Visit With Santa 2008

Happy 5th Birthday Sherman

First Snow of Winter 2008

I'm not sure if the kids or the dog were having more fun!

Payton Baptism

I could not have asked for a better birthday present than this! Isn't she precious!

Decorating the Tree

It's fun to see the little kids' reactions to the ornaments, even though they have seen them for years now....

Snaggle Tooth

Payton lost her first front tooth!

Halloween

It was lots of fun. But the best part for the kids is actually surveying what they brought home :)

Happy 8th Birthday Payton!

Kids School Pictures

They sure are cuties! Only Sherman had a natural smile, but he pulled in his shoulders so he kinda looks like a bobble head :) Of course Marshall looks like he's in pain, since he hates getting his pictures taken. And Payton did not give her usual natural smile, but she is still a pretty princess!

Carving Pumpkins

As a reward for the kids, we took time between General Conference sessions to carve a pumpkin on Saturday. We invited Marshall's little friend Forrester to join us. Payton wasn't too sure about sticking her hand in that yucky mess.... If you notice Marshall while he is carving - he has that "Short" tongue sticking out because that helps him concentrate :) (that's from you dad) We also roasted the seeds later with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and the kids enjoyed them for a snack.

Payton Field Trip to 1917 Farm

We had a fun time. It was cool for the kids to see how things had to be done back then. Mostly, I just got cute pictures of her and her good friend Breck :)

Sherman Plants a Peach Tree

He is determined that a peach tree can grow in our yard if he can only plant the pit he got from his peach....and was rewarded a little later with a rainbow :)

Gabe turns 17!

It's hard to believe that Gabe is 17 this year. I was looking back at pictures of our early marriage and he is so Small! But he sure is growing up and awfully handsome!

Addition to the Family

This happened back in March, but it was and continues to be exciting for our kids. We have a cat we named Oreo. He was the runt of his litter and we loved him from the moment we saw him. Plus, he was the lesser of two evils - we could have ended up with a guinea pig. We named him Oreo because he is black & white. The kids love him and he & Ozzy became fast friends.

Back to School

The children got back to school on August 21. Payton is in 3rd grade this year and Marshall is in 1st. Sherman gets to hang with mom for one more year because he is a December birthday :) That is good for me, but he gets a little bored sometimes. Payton and Marshall both like their teacher and they are making new friends and loving that! We walk about 4 blocks to school each morning. The walk is a nice way to start our day and talk before they leave me.

July 26 Pioneer Day Celebration

Being in Utah for the Pioneer Day Celebration was a special treat for our family. It was filled with fun, water, food, races, and friends. I got up extra early and ran in the 5K race, followed by the kids each running in their age group races. Then the children chased pigs, chickens and rabbits. After the chases, they each rode a sheep in the "Mutton Bustin" contest. Gabe came by on a float for the youth and absolutely soaked me and Fred with water balloons. Then we moved onto the "Great Race". Each team consisted of 80 something people assigned to different areas. Sherman raced a tricycle, Gabe & Jesse sawed logs, and I bobbed for apples, while Dad, Payton & Marshall cheered us on. Then there was the fireman water fight, lots of playing, ending with a fantastic fireworks display.

I recently read a book called Fire of the Covenant, by Gerald N. Lund. It was such an inspirational book to me about spirit, hope, unfaltering testimony and true human endurance. The Saints were such strong, spiritual people when the church was going through so much persecution. To come from all over to get to the Salt Lake Valley because the Prophet called all the Saints to gather to Zion was such a hardship on many of them. But as I read of their struggles and faith and testimonies, it amazed me to see that they did not consider it a hardship, but a blessing and a time to grow closer to their Father in Heaven. I would recommend it to anyone. I understand more the importance of celebrating the Pioneer Day, so that we, as modern Latter Day Saints, can recognize and be more grateful for the ones who came first and the ones who struggled in persecution to reach the Valley and build the Church to what it is today.