Category Archives: preston

May 16 2011

Busy Weekend

Posted on by

This past weekend we were really busy.  It started Friday night.  Preston had his spring concert with the Eastern Idaho Children’s Choir.  Ever since he was really young Preston has loved to sing.  He was singing “I am an Child of God” in Japanese by the time he was two.  When I found out about the local children’s choir I knew it was a good fit for him.  This has given him an opportunity to meet new people and to develop his talent.  He is learning the fundamentals of singing.  I’ve heard a great improvement from when he started.  He tells me he would like to be in choir again next year.  They had a good concert.  The only thing I would change is that they have a better sound system.  It was difficult to hear the children sing especially the youngest group.  They only had one microphone and that was only used to announce the songs.  It’s a shame because that’s why we go, we want to hear the kids sing.

Prelude Choir

Doesn't he look nice

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday we went on our first family day hike for the year.  We went to Hells Half Acre.  This is becoming a yearly tradition.  It didn’t take us as long as it did last year.  The kids are becoming seasoned hikers.  Next year we think we might do the red trail which is considerably longer.  We were a little worried about Moxie and what the lava rocks would do to her paws but she did really well and by the end she was leading us to the next marking post.  We were only there for a couple of hours and it did start to sprinkle on us a little but it was really fun.  We can’t wait to go on another hike.  Next weekend it is Fathers in Sons camp out.  The boys will get to explore a cave and Sophia and I get to have a fun girls night (princess movies, painting nails).

Hells Half Acre spring 2011

Levi Climbing down the rocks

Levi needed a little help getting down

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preston climbing down

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophia, Mommy, and Moxies backside

Me: "Levi watch out" Levi: " I know dad's behind the bush"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Whole Family

Also on Saturday was our 12th anniversary.  It is hard to believe that it was 12 years ago that Corey and I were sealed for time and eternity in the Portland Oregon temple.  He has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Saturday night my friend Jenn came over and watched the kids for us.  We went out to dinner and then had a nice quiet drive and walk.  We love our kids but it was really nice to have an evening without them.  We played a game of name what happened to us each year that we’ve been married.  It was fun to reminisce and remember both the good times and hard times.  Really makes you appreciate the here and now.  Thanks Jenn for giving us a great evening.  I’m sure the next  12 years are going to be just as fun.

Twelfth Anniversary

Apr 29 2011

Scouts

Posted on by

Preston has been in scouts for a year now.  He has now advanced from Wolves to Bears.  We attended pack meeting this week and he received his wolf patch, 1 gold arrow point, and 3 silver arrow points.  You can tell by the smile on his face that he absolutely loves scouting.  He loves being around his friends and getting to do fun stuff every week.  I’m proud of what he has accomplished and I know that this program is teaching him how to be an outstanding citizen.  I wish I could slow down time because I feel like it’s getting away from me.  My son is growing up so fast.

Apr 29 2011

Easter

Posted on by

It is always this time of year that makes me a little home sick.  I wish we had family that lived closer so we could celebrate this time of year with them.  We did have a good Easter.  The night before we dyed eggs.  We always do an Easter egg hunt in our back yard for the kids.  I think it takes Corey more time to set it up than for the kids to find all the eggs.  I’m really bad at remembering to take pictures and I forgot to take pictures of the kids all dressed up before church.   After church we had a nice ham dinner.  I think this is one of my favorite holidays.  It helps me remember our Savior and all that he has done for us.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the silly things like the Easter bunny and candy but it’s important to really remember what this holiday is all about,  The Savior.

Sophia finds an egg

The kids with their baskets full

 

Apr 29 2011

Preston’s Birthday

Posted on by

I can’t believe it but my oldest is now nine.  Last Saturday we spent a fun day celebrating.  Every other year we let the kids have a big party.  Preston had one last year so this years birthday was spent just with the family.  Saturday happened to be the nicest day in the week.  We were able to take the family to the green belt and look at the falls and chase the birds.  Preston said that it was his favorite non-party year ever.  We spent most of the day outside.  I had asked Preston what he wanted to do for his birthday and he said he wanted to go to IHOP.  Preston’s favorite thing to eat is pancakes.  He’ll eat them anytime of day.  I think his record is 11 four inch pancakes.  So IHOP is fitting for his birthday.  We opened presents at the restaurant.  Preston really wanted a real tie (no clip ons or zippers).  He also got a journal from his Nammi and Nampa.  He has written in it everyday since.  He also got some money from Grandma and Grandpa T.  So we took him to Toys R Us to pick out a gift.  We walked through the whole store only to find out that he wanted the first thing he saw in the store.  He got a penguin pillow pet.  We then went home and had cake and ice cream.  I find it odd that Preston didn’t ask for a video game or some awesome toys but that he was very practical with what he wanted.  I guess that proves he is growing up.  He is such a sweet boy with a sweet spirit.  We are so blessed to have him in our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

This is Preston's design. He made a drawing for me to show me how he wanted his cake.

 

Mar 1 2011

Mango

Posted on by

First item that I used from the basket was a mango.  I noticed that the mangoes felt fairly ripe.  It was snack time.  I peeled, sliced and divided the mango.  The kids were excited.  This isn’t the first time they have had mangoes, but we don’t have them often.  I was worried that the texture was going to be too much for them.  They devoured it.  It was a great snack and healthy too.  Mangoes are High in Vitamin A and a good source of Vitamin C.  Vitamin A is good for the eyes and skin.  It also helps with your immune system.  Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds.  It helps boost your immune system and is good for your teeth and gums (fruits and veggies more matter).

Kids Eating Mango Slices
Sophia taking a bite 

Levi stuffing his face

When Preston finished I heard him run down the stairs shouting “I love Mangoes”.  It’s feels good to give them something they love and good for them too.

Feb 5 2011

Cabin Fever

Posted on by

According to Wikipedia the definition for cabin fever is “a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period.”  Every year since we moved here to Idaho Falls we get cabin fever.  It usually starts snowing here in October and doesn’t stop until April.  Leaving us pretty much stuck inside for that period of time. Cabin fever usually starts to set in around January and into February.  Some of the symptoms (again according to Wiki) are “restlessness, irritability, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark.”

To break up some of the monotony we’ll go on short trips or do something fun for a day.  A couple of weeks ago I was able to take my kids and go to Boise for a day.  My mom was there with my nieces and we went swimming a “Givens Hot Springs”.  Of course I forgot my camera and don’t have any pictures of that fun trip.  It was the best medicine for my cabin fever.  I not only got to get out for a while but I also got to see my mom.  It was like killing two birds with one stone, cabin fever and homesickness.

After a few weeks the cabin fever starts to set in again.  I start to feel restless and irritable. I just want to get out and do something.  In the past week our lows were around -15 degrees Fahrenheit and the highs were not much higher.  I feel like I’m just going to snap.  Then we have a day like today.  It was around 27 degrees Fahrenheit.  The kids suggested we go sledding.  So that’s what we did.  We packed the kids and sleds up and drove out to a new (new to us) sledding hill.  Because it has been so cold the snow was pretty icy.  That made the sleds go really fast.  We had so much fun.  I’m sure my tushy is going to regret it tomorrow but at least the cabin fever is gone for a while.  The boys really liked going over the jumps and Preston really caught some air.  Corey went to take a picture of him going up but the batteries in the camera ran out.  After going up and down the hill 5 or 6 times my body was telling me that was enough.  So Sophia, Corey, and I sat in the back of the truck and watched as the boys went down.  It was nice just to be outside and enjoying the scenery.  It wouldn’t be a sledding trip if we didn’t have some hot cocoa afterward.  We really enjoyed our day out.

Preston at bottom of hill

Preston at bottom of hill

Preston about to go over the jump

Preston about to go over the jump

Levi in his green saucer

Levi in his green saucer

Sophia in the back of the truck

Sophia in the back of the truck

Me in the truck

Me in the truck
Sep 13 2010

And So It Begins

Posted on by

Summer has come to and end.  It went by too fast.  School started for us on August 30th.  Now I have 2 children in school.  They were so excited for school to begin (I must say I was too).  Preston started 3rd grade and absolutely loves his teacher.  Levi  started Kindergarten.  Levi was so excited to finally get to go to school like his big brother.  The first day was only an hour long and the parents were there to help.  We went on a little scavenger hunt that took us around the classroom and showed the kids where the bathroom was.  It was really just a time to help the kids become comfortable with the new setting.  After we were done and were on our way home I asked Levi what he thought of school.  His response was “It was boring”.  My first thought “And so it begins”.  I was afraid that I might have a hard time getting him to go to school for the next week.  Fortunately he has warmed up to it and is enjoying school.  He is so different from his big brother.  Preston comes home and tells me all about school and how his day was.  When I ask Levi it’s like pulling teeth to get anything out of him.  Most of the time he tells me he can’t remember.  Eventually I’ll get little tid bits out of him and he ends up having a pretty good time in school.

I have to say it has been so quiet and nice to just have one at home even if it’s only for a few hours.  It is also really nice to have some one on one time with my youngest.  In fact a perfect time to potty train.  I’ve never done the potty training thing with a girl.  I’ve been told it’s easier.  So far it seems to be the same for me.  She is still learning the basics and I find myself saying, while cleaning the mess up, “and so it begins.”

Well summer is ended and with it comes the cooler temperatures and the busy life of running kids from here to there.  I have to wonder what happened to the warm weather and the days of sleeping in. As I wake every morning before the sun I find myself saying “and so it begins.”  p8300012p8300013

Apr 23 2010

My little man is not so little anymore

Posted on by

preston-sleeping-in-crib-close-upcooking-preston

My little man that’s what we called him.  He loved getting dressed up in his church clothes and he looked just like a little man.  This is how I see him.  Where has time gone.  Today is his 8th birthday.  He continues to make me proud everyday.  He is a wonderful example to his little brother and sister and to me.  A few weeks ago in church he asked “mom can I bare my testimony” I hesitantly said yes and wasn’t sure what I was in for.  You see he is also our little joker and I half expected him to get up there and crack a few jokes.  Instead he gave the most beautiful testimony I’ve heard from a young boy (yes I might be a little biased but it was impressive).  He spoke of his love for the Savior and his belief in the book of mormon.  It was a wonderful example to me.   He is always willing to give me a helping hand.  Although we don’t always see eye to eye I love that little man and I hope he has a wonderful birthday.

Mar 16 2010

Super Cross-Stitch Man

Posted on by

My mom came for a visit last week and taught my seven year old how to cross-stitch.  She had him stitch his name onto a piece of fabric and then we made a pillow out of it.  He thought it was the best thing.  He even took it to school the next day to show it off to his teacher.  The next day he wanted to make a gift for his teacher.  We went down to the craft store and bought a simple cross-stitch pattern that he could make.  He finished it in a few days.  He is really enjoying the new projects he comes up with.  Right now he is making a gift for a friend in the shape of a super hero emblem.

Yesterday while I was making dinner I heard the boys playing their usual super hero make believe game.  There was something new this time.  Instead of Preston being Super preston he was Super Cross-stitch man.  Later he told me Super Cross-stitch man’s special power.  Apparently Super Cross-Stitch man has an invisible needle that when he cross-stitches in the air with it what ever he cross-stitches comes to life.  Then to get rid of it all you have to do is put the needle back into it.  I thought this was very creative, but I am  concerned for his safety if this gets around school.

preston-and-cross-stitch1

cross-stitch

Sep 3 2009

The dreaded phone call from school

Posted on by

Its 9:30 am and I’m sitting quietly watching TV with my two youngest.  Seems to be a great morning and then the phone rings.  I look to see who might be calling and I see it’s the school.  Quickly in my mind I think okay what is wrong.  You see Preston isn’t the kind of kid to get into trouble or fights.  He might be the type to get bullied.  Many times it’s the school nurse calling to tell me he isn’t feeling well.  This is what I expect when I answer.  Instead I get human resources calling.  What!?  Apparently Preston has been telling his teacher we have no money to buy food. Again, what!?

To explain,  Last month we went over budget with trips and going out and the recent painting project.  Corey and I have been trying to stretch the budget this month to get our money to go a little farther.  So we have been putting off going to the grocery store for a week (yes a whole week).  We have run out of milk, eggs, cheese, bread. You know the basics.  It’s been kind of fun to try and think of new things to cook and see what we can do with what we have.  But in the mean time Preston isn’t getting his usuall bowl of cereal in the morning or his usual dinners like homemade pizza.  He has sandwhiches at school made with homemade bread (the poor guy).  I guess at some point he might have overheard Corey and I talking about how we can’t go shopping for food because we don’t have the money.  Meaning no money in the budget not in the bank.  This must be another reason you save these types of conversation out of children’s ear shot.

So the resource person calls and tells me that they have means available if we need help with food.  I told her thanks but we aren’t starving and are doing fine.  It’s just a misunderstanding.  Now I need to figure a way to explain this to Preston so we don’t get a repeat call.