We had a special day!

On Saturday, Kali was baptised by her dad. We had lots of family that came to show their love and support. Jimmy's parents came from Oregon, my parents came from Idaho, 2 of Jimmy's sister's and their families came from Texas and Oregon. My 2 sisters and brother and his family all came too. Our neighbors, the Burt's also came (they aren't moving anymore- YEAH!!) Kali looked so pretty in her white dress and when she changed into the jumpsuit to get baptised she looked so clean and pure. Jimmy got choked up a bit as he said the baptismal prayer. The spirit was really strong and it was so neat watching Kali come out of the waters. We quickly changed her back into her dress and came out for the confirmation of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. In the prayer Jimmy blessed her to be a leader, to learn and study the gospel, to do as she has been taught by those who love her, and to have high standards when choosing a mate to take her to the temple. It was a very nice blessing.

We went to the park and had a brunch. There was lots of fresh fruit, yogurt, muffins, juice and breakfast casserole. There was a fun game of football played and the younger kids were entertained at the park. It was a nice day and at the end of it I was tired!

On Sunday we had great meetings at church- I've been out of town for a few weeks so it was nice to be back in our ward again. Jimmy, Jay and I all bore our testimonies and I hope our kids felt the spirit. They don't seem like they are paying attention but I think they do listen when they hear our voices over the sound system.

I went on an Alaskan Cruise with some of my family and once I get some pictures from it (Ken & Steph had the cameras) I'll post some details.

Here are some pictures from Saturday
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27419&l=8f640&id=691978396

(we signed up for facebook this weekend so if you have a facebook account let's be friends ;)

Camping in Wyoming

Last Tues. we left for Idaho Falls and slept at my parents house. In the morning we all loaded on the RV my parents rented for the weekend and split our luggage between that and my parents suburban. My sister, Camile and her husband, Aaron and their two girls were there along with my brother Ken, and his wife, Gina, and their four kids, and my younger sister, Steph. We all took turns riding between the suburban and the RV to go to a family reunion in Wyoming. My grandma's brothers and sisters and all their posterity do this every Fourth of July weekend. We go to a 4-H camp and have the whole thing to ourselves. (there are lots of us though) These are some of the highlights and activities we did...

-almost tipped the RV over when it got stuck in the mud and started to slip (our prayers were answered though and we got there safe)

-had lots of great food (chili twice in a row though- not the best for close quarter sleeping)

-slept 15 in the RV (you have to be really creative to do this- we had two-three kids on the big dash board every night, and several on the floor)

-sing along by the campfire

-stick horse rodeo (the kids made stick horses, we all got bandannas and cowboy hats and got in teams to compete in fun activities)

-a bumpy, dirt rode ride for 5+ hours to do some daytime activities, 13 people in my parents suburban on the way back to camp

-a short hike to a cave and then going inside it (Sophie was on a backpack on Jimmy's back and she kept whispering in his ear, "shhh, quiet daddy" because it was so dark)

-fishing (and getting eaten by mosquitoes)

-family pictures on the 3rd day camping without any showers (does that seem strange or is it just me? They actually might turn out pretty good though- our hair all has a REALLY healthy shine)

-square dancing at the lodge

-many trips to the outhouse

-driving 20 miles to a gorgeous lookout so Jimmy could check his blackberry for work

-the Beef Jerky guy with the restroom sign

-enjoying the beautiful mountains and all the wildflowers and trees

-walks in the morning

-smores

-eating lunch at Hunting Camp (that's where we used to have our reunions)

-my cousin, Nathan, reported on his mission that he just got back from and bore his testimony

-shooting (Conner & Jimmy did that one)

-bb gun shooting with Grandpa (Conner)

-football (Conner & Jimmy again)

-4 wheeler rides (just Kali)

-breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, orange juice and hot cocoa every morning (we didn't go hungry that's for sure)

We all had a great time. It was so nice to see my cousins that I remember spending time with at the same reunion for years and years as I was growing up. It's so crazy to see us all with kids now! The kids loved being up there and it was so fun to all ride together in the RV. These are the kind of memories that stick with you!

Goodbye June!

I can't believe June will be over in a couple days. This month sure has flown by! The kids are loving summer. They stay up late, sleep in til 8:30ish, and enjoy doing the fun things kids do. What a carefree life!

We went boating a couple more times this week. Sophie still has been wearing her swim suit around every day. I'm surprised she didn't throw a big fit today when I took her suit off and put a dress on her. I think she didn't mind too much because she really enjoys going to nursery. She carried her suit around until it was time to leave for church though.

I've been taking the kids to tutoring twice a week in Eagle Mountain. They each go once a week. I go on walks with my longtime friend, Kara, from IF. (she lives in Eagle Mountain now) Depending on whose day it is to go to tutoring the other one rides their scooter alongside us. Sophie and Kara's little girl, Anna, take turns saying "mine" to each other for the first 5-10 minutes. It's so funny! Kara watched our kids while we went on our cruise earlier this year and I watched Anna for a few days while they went to Mexico. Even though we don't live far from each other we haven't spent this much time visiting for a long time. I've loved the workouts and catching up with my friend.

I've tried to be more structured with the kids this summer and it's helped things not be so crazy. Before they can go out and play, they have to have their rooms clean and then choose two jobs out of the job jar. Once and awhile they will choose out a free job and they think that is exciting! From 12:30 to 2:00 we have quite time. That's when they come in for lunch and then they each get a couple math worksheets to do in their rooms and I read with each of them for 20 minutes. Sophie takes a nap during this time too. It's been so hot outside that they don't mind coming in and resting for awhile. Thanks to my friend, Carrie, that I visit teach for the great idea.

Summer's Here!

Well, it's been awhile since my last post. Here's a rundown of what we've been up to.

Kali had her performance for cheerleading the end of May and ended up with the stomach flu that day. She was throwing up while I was getting the rest of the cheerleaders ready for their performance. I was impressed with all they learned the two months I worked with them. I felt bad Kali couldn't have been there. I am doing three classes this summer. Kali's class, a 5 year old class and a bitty cheer class for 2 and 3 year olds. Sophie is in the bitty cheer class and when I am doing Kali's class she dances and cheers right along but when it's time for her to pay attention in her own class it doesn't work too well.

The weather has finally gotten hot enough to start taking the boat out. We've been 3 times in the last week and have a bishopric boat trip planned for Wed. It sure is fun. Last week I snagged a knee board at a garage sale and that has been fun to try out. Conner had a scary thing happen though on Mon. He was on the knee board and crashed and his knees where strapped in tight and he couldn't figure out how to release them. Jimmy jumped in to help him and Conner was pulling him under the water (Jimmy's didn't have a life jacket on). Conner was really shaken up over the whole thing. He said he wasn't going to do it again for a long time. However, yesterday after I did it, he saw how much fun it was and got right back to it again. We went over how to release himself and he was careful not to strap his knees in tight. Sophie loves to go on the boat. Kali, Sophie and I went on the tube and Jimmy was pulling us pretty fast. Sophie has been on the tube with me before but we always go slow. She loves going fast- she kept saying faster and when we would catch some air she would laugh. This morning the first thing she said was boating- whimming soup (swimming suit). She brought Kali two swim suits for her to put on so we could go. I think Sophie is going to make sure we get good use out of the boat this year! Too bad the gas cost so much! Ahhhhh!

Jimmy and Conner had there Father and Son's camp out on Fri. They had a great time. Jimmy was excited to get back to his own bed. The tent not far from them had a snorer and Jimmy has a hard time with anything but white noise when he sleeps. Needless to say, not much sleeping was done. That's not what camping is about though! Kali and I had a manicure, pedicure night. We watched the American Idol result show (recorded) while we had a foot bath, massaged each others feet and then painted our nails. She had a hard time when Jimmy left so sometime soon Jimmy is going to set the tent up in the backyard for him and Kali. They'll roast marshmallows in the fire-pit and have a nice daddy daughter night. Kali is really looking forward to that.

The kids are keeping me busy being out of school. The house is harder to keep clean and it's harder to find time for myself but it's been fun having them around more. Sophie is also enjoying the extra playmates. She thinks she is just as big as them. They have made a huge playhouse in back of our house. They have used old sod crates, wood, tile, blankets and to put together their fort.

We had another Enrichment night this week. We had a great turn out and it was a lot of fun. It was a Backyard Beach Party Progressive Dinner. We went to three different houses. Combine food and socializing and there is bound to be fun!

Well, hopefully I start keeping up on the blogging better. I sure like reading all your posts!

Happy Mother's Day!

Jimmy and I were both blessed with wonderful mothers. Here are some words we thought of to discribe them.
Mom(s), we hope you both enjoy your day and thanks for all the love you give us, the time you spent teaching us about the gospel and the examples you are for us and our kids. We both have great memories of our Mom's and wish we lived closer so we could spend some time with you today!





(Lynette)
M- Makes the best pies, rolls & bread
O- Organized
T- Testimony
H- Hard worker
E- Enjoys spending time with family
R- Raised 6 kids!


















(Joan)
M- Makes life fun
O- Owl (a night one)
T- Tennis player (a great one)
H- Heart of gold
E- Enjoys family gatherings
R- Raised 6 kids!

Snakes, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails......

That's what my little girl is made of. On Saturday, Kali was playing with a lizard all day and on Monday the kids caught a snake. She definitely has her girly side; she likes to get her nails painted, play with stuffed animals, dress up, dance and play girly things with her girlfriends. Then there is the side to her that likes to play with the boys; she gets muddy, she gets sweaty, she catches mice, lizards and snakes, runs in the fields and make forts with the boys. When we first moved here we were the only ones in our circle and as the houses filled in so did the boys. We finally got some girls in the circle but it didn't stop her from hangin' out with the boys. I'm glad she gets along with everyone and doesn't let gender keep her from being friends. When she gets to be a teenager, I hope these boys all look out for her like she's their own sister.

On Sunday, we got together with Ken (my brother) & Gina their kids and Steph (my sister) and Matt (her fiance). We had dinner and a birthday truffle for Gina and her daughter Emma. I am so glad we have some family here in Utah to hang out with. We sometimes go weeks without seeing each other and it's always fun to catch up. I found out last week that my younger sister, Camile and her little family will be moving here the end of the month. We are so excited to have them live close. Sophie has been the little one all this time when we have get togethers and when Camile moves here she'll have Carly (3) and Ellie (2) to hang out with.

This morning at 3 am Sophie woke up. She went right back to bed but then I couldn't. I finally got up and caught up on every one's blogs. If blogs post the time comments are left that will explain the 4 am messages. I finally went back to sleep at 5:15 and then Jimmy was nice enough to let me sleep in until 8. Hopefully, that won't happen again for awhile- I know it happens to my mom a lot and she says it gets worse the older she gets. I have so many things I think about doing that my brain won't slow down to let me fall back asleep. Does that ever happen to any of you?

Welcome May!

Well, May greeted us with snow a few days ago. Thankfully, if has warmed up a bit since then. We are looking forward to when the nice weather will be here to stay. Does that ever really happen though?

Last weekend, Kali, Sophie, and I hitched a ride with Steph to Idaho for the weekend. Our family friend, Brant, got baptised last Sunday so we wanted to be there for it. We also got some more things done for the wedding. It was fun seeing my parents and I got to hear my dad give a great talk for the adult session of regional confrence in Rexburg. (Dad, you still need to email that talk to me) My girls, sat through a lot of meetings. Kali did great but Sophie isn't used to being still for so long. We had the adult session of regional confrence, regional confrence and then the baptism all in a 24 hour period. I learned that bringing Nemo fruit snacks to church is not a good idea. Sophie gets so excited to see the Nemo pictures that she shouts Nemo over and over again. Sophie enjoyed playing with Kali while we were there and Kali enjoyed helping Nanny Nette make butter cream mints. Steph and I enjoyed helping her eat them.

Yesterday, Kali and some of the boys in the neighborhood caught a lizard. They named the lizard Taylor Morgan Fisher. Kali and our neighbor, Kyler, enjoyed playing with him the most. They went in the field behind our house and made a little house and yard for him. He even had a train. At the end of the day they let him loose because they didn't know what it feed him.

Conner and our neighbor, Mason, got some extra pipes and put together a fort. I am so grateful we have such wonderful neighbors. Kali and Conner also got to go over to the neighbors last night and roast some marshmellow and have smores. It sure has been fun living here the last year and a half. We were some of the first ones in our neighborhood so we have enjoyed meeting the new neighbors as they move in. (notice the fence- we are doing one side now, it won't do much to keep Sophie in but at least we don't have as much later. Why do fences have to be so expensive??)

This is a picture of Sophie coloring in Jimmy's office while he's working. She loves to draw. She switches hands while she colors depending on what part of the paper she wants to color on. So we don't know if she is a leftie or a righty. She does the same thing with eating too. (notice Kitty is never far from where Sophie is)