The week before school Goal 3 & 4

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This morning was rough. My oldest still didn’t get up until 20 minutes after I woke him. I was very sluggish. After I woke the elementary children I tried to sneak back to bed. I’m really not a morning person. I really appreciate my youngest brightness when she wakes up. When I told her wake up she said “hold on I’m still sharpening my dream pencil”. She makes me smile and helps me be better.

envy-clipart-school_lunch_box_clip_artGoal 3 for the week before school: I have to go lunch shopping. My kids usually take a cold lunch to school so I have to stock up on things like chips, juice boxes, fruit cups, and granola bars. This means a big box store run. Which I really hate because I always spend way more than I planned. While I’m there I also need to stock up on tissues. We all know that when school starts so does the spread of germs. It doesn’t take long before my kids come home with a cough and runny nose. My sister’s kids started school where they live a couple of weeks ago and only 3 days after the first day of school two of her three kids were home puking. Not fun! I hope our first week goes better than that.

Goal 4 for the week before school: Since my kids take a cold lunch I try and have something besides a sandwich that they can choose from. I make muffins. I usually have a couple of varieties in the freezer that they can take instead of the sandwich. My kids favorite is chocolate zucchini muffins and huckleberry muffins. I’ve also done raspberry, banana, lemon poppy seed, blueberry, and bran muffins. The bran ones didn’t go well I think each kid took one and the rest I got to eat. That was okay with me. My kids love having this option. Sandwiches all the time get old really quickly. So today I’m going to make some muffins. Might as well start with their favorites. I’ll cook a couple batches and stick them in the freezer where they will last about a month before they have disappeared. Then I restock. The kids stick a frozen muffin in their lunch box in the morning and by lunch time it is thawed and ready to eat.


The week before school Goal 1 & 2

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We have had a great summer and it’s hard to see it gone but alas summer is almost over. My kids start school one week from today. The week before school starts I like to prep my kids so I know they are ready. My first goal for the week is waking my kids up at the time they would get up for school. That is 6:30 am for my elementary age kids and 7 am for my oldest. During the summer our sleep hours become lax. Bedtime gets pushed back and I let my kids sleep as long as they want in the morning. If I waited until the first day of school to start waking my kids up their bodies would not be used to the deprived sleep. They would be grumpy at school and want to sleep. I can’t do that to the teachers who work so hard to give my children their all. clip-art-sleeping-840170That is why we prep them for school. That way the first day isn’t a shock to their system and they are ready to learn. This morning was tough. My alarm went off at 6:30 and automatically my hand flies up to push the snooze. I’m usually up at 6:30 for my morning walks but I’ve taken a little break and it’s already tough to wake up. Once I was up I went and woke the little ones. My 3rd grader had an easier time getting up. She is really a morning person. She will wake up all year round with a song and a smile. My 6th grader is a different story. He took a little longer and usually I pay for it later when tempers flair and he isn’t quite awake. It’s now 7:30 am and my two oldest are already arguing. My 9th grader who has been a morning child before has crept into that teenage cycle of wanting to sleep all the time. He gets to sleep in an extra half hour than the others because his school starts later. I woke him up at 7:05 this morning and didn’t see him until 7:20. Hopefully this gets better during the week.

The second goal for today is cleaning out my children’s dresser drawers. We will at some point need to go get new school clothes this week. So today we have to make room for those clothes. We will remove anything that isn’t being worn or is too small or worn out. We will fill a bag of slightly used clothing and take it to the DI (Deseret Industries). This is a must. I let my 6th grader hang on to too many shirts last year and now his drawers have a difficult time closing. He doesn’t even wear half of the shirts in there.


Day Hike with Activity Day Girls

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This morning we left for a fun adventure with our 10 and 11 year old activity day girls. I was called to activity days last September. I was so excited to get to hang out and teach these girls. This has to be one of the best church callings I’ve ever had. We decided since summer is here we could try and do some fun activities with these girls. So today we hiked the Menan Buttes. I love these girls all there silliness and craziness too. We had a ton of fun and the view was spectacular. I hope the girls enjoyed it as much as I did. Mary and I also took our own girls with us and they had a fun too. Oh and there may be a rumor going around that I got lost on the way home. I may or may not have taken a wrong turn in the tiny city of Menan. The girls had fun using my phone to navigate me back to the right road.

Before the hike picture.

Before the hike picture.

Silly picture

Silly picture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just the beginning of the hike.

Just the beginning of the hike.

Aren't these guys the cutest!

Aren’t these guys the cutest!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another silly picture.

Another silly picture.

Mary and I were behind and when we got closer we could here the girls pretending to cry and whine. So funny I had to snap a picture.

Mary and I were behind and when we got closer we could here the girls pretending to cry and whine. So funny I had to snap a picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eating lunch at the rim.

Eating lunch at the rim.

reading the signs.

reading the signs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great view

Great view

The girls climbed up on this outcrop. It almost gave Mary a heart attack.

The girls climbed up on this outcrop. It almost gave Mary a heart attack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are having so much fun

They are having so much fun

Another silly picture. Every time I took a picture they felt it important that we take a silly picture too.

Another silly picture. Every time I took a picture they felt it important that we take a silly picture too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

climbing around on the rocks

climbing around on the rocks

Last climb before heading back.

Last climb before heading back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of hike picture. Do they look tired?

End of hike picture. Do they look tired?

Last silly picture.

Last silly picture.


The Big Number 8

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Birthday Breakfast. Strawberry crepes and bacon.

Birthday Breakfast. Strawberry crepes and bacon.

I can’t believe this little treasure of mine is 8 today. We celebrated with a birthday party on Saturday. She wanted a skating party. While skating rinks are pretty rare now a days there happens to be an active one here in Idaho falls. She and 5 friends had fun rolling around. There were a couple of first timers but they did pretty well considering never skating before. Sophia and I have this special bond that developed as soon as she was born. She is a sweetheart always willing to help me out. She isn’t your typical girly girl, although she loves things that sparkle, you will often find her outside digging up worms to feed to the chickens or climbing around anything she can climb. She has a passion for animals especially wolves. She is often pretending to be one. She loves camping and being out in the wilderness with her family. She is so excited that now she is eight she will have the opportunity to be baptized. Her baptism date is the first Saturday in June and it can’t come fast enough for her. I love this precious little girl that my Heavenly father entrusted to me. She was worth the 8 1/2 months of pregnancy sickness. Corey and I keep joking with her that she needs to stop growing. She always tells us she can’t stop growing and then she giggles at her silly parents. Even though she keeps growing I do and have enjoyed each stage she goes through. She is amazing!

Sophia all ready to skate

Sophia all ready to skate

First timer O. He was a trooper

First timer O. He was a trooper

C. was really good. She is has been practicing.

C. was really good. She is has been practicing.

Another first timer N. did really well. After a couple times around she could do it with out holding onto anything.

Another first timer N. did really well. After a couple times around she could do it with out holding onto anything.

Sophia opening her presents.

Sophia opening her presents.

Sophia opening a card she got from C.

Sophia opening a card she got from C.

The Party!

The Party!


How time flies

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PrestonCan you believe it. This little dude on the left is 14 today! He is such a blessing to have in our lives. This past year has been tough for him with the new move and having to start in a new school and making new friends. He has had some pretty big mile stones this past year too. He got to fly in an airplane for the first time to Denver and then again in November to California. He was able to go to Disneyland for the first time too. The biggest mile stone that I think he is most proud of is he is now taller than his mom. It’s really not that big of an achievement because I’m not very tall. I guess to him though I’ve been taller than him his whole life and to finally get to see the top of my beautiful head is pretty cool. When he was little and before little brother and sister came along Preston was my buddy. We did everything together. Everyday we would go for a walk or to a park. He loved spending time with me. Now that he is older he spends more time in his room, playing video games, or hanging with friends. I guess that is part of growing up. He isn’t too old though to tell me he loves me everyday. I even will get a big hug from him. I guess he does hug me before bed every night too. I’m hoping he won’t ever get to old for those things. I love this little dude, who isn’t so little anymore, and I’m very grateful that he is in our lives. Happy birthday little-big dude!

Preston


Spring Break 2016

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We got a late start on our spring break because of the opera Corey and I were in. We left on Tuesday and traveled 14 hours by car to Grandma and Grandpa Tiffany’s home. We spent Wednesday just hanging around with grandma and grandpa. We went to the movie “Zootopia”. Grandpa spoils the kids by getting them their own popcorn treat pack. We wanted to go to the coast for a day but the weather was saying that Thursday was going to be rainy. So we saved it until Friday.

Thursday was another day relaxing with grandma and grandpa. We visisted great grandma Eve. She has dementia and doesn’t remember who we are but it was nice to sit with her for a while and visit. She still sounds like the grandma I know and grew up with she just doesn’t always make sense. She kept singing in my ear “God Bless America” that’s the only words she remembered of the song but it reminds me of how much she still loves this country. When we first came in her eyes lit up. I wish I was closer and could visit her more. She will be turning 91 this year. I helped my mom and dad plant some seeds in their garden. I can’t believe they can start planting already. We still have a good month before we even try to plant anything. We went to the park to let the kids run off some energy. Preston got in trouble for scaring off some greese that someone was feeding. That night we had our Easter dinner since we would be travelling on Easter.

On Friday we left for the Oregon Coast. We traveled through a small portion of California and a little of the redwood forest to get there. It is a really pretty drive. The weather was great a little windy on the coast but it’s not normal if the wind doesn’t blow. We spent the day visiting azalea park and Harris Beach. My dad and I (mostly my dad) build a sand castle and my mom got attacked by a wave while sitting on a log. After the beach we headed to the harbor and bought ice cream cones. Corey had to visit a fish shop and by some fresh clams and crabs. We took those back to grandma and grandpa’s and ate them later.

I always have so much fun when I visit my parents. The problem is the trip is always too short. We left on Saturday and stayed the night in a hotel. Then finished the drive on Sunday. It was a whirlwind of a trip but I was becoming homesick and really needed some time with mom and dad so it was well worth it. Already looking forward to a trip back in August.

Levi loved pretending he was a spy speeding away from people following him.

Levi loved pretending he was a spy speeding away from people following him.

Sophia doing what she does best, climbing.

Sophia doing what she does best, climbing.

Preston speeding away

Preston speeding away. Yes he is a little old for this.

coming back to Oregon

coming back to Oregon

entering California

entering California

Azaleas at Azalea park

Azaleas at Azalea park

rhododendron at Azalea park

rhododendron at Azalea park

Awesome playground at Azalea park

Awesome playground at Azalea park

Lunch at the beach

Lunch at the beach

Harris beach

Harris beach

Sophia and her stick. She drew all over the sand.

Sophia and her stick. She drew all over the sand.

Levi and Sophia's attempt at a sand castle.

Levi and Sophia’s attempt at a sand castle.

Corey stuck on a rock

Corey stuck on a rock

Hole in the rocks

Hole in the rocks

Grandpa's sand castle

Grandpa’s sand castle

Waterfall on the drive

Waterfall on the drive

Another waterfall Preston climbed to see where the water went.

Another waterfall Preston climbed to see where the water went.


Arrow of Light

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Last week our son Levi earned his Arrow of light. He has worked really hard to get all of his requirements fullfilled to earn both his webelos and arrow of light. He actually earned both in December but due to time constraint for pack meetings he wasn’t awarded them until January for Webelos and February for his Arrow of light. This program is actually a 2 year program but our church has the boys accomplish it in 1 year. Levi went above and beyond and finished it in 6 months. He has now graduated on to regular boy scouts and is now participating with the other 11 year olds in our neighborhood. The past 6 months has been a struggle for him. We moved a week after his birthday and as a result had to switch troops. His old troop had around 8 boys who met together all of which were good friends. This new troop only had 3 boys, he being the youngest. The other two boys turned 11 in November leaving Levi a lone boy in his troop. It fuelled his desire to finish and move up with the other boys. He doesn’t turn 11 until June but is enjoying scouts again with the other boys. I love this little guy of mine. He wears his heart on his shoulder and he is always concerned for others. He is always the one who asks me if he can help. He loves to read with me and his sister and genuinely loves spending time with other people. He is my social butterfly. I’m happy to be his mom and I love him dearly.

Levi receiving his arrow of light award.

Levi receiving his arrow of light award.

group photo afterwards

group photo afterwards


New Home New School

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Well we are at it again.  A new school year. We just recently moved and so this year was met with a lot of anxiousness. All three kids are starting in a new school.  They are all very nervous.  Sophia is starting 2nd and will probably do the best at adjusting. Levi who is starting 5th grade will do alright but we may have a few days of tears. I’m a little worried about Preston. He starts 8th grade.  8th is already hard enough to find where you fit in.  I hope he makes some friends quickly so he can have a better experience.

Sophia_IMG_20150831_065124399Levi_IMG_20150831_065032426_HDRPreston_IMG_20150831_065107394


Back to School

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DSCF5820I know facebook is inundated with photos of kids going back to school.  It’s a tradition that will continue here and until there are no more kids going back to school.  Today was a milestone in our families lives.  Our youngest started 1st grade and is for the first time going to school all day.  Also our oldest has started junior high. In years past I couldn’t wait for school to begin but this year is different for some reason.  I didn’t want summer to end and  I have mixed feelings about my youngest being at school all day.  I took the two youngest to school so they would know where to line up.  As I saw Sophia leave I tried really hard to be strong and blink away the tears.  I didn’t let them come until I was well on my way to the car.  I didn’t think I would be one of those parents who couldn’t hold it together but here we are with wet cheeks.  The new school year has begun and so has all the craziness.

DSCF5810

Preston- Age 12- 7th grade

DSCF5814

Levi- Age 9- 4th grade

Sophia- Age 6- 1st grade

Sophia- Age 6- 1st grade

 

 

 

 

 

How could you not cry after seeing this face leave you.

How could you not cry after seeing this face leave you.


Happy Birthday 9 year old

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IMG_20140627_092357447Wow! 9?! I can’t believe it.  Levi is so sweet.  He loves to help me out around the house and be my helper.  If I give him a list of things to do he does them without hesitation.  He is a very active boy.  Has been since he was a baby.  He started walking when he was 9 months old and hasn’t stopped moving since.  He is very sensitive to what is going on around him.  When we watch movies together he will often get really upset at the sad parts and I’ll have to sit and hug him until he calms down.  His little sister looks up to him and most of the time he teaches her some really neat things.  Other times he can be a little mischievous and  get his sister to do things she knows she shouldn’t, like jumping on the furniture. He loves to camp with his dad.  When we go hiking as a family he is always in the front leading the way.  When he gives me a kiss on the cheek he makes sure it’s nice and slobbery. I love this little guy (who isn’t really little anymore). Happy Birthday Levi!

L- Loving

E- Energetic

V- Valiant

I- Imaginative