Haircuts for Phoebe and Booba

What do you do when your three year old cuts her hair and your two year old freaks out every time you get close to him with the buzzer? Well for awhile I did nothing and let them look like motherless children. But on the 24th enough was enough! (And plus I had a coupon!) We went to Cookie Cutters and Phoebe got the cutest Bob! The hair that she cut is now the length of the Bob so it worked out. Booba still didn't like it but the hairdresser persevered while I held his head still. And plus both of them did well with a little friendly bribery. It's called a balloon, a sucker, a video, a ride in a car. I think we'll be going there again.

Halloween 2008

Here is Haley as the Cave Woman and her friends Maddie, Rachel, Allie, Emily, Claire and Macayla

Booba as Pooh Bear
Phoebe as Belle, Ellie as Ariel, Olivia a mermaid, Meg as Tracy Turnblad ("Hairspray"), and Anna as Cleopatra

Michael as The Cereal Killer, Jon as the Hobo, Jake as a pirate Skeleton, Chase as Merlin and Taylor as a really scary monster (Booba didn't like him. Too scary!)

Ah, Good Times!

Booba is going on a boat ride!

Who needs toys when you have cardboard boxes!

Snowbird

Our family went to snowbird. We celebrated boobas birthday. This is him getting a motorcycle

One night Jake was just messing around on the guitar so John took this video. Jake has really improved since he began lessons. Way to go Jake!

Random Pics of the Kids

I don't have much to post so I thought I would post some pics I like of the kids. Aren't they cute!

Booba at the piano

Booba is our child prodigy!

Way too salty!

We went to California to visit with my mom and aunt and we also did some fun stuff. We went to the beach and to the K1 speed indoor go-karting. It was a lot of fun. Every time I see these pictures I laugh. This is Meg. She swallowed some water right before she got out. Way too salty!

California beach

UEA Weekend 2008

We went down to our house in St. George and had a great time although we wished it was longer. We left late on Wednesday which turned out to be a good thing because we didn't hear the question "Are we there yet?" because all the kids fell asleep. On Thursday we hung out and went to the new Washington County Rec Center and swam. It was fun. On Friday Haley and I went exercising. Upon our return John and Jake were busy installing a new water softener. That was so great of them except for one thing: the water was turned off until they were finished. So there I sat not having showered. I decided that I would watch an episode of a series that I got hooked on last year, "Ugly Betty." But of course as soon as I turned it on all the kids came over to watch with me. But they don't really watch. They talk! So that means I can't hear anything and I don't know what is going on. So then I turn it off and do something else. Such is my life these days. On Saturday Haley and I went excercising again. It is so great to have a buddy to go with. In the afternoon we went to the Rec center pool again and met up with the Shumways, friends from our ward. Later on they came over for dinner. The Wallace's, also good friends, came over as well. The party lasted until 11:30. Overall the weekend went by way too fast but we had a great time.

UEA Weekend 2008

Projects on a beautiful Saturday Afternoon

Jake needed to work on his Egypt project for school. He did a pyramid diorama. The finished product looks good.

While Jake did his project, the other kids decided to paint. No that is not blood on Booba's face, but red paint!

At the ward talent show in September we were entertained by piano solos, piano duets, jokes, a violin solo, a guitar song, and fantastic bell choir! It was so much fun and I was a proud parent. And I was in awe of all the great talent in our ward. Jacob sang and played the guitar- a song called "Bad Day" by Daniel Poweter. Meg did a piano solo. Ellie joined with Dru and Anthony and performed "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" with bells. Phoebe and Olivia performed "Mary had a little Lamb" with bells. They all did excellent.

First Day of Kindergarten

The first day of school started with excitement. Especially for Ellie and her friends Dru and Emma. They were accompanied by siblings and parents. Now they have been in school for two months and are doing really well.

Ellie is learning to read! It is so exciting as a parent to watch and be a part of it. Way to go Ellie!

Work in Holland

Dalton and Greg's Missionary Farewell

Today in Sacrament meeting we were well taught by two fine young men, Dalton Wallace and Greg Shumway. They are leaving very soon for Italy and Switzerland respectively. The people of Italy and Switzerland will be so blessed to have them there. They have been well prepared by their mothers and family and leaders and I am glad to be associated with them and their families. I am grateful for their great personalities and for their testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I view them as modern day heroes because of their willingness to follow our Savior and obey Him. They have impacted our lives for good, especially our son, Jacob. Someday he will be at the age where he can serve a mission and I am grateful to Dalton and Greg for going on before and being good examples to Jacob. I am also impressed by their families. I want so much to raise my children in righteousness and I look to these people as my examples. I want to incorporate all their good deeds into my home. There are many people that I know that are heroes to me but today I pay tribute to Dalton and Greg. And to quote a Tongan missionary movie, " The Other Side of Heaven" I say to them " Hurrah for Israel!"

Booba's Birthday

Booba's birthday is September 28 and we didn't celebrate because John was in Holland for work. So we finally did it yesterday. We have a timeshare up at Snowbird and we had dinner and cake and ice cream. But the highlight for us all was watching Booba's face light up when he saw his presents. He got 3 motorcycle toys and got all excited. His favorite things in the world right now are motorcycles and keys. He loves to play with both. So much so that we have yet to find John's set of car keys!
Today John gave Booba a ride on the motorcycle. That just made him the happiest boy in the world.

Lake Powell

We were invited to Lake Powell by Derek, John's brother and Traci, Derek's wife. We left on Wednesday, October 1, and drove down to our St. George house. We were going to pick up John, who flew from Amsterdam, at the St. George airport. But instead John got to the house before we did so we met him there. We got up early on Thursday and drove two hours to Lake Powell. We had a great time relaxing, boating, eating, talking, watching movies and more boating. On Friday we went to Navajo Canyon and everyone except me, Phoebe and Booba hiked up a slot canyon. They swam through cascading pools to get to an old Indian dwelling. They had a fun adventure and I was really proud of Meg and Ellie making it through because it can be really tough in certain spots. On Saturday it rained most of the day so we didn't get to boat at all but we had a good time inside just chatting and getting to know each other better. We had a wonderful time and we are so grateful to have spent time with Derek, Traci, Ethen and Tyler. (Emily and Josh are on missions and Alta couldn't miss school.)

Busy Monday

The day started out with our son John, also affectionately called Booba, had his two year old well baby checkup. He is fit as a fiddle and progressing right on track. It is hard to believe that two years ago he was born prematurely and had to spend the first two weeks of his life in the NICU at LDS Hospital. He is a joy in our family and just tonight Meg said, "Mom, I'm glad you had him because he is so cute and fun." We will celebrate his birthday when John gets home from The Netherlands, his most recent work place. He is working for Abbott Labs and helping them with their software. He travels quite a bit and it sure is hard for all of us. But I digress. We left the doctor's office and went to Jenny Martin's to help Ellie and Dru practice their talent for the Primary Talent Show. More on that tomorrow. After we came home and had lunch, we all took naps which surprised me very much. Ellie must have been really tired and Phoebe took a nap because everyone else was. Then after school I took Jacob and Meg to the dentist. Not fun but necessary. Then came home, fixed dinner, practiced some more for the talent show, then went to bed. I am just so busy.

RS Broadcast

I got really busy with Saturday errands and chores that I didn't think I would make it to the dinner and the broadcast. I probably thought of a few excuses too. But I made it in time for the dinner and a little socializing and the watching. I am so glad I went because I left with a desire to be better and I didn't feel any guilt! I was impressed with Sister Beck's and Elder Uchtdorf's talks. They were full of the Spirit last night and I felt it. Now I look forward to general conference next weekend.

Wednesday Night's Dinner

I signed up with myfoodstoragedeals.com and tried out one of their recipes. It's called Tortilla White Bean Soup. All the kids loved it and it was pretty easy. Haley even asked for it again on Friday. I changed the recipe a little bit to my liking and I think I'll make it again soon.
Tortilla White Bean Soup
3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 15oz. cans Great Northern Beans, drained
8 oz. Pace Picante Salsa, chunky
2 cups shredded Colby cheese
1 tsp. Cumin
3 cans chicken broth
1 cup frozen corn

Throw all this into your slow cooker and simmer for at least 1 hour. Add just before you serve
1/4 cup fresh diced cilantro
1/2 fresh lime, squeezed

Garnish with:
corn chips
sour cream
guacamole or diced avocados

No more training wheels!

Ellie learned to ride her bike all by herself this week! She borrowed Emma Shumway's little bike and started to balance on it for a few feet then she would go further and further until she learned to ride. It only took a few minutes and I think she did it because she really wanted to learn. It's amazing how she learned because she had the desire. Way to go Ellie!

My First Marathon-Top of Utah in Logan

Starting last spring my friend Jenny Martin asked me if wanted to do a marathon with her. At first I said no because it really never entered my mind as something that I would want to do. But then I thought about it more and then talked to another friend, Lisa Adams, and then next thing I knew the three of us started to train for it. We originally tried to get into the St. George, Utah marathon but we didn't get in. Then we decided to do the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan. We trained spring and summer and finally ran the race yesterday, September 20, 2008. It was a beautiful setting and great weather and I had a great experience. I am grateful that I decided to do it. I wouldn't have done it without my training buddies to help me along the way. My time was 5:13. I think I would like to beat that time if I do it again- maybe the St. George next year. It was nice to have Haley, Jacob and Meg there along with Jenny's family and Paul Adams to support us along the road. They yelled and screamed words of encouragement. They were there at the bottom of the canyon and at four or five stops and then finally at the finish line. It helped me a lot. For the most part I felt good and I never hit "the wall". But at about mile 19 I started to feel tired and I wondered if I would be able to finish the race. I thought of Sister Elaine Dalton, the Young Women General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She gave a talk about how she ran the Boston Marathon and wore a shirt that said "Utah" on it. Somewhere in the race she hit the wall and did not feel she could go on. She heard so many spectators say, "Go Utah" or "It's okay Utah" or "Don't cry Utah". Then she said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father for help. In answer to her prayer, the words of a hymn came to her mind and helped her to go on. They were, "Fear not, I am with thee; Oh ,be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, Help thee and Cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand." I thought of that talk before and during the race but I could never remember the words of that song. But then when I struggled at mile 19, I said a silent prayer and then all of a sudden the words of the song came to me in my mind and I began to cry because I felt that Heavenly Father was with me and would help me finish the race. When I got close to the finish line Haley, Jacob and Meg ran in with me. After we got accross, I started to cry. I had this feeling of joy after having accomplished so much. I am grateful for that experience. It has taught me a lot.

California beach

We went to California to visit with my mom and aunt and we also did some fun stuff. We went to the beach and to the K1 speed indoor go-karting. It was a lot of fun. Every time I see these pictures I laugh. This is Meg. She swallowed some water right before she got out. Way too salty!

Welcome to our Family Blog

I have been looking at other people's blogs lately and said to myself, "Self, why don't you have a blog too?" Now I can have one more thing to do in my already busy life and I can try to keep a record of funny, quirky, memorable,happy happenings and moments that are going on in our lives. I will try to post as often as possible, probably late at night when the kids are sleeping. But for now I will post on the latest that is going on and then go back to other important things later. Right now may I introduce the family. Meet John, Desiree, Haley, Jacob, Meg, Ellie, Phoebe, and John. Today we left for our St.George house and tomorrow we will travel down to LA. John will finish up his work and we will visit Oma and T. Zus.