture CORRECTLY! ... but, in the end it did turn out, and it really is very cute.. I love the giggling that is happening with Callie, she thought it was funny for me to tell her "look at your brother like you LOVE HIM!"

I love having things around that can give not only a good message, but a great visual!

Our Halloween festivities!

2010-11-03T11:08:00.002-06:00

We really enjoyed Halloween this year, me included, and I don't typically LOVE Halloween. Maybe being prepared a month in advance helped, Callie and Ethan had costumes squared away over a month ago, my Mother in law took the kids to Gardner Village and they got hat's, had a good time, so when we got invited to go again, Doug and I both went and I took the camera. We had trunk-r-treat and then Halloween, which included the "big boy's" coming for dinner with dates and then trick-or-treating with the little one's, we had Madison, Mikayla, Joulz and Mayz along for the fun, and the weahter really wasn't bad, the kids kept each other running along and I think we were out about two hours, I think I've enjoyed the last three years more because I had Deonna to keep me company, it's nice to have friends to enjoy along the way... we picked up Jeremy this year too, and it made the group even more enjoyable!

For someone who doesn't really care for the holiday, I think this year was by far the funn-est! I couldn't help but think about what it would look like, for just a few minutes, to have all four of my kids, age 5, out trick-or-treating, all together, what a sight that would be!

Various Ethan...

2010-10-19T11:35:00.000-06:00

It was SO lovely outside two Sunday's ago, that we went to the park with some friends... the kids threw a ball around, played on the playground and then we went to visit Coder at work. It was sunny and hot, just perfect outside, I was so hoping to have repeated it this last Sunday, but the weather wasn't quite as nice... I am really hoping this Sunday can give us one last HOOR-AH outside, it has been the best to still be able to shoo the kids outside and have the windows open during the day.. The other pictures are of Ethan sitting with alphabet flash cards, he entertained himself by lining up the full alphabet on the counter, AND he then spelled out his name in candy corn!!

I just love "documenting" my life. The idea that my kids will one day, hopefully, LOONG TIME FROM NOW; will sit and look over these pictures and laugh, cry and "remember"... maybe when THAT day comes, they will not be complaining about how often I took these pictures!

Ethan has a new teacher

2010-10-09T01:02:00.000-06:00

Ethan's school was given permission to add another K-garten teacher, this was probably a month into the school year, but it meant he was going into a class with 14-15 students instead of 20-something.. so we decided it would be ok, he has several classmates, including Solo, who is also his Primary "mate". It has been a GREAT change, Ethan really likes her, and so do I, she is funny, upbeat, and SO ENTHUSIASTIC to teach these kids.

Mrs. Muchado is from Portugal. Speaks three languages, and has been a terrific change!

My Coder.

2010-10-08T23:14:00.005-06:00

Wow. Almost 19. Handsome.
Funny.
and a heart as big as Texas.
I am a lucky Mama.
and PROUD.

Puzzles

2010-10-08T17:59:00.002-06:00

My little Ethan has become quite fond of puzzles lately, something he sorta picked up
on the houseboat! Since then, he has been bought a few, and he enjoys it...so far, just the
larger 25piece one's, but I am thinking, he's so quick at it, that I may move him up to the
bigger one.

Falling behind a bit..

2010-09-30T22:06:00.002-06:00

Even when I tell myself I WILL NOT get behind again, somehow it happens. So, I have put together a little collage of what's been going on around here the last two weeks or so.....

My nephew had a birthday, and I got the pic of my sister with her little grand-son, the little feet of her newest grand-daughter...

Ethan got a halloween costume, a little Dalmatian, he wanted to be Snoopy, but I wasn't sure if we'd ever find that, when he saw this and was happy; SOLD!

Callie wanted to help cook last week, so I put her in charge of the hash browns...... she did great.

The kids wanted to buy painted pumpkins for $4.95, but I let them pick pumpkins and paint and they did it themselves!

I took the little one's horseback riding for the first time... Callie LOVED it, Ethan; not so much!...AND......

I turned 41!

I could have added Lake Powell, which was a September hilight, but I posted about that already...

Like it or not, OCTOBER IS HERE!

Lake Powell

2010-09-21T17:09:00.001-06:00

My Sister and her husband go to Lake Powell every September, they have a houseboat there, and we have always wanted to go! It happened to work out this year that we could, so the little one's and I went down on a Tuesday and returned on Friday, it wasn't enough time; AT ALL, but it was warm (cold in SL) and sunny (overcast in SL) and we were able to go out on the boat and the kids did the tube and some of the others wakeboarded and had fun with waverunners...

Ethan was less enthusiastic than his sister, but he got a little braver; EVERYDAY... just before we went home he was in the water, just swimming, which he hadn't done up to that point. Callie tried everything, I think she's going to be my little "thrill seeker".... she was up for it all!! she went down the slide off the back of the houseboat and swam, did the tube and the waverunner, she couldn't get enough!

The nicest part was my Brother in law's family, they could not have been any more hospitible, they were beyond engaged with my children, they all just doted over them, make us all feel right at home, which I appreciate so much.

Next year, if we are invited, we will try to stay the whole week!!

Ethan's special book.

2010-09-04T15:18:00.000-06:00

Ethan loves to pull out the book of pictures of his surgery and go through each page... he has heard the "story" behind each picture many, many times... he will sit and turn each page, repeating what he knows about each moment.....it's the cutest!

If you were at my house yesterday...

2010-09-04T14:40:00.001-06:00

Then you were anxiously awaiting this little program! Not just Callie, but Ethan too! He can give you all the details, it's crazy! I had told them that we would let them have a party, pizza pockets, popcorn and drinks for the event. They had three friends over and they danced and sang away....

Brotherly love...

2010-09-04T13:38:00.001-06:00

It does my little Mama heart good to see Ethan telling his brother the story of when he had heart surgery....

Another fun (more importantly, FINISHED) project

2010-09-03T00:20:00.001-06:00

These are the newest addition to my kitchen, they are really scrapbook pages added to oversized clipboards... it turned out super cute, now I'm going to get my cupboards "re-done"... or at least that's what I'm asking for; big 41 next week! STAY TUNED...

Our Sunday SLUFF....

2010-09-02T22:32:00.000-06:00

We had Stake Conference for the past two weekends, but we decided to do our own version of "worship" and got bags of chips, coloring supplies for the kids, and headed up to Brighton, then we took Guardsman Pass to Park City, we enjoyed the music and the scenery and mostly, we just had a nice ride!

This boy....

2010-08-31T11:59:00.000-06:00

Is just SO CUTE!

Davis family

2010-08-27T17:41:00.000-06:00

Cute little Davis family!

Classical Baby...

2010-08-19T17:16:00.001-06:00

When Ethan was a baby, I stumbled upon this program on HBO. "Classical Baby"

Ethan and I would watch it whenever it came on, after a little while, we recorded them so we could watch whenever we wanted, which was often. It became a nightly routine to snuggle up with both Callie and Ethan and watch one of these 30min shows before bedtime.

I bought the 3-set series the year we went to Disneyland, we had a DVD player in the van and it would be the best diversion for the kids on the long drive. If you love classical music, and I do, it's brilliant what they've done with the music to the art, there have been four to date, Music, Dance, Art and the last was Poem, which I just ordered online...

The other day Ethan, out of the blue, say's "can we watch Classical Baby" and I said "sure"... we have watched it twice now, and it is such a wonderful thrill each time, the only thing better would be to have all that classical music on a CD, that I could plug in wherever I am, as I would if I could!

If you ever get a chance to see this program, sit down with your children, or by yourself, and be amazed, and calmed; charmed actually!

What Ethan did while Callie played....

2010-08-12T18:57:00.002-06:00

Such a boy......

Tennis star in the making...

2010-08-12T18:35:00.001-06:00

As I've mentioned before...

I HATE THIS NEW BLOGGER STUFF....

I cannot get it to "align left"...GRRRRR!

Anywho....

Callie has started tennis lessons, and she's got pretty good "natural ablility" you can see it, and her teacher has said it, both lessons! She LOVES it! I can see her going on to the next lesson after this, Ethan wants to do it too now, he's been a terrific little ball picker-uper! Doug practiced awhile with him Monday and he kept saying "I could be the CHAMPION at this"!!

We'll probably sign him up too, he seemed to have the hang of it pretty good!

Changes.....

2010-08-08T18:10:00.002-06:00

Irritation #1 is that blogger went to a "new and improved" format...

I THINK IT STINKS.

I can barely figure out how to do the things I've done all along, it's a pain

So, the pictures, which normally I would upload from last to first is NOT how this works, so instead of there being a sequence, there is not, and I cannot fiugre out how to move the picutres around, since the rule that Duchy showed me, doesn't work now either! With that said.....

We decided to put Doug's office downstairs and put the kids in their own rooms now... it was time. So, Ethan went to a Transformer's theme, and Callie went to this pink multi-color pattern that is totally girl, and adorable! Ethan has the "bunk" bed now, and has a little play space of his own now where he used to sleep, Callie has Spencer's old bed, and she LOVES it!, hence the set of rules that if you want to go in her room; BEST KNOCK.. she is 100% serious about that, at least where Ethan is concerned!

My silly Dolly!

2010-08-07T11:46:00.000-06:00

What an interesting place to goof around...

....and to be reflective....

Some of my favorite wedding pictures!

2010-08-06T21:08:00.007-06:00

What I learned this week....

2010-08-06T20:48:00.001-06:00

The original picture

The first attemp to edit (maybe too bright)

...And lastly.

My Aunt and Zach both spent some time with me this week showing me a few basics in Photoshop, the info has been fascinating! I am having a BLAST with photography and this is another exciting element.

These are some CUTE kids, we just adore Cam, she has become a part of our family, and the kids all love her, Cody will come in the house and announce "Where's MY baby"!? Hopper will pick her up everytime he's around her, and the little one's treat her like a sister, a little sister, and it's adorable.... As long as TWO times a week! ;)

Cam and the kids

2010-07-27T09:23:00.000-06:00

ANOTHER lost tooth!

2010-07-25T08:09:00.001-06:00

The tooth to the left is now missing

The Toothfairy left her a dollar!

The best part about losing that tooth......

"FINALLY I CAN SPIT EASIER"!

Yep, that's our girl.

Our July 24th..

2010-07-24T18:52:00.006-06:00

Our ward had an AM breakfast and the kids had a parade where they had decorated bikes, scooters, wagons and themselves!! It was really nice to get up and NOT have to get breakfast... afterwards, Ethan and Daddy went into the shop to build a car, and Callie and I painted our toenails!!

Shhhhh.....

2010-07-23T19:56:00.002-06:00

If you are from my ward, and you view these pictures of Hannah, please keep it to yourself... Preston has not seen the dress, or her in it!... general consensus is that he'll peek if he got the chance!!!

Hannah edits

2010-07-21T13:39:00.012-06:00

Picture perfect bride

2010-07-17T19:08:00.024-06:00

I am particularly proud of these, as I had nerves WORSE than the engagements! I told Doug on the way there "I'm not sure about this"... he said "what do you mean"?...

VERY MATTER OF FACTLY.. "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS"

.."You'll do GREAT"

I was hoping something really good happened between where we were and where we were going, because I was about as nervous as I could get, these are someone's BRIDAL pictures, "someone" who's family I adore, and I don't want to mess it up... but something GREAT happened; MAGIC, and you see the results.

Hannah is a beautiful girl, she looked amazing, the setting was charming and my equipement was more than adequate, but I am still very unsure working the camera, in fact I feel as if I can't really do the technical stuff behind the lens, and be creative about what's in front of me quite yet, it's two different dimensions still, and I hope there is a mesh soon, but Doug was more than happy to come along and get me rolling, and have a few ideas of his own, luckily we have always been a somewhat creative and talented team, so as you see, my worries were unfounded, and I managed to play the part, once again, as a "photographer"

..More to follow. Stay tuned....

** We ran smack into Aunti A-shell while we were there, she followed along and it was SO very nice to see her!

A doll and a dress...

2010-07-07T09:43:00.044-06:00

Grammie helping Callie put her dress on....

WOW!

Waiting for her to put on afterwards..

Her new black shoes

Eight years ago, my Mother made Callie's blessing dress, it was only fitting that she would produce the sweetest little pink dress for her Baptism, it has little pink flowers on a very pale pink fabric, then as I was uploading these pictures, my mind wandered to the flowers that I picked for her blessing dress, and I was compelled to go pull the dress out and see the resemblence, as I was digging for THAT, I came across the little layette set that Grandmommy bought her on the day she was born, Cody and Spencer in tow to pick out something special for their new sister to wear home, very pale pink with little pink roses.....

This little girl has had some pretty special clothing in her eight years, and each of them has been at the offering of a GRAND-mother who loved her; what a lucky little lady!

All three dresses

Her blessing dress

The layette that she got on the day she was born

Her Baptism dress

It was fun to pull these dresses out and put them together, of course Callie wanted to know why I was getting "all this stuff out" and then she had a great time showing it to her BFF Rachel, I showed her the layette, still in the box it was given to me in, in the hospital; told her about her brother's and Grandmommy going to the store right after she was born to get it, and that I was saving them all, she said "because we pass it down"?... exactly. One day I will give it to you for your daughter.. now that's a legacy.

Saturday, in the park

2010-07-04T22:19:00.014-06:00

Me and my GORGEOUS Sister, Brandi

Of course, the "bad dudes" got tatoos on the neck, cuz that's how they ROLL!

Bran, Me and Hop, showing off our art work, cept you can't really SEE IT!

Mcafee's tatoo

Callie's decoration

Uncle Mike branding Ethan!

Ethan's snake

My rose, same as Bran's

Some of the crowd... I kinda didn't "think" about taking the pictures til pretty late!

After Dolly's baptism, we went to the park for lunch and play time for the kids... it was really fun, we ended up sitting out there for about 3hours, the weather wasn't too hot, and it was just an enjoyable afternoon, my brother Mike showed up with these tatoo's and gave the little kids quite a good time, and a few of the "big kids", it's always fun when the family that I love, is together, (next time I need to remember that camera strapped to my chair a little sooner!)

Callie's Baptism

2010-07-04T12:21:00.024-06:00

What a great day for a baptism.

The sun was shining, the dress was gorgeous, her family all came out....

Daddy baptized her and Granddad confirmed her, he gave her a lovely blessing, it was awesome. Our Bishop always calls up the "new members" in church and it's a fun tradition for them, so she had her little moment of glory this morning as the newest, and most beautiful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

Good Things to Come

2010-06-30T15:38:00.000-06:00

Firsts.

2010-06-30T12:25:00.006-06:00

Dish cloth bunny!

Faith in God, and her award for setting goals on her first night!

Callie had her first "Activity Day's" night. She was excited to go. For this week, she turned 8, will be baptized and had her first official 8yr activity... let the fun begin.

First of all, I NEVER said she could turn 8!

when it's June 24th...

2010-06-24T22:34:00.066-06:00

That means it's Dolly's birthday.

The day started with notes around the house..

..and balloons, of course. That's a tradition with our kids.

The GORGEOUS (if I do say so myself) little heart shaped cakes!

We started with dancing, the girls REALLY enjoyed Dance Party on the wii

The funky glasses I had them put on, some for fun, others for anominity!

The whole gang with their funky glasses!

The pizza line!

and then outside to eat and talk, talk, talk!!

Even the boy's had a GREAT time, surrounded by GIRLS!

The presents, all looking too pretty to disturb!!

The Doll and her MINIONS!

... pulling thier funniest faces!

Dolly opening a few of her presents... she had a good time entertaining...

Her brother Hopper, got her an ipod, she's been asking him to get her one for months.. he delivered!

.. More opening presents and reading cards...

... and lastly, Ethan was SO excited to give her our gift...

All the kids gathered around to start opening boxes and packages!!

Finally, it was time to eat those perfect little cakes that took me ALL DAY to do, and took them 2 minutes to eat; ah well, that's why I have a camera!!

... PACKAGING GALORE.. ALL OVER THE FLOOR!! (I just made that up!)

..The remnants of a very fun party

By 9pm, they were both POOPED... I spread out blankets on the floor...

And they ended the BIRTH-day watching Toy Story 2!

Cody also gave her a great gift, and I will add that later, unfortunately, Cody was already at work by the time she got home from school, so we drove her there so her could give them to her himself, she got quite a bit of fun things, and I believe she had a GREAT DAY.

She's such a pretty little doll, and I had a great deal of fun just watching...

Crazy Kids!

2010-06-23T21:43:00.009-06:00

Isn't Dance Party on the wii a terrific distraction!?

Ethan's lapse of judgement

2010-06-16T16:40:00.008-06:00

It's JUNE. Ethan decided to add his personal flair to his wardrobe today!

Cambrie's feet....

2010-06-16T15:36:00.004-06:00

Cute little baby toes!

My family

2010-06-11T16:01:00.008-06:00

What a great opportunity to have everyone together on Sunday, at the last minute, we decided to have a picture of all the "big kids" (+ a Cody)

Six children. All grown now. The best of friends and their Mother. I can see the "little" versions of them all, as I am the eldest of the bunch, and I marvel at how great this bunch really is, and I am grateful for each of them.

For the love of Cody.

2010-06-07T18:03:00.059-06:00

"HAPPY GRADUATION"

I was lucky enough to have my Cousin Melissa, her husband Andrew and their kids Brooke and Scott from Arizona join us!

McAfee and Brandi

Jakie-pooh

Cute little Skye

Cousin Mike explaining to Brooke how you grow a "money tree".. She was totally fascinated!

A little bit of Cody's life, in pictures

Grandmommy and Granddad

Uncle Josh and Aunt Brandi!

McAfee and Sody!

Uncle Zach and Aunt Melissa

Uncle Mike and Aunt Becky

Uncle J

Cody and Grammie

Uncle Levi and Aunt Jamie

Mom, all six siblings and their spouses.. boy how we've grown!

Cody and Ashlee

Looking at the book with his families words of wisdom, this was a lot of fun to pass around and then read, Cody I think got a real kick out of it!

Annika and Skye

Cody posted on his Facebook wall that it was a perfect end to an awesome week! It was a terrific celebration for a fine young man indeed. What's up next for young Cody??... STAY TUNED!

Hannah and Preston

2010-06-05T00:28:00.012-06:00

YES........ I TOOK THEM!

My firstborn graduates.

2010-06-02T21:31:00.009-06:00

Class of 2010

TAH-DAH!... and just like that, he's arrived.

Beginning his walk to the beginning of the REST OF HIS LIFE

He's a stud!

Congratulations banner

Cody is the second boy in on the left

On deck for his name to be called, it's a THRILL to hear your boy's name!

Shaking hands

Getting ready to receive his diploma

Walking back to his aisle

Getting back to his seat after his diploma

The 2010 graduating class

Cody's middle initial is "J", after this woman, Gwendolyn JEAN AKA "GRAMMIE"
She was there when he entered the world!

Holding the reward of 12 years!

Graduation was held at the e-center

Ethan making it clear that things are NOT going well for him!

money is ALWAYS a good end!

Afterwards we walked across the street for lunch at Chilli's, Cody did say he was glad he did the "walk the stage thing" which took some prodding and pleading to get him to agree to do! Such a boy, he didn't care, but Mama did, and in the end, he listened and I do believe he had a good time.

He is one handsome kid, probably the MOST HANDSOME in the bunch, and I am very proud of him, he's been a good student, in both grades and personality, one of his teachers that I spoke to on the phone just last week, said he's been "delightful" he's made us all pretty proud.

Pretty quickly after the ceremony started, these words to a song popped into my head, and I think they apply perfectly.....

Once upon a lifetime
You know that you've been blessed
When you hold your first born
Tenderly against your chest
The innocent you see
The value of a family
And you feel a special bond
That only comes a long
Once upon a lifetime

Trying to make nothing interesting... ;)

2010-05-31T11:51:00.010-06:00

It's hard to make nothing look interesting!

Red Butte Gardens (practicing part two!)

2010-05-29T14:44:00.020-06:00

Angles

Aperture, with a bee for fun! (mike spotted the bee)

There was a reception getting ready to start, I had to snap one from the door as my Brother thought it would not be welcome to start wandering through without an invite!

S-curve

There were so many pretty flowers and plants, you literally could take a thousand pictures!

This as in the Childrens Garden, a broze Ethan!

Lizards on the lawn...

Aperture...

... And again...

This looked like a cross between a caterpillar and Snoopy

I think the kids would have loved this little guy.

It looked like it was being set up for a wedding

I just HAD to include this Peony bush, which just happens to be named after my VERY favorite piece of classical music EVER!

There were fruit trees being fixed to this to grow up and over, it was cool to see this theme throughout the garden's.

I big thanks to Mike, who knows A LOT about this, and was kind enough to haul me up there and TRY to "help" me! He will be in attendance at this little shin-dig I'm doing in July, he'll have to hold my hand, and I'm glad he agree'd to that without hesitation!

Academic letter

2010-05-28T18:52:00.009-06:00

Spencer receiving his certificate and pin.

Cambrie just LOVED his finger! and he loves her, so he let her chew and SLOBBER..

Holding the EVIDENCE! ;)

Each year after this one, he'll get gold bars.

Spencer and his proud Mama!

My boy is one smart cookie, I'm proud of him, and thrilled that he has taken such care with his school endeavors, one day, y'all may be calling him DR!!