Blog Archive

Friday, July 31, 2015

March

March was a fun month, with a few surprises.  Birthday trips and thrown out backs all added to the excitement of the month!

Amelie made me this happy birthday crown by drawing a picture of me, and taping it to one of her princess crowns.  I just love that girl!
Image

Here are just a few random shots of the kids.  Dax has quite the fro (it may be time for a haircut.)


Image

He even learned he could pick it out.....
Image

Image

Image



Image
Image
Image
Image

Image

The kids have really enjoyed playing board games lately.  Here we are playing a riveting game of Monopoly.

Image

This month I went with the Youth to Sundance for Youth Conference.  It was great fun to get to know them better, see them dance, interact, and cross country ski together. 

Image

Image

Image
Image

Cam has done more back country this month.  Have to get to that snow when you can.  It's been slim pickings this year! 
Image

Snapped this blurry photo of Abe and Josh at a mutual activity.  Abe kept trying to scoot Josh closer and closer to Catherine Kieffer, but it just ended up looking like he and Josh were cuddling.  

Image

Snapped this photo in bed, holding hands with my hubbie.

Image

This month was teacher appreciation.  I signed up to do Daxton and Ella's doors for their teachers.  Normally moms spend all kinds of time decorating these doors.  I just gave my kids some paint and construction paper and sent them to work.  I think they turned out great!  Ella painted one of her teacher as a princess.



Image

Image

We had to put one of our chickens to rest this month.  Poor Fairy got very very sick, and so Josh offered to shoot her in the head. (of course he did!!)  We buried her and had a nice service.

Image

Image

Dax, Ella and Amelie sang in church this month while Josh accompanied them with "I am a child of God."  Each kid sang a verse, and then they all sang together on the chorus.  Dax had the 3rd verse, a tricky one, and he started it off great.  "I am a child of God........" then he forgot the words, and Josh kept playing.  Soon he said "Ahhhh, dangit," into the microphone and the crowd giggled a little.  But soon I started singing the words, then others joined in, all trying to help Dax to remember the words. It was such a sweet moment where we felt the love and support of our ward family!  The next day the Ballstaedt boys brought over a big cookie for Dax to tell him good job.  Such great neighbors!

Image

While Cam was out of town this month, I built us a fire pit!  It's fun to be able to light a fire, and roast mallows together! 
Image

This month Cam and I traveled to sunny San Diego. That sunshine was so good for my soul!  I had a blast with Cam.  It was great until our last day together.  We were getting ready to go to church there, when I hear Cam yell out, "My back!"  I come into the room to find him on the floor, unable to move.  He laid there for over an hour, until he was finally able to get off the floor and into bed.  He stayed there for a few hours, until we were forced to leave our hotel room.  Luckily Rob Cuillard let us chill at his house until our flight left that evening.  Poor Cam slipped a disc!  I've never seen him in pain like that (except for his pneumonia).  

Image

Image

Image

Image

We brought the kids home these wrestling capes.  They loved them and have wrestled for hours wearing them.

Image

Image

One of Amelie's favorite things to do when her friends come over to play is bake something.  Here she is with Hadden, making some cookies.  

Image

The girls had a bake sale, in the frigid Spring weather.

Image

While I attend meetings on Sunday, Cam is great to take the kids for hikes up the mountain.  They love it and the dog loves it too!


Image

The girls enjoy the tire swing on the way back down.  

Image

This Spring we got 5 more chicks! (what are we thinking?!)  They are adorable (and stinky) and should be laying eggs by the end of August.  Brings our pet total to 2 bunnies, 2 cats, 8 chickens and a dog.  
Image

Image

Image

Image

ImageImage


February

I was recently called to be the Young Women's president, and during opening exercises on Sunday, one of the Beehives (12-13 year old girls) was asked to give the opening prayer.  In her prayer she said, "We are so thankful for the month of love....."  And it IS the month of love, isn't it?  A time to tell those who are most important to you how much you LOVE them, and how special they are to you.  

One thing I LOVE, is this valley we live in.  I feel I say it every month, but I really do love being here and feel so blessed to raise my children in such an amazing place.  

Image

Image

Image
Another thing I love is coaching Daxton's basketball team.  It's been so fun to be a part of these boys' lives, and see them grow and progress in the sport. When they make a good pass, or a good play, it feels so great to see them beaming after doing something well.  
Image

Another thing I'm growing to love is my new calling.  I feel completely out of my comfort zone, but these girls are so great.  They teach me, and I know the reason I am here is to learn from them.  We had a fun activity this past month, "bubble soccer."  It was a lot of fun to see the youth bouncing around the rec center.
Image

Amelie was even part of the action!

Image

I also love Valentine's day!  Dax and Ella made their own valentines this year.  It made me giggle.  They did a great job!
Image

Image

Valentines day was great this year.  We started the day with some heart pancakes.  Image
Image

Next we added some heart hair-dos for the girls. 
Image

The kids were so excited to receive valentine puzzles from Kelli, and $2 from Uncle Larry!

Image

Image
We ended our day with a romantic candle-lit dinner and shared what we love about each other! What a fun day.

Amelie turned 5 this month!  She finally got a new bike complete with carrying pouch and sparkly streamer.  She wanted to spend the day at Chuck E. Cheese, so we brought Abe along, and had a great time!
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Image

Image
This month in Scouts, Daxton's troop got a  visit from Soda Pop the clown.  Dax and Ella were lucky enough to be pulled from the audience to volunteer. They were all giggles helping Soda Pop with her magic tricks.  

Image

Image

Image

Cam traveled to India with his buddy Aaron this month.  They were touring, and looking into a company that sells motorcycles.  They had a great time!

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image


Cam brought some Indian clothing home for the girls.  They have been Bollywood dancing for days!

Image

Joshua

Josh's basketball season ended this month.  His team (coached by Cameron) went undefeated until their last game.  Josh was pretty upset, and was holding back the tears at the end of the game.  He wouldn't sit for a picture, but I managed to snap this one as he stormed off the court. 

Image

Daxton

Not sure why I don't have any pics of Dax this month, but I'll put this one in.  We took the kids to eat at the Homestead this month.  It was a "fancy" restaurant with linen napkins, and delicious food.  The kids loved it, and are begging to go back!

Image
Ella

This was Ella's outfit the other day. Not only was she wearing her Indian clothing, but she accented that already bold statement with a colorful headband atop her head, and long, colorful scarf tied around her waist.  Love this girl and her sense of style.   
Image
Ella is doing amazingly well with her Spanish.  Below is a book report she did, all in Spanish.  It's fun to see her learn and progress!

Image

Amelie

I guess even princesses need their beauty rest.
Image
I'm pretty sure this was brownie batter.  This girl can sniff out chocolate from a mile away.  

Image

Joey showed Amelie his love by giving her a cookie and a Valentine.  

Image

Cameron

Cameron with baby Laerken.  She is such a doll!
Image

Cindy

Ella snapped this photo of me while we were practicing her violin one day.  Practicing with Ella is oftentimes a battle and a struggle, one usually involves me yelling.  But we pull through and she is almost done with her Suzuki book one.  Yeah for progress!


Image

My amazing neighbors and friends had a birthday lunch for me.  Here I am snuggling my neighbor's baby, Beth.  She is so sweet!

Image

Cam and I were able to do a little skiing at the resort together, as well as back country ski on the best powder of the year.  Such good times!!

ImageImage

Cam and I back country with the Jarvis clan.  Andrea, Kasey, and Jack came along. I was head to toe covered in powder with my multiple wipe outs.  Good fun!!


Image

Image

Image

Image


Image


Image

Image

And finally, we can't leave Gris out.  He is growing bigger and looks more and more like a wookie as his hair grows out. 
Image