Tag Archives: Children

May 16 2016

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!

Apr 27 2016

Signs of Spring

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Our spring wreath

Our spring wreath

I love this time of year. Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I feel lucky because I get to experience it twice this year. The first was in Grants Pass when everything there was in full bloom and the second here at home. When my children were pre-school age I used to take them on walks around the block. I would always ask them to look for the signs of spring. They would tell me about the flowers and the leaves on the trees. They would hear the birds singing and see them flying around. They could feel the sun on their face and the warmth in the air. Even though my kids are a little older I still like to walk around and see the signs of spring. It’s been really fun this year because we are in a new area. I have so many little surprises popping up at my house that I didn’t know about. For example the tulips that popped up in the front. I didn’t plant them but I think I like them so much I’m going to add more for next year. Another surprise is the tree in our front side yard. It has these pretty blossoms coming on. I have no clue what kind of tree it is but I’m really enjoying the blossoms. One of my favorite signs of spring is the garlic in our garden. I plant the garlic in the fall and I know it’s planting time when the garlic pops up out of the ground and starts to grow. I can’t wait to get out there and start planting my spring veggies like onion, lettuce, peas, and even getting the beans in the ground. I’m grateful that I have the chance to see all these beautiful things and that I have time to enjoy them. I like to say it makes my soul smile. It just plain makes my world brighter. So take the time to enjoy the signs of spring and give your soul a chance to smile.

The surprise tulips

The surprise tulips

The blossoms on the tree

The blossoms on the tree

Garlic sprouting up

Garlic sprouting up

I even have strawberry blossoms.

I even have strawberry blossoms.

Apr 23 2016

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

Mar 28 2016

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.

Feb 19 2016

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

Aug 31 2015

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

Sep 2 2014

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.

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Preston- Age 12- 7th grade

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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.

Jun 27 2014

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

 

May 16 2014

Birthday Girl

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Mommy and little girl.

Mommy and little girl.

Can you believe it?! It was six years ago that I received one of the greatest blessings a mom could ever get.  I was blessed with my little girl.  Where has time gone?  I wish I had the ability to freeze time so she would stop getting older.  Sophia and I have a special bond.  She is always ready for a hug.  I love the kisses she blows as she gets on the bus to go to school.  She was so excited this morning.  She got up and dressed then climbed back into bed.  When I came to wake her she threw the covers off and said “I’m already dressed.”  She is always so happy in the morning.  Ready with a smile and a hug.  She is our little humming bird.  You can hear her humming from a block away.  She hums all day long.
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S- Sweet

O- Obedient

P- Pretty

H- Happy

I- Intelligent

A- Amazing

Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl Sophia.  You are the sunshine in my life.

 

Apr 23 2014

Happy Birthday Preston

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Preston on his 12th birthday

Preston on his 12th birthday

P – Polite

R – Responsible

E – Entertaining

S – Smart

T – Talented

O – Obedient

N – Nice

These words are all great qualities that my now 12 year old has.  I can’t believe he is 12! I love this young man.  He has been such a blessing in our family’s lives.  He’s a huge help around the house and a wonderful older brother.  He has been asking for me to make him a pound of bacon.  So this morning that is what he got.  It might sound a little odd but when I was his age that was exactly what I asked my mom for.  My mom made me a pound of bacon and I tried to eat it all in one sitting.  I didn’t like bacon so much after that. However, Preston is more clever than I.  He ate a few pieces for breakfast, put some on his sandwich for lunch,shared some with his brother, and is saving the others for later.  I know that as he grows he is going to turn into a great man.  I just hope he slows down a little because it’s going a little too fast for me.  Love this guy to death!