So we went to Bountiful this past weekend to hang out with my family. Usually we get pretty stressed when we are away from home and don't normally have a great time on trips with the kids, but this one was fun. We did a lot. On Thursday we stopped in Provo on the way down. We wanted to see one of my college friends, but she was not able to meet up with us. Instead, we went to the Provo Temple and then to the University Mall. Anna was blown away by the Disney Store. Anyway, we hung out until Mike's brother Matthew got out of school. We picked him up and took him to dinner then hung out for a little while at his apt. It was fun.
On Friday I went to the Scrapbook Expo with my friend Cami and sort of with Mandi (she got me the tickets but we went at different times but we did see each other there). Anyway, it was AWESOME! Cami taught me in the ways of "Cuttlebug" and I was reborn. I am having SO much fun with my purchases. Meanwhile, Mike and the kiddos were at the Children's Museum with Grandma Titus having a blast. Later that night we went to a college music geek party (see post below).
Saturday was just so neat. Mike and I went to the Temple with Mandi and Ryan, the families, and a few of their close friends to see them sealed to Ian and Darek. It was beautiful. Alex pushed Darek into the room in a white stroller and both the boys were dressed in white. They were SO cute. My kids were a little jealous that Alex got to go to the temple and they couldn't but the jealousy soon faded when they found out they got to hang out with Beth and Chad. Anyway, after the ceremony, they went out on the lawn in their white clothes and had pictures taken. It was very sweet.
We then had a lunch with all the families at a church and played basket ball. It was great fun. I got hit in the head though and had to go sleep to keep away the seizures. When I woke up, I found that everyone had come home and everyone (except the kids of course) were also sleeping. That night we went to Kohl's- all of us- me, Mandi, Beth, Aaron, Chad, and Mike. It was SO fun to be in the car with my siblings. We sang old songs and made fun of each other. I think everyone watched The Ring later, but Mike got sick so we went to sleep.
Sunday, Darek was blessed by Ryan and we all sang a song in Sacrament meeting. It was very pretty. My Dad was called to be the Executive Secretary in the Bishopric and was set apart right after Sacrament Meeting. It was cool to be there for so many things. We left for home right after that. The rain, wind, snow, and sun, made for an adventurous trip home, but we made it safe.
Anyway, I know, long post. I'm sure none of you really care to read a vacation post, but hey, if you made it this far, you just did. HA! But really, I loved being with my family this week, seeing Matthew, and hanging out with good friends. Now back to grind.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Flashbacks
This was one of the two places we remembered to actually take pictures while in SLC. We had a party at the Jackman's house. A few of us music majors from SUU got together with our families. There were 14 kids! Gosh, in just a few years we have all done a pretty good job of procreating. We had some homemade pizza and treats and just hung out. The kids were screaming and crazy so most of the time we were yelling over the chaos, but it was so great to see everyone. I took some pictures and I'm sure they will hate me for posting these, but it just means I love you all and that you are blog worthy :)
This is Melanie (Mel for short) and we were roommates and fellow trumpet players. She taught me that the moon comes out every night- not every other night like I had thought for many years (long story). Even though she left SUU to get married, we still see each other whenever we can.
This is Cami (Cami Rae for long) and though we were never roomies, we might as well have been. We were also fellow trumpeters (until she went to the dark side of percussion-bah!). We did a lot together. She even named her big, old car after my Great Grandpa Edgar. All of our kids are within months of each other in age and even though we've never lived close since we both got married, I still feel like we are very close friends.
This is a group picture at not a very good one at that. Brooke, Stephanie, Ranee, Bob, and some spouses were also there and every one's kids. It was fun and I hope we can all get together again. That way I can take more up close and personal pictures to post of the rest of them and tell the stories I remember. If they were to tell you stories about me they would all go pretty much like this: "She belched A LOT and was quite an air head. She was also pretty stubborn and it's amazing she learned anything." Really, it's a miracle that any of them still claim me as a friend, but I am eternally grateful that they do! I love you all!
This is Melanie (Mel for short) and we were roommates and fellow trumpet players. She taught me that the moon comes out every night- not every other night like I had thought for many years (long story). Even though she left SUU to get married, we still see each other whenever we can.
This is Cami (Cami Rae for long) and though we were never roomies, we might as well have been. We were also fellow trumpeters (until she went to the dark side of percussion-bah!). We did a lot together. She even named her big, old car after my Great Grandpa Edgar. All of our kids are within months of each other in age and even though we've never lived close since we both got married, I still feel like we are very close friends.
This is a group picture at not a very good one at that. Brooke, Stephanie, Ranee, Bob, and some spouses were also there and every one's kids. It was fun and I hope we can all get together again. That way I can take more up close and personal pictures to post of the rest of them and tell the stories I remember. If they were to tell you stories about me they would all go pretty much like this: "She belched A LOT and was quite an air head. She was also pretty stubborn and it's amazing she learned anything." Really, it's a miracle that any of them still claim me as a friend, but I am eternally grateful that they do! I love you all!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Firefighter Appreciation Day
I don't know if I told all of you this before, but I've been using this really great book for family night. It's called "52 Weeks of Fun Family Service" by Marrilee Boyack. I am realistic and know we won't get all 52 projects in, so I've gone through and picked some to work on. Each project has an outline of a lesson, treat, song, etc. for family night.
This week we talked about fire safety. We've already had a run-in with the fire dept. (as seen in January's posts), so we thought it would be fitting for our family to thank them for the service they give our community. We practiced our fire escape route and "Stop, drop, and roll" last night then we made a sign for the firefighters using candy bars. You can sort of see it below. It says: "You might "SNICKER" when we come but we think you're worth "100 GRAND". You've been "LIFESAVERS" to us and "MOUNDS" of others. So, "TAKE 5" or a "FAST BREAK" because it's "YORK" "PAYDAY". Thanks for putting out the "FLARE". Love the "KISSABLES" Winslow's."
We also made homemade brownies. We took them over last night but they were gone. Ty dropped the brownies, so we took those home and ate the un-squished ones. We went back this morning and they gave us a full tour of the place and the trucks. It was so fun for the kids and Mike and me too. Here are some pictures.....
The awesome sign and brownies (which were very tasty!).
This firefighter took us around the place and showed us the kitchen, living room, and sleeping quarters. It was amazingly clean for a bunch of guys :)
He showed us the inner workings of the trucks. There were 3 in all at this station. St. George has 7 total stations.
This is the ladder truck. It has a price tag of 1 Million dollars. Tyson let the Firefighter know that he once had $90.00. Not quite the same, but in the mind of a 6 yr. old it might as well be.
While we were there, they got a call. We stood outside and watched them drive away. It was very cool. I am glad we were able to do that.
This week we talked about fire safety. We've already had a run-in with the fire dept. (as seen in January's posts), so we thought it would be fitting for our family to thank them for the service they give our community. We practiced our fire escape route and "Stop, drop, and roll" last night then we made a sign for the firefighters using candy bars. You can sort of see it below. It says: "You might "SNICKER" when we come but we think you're worth "100 GRAND". You've been "LIFESAVERS" to us and "MOUNDS" of others. So, "TAKE 5" or a "FAST BREAK" because it's "YORK" "PAYDAY". Thanks for putting out the "FLARE". Love the "KISSABLES" Winslow's."
We also made homemade brownies. We took them over last night but they were gone. Ty dropped the brownies, so we took those home and ate the un-squished ones. We went back this morning and they gave us a full tour of the place and the trucks. It was so fun for the kids and Mike and me too. Here are some pictures.....
The awesome sign and brownies (which were very tasty!).
This firefighter took us around the place and showed us the kitchen, living room, and sleeping quarters. It was amazingly clean for a bunch of guys :)
He showed us the inner workings of the trucks. There were 3 in all at this station. St. George has 7 total stations.
This is the ladder truck. It has a price tag of 1 Million dollars. Tyson let the Firefighter know that he once had $90.00. Not quite the same, but in the mind of a 6 yr. old it might as well be.
While we were there, they got a call. We stood outside and watched them drive away. It was very cool. I am glad we were able to do that. Sunday, March 15, 2009
Happy Anniversary to us!
We have been married 7 years! In a way it feels like 7 yrs, ya know, the fact that we have a 6 yr old, we both have wrinkles, we can say "I remember when...", and all the crazy stuff we've been through (like my brain blowing up). In another way it still feels like we are newly weds. I surprised Mike with a date on Saturday. My friend Kristi watched the kids and we went to this newer restaurant called Anasazi. It's a Steakhouse/fondue place. It was SO yummy!!! Then we went and played Laser Tag. Most of the time I hung out in a corner in fear but did manage to get a few points. It was a lot of fun. We would have played more rounds, but there was a group of kids that had two hour passes waiting in line. We then went over to the book store. I know, stupid, but we like the book store. Anyway, it was a nice three hours and we had fun. The kids love my friend and her kids so that was a load off too.
I love Mike. We are normal and have the occasional fight/argument or whatever you might call it, but they are very few and far between. Most of the time we just enjoy being around each other. I was always told never to date or marry another musician, but I can tell you it was the best thing I ever did! We speak the same language and understand each others frustrations. Mike is a caring guy and he treats me so well. I love that he loves the kids and that he is a responsible and motivated person. I just love him and I look forward to the next infinite number of years with him and our little family.
I love Mike. We are normal and have the occasional fight/argument or whatever you might call it, but they are very few and far between. Most of the time we just enjoy being around each other. I was always told never to date or marry another musician, but I can tell you it was the best thing I ever did! We speak the same language and understand each others frustrations. Mike is a caring guy and he treats me so well. I love that he loves the kids and that he is a responsible and motivated person. I just love him and I look forward to the next infinite number of years with him and our little family.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Updates
If I could find where I put my blasted camera I would post some rather adorable pictures, but alas, I have misplaced the thing. Oh well. Thought I'd update ya'll anyway.
First, Brayden is 9 months, 23 pounds and 28 inches long. He has completely grown out of 9 month clothes and just about outgrown 12 month clothes. He grows so quickly that he wears everything only a few times before it starts getting tight. He's crawling EVERYWHERE and getting into EVERYTHING! It's a lot harder to "baby proof" with a 6 year old and 4 year old around. My kitchen floor is often covered in crayons, kitchen towels, and anything else that is at a level or in a drawer that Bray can reach. He claps his hands to say "yeah", shakes his head to say "no", waves hello and goodbye, and clicks his tongue. He does these things freely for us but gets a bit shy for others when it comes to his "tricks". He is very good with babysitters though. He goes to sleep at 8 pm and sleeps through the night (all the way to 7:30 in the morning). He's always smiling, even when he's sick, and is SO cuddly- especially with me and Mike.
Anna is almost done with her first year of pre-school! She loves math and is reading and spelling words. She is very interested in the Solar System right now and can tell you how many planets there are and what the sun does. She can even tell you that Pluto used to be a planet but isn't one now. She loves gymnastics and dance and is still very social. She seems older than she is but looks like a younger child because she is still so small. The friends she has that are her age pass clothes down to her. She loves to draw, do Playdoh, be outside, watch cartoons (ugh), play with her baby and kitty, and she is very "in tune" (if you will) with spiritual things. She loves God and Jesus and her family.
Tyson is nearly done with Kindergarten. He has done so well this year in school. He reads very well and is currently near the top of 1st grade levels. He loves math and just soars through every new concept. He has some really good friends at school that he gets to play with every Tuesday and Thursday. This is the first year that he's had boys for friends instead of just girls. He loves Star Wars, so he'll play with anyone who wants to pretend to be a character from those movies. He loves video and computer games and would play them all the time if his mom and dad weren't so mean. We guard those closely. He loves his cousin Alex and waits with anticipation until they can play again.
I just finished SUPAF and it went well. It feels strange not having some deadline pressing or someone to call. It's kind of nice. That and they just paid me yesterday! Not that the money is going to anything fun- like a trip or something- but is is helping us get the things we've had to put off taken care of and the condo paid for. Other then that, I'm working teaching band at Ty's school. I am still in the RS presidency and that is really hard right now. Our ward is suffering from job losses among other really tough things, so we are working hard to take care of people. I am pretty much gone all day on Tuesdays between running kids places, teaching, and then my calling. Other than that, I take care of my squishy baby, my princess, and my little man, and sometimes I get to see Mike, too.
Mike is busy. He works at both of his schools and does all of the extra stuff. He's gone at least two nights a week with either a concert of some kind or a competition. He has two callings at church and 3 other special assignments. He is so good at what he does that everyone knows they can count on him. He still is a huge fan of Dr. Pepper- I think it's his therapy. He is a great daddy to the kids and they love it when he gets home or when they get to go to his work. You should see the way Brayden lights up when his daddy walks in the room. They are buddies. Mike and I are both in a brass quintet with 3 of our friends. It is a way for us to use our skills doing something we love while at the same time having a social and mental outlet. Mike is loving playing again.
Ok, there we are. We are planning on spending half of spring break fixing up our yard and the other half in SLC with my family. Mandi, Ryan, and Alex are being sealed to Darek and Ian, then Darek will be blessed on Sunday. It'll be really neat. So, if you got through this, you deserve a Kitkat. Go buy yourself one :)
First, Brayden is 9 months, 23 pounds and 28 inches long. He has completely grown out of 9 month clothes and just about outgrown 12 month clothes. He grows so quickly that he wears everything only a few times before it starts getting tight. He's crawling EVERYWHERE and getting into EVERYTHING! It's a lot harder to "baby proof" with a 6 year old and 4 year old around. My kitchen floor is often covered in crayons, kitchen towels, and anything else that is at a level or in a drawer that Bray can reach. He claps his hands to say "yeah", shakes his head to say "no", waves hello and goodbye, and clicks his tongue. He does these things freely for us but gets a bit shy for others when it comes to his "tricks". He is very good with babysitters though. He goes to sleep at 8 pm and sleeps through the night (all the way to 7:30 in the morning). He's always smiling, even when he's sick, and is SO cuddly- especially with me and Mike.
Anna is almost done with her first year of pre-school! She loves math and is reading and spelling words. She is very interested in the Solar System right now and can tell you how many planets there are and what the sun does. She can even tell you that Pluto used to be a planet but isn't one now. She loves gymnastics and dance and is still very social. She seems older than she is but looks like a younger child because she is still so small. The friends she has that are her age pass clothes down to her. She loves to draw, do Playdoh, be outside, watch cartoons (ugh), play with her baby and kitty, and she is very "in tune" (if you will) with spiritual things. She loves God and Jesus and her family.
Tyson is nearly done with Kindergarten. He has done so well this year in school. He reads very well and is currently near the top of 1st grade levels. He loves math and just soars through every new concept. He has some really good friends at school that he gets to play with every Tuesday and Thursday. This is the first year that he's had boys for friends instead of just girls. He loves Star Wars, so he'll play with anyone who wants to pretend to be a character from those movies. He loves video and computer games and would play them all the time if his mom and dad weren't so mean. We guard those closely. He loves his cousin Alex and waits with anticipation until they can play again.
I just finished SUPAF and it went well. It feels strange not having some deadline pressing or someone to call. It's kind of nice. That and they just paid me yesterday! Not that the money is going to anything fun- like a trip or something- but is is helping us get the things we've had to put off taken care of and the condo paid for. Other then that, I'm working teaching band at Ty's school. I am still in the RS presidency and that is really hard right now. Our ward is suffering from job losses among other really tough things, so we are working hard to take care of people. I am pretty much gone all day on Tuesdays between running kids places, teaching, and then my calling. Other than that, I take care of my squishy baby, my princess, and my little man, and sometimes I get to see Mike, too.
Mike is busy. He works at both of his schools and does all of the extra stuff. He's gone at least two nights a week with either a concert of some kind or a competition. He has two callings at church and 3 other special assignments. He is so good at what he does that everyone knows they can count on him. He still is a huge fan of Dr. Pepper- I think it's his therapy. He is a great daddy to the kids and they love it when he gets home or when they get to go to his work. You should see the way Brayden lights up when his daddy walks in the room. They are buddies. Mike and I are both in a brass quintet with 3 of our friends. It is a way for us to use our skills doing something we love while at the same time having a social and mental outlet. Mike is loving playing again.
Ok, there we are. We are planning on spending half of spring break fixing up our yard and the other half in SLC with my family. Mandi, Ryan, and Alex are being sealed to Darek and Ian, then Darek will be blessed on Sunday. It'll be really neat. So, if you got through this, you deserve a Kitkat. Go buy yourself one :)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Pay it Forward (thanks Stephanie)
The Rules
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate pictures and comments!If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along.Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!
SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward!
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate pictures and comments!If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along.Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!
SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward!
This is kinda fun
1. Go to my documents/pictures.
2. Go to my 6th file folder.
3. Go to my 6th picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag 6 people to do the same.
I think you've all seen this picture before, but it's from a year ago when we put this swingset together. The kids were taking turns enjoying it. They still like it. We had to adjust each swing to fit each child. Bray wasn't around then, so hopefully one of them will share his/her swing when they get older. Ah, memories. And as for tagging, just whoever wants to- do it.
Monday, March 2, 2009
It's been awhile
Sorry people. I know you're used to hearing from me more often then this. I've been finishing up the SUPAF events. It went SO well. There are a few things I'll change (one being that my mom has to come live with me those weeks so I can balance my life) and some other technical and scheduling changes. All in all, it was very successful. Now I have the awards night this Friday and will be busy putting that together. You may not get any photo's or real info from me until then. Thanks for all the moral support my friends. :)
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