Monday, October 19, 2009

Should I back track?

I haven't blogged in a LONG time but decided I might try to jump on the bandwagon again. I think for now, I will just blog about our FaBuLoUs Saturday, and then add some other things we have done over the past couple of months later.
This past Saturday, the weather was supposed to be phenomenal, so I thought it would be fun to go out on a little hike, or go see the water falls up Provo Canyon. So we did just that. Halle was a bit of a pill at first. She was so cranky and ornery, but by the time we were about done, we finally got some smiles out of that little lady.
After walking the trail for a minute, we made it to the falls, and then of course, Damon wanted nothing more than to hike up to the top... Halle was having none of that, throwing yet another tantrum, so Damon and Joe got to do the hike without us girlies. If you look very closely, you can see the rugged boys on the side of the waterfall.
And this is what PrInCeSs Halle looked like down below as I tried, unsuccessfully, to convince her that we were having fun! (Check out that tear rolling down her cheek!)

As Joe and Damon hiked back down the mountain, Halle and I walked up a small hill and met them. We "tried" to pose the kids on the rocks and get some good pictures... This is as good as it gets people! Joe was in the background throwing leaves in the air to make it look like they were falling in motion on the kiddo's... but none of those pics are the greatest darn it all!After our small hikes, we walked back along the trail which was to lead us to our truck... along the way we all played and wrestled in the leaves, and I am happy to say that Joe finally got Hal-Bal happy and hyper!And now I would just like to announce, that ornery or not, I by far have the world's cutest kids. The End!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Just some DANG cute pictures...

Haven't blogged in FOREVER... But thought some cute pics of the kids for the Aunts and Grandparents was much needed...


Halle has mad skills on the wiggle car...



Damon LOVED playing in the black chalk like substance left behind from those growing snakes...


Halle wasn't too impressed with the "snake" display...


Damon got to meet The Jazz Bear... He was in 7th Heaven!

Man these kids are cute... how did I get so lucky that they get to be all MINE!?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The Big Two Nine

HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY DADDY (Joe)!!!

WE LOVE YOU!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

A Hairy Situation

I have been learning how to do some pretty FANCY SHMANCY hairstyles on Halle. This is what her hair looked like the other night as we took it out before she went to bed. (Everytime Damon sees these pictures, he gets giggling so hard that he can't catch his breath and tears are rolling down his cheeks! )


What a kissable face!!!

What a STUD!

My little baby boy is growing up. He got his first bike recently, and is so cute riding it up and down the street. He is so dang proud of himself... and as his mom, I am pretty proud of the little guy too! It kind of brings tears to my eyes though, seeing how fist they grow up!


I didn't notice this at the time, but looking at this pictures I was giggling pretty hard when I noticed how "matchy matchy" Damon and his new bike were. All's I noticed as I was taking the pictures was, "oh I have got to stop letting Damon dress himself"... Kind of funny that his bike is Orange and Blue, and so it his get up.

Our family hike to the Pot Farm... yes you read right!

.... So a Pot (Marijuanna) Farm was discovered and busted up a canyon in sweet little Ephraim not too long ago. Over Memorial Day weekend, our family along with Joe's parents, and his brother and kiddo's decided to take the "short" 4-Wheeler ride and hike to see where the Pot Farm had been.... The short trip turned into a 4 hour excursion. After 4-wheeling up to the point where I was told would only be a 100 yard walk right to the old Marijuanna Farm was a little bit more than Eileen (Joe's mom), all the kids, and I bargained for. It was hiking up and down a mountain side of THICK oak and pine. I guess it is a good story however to say that I have been to a raided Pot Farm. Good memories...
This picture was after we parked the 4-wheelers, and took a look at the GPS getting started on our trek through the lush Mountains.

Playing follow the leader as we started on our journey...

Just a little example of what we were hiking through to get to this much desired place...

And at the Pot Farm, Joe had a blast pushing down dead trees.

Us posing with the water pipe that is still up there. It was amazing to see all of the things the men had taken up to the mountain to grow the Marijuanna. There were hoses and sprinklers and pipe. There were many huge areas where trees had been completely whacked out leaving plenty of room for 'Pot growing' to happen... (don't mind how utterly attractive we all look after hiking, falling, sweating, and being scratched during our hike).

This must be a hut or where someone stayed as they were tending to their precious Marijuanna plants!

I don't know that I would ever want to make this trek again unless we could find an easier way into it... but it was a cool experience and kinda neat to say I went and saw it! And to think I almost stayed back at my in-laws house...

Our Dam Trip....

There were a lot of happy Dam tourists, and Dam workers everywhere. Tons of Dam water. Quite a bit of Dam walking. We had to park on the 6th floor of the Dam parking lot, and take the Dam elevators down. We got some souveniers at the Dam giftshop. I recommend this Dam trip to anyone who is already headed to Vegas! Quite the Dam experience to see if I do say so. And yes... I think I am Dam hilarious!


Friday, May 29, 2009

One Year Ago Today....

Today is definitely a day worth sitting, reflecting, and being greatful. Two years ago, I was 5 months pregnant, with an 18 month old, sending my husband off to Iraq. And one year ago TODAY (Click here), Joe returned home from Iraq. I tell ya, a year ago today I was a wreck. I was completely sick to my stomach, and had no clue what life was about to bring... That may sound weird, but seriously, imagine living on your own for a year (and not just living alone, but having to finally adjust to living alone just in time for your other half to return)... doing things your way, making the executive decision on things, getting the remote (ha ha), the bed, the car, the kids, literally [everything] all to yourself. Believe me, I am not bragging... I was LONELY, but that last year had just become a way of life for me, and I was scared, yet extremely excited to return to having another adult in the house. I was mainly excited to have actual adult conversation in the evening times, over dinner, or after the kids had gone to bed...

Well, Joe has now officially been home for ONE year. Not saying that we haven't had our ups and downs during the year... And not saying that I don't once again just take him being here for granted... But I did want to take this time to tell Joe that I am greatful for what he did over in Iraq. And I am even more greatful to have him back home with us. There are still some mornings when Damon wakes up after Joe has taken off to work, and he worriedly comes and asks me if Dad is in Iraq again... But I can always calmly let him know that Dad is just at work and will be home after 5.

So here's to ONE YEAR LATER!!! I know I can get frustrated and ornery, but Joe, I really am the happiest woman alive to have you around. Everything is just better having you around from the small little tasks to the big things like the holidays and our kids. Thanks for being here! Halle, Damon and I adore you!

Here's to one hell of a year!
** Joe, just to show my love and appreciation for you, you are also entitled to a family night at any Chinese Buffet of your choice compliments of the Preschool. Love you!

Friday, April 24, 2009

My... what a big nose you have...

This is the best picture I could get of Halle before she voluntarily ripped off the glasses and hair bows that Joe had so lovingly placed on her! Had me cracking up though!

Look Closely in the Tree....

In case you can't see them... it's just the D-Train and Hal hiding....

Nothing to be scared of here!

For the Grandparents...

I know this is incredibly late, but here are the Hal-Bal, and D-Train all dazzled up in their new Easter outfits. I think they are very possibly the two cutest kids in the entire world.... And I think they couldn't look cuter if they tried in their new Sunday outfits. So Grandma and Grandpa (with the cat and with the farm).... Here are some updated pics of the little crazies!

I liked the sequence of the pictures..... 1) Posing.... 2) Going....

3) Gone!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Just Makes Me Giggle...

The other morning... Halle woke up, put on Damon's old church shoes, and just started shuffleing around the house! She has EXTREME bed head, and looks silly as can be, but she's mine, and I'll take her, cause daily, she can just make me giggle!

Trip to the ZOO... Do you measure up?


We had some stuff to do up in Salt Lake last Friday, so once we were done we figured why not go check out the Zoo. I will tell you why not.... Cause the Zoo still charges full price even if they only have half of their animals out! Oh well, we still had a fun time and the kids loved running around. These days I can't get the kids to stand good together for 2 seconds so I can get a decent picture of them, so don't mind the silly pictures....

The Warthogs (in the back... not Joe and Halle... he he.)

Damon and Halle playing on the brass Tigers.

Damon looking at the Camal's backside!!!

And here are the long horned Goats.

The Stinky Giraffes....

Other than a brown bear, and some monkeys, this is about all the animals that were out for our viewing pleasure that day! NO JOKE! Kids can make any experience fun though!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Saint Patty's Day!

From the cutest little Leprechaun alive!!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Tiny Scholars Preschool

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am now enrolling preschool students for the 2009-2010 school year. I will have a morning and afternoon class three days a week. The cost is $70 per month. I am licenced, certified, and insured. I offer a a learning environment that incorporates developmentally appropriate practices... including *Learning centers (art, sensory, dramatic play, library, science, etc.) This will be a fun learning experience filled with field trips, active play/social interaction, number/letter recognition, reading and songs, and many other activities centered around getting your child ready for kindergarten. If you or anyone you know is interested, please feel free to leave me a comment on the blog. If you do not have an account to sign in with, please leave me a comment using the anonymous feature, and just tell me who you are at the end of your comment! This will be my second year of teaching preschool in Santaquin, and I am looking forward to all that it will bring. Check out Tiny Scholars Preschool by clicking here!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

4-Wheelin' Fun

A couple of weeks ago, we headed out west a little ways and did some 4-wheeling. It was a fun day.... Our short ride turned into 3 hours.... Damon sacked out (YES, he fell asleep) as we were still on the ride, and Halle was screaming... But hey, it was a good memory and experience. I have never been so muddy in my life!



*** I have to admit, that I love being married to Joe... country boy at heart... who gets us doing all these things which I... weirdo at heart, had never even tried!