Being Thankful...

I am thankful for so many things. I am so thankful for Shane and the wonderful husband and father he is. He works hard for our family and never complains about doing it. He has an amazing work ethic I only hope our kids one day possess. He is so much fun to be with and is always doing something to make the kids laugh. I love him and I can't imagine our life without him. Taelor is a very special girl. What would we ever do without Taelor!! She loves her brothers, me every now and then and adores her Daddy!! I am thankful she is part of our family. She is always willing to help or doing some kind of service for someone in the house. She loves to cook and do whatever she can to make people happy! I love you!!!

Dawson, I am thankful for your sweet kind spirit and for the laughter you bring into our home. You laugh all the time, even when you probably shouldn't (that is genetic though!). Everyone loves you and it seems as though everyone wants to be doing something with you all the time. I am so glad you are part of our family and I thank our Heavenly Father for each of you everyday!! I love you!!

Braedon you are a great kid. You love your family and are not embarrassed of us quite yet which I think is great!! You love to tease but are quick to defend anyone teasing your brother or sister. They look up to you a great deal. I am glad you are part of our family everyday!! I love you!!

My mom..... I am thankful for her friendship. She has always been there for me no matter what and I know she always will. I love to spend time with her and I am glad we live so close so that my kids can learn of her wisdom and greatness. I am thankful you have always been my stability in life and that you are always there when I need you!! I love you!!

My dad.... our relationship is not that of a conventional one because I only saw him for a couple of weeks in the summertime. We have had our ups and downs together but right now I am SO incredibly grateful for him and his continuing friendship to me. He has gone through some tough times lately and I am so glad I was able to be his listening ear even though we were 7 states away. Our relationship has gotten so much stronger this last year. I only hope it continues to grow. I love him alot!!

My in-laws are great. They are a lot of fun to be with. They are our vacation buddies. I am glad we have them to lean on should we ever need them. I am grateful she raised my husband with the knowledge of things he knows. Without him and his talents our life would be much different and for that I am thankful for her and her on going love and encouragement to Shane. Thanks for all you do!! I love you both!!

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, but isn't it funny how we never realize what we are thankful for until Thanksgiving rolls around. We think of certain things through the year as things happen to us but we don't take the time to really appreciate them until now. I am going to try and be more thankful through the year. I am also thankful to those friends that read this blog. Without each of you, whether we talk or haven't seen each other since high school you have made a difference in my life somehow. I am thankful that our paths crossed and I met you!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Moving on.....

Football season has come to a close. Despite all our best efforts we came up short again. We even got all dressed up....... all I have to say is BOOOOO!!! This was a harder year for our team. Not playing football but within the team itself. Hopefully some changes will be made and we can come back next fall and show them who we are!! The boys did a good job and tried their best despite what was going on around them. I am proud of them.

Braedon made this sweet one handed catch but of course I did not get it on film. Oh well, I know what he did and he knows what he did!!

So since our season was over we decided to go and have some fun of our own. So the next weekend we went to Yellowstone with my mother and father in law. We all had a great time. We nearly froze to death but it was still alot of fun. First we stopped in Jackson for a little sight seeing.

Then off into the park we went. We were very much like tourists, stopping at nearly every spot. Shane even quickly pulled over a couple of times and pointed out the window to see how many cars behind us would stop. Quite a few did!!!

The kids were fascinated with the geysers and how many colors there are in them. We were all amazed at how those are formed and just how deep are they?

Old Faithful

We saw only two large animals. Buffalo was one.

Elk the other. There were not many out and about but it was still fun!!

The kids will tell you the best part was the water slide in the hotel!!

Another fun family outing!!

That time of year again...

The Family (after many tries......everyone finally smiles!!) The girls!!

Mom and her grandkids

Dawson being all serious like!

There's that smile!!

They are so cute. I love that Taelor poses herself!

Braedon giving out that smile!

He hates this picture but I think it is cute!! He says," Mom I look gay!!" I say no it is a sexy look!! He then rolled his eyes at me!! How Rude!! :0)

I like this one

I love his freckles!

Pretty little girl!

I love how the wind is blowing her dress!!

We went on Sunday to take some family photos. This year no one and I mean no one wanted to go but me. So needless to say I am lucky I even got some good ones. I would almost have rather had wisdom teeth pulled without sedation!!! Next year they better be ready beacuse I am going to hire someone to take these.... I know they wont give someone else crap!!! Anyone there are some good ones!! Just wish there were more!!

SEVEN!!

I can hardly believe that my baby girl is 7!!! We are blessed to have her in our lives!! Top 7:
* Taelor is always good for a laugh
* If something is plain you can be sure Taelor will gladly put some glitter on it for you to make it look nicer.
* She is a great cuddler!
* She loves her brothers very much and will help them...most days ;0)
* I love talking with her, her perspective on things is that of a more grown up girl.
* Her smile can make anyone else smile.
* I love to hear her laugh, a great big laugh...it is music to my ears!!

We love you sissy and want you to know we would be lost without you!!

20 Questions for Kaci!! ;0)

So here's a fun little game of tag! You have 20 Questions/Answers to tell the blogging world about you. Be honest.. :)
20 Questions/Answers:
1. Q: Last movie seen?
A: The last song
2. Q: Current book your reading/Last book you read?
A: No books, just magazines ;)
3. Q: Favorite Song[s]?
A: Just the way you are
4. YOU PICK: Costa Vida, Ruby Tuesdays, orApplebees?
A: Costa Vida!
5. Q: Color[s]?
A: Pink, Teal, brown
6. Q: Favorite Baby Name?
Boy: Besides my kids....Tate Girl: Hallie
7. Q: Secret Crush/Jr. High/High School Crush?
A: B and J :)........Who? ;0)
8. Q: Best Friend[s]?
A: My mom
9. Q: Favorite Singer[s]?
A: No favorite just lots of likes
10.Q: Last time you cried?
A: When I watched the Last Song
(11. Q: Favorite Holiday?
A: Christmas!!
12. Q: Favorite Season?
A: Spring, Summer, Fall
13. Q: Favorite Month?
A: A warm month
14. Q: Most Embarrassed Moment?
A: When I was showing my kids something and I fell.
15. Q: The last time you laughed so hard you stomach ached?
A: Last week
16. Q: Favorite Halloween costume?
A: I was Dawson's Princess when he was in kindergarten
17. Q: Favorite Trip?
A: New York and Hawaii
18. Q: Person[s] you miss the most?
A: Grandparents and family
19. Q: What did/do you want to be when you grow up?
A: Teacher or Hairdresser
20. Q: Dark or Milk Chocolate?
A: milk!

Ok Kaci there you have it!! Anyone else who wants to do this copy and paste it to yours!!

No turning back now!!

Well it is official.....my kids are all in school ALL DAY!!! Wow where does the time go. I am happy for them to be starting school again because they were getting on each others nerves. I am glad they don't fight quite as much when they see each other now. Also my neighbors were probably happy that school was starting and we took down our pool because every time they would start to fight in the pool I would blow the Air Horn. Go ahead and laugh but it works every time....try it!! Braedon my big 7th grader. He will be ......(gulp) 13 in February!!! Ugh!!! Where is the little boy that played tractors and loved monster trucks. Watched Toy Story until he knew it by heart!! He loves Middle school and I am happy he is having a good experience there.

Dawson my 5th grader. He will be in Middle School next year. (Sob, Sob) I can't believe he has grown up so quickly. I miss the days when he would toddle around giggling at everything....I mean everything!!!! Lucky for him he has a great teacher and seems to be enjoying school so far!!

Taelor......I can't believe you are my last kid to go to school. (insert a lonely picture of me)It seems so strange to not have you here to keep my company in the afternoons. I am so happy that you LOVE school and your teacher. You are growing into such a beautiful young girl.

I guess I will dry up my tears and do the best I can without you all during the day. It seems so surreal........but life moves on whether you are ready or not. I am ready, I am ready for you all to find out who you are, what you want in life, what you want to be and strive to go get it!!! I will be here to support you all whether you are 6 or 66!! I love you all!!!

Man child......

There he is #38 in black.....the man child. Braedon says he think he had a mustache!! LOL!!

RAMS WON!!! 6-0!!! It was not an easy task though. We played a team from American Falls and they were GIANTS!!! A couple of the boys were 6'2 230lbs.!!! Hence the Man Child thing!! Many of our boys got hurt. Braedon walked (thankfully) away with a bruised collar bone, marks on his neck from being thrown like a rag doll and a concussion. I hope we don't meet them again anytime soon!! Thankfully we got the win and can focus on the next game. Keep up the hard work RAMS!!!

Vacation 2010

So it begins.....Our vacation took us to 3 states, what felt like 1000 miles of driving and to lots of cool places. Our first stop was Crater Lake in Oregon. It is the deepest natural lake, it is the middle of an old volcano. It is the bluest natural water in a lake. It is beautiful!! This is my Father in law Trent at the beach. I think this is a cool picture!!

Taelor was getting very mad because everytime she would put a marshmellow on the stick it would fall in the sand. You can see her anger!!

Trying not to get swept out from the waves. Taelor was not so lucky and got and ear full of sand plus sand in places no one wants sand!!!

It is not everyday you see a road sign with a unique name like Dawson!!

This was on a bridge going to a trail to see Redwood trees. I told them all to stop and lean out.....not sure why Shane and Trent are holding hands. Hmmmm?

Dawson was tired of seeing 'dumb trees' because he wanted to go back to the beach!! The other two were showing their excitement for the trees!

One of the nice days!!

One huge TREE!! Be a tree hugger!!

Dawson and Taelor's feet in the sand

We hiked up so many many rocks and found a million starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and we even saw whales way out in the distance!! Awesome!!

My boys!!

Dawson loved loved looking for washed up jellyfish. Everyone was afraid to touch them thinking they would get stung. Well I was not afraid and I knew (from watching an episode of Friends) that if I did get stung someone would have to pee on my hand. So I touched one and alas no sting!!

My three musketeers

One of the days we were on the beach a seagull 'happened' to drop a bottle holding a treasure map and we followed it only to find a treasure box full of goodies!!

Being adorable as always when a camera is out!!Dawson and Braedon found lots of little animals and were catching them hoping to bring them home.

This is the house we rented on the beach. It was in California but 50 feet from the Oregon border.

This was a GIANT ( like 60-70feet) statue of Paul Bunyon and his blue ox Babe. He talked to you when you would go up to the gift shop. He said Hi to Taelor and scared her half to death. It was really funny!!

All my kids like slugs since they are a novelty around home. So when we saw this big yellow banana slug we picked it up.....but

it left Dawson a present!

After many more hours of driving we made it to San Francisco. It was fun and freezing!!! Apparently October is the time to go there as it is warm!! July is the coldest.......now they tell us!!
More driving led us to..... a house called the Winchester house. It is an incredibly odd house. The woman who owned it was married to the man who was the President of the Winchester Rifle Company. Well when he died a psychic told her to move out west and buy a house and build and build and never stop, otherwise everyone that the rifles ever killed would come back and haunt her. So she did just that. She bought a house and started adding to it, making doors that open to walls, stairs that only go to the ceiling, windows in the middle of the hallway. All sorts of crazy things. It was 24/7 365 construction for 32 years!!! It is on 6 acres and has 160 rooms!!Shane's mom and his niece Larissa also were on vacation with us. It was alot of fun.

Next year I am hoping for a warm vacation though!!!