Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas this year as we celebrated at home with our kids. Bryan's parents joined us, along with his brother Chris and his new wife Robyn. My brother Steve came for the evening festivities and we all enjoyed some yummy fondue and Christmas cookies. We watched "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" (animated version), read the nativity story and the kids opened up new jammies. Trying to keep the kids' excitment contained to a reasonable level was the predicament of the evening. The next morning we started opening gifts at 7:30 and the kids were so excited that SANTA had come! He brought Kole a remote-control airplane, a Razor scooter and a basketball. Kamden got a tool set complete with a workbench, a Razor scooter and a basketball. Logan got a fun push toy with gadgets galore. Overall, I think that the morning was a success. We ate a yummy breakfast that included sausage souffle, muffins and orange juice. Oh, and did I mention the snow?! There was no question that we had a white Christmas. Maybe the whitest I'd ever seen! I was afraid we might never leave the house again...which could have been a problem considering we were supposed to drive to Logan that afternoon. Nevertheless, we made it there safely and spent a wonderful Christmas night with my Dad, Sandy,and sisters Jessica, Madison and Nicole. We hope everyone had a joyous holiday and want to wish you all a Happy New Year!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Real Santa

So right before the Ward Christmas party Kole came to me with a very concerned look on his face. He told me that he knew that the "real" Santa was not going to be at the party. I asked him how he knew this and he told me that Santa can not be in more than one place at a time and that his friend from school had already booked the "real" Santa for his Christmas party. (Apparently this kid has some sweet connections.) I could tell that Kole was in need of a little reassurance so I said that he was right and that Santa sometimes enlists special Santa "helpers" to fill in when he can't be there. I told him not to tell the little kids though cause they don't know the difference. I could just see the wheels turning in his head as this sense of pride came over him that he'd figured this out. So funny!

Happy Birthday Logan!

Well, its hard to believe that 1 year ago our youngest, Logan was born. Time goes so fast. He is such a sweet boy and is so much fun to have in our family. I remember how rediculously sad I was about not being pregnant with a girl our third time around. To look back at that seems so silly, especially since I wouldn't trade our Logan for a million girls! He is such a joy. He makes us laugh all the time with his super cheesy grin and unabashed appetite. He must get that from me. My mom told me that when I was a toddler I would hoard food. When my parents moved from their home in Long Beach, California I would have been around 1 1/2 or 2 years old. Apparently they found little stashes of food hidden all around the house. Ya know, a few cheerios, some crackers and stuff. I guess I was very concerned about a food shortage and wanted to be prepared. Anyway, here are some cute pics of Logan eating his chocolate birthday cake. Bryan has to work tonight so we celebrated last night instead. Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had such a great time sharing a delicious Thanksgiving with family. I was so grateful to be here in Utah and be able to share this holiday with so many people I love. We went to G&G Dillon's house where Bryan's sister was in town with her family and my brother Steve even came to eat and spend time with us. I was so thankful for a beautiful table that was set so gorgeous and all my favorite Thanksgiving fixins that tasted soooo good! It was such a wonderful day and really reminded me of all my bounteous blessings. We truly have so much to be grateful for. Here are just a FEW of the things I am thankful for:

1. My family. I have 3 beautiful boys and a great husband that does so much for us. He was even willing to work an extra job for awhile so we can put more money in savings. He is a wondeful example to me and to our boys. Love you honey!

2. My extended family (including siblings, and in-laws.) I have so many people who love and support me. I am so grateful for my brother and sisters who have babysat on many occasions without asking for a thing in return. I am also grateful for the many phone calls and visits from people who just want to check up and make sure I'm doing okay. You don't know how much that means to me.

3. My testimony. I have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the incredible knowledge I have of the Savior and of his plan for us. It is this knowledge that has kept me going through many tough times in my life. I don't know where I'd be in life without my testimony.

4. An income. In this daunting economy we are all struggling to live in, I am indeed grateful for Bryan's jobs and for mine with Lia Sophia. I know that there are a lot of people that have not been as fortunate as us and I am so grateful to have an income to take care of my family.

Love to you all and hope that your holidays are filled with joy!

Congrats Chris and Robyn!

Bryan's brother Chris got married on Saturday to Robyn Hanks. They met at BYU while both being a part of the ballroom dance team. We have had so much fun getting to know her over the past several months. She is a wonderful person and she brings out the best qualities in Chris. They are such a great match for each other and we were so happy to be able to be a part of their wedding. They got married in the Salt Lake Temple and had a beautiful reception at The Old Meeting House. Afterwards, they headed off to Moab for a few days before going to Albuquerque, New Mexio to be with her family for Thanksgiving and more wedding festivites. Congrats! We love you both!!!

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Discovery Gateway

Last Friday the kids and I (minus Kole who was in school) went with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law and my niece and nephew to Discovery Gateway in downtown Salt Lake. It was soooo much fun! The kids had a ball and I can't wait to go back and take Kole. Kamden's favorite part was the helicopter. If you are ever in the area, you should definitely check it out. It has plenty for the kiddos to do and when you're done, there's lots of great restaurants and shopping right there as well.

This One Came Out of the Vault...

This is a picture of Bryan and his sister Laura in the Canary Islands when they picked him up from his mission. (Also pictured: Jessica Hernandez, a friend of Bryan's.) We had to laugh at this one for 2 reasons:

#1. Look at what a twig Bryan was back in the day.

#2. This is the Laura we all know and love!

Don't you just love old photos?

Our Little "Helper"

Logan is quite the busy boy these days. In to everything! I really have a hard time keeping up with him. I have finally come to grips with the fact that with 3 busy boys my house is just not going to be clean sometimes. It has taken me a long time to accept this but I have learned to succumb to the beast which is my house. Oh well. Maybe someday it will be clean again..until then I give up!

The Warmest Halloween Ever!!!

We haven't celebrated Halloween in Utah since 2003 and we don't ever remember it being this warm, even in all the years we lived here growing up. It was about 70 degrees when the kids started trick-or-treating. Crazy right?! I didn't even make the kids wear jackets or coats over their costumes like we always had to. Its funny these days because the festivities begin several days before Halloween. I swear that when I was a kid, you got to wear your costume on Halloween and you couldn't go out until it was dark for trick-or-treating...and that was it. This year there was a trunk-or-treat/carnival with our ward (three days before), and then Kamden had a Halloween party at preschool (two days before), and THEN the big day came. Kole got to wear his costume (minus the mask) to school and then of course trick-or-treating. We had Bryan's parents over for "Jack-o-Lantern" pizza (provided by Papy Murphy's), salad and sugar cookies (I made those.) Then Grandpa, Bryan and the boys went out while Grandma and I stayed back to pass out candy. The kids looked so darling in their costumes. (Don't tell Kole that though. He's at the age now where he doesn't want to be called "cute" or "darling." Only such words as "scary" "macho" or "awesome" are acceptable.) At any rate the costumes are definitely my favorite part of Halloween. After trick-or-treating my sis Jessica came over and the adults watched a scary movie. We had a great time!

Kole was a "Ghostrider" (like the movie with Nicholas Cage) this year. Of course I prefer the more cutesy costumes but he wasn't having it. This is the way he wore it to school since masks aren't allowed.

With the mask

Kamden the cowboy


Logan the lion...he was just a ball of fur..it was so cute!

Kids Eat Free!

So in my efforts to try and be more frugal in our dreary economy I have researched some websites that might be beneficial to some of you. There is a website where you can search by your city and find out what restaurants have FREE kids nights and you can also search by day of the week. Its pretty neat! The website is www.coupondivas.com There is another website called www.couponmom.com that is supposed to be really good for finding deals for groceries and other stuff.

Also, any of you with some money saving info/advice that you would like to share, please pass it on! I can always use more ideas.

Welcome Fall!!!

I have to say that fall is definitely my favorite time of year. I am always happy to welcome the cooler weather, changing leaves, yummy garden food, pumpkins and apple cider, and of course..cozy sweats and sweaters. We have had some new things happen since my last update:

Kamden is doing really well at potty training-yeaahhh!!! He hasn't gotten #2 down yet (sorry for the gory details..) but he's making steady progress in that direction and is wearing "big boy underpants" all the time. We are very proud of him. He also started preschool two days a week is loving it.

Kole has been off-track for the past 3 weeks and is going back tomorrow. I think he had fun for the first 2 weeks but now is just bored and ready to go back. He has been playing soccer and did I mention that Bryan and I have been coaching his team? The kids are so much fun and we have had a great time with them. Kamden loves "practicing" with the team and is actually a pretty decent player. Though he doesn't like it when he can't play in the games!

Logan is crawling all over the house now and somedays I have trouble keeping up with him. He does seem happier now that he can get where he needs to, so for that I am grateful! He is getting so big and it makes me sad to think that his baby days are numbered. Each stage they go through is fun in its own way, but I know that I will miss having babies around when they're gone.

Bryan and I are starting to get a handle on our calling (Activities Committee Chair) and are staying busy in that respect. If you have great activites that your ward participated in then please let me know! We would love some more ideas...

Kamden's 1st day of preschool!

Showing off his Elmo backpack

Logan taking a bath in the sink.

Kamden and Addie at the splash park when she came to visit.



The two of them at the "Jumping Jacks" place.



My Aunt Barbara and I at the Page Reunion at Reed Ranch in late August.

Horseback riding.

Kole and Nicole doing archery.

Kamden trying to fly his kite.

Uncle Henry and cousin Derek trying to help him fly it!

Kole on the pony...Look Mom, no hands!

Looks like no more smores for Kamden..what a mess!

Madison reading to Kamden...what a great Aunt!

My Blogging Hiatus Has Come to an End!

No, we didn't fall off the face of the earth and as far as I know we haven't been stricken with any diseases (fingers crossed) that would keep me away from my computer. So my excuse, if you will, is that I've been totally lazy about blogging since we moved. It started with unpacking, and then summer hit us and with the kids keeping me busier than ever I got completely "out of the habit" of updating our blog. But alas, the hiatus must come to an end (at least for posterity's sake) and I am filling you in on the happenings of our lives.

Bryan and I got called to be the Ward Activities Chairmen which came to a suprise to us. But...its been a long time since the two of us worked together on a calling so that should be quite fun! This week we are preparing for the ward campout Friday night. Apparently it was a big success last year so we are determined to make it bigger and better this year! I am staying very busy with Lia Sophia and I absolutely love it! Bryan is getting to know the people in his office as well as the projects he is in charge of.

Kole started first grade and is doing great! He is quite the little reader around here now and we are very proud of his desire to be such a great student. He has many friends around here and loves to go out to the field behind our house and catch grasshoppers and praying mantis's. Yikes!!!

Kamden is starting preschool in September and we are working on potty training. So far the progress is slow-going but we are optomistic and he does seem to be showing some interest (again, fingers crossed). He continues to keep us laughing with the funny things he says. For instance, the other day we were at a salon gettig Kole's hair cut. Kamden turns to a lady sitting next to us and says, "I like to wear my hair spicey!" Of course he meant "spikey" but it was hilarious!

Logan is the happiest little baby and I am loving every second of it! I think he must be trying to make up for the constant screaming he did for the first 4-5 months of his life. He will be 9 months on September 2nd and I cannot believe how fast time goes. He is not crawling yet but he gets up on all fours and rocks(a very recent development) so I know it isn't far off. Translation: trouble is up ahead!!!

Well, I've posted a few pics of the last couple months. Enjoy and there's more to come...

Kole on his first day of school

Kamden at a company picnic

Giving us a lovely photo-op

Our sweet, happy boy Logan

Kamden's 1st Haircut

Kamden received his first "official" haircut (one done outside my limited cutting ability) this week. We went to the haircut place and it took a little bit of coaxing to get him into the chair, but he did it without too much trouble. The stylist gave him a sucker to appease him which he gladly took but would only hold it in his hand. He then proceeded to glare (without moving a muscle) at the stylist in the mirror for the entire haircut. He didn't say anything, he just sat there stone-faced. It was really hard not to laugh! Anyway, the cut turned out really cute so just wanted to share the pics I took that day.

Cruisin' Together

For your viewing pleasure, the following photo montage chronicles our journey from the Pacific Northwest to the Tops of the Mountains. We spent the first night at the Ameritel Inn in Olympia after all of our belongings had been loaded onto the moving truck leaving our home on Apple Hill completely empty. This allowed to spend our last evening in Olympia with our friends at the church with the opportunity to say goodbye to each one of them. Thanks again Brandi for sponsoring the event.

We drove to Pendleton, Oregon, the following day as part of the first leg of the journey and stayed at the Oxford Suites (Michelle didn't think there was anything "suite" about it though). A sign told us it was where the "real west begins."

The second took us to Boise, Idaho, where we stayed in a wonderful suite at the Ameritel Inn complete with a 60-inch big screen and jetted jacuzzi tub. The kids loved it and I got out of going to the pool for the first time because of it. We also took our kids to see Kung Fu Panda while we were there. Great movie.

Our third leg brought us to the valley of the Great Salt Lake where we too have decided to settle down and plant our seeds as pioneers of old.

On our journey we passed 8 temples (Boise, Twin Falls, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake, Jordan River, Draper, and finally the Oquirrh Mountain Temple) all of which Kole delightfully pointed out to us. We also passed by the new Real Salt Lake soccer stadium that is currently under construction and slated to open in October.

All in all, it was a pretty good adventure for us. We highly recommend the Ameritel Inn. The spread at the continental breakfast was ample and delicious. Be wary of the Oxford Suites in Pendleton. I do, however, believe it was the nicest hotel in town.

We're glad to be "home."

Enjoy the show!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bye, Bye Washington

Well with the big move and getting settled, blogging has been the last thing on my mind but I had to sit down and give an update on these past few weeks. We said goodbye to Olympia on June 9th and were off to make the long trek to Utah. It was a very stange (and sad) feeling driving away from our home knowing that we wouldn't being coming back. Thanks to Mitchell Moving Company (as well as Federal Highways) for packing up all our stuff and hauling it all to Salt Lake for us. We decided to take a few days as a family to drive the 900 mile journey instead of hammering it out in one stint. Overall the kids were really good. Kamden had a hard time on the second day, which happened to be the shortest distance (but ended up seeming like the longest) but we got here just the same. We are in our house in Riverton and have got things pretty well unpacked. We love it and as far as we can tell the ward and neighborhood seem really great too. It's always interesting being the "new people" in town but so far we feel very welcome. The kids are adjusting and are enjoying the newfound sunshine that we have missed while being in Washington and are already making friends. Kole is currently at my Dad's house in Hyrum, Utah visiting his Grandpa and aunts (who are ages 10 and 8). They are taking part in a 2-week summer camp where they get to do swimming and art classes. He is having tons of fun and hasn't missed us one bit. To our Olympia family...we love you and miss you already! Please keep in touch.

Calling 911...

So I had my first (and hopefully last) experience dialing 911 this week, thanks to our classically middle-child syndromed middle-child Kamden. Bryan was away that day and I was still recovering from my hernia surgery so I asked a young woman in my ward who is home from college to come and help me that day because I still have trouble lifting and such. Anyway, we made it to the afternoon and I got Logan down for a nap and could tell that Kamden was going to give me a hard time about taking his nap so I decided to let him watch a movie in my room on the couch. We started the movie for him and the babysitter and I started a movie in the front room. We had been checking on him regularly and he'd been doing great until about 3/4 of the way through our movie when he comes out of my room holding an empty prescription bottle! I had completely forgot that I had some pills from my surgery (some muscle relaxers) in my room in their closed bottles next to my bed. When I asked him where the pills were he told me he had eaten them! AHHHHH!!! COMPLETE PANIC!! I went into the room and found 5 pills, I had started with 30 and had probably taken about 12 myself. That left at least 13 pills unaccounted for. I repeatedly asked him where the pills were and he continued to tell me that he had eaten them. I looked all over the room and on the floor to see if I could find any more. It was at the point that I realized I needed to call poison control. Upon calling them and as calmly as a frantic mother can, explained to them what I believed my child may have taken and she told me I needed to call 911. We live only minutes from the hospital but I obeyed and called immediately. 3 minutes later a firetruck, ambulance and crew of 6 EMT's were at my door. At this point Kamden was still his happy smiling self and was happy to greet them with much excitement. The babysitter stayed with Logan while I went with Kamden for a little "joy ride" in the ambulance. He loved every minute of it. We got there and they made him drink this awful black charcoal stuff that absorbs everything in your stomach to keep it from going into your system. I was shocked that he took it without much complaint. It looked terrible! I called to check in on our babysitter and she told me that she had found 7 pills under my bed. That still left some unaccounted for but we really had no way of knowing where the rest had gone. They gave him a popsicle after the charcoal stuff and he remained happy and content. Next he had an IV put in to keep him from getting dehydrated and he again was unhesitant and didn't cry once! I was so amazed! After 6 long hours in the ER (which I found out was the required protocol for a poison control incident) we headed home. I don't think that the trip fazed him much and we'll never know how many pills he took whether he took any at all. KIDS!! I now understand what my mom was talking about when she would tell me that us kids were going to give her gray hair!

In case you're interested...

This is our new house in Riverton. The pictures don't do it justice. We're really excited about starting a new chapter in our lives back home in Utah. We'll be moving in on June 11.

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Kamden the Prince vs. Pine the Dresser

Yesterday, Kamden was in his room when Michelle and I heard a crash and muffled screams. Michelle and I ran into his room to find the dresser on top of Kamden. Kamden had decided to take on the mighty Pine and scale its dangerous heights. Much to his chagrin, the dresser retaliated throwing Kamden to the floor and pinning him underneath its girth. Check out the montage of his black eye and bruised ego. Pine the Dresser: 1. Kamden the Prince: 0.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kamden's Birthday Dinner

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Kamden turns three...let the festivities begin!

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Kole Loses First Tooth

Kole would say that this has been the best day of his life. Michelle and I get almost a daily update on which of his classmates have lost a tooth along with the total amount lost for each friend. Kole has been working this tooth back and forth for weeks now and it finally came out last tonight (much to Kole's delight). However, he promptly lost his tooth somewhere in the house (Kole thinks it's under the refrigerator). I wasn't sure the tooth fairy would come if he didn't have the actual tooth as evidence, but his maternal tooth fairy took pity on Kole and gave him a whole dollar. When Kole awoke, he exclaimed to Michelle that the fairy must have ironed the dollar before placing it under his pillow because it was so flat.