My Excuse

My biggest excuse for not blogging for the last several months is as follows. In April, we put our house up for sale and started building a new one. We chose a lot that is just blocks from our old home, so we got to see every step of the process. We loved designing for the floor plan, picking out colors and materials, and watching it all go up. Dan did all of the tile in the house - the entry way, the kitchen, laundry room, and 3 bathrooms. He was incredibly busy and did a remarkable job. Since my blog is public, I am not posting any pictures of the outside. All I will say is that it turned out perfect and we LOVE it. We moved in the first week of August and still say every night, "I can't believe we have such a beautiful home!"

Island Park

We went on a cabin shopping trip with my parents to Island Park. What a beautiful place! We hope to be spending a lot more time there in the future. Who wouldn't love 4-wheeling with Uncle Todd? How cute is she? Can you see Millie? We drove the Motorhome to Island Park. The kids were all tuckered out on the way home.

So We Will Never Own a Horse

My Sister-in-Law Ashlie is a fantastic horse rider. While we were home, she took us to her Grandpa's house and let the kids ride horses. We had a fantastic time and the loved every minute of it. Kyler loved it, until he got off of his horse and started itching. In 10 minutes his eyes were almost completely swollen shut. He had such a bad allergic reaction that even the whites of his eyeballs became swollen. He looked terrible! At the end of the day, my Mom said, "Kyler, I hope you enjoyed your horse ride, because it is the last one you will ever take." Isn't this cool? Ashlie has been riding horses like this since she was 8.Halle loved it!

Millie and I in the tack room. Poor Kid!

Cousins...

My kids are so lucky to have wonderful cousins! We went home last week when my sister Clarissa and her daughters visited from Texas. They enjoyed every moment outdoors at Grandma and Grandpa's. They loved every minute. We wish we could do it every day!My three kids loved Grandma and Grandpa's new tractor. My great Dad built this fun playhouse just for the little girls. They could live in it 24/7 if we would let them. They decorated it, had numerous tea parties in it, and played house till their hearts were content. The 10 cutest kids in the whole world. Thanks to my brothers, we enjoyed a fantastic dutch oven dinner.

Grateful Sunday

I am filled with gratitude today. Dan got really sick to his stomach on Friday night. He had a terrible night and was so sick that I decided to take him to the ER early Saturday morning. He was near passing out, his whole body was cramping, and he couldn't even speak coherently. I called Dan's sister Heather and asked her if she could rush to my house and watch my kids while they were sleeping. She left her family and rushed to mine. I didn't know how I was going to get Dan loaded in the car - as he was so weak, he could hardly walk. I ran to the garage and backed the car out and laid the seat back. While I was outside, a man from our ward just happened to be on an early morning jog. I got his attention and told him my dilemma. He followed me right into our house and gave Dan a blessing. He then helped get Dan into the car. I thanked him profusely for taking an inspired early morning run. We spent the morning in the ER. They gave Dan an IV with nausea and pain medication. After some tests they determined it was a combination of a virus, food poisoning, and dehydration. He was able to go home later that day and is doing a lot better today. The brother that helped us went home and called the Relief Society and the Elder's Quorum. While we were in the ER, our home teacher called, and a very good friend from our ward called to see what they could do to help. We got several more calls throughout the day offering help and my visiting teacher brought us dinner that night. We received calls from several family members and they each told us that Dan was in their prayers. Dan's parents even delayed their trip to Utah to make sure he was going to be OK - and were ready to come to our house if we were to need them. I was supposed to be in charge of fundraising Car Wash for my Special Olympics team. I called my sister-in-law Janae and she took care of everything that I asked her to without a moments hesitation. I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends and family that care so much about us. I was so touched by all of the help we received and the love that we felt. I am truly grateful for a Heavenly Father that answers prayers, and for loving people that help Him meet our needs. Dan is recovering really quickly and he is going to be just fine. Thanks to all of you! I love you!

It's Official...We made it through the 1st year!

He's Six!

We had birthday parties on Monday and Tuesday. Some things are nice about two birthdays in as many days - the happy birthday helium balloons stay afloat for both, one trip to the party store, one large gallon of ice cream feeds both parties, etc. However, making and eating two cakes, coming up with princess and Bakugan games, and making sure each child has the perfect day is a little tiring. I have decided the kids can have friend parties on their even birthdays. I thought about staggering them each year, but it just didn't seem fair to have the pomp and circumstance for one and not the other. I hope not to have any more children during the third week of May.

If you are wondering, I made Kyler a "Bakugan" cake. A Bakugan is a little ball toy that pops into a battle brawler when it is rolled on a magnetic card. It is all the rage for 6 year olds.

She's Four!

Special Olympics Torch Run

Today was our Special Olympics Torch Run sponsored by the Police Department. The course was 2 miles down the main street of our town escorted by police vehicles. Do you want to know the best part of the whole thing? Kyler ran the whole way and finished the course with the help of his Uncle Ben. Two miles in the sun is a very long way on 5 year-old legs. I have never been so proud of him in my whole life! What an accomplishment. I was thrilled that he had such a great experience. One of the main reasons I have started the Special Olympics team is to have a positive impact on my children. Today when I saw him at the finish line - I knew it was all worth it.

Bless her little heart...and nose

Do you ever see something happening and just can quite get there in time? This is what happened when Millie's face hit the pavement after falling off the bottom step.