Prepare Every Needful Thing

Today at church we were reminded of the importance of preparedness and self reliance. This has been on my mind a lot lately. So it hit home with our sacrament meeting message of temporal, financial and spiritual preparedness. In Sunday school we had a combined meeting with the men and women about being ready with our food storage and other needs to take care of our families in case of any sort of emergency. As natural disasters, and otherwise, happen around us, I take comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Father has given us the proper tools and resources to prepare for whatever will come. We are in the last days before our Savior will come back. I know that if we are prepared physically and spiritually, we will be ready for that day. We are here at this time for a reason. I hope I can prepare my children for what lies ahead for them in their lives. I saw this clip from Youtube on my friend's blog and wanted to post it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqaesQ2EE8w

Weddings, Baptisms and Anniversaries

I am honored that I have been asked to take pictures of a family in our ward for their parent's 50th wedding anniversary, their daughter's baptism, and their new grandchildren. This is the same family that I was able to be a part of their daughter's wedding. I am thankful for the church and for my ward family. I have had the honor of being an intimate part of this family's life that I deeply respect. Today I was able to take pictures of their entire family of almost 40 people! Their were four generations that I photographed. It was satisfying to be see this amazing family and their dynamics with one another. Thank you for letting me be a part of your special events. It makes me look forward to the wonderful memories I will make with my children. I hope they don't mind if I share a FEW of my favorites...(for now)...

Football Season Begins

This post is for Kent.
I really don't have much to say, except maybe "I'll see you next spring, Kent."
GO COUGARS!

GO GATORS!

Happy Birthday, Wally

I couldn't ask for a better man for my sister. He is gentle, caring and fun. Thank you Wally for putting up with me. I am thankful Camille has you in her life. You are a great addition to our family. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. You deserve it.

A Morning on the Farm

Today a friend invited our play group over to her house to spend some time on her farm. The kids had a great time playing in the chicken coop, riding the miniature horse, and petting the cat.

Meet Your Teacher

Tonight we went to Ethan's brand new elementary school to meet his teacher.

We saw Daniel there too. Ethan was excited to see someone he knew. We actually ran into a few of Ethan's friends so he is really looking forward to school now.

This is Ethan's teacher, Mrs. Armendariz. Ethan is enrolled in the dual language program at school. This means they will speak the "language of the day" every other day. English will be one day and Spanish the next. I am nervous and excited to see Ethan try to learn a new language. I just hope he will keep up in his subjects. Reading, and math will be done in English, while Science, Health, and Social Studies will be in Spanish. What a neat opportunity for Ethan. His teacher is very warm and loving. I know she will be a great teacher.

By the end of our visit, Ethan felt comfortable and ready to start school.
Ella loved being at the school. She hopped up in the desk and started coloring. Her favorite part, though, had to be the ice cream bars they gave all the kids on the way out.

When school begins

With Ethan beginning Kindergarten next week, I've been getting nervous about what to do with Ella all day. Ethan will be gone between 8:30 and 4:00 every day. Ella loves Ethan so much and constantly wants to be doing whatever he is doing. I am so glad that he is here to entertain her when I have things to get done. Today we went to Burger King for them to play and it hit me that I only have a week left until I am on my own! I don't know if I'm ready for this. Ethan is ready for more stimulation (he is so BORED), but selfishly, I need him here to play with Ella! Today, as I am working on things for the dental clinic, Ethan came over and said, "Mom, you are going to be so proud of this..." then he went on to tell me that Ella was falling asleep, so he carried her into her bed and put the blankets over her so she could take her nap!! Wow! I'm not sure he can leave me here alone! He's my little helper boy.
I saw this tractor on the way home from Burger King and had to take a picture of it.

Surprise Visit

Last night we had some surprise visitors... my parents! They went on a road trip with another couple that served in with them in Fiji. They drove from Utah to Montana, then up to Canada, then over to Seattle. On their way back to Utah, they decided to stop in on little ol' Sunnyside for the night. They hit the road early this morning but we feel lucky to have been able to spend some time together. The kids loved it. Ethan showed them all the games he can play on the Wii, while Ella made them play trains and babies. We love you Grandma and Grandpa. Come again soon!

Happy Birthday Tyson

Today is our nephew, Tyson's, 8th birthday. Isn't he handsome? This is such a special birthday year for him, since he has made the choice to be baptized. We have such a great time whenever we see Tyson. Too bad he lives in China. We miss you! Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Tyson

I can't believe Tyson is growing up and turning eight-years-old. When I married Kent he was just a baby. I am so thankful to be lucky enough to be his aunt. Happy Birthday, Tyson. We are so proud of you for making the choice to baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. We wish we could come to China and see you!

Happy Birthday Afton!

Today Afton is turning 4! I can't believe how big she is getting. She has the most darling blonde hair with beautiful brown eyes. Happy Birthday! We love you!

Sunday evening stroll

Tonight we took Paris and Pierre (Reagran's dogs) on a walk.
Can you tell Ella got a hair cut? Kent wanted her to have a bob. It makes her look like such a little girl instead of a baby. It really fits her personality.

A morning with the stylist

This morning Ethan decided he would be the good big brother that he is and comb Ella's hair for her. Not only was he going to gid rid of the snarls (good luck, buddy), he was going to curl it with the comb. Well, needless to say I had to work the comb out for about 25 minutes.


I started losing hope and called Ella's stylist, Lucy (Kathy's mom), to see what she suggested. We went over to Kathy's and Lucy worked her magic for another little bit and we didn't have to cut a single hair! Thanks, Lucy! You are miracle worker!

Phone Home

One week ago today, I lost my phone in the couch. I had turned the couch over, torn off all the cushions, searched every possible nook and cranny. I had the neighbor kids help me look, even Kent looked! After seven days without it, I was almost to the point of believing I'd been robbed. It seemed the only likely option left. It made sense- someone came in after I went to bed, stole my phone from the couch cushion and then left, locking the door behind them. Where else could it have gone? Well, Reagran said she was coming over to help me find it. I told her I already had everyone look for it. She insisted. After looking over the couch another time, we didn't see anything. As we were putting the couch back in its place, Reagran kicked something on the ground and looked down to see my phone on the carpet in plain sight. Hmmm. This is the second time I have lost my phone to the couch and Reagran has found it, easily, after everyone else has searched and searched. She is my lifesaver! Thank you! Wherever my little friend was at over the last seven days, welcome back.

You're Burnin' the Chow!

Today the kids and I watched "Robin Hood." It took me way back to when my bestest friend, Nicole, and I used to watch this movie all the time. This post is for you Nicole. I love ya, girl!

"Who is drivin' this flying umbrella?"
"P.J.? I like it! Hiss? Put that on my luggage."

Train Stop

Reagran and I took Annie and her friends to some tracks here in town that have some great train cars with graffiti on them. Just another fun day behind my camera! Here are just a FEW of the shots.

Twilight Movie

I just read that the Twilight movie release date has been bumped up to November 21st! Kent, that means we already have something planned for our anniversary! (let me clarify- he does NOT want to go with me, so that was sarcastic). I watched the trailer (a couple different ones) and I cannot wait! After having such a fabulous day last week I had to go back and start the saga over. I just finished Twilight tonight and I am back to my original obsession that I had last summer. To drool with me, check out this website-

http://twilightthemovie.com

Brent's Bowling Birthday

Brent's birthday party was Friday night and it was awesome! Erin worked so hard and it was a success. She turned her house into a bowling alley.
The guests bowled on the Wii and ate at "The Big 3-0 Snack Shack." A menu that hung on the wall with lots of items to choose from starting with the "Open Wide Burger" to the "Bowling for Bacon Burger" not to mention Spicy "Wiings" and shakes for dessert. It was so much fun to help her out. We both had little aprons on (and matching outfits- not even planned!). I took the orders with my little note pad and then stuck them to the wall where Erin was putting the orders together. She served them in little plastic baskets with tissue papers in them. She thought of every detail, right down to the pickle spear and fry sauce. Erin worked so hard making "Mii" characters for everyone at the party and hung them on balloons around them room. It was fun to see people trying to find their own little Mii person. Kent came to the party later than I did, with my camera, and I was too busy taking orders to take pictures. These are a few pictures that Erin took. I'm sad I don't have a picture of the birthday boy! Happy Birthday, Brent. I hope you had as much fun at your party as I did!

If I were a writer...

Only if I were a writer, could I put into words how wonderful my yesterday was. I went with two of my good friends to Seattle for the day and then to the best little book signing (over 2,000 people). We arrived in Seattle in the early afternoon, giving us time to go out to eat at a delicious Thai restaurant.
After lunch, we walked around the pier for a bit.
Becky and I got a free ride on a bicycle taxi!Then we spent some time at Pike's Place Market
We walked around just long enough to give Reagran some massive blisters with her new (fabulous)red shoes. She forgot about her pain when we arrived at the concert hall. She was so nervous to meet Stephenie that I thought she might throw up or faint. Luckily she was able to relax before that actually happened. We had so much fun at the concert.

Listening to Stephenie talk about the book, and to hear the music, played live by the lead singer of by Blue October, that inspired some of her character's actions was so amazing. We waited in a huge line after the concert to get our books signed. It was weird to meet someone for the first time that you feel you already know. I had to remind myself that she didn't know me and that we aren't best friends- Darn!!!
After the concert we went to get burgers and dessert before our drive home. What a wonderful day! Thank you, Reagran for a very thoughtful birthday gift. It is one I will never forget. Rock on!
Speaking of rocking on- I wanted to just make a note of how awesome Justin Furstenfeld is. You might recognize his song "Hate Me" on the radio. That is just one of many moving songs. Watching him perform was so touching. He sings with such emotion in every song. He played his acoustic guitar which made it that much more personal. Stephenie talked about "Hate Me" being the song that Edward would sing to Bella in "New Moon" in the meadow. Wow! Listen to that song now- it lets you know exactly how Edward felt when he left. The first two songs on my playlist are a couple of my favorites by Blue October.


Since this kind of day doesn't happen to me often enough, I wanted to put ALL of my pictures up. I just had too much fun!