Simmons Family

2011 Christmas Tree

2011-11-21T23:02:00.001-07:00

Ought oh…. Some one found the tree…

It’s a good thing you’re so stinkin’ cute Fluffy!!!

I Just Call You Mine

2011-08-26T19:55:00.001-06:00

I pinch myself
Sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream
That's how it seems
I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known
It feels like home

And here I am
I want to be your everything
There you are
Turning winter into spring

And everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're a standing ovation
After years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
Yeahhhh
I just call you mine

I fall apart
And just a word from you
Somehow seems to fix
Whatever's wrong
Ohh
You reach into the weakest moments and remind me that I'm strong
You gotta know
I'd be a fool not to see or even worse to forget
That you're more than I deserve

Cause everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're a standing ovation
After years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine

Nothing makes sense when you're not here
As if my whole world disappears
Without you what's the point of it
Cause everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're the dream that I've been chasing
After years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine

LOVE this!!

2011-07-15T21:57:00.001-06:00

May

2011-06-02T22:55:00.001-06:00

I had every intention of being a good blogger last month… I took pictures of our happenings, and actually thought through what I was going to blog about, but obviously my follow through went awry.

So for a quick “catch up” here goes, enjoy. ;) (I’ll try to go in order of occurrence.)

For starters I took a million and a half senior pictures. Okay not literally a million and a half, but it was sure a marathon. These last minute sessions required me staying up till 12, 1, 2, even 3:30 in the morning editing so that I could get their pictures back to them in enough time to be printed and sent out in their invitations. Crazy, crazy, crazy… ha ha, but after it all I do have to say I think Seniors are my favorite.

Here are just a few.

After church on May 15, I was craving chocolate cake SO bad….. I have a recipe that I love, but was feeling lazy. I kept teasing Court, don’t you want to learn how to make a cake? He really had no desire, but after a little more teasing, and asking, don’t you want to be able to say you have made a cake, and from scratch. He finally agreed after I promised I would help him through every step. Yum-O , he did AMAZing! This seriously hits the spot every time, especially with the whipped up cream cheese frosting. He was seriously beyond words proud!! We even took some up to his parents and sister to share.

Easton created an AWESOME lego ship. When I saw it sitting on the counter I couldn’t believe he had created it himself. It was completely symmetrical on all sides.

Easton finished 1st grade, and will be moving up to 2nd next year. He is SO smart, sweet, thoughtful etc etc etc. I am beyond proud of him, and cant believe he will be 7 this summer.

Last but not least, Denise graduated from high school. I am so relieved this is the last graduation we have to go to for a while, ha ha. But I HATE that she is leaving!!! :(

Oh wow I almost forgot this happened in May, Ian came downstairs got his helmet and told me, “I’m taking my helmet upstairs Mom.” I was a little worried, wondering what he would need it for, I figured I would give him a couple minutes before I went to peek. ha ha. Two minutes later he came down like this. Introducing SUPER KID!!

A few minutes later he took his cape and helmet off and asked me to take pictures of “Ian.” ha ha

Thanks for listening, and I promise to do better this June!! :)

Warning: Proud Parent

2011-04-14T10:01:00.001-06:00

Yes, that is right, I’m very, very, very proud. When we put Easton in Kindergarten, it wasn’t without studying, thinking, praying, worrying, second guessing etc etc. Easton is one of the youngest in his class, and I know the new “thing” Is to hold your kids back a year, especially boys. I worried A LOT about this. I asked a lot of people/teachers their opinions, I heard both sides, some said for sure hold him back, others said if I felt good about it, and thought he was ready then to send him, and others were completely flabbergasted with the whole new hold them back thing. To be completely honest my logical side kept coming back to holding him back, he would have the age, maturity, experience and time to be a lot better at school, he would have a better chance of being a leader amongst his friends, the whole sports thing would be a little easier, and then after he graduates he would only have a few months till he could leave on his mission, that would be a huge sigh of relief! Through prayers, and a few opinions that I really respected, we decided to send him.

Kindergarten was hard, I still worried about our decision, I had the peace knowing that we had followed the answer that we had been given, but sure enough that human part of me still worried. There are kids more than a year older than him in the same class, and the developmental difference when they started was pretty apparent. As I am typing this, I feel almost guilty for the way it is reading out, I am not trying to say that Easton was slower than the rest of his class, he is and always was a very bright child, like I said before it was just the stage of their development that made things easier for the older kids to pick up on. By the end of the year he was just where he needed to be for 1st grade, and I was feeling a lot better seeing how the kids were all starting to level out, it wasn’t quite as obvious who the oldest and youngest kids were in the class anymore.

We had Parent Teacher Conference last night, and I just need a moment to brag. Easton is in the top percentage of his class, they are expected to read 60 words per minute, and he is reading 80!! By the end of Second grade they are only expected to read at 90. Yes like I said very proud moment. There is a test that they take weekly to chart their knowledge of the math concepts they are supposed to know by the end of the year, I’m holding the test in front of me, but can’t find a name on it…. So you’ll just have to go along with me, ha ha. There are 30 concepts they are supposed to have mastered by the end of the year, and Easton got 28 out of 30!! The teacher also went on to tell me, Easton should have gotten this one and this one right, he knows them, and that there were a few questions on the test that were tricky, and the students didn’t understand them, and out of the entire class there are only a few who have gotten all 30/30 so far. Overall our 1st grade has an 80% average, they are very very proud of the 1st grade accomplishments this year!

I need to put a huge plug in here for the teachers, the faculty, and the community. I LOVE that we live in a small town, I doubt any other school in the district is quite like ours, the community is so tight knit, and they come together and create an amazing experience for our children. The teachers go above and beyond, and we have an awesome principal.

BTW Legoland was awesome!!! And so child friendly! Easton especially loved the miniature star wars land.

I know you were all wondering where milk came from…..

2011-04-11T22:33:00.001-06:00

Life here is never boring.

Pictures

2011-04-10T19:14:00.001-06:00

I’ve been wanting a new profile picture of Court and I for a year now. I finally decided to just pull out the old tripod the other night and snap a few. I need to download the remote app for my ipod, that way I wouldn’t have been running back and forth from the camera to Court. We only had about 10 minutes before the light was going to be completely gone, so these were really rushed. I really just need to have some family pictures taken by someone else.

From the proud owner of a Robot Horse.

2011-03-23T16:09:00.001-06:00

I’m going to type as I ask Ian a few questions, I want you to experience one minute with Ian.

What is your robot horse’s name?

“Well, well, his name is Hawk, now type in his name.”

Is there anything else you want to tell me about Hawk?

“Well, he has that black letter on him.”

A black letter?

“mmmmhmmm, he has that on him…. but that one goes on my robot talking pillow….. ha ha ha ha… that’s funny!”

Why does your robot horse have a black letter on him?

“Oh, cause he is a black letter robot. He has lots of them, to spell his name. But they float in my swimming pool, he is at my tent. I don’t know which mountain it is on, it is on a really far away one, a bumpy one, it is really bumpy.”

What color is your robot horse?

“Well he is black with his black friends…. Well he has, well he has… Well I have dragons too. Will you type in my robot pillow’s name that talks, I have one… ha ha ha ha.”

Do you want to tell me anything else?

“No, well um, that is all the questions that I have.”

I’m going to start a section called ask Ian, do you have a question you don’t know the answer to, or a dilemma you don’t know how to fix… Well I know someone who has all the answers, or at least give you a good laugh.

Come on ask away, I dare you.

It isn’t your business…

2011-03-16T23:12:00.001-06:00

I worry so much… along with all the other mothers in this world. lol. When Easton was born I cried for weeks that someone was going to steal him, all I could think was that he would never remember me. I am sure Court thought I was going crazy, and I’m sure I probably was in a way…. After a few weeks that passed, and then I worried that he wasn’t growing enough, then that he was growing too much, then something else, and so on and so on….

Then came Ian, I cried for a week that someone was going to steal him, cried for a week that something was wrong with Easton because he seemed so different. (Looking back all I can think is, lady calm down, breath, of course he was different, he just had the carpet pulled out from under him.) The funny thing is Easton probably handled it better than me, ha ha.

Then I worried whether I should put Easton in preschool, whether he would get along with the other kids, how would Ian react to him being gone…. This goes on and on, and the worries just change. The thing is looking back I can laugh at myself, laugh at the worries, and see how everything has fallen into place better than I could have ever even imagined. I wish we could take the things we worry about now and know just how to handle it, have the knowledge of the future to soothe the worry.

This sounds a lot more in depth than I had planned, now looking back just from this moment to the start of this post, I can laugh…. Kristi my dear you are getting way to deep. So be it. This is how my mind works.

We as parents, as friends, as sisters, as neighbors, as mothers, as family, as human beings, in each role we have worries. The one that was on my mind this evening was one that is on my mind most days… What people think of me, do they like me? Do people get and accept me. I worry and recount all that I have said during the day, the way I said it, the context I said it in…. Did it come across as I had really meant or did they take it wrong. You see, I am a sarcastic, shy, talkative, weak, strong, right brained, left brained, creative, un-organized, clean, spiritual, line crosser, weird, average, normal girl. You get, got… all that?

Do you like me? Do you get me? Do you accept me for who and what I am? Do you shun me for my weaknesses (many weaknesses.) Do you judge me for my strengths.

As I was recounting my day today, I was overwhelmed with these thoughts…

Then something calmed me that I have heard from somewhere before but can’t recall exactly how they said it, or where I heard it.

“It isn’t your business if someone likes you or not.”

Did you hear it, did you feel it, did it come across in the right context, ha ha.

“It isn’t your business if someone likes you or not.”

All I need/can do, is to worry about trying my hardest, doing my best. My best isn’t someone else's best. So it is impossible for someone to measure me against any other yardstick than my own, and if they do guess what…. yes you know.

“It isn’t your business if someone likes you or not.”

Lately I haven’t been doing my best, giving my hundred and ten percent. I’m going to though, you will see, no regrets. I’m sayin it…. right now. So from this moment on, here is to living, loving, giving, trying, succeeding, failing miserably, suffering, growing, learning, breathing, but most of all giving my all.

AND I’m going to stop worrying, or at least try to stop worrying about whether someone loves and accepts me for who and what I am cause guess what.

“It isn’t my business.”

I tried Googling that quote, I wanted to know whether I made it up or if someone had actually said it, it wouldn’t come up.

Here is one that did come up though, and I thought it fit really well :

"It is not your business to succeed, but to do right. When you have done so the rest lies with god."
— C.S. Lewis

Sorry for the book with no pictures, no pictures is boring…. Do you still like me? ha ha

Easton

2011-03-09T22:43:00.001-07:00

Man how do you start a post about your child. I was laying in bed yesterday morning thinking about my little Easton Roo, I had a million thoughts, I want to list a few.

Easton is the most loving big brother any person could ask for, Ian is one lucky little boy to be able to call him brudder. He is always thinking of Ian’s feelings… If I get him a treat he will ask, “can we get one for Ian?” He gets prizes from his reading teacher after reading fifteen books, most of the time Ian wants what he brings home so badly that Easton will share until he has earned enough to get another prize, and instead of getting one for himself something, he will get a second of whatever it was he got previously and give the new one to Ian. He loves Ian, kisses Ian, calls him cute, protects him. He is the BEST big brudder!!

Easton is a VERY talented musician. I can’t believe how quickly he has picked up the guitar, he’s like a fish to water with it. He memorizes songs after a few times playing them. He has memorized the notes without having to use any of the tricks like FACE or Every Good Boy Does Fine… etc. He wouldn’t know what I was talking about if I mentioned either one of those. ha ha.

Easton is humble, to a fault. That little rascal won’t believe a word I say when I tell him how amazing he is. In fact I wish I could convince him on at least one thing of how much he rocks.

Easton is a rockin’ ball player. From the time he was a year he could throw a ball like you couldn’t believe. He nailed a home teacher in the head with a foam ball when he was 18 months and the man shoved the ball down the couch instead of giving it back, ha. He can throw so hard that when he was playing T Ball last year he threw from first and it went over the fence behind the catcher and hit a car. Ouch.

Easton makes me want to be a better mom. He can look right through you. He reads people really well, too well, for being six.

He is beautiful, inside and out!

Kelsi’s Birthday

2011-02-05T23:25:00.001-07:00

Today went so well. It was an awesome day. (Okay to be quite honest there were quite a few mishaps with the cake, but it turned out alright in the end so we are all good.. ha ha) That’s what I get for trying a new recipe for the cake, and first time trying to mold anything with modeling chocolate.

I can’t believe my little baby girl would have been eight today. In some ways it feels like that part of our lives was a million years ago. I am grateful for that part, when it was so fresh it was so hard, but with years, and healing it gets easier and easier. Now her life is a celebration, I am grateful for the opportunity we had to have her, I’m grateful she is somewhere safe, and that we will get to see and live with here again. I am grateful that we have a beautiful baby girl waiting for us in Heaven.

We let wish lanterns go for her, like the ones off of Tangled. They were a LOT bigger than I had anticipated, and we were a little nervous when we saw how big the flame was, ha ha. Court ran pretty fast and jumped a huge fence all in stride while trying to catch one we thought went rogue… (We didn’t want to burn the neighbors house or haystack down.) The pictures aren’t going to do them justice, I should have gotten some with us holding them, but then again I was too worried about them rising to get any until they were in the air. (The lanterns were about four feet tall!)

I loved how all the kids gathered around and helped blow out the candles, I am sure Kelsi loved it! Brynlie also drew and wrote the cutest card for her, I loved it, but forgot to take pictures, I will have to take some later.

Thanks everyone for coming over and helping us celebrate!

Happy Eighth Birthday Baby Kelsi, we love you!

I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, or a car ;)

2011-01-20T16:57:00.001-07:00

I have a cold that makes me feel achy, crappy, and I was just having one of those days.

I wanted to share the conversation I had with Ian.

Me: Ian I have felt sad all day today.

Ian: That’s because you have a hurt leg.

Me: Oh is that why?

Ian: Yeup.

Me: I don’t think that’s why.

Ian: Yeup, you got hit by a car and your leg hurts.

Me: I don’t think I got hit by a car.

Ian: Yeup you did because I know the whole story. You got hit by a car in your dream last night, and it ran you over and your leg got broken, and that’s why your sad.

Me: (I don’t remember if I said anything at all, or just giggled a little.)

1 min later

Me: Ian how are you so happy all the time?

Ian: I don’t get hit by cars in my dreams.

LOL!!

Not a day over 31…. ;)

2011-01-06T09:07:00.001-07:00

My handsome husband had a birthday a few weeks ago, yes I am barely getting around to posting pictures. I traded a friend of mine services, her amazing cake making skills, for some pictures.. ha ha. I LOVED the way the cake turned out, and on top of that it was delicious! Thanks Melanie!

I love you hottie, you are the best husband anyone could ever ask for, I hope you had a good birthday.

Lilo

2010-12-23T22:47:00.001-07:00

This is my little princess, as the boys sometimes call her. A few of her other names are wim-o-wep, wilo gog, sassafrass, and lilo conshpilo amongst many others… Who knows how she got half of these, but I would say that if the amount of nicknames coincides with how loved you are then she is very very loved! She fits this perfect little spot that we have in our family, she is feisty, sassy, loving, intuitive and so much more.

I can’t imagine a life without animals, I have always had a soft spot for them. What about you?

The Magic of Christmas

2010-12-15T22:23:00.001-07:00

I love seeing Christmas through my children’s eyes, could anything be more magic?

I am so grateful for all that I have, I am SO blessed. I have the most handsome loving great husband in the whole world, beautiful, amazing children, and everything I need to take care of my family. I am so grateful for our Savior, for him coming to earth, suffering for my sins, and sacrificing his life so that I can live again, and have my family with me for all eternity.

I hope that all of you can feel the magic of this Christmas season in your lives.

On a side note, I think my son’s beautiful hair has now turned into a mullet… ha ha we are true rednecks now.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Rockstar!!

2010-12-09T10:05:00.001-07:00

Easton started guitar lessons Nov 5th, he has them once a week. I am in awe of his abilities, he already recognizes from A up to a high G on the treble clef, can tell you what note it is and play it on the guitar, and has also memorized Jolly Old Saint Nicholas! I am pretty sure he is on his way to being a Rockstar! I love this little man, and am so proud of him, if you couldn’t tell ha ha. :)

Until I get a video camera you have to endure lots of pictures and only imagine the music. ;)

“Jolly Old Saint Nicholas….”

“Lean your ear this way…..”

“Don’t you tell a single soul what I’m going to say. Christmas Eve is coming soon now you dear old man.”

“Whisper what you’ll bring to me…”

“Tell me if you can.”

Did you hear it, did you hear it? Oh… Well I promise it was beautiful and most impressive. :D

Are you ready for Christmas?

Phew Thank the Heavens That’s Over… ;)

2010-11-28T16:11:00.001-07:00

I was asked to speak in church today about the internet, and missionary work. It really opened my eyes. Did you know that over 1,966,514,816 people use the internet? That is a lot of people! Did you also know that 40% of Americans read blogs. Crazy huh… As I was researching for my talk there was so much info that it was almost overwhelming. There have been several talks given about what and how you can spread the gospel through your online profiles, blogs etc. Here are just a couple:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=72443645a2cba110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=931e52605a4e3210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Here is a quote from M. Russell Ballard’s talk he gave at BYU Hawaii in December of 2007

“Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration. Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true. You can download videos from Church and other appropriate sites, including newsroom.lds.org, and send them to your friends. You can write to media sites on the Internet that report on the Church, and voice your views as to the accuracy of the reports. This, of course, requires that you understand the basic principles of the gospel.”

Then later in his talk he said:

“The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has no doubt had a powerful impact on your life. It has, in part, shaped who you are and what your future will be. Do not be afraid to share with others your story—your experiences as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all have interesting stories that have influenced our identity. Sharing those stories is a nonthreatening way to talk to others. Telling those stories can help demystify the Church. You could help overcome misperceptions through your own sphere of influence, which ought to include the Internet.”

If you haven’t been to mormon.org lately I would highly encourage it. When you first enter their site, a profile of a member will be there with a picture, then it will slowly scroll through several other profiles, and one about “what is the purpose of my life, who am I, why am I here, what happens when I die? Every member has the opportunity to create a profile and share their story. It is awesome, members and investigators can go on and search for members like them. They give you several search tools, gender, age, ethnicity, continent, previous religion, and a blank box to type in whatever you choose to add to your search, like hobbies, career’s etc.

I know there is a lot more that I personally can do, I can’t imagine my life without the gospel, and the help, answers, and peace that it brings. I wanted to put a link on my blog to mormon.org because of some of the council that I read. I searched and searched for a button that I really liked. They had some super cute ones with the Salt Lake Temple, but none with the Vernal Temple, so I decided to create my own. If you think it is cute, and would like to link your blog or website to mormon.org you are more than welcome to take it and use it.

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m an alien

2010-11-18T00:35:00.001-07:00

I was editing pictures this morning, and my little Ian walked up by me and said “I’m an alien!” I looked over at him, and just bust up… How could I not? He had taken the swimming goggles that Court had bought for he and Easton this summer and put them on backwards.

WARNING: picture overload, to try and make up for my family blog lacking skills. ;)

Then he pushes the band up, “It’s me Ian Mom, ta da!” “Oh there you are I was worried.” :D

Then he “magically” transforms back into an alien….

It’s a good thing alien’s are so stinkin’ cute!!

Oh wait, what, I mean who do we have here?

I’m not sure who the man in the goggles is yet, when we figure that out we will get back to you.

Oh and we will be back later this week with something new Easton is doing.. :)

This Little Man of Mine

2010-09-02T09:08:00.001-06:00

This little man in my life is growing into such a big man.

This morning I was going through Easton's book bag to make sure I got everything that needed to be signed signed, when I noticed it felt a little bit heavy. I opened the small pocket, and to my surprise there were a few sets of his Lego's in there. His Lego Indiana Jones car, a Lego Airplane, some random Lego's, and then about five men. With the Lego's there were also three jolly ranchers. I took the Lego's out, and then went to tell him because I didn't want him finding them missing at school later and not know where they went.

Here is our conversation

Me: Easton I took the Lego's out of your book bag you little raccoon, what were you doing with them in there? (Don't worry Racoon is my pet name for them, please advise if I am scarring them for life...;) )

Easton: You left the candy though didn't you mom?

Me: Yes I left the candy.

Easton: Because I was taking it to give to a little Kindergartener that is mean to me.

Me: What? (I was in shock... What? He hadn't come to me and asked me what to do, or even told me what was going on, and yet he figured out a perfect way to solve it. And what!? There is a child being mean to him and it is only the second day those Kindergartener's have been there!)

Easton: It's this mean Kindergartener, and he pushes me and shoves me. I thought if I took him a candy then he would be nice.

Oh my heaven's, can I tell you how proud I am, no humbled.. that would be the better word. My children continue to teach me every day. How he thought of this, and knew that it would work I have no idea, but I am in awe. What a smart and grown up little man!

70 + years

2010-08-18T21:28:00.001-06:00

I was trying to get some pictures organized on my external hard drive, and I came across Court's granparent's 70th anniversary party pictures. I can't believe I never posted any. I think it is because they had the celebration the week before Christmas, and with Courts birthday and Christmas parties etc. I completely forgot. So here are a few, they are still soooo in love! If I live this long, I want Court right by my side, looking at me like Ferrel looks at Helen. They will be celebrating 71 years the first part of December... CRAZY!

Congrats on 70 years, and many more to come. :)

Grandma Merkley's Picture

2010-08-16T22:41:00.001-06:00

This is a picture my Grandma Merkley took almost 29 years ago. It is of my Grandpa and me, and it has always been one of my favorites.

On a side note, my 6 year old son has started sleep walking, time to put locks high up on the door. I remember those days, I still sometimes, rarely.... but sometimes still have those days.

He just came in our room and said "I can't see...."

What?

Then he went into our bathroom used the bathroom then comes out laughing harder than I think I have ever seen him laugh.... Court and I look at each other and just bust up...

"What are you laughing about?"

He keeps laughing as he goes into the living room and starts putting on his flip-flops, then takes them off and starts jumping on a mattress that we have set in there,

he is still laughing...

Court says "what are you laughing about?"

Easton mumbles something about "a movie" he is still jumping.

Court says "go to bed."

He still keeps jumping...

After he tells him two more times Easton turns and runs up the stairs to bed.

What?!

I love that critter.

BTW, don't worry, Court doesn't sleep on a mattress in the living room, we just got given it and the boys bed isn't finished so the mattresses are temporarily being stored in the living room... ha ha, I know you were all concerned.. ;)

Awesome giveaway

2010-07-27T12:51:00.001-06:00

There is an awesome giveaway going on over at Soulagrapher, I would LOVE, love, love to win!! Wish me luck, and head on over if you are one of my photog friends. :)

http://www.soulographer.com/blog/

Boys being boys

2010-07-09T23:25:00.001-06:00

Brother

2010-06-04T19:14:00.001-06:00

I can't tell you how much we are loving summer!! Days with no schedule, both of my boys at home, and warm summer sun (even if it is windy.) I have gotten a few things planted in the garden this week, and hope to finish up in the next few days. We went for a walk up through the field the other night as a family, it was so peaceful and serene, do you mind if I say it again, I LOVE this time of year!!

Last day of Kindergarten

2010-05-28T23:50:00.001-06:00

Ian and I took Easton to school today so that I could take a few pictures of him with his teachers. I decided to snap a few of them in front of the school. I asked them to stop and turn around, I just kept snapping trying to get one where they were both paying attention. When I got home I realized how cute they were in a video format, you can tell how excited they both are... Here it is, sorry it is so bouncy, I was hand holding my camera, and not planning on making a video.

I just love love love my little boys, I am so proud of both of them! Easton did so well in school this year. He is reading and loves to write, almost everyday he brought home papers that said, "I like my mom, I like my dad, I like Ian..." He wrote about airplanes, robots, the wii, etc. He was lucky enough to have two amazing teachers, Mrs. Erickson, and Ms. Nelson. Here are a couple pictures of his last few days and graduation. Don't I have the most handsome boy ever!

Here are a few pictures of him and his schoolmates from Ms. Nelson's class. They were singing the songs they learned this year.

Yes, he does look short in all these pictures, but give the poor kid a break, he isn't even six yet... ;)

Ms. Nelson:

Mrs. Erickson:

And here is Easton after he received an award for 93% or better attendance.

I love you Easton Roo, you are AMAZING! You have a heart of gold, are silly as can be, just as smart, so determined, and when you learn something new, or find something that you want, you don't stop till you attain it. I know you will be a very successful man someday.

I am so grateful for you in my life everyday!

Wahoo that it is summer and we get to play!

Congratulations Easton on graduating Kindergarten, we love you SOOOOO much!!

To My Child

2010-05-13T14:58:00.001-06:00

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the computer, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for the afternoon, I will let all of my phone calls go to voicemail and ignore my texts, and I will sit with you and talk about what we could do.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and shine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if the truck comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours and miss my favorite TV shows.

just for this evening, I will run my fingers through your hair as you pray. I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer and i will be grateful for one more day...

Easton's teacher sent this poem home to me, and I love it!! It was perfect for how I have been feeling, BLESSED! I can't tell you over the past few days the moment's I have just realized how amazingly blessed I am. How fast time can get away from us, and how if we don't express it enough we may never get that chance again. Children grow, time passes, people pass, the moments pass, if we don't take the opportunities before us, we may never get another chance. I can't wait for summer, to spend oodles of time with my little one's, soak up the sun, plant a garden, go to the park, and just play.

One thing I was really impressed with on Sunday was how many amazing people I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet, know, and call friends. I have amazing family, I couldn't ask for a better Mother, Father, Mother Father in Law, Sisters, Brothers, Sister in Laws, Cousins, Grandparents etc... Seriously how much space do you have on a blog... lol. Then not to mention, teachers I have had, friends I have made in the past, present, and future, ward members, people who I have held callings with..... Okay so basically I can't even start to make a list, I can't describe to you the feeling of awe as I thought about all the people who have influenced my life. Thanks to each and everyone one of you. I will forever be grateful for each and everyone of you! People are good!

Also I realized how important thank you notes, little gratitude notes , or just thinking of you notes can be. I got a note yesterday from a friend, and seriously I think it made my week, okay my year... ha ha. I think too often I forget how big the little things, that take just a few minutes of our time, can be. And how they can make such a difference in someone else's life. Since I have been young I have always kept the little notes people have given me. I have often went back through them and the little things they say can brighten my day in a few seconds.

So there you have it.... I need to slow down, smell the roses, enjoy my kids, and take a moment to give you all some love, because seriously you know you all deserve it. :)

Love you all!

P.S. I promise to give you all some picture love next time... Because face it we all know that a picture makes it easier to read... :)

Nichole V

2010-05-13T14:02:00.001-06:00

Nichole V is an amazing photographer, teacher, and designer amongst other things. She is having an amazing giveaway, go check her out here : www.nicholev.com

Here is a picture that I edited using an action from her flourish emporium. I used the Creme Vintage + texture from her Chic Vintage collection and the chic washed texture 03. I set the texture opacity at 25% deleted the saturation, and contrast layers for the texture. I changed a few of the color settings, I just can't remember which ones, and what. Sorry I should have written them down as I went, I just usually mess with them and change the settings dependant upon the picture and feel I am going for. This is a picture of my handsome hubby and our youngest little boy out by the pond. I love how dreamy and surreal it feels. Thank heavens for summer!! :)

Hilarious Outtakes

2010-03-01T22:37:00.002-07:00

My little man was playing in the toy room at my inlaws house when I went to check on him this is what he had in his mouth, the pipe from a snowman kit… I couldn’t quit laughing. As I was going through pictures I couldn’t help but laugh at this picture, I have no idea what happened to make him make this face, but lol!!

This was from my sister in laws wedding, her hubby had taken off his suit coat for some pictures and was trying to get it to fit right again, when I came home to edit pictures and got to this I couldn’t quit laughing… I titled it groomzilla.

We went to visit my uncle and his baby raccoon, my little one was loving it, it was so curious, playing with his clothes, but I think right here it had licked his neck….

Join in on the fun, or take a look at some of the other hilarious outtakes over at i heart faces. :)

Amazing Giveaway

2010-02-27T14:43:00.001-07:00

There is an amazing giveaway over at photoduds. I would love, love, LOVE to win this… She is giving two tickets away to WPPI!! Hope I win, hope I win, cross your fingers for me will you!? :)

http://photoduds.blogspot.com/2010/02/vegas-baby-wppi-beth-forester-free.html

Our Angels 7th Birthday

2010-02-06T10:12:00.001-07:00

So you know those days where they couldn’t be any more perfect, well yesterday was one of them! We got up, got Easton off to school, then Ian and I started getting ready for the day. Our friend Tawnya was coming over with her daughter Lauren for a play date. When I answered the door she had the most beautiful cake in her hands,

I thought she had brought some of Lauren’s birthday cake to share, but she said this is for Kelsi’s birthday. I can’t even tell you how shocked I was, this is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me!! I hadn’t told her it was her birthday, she had remembered from my post last year.

Ian said a pony cake! Can you tell how excited Easton was when he got home and saw it? Easton said that is the prettiest cake I have ever seen. Later when I went to Vernal, I showed Court the pictures, and he repeated Easton’s line. Tawnya you are one of the sweetest, most talented, thoughtful, beautiful woman I have ever met! Thank you, thank you, thank you! She stayed and visited for a few hours, it was so nice.

Later we went over to Vernal to release seven balloons at the cemetery, before I post pictures, I have to tell you I am so embarrassed of these pictures. Before I got out, I changed lenses, set all my settings, and got it all set up, then I was for some reason so nervous about getting the balloons before they blew away that I seriously made the most stupid embarrassing mistake and forgot to watch my shutter speed, I overexposed all of them! I have worked and worked with them, when I say they were overexposed, I’m not meaning the good amount, I’m talking they were almost completely white. So even though I am completely embarrassed, I want to document this beautiful day and all that we did.

It was so cold, the kids were freezing, but they still had fun “sending the balloons to heaven.”

In the picture below you can barely see a balloon floating up above the branches, middle right.

After that, we went grocery shopping, then came home. I got two letters in the mail, one from my sister Stephanie who had sent me some pink makeup brushes, double perfect, pink and makeup brushes! Then one for jury duty… lol. I know that bothers a lot of people, but I won’t mind if I am picked. I really like learning and seeing new things, so it would be really interesting.

Nikki Andru and Lexi came over, and we finished the day off with cake and ice cream. What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Happy Seventh Birthday our perfect little angel Kelsi!

Post card from somewhere warm

2010-01-27T22:40:00.004-07:00

I have set a few goals for this new year, and one of those is to work on my photography and editing... Tonight I decided to just play with a picture from girls camp last year. Here is the before and after. I realize this is really edited, but like I said it was fun just playing.

SOOC:

After:

Bring on the Spring

2010-01-25T21:50:00.003-07:00

I think I have a case of the January blues.... Please send the spring. :)

I can't wait to take the kids outside, play in the sprinkler, splash in the puddles, walk barefoot on the lawn.

What do you guys do when your cabin fever starts to set in?

Fairy Wonderful

2010-01-25T10:15:00.002-07:00

K so I know I haven't blogged forever, but today I stumbled upon this cutest site, and what even better, but they are giving away a pettiskirt!!! Go check it out, they are seriously divine!

http://fairywonderful.blogspot.com/

...It's the Best Time of the Year!

2009-12-12T16:34:00.002-07:00

I don't know if there'll be snow but have a cup of cheer! Have a Holly Jolly Christmas....

So like I said before, I got really behind this year and didn't get my family pictures taken. :( So I bribed Easton and Ian today to let me take their pictures. I wanted to at least have a picture of them for Christmas.

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas. I am going to try these next two weeks to slow things down, and focus on the true meaning. I hope we can all make it a Christmas to remember. I love what Pres. Monson said, "The Christmases we remember best usually have little to do with worldly goods but a lot to do with the spirit of caring, the spirit of love, and the spirit of compassion."

Merry Christmas everyone!

Quick catch up

2009-12-11T14:01:00.003-07:00

So you know when you let your blog go so long that you feel there is no possible way to catch it up? Well that is me now.... I have felt so busy lately, that happens to all of us I know, especially around the holidays, and I have this weakness, I hate to blog without a picture. So here I am without a picture to post because although I have been taking and editing pictures like crazy lately, I haven't taken one of my boys in the last month... or of anything going on in our life.

I have to post though, and say how blessed I have felt. I have a beautiful warm home, an amazing husband, two beautiful boys, the gospel, and to many other blessings to list. I had the opportunity to go and do baptisms for the dead last night, I love, love, LOVE watching the youth, and being there in the beautiful, peaceful temple.

This past month I have also gotten the opportunity to watch a five year old boy learn how to read. It is like MaGIc!! I seriously got all teary eyed watching him bring his first book home, and sound the words out. He has now been through five more, and I love every minute of it. Thank you once again to his amazing teachers, you all ROCK!!

I will finish with a cute little thing that Ian has learned. He is so mellow, timid, and shy (at first).. He has started saying "I scawdy cat" whenever he gets scared... too cute!

I promise more to come, and pictures to. I bought Ian the cutest vest ever and so want to take pictures of them!

Check it Out... :)

2009-11-10T11:55:00.002-07:00

Check out my photography blog and leave me a comment to be entered in my Giveaway! :)

How long do you think it will last....

2009-10-30T21:47:00.002-06:00

Easton begs to do his homework, I have bribed him with it actually. Terrible I know. He really doesn't like to take the time to eat so a couple of weeks ago I told him, you can't do your homework until you have eaten your dinner. It worked, his plate was clean in one minute.

He found out that most of the other kindergarten kids get to stay the whole day, and has been begging me. Mom when are you going to tell the office that I get to stay the whole day? It isn't fair mom, I want to get to learn as much as the other kids. Ha ha... I LOVE it!! How long do you think it will last? ;)

Corn Maze & sNoW...

2009-10-27T16:34:00.002-06:00

We went to the corn maze this past weekend with Nikki, Dave, Andru, Lexi, Anthony, Lisa, and Lawrence. It was soooo cold! When we left it was pretty nice, but by the time we got there it had started blowing... brrrr! We still had fun though, even though I am not much for being cold. Here the kids are on the cute little cow train.

I loved this picture of Dave and Lexi.

I was taking pictures of all the kids going down the slide, and they kept having to push themselves down because it wasn't slippery enough. Well I told Court to go down face first so I could get a good picture of his face, and he came flying down it... I don't know why he went so fast but when he hit the dirt at the end, his hoodie came up and he got some pretty good road rash.... Sorry for telling you to go down face first Hottie.

sNoW!..... At least it is good for pictures right... ;)

I am so blessed

2009-10-20T21:09:00.002-06:00

I have been thinking about this all day, and really wanted to get on and say so... These past couple of weeks haven't been my all time favorite. (Easy way to put it right...lol) But, I really wanted to get on and say that today I just felt overwhelmingly blessed... No particular reason, just looked around, and then the song came into my head "Count your many blessing name them one by one..." I can't believe how much my Heavenly Father has given me. I am truly truly blessed.

Then later I was thinking about how I got the top #1 husband of all, and how I felt bad for everyone else who didn't get him... and that chorus popped into my head "All you single ladies.. all you single ladies..." I don't know any more of the words than that, just thinking poor single ladies, I got the best one... Sorry. :)

You are such a JOY!!

2009-10-16T18:22:00.004-06:00

Easton: Mom where did Santa get his elves?
Me: I don't know, that is a good question... (this is what I say when I have no idea what to say... lol)
Easton: Can he make them, or did someone give them to him...
Me: ummm.... I have no idea... lol...

Easton comes up stairs comes over to me, turns around, turns towards me, starts smiling, turns back around...
Me: What are you trying to do?
Easton: I can't do it....
Me: Are you trying to be serious.
Easton: For what?
Me: Are you trying to be serious.
Easton: For what?
Me: Are you trying not to smile...?
Easton: (with a really mischievous smile)... Mom come out side, there is someone out there waiting for you... They bought you a really beautiful couch....
Me: Lol... you are teasing me....
Easton: (Busts up laughing) I am teasing you....

Easton: Mom are we real, or do we live in a T.V.?
Me: (pretty blown away by how intuitive this question is....) No we are real...

I need to write down the things he says a lot more... He struggles in school with his ABC's, but his teacher said he is on a higher level of (now the word eludes me) questioning... analyzing... does anyone know the word.. When they read stories he really analyzes them, and has a lot of questions. Well anyway... you know what I mean right? It shows too... he asks me questions everyday, all day long... Ones that I have no answers for. Poor kid, I know he must think I am not very smart.

Love you Easton, you are such a JOY!!

Awwwe... I had to come back and add it... I think it is deductive reasoning?? Is that right?

Piko.....

2009-10-10T11:29:00.003-06:00

Yesterday morning after Easton went to school, Lilo was out in the yard barking at a couple of the neighbors dogs. Piko heard her barking, and went out, (Lilo is the boss, Piko is her protector, Piko also thinks he is a lot bigger than he actually is) He ran out into the yard, to chase them out, and got attacked. I feel terrible, every time I think about it, the images of him being thrown around come back, it makes me so sick. I was upstairs screaming from the window, I ran down the stairs, out the door, barefoot across the yard, and down the road chasing them screaming. Piko ran into the house yelping, while I was chasing the dogs, and hid. It took me about five minutes to find him, I knew that when dogs are really hurt they will go somewhere to be alone and die, and that is all I could think of. I finally found him under our bed, but couldn't get him out, I moved the mattress, but couldn't move the box springs... I called my friend who lives down the road, she owns a dog grooming shop, and is seriously amazing with animals. I could barely talk because I was sobbing, and out of breath from everything, (I don't handle crisis situations very well, that is one talent I truly wish I had). My friend was out of town though, in Salt Lake actually for her dog. She told me to call a guy here in T-town that is a vet, she said he will take such good care of Piko. She wasn't kidding. I called him, I am embarrassed now at how I probably sounded, but he was so kind, told me what to do, and to bring him right over. I called and called and called Piko, finally he came running out from under the bed, and ran for the laundry room, I trapped him picked him up in a towel, grabbed Ian, and went to the vet's house. The vet was so kind, met me outside, took Piko from me, took him inside and looked at him for a minute. He came back out and explained all of the injuries that he could see, and what he was going to do. He ran a practice in California, and just a year ago moved here, so he still has a lot of the equipment. They put him under, and did surgery on him, he had a couple really big lacerations, one over his liver, but luckily it didn't puncture, they are worried about bruising on it though, his right shoulder was torn open, and the skin was completely lifted off, same with his lower right side. His neck muscle had a 3/4" tear in it from the dogs k9 teeth, they had to suture that internally, and then they sutured up the remaining lacerations, and punctures, leaving openings for it to seep. I can't tell you how blessed I feel for them living so close, and being so willing to help, they sent us home with a cage, heat pad, food, water dish towel, ect. I also feel so blessed that he wasn't killed. His injuries are life threatening, the vet sent us home with strict instructions on what to watch for, meds to give him several times a day, and a syringe to force food and water into him, but I really think he will pull through. He seems to be doing okay this morning, he will lick water off of my finger, and we got his medicine in him. He wags his tail a little when we walk in the room and talk to him. We packed him outside this morning and set him down to see if he would use the bathroom, and he peed!!! Easton started sobbing when he saw him last night, it broke my heart all over again. We talked, and I told him that it would be okay, that the vet fixed Piko up really good, he asked a lot of questions, once I answered all of them, I think he felt better. But when we told him it was bed time and to tell Piko good night you could see the tears well up in his eyes. I am glad he has such a big heart. Piko is all wrapped up right now in bandages that say ouch in all different languages all over, but here are a few pictures.

Fattie

2009-09-29T16:14:00.003-06:00

My mom thinks we gave our kitty a complex... But it is our way of saying we love our big ole fluffy fat kitty. We love you Fattie!

Mine-a Blelly

2009-09-17T11:12:00.002-06:00

Ianese....

Cuppa: anything you drink out of... this could be a hat, sippy cup, shoe... etc...

Bumba: something mommy changes a lot.

Bra: best friend and playmate, better known as Easton.

Keddy: cousin Lexi. (this is one of my favorites, it sounds like you are calling her kitty... )

A few things you just said:

Putt-a, mine-a, juice-a, down-a: I am setting my juice here.

Kiss-a, mine Blelly: Kiss my belly.

Because She Likes Me...

2009-09-09T14:03:00.002-06:00

So when I went to pick Easton up from school today, he came walking out holding a girls hand..... I was a little bit shocked, I haven't ever even seen this girl before. So a little while after we got home, I asked him about it...

Me: Easton, who was that little girl you were with?

Easton: (Really embarrassed) I don't know....

Me: Yes you do, what was her name?

Easton: I don't remember... (truthfully)

Me: Why were you holding her hand?

Easton: (Trying to hide his embarrassed little face behind my arm) Because she likes me..

I don't know why it is bothering me, I know he is little, and that it doesn't mean anything, but I don't want him to think that because someone likes him he needs to hold their hand.... What if they ask him to kiss them? Laugh all you want, underneath I am kind of laughing.... But it is really bothering me... I am thinking just a tiny little talk will work, make it no big deal...

What do you think?

Is this something that has happened to any of you? And if it has, did you have a little talk with them, or did you just let it go?

Easton's 1st day of Kindergarten

2009-09-08T17:47:00.002-06:00

It has been really hard for me to send Easton off to Kindergarten. I have heard it is harder with your first. I don't want to see him grow up, I wish I could teach, and then I would just home school him. His teacher is really nice, and has called or talked to me everyday which makes it easier. Over , here they usually do full day Kindergarten, but this year, thank the heavens, they got funding for a half day class. They have two full day classes, and then one half day class. I was really relieved when they finally got it all worked out so that we could do the half day.... There were only four parents that wanted their children in the half day class, so they split the rest of the children up in his class, between the other two teachers for the remainder of the day. Something else that makes it easier for me, is that there are around 16 kids in the same grade as him from our ward.... weird because I had no idea there were that many. Court and I tried counting them, and could only come up with twelve, ten of them were boys... wow!! The boys outnumber the girls over here at least 2 to 1, in every age group. Sorry random thoughts, it just really surprises me, usually it is the opposite.

Easton loves school, the first day when I went to pick him up he was REALLY disappointed that he wasn't able to stay for lunch, so we figured it all out, and he and the other four half day kids now all stay for lunch. Lol, I am sure when he gets older and reads this he will laugh that he was ever upset about missing school lunch...

Love you Easton, you are the most amazing, smart, handsome boy in the whole world!

Ian felt really left out that I was taking pictures of just Easton... Can you see how sad he is. Everyday when we drop Easton off at his classroom, Ian cries "I want to go in... I want to go in..." He doesn't like leaving brother.

I was taking a couple of pictures of him in his classroom, and this is his "please stop mom, I am so embarrassed" look... lol

So I'll always remember

2009-09-02T09:46:00.003-06:00

My Grandma loved old music, my Grandpa asked for this song to be sung at her funeral. It was beautiful. I had never heard it in that version before, it is so sweet and beautiful, I can't believe it was ever changed. I always want to remember the way I felt watching as this was sung, knowing the words were truly being sung right from my Grandpa's heart. We love you Grandma and Grandpa. What a legacy you have both led.

Dancing in Heaven

2009-08-25T07:34:00.003-06:00

My Grandma Merkley passed away about an hour ago... She has been sick for quite a while, and had quite a few surgeries in the past month. When I got off the phone with my mom, all I could picture in my mind was her running and dancing in Heaven. What an amazing reunion she is having. Grandma, I always looked up to you. In my eyes, you were always perfect. I am pretty sure to everyone you knew you were always perfect. Today this world lost an amazing woman, and for that I am sad. But for you, I am so happy! Love you SOOO much Grandma, you are truly an amazing woman we will miss you so much.

I love the rain!!

2009-08-16T17:11:00.002-06:00

I have been waiting, and waiting for a lightening and thunderstorm, so that I could take my camera out, and try and catch a lightening bolt. There was an awesome storm a couple of weeks ago, and I missed it. My sister, Mom, and I actually saw it from our car on the way back from SLC. I was so disappointed! So you can imagine how excited I was the other night, when Court, the kids and I were driving home, and saw a lightening storm out towards the mountains. So we hurried, got the kids in bed, then I grabbed my camera and tripod and out I went. It took me a while to figure out the settings the way I wanted to get the kind of picture I was looking for. Not only that, but I would wait and wait and wait in one spot and the lightening would all be over on the other side. So I would turn my camera, then they would move back, lol. I did get one that I really like though... :)

Then this last week Nikki watched my kids while we went to the temple, when we went back outside look at these beautiful rainbows that greeted us! Man I love the rain!

Fishing

2009-08-10T15:31:00.002-06:00

We went fishing today at a place in Tridell, we only caught one fish, and one toad. But we still had fun. Here are a few pictures.

On a side note, I am really sad at how cold it is getting lately.... I guess I kept hoping the summer would last until at least the end of October right... lol
.

Sunset

2009-07-31T13:58:00.003-06:00

July is such a busy month for everyone, and it is the same at our house. Sometimes being busy really gets to me, other times it helps keep such a nice pace. I have really enjoyed this month.

I have had the opportunity to take pictures for a couple of people, and really enjoyed it!

I also had the opportunity to go to girls camp, LOVED it!! I can't even express how amazing it was. I am sure it helped that we have the most amazingly awesome girls. The challenge course was awesome, the games were awesome, the hikes were awesome, the talks were amazing, and then spiritual night, are there even words? I took a ton of pictures, but haven't had the opportunity to edit them. I will get to that tonight, and hopefully post some tomorrow.

Easton turned five, and you know the first thing I thought when I saw him when I got home from girls camp was, wow you are way to pretty to be a boy. I can't believe he will be starting school in a month, makes me so sad.

Lately I have been really obsessed with the sky, the clouds, beautiful golden light etc. I am not sure what creates these beautiful cumulus clouds we have had lately, but I am loving it. Every time i see them I want to pull my camera out. Here is a picture of the sunset from Wednesdaynight.

Off to Girls Camp

2009-07-20T05:34:00.001-06:00

Wish me luck :) I am actually a tad bit nervous... I haven't ever left Ian, and I have only left Easton this long one other time... When I went to Kentucky to visit Greg & Janice.

Moments in a "mans" life...

2009-07-06T21:53:00.002-06:00

There are those moments in a mans life that just have to be documented.... You could tell by the sparkle in his eyes that this was one. He was so proud when they handed him his trophy. Congratulations Easton on receiving your first trophy! You have one awesome little arm! We love you so much!

Thank You!

2009-07-06T14:35:00.002-06:00

This post is a little late, but I wanted to express a few feelings that I had this past weekend. I have been thinking a lot lately about our freedom. How grateful I am to live in this beautiful amazing country. To be blessed with freedom from our Heavenly Father, and for all of the men and women who sacrifice their lives, families, freedoms, and so much more for us. I wanted to give a big giant salute to all of you, ~THANK YOU~!

Happy Birthday Ian

2009-06-28T22:26:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was Ian's second birthday... I threw up all morning, so Court called his mom to see if we could have the party up at their house. Thank you so much Diane for taking over, cooking the cake, and letting us have the party up there. I felt terrible for being sick on his birthday... Delsi and Court took pictures with my camera for me, thank you!

A few things I want to remember about you....

Last week I got you to say I love for the first time... It melted my heart. I said love you Ian... You said "Lelloo"

You get scared so easy, and run to me or daddy to hide in our arms.

You try to copy Easton on everything.

You look so much like your daddy, I love it!

You give the best loves.

I wish I could keep you little forever.... Please never grow up...

You call Easton brother... "Braaaa" I love it, I hope you are best friends forever!

Here is a picture from yesterday that Delsi took of Ian blowing out his candles, thanks again Delsi!

Then about three in the morning this morning, Wolverine, formerly known as Yoda, (Easton changed her name because "he can pop his claws out mom.") had her kittens! Six of them. Three black, and three "stripey". They are so cute, and we are so glad to finally have them here.

I can dream right....

2009-06-25T22:25:00.004-06:00

I have wanted one of these since I was little, lately it is all I can dream of.... I would love to go riding... Poor Court, he just doesn't feel the same. He told me if I can make enough money to buy one myself then...... So here's to making enough money. Lol...

This is a picture of my neighbors beautiful horse.

Magic Crayons

2009-06-22T15:12:00.003-06:00

Easton: Mom why are my eyes green?

Me: Because Heavenly Father made them that way....

Easton: Does he like have a magic crayon?

(I have to explain that Easton truly thinks his eyes are green because that is his favorite color. Because my eyes are brown, he thinks that must be my favorite color. I wonder what I would look like with pink eyes? ) lol

I better stick to brown!!!

Bringing home a baby Bumblebee...

2009-06-11T22:35:00.002-06:00

I found this bumblebee on my kitchen floor... How did it get there? Good question! When I found it I could tell it wasn't right, so I put a glass jar over it, and packed it outside so I could do what....? Of course, you know me take a picture of it.

I originally thought that if I took it outside, and put it on a flower, it would feel better. But as I watched it I felt so bad for it, I knew it was dying. The amazing thing to me though, was that as I watched it, it was still working. Trying to get the nectar out of the flowers, even though it could barely hang onto the flower. It really made an impression on me. Even one of God's littlest creations knows that it can do something good, and use full even when it doesn't have much left to give. I definately have a lot more to give, and need to do better.

TOADally awesome week!

2009-05-31T21:54:00.003-06:00

You know we had a "picture perfect" week. I loved every moment of it, and wish we could live it over and over again, forever.
We have amazing neighbors, Easton loves watching them. I think he has a little crush on their youngest daughter. Who by the way is about eight years older than him. ;) They have an arena, five horses, and ride about every day. He was ecstatic when their mom asked if he could ride one. Watching him I couldn't believe how big he was. He didn't look like a little boy anymore. He got to ride all by himself, without someone leading him. I thought Court was going to have a heart attack.
The next day I was raking the garden to get ready to plant, and the boys played in grandpa's irrigation ditch for hours. I wanted to take pictures so bad, but didn't dare leave Ian in the water to go get my camera. I realized watching them how grateful I am for the opportunity I have to raise my children out here. I remember playing in ditches, running through fields, climbing mountains, and I am so glad they will have those same experiences.
Yesterday was Easton's first T-Ball game, again I was shocked by how "grown-up" he is. How can time go by so fast?
And boys will be boys right? So here is the newest member of our gang, Easton named him Toadally... Pretty creative for a four year old I think.. And Ian's first kiss, ewwww!

Lagoon

2009-05-24T13:26:00.007-06:00

Easton and I went to Lagoon for Court's sisters dance competion a few weeks ago. It was so much fun, we went with Court's mom, sister Delsi, and her kids Brynlie, Kobe and Kenadee. Easton loved it, he keeps saying, "I want to take Ian to Magoon."

I'm trying to find a wizard

2009-05-21T21:57:00.004-06:00

Me: There's one Easton!

Easton: That's a bitin' one.

Me: Oh....
Me: There's another one...

Easton: Is it a bitin' one?

Me: I don't think so....?

After Daddy finally caught him one...

Me: What are you going to name it?

Easton: WizardT

Me: Lizardee?

Easton: No Wizard-T!

I love how when he tells everyone about his new lizard, it sounds like he is talking about magic.... My daddy caught me a wizard... lol... obviously we need to keep working on his L's, but for now... too cute!

Yes it is very real... So real infact that it learned how to escape from it's cage, and we spent an hour searching the house for it. There was no way I was going to even try to sleep with it loose. I don't like to keep wild animals captured, so I convinced Easton that it really misses its Mommy and Daddy. Tomorrow we plan to release it back into "the wild," until then, there is a piece of tape securing the lid down. :)

Enjoying the sun...

2009-05-06T22:45:00.013-06:00

We had so much fun this morning enjoying the sun, until Mr. Wind had to come. Can't he just stay away, doesn't he know he wasn't invited. It is surprising to me how a camera makes you brave. I am usually afraid of bees, but today since I don't have the right lens for this, I was right up in his face. :) I just knew I wanted to "get that shot".

Spring!

2009-04-30T09:13:00.003-06:00

I absolutely love living in the country. You can tell when spring arrives out here because there are babies all around. Grandpa's cow had twins this week, the boys love them. We have to go up everyday, sometimes twice to say hi.

Things I want to remember

2009-04-26T20:42:00.004-06:00

I realized the other day how quickly I forget the small and simple things that I absolutely love.... So this is for my and Ian's sake. :) So all of you who don't want to read can skip to the oooh so squishable cheeks picture. ;)
Things I want to remember about my little Ian at this age.
Whenever you see any kind of bug you get so excited, clasp your hands and say, buggy, buggy.
You call anything you can drink a cuppa, you say it over and over again when you want something to drink. "Cuppa, cuppa, cuppa."
You love music, you love to sing, dance. You try to copy everything your brother, and I do. You are so tenderhearted, and get your feelings hurt so easy.
You are full of mischief. You do things after I tell you no no just to watch my reaction..... oooh you little raccoon! :)
You still love to cuddle, I call you my little cuddle monkey, and you love kisses.
I rarely get an unposed picture of you because every time I pull the camera out you say "cheese..." About two months ago you just decided you were going to talk and since then you will say anything and everything. A few more of the words you say that I love, Kiko (Piko), Mommy (I know this is a word that you learned a long time ago, but it is all in the way you say it. You get so excited, "Mommy!" It melts my heart. Oooh I love you soooo much!

Just for Laughs

2009-04-23T22:19:00.003-06:00

This one is for Greg..... :)

Boys will be boys

2009-04-21T16:12:00.004-06:00

I love being the mother of boys. I understand why little girls love pink, dresses, fairy tales, sparkles etc. That is because I love all of that as well :) I have to admit though I have no idea why boys are fascinated with trucks, bugs, sci-fi, super heroes etc. That is though, the reason why I love being their mother. I love watching their reactions to something that I am totally stumped over. Here is a picture of one of Easton's true loves.

Congratulations!

2009-04-19T20:09:00.004-06:00

I don't know why but I have deleted what I had written several times now... Everything just sounds cheesy when I read it back to myself.

We went for a walk tonight because it was so warm outside. I really hope it stays that way.

Yesterday Court's little sister got married. It was so amazing to be there in the temple with them. You could feel the spirit so strong. I have a hard time with change though, so while I was so excited for them to be getting married, I was also so sad.... I kept thinking she won't be there in Diane's house anymore. I know it will only take like a day for it to feel "normal" again. I snapped a few pictures after they were married, here is one of my favorites.... I laugh every time I see it.

Ryan took his coat off so that he could swing Deedra around for one of the pictures. His arms are so big that the jacket was hard for him to get back on, so he was swinging his arms and moving them all funny trying to get it right... lol!

We love you Deedra and Ryan, Congratulations!!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T09:18:00.006-06:00

I absolutely love Easter! I love the time of year, the colors, celebrating Christ, and his Resurrection. I love getting together with family, everything. We have had such an amazing Easter this year, and still more to come. Here are a few, okay more than a few pictures of our celebrations this year.
Friday we went to Nikki's house, and dyed Easter eggs. We had so much fun.

Yesterday, we had the Simmons Family Easter party. Each of the boys got a Speedracer helmet.

Today when they woke up and found out the Easter Bunny had come, Easton said "again at our house?" It was so cute.... I bet he will be really confused and excited later when Grandma Georgene has a little hunt for them at her house.
This is what the Easter Bunny left them.

The kitty bit me....

2009-04-07T22:22:00.003-06:00

Someone dropped a cat off, and it has "adopted" us.... Easton just loves it, and named it Yoda. He is really obsessed with Star Wars right now. :) Well today it bit him, I think it must have smelled the candy he was eating on his fingers, or was just playing because it is such a loving little cat...... Here are a few pictures to break your heart.

And we interupt this blog....

2009-04-02T16:57:00.005-06:00

For a commercial break... :)
We are selling our camper. It is a 2005 32' Crossroads Zinger. It is a really unique model, court and I had to search for one like it for a while. It has a master bedroom at the front of the camper, a huge slide out in the middle with a table, and couch (that both turn into beds) kitchen, bathroom with shower and tub, and four bunks in the back bedroom. It is in great shape, here are some pictures:

If you are interested, or know of anyone who is, you can either email me at kristi_courtney@hotmail.com or courtney at courtney@crawlerx.net

or you can call Court at 435-790-0757.

Thanks!

Amazing

2009-03-18T09:24:00.006-06:00

Yesterday was a little bit of a rough day for me. Like most mothers, or women I worry what other's think way to much. Court is constantly telling me "just don't worry about it. Who cares what they think..."
Someone did something that really hurt my feelings. The worst part was, I am sure they were trying to do just that. The old saying kept coming to mind, but I can't remember how it goes.. something about being a fool if you get offended, but it is a bigger fool that gets offended when someone is trying to offend... or something like that. I kept thinking about that, telling myself I was a fool if I let it get to me. But the truth is her comment really hurt. I couldn't go to sleep I kept thinking man I wish I was a guy and could really just put it out of my mind. After sitting there for an hour, I got a feeling to open up the yw personal progress book. The first thing I saw, was a beautiful picture of the savior, with this scripture below it.

Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him. (Moroni 10:32)

I can't tell you how hard it struck me, that if I could just turn to my Savior, I would be able to let it go. Not only that but I would be able to let my feelings of inadequacy go. I could be perfected. I turned two more pages, and this is what I read:

You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose. You have the noble calling to use your strength and influence for good. Your loving Heavenly Father has blessed you with talents and abilities that will help you fulfill your divine mission. Through personal prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others, you can develop these gifts.
Use your influence to lift and bless your family, other young women, and the young men with whom you associate. Honor womanhood, support the priesthood, and treasure faithful motherhood and fatherhood.
As you participate in Personal Progress, you join with thousands of other young women who are striving to come unto Christ and “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). Counsel with your parents, and prayerfully choose goals that will help you cultivate feminine virtues, grow spiritually, and reach your divine potential. Take advantage of your time in Young Women by preparing to receive the sacred ordinances of the temple, to be a faithful wife and mother, and to strengthen the home and family.
The First Presidency

I want to thank my Heavenly Father for the amazing experience I had last night! And for how it changed me. I think one of the things that I was struggling with most was answered in these three sentences :

Your loving Heavenly Father has blessed you with talents and abilities that will help you fulfill your divine mission. Through personal prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others, you can develop these gifts. Use your influence to lift and bless your family, other young women, and the young men with whom you associate.

While reading this I realized that this was for me, and for every other women. I think that really is what changed me, I need to not belittle or be jealous of other's success'. I have a purpose, and they have a purpose, each divine. Each with our own talents and abilities unique and tailored for us.

Deedra & Ryan

2009-03-15T19:18:00.003-06:00

Court's little sister Deedra is getting married in a month, and asked me to take engagement pictures for them. We had so much fun, here is one of my favorites.

If you want to see more, you can hop on over to my picture blog.

2009-03-14T09:32:00.003-06:00

I wanted to show you these pictures that I took the other day, because it shows just how different my two boys are.
We were laughing so hard when we looked at them, because everyone of Easton's he was glaring at me, so annoyed that I wanted to take a picture of him in this hat.

Here is Ian my little people pleas er, even though he doesn't want the hat on he takes the time to stop and smile for the camera.

Yee Haa

2009-03-07T18:06:00.008-07:00

Yeah!! We got our kitchen installed yesterday!!
Are you ready for this?

.....

.......

Can you tell I am so ready for this!!

.....

..........

Here are a few of the floor.... (before it got sawdust all over it from the cabinet install)

And here is the moment of the great unveiling....

I love my long handles!

This is Court's friend Randy, who came over to see.

I am so ecstatic!! How amazing it feels to almost have a house!

I also had to post a few pictures of Easton from the other day. I wanted to go out and take pictures while it was so warm. I bribed him with a treat to let me take pictures.... Well we went outside, and he wasn't very happy about it. He kept flying his airplane in front of his face and holding it there, but I have to say I love the way the pictures turned out....

Quick Update

2009-03-04T11:45:00.004-07:00

I haven't had much time to blog lately, but I wanted to stop and give a quick update. I finished staining our cement this weekend, and applied the last coat of epoxy to it yesterday, yeah!! If all goes well, and it dries quick enough they will come install our cabinets on Friday. Our carpet is set to be installed on March 23rd, and trim or no trim, faucets or no faucets, we will be moving in on the 24th. lol. I can't wait!! My mom is coming over to watch my kids today, and I will start cleaning up the huge mess upstairs that the drywallers left. I should take pictures of it, I can't believe all the dust, mud, boxes, sodas etc. So if anyone is feeling bored you know where to come... ;)
Easton is loving preschool, he has made new friends, and is learning so much. It has helped so much, and he is now letting me work with him at home. (Big thanks to his teachers right here, they are awesome!)
Ian is such a little raccoon, getting into everything. He is such a mischievous little man, but then such a cuddly boy too. I love that he gives me a million kisses a day! I am afraid he is going to go through with drawls when we move into our own house, he loves living with Deedee, Neise, Papa, and Gama. (How he says their names)

I will post some pictures once we get the kitchen all in....

So much fun!

2009-02-06T12:21:00.004-07:00

My friend Emily called me the other day and asked me if I would help her, by taking pictures of her girls (a surprise for their daddy). I was thrilled! I just love Emily, and her girls are gorgeous! Here are a couple of pictures, if you would like to see more, you can click on over to my picture blog. www.simmonsmoments.blogspot.com

Our little angel

2009-02-05T22:21:00.004-07:00

I can't believe that today our little angel would be six. It has been such an amazing day. I have been struggling lately with being really short tempered, bad attitude etc... Well this morning Ian woke up dry heaving, and by 11am he had thrown up five times. Instead of being stressed out, and ornery, I felt love, peace, joy, and many other feelings. I am so grateful for our little angel, because I know she was in our home today blessing me with these feelings. Thank you so much Kelsi, we love you so much, Happy Birthday!

President Monson wiggles his ears...

2009-01-31T13:33:00.004-07:00

I was searching for a video for my lesson, and came across this cute video clip of Pres. Monson...

I love how down to earth he is even though he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I am so grateful for having a modern day prophet!

Drywall :)

2009-01-29T13:50:00.005-07:00

I am so so so excited! The drywallers came yesterday morning, and are finishing up the downstairs today..... Yeah!! Here are a few pictures...
When you walk in our front door it is all open.. Living room, dining room, and kitchen...

This is the entry to the mudroom/ laundry room.

Easton was so excited, he kept saying "Look what dad's friends did... they built walls!" It was so cute...

This is in our bedroom looking towards the door.

Master closet.

Looking into the master bathroom.

Looking out of the master bath into the master bedroom.

I can't wait until they get it textured, so we can start painting... then floor, and cabinets...

Yeah we will have a house again... lol!

There is beauty all around....

2009-01-19T19:11:00.004-07:00

I have been aching to go take some pictures out here for a while now, but just haven't taken the opportunity. I knew Court wasn't going to be home tonight, so I went and grabbed my camera, and off we went. I have to say that I have fallen in love with where we live. It is gorgeous! I love the drive, I love everything about it.... here are just a few pictures to give you a small sample of what we enjoy...
Don't you just love rural America!

I got so lucky on this one, and captured the suns rays...

I love the beauty of winter, but can't wait for spring.....

Awesome site!

2009-01-14T09:06:00.003-07:00

This is just going to be a really quick post, I just wanted to tell all of you to go check out this fairly new site, it is www.ldsjournal.com. It is amazing, I am so excited about it. I think it will help me keep a more accurate, and up to date journal. They have pre written questions about different subjects, that you can click on and journal about at anytime, and then a place where you can journal for the day.... Check it out!

Good deal on Carpet.....

2009-01-12T21:28:00.002-07:00

I can't believe we are finally getting close to moving in. I am sure we have at least a month left, but is so exciting to be able to see it getting closer and closer. We have our drywall scheduled for next Wednesday, then come the kitchen floors, paint, and carpet.
This is where the good deal on carpet comes in, I was wondering if any of you have found a place where you can get a medium to high grade carpet for a deal? I am sure so many of you who have built houses, have went through this, when you get towards the end the money starts to dwindle.. lol But I really do want a nice carpet, especially for my downstairs, and up the stairway.. I have heard of people finding places that get them straight from the manufacturer and can sell the carpet to you in big bolts, and we have a friend we can pay to install it. Or if any of you just know of a place that has really good prices, let me know. If any of you are building, or remodeling... let me know as well if you are looking for a good deal, we have been very blessed to find quiet a few while we have been building, and I would gladly pass them on.
Thanks for any help.. :)
I will post updated pictures really soon, I just wanted to get the drywall done first.

We start em young...

2008-12-27T18:02:00.005-07:00

The other night Ian was upstairs with Denise. I went up to check on him, and he had gotten into some kind of snowman kit. This is what I saw when I went upstairs...

A Christmas engagement....

2008-12-26T15:28:00.004-07:00

Court's little sister Deedra got engaged yesterday. Ryan waited until 12:15 a.m. so that it would be Christmas day, and then asked her. She said yes, and they will be getting married sometime in April.... We are so excited for them! And I am so excited because she asked me to help her plan her wedding... Yeah!! I love weddings! Congratulations you two.

We had such a good Christmas day. We all got spoiled, but my favorite part was hanging out with Court, Easton, and Ian, and seeing all of our family. Court has been working so hard on our house lately, I am so grateful for how hard he works on it, but man am I ever ready for it to be done. I will be so glad when we have our own house, and Court can come home, eat dinner with us, and then just be able to hang out, instead of him having to run off.

I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas, and are all enjoying the Christmas vacation.

Happy Birthday Court

2008-12-21T17:12:00.005-07:00

Happy Birthday to you.... Happy Birthday to you.... One year older and wiser too..

I love you so much Court, you are such a hard worker . I am so grateful for what you do for our family!

Top ten reasons why I love Courtney:

1. You are such a hottie... :)

2. You are honest.

3. You love everyone, and never judge.

4. You call me out when I am judging.... sorry

5. You are the hardest worker I have ever met.

6. You are so smart, but still act so silly.

7. Did I mention that you are such a hottie...

8. You have a strong testimony of the gospel, and our Savior.

9. You love to help with our kids.

10. You are so kind to me... even when I really don't deserve it!

Here is a picture of Court and his five little sisters from a couple of weeks ago.

The cause of Ear Infections!!

2008-12-10T22:47:00.005-07:00

Thank you.... thank you... yes I figured out what causes ear infections... (well really the credit should go to Easton :) )

lol...............

Ian has been getting his eye teeth for a couple of weeks now... man he is as the doctor put it "meaner than a skunk." The doctor said "I need to explain an old wives tale, teething causes nothing but your child to be meaner than a skunk. If there is anything going on other than that you need to come see me... " lol he was really nice. Just really different than their old doc. So anyway on with the story... He ended up telling me Ian had one ear infection, the other ear on the verge, and a really sore throat. Poor kid. We went got him medicine....... etc. etc. This was Saturday.

Monday everything is fine... Ian is still "meaner than a skunk," Easton is fine up running around as usual. That night comes along and Easton was being really rambunctious, wouldn't get ready for bed... Court had finally had enough, and said to Easton "Easton if you do not get ready for bed right now, I am calling Santa and telling him not to bring you anything!" I know we are mean parents... He runs gets ready, we get him to bed, and then about a half hour later he comes in just sobbing... complaining that his ear hurts.. We get him some Ibuprofen, and get him back to bed. I woke up Tuesday morning and called the doctor got an app. and took Easton in.

Here is the conversation that we, or Easton had with the Doc.

Doc: So your not feeling to well..

Easton: My Ear started hurting last night when my daddy said those bad words to me.

Doc: (Either he didn't hear him, or pretended for my sake that he didn't hear him.)

Oh my...... I didn't know whether to laugh.. or not.. or be so embarrassed. Because if the Doctor did hear he probably thought Court had been swearing at him the night before.

So now you all know the real cause of ear infections... would ya quit swearing at your kids!!

Easton did have a really bad ear infection, the doctor said he couldn't believe he was sitting there so calm. I have learned though that Easton is a really tough kid, when he complains about something hurting I know something is wrong.

Thankful for Family!!

2008-12-01T21:23:00.006-07:00

We had an amazing Thanksgiving!! It was so much fun to have so many of our family members come out. We took the grand kids up to our grandpa's old ranch and took pictures of them.... I hope Steph ended up getting some good ones because I didn't get one with all of them even half way looking :) Otherwise I guess we will be spending quite a bit of time on photo shop..

It brought back so many memories being up there climbing the rocks.. (I don't remember it being such a hard climb.. ;) ) Here are just a few of the pictures that we got.

I love this picture of Easton...... He is finding his inner state of peace.... ;) ;)

Can you tell they are brothers? In almost every picture both of them are making the same face as the other one.... so funny! Some of them they were looking up.... others smiling, and then this one, making this cheesy face.

I am so thankful for my little boys, and husband! You bring so much joy to my life! I love you!
I am so thankful for family!! I love each and every one of you sooo much!

I am so thankful for the gospel, I truly cannot imagine what my life would be like without it.

I am so thankful for our home. Thank you Courtney for how hard you work on it every day!

There are so many things that I can think of that I am thankful for that this list would go on and on......!

I hope all of you had an amazing Thanksgiving!

Random Picture Tag

2008-11-10T23:00:00.006-07:00

Chauntue tagged me, and it is probably a good thing because for some reason lately I have been having a hard time thinking of something to blog about... I am also glad because it was a fun and easy tag.

1.) Go to your Pictures folder on your computer

2.) Go to your 4th folder-

3.) Get your 4th picture

My fourth folder was titled Kelsi..... When I was making Court's fathers day present two years ago I had scanned pictures from back before we had a digital camera, this folder has mostly pictures from Kelsi's funeral, and then a few random ones of Easton from Lynni's wedding...

I very rarely title my pictures, so it is kelsi004 (the folder name, and then the picture number it was in that folder....) at least you know I'm not cheating right.... :)

How cute is that!! He was about ten months old, and wore the cutest little black tux to her wedding.... :) Court's aunt came from Florida to take pictures at the wedding, this is one she sent to me.

Thanks Chauntue for the tag.....!

4.) Tag four people...... I tag.... Kristen B., Shawni, Megan , and Nikki M.. and anyone else who wants to join in, this was really fun!

We got shingles!!

2008-10-25T22:31:00.003-06:00

Woohoo...... we got shingles.... and not the rashy kind ;)

Court you are amazing!!

Back from Betucky and Happy Halloween

2008-10-23T23:10:00.005-06:00

Warning: This post has lots of pictures........ :) To spare you lots of words ;)

Heavenly Father sure knows what he's doing!!

Look how gorgeous!

An old Bourbon distillery.... that was way too cool to not stop and take pictures!

Ian and I while touring a bourbon distillery...

Greg packing Ian on his shoulders, he packed him more than I did, you are awesome Greg!

Ian is going to be a monkey for Halloween..... Here are some pictures of him in his sooo cute costume. Easton is going to be bumblebee the transformer guy. He picked what he wanted to be, but doesn't know we have it yet. Otherwise it would be worn out by the time Halloween got here. We told him it would be here next Wednesday.... just in time to take him out and get pictures of him in it before Halloween. ;)

Ian wasn't very excited about our little photo shoot...

I picked him up to try and get a picture of both of us.... my camera is way to big and heavy.... so sorry it is so close..

Isn't he the cutest monkey you have ever seen?

And these ones are for Uncle Greg....

There was a ditch between he and I, he was looking at the mud trying decide how to get through, or over it..... they sure made for cute future hunter pictures though....

Hope you enjoyed all of the pictures.... Thaks Greg and Janice again for letting us come out, and spoiling us rotten while we were there!! We already miss you guys, and love you so much!

President Monson Rocks!!

2008-10-05T21:36:00.005-06:00

"....Find joy in the journey, Now..."

I enjoyed President Monson's talk so much today! From the moment he stood at the pulpit I could just feel the love coming from him, and his talk was so personal I think for so many people, how he talked about enjoying life, not wishing it away... About children and how the laundry piles up etc. But how we will wish these days back all too soon. I loved how he spoke about change, everything! I am so grateful for having a modern day prophet, and being a member of the church. I don't know how in these times of unsure and change people without the knowledge of our Savior do it. I can't imagine life without the knowledge of eternal marriage, families, temples, prayer, modern day revelation, miracles, the power of the priesthood.... I am so grateful for all that I have, I am so blessed. I know I will never be able to express how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for all that I have. The picture of President Monson is one I found on the Internet. And the quote below it is one of my favorite things he said during his talk today....

Okay, so now I have a question for everyone. I was wondering what every one's opinions on dreams are? Do they have meaning? Are they our innermost fears? Are they of things to come? Are they just jumbles of our thoughts, experiences, nonsense... etc. I have been having dreams lately, different ones each time but of basically the same thing... The first night I dreamt of the past, every detail was correct, right there, even things I had forgotten.... then the dreams since then have been of the future (but you know how in your dream it is happening right now) I think it is just my fears coming out... but am not sure, and I don't like having these dreams. I have to admit that most of the time my dreams are of nonsense, or sometimes I dream of something happening to Court or one of my boys, I wake up really sad thinking is that just me being scared, or is something going to happen to them. These are different though, mixing with the past... etc. I know I can search dreams on the Internet and all of that, but that isn't really what I was going for, I was wondering if any of you have ever had any experience with dreams, or any really good advice that you have been given... etc.

A sleepover with Heavenly Father

2008-09-29T18:39:00.013-06:00

Easton said the cutest thing the other day, and I just had to share it. He and Andru had just had a sleepover and he was so excited about it.

Easton: "Do you think Heavenly Father would sleepover?"

Me: "I am sure he would love to sleepover."

Easton: "And Jesus and their Ghost..."

Me: trying to hold back a giggle..... "I am sure they would love to."

After that he was trying to figure out where all of them would sleep, luckily in his bedroom he has two sets of bunk beds so they would all fit... ;)

This was a picture from his first day of preschool, he was SOO excited!! I can't believe how big he is getting!

Ian has been teething for four months straight it feels like, with nothing coming through, he is skipping his eye teeth I guess, and going straight to his molars. Here is a cute picture of him, you can see all his drool..... so stinkin cute, how couldn't you want to grab his puffy cheeks and give him a big old kiss...?

And here are a couple of the newest pictures of our house....

Get me organized....

2008-09-10T21:15:00.003-06:00

So all of you organizational guru's out there, this one is for you.... I would love for you to give me your best advice on how to get organized. I love a clean house, but I think I spend more time cleaning it because I can't seem to get myself organized. Whenever I try to organize something it seems I go so overboard that it would be impossible for me to keep it that way. What do you throw away... what do you keep... how do you store it.... papers, nick knacks, keepsakes, kids toys....... husbands stuff... you know what I am talking about, that pile of stuff they empty out of their pockets every night onto your dresser..... and the thing in the corner that they are working on. This is for anyone, and everyone who has that special trick that helps to keep you organized. Please share!!

My Little Builder

2008-09-07T13:53:00.005-06:00

My little builder......

Isn't he such a cutie!! I try to go down and help Court with the house, and instead I end up chasing Ian around, grabbing all of the tools he finds out of his hands. I finally went and bought a little plastic hammer for him because he wanted to help daddy so bad. He walks all over pounding everything, including me...

Court took three days off of work and finished the log walls. Then he hired a guy to help him set the trusses. Here are some pictures of our house with the trusses set... Sorry they are probably boring to most of you. Thanks so much to Ryan, Davey, Brent and Dwayne (the general contractor court hired) who spent all of their Saturday helping us. We couldn't have done it without you, and appreciate your help so much!!

Our Future Home & My Little Hero!

2008-09-01T21:24:00.005-06:00

Here are some pictures of our log house. I am so excited to see it going up, and Court hopes to have all of the log walls up, and the trusses up by next weekend.

I can't even believe how much work it takes, and how hard he works everyday. (I can't even lift one side of a full log, and he lifts them by himself and carries them on his shoulder) He is up everyday at five thirty to go to work, comes home from work, works till dark at the house, and then finishes off the day working on his home businesses. I don't know how he finds the energy, but I am so grateful that he does!

We went over to our good friends Ryan and Janna's house last night, and played their wii with them. They have a game called kabookii (sp?) it is made by the people who made cranium, it was a lot of fun! Then we decided to try out the boxing. Oh man am I sore, my arms and back ache. Their daughter's name is AshLeigh, and she is about a year older than Easton, don't tell him I told you, but he has the biggest crush on her. I never thought Easton would be the kind of little boy to have a crush, because he is such a boy!! Oh no though, the other day we were in the car, and here was our conversation..

Easton: Mom, AshLeigh is funny.

Me: Ya, she is funny...

Easton: (Kind of shy like) She is kind of cute!

Me: Yes she is a cute girl, huh....? (It caught me so by surprise)!!

I wanted to laugh, but also didn't want to make to big of deal of it. I just thought boys were supposed to think girls had cooties till they were like at least twelve... me hopeful thinking at least twenty eight ;)

Easton Roo, you are my little Hero, you have the spirit of a twenty year old all squished into a little body. You have so much spunk, spirit, energy, life, but you so easily forgive. You can be a little firecracker, but at the next minute you are tackling me for a love and kiss. When I hurt your feelings, or discipline you and see your little bottom lip poke out, it breaks my heart. I hope you always know how much I love you!! You are such a good example to me!

Old Pictures sorry

2008-08-21T12:33:00.003-06:00

I wanted to show you some pictures of where we are building, so you all can see what a pretty view we have from our back patio!!

The one picture is quite old, it is from when they came and dug our footers, (we now have a foundation and a few logs stacked up.) I will take new pictures tomorrow, and post them. I signed Easton up for preschool, and he starts the first part of September, he is so excited! He keeps asking when he gets to go, and I keep having to tell him.... In three weeks, in two weeks......... It will be so weird to have him gone twice a week, I think that Ian will probably be lonely. I am excited though, it is so much easier to get stuff accomplished when I only have one child. Sometimes I feel like I get one thing fixed or cleaned up from one, and I turn around and there is something else that needs found, cleaned, fixed.... etc. Or someone else is hungry and needs a snack. I can't even imagine those of you who have more children...... How do you do it? I would never trade either one of them, or the daily experiences that we have though. Motherhood is so amazing to me, one minute you are ready to scream and pull your hair out, and the next I could just squeeze my two boys, hug them, and smother them in kisses.

I love you so much, Easton, Ian........ and you two Court. Sometimes I think you belong in the same category with them.... my three boys..... ;)

I'm Back!!

2008-08-13T13:18:00.002-06:00

Yeah!!! As of last night, we now have DSL!!! I forgot what it felt like to actually be able to use the internet. I have so much catching up to do, for starters, we now have a foundation, and logs on the way.... and our trusses should be here this friday. I am not on the computer with pictures, so I will post pictures later of our "started house". I got called to be the Laurel advisor in Young Women's, and I love it!!!! I was having a hard time adjusting to the new ward when they called me, and now I just love going and being there with all of the amazing girls and leaders. Easton celebrated his fourth birthday last month, and Ian celebrated his first birthday in June, I can't believe how fast the time goes. When I think that Easton will be starting kindergarton next year.... it seems crazy. I also signed up to be a consultant for The Body Shop at Home, if any of you would like to check it out, there is a link on my side bar, I love their products, my skin has never felt better! I also have to say I drove past my brother and sister in laws old house the other day and wanted to cry, how weird is it that they are really gone, not just there around the corner. Someday I hope they will be moving back closer. Until then I am glad we have the internet, and blogs to keep in touch. Well I better get a move on, this week I have a huge to do list.... Nikki and I are having a yard sale on Saturday, so I have been ironing baby clothes from the time breakfast is over, till Court gets home. I will post pictures later.

Come on... You know you want to play!

2008-07-15T10:32:00.001-06:00

Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.
It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Quick update

2008-05-21T14:18:00.006-06:00

So I am being totally rude. I am at my sister's house stealing her fast internet, totally secluded on my laptop, trying to go through blogs as fast as I can... But guess what, we should have DSL within the week!! Yeah!! So this is going to be really quick, and I am just going to attatch some pictures, which is why we all do this anyway right? ;)

I took the boys for a walk in their stroller, and they both fell asleep, it was so cute, I had to get a picture.

I was trying to help Courtney's mom Diane in the kitchen, but Ian would not let me put him in his high chair... I finally broke down and gave him this sucker, he fell asleep with it. Shows you how good of a mom I am, giving my ten month old a huge sucker. ;)

And here is my hot husband being such a good sport modeling for me. Janice, this is the spot I was thinking of for you, all of the plants around the base of the fence, and behind are wild lillies, they are so pretty when they bloom. Don't worry though, I want to clip all the little tree thingies that are poking up in the front. Let me know what you think.

So that is it for this one, I hope I will be able to update more often, we are living in our camper now, it isn't to bad, and we are hoping to get our building permit sometime this week....... Double yeah!!

Dial up

2008-03-31T14:37:00.002-06:00

This one I am going to title Dial up, because I can't stand it!! With two kids, it is just not worth it (trying to get on and leave a post, check your email.... anything) Ubet put an order in I guess so we should be getting DSL in about two months.... Until then, I guess I will just have to try to be patient. I think i am going through blogger withdrawls. We are going to start building in Tridell in a month, we have just been living in Court's parents house, and as soon as it gets warm enough we will move into our camper... (I know you all are jealous aren't you ;) ) I just thought I would let you all know why I haven't been keeping up, or leaving comments on your blogs.... once we get dial up I promise I will start posting more regular again... and pictures when we start building too.

Eight months old!

2008-02-27T21:45:00.003-07:00

I can't believe it, Ian turned eight months old today! Time flies by way to fast, and I know someday I will wish I could come back to these days and just hold my little boys. Wait I already do..... So in honor of Ian turning eight months old, I am going to write eight things I always want to remember about him:

1- I love how happy you always are!! You smile all the time, even when you are mad, you will squawk really high pitched, and loud, and then smile at me..... You are so stinkin' cute!! (which leads to our next one)

2- I could just eat you up, I love love love to kiss you, sometimes I just mall you with kisses.... mmmmm. I just can't get enough of you.

3- You are such a momma's boy, and I love it! Maybe someday I will wish that you weren't, but I really don't think that day will ever come... When I hear you cry for me when someone else is holding you, or look around the room for me, I love it!

4- You love your brother, he can do anything, and you smile for him.... Even when he is loving on you a little too rough you still just smile, and kind of look at me like Help!?

5- You have the sweetest little spirit, and you can melt people with your sweet little looks and smiles!!

6- You say mamama mamama babababa when you are sad, (in this broken hearted little voice) and it melts my heart.

7- In the morning you get so excited to see us, you just smile, and coo.... You and your brother are such morning birds, it makes me happy, even though I am not much for mornings :)

8- You hate food, you gag on everything, and I mean everything... Well you do like sweet potatoes (I am afraid to feed you too many though, because I don't want you turning orange)

I love you so much Ian Russel!