Camping at Pinegrove Campground by Mormon Lake

We finally took the kids on their first camping trip. We knew they would just love it doing the day but wasn't to sure how they would do when it got dark and going to bed. When it got dark, we had to have the lantern on because they didn't like just sitting by the campfire. They did surprise us though when it came time to go to bed. They were so excited to go to bed. they had no problem going in the tent by themselves, while Dennis and I stayed up by the campfire. We thought they would just play in the tent and not actually go to bed but they didn't. They went right to sleep. They also had their first experience of drinking a root beer straight from the can. I have always given it to them in a sippy cup. It was funny watching them try and figure it out. Belle didn't even want to try, she just got a straw. Kaleigha was sooo funny. She was trying to put both the bottom and top lip on top of the hole and slurp it out. She just had to laugh at herself when we told her to put her bottom lip on the side of the can and found out how easy it was. Cordale he got his lips on the can correctly but he didn't stand the can back up before moving it away from his mouth and spilled it down the front of him. I posted some pictures of this. We also had the opportunity to see a Doe come in the field behind our camp. The kids really thought that was cool. They also got to roast marshmallows. They weren't to sure of that because they didn't like getting close enough to the fire to cook it. So mom and dad ended up roasting for them. Then they figured out they didn't like them that way. They are much better just out of the bag. Maybe when they get older they will realise how good roasted marshmallows are. We had only planned on staying two nights but the kids liked it so much they begged to stay another night. So we did. They are already talking about our next trip camping. It was nice to get out of the heat and go some where cooler for a couple of days. I think we will be going camping a lot more.

WHY ME???????

Things have been going well for us lately(a little to well). Cordale is doing so good. He doesn't have to go to therapy any more and they are weaning him off his medicine. So that has freed up a lot of my time. Also, my work has been really slow. So I found I had some free time on my hands(finally). So I got all my scrapbook stuff out to finally start my kids scrapbooks that I haven't been able to do yet. I also, was released from Nursery back in December and have only been a substitute teacher for primary since and haven't been needed a whole lot. Anyway, I think Heavenly Father decided my life was just to easy right now and that I needed it to be more challenging. (and boy he did it this time) I was called to be the 1st counselor in the Relief Society(SCARY!!!!!!). I have received so many mixed emotions since they called me. At one moment I am excited about something new for me and then I get really scared and then I keep asking "Why me?" there are so many other MORE qualified women out there. Anyway, when Bro. Christensen asked me if I would be in the RS, I hesitated for a minute because I was shocked. For one, the presidency hadn't been in there very long so I didn't have any idea they were already rearranging the presidency. Then I thought to myself, Why Me? I can't do this. I know nothing about the RS because I have always been in the primary. Then about that time, I got this overwhelming warm feeling come over me and I knew that Bro. Christiansen felt it as well and I knew this is what Heavenly Father wants me to do. So there was no way I could say no. Since then, I have been unable to get this off my mind and still trying to figure out "Why me?" I may never know, but for now I think this calling is more for me then anyone. It is a motivation for me to become the person I should be. All my life I thought the RS presidency was always older women that were very righteous and are to set an example for the other ladies in the ward. Well, this tells me I must be old now and I definitely need to make changes so I can fulfill the (righteous example) part. Don't get me wrong, in some areas I do pretty well, but in other areas I need major improvement. Anyway, I hope I don't let anyone down(especially myself).

Field trip to Tolmachoff Farms with Preschool

Belle's 3rd Birthday!

Kids Riding Their New Bikes

Twins 4th Birthday!

WOW! I can't beleive I've neglected this website for the month of February. We have been busy. I have a ton of pictures I need to post and haven't yet. But first to give a little update on our month, (then I will post some pictures). We spent the first part of the month dealing with trying to keep Dennis' van running, but was unsucessful. We finally got an estimate on getting it fixed and found out it was going to cost us quite a bit more to fix it then it was worth. So after many prayers and thought we decided we were going to have to trade it in and get Dennis a reliable vehicle bacause it was just to hard working around one vehicle. (to many doctor appointments) Anyway Dennis is pretty happy now, he finally got his truck he has only wanted for years.

We also celebrated our 10th aniversary on the 12th. Can you beleive it? I still can't. It has gone by so fast. We had a wonderful celebration. We got a babysitter for the kids (first time the kids have stayed with someone besides family). Dennis first bought me 36red roses. Then took me out to eat dinner at a restaurant that you would only go to once in a life time because it is so expensive. But it was the best meal I have ever eaten. It was a wonderful evening. I thought I wouldn't even enjoy it because I would just worry about how the kids were doing but I will have to say that I never worried all night long and it was the most enjoyable night away from the kids. When we got back, the kids were sad the babysitter had to go home and they ask if she can come back all the time. So hopefully we will do this more often.

For Valentines day, Cordale and Kaleigha had a valentines party at the park with their preschool class that Belle and I got to attend. (Belle thought she was special to get to go) they learned all about exchanging valentine cards and decorate boxes to put them in. They just loved it.

Then, last week Cordale and Kaleigha had a field trip day at school and I went to help along with Belle. We went to a Farm. The farmer talked to them about different vegetables in his feilds and let them go out and pick these vegetables to take homse. The adults even got a grocery bag full. So we came home with 4 full bags of fresh vegetables. It was nice other then their are some vegetables I had to find out from mom how to cook because I have never cooked them before (like turnips and beets). The kids loved being able to eat them after I cooked them. After they picked veggies, they got to plant watermelon seeds with the farmer. Then, the farmer took them on a train ride made with a 4wheeler as the engine that pulled along these man made barrel seats. Then we all brought picnic lunches and set at picnic table for lunch. They had a fun playground for the kids to play on and also a corn mill they got to lay in and make corn angels. They had a blast.

Then, this last week I have spent my time sick. I have had strep throat and trying to keep the kids away from me and not get them sick has been quite challenging. I hope we have been successful. Dennis has had to stay home from work to play mister mom. I think he is ready to go back to work. It's much easier.

So that about sums up our month. I have a bunch of pictures to get posted so hopefully I will have time this week.

Update on the surgery

Cordale's little surgery went great. They really took care of him at the Children's Hospital. Dennis ended up taking him and I stayed home with the girls because they were both sick. I was going crazy wonder what was going on the whole time but everything went smoothly. Upon checkin they gave Cordale a bag that had a big stuff squirrel in it, along with a doll of the forest ranger on Tarzan. He also got an Ugly Duckling coloring book with markers and a puppet. So they kept him quite entertained. They put him to sleep with Strawberry gas. He told me it smelled good mom. He also said he went to sleep in one room and woke up in another room. When he woke up, they gave him an "orange" popcicle(his favorite), and his own baby sippy cup with water. He felt really special. His joints are really swollen now but they said that should go down in about 24-48 hours and then he should be normal. So, now we just have to keep our fingers crossed that their are no more flareups. We did get a little bit of bad news yesterday though before the surgery, Cordale's medicine is started to effect his liver. So they have started him on some folic acid. The doctor said the folic accid should help fix that. He will be continually monitoring it. Hopefully all will go well and we will be able to just wean him of the meds and not have to worry about it. Keep your fingers crossed!

Cordale's Minor Surgery

Cordale has had some great improvement over the last couple of months. It has really been amazing to watch his improvements. But he is still experiencing some swelling and the doctor is worried it is going to start affecting his joints and stunt the growth at his age. So, he is scheduled for a minor surgery on Friday, 1/23/09. I say minor because I wouldn't really call it surgery. The doctor is just going to put an injection into his joints and draining the fluids. He has to do it in radiology because his joints are so small he needs the xray machine to guide him in the procedure. He will be doing his left middle finger, right thumb, left wrist, and right ankle joints. All of his other joints have currently healed. So that is good. Hopefully after this procedure, the joints will heal and then they will just have to wean him off his meds. There is still a chance he could have more outbreaks but there is also the other chance that this could be the end of the road. So of course we are praying for that. We appreciate all the prayers.

WHAAAAHOO!! NO MORE DIAPERS!!!

Our 4 year era of buying cases and cases and cases of diapers has come to an end. Whaahoo!! Belle is finally potty trained. I don't know what it will be like to go to Sam's Club or Costco and not have to buy a case of diapers. In a way, I would rather keep buying diapers. It just gets a little nerve racking when were out at doctors appointments or running errands and we have to make a potty break every where we go for "3" kids. Sometimes, I thing it would just be more convenient for them to just have diapers on. But anyway, I'm proud of Belle taking this next step in her life (and right before her 3rd birthday!)

Cordale and Kaleigha having fun making snow angels.

Belle having fun in the snow.
Kaleigha trying to find her feet in the snow.

Kids having fun in the snow. Cordale loved shoveling the snow.

What Cuties!!!

Belle wasn't going to let the cold stop her from playing in Reese's Jeep.

Cordale loved to play "Cowboy Draw" with his grandpa. He loved it so much he rubbed a blister on his finger.

Kids having fun riding on the rocking horse at Granny and Grandpa's saying HO HO HO Merry Christmas!!

Wonderful Month of December!

We had an awesome month of December. I started the month with a wonderful sinus infection, sick and misarble, but we still went to Granny and Grandpa's in New Mexico on December 5. The kids love going to Granny's and Grandpa's because there is more room outside to run and play and ride bikes, except this time it was cold there. But that didn't stop my kids. The just bundled up in heavy coats, gloves and hats and went and played. We got some fun pictures of the kids playing with their cousin Reese's Jeep. We also got a cute video of Belle riding a rocking horse wearing her Santa hat. Hopefully, I can figure out how to put that video on this site. While the kids played, Granny and I enjoyed making microwave peanut brittle. It was so easy and sooooooo yummy, we made 30 batches. Although we enjoyed most of our week in New Mexico, Cordale, Belle, and Grandpa did spend some time sick with the stomach flu. Dennis didn't get it until we got to Utah on 12/13. We actually had planned on leaving New Mexico on 12/12 but had 2 kids throwing up and knew there would be no way we could travel with that going on. But it was a good thing that we did go on the 13th because Dennis was sick in bed on the 14th and 15th. Even though everyone was sick on the trip we still had a lot of fun in Utah. It snowed almost every day we were there. The kids loved playing in the snow and we got some cute pictures of them. They also enjoyed going to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. But I think their favorite part of Utah is staying with Aunt Sharon and driving her crazy. Dennis and I finished up our Christmas shopping while we were there and we tried to get the kids to go with us but they all they wanted to do was stay with Sharon even if she wasn't feeling well. I think they really loved going to church with Sharon as well. Oh and we can't forget the great time we had at the Children's Musuem with Margaret, Zachary, and Ryan. The kids loved it so much they didn't want to leave. Before we left Utah, we got to open gifts from Grandpa Roy and Grandma Carol, Uncle Don, then we got to open gifts from Margaret and then gifts from Sharon. By then, I thought the kids have had a really nice christmas, they didn't need any more presents. they had plenty. Then on our way back from Utah we stayed one night with Aunt Linda on 12/21 and we got to open even more presents. It was a lot of fun. Then, on 12/22(boy that was a very loooooooong busy day), we got up early and drove from St. George to Las Vegas and stopped at my sister, Stacy's, house. Granny and grandpa was spending Christmas with them this year and we picked up more presents form them and then drove on home that same day. We got home about 4pm. We had no groceries in the house so I sent Dennis to the grocery store while I unpacked our suite cases and got everything ready for our Christmas Eve at home. (we had to celebrate Christmas a day early because Dennis had to be back to work on Christmas day.) So when Dennis got home from grocery shopping, we had some dinner and then sat around the Christmas tree and read 3 stories, Polar Express, the Night Before christmas, and then we read the Christmas story in the scriptures. Then we opened a Christmas Eve gift and sent the kids to bed. Oh ya, we had to make cookies for Santa also while we were fixing dinner. We finally got all the kids to bed by 11pm. Then I had to start wrapping presents because I hadn't wrapped anything yet and Dennis did the Santa thing. We got to bed about 2:30 and the kids got up the next morning at 7am. We took a lot of nice pictures on Christmas that I hope to get posted. So, overall the month of December was one I think we all will remember for several years.