R.I.P. Hammie

On October, 17th 2010 Joe's hamster of three years named Hammie passed away in his sleep. I knew when we got a hamster that Joe would have a hard time when it died but as usual I underestimated the impact. We discovered him right before Joe went to bed around 7:30pm and I don't think he got to sleep until around 11pm. Joe is so tender hearted and sensitive. The next day we buried him in the backyard. Here's Joe putting some flowers on the broken stepping stone I put on top of the grave so no doggies or little children dug him up again. Even though I buried him pretty deep I don't want to underestimate again.
Joe's doing much better now but I know he still misses his Hammie. He picked out a birthday card for his friend Nate that had a hamster on it and was so excited to give it to him, I think more then the present. On Hammies behalf I would have to say that he was an awesome hamster as hamsters go. My family has had a few (is 10 or more a few?) as I was growing up and Joe's Hammie was just a good little guy (except and please, please don't mention this to Joe but Hammie was a girl)

Right after we were done with the funeral services Clara looks at all of us and says, "Could you get Hammie out now, I want to play with him." So I explained that he is dead and lives in Heaven with Jesus now. This explanation worked for Clara for about three days when after playing out in the yard she came in and said, "Can you get Hammie out now so I can play with him?" So I explained it all again. Then at dinner that night she gave the prayer all by herself and said, "bless Hammie be dead" I guess it sunk in because it's been about three weeks now and she is still praying "bless Hammie be dead." Sorry to Joe for the often daily reminder.

Clara's Three

Little Miss Clara Cozy Posy Rosie turned three on 10/10/10! She is such a sweet heart and so so so very excited about her birthday.

Ruby gets just as excited. She got her a "big wallet" just like Clara wanted and a little purse to match. (Ruby got a big girl wallet for her birthday from my mom and Clara has wanted one ever since)

Joe as well gets just as excited and he got her a pillow pet that he was 1000% sure she wanted. I love it when they get so excited about the gift they are giving.

Here's a couple of videos for the grandparents:

First Day of School 2010

Yeah! It's the first day of school. Go stand by the front door and I'll take a picture of you.


Oh yes get the backpacks on that looks so official.



Look how sweet they are holding hands walking to school. They aren't really holding hands but I like to play pretend.



I really love this picture of Ruby. Even though she's a big 4th grader and nine years old and all that she still looks little here with that big backpack and pigtails.



Joe was more nervous about the first day of 1st grade then he was about Kindergarten. He wanted me to walk him to his line for about two weeks. I think it took him a while to make new friends with people in his class. All his really good friends were in different classes this year.


And then there is this little girl. Not even three yet but wanted to wear her own backpack to drop the kids off at school. She really misses them but has fun at home with Mom and Isaac (a little boy I watch)
Here's to another great year of school!

Ruby's Nine! No Way!

Here is our big nine year old. She wanted vanilla cupcakes with white frosting. Her birthday landed on Father's Day this year. Matt and me got back into town on Saturday from being gone all week at Girls Camp. Then left for a California Family reunion Sunday evening. But we had a little party at Grandma and Grandpa's sometime in between.

Grandma got her lots of fun big girls stuff. She liked it all lots.

Happy Birthday to our Ruby Arlene. You are the best daughter and sister ever!

Easter Time

Saturday after General Conference onto an egg hunt at the Moss's with friends and cute babies too!



Let me see what ya got Clara. Wow.


And Ruby show me your basket. Oh, sorry I didn't get your basket in the picture and sorry about the sun in your eyes. Your a good sport.


And my Joe lets check your loot out. Awesome.


Onto egg dying done between the two sessions of Sunday Conference. This picture captures perfectly Clara's egg dying technique of "just drop it in".


Thank you Ruby for demonstrating some proper egg dying technique. Your the best.


And Joe. Not really any egg dying going on but great demo on the "oh yeah" dance.


After Conference onto Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner and some Cuz' time with Jagger. Grandma gave each a fun bucket filled with stuff including sunglasses. Word.
Happy Easter!

Joe's Six

Joe Joe Matthew O. turned 6! He was way excited about his birthday.



So were his sisters. Clara can't handle the excitement.

He wanted all things Star Wars. He's happy.

He had a Star Wars party with friends. They had light sabers, a jumping thing (thanks to our friends the Daniels) they even got to beat a Darth Vader pinata.

And of coarse there was a cake decorated by Ruby.

It seems that they might of liked it. Clara's mouth can get about three times bigger (just believe me) They also enjoyed a drink of either mud from Yoda's planet (chocolate milk) or Yoda Juice (lime sherbet and Sprite) YUM!

Then on to presents where he got more Star Wars stuff. He was in heaven! He got a least four Lego Star Wars kits sooo....

They put them together.

It is super fun to have a six year old little boy. He is the sweetest and has the most energy of anybody and anything I have ever come across. Love ya Joe!

Daddy Camping

Matt took the kids camping over Spring Break. His friend Todd and his little girl Lucy went too. They all had so much fun that the kids (especially Clara) keep asking to go again just about every weekend. Matt takes the kids by himself camping all the time but this time it was extra special with Todd and Lucy (who my kids are convinced is their cousin, why not :)

Here are the pictures that came back..... I believe this is the last time you see the children with shoes on.


They play in the water...


...and the sand.

They climb the trees...


...and swing from them.

They do a little hiking...

...and a little resting.

Most of all they had "lots and lots and lots and lots of fun!"