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Saturday, December 12, 2009

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

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!

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Friday, December 11, 2009

Quick catch up

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!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Check it Out... :)

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

Friday, October 30, 2009

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

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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? ;)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Corn Maze & sNoW...

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... ;)



Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I am so blessed

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. :)

Friday, October 16, 2009

You are such a JOY!!

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?

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Piko.....




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.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Fattie

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!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Mine-a Blelly

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.



Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Because She Likes Me...

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?

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Easton's 1st day of Kindergarten

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



Wednesday, September 2, 2009

So I'll always remember

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.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Dancing in Heaven

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.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I love the rain!!

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!


Monday, August 10, 2009

Fishing

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
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Friday, July 31, 2009

Sunset

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.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Off to Girls Camp

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.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Moments in a "mans" life...

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!


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~!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Happy Birthday Ian

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.



Thursday, June 25, 2009

I can dream right....


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.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Magic Crayons




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!!!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Bringing home a baby Bumblebee...


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.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

TOADally awesome week!

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!




















Sunday, May 24, 2009

Lagoon

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."









Thursday, May 21, 2009

I'm trying to find a wizard

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. :)

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Enjoying the sun...


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".