Conner's 11!!

Wow, I can't believe Conner is already 11. Less than a year, and he'll be receiving the Priesthood. He is such a great kid. He loves his little brother Scotty and showers him with kisses all the time. He is also so sweet to Sophie. It gives me a little glimpse at what a great dad he'll be.

He's been staying busy these last couple months. He has been playing tackle football for the first year. He says he likes the games but not the practices. He says they hit too much at practice. Since he is such a lightweight, he's not too excited about being hit by guys twice his weight. He looks so cute in his pads. He has also been playing on a competition soccer team again this year. His team is undefeated and it's been so much fun watching them play.

Conner is in 5th grade this year and has his first male teacher. He is liking him a lot and says he explains math really well.

Conner loves to hear stories from when he was little or stories from my childhood. He also loves to cuddle. Oh, I just want him to stay this age and not grow up any more. He brings such joy into our lives!

On his birthday, I woke up early and made homemade Carmel syrup (like Kneaders) and made some thick french toast. Conner loves that. We all sat around the table for breakfast as a family (that usually isn't how mornings work). He also opened his presents in the morning. I found a great garage sale that had tons of clothes his size in like new condition. (one still had the tag on even) So he got tons of nice clothes and I only spent 50 cents a piece. He had scouts and then soccer practice practice after school. So we got a late start celebrating. Jimmy's mom was in town visiting grandma so she came over. Conner wanted to go to Applebees. So we went there and had dinner. Then we came home and had his birthday brownie cake.

Love you Conner!

Now and Then

Since weddings and anniversaries have been on my mind lately, I thought I'd post these funny pics of Steph trying on Jen & I's wedding dresses last year. Jen got married in 91- her dress cracks me up now. Jimmy and I got married in 97 and mine isn't much better. We were laughing so hard when Steph tried them on. Camile's dress is still looking like it could be worn today. I wish I would have taken a picture of it too. Anyway, my mom has a closet full of 3 wedding dresses, slip and veils. I think that's part of the reason my mom pushed for Steph renting hers. What do you do with an old wedding dress anyway? It could be neat to make a blessing dress out of- but too late for that now. (maybe my grandbabies)Jen's dress- (love the collar)

My dress

A Dozen Years

Well, our anniversary is past and gone but I wanted to post this picture I took. Jimmy and I were introduced to the game Bananagrams a couple months ago and we've had fun playing each other. It's like a speed scrabble game where you try and use up all your letters the fastest. Anyway, I made a little crossword with words that describe being married to Jimmy for the last 12 years!

We went to Olive Garden and had dinner while we took turns holding Scotty. Then we went to Paradise Bakery and got some cookies to take home. (they were closing so they gave us a deal)

I am looking forward to another year with my best friend!

Scotty at 4 Months

Scotty is already 4 months old! Wow, time has flown by. He is such a fun little guy. Conner and Kali love for him to be their alarm clock in the mornings. It's hard for them to wake up grumpy when they have little Scotty in their face. He smiles so big, cut his first tooth last week, rolls over, and laughs when we work at it a bit. He takes good naps during the day, plays by himself pretty well, and used to sleep until about 5 am but now that he's cutting another tooth he's waking up more. When he gets overly tired he does this little humming, moaning sound to get himself to sleep. Conner said he thinks this is the funnest stage. (I bet he'll keep saying that though)

At his doctor appointment on Thurs. he was 15 lb. & 25 inches close to 50%ile in both.

School, Football, Soccer & Amy

Conner and Kali on their first days of 4th & 5th grade! I just want them to quit growing and just stay in Elementary School. The school year zipped by last year and I remember taking a picture of them on their bikes like it was yesterday. Sophie started preschool last week and this is her on her first day. She gets to go with her little best friend, Ava, so she hasn't had a hard time adjusting.

Sophie has gotten a lot of park time these last few weeks. Kali & Conner have soccer and football games on Tues, Wed, and all day Sat. So if there is a park close by the field that's where Sophie
wants to be. Scotty does good at the games and seems to enjoy the action on the field. We have friends on all their teams so it's fun for me to go and watch too. Since Scotty's birth, I just don't get out too much during the day so it's a good way for me to get fresh air and some adult conversations.

It sure has been busy though. We have games and practices every night of the week. Put on top of that homework, Scouts, Activity Days, piano (Kali), choir (Kali), and a new pet Guinea pig, Amy. Jimmy is also helping coach both soccer and football so that has added to the craziness. As much as I'm loving watching the kids play, I'll be relieved to have our nights back and our Saturdays at home. Then I guess it will be time for basketball and indoor soccer season though so I guess life stays busy.

Shrinking Mama of 4

So a couple of months ago, I decided to join Weight Watchers. So by combining following that program and working out, I've lost 12.5 pounds. It's been slow but I'm heading in the right direction. That is partly to blame for my lack of blogging. It seems like between having a new baby, trying to keep up on house work, and working out everyday, I have hardly any time left for blogging. I get so far behind reading everyone's blogs that it takes me forever to catch up. (sorry for no comments anymore when I read your blogs- I love hearing what everyone is up to though) I do think blogging is important though and I need to recommit to posting again. It's like my journal and my family loves to read through it.

Jason & Kassie's Wedding

So I'm about a month behind posting this but at least it's a stat to getting caught up. On the 15th of Aug. Jason & Kassie got married. It was great to see family again- that's twice this summer that the whole klan has gotten together. We are excited to have Kassie in the family! Now all the siblings are married on both sides of our families.

S'mores Cupcakes

For Father's Day, the Relief Society puts up a treat buffet for the men to enjoy during priesthood. This year, I made s'mores cupcakes and they were so yummy and a great way to enjoy s'mores without smelling like campfire.

S'mores Cupcakes

1 yellow cake mix (follow directions on box)

1 c. crushed graham crackers added to batter

1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 Hershey bar

put into cupcake tins and bake as directed on box

Ice with a jar of marshmallow cream when cooled and dip in a bowl of the mini chocolate chips. Poke a small section of a Hershey bar in each. (I put two teddy grahams on top of a cupcake and it looked really cute but more kiddish so I didn't do it to the rest and I ate that one)

If your not going to eat them right away, put them in the fridge so the marshmallow cream doesn't melt.

Father's in my Life

In Relief Society, on Father's Day, we went around the room and each said something about our
Fathers that we love. We did this last year too and it always makes me cry. There are so many great qualities my dad has and so I could relate to what a lot of the ladies were saying. My dad is a great grandpa. He has been coming with my mom to help out when I've had a baby- (besides Kali- my mom flew to Albuquerque by herself for that) He is so great with the kids- he always carts the babies around and bounces them softly right to sleep. He sometimes falls asleep himself. I can imagine him as a young dad doing the same thing with me.

Some of the girls in my ward have already lost their dads. It made me think how grateful I am that mine is still in great health. It made me realize though that I shouldn't take advantage of the opportunities I have to still tell him how much I love him and what I love about him. I am still lucky enough to have my dad's dad alive also. I can see where my dad gets his loving touch with kids. My grandpa is also such a softy. Just recently when we were at my parents house, my grandpa was there visiting also. A country song that he likes was playing and he scooped Sophie up and started dancing with her. When he saw that she was sleepy, he kept rocking her around to the music and she fell asleep in his arms.

The other two dad's in my life are Jimmy and his Dad. I remember the first time I met Jimmy's dad when we were engaged, we were driving on the freeway in Oregon and a mommy duck and her little ducklings were crossing the road. He started saying in this concerned tender voice, "Hurry mommy duckies and baby duckies, hurry, hurry." It was so cute and I knew then that he was a softy too. He is such a family man and although there is a bunch of us, he loves it more than anything when we can all be together.

Jimmy is such a wonderful dad. I love to watch him look at our kids. There is a light a sparkle when he sees them. A few weeks ago in sacrament meeting we sung I am A Child of God for the opening song. Sophie loves that song and usually she doesn't sing in sacrament meeting but this time she sung out with all her little voice could give. Jimmy was holding her and watched her with tears rolling down his checks. It was such a tender moment. At night we always check on the kids before we go to bed. Jimmy has a hard time letting them sleep with all the kisses he plants on them while they are sleeping. Some wives beg their hubbies to have more kids, not me- Jimmy has wanted to have our last two so bad and just waited on me to be ready. However, if we have anymore, I might have to be the one to do a little persuasion. Although, I think he would be easy to convince.

Not only are these Dads all wonderful men, they are also all worthy priesthood holders which means so much to me. This last week, Jimmy tweeked his back and was in a lot of pain. After dealing with it for a couple days without relief, he asked his Dad and brother, Jon, to give him a priesthood blessing. Not only is Jimmy feeling so much better now, but it was also a great example to our kids to reach out when they are in need of a father's blessing or a blessing of healing. I am so grateful I had the priesthood in my home as I was growing up and that I can enjoy it now also with my own family.

I am so grateful for the great examples of fathers that Conner and Scotty have to look to. Conner is so loving to Sophie and Scotty (not so much to Kali), it gives me a little glimpse of the kind of dad he'll be someday.

Scotty's Blessing Day

Last Sunday, (June 28th) we blessed Scotty. What a neat blessing Jimmy gave him. We had lots of family here from the family reunion- all of Jimmy's side was there along with Camile & Aaron's family, Ken & Gina with Brigham & Emma, Steph & Bryant (the Newlyweds) and Mom & Dad. This month in our ward we have a theme of a Music enriching our lives. So our sacrament program was members of our ward sharing their favorite hymns and then we would sing it. It was a great meeting.

After we came to our house and had brunch. We had a yummy breakfast casserole, muffins, juice, yogurt and fresh fruit. I told Camile I'd post the recipe for the casserole.

Breakfast Casserole

1 lb sausage browned (can use ham too)

6 eggs beaten

4 cups shredded cheese (your choice)

4 cups shredded frozen hash browns- thawed

1 cup milk

1/2 t. salt

mix all together and bake for 35-45 minutes at 350* (super easy to make the night before and then just pop in the oven- I quadrupled the recipe and put it on one sheet cake pan and two 9x13 pans)

Family Reunion at Bear Lake

Last Monday, we had our family reunion with Jimmy's side of the family. All six kids, twenty two grand kids and Mom & Papa all got together for a week of boating, wave running, games, yummy food, hot tubbing, talent show, Family Olympics, Cory's birthday, Karaoke, basketball, softball, Kassie's bridal shower and more yummy food! We stayed in a huge house with 10 master bedrooms, 3 fridges, 5 ovens, 2 hot tubs and enough room for all of us and then some. Here's some pictures of the fun week!

Bird Business

We have had hundreds of birds in our backyard! There has been an infestation of grasshoppers and the birds are in heaven eating all of them off our lawn. The other day it started raining hard and one of the birds came in a vent on our roof and ended up in our little utility closet. We could hear it flapping around in there every once and awhile. Sophie was especially curious about it but I told her not to open it because the bird might fly at her face and peck her nose. I thought I scared her enough not to open the door but awhile later she came to me and told me the bird was black. After trying to figure out what to do with it over night, I came up with a plan. I got a laundry basket and a baby gate and I was going to trap it and then let it go outside. When I opened the door it started flying into the basket and then decided to go higher and flew right past a squealing Jimmy into Conner's room. It flew to the window and smacked itself and then I opened the window and it flew into the back of my head as I was trying to get the screen off. (that's when I screamed) When we got the screen off it flew right out into the field behind our house and I'm sure it had a great big breakfast of grasshoppers.

Spooning

When we were in Bear Lake last week, Conner stubbed his toe in packed down sand while playing football. After it didn't feel better and was bruised and swollen we took him in to the Dr. when we got home. Sure enough he had broken it. So he has a orthopedic shoe that he runs around it (he is getting around great and tries to still do as much as he can).

A few mornings ago, I saw he was laying in his bed awake. So I walked in his room and asked him how his toe was feeling. He said good then said, "Is Scotty still sleeping?" When I told him yeah, he then said. "Will you cuddle with me for a minute?" So of course I cuddled right up to him and wondered how much longer until he'll think he's too old for that. I need to take advantage of it as long as I can. He is so sweet and I don't want him to get any older. I look at Scotty, who at moments looks so much like Conner to me, and think how fast it's gone since Conner was an infant. Time goes by so fast!

Challenger Soccer Camp

The second week of summer vacation, Conner and Kali had a British Soccer camp I signed them up for. British pros come to the US and teach camps all over the states. They both loved it and were so sad when the week was over. They had a crazy hair day one day and the last day of camp they had a world cup tournament. Conner was on the Brazil team and Kali, England. They spent time the day before getting their uniforms just right. They both learned new skills and improved throughout the week.

Sophie's Wardrobe

Sophie is so silly when it comes to clothes. She has three things she likes to wear- her purple pajamas with the flower, her red velvet Christmas dress and her swimsuit. Her pajamas and her velvet dress are both long sleeve and meant for cold weather but she still sports them in the summer. Her swimsuit seems more normal to wear now although it has nothing to do with her actually getting wet. It also seems like she has a constant weggie as she is wearing it. The only time she is not wearing one of these things is when we go to church or when I take her out of the house with me somewhere (lately I haven't been doing that much). Usually, the minute we get home she wants to change back into one of her 3 favorites. I hid the red velvet dress from her up in her closet, it's been out of site for weeks, somehow today it reappeared though! Dang it!

Down and Derby

Conner had his pine wood derby for Scouts a few weeks ago. This was his last year participating. His first year, we had some car troubles and his didn't even make it to the end of the track. Not the best way to start his pine wood derby experience. The next year, ('08) Conner and Jimmy spent more time on his car and he came in 5th place. He was so excited his car made it down the track and even more excited that he placed. This year, he brought home the gold! He came in 1st place- way to go!

The Happiest Place On Earth

No, I'm not talking about Disneyland- I'm talking about the Temple. Yesterday, my little sister, Steph, got married in the temple. What a wonderful experience it was. We had a big surprise while we were in the sealing room. Bryant and Steph came in and while we were waiting for the sealer to come in, our prophet, President Monson, came to the door. I nudged Jimmy because I saw him first, and we were both in awe. We all stood up and he came in and started shaking hands of those in the front row. He shook Ken's hand (my bro) and commented on his pink and black tie, he said he liked it. He then moved on and when he shook, Aaron's hand, (my brother-in-law) he said, "you must be related." (because he had the same tie on) Then he noticed most of the guys in the room had that tie- all the brothers and brother-in-laws were wearing them. He said he has been to many sealings and this was a first- the pink and black tie wedding he called it. I thought he was just popping in but then he just kept on staying and no other sealer was coming in. It was amazing being in the same room as him. He was so great- just like I thought he would be. He told funny stories and touching stories. He knew Bryant's grandma- they went to High School together and I think they went on a date or dates together. And they each still have a quarter that they exchanged; President Monson said his was in his sock drawer and he had just seen it that morning. I'll have to get the story from Bryant when they get back from their honeymoon. His advice to them was the same advice he got when he was sealed to his wife- to kneel in prayer everyday together taking turns offering the prayer. He said he has been doing that since he was married in 1948 (61 years). It seems like such simple advice but so important. How can you stay angry after a disagreement if each day you kneel together in sincere prayer. They were sealed together in room B- which used to be rooms 13 and 14 until they were combined to make one larger room. He made the comment, "who would want to be sealed in room 13? Especially, if it was Friday the 13th. So he made the suggested to use letters instead of numbers. It was so neat listening to his stories and taking in the Spirit that he brought to the room. I was so excited for Steph to be sealed to Bryant by the Prophet! What a great way to start a marriage and what a great story to tell their kids someday! He said he was going to write in his journal that night about the pink and black tie wedding.

After Steph got into her dress, they came out for pictures. It was so neat watching all the little neices swarm around her. She has been the best Aunt to them. They all think she is so beautiful, like a princess and they admire her and look up to her so much. I am so thankful that she is not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside. She is such a great example to them and I can't think of a better role model for them.

We got pictures taken and then went to a luncheon at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. Very yummy! Jimmy and I went and got the sheet cakes from Costco that my parents ordered and then back to the JSM building for family pictures with Steph out of her wedding dress. And then it was time for the reception. It was a nice night and fun to see relatives that I haven't seen for awhile.

I'll never forget what a neat day it was yesterday. Seeing the Prophet so close was one of those life changing experiences for me that makes me evaluate my life and where I want to be compared to where I'm at.