A Day to Remember!

As you can probably tell by the pictures, we were sealed in the Rexburg, ID Temple. It was a georgous day! The sun was shining so bright... it was hard to keep our eyes open in the pictures.

Trip to Idaho!

We celebrated quite a few things while visiting this time... Krew's 2nd B-Day, Cole's Blessing & my B-Day. We left Saturday afternoon and stayed until Monday night! We got to visit both sides of the family and I had a great B-Day!! The kids went off track Friday, so we didn't need to come back for school and Matt took a day off work! He got up before me (Monday) and cooked breakfast, later we went to lunch while G-ma & G-pa watched the kids, then Matt & I went to Derma Chic with G-ma to have a microdermabrasion (me) and get Lasered (Matt's first time hehe). Then we went bowling! Then dinner at G-ma's and yummy Ice Cream Cake! It was so much fun and I'm glad we stayed the extra day! :-)

Do you see him?

G-ma and the kids made these bird houses at Christmas time! I'm sure the squirrel is thanking them!!!

hApPy bIrThDaY!!!

I asked Matt what he wanted for dinner, he said Lasagna. Why Lasagna? He said because that's what he would ask for when he was little (weird) because he didn't want to be like every one else and say Pizza... So Lasagna it is. Homemade might I add! It was late since he had to work and he was at the church for 2 hours for a meeting. I had the kids wrap a shirt and gum... he got to open a X-box 360 a couple weeks early and he got him a nice pair of running shoes the day before. And I made a "Better than Disney Land Cake" (yes we changed the name)...

Here he is thinking he's pretty hot stuff because he blew all the candles out... I didn't even put 28 candles on it. So, it doesn't count!

I like this picture... see Jessica and Josh looking at him.

Field Trip!

Justin's preschool class went to Treehouse Museum for a field trip. It was a lot of fun.. for them! It was tricky to keep an eye on them since they went from one thing to another so quick. Here's a few pictures I got of them playing...

Happy Valentines Day!

The boys had a party at school, Justin on Thursday - Josh & Jaren on Friday. They played games, decorated cookies and brought home lots of candy. They thought it was the best! Friday night I picked up a heart shaped Pizza from Papa Murphy's and a movie for Matt & I. I got Fireproof because I didn't know what to get. We liked it, it was a good Tara-Valentine's Day-flick. Before the kids went to bed we played Don't Eat Pete! Jess wasn't so sure about it. She couldn't figure out why we were yelling Don't Eat Pete and did not want to play! Saturday was pretty normal... we cleaned, drove to SLC to visit G-ma & G-pa because they missed their flight, then we went grocery shopping. We've been spending more time at home with the kids and not so much going out. So that at the end of the month we don't wonder where all the money went. Just like the chocolate (best chocolate ever) and flowers that we don't need, 100 bucks goes quickly between a babysitter and date. So we are finding fun things to do at home with each other! The kids are playing, since there isn't school today. We'll probably go play in the snow in a bit, clean up the house, give the boys a haircut, make dinner and have family home evening. Unfortunately Matt didn't get Presidents Day off, so he's having a boring day at work...

:-)

I found this website today, you can create any word you want.

We are doing good! Josh & Jaren have early out at 1:15 each day this week for Parent - Teacher Conference. Friday their school announced they will be switching to the Traditional schedule next year. We were getting use to having little breaks, to take swimming lessons or a family vacation. But we're happy with traditional too. We are excited to be able to have a longer summer and not be off for a month during the winter! I'll try to write more later when I have more time.....

Am I a Fireman Yet?

My friend emailed this to me. I wanted to post it on here, it's a really cute story. You might want to grab a tissue....

In Phoenix , Arizona , a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true. She took her son' s hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" Mom, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true." Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, "We can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast." Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?" About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window ---16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?'' Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and The angels have been singing." He closed his eyes one last time.

The smell of home made bread...

For the last few months Matt and I have been making bread. We use his Mom's recipe, which we love. It's so good and the best part is... it's easy! Especially right out of the oven! yum.... Warm bread with butter & home made frozen strawberry jam! One batch makes 4 loaves and normally lasts us a week. My bread pans are my Grandma's, that's what I wanted when she died. We first bought a wheat grinder, then some wheat and we had to get a Bosch since there is no other way to make bread (easy that is) with out one. Now I need to get creative and make something other than Honey Whole Wheat Bread and Banana Bread. :-)

Honey Wheat Bread

5 1/2 c. hot water

2/3 c. oil

2/3 c. honey

2 Tbs. salt

3 Tbs. Instant yeast

11-14 c. whole-wheat flour

-Optional -

The bread turns out a little less crummy if these are added...

2 Tbs Vital Wheat Gluten

2 Tbs Dough Enhancer

Mix first 4 ingredients. Add 1 or 2 cups of flour before adding the yeast, in case the water is to hot - so it doesn't kill the yeast. Add flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of mixing bowl. It is better to have dough a little sticky than too dry. Turn to speed 2 and mix for 10 - 15 min. I grease the pans with Crisco while the dough is mixing. Oil the counter top, divide dough, shape into loaves and put in pans . Cover with a dish towel and let rise on counter for 30 min or until doubled in size. Bake at 350 for 30-40 min.

Sledding!!!

Saturday we went Sledding at Monte Cristo with some friends and neighbors. We had a great time and the kids wanted to stay longer! It was a really nice day too, not to cold.

One more Christmas Pic...

Our Christmas Jammies! Matt's Mom took this, so I

stole it off her blog!

Sledding at the Park!

Josh made it down the hill without falling!

Jessica having as much fun as her brothers! The hill was perfect size for all of them, not to big and not too small. I got to stand and watch most of the time. :)

Justin was hilarious!!! Watch at the end when he rolls.

Justin again... jumping on his board, then rolling!!! Funny Kid!

Jaren found a little jump:)

Pictures...

Hi Mom!

Jaren showing us some moves!

I took this when we were leaving.

Our Christmas...

The Saturday before Christmas we went to Temple Square with Matt's little brother and family, Nate, Sara & Krew. Jessica was cute... she said this is a 'differenter' temple. We always drive by the Rexburg Temple when we go to Matt's Parent's house and that is when they know we are just about to Grandma's. After a cold visit to temple square we watched a movie with Nate and Sara and hung out the next day. Sara & Krew went home Sunday night and Nate stuck around so he and Matt could head to San Diego Monday Night. They braved the icy roads and made it in time to watch the Boise State game then turned around and headed back to Utah, where they picked the Kids and I up and we headed for Idaho to spend Christmas with Matt's family.

~Click slideshow to view bigger pics~

G-ma & G-pa drove the grandkids around to look at Christmas lights. We opened our Christmas Jammies, and after the kids were in bed we played a white elephant gift exchange. Christmas morning, Grandpa was up shoveling the driveway before the kids woke up! We had fun hanging out, eating and playing with new toys:) We all went to watch Bedtime Stories at the movie theater that night. It's a really cute/funny show. We went sledding the next day, it was cold! I'm pretty sure it wasn't above 10 degrees and there was a lot of snow! Before we knew it, Sunday came and after church it was time to head home.

* Sledding Videos *

Finding things to do...

Josh and Jaren are off track so I've been finding things for us to do online. These are a few of the cuter pages I've found. They've been off track since the 25th of November and go back on the 5th of January. They've helped decorate the house and we sorted through the toys, threw some away and gave some to D.I. Played outside, but it's not as fun when it's cold and there is no snow. They have watched more TV than they need. I need to get some green crape paper so we can make a cute wreath I saw online. Justin has preschool twice a week and Jessica is already asking when she can go to school. :) Just wanted to write something so you knew we were still alive. The kids are very excited for Christmas to come... I wonder what Santa will bring!!!

4 x 4

--Rules --

1. Go to your pictures

2. Go to your 4th folder and upload your 4th picture

3. Post and tell about your picture

4. Tag 4 of your friends

This is Justin and this picture was taken on Saturday 4/2/2005. He turned 10 months the next day. We were living in TN and were on our way to Opry Mills Mall. Doesn't he look so cute?!?! I have a few more pics of this day....

This is one month I will always remember.... My Grandpa died on 4/6/05, four days after these pictures were taken. I flew home with the boys on the 10th (was stuck at the Denver Airport for 8 hours because of a snow storm) finally flew into SLC late that night... Deena (my sis) drove down to pick me up, but picked Lori (another sis) up and her husband stayed behind to wait for me. We stayed the night at their house and left the next morning for my G-pa's funeral. I took turns staying with my family and Matt's family for that month because Nate (Matt's little bro) was getting married in May. Matt was also offered a job in SLC in April that he interviewed for in March. He and his Dad packed up and moved all of our stuff the first part of June and Matt started his new job on June 6th. It was weird leaving TN with only a couple days notice and not going back. Funny how just one picture brings back so many memories.

Here are the boys at the airport. Being little and talkative they made quite a few friends that day. One lady had been to visit her grand kids and had bubbles in her purse!

If you're reading this... consider yourself tagged!

Leaves!

I was mowing the lawn today and the kids and I raked some leaves into a pile. You can see what they did next! Matt was busy cleaning up the garage and hanging Christmas lights.

Will this do for our family picture this year?

Pretty cute if I do say so myself... make one for your family here.

Happy Halloween!

Here's a few pictures of our crazy kids! It was a nice night so we went around to more houses than usual and when we were all finished the kids said their legs hurt from walking. :) They filled their bags and were excited to go threw them....Last Saturday I went with my friend, Joleen, to a trunk or treat then to our Ward Carnival that night. We had tons of fun! The boys had a class party at school too. I was actually in charge of Jaren's. Luckily for me Joleen was in charge of her daughters too. So I stole her ideas!

Field trip to the Pumpkin Farm!

Justin's Preschool went on a field trip to Black Island Farms on the 7th, Jess and I got to go with them. They had a lot of fun, but it wore them out.....we were there for 3 hours!




This is pretty funny... notice the pigs have a colored strip down their back.

Playing at Lagoon!

Our friends Mike & Jenise came down with their kids to go to Lagoon on Saturday. This was our first time going. The kids had a blast!

New Floor!

We've had white carpet in our living/dining room and with 4 kids it does not stay clean. Matt & I have talked about ripping the carpet up and putting in something else for quite a while. Here it is... We love it! Good thing I've got a handy (and cute) husband!!! Sometime in the future we want to put tile where the linoleum is and paint.

Just playing in the snow...in October!

It snowed on Sunday! The kids were excited to go out and play in it! In this picture Justin and Justice (his friend & neighbor) are burying Josh with snow.

Looking out our front door.

What was left of our snow today...the boys each made a snow man.

Josh & Jaren's younger days...

The days of High School

A friend from High School tagged me a few weeks ago. One of my favorite things about blogging is finding old friends!!!

1. Did you date someone from your school?

Tara: Yes...and am now married to him. :)

Matt: Yep... I tricked her into marrying me.

2. What kind of car did you drive?

Tara: Either a brown & tan Ford Bronco II or a red Ford Escort, yes my Dad is a Ford guy. :)

Matt: 1968 Chev flatbed truck primer brown and white with a hint of rust.

3. Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try?

Tara: ummm, I think you could only miss 5....I think I missed 6. If I remember right. It's been a while, I can't really remember!

Matt: Yes

4. Were you a party animal?

Tara: nope.

Matt: I would call myself a moderate here. More then some, less then others.

5. Were you considered a flirt?

Tara: no, I wasn't very outgoing....pretty shy.

Matt: There was this one girl in my 10th grade biology class... I doubt she remembers me.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?

Tara: Band in 6th grade - I played the alto saxophone, then choir in 7th and 8th....nothing in high school.

Matt: Trombone in 6th and 7th, I wasn't very good.

7. Were you a nerd?

Tara: No....not really popular either though.

Matt: Wasn't then, probably am now though.

8. Were you on any varsity teams?

Tara: No. I tried out for the softball team with my friends Mandy and Mindy. Mandy and I didn't make it and Mindy did...Mandy and I wanted to make it and I don't think Mindy was trying but made it....go figure.

Matt: No

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?

Tara: no

Matt: let me see...

10. Can you still sing the fight song?

Tara: not sure I even know it now???

Matt: Most of it.

11. Who were your favorite teachers?

Tara: I might have to think about that one...

Matt: Mrs. Fullmer, Corey Telford, The Chemistry teacher (i forget his name) there may be a few others but I guess they weren't good enough to be remembered. Do you want my list of unfavorite teachers?

12. Where did you sit during lunch?

Tara: Wendy's, McDonald's or Subway.

Matt: Parking lot behind Kmart...

13. What is your schools full name?

Tara: Madison High School

Matt: Madison High School

14. School mascot and colors?

Tara: Bobcat - red, white and gray.

Matt: Bobcat - red, white and gray.

15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with?

Tara: Yeah...I went to most of the dances. I went with Matt my senior year.

Matt: Yes, with Tara.

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you?

Tara: Do I want to, No - but would I change anything, probably.

Matt: Nope, probably didn't do it best but don't mind where it got me.

17. What do you remember most about graduation?

Tara: nothing really stands out.

Matt: That they gave us a pat down before we were allowed to be seated.

18. Where did you go senior skip day?

Tara: We didn't have one.

Matt: Huh?

19. Were you in any clubs?

Tara: No

Matt: No

20. Have you gained some weight since then?

Tara: Yeah...

Matt: Yes

21. Who was your prom date?

Tara: Matt!

Matt: Tara

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?

Tara: Probably, If I don't have anything better to do.

Matt: I may come up with something better to do.

23. Did you have a job while in high school?

Tara: Yes....I was a waitress at Frontier Pies

Matt: Yes

Tara: I tag Mandy, Tayla, Lynsey, Sara....and anyone else who wants to!

Matt: I tag my dad