The Atienza 6

Craziness!!!!!

2010-03-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Yes, we are still around. It's been crazy around here. For those of you that don't know we have been building a new house in Carey. Thanfully it has been a very positive experience. Tony and I work well together when it comes to building. Our taste is very similiar so we haven't been on the brink of divorce for the past several months. I have been busy working on the house for the past 6 or 7 weekends. I don't care If I ever see another can of paint and paintbrushes for a really long time. I will post pictures soon of the paint jobs in the bedrooms. Gretchen and Becca's room is my favorite room in the house, well maybe beside my laundry room. Do I have you're curiosity yet? Guess you'll just have to come visit to really see the house.

We did get some disturbing news this week about the house. Tony quit one of his jobs to be able to help on the house and that income was needed to qualify us for the loan. We are having to start the financing process over. We thought we'd be in by now and now this is setting us back a bit. Tone is also going to a 2 week class in April, which is when we should close on the house. Please pray with us that our financing gets figured out quickly and that we will be able to close in a quick manner. The underwriters are slow right now so things could take longer than expected.

I hope to be posting again soon from a new location.

Happy Spring All!!!!

Playing Catch up

2009-12-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know I haven't posted in FOREVER. Part of it is blog burnout and the other, well......we've been very busy. We had a very good, fun, uneventful summer and fall. We found out in July that our friends the Bakers were moving back from Kansas so we were going to have to move and let them have their house back. We looked at rental after rental and couldn't find what we wanted/needed. After looking and weighing all our options we decided that we would build with my dad on his lot in Carey. We moved into my grandmother's house in Bellevue until our house is completed. I'm really liking living in Bellevue again. We live a block away from my childhood best friend, Shari. It has been awesome to reconnect with her and her family.

Than played soccer again this fall for Sawtooth United. I think I enjoyed it more than he did. Sawtooth is a competitve league so we were traveling every weekend. We went as far as Jackson, WY. to Boise.

School is also keeping us very busy. Than is in the middle school. There are more days than not that I'm not sure if I will survive. Dani is in 1st grade at Hailey Elementary. She has the same teacher that Than had, it's been really fun so far. Gretchen is going to preschool at a friends house and loves it. It's just Gretchen and two other little boys. Becca is at home with me and getting lots of "mama" time. I love it!

I'm no longer doing child care in our home. Since we will be living in Carey I thought it would be best to look for a job sooner than later. I found a job at a local daycare/preschool/gymnastics. I work part time in the daycare and the hours work great with the other kids schedules. Dani and Gretchen also get to take advantage of gymnastics. They are loving it and doing awesome.

Sorry for such a long post, I guess that's what happens when I don't post for forever. I hope you enjoy the pictures and I'll try to get all caught up soon!

Tony's favorite past times

Gretchen's 4th birthday and annual Kimball/Shoemaker waterfight

getting the instructions for his new fishing pole and all the gear to go with it

Than's birthday at Red Robin. They sang to him and brought him a HUGE sunday. They also brought the girl's mini sunday's.

Class of 2021

2009-06-05T20:53:00.001-07:00

We had an awesome first year of school. I can't believe that next year she will be in 1st grade. She had a great teacher that helped her excel in her strong points and was good at encouraging her in areas that needed improvement. By the end of the year she was participating in the Accelerated Reading program and taking comprehension tests and scoring very well. She was a little mother in the class room making sure everyone had what they needed and helped the kids that needed help.

I was very fortunate to be able to go into the classroom once a week and help in the centers. Most of the time we did art projects and sometimes we played phonics games. I got to have Dani in my center every week which was really neat to be able to work with her in her class room. There were only 3 kids in each group so I was able to get to really know the kids in her class which was really special.

I've had a hard time accepting this time in our lives. So grab a tissue and take a look at the next generation! Dani even tells people, "My mom was crying at my graduation, isn't that silly". I can barely look at their yearbook without tearing up.

Mr. Bailey welcoming the parents.

Ms. Murphy leading in the class

have to love that face!

All the kids had to introduce themselves and then say what the wanted to be when they grew up. You're looking at the next generation police officer. I'm not really sure that is what she really wants to be, but when she got out she looked straight at Tony. Her daddy is a great inspiration to her. There were a lot of police officers and vets, one lizard catcher and a nuclear scientist.

all 3 Kindergarten classes Ms. Boatright on left and Ms. Murphy on the right

just walked across the stage

first day of school. it's amazing how they grow up in just a few short months. all that new knowledge makes them so much more mature.

last day with her two best friends. Alexandra, Mia and Dani

Field Day

2009-06-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

On the last full day of school for Dani they had a field day, which is a play day, at the local park. I met her class their with Gretchen, Becca and some of the kids I watch. We played there for a couple hours and had a great time. It was fun to watch Dani play with all her school friends one last time before the summer. She makes friends so easy and is friends with everyone. One last hurrah before she was no longer a kindergartener.

one of the mom's brought a bubble blower that was a huge hit.

Dani's class

Eli pushing the girls.

Dani and her good friend Ben

Awana Activities

2009-06-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

All 3 older kids completed their books this year in Awana. Dani did review of last years book work perfect and then the workbook that also had several verses in each section. We are so proud of all of the kids for the accomplishments.

Dani recited the Sparks code. The Sparks code is 6 verses, one for each letter of the word.

S is for Savior - 1 John 4:14

P is for Power - Romans 1:15

A is for According to the Scriptures - 1 Corinthians 15:3

R is for Rose Again - 1 Corinthians 15:4

K is for Keep - James 2:10

S is for Saved - Acts 16:31

The grand prix is a pine car race. They get to make whatever they want they want out of a pine block. At check in they do a complete measure, weight, and height check to make sure it meats all the requirements. The adults also get way into it.

Than's space ship.

Dani's on the right, Gretchen's on the left

Awana games is a fun thing for the kids to do. It is a variety of relay games, 3-legged races and tug-o-war. They divide the older and younger kids. The older groups' games are the same as the younger group with a little more difficulty.

5 Things

2009-04-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

5 things I was doing 5 years ago

raising 2 kids
working outside the home
driving a durango
selling our first home
supporting my husband in his career change

5 things on my to do list today

finish the laundry
get Than's soccer paperwork turned in
get a 1" picutre of Than for soccer
figure out what's for dinner
last minute preparations for the big race tomorrow

5 things I would do with a million dollars

give some to family
buy a house with cash
pay off all debt
give the neede funds for my churches addition
put all 4 kids through college

5 places I have lived

Bellevue
4 different houses and 1 apartment in Hailey
Idaho Falls
Boise
Meridian

5 jobs I've had

dishwasher
receptionist
cosmetologist
checker
most important job.....MOM

5 things I want to be doing in 5 years

be debt free
raising 4 kids
be active in my kids school activites
be content with where I am because it's where God wants me
be a happy homeowner

5 people I tag

Allison
Angela
Erin
April
Trish

Thrifty Nifty

2009-04-01T12:57:00.001-07:00

I paid $25.00 for ALL THIS!

I got 6 Tree Top apple juices, 10 lbs. potatoes, 1 lb. strawberries, 4 lbs. cheese, 1 Lighthouse dressing, 2 bunches aspargus, 3 flavored milks, and 12 pack TP.

So I have been learning how to shop with coupons the last couple months and the work is finally paying off. I've always hear of big families feeding their family's for hardly anything and now I'm figuring out how they are doing it.

I've cut our grocery bill by half and I don't have to drive an hour to get all the good deals. Shopping with coupons locally and wathing the sales at both Albertsons and Atkinsons is so much more affordable than driving to Winco.

I know that when the checkers at Albertsons see me coming the want to run and hide. It's inevitable that when I get in line and start getting my coupons out they get busy. I felt bad at first but now that I'm saving so much I don't really care what everyone else in the store is thinking.

Last night when I was paying for my groceries in 3 seperate transactions the checker was showing everyone my receipt and how much I saved. It's also not uncommon to have to get a manager override on my transactions because I saved TOO MUCH!!!!!

My new found hobby is COUPONING! I have found several sites and talking to my sister who is also an avid couponer to find the best deals.

This week I've spent $126.37 and saved $160.89. I'm so thankful for my new found way of grocery shopping. I didn't get pictures of all my goods or I would post them, it would take me a week to list all my good deals.

I'm A Big Girl Now

2009-03-10T09:29:00.001-07:00

We are officially, completly, day/night potty trained. YEAH!!!!! I found an awesome potty training method that a couple years ago I would have thought was completly impossible. A friend had a link on her blog that I thought I would check out. Potty train completly day/night in 3 days. I figured I didn't have much to lose, so I gave it a try. We started on Friday, Feb. 27 and was finished on Wednesday, March 4. It took us a few extra days because Becca doesn't like to drink alot. I went out and bought special juice boxes, soda, and anything else I could think that she might like to drink. I even bought chips and other salty food to get her to drink. Finally, after the 5th day it all clicked.

We are so proud of her that she trained so fast. The 3 day potty training is by far the easiest and less stressful way of doing things. Buying the e-book was the best $24.00 I've spent in a long time. Bye Bye diapers, hello big girl!

Gretchen and Markers Mix Like Oil and Water

2009-03-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

Gretchen was playing upstairs today with Becca, when I went to find Becca to see if she needed to go potty this is what I found. She had this same marker last night at bedtime and was decorating her bed, I thought I took it away. Think again Mom!

After she got in some serious trouble she got to learn how to wash walls. Unfortunatley for me she thought the wall washing was fun. Yes, Kathy it all came off.

She has been so naughty lately. I can't leave her unattended for a second and if she goes upstairs by herself I have to see what kind of mischief she has gotten herself into. She even has it figured out to blame it all on Becca and Becca will agree to whatever Gretchen has blamed on her. ARG!!!!! they learn way to early to pass the buck.

good mug shot don't ya think????

Fun with Family

2009-03-05T20:51:00.000-08:00

Tony's brother and wife came to visit from Florida and we went up to SV and did the tourist thing. The kids loved watching the ducks and swans. We walked around the village and looked at the snow sculptures. Ed and Coralea were here for 3 days and the kids loved all the attention from their uncle and aunt. We played board games and ate way too much. Tony took them on a true "Idaho" adventure, fishing in the rain, snow, wind and sleet. Unfortunately they didn't get any pictures of the fishing adventure.

pond in front of the Sun Valley Lodge

ugly duckling????? i think not!

bear snow sculpture

climbing up on the big snow sleigh

Gretchen, Uncle Ed, Dani and Aunt Coralea

precious girl

Randomness

2009-03-05T20:07:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a little randomness in our lives. A day with Gretchen and Becca is never boring.

Becca was headed to the grocery store. What you see is all she has on.

Mama's little helper. Making sugar cookies for Dani's Valentine's party at school.

all tuckered out! it's amazing how kids can sleep ANYWHERE!!!

playing on the horses that Papa made for them. in reality they were probably headed to the grocery store of church.

front view

side/back view

What do you think?

2009-02-20T15:58:00.001-08:00

I LOVE my new blog look. Thank you, thank you, thank you Allison. You are awesome!

I get tired of my blog template quite often and as I'm blog surfing I see so many super cute blogs. As I was telling my friend Allison this one day she said she would create a new look for me. Work COMPLETE!!!! I love creative friends.

Thanks again!

Beginning of the End

2009-02-19T13:22:00.000-08:00

This post has been in the making for about 2 months now. I decided it was time to finally post. As I have sat reflecting about where we are in life as a family and the state of our country's economy it has caused me to remember why we are here and what our jobs are. I am not talking about the jobs that support our family but about the JOB that we were called to do by our Creator. At this point in my life the job I have been called to do is to be a wife, first and foremost and secondly being a mom. No amount of education, even from the most renouned schools could ever prepare someone for the job so many of us have been called to do. And like most jobs in this world the more time you put in the more responsibility you gain, more stress and more accomplishments.

As the title of the post states this year in the beginning of so many endings for our family. We'll start with Than. Than will be ending his career as an elementary student. He will begin his career as an Middle Schooler. Did you read that right, yes, I said MIDDLE SCHOOL! How can that be, I was just taking him to kindergarten a couple months ago. With middle school comes a whole new life so I'm told by people who are already experiencing it. Can we stop the clock now?! I don't want to go any farther and let my kids get any older.

Dani, as you will see, she no longer has all her baby teeth. I never realized what losing teeth really means. Once you start losing teeth naturally it's one step closer to losing your babies. This is the last year that she will be with me for at least part days. Dani will start 1st grade next year. As excited as I get for my kids to start school it's also a very sad time. One more year gone.

Gretchen, she is turning into such a big girl. He love of learning is growing by leaps and bounds. She is so much fun to be with. I love listening to her talk. The way she pronounces words in her little voice is changing, and she is sounding more and more like Dani, this means that we are coming to the end of her little girleness and becoming a big girl(only in attitude though, she is still very much my little girl in stature). She is growing up too, way too fast I might ad. Gretchen will start school 1/2 days this fall.

Becca has and will continue to have to most "endings" this year. We have quit nursing at 2, major transition for both of us. I said I would never nurse a child that could ask for it. All I can say about that is, NEVER say never. We have transitioned out of the crib into a big girl bed and we will be potty training in the next week. Getting rid of so many things all at once I think is harder on me than it is on her. I'm holding on to so many things with Becca that I never did with the other 3 kids because I know that all these things are things that I will never get to experience again. It's a real life confirmation that my babies are growing up. That this is the beginning of the end of my babies and on to bigger and yes better challenges. Last night when I called Becca my baby she very quickly corrected me that she is not my baby she's Becca.

the last picture with all her baby teeth

the first of many teeth to lose
One of the few times I've had her fall asleep on me since we moved her into her room (she slept with me for the first year).

Becca's first shiner. She tripped in the driveway and skinned up her face. It bruised up her forehead and down her nose. She's such a tough little girl, she barely cried.

Becca has decided that she doesn't like to nap in her crib anymore. She will only nap in her sisters beds. I won't fight her on where she wants to sleep as long as she sleeps somewhere. After telling my mom about this a new bed was it the works. My dad built her a toddler bed and she just LOVES it. Thanks Dad, you're the best. You know just how to put a smile on my kids faces

AWANA Fun

2009-02-04T22:57:00.001-08:00

At church the kids are involved in the Awana program. Awana is a program that is designed for kids ages from 18 mos. through Sr. in high school to lean God's word and hide it in the hearts. The Awana key verse in 2 Timothe 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a woker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Over the course of the whole program the kids will learn thousands of verses. If the kids complete the whole program they can receive some pretty significant college scholarships to just about any college. They don't have to be Christian schools.

They don't just go and memorize the whole time, they play some really fun games, have a little devotion and music.

I help teach the Jr. High class with Shelly Kimball.

Below are pictures of game time. They get very into all the games. Usually they play capture the flag. Not quite the games you would expect to play "in" church. As you can see our church is not very big so playing some of these games can prove to be somewhat difficult.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

2009-02-04T22:05:00.000-08:00

Becca turned 2 on Jan. 5. And what a surprise she was. The whole idea of having a fourth baby kept me in denial for the whole pregnancy. We/I decided that we had to find out the sex of the baby because I had already started getting rid of baby things after Gretchen and if I had to have another baby I wanted it to be a boy to even things out a bit for Than.

We didn't tell the other kids that we were having another baby until the day of the ultrasound so that we could tell them if we were getting a brother or another sister. The Ultrasound says: BOY!

We were so excited and it helped Tony excpet another baby a little more. I think I jinxed myself by telling people it was a boy unless he lost parts inside.

I was still in denial that I was even having another baby up until I had her in my arms.

We were completly set for another boy. Having another girl was not a possibility, technology doesn't lie. We had no idea until Dr. Busby said, "He's such a big......girl?!".Tony and I just looked at each other in complete shock. The nurse asked us if we had a girls name picked out and of course we didn't. Why would we, we were having a boy.

Well, two years later we are so glad that we have our little girl. She brings so much joy and excitement to our family. I can't imagine what life would be like without her in our family.

At her two year check up she weighed in at 23 lbs. and was stretched out to 32.5 in.

Becca, we love you so very much and are glad that God wasn't done blessing our family with babies.

For her birthday we had the Kimballs, Grammy and Papa, and Uncle Trent, Aunt Shelly and Ethan over for finger foods and cake.

Thank you all for helping make her birthday special even thought she doesn't really understand all that yet.

Grandma Cris showing her the book Shelly made for her. A HUGE hit, it's a book with a bunch of wild animals. She can name every single one and if you try and call the animal something else she will quickly correct you. For example: a mountain lion is only a cougar.

after all the hard work of Christmas opening presents she needed some assistance on her birthday

this vest is by far the favorite gift. thanks Grammy and Papa. it is the only things that she wanted to wear for a while. she didn't care that it was only 5 degrees out.

gotta love baby feet

Becca loves books. It doesn't matter what kind of book it is she just loves to be read to. She got this book from Grandma Cris and Papa Richard.

the cake. we have a book with kids cakes and this is the one she picked out(with a little help from mom) i couldn't help myself it's just so darn cute!

Out of The Mouths of My Babes

2009-01-15T22:10:00.001-08:00

Since the beginning of the year Becca has become a little more independant. She has started going to Puggles(the youngest Awana group) at church. She is totally getting into praying especially at bedtime. She prays, the Dani prays and lastly Gretchen prays.

It touches my heart that kids at such a young age have a love of praying and their prayers are so honest and true. I'm always a bit surprised about what comes out of Gretchen's mouth and very careful about what we discuss around others.

Tonight Gretchen's prayer went like this. "Thank you Jesus for this day, thank you for the dolphins and Tiffany and Alex. Help Baby Kinley to get better and Baby Kayleigh. Help Mom to not go crazy. Amen." She totally clues in to how my day went.
Thanks Gretchen for praying for Mama.

Here I Come Tiffany and Alex!!!!!!

2009-01-15T21:53:00.001-08:00

When our friends Tiffany Kimball and her fiance` were home for Christmas Gretchen decided she needed to go to Florida with them and swim with the dolphins. Tiffany told her that she needed to save her pennies and grow a little bit and then she could come. Gretchen has talked of nothing else since she was given the go-ahead. She even prays for the dolphins every night.
She definitely keeps us on our toes and she's just so stinkin' cute all you can do is smile.

sorry the video is sideways

Winter Fun!

2009-01-15T21:44:00.000-08:00

The kids are having so much fun in the snow. This is right off the back deck and they have made a little slide off all the snow that has been thrown there.
The weather has been really warm lately which has been so nice but not so good for the snow.

I love this picture of Gretchen. Her hat is pushing her brows down and she can hardly keep her eyes open. As long as she stays warm, right?!

Man, I love this kid. She's about the most beautiful thing ever, don't ya think.

I'm not partial at all!

Christmas

2009-01-15T20:31:00.001-08:00

Christmas this(last) year was so awesome! It was one of the most "relaxing" Christmas's that we've had in a really long time. We started off by going to Idaho Falls to Tony's mom's and spent a couple days with her. We came home Christmas Eve and made it home just in time before the big storm hit. It started snowing Christmas Eve night about 6 and didn't stop until about 10 Christmas morning. When I went to bed there was about 8 in. on the deck.

I didn't go to bed 'til 4 Christmas morning. It is tradition that we have homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast and I volunteered to make dinner rolls for Christmas dinner at my moms. I decided that since I was in the baking mode I would just stir up a batch of the best sugar cookies in the world. To make a long story short, my cinnamon rolls raised faster than I thought they would and had dough all over the garage, my rolls didn't want to raise and I thought I was going to have to start over but they finally raised, and the sugar cookies make about 8 doz.

At 3:30 while I was waiting for the oven I heard noises from upstairs. Then I heard footsteps on the stairs. It was Than. He didn't know that I was still up and he came around the corner and about wet himself when I asked him what he was doing up. He told me, "My body said it was time to get up. " I told him the my body was telling him to go back to bed and not come back downstairs until 5:30. At 5:30 on the dot he came in and asked if it was okay to go back downstairs.

At 7 when Tony got up to see about the snow, I decided I'd get up too. When I came downstairs and looked out the window there was 22 in. on the deck. Yes, it snowed 14 in. in 3 hours. After 3 more hours of shoveling and snow blowing we had breakfast, then finally got started opening presents.

I didn't post any present pictures because you'd be here for the rest of time. No, the kids didn't get that many present, but when you have four kids you get a lot of pictures. I did post a couple videos of Than opening his main gift. It was priceless!

these two pictures are out our front door

Than was working on the deck and fell off and sunk.

yes, that is snow still falling. talk about some big flakes.

video 2 video 3

video 1

When Will I Ever Use This In Real Life?!

2008-12-12T22:42:00.000-08:00

I'm BACK!!!! It's not that we haven't been busy, just on blog-post-burnout. We have been quite busy actually. I've always wanted the stereo-typical soccer mom title. Run, Run, Run, and to be the "cool mom". I don't know if I still have the "cool mom" title with all my kids, but we do run, run, run.

So far this school year Than has played soccer and bowled and the youth bowling league. At this time both activities are done. He is also involed with AWANA at church which is once a week. And let's not forget school.

Being a homeschool project myself, I am asked somewhat regularly why I don't homeschool my own kids. I'll tell you why. I can't teach above average children and keep them challenged the way my son needs to be challenged. And I love them tooooo much to subject us all to that kind of torture. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against homeschooling, it's just not for my family. It's a calling from God that I don't have.

After parent teacher confrences, something I have always loved, I realized somethings not only about myself but about Tony and our mixed gene pool we call our children. Than has always been above average(gets it from Tony). This was confirmed yet again. He reads at an 8th grade level, but chooses not to most of the time(also from Tony) and has totally skipped 5th grade math and is in 6/7 grade math, which is taught by a different teacher than his home room teacher. We were told at the beginnig of the year that he was bumped up to the advanced class and to not expect anything over a C. Going into confrences he had a B- and that it could be higher, we still neede to go talk to the math teacher. I was sooooo proud of him, he was above what I was expecting. After talking to the math teacher we were told that indeed his grade was a B- and to be able to stay in the class he had to pull the grade up to and A. What? An A? Why?
Totally caught off guard by this report the controll freak in me came rearing it's head. What do we need to do to get this grade up, 'cause by golly I won't have any child of mine dropped down to a lower class! Here is the answere we got: Than needs to ask questions when he doesn't understand things, Than is not showing up for all the "extra credit" study time before quizzes and tests' (being at school at 7:30), Than needs to try the extra credit work(problems that the students only have to attempt to get 10 pts toward their grade). Oh, the Than is a quiet kid thing again(get's it from Tony). I simply don't get the quiet thing!
So, in the three weeks since confrences Than has brought his B- up to an A-, has been asking questions, showing up early when necessary, and attempint the EC work and getting it right. Oh yeah, I also kinda threatend him with being tutored, which would entail him talking to someone. You can do anything when you have a very persistant and vocal mother behind you.
We are so proud of him, I knew that grade would come up.

I know, I know, where am I going with all of this? One of things Than has to do is bring his math homework home so that I can check it before it's turned it. I'm finding I remeber a lot more than I thought I did from ???? years ago when I was in 5th-7th grade. Right now he's doing fractions and decimals. Sounds like fun doesn't it?

The answer to my title question. When will I ever use this in real life? When you have kids and they need help on their homework. That's when!

Two main things I came away from confrences are: 1) Tony and Than are more and more like each other every day. They don't like to talk, be around too many people, and apply themselves to their fullest potential. 2) I may need to go back to school so I understand how they are teaching kids these days.

Dani is still in dance once a week and absolutly loving it. Her confrences went great. She is slightly above average and such a little mother to the class.

Gretchen and Becca are still my babies at home and we are all loving it.

Hope this post makes sence to all of you.

Outside Fun

2008-12-12T22:30:00.001-08:00

I took these pictures the other day, Dec. 10. As you can see there is no snow on the ground and barely any on the mountains. We took advantage of the unusually warm Dec. day and played outside for quite awhile.

beautiful Becca, I just love that faceclean faces are totally over-rated

Gretchen and Nevaeh

Becca having fun on the big swing. This is the best I could get, she wouldn't leave her eyes open.

Pancakes Anyone?

2008-12-12T22:20:00.000-08:00

Gretchen has been asking for pancakes for breakfast and since we were out of milk I decided she would get her wish. All the girls love helping in the kitchen and pull their little chairs in to "help". Gretchen is getting really good at putting the ingredients in the bowl and learning how to use a whisk. Here are pictures from start to finish. Enjoy!

Beautiful Eyes

2008-12-12T22:11:00.001-08:00

I know that I'm a bit partial to my kids beauty, but you have to admitt these brown eyes are beautiful. Can you tell who these eyes belong to?

Dani's School Christmas Program

2008-12-12T22:02:00.001-08:00

I vow every year that I'm going to get good seats at my kids programs. Our seats weren't too bad, but I hope to have better seats for Than's program next week. I was having a hard time getting my camera setting right so this is the best picture I got. The school divided the classes for the program and put the kindergarten class with the older class which is nice.
I think I have my settings and lighting figured out so I can get more pictures at Than's program.

A Morning for Us Goes Something Like This......

2008-12-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

A typical day in our house goes something like this: Than gets up and in the shower ( I wait in bed for the water to go off) I get up and we start getting breakfast and lunches, double check the backpack, and Than heads of to school while I wait for my babysitting kids to arrive. Gretchen gets up between 6:30 and 8:30. I prefer the later time myself. She gets her morning milk like most people get their morning coffee. Most mornings she wakes up pretty happy and goes off to play with the kids. Thankfully she waits for Becca and Dani to wake up before going through her entire wardrobe. Becca and Dani get up around 9:00 (Dani is in afternoon kindergarten so she can sleep in). When Gretchen knows that the other girls are awake to fashion show begins. The outfit of choice lately is either a swimming suit or pj's. We take Dani to school at 11:30 and from that time Gretchen usually has changed her outfit 3 times. Pj's to swim suite to something in the dress up trunk back to pj's. I have fare warning that we are about to leave and take Dani to school. The pictures below is what she decided was warm enough to wear out and about. Thankfully it was a pretty warm day out.

The inspiration behind these pictures is my friend Kathy. She thinks it is so funny to take pictures of crying children. Becca just got in trouble and put herself in time-out. This is a new thing of her's. She goes and sits by the wall (where the babysitting kids go to time-out) and cries and cries.

The 3 Little Princesses

2008-12-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

My sister Erin and her kids, Cam and Bailey, were here for a week in November and the kids got to spend some much needed time together. I didn't get any pictures of Cam that turned out good, but had a lot of opportunites to get pics. of Bailey with Gretchen and Becca.

We can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks for Christmas. Hopefully we will get enough snow to play in. We love you tons.

Vampires are still in the air

2008-12-12T21:25:00.001-08:00

Dani got this lovely mouth piece at the Harvest Carnival. Gretchen and Becca thought they were the funniest things and loved playing with them. My petite little Gretchen doesn't have big enough mouth the accommodate such accessories. Becca on the other hand had no problem donning the beautiful mouth piece.

Halloween/Harvest Carnival

2008-11-18T21:17:00.001-08:00

I know that I'm soooo behind on getting this post done, oh well, better late than never. Than didn't dress up this year, he is outgrowing the costumes but not the candy.

Dani was Wonder Woman, Gretchen was Mulan and Becca was a monkey.

Because the weather is usally so cold here,and I'm just not in to the whole

trick-or-treat thing, I just take the kids to the Harvest Carnival. They get so much candy, it's warm, and I don't have to be as worried that something will happen to my kids.

The one place I do take the kids is my aunts house. This year she bought all the kids an extra treat(pez dispensers). After she let the kids pick out the pez she said they could go pick out a candy out of the bowl. Gretchen decided that she didn't want the pez and put in under the table that the candy bowl was setting on and emptied the candy bowl into her bag, and yes my aunt let her keep all the candy plus the pez. When no one was looking I put some of the good candy back.

Who Does Becca Look Like?

2008-11-18T21:02:00.001-08:00

My friend did this on her blog with her two kids so thought I would give it a try. I was very surprised at some of the results, especially Becca's.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Genealogies - Family pics

Who Does Gretchen Look Like?

2008-11-18T20:59:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Who Does Dani Look Like?

2008-11-18T20:55:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Roots

Who Does Than Look LIke?

2008-11-18T20:48:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family history - Family search

Pumpkin Fun

2008-11-13T15:42:00.001-08:00

Carving pumpkins was a lot of fun this year. We got our pumpkins from my mom's garden so that made it special for the kids to use Grammy's pumpkins. All the kids totally got into it and I have to admit so did I. I'm not usually bib on this activity. Than the squeamish child that he is really struggled with the pumpkin slime. I rather enjoyed watching him squirm(is that bad of me or what). Thanks Mom for all the pumpkins.

Becca's pumpkin. "Mr. Potato Head" pieces to put on pumpkins. These were a huge hit. Becca loved rearranging the face as you can see all puncture holes.

the middle pumpkin is Than's and the other is Gretchens. Can you guess which Disney Princess is on Gretchens?

Dani's pumpkin. Can you guess which Disney Princess I am?

Parents Day at Dance

2008-11-13T15:25:00.001-08:00

This was parents day at Dani's dance class. The parents are only allowed to go on the specified day to watch otherwise they are now allowed in the room. Mandie went with me to help wrangle all my babysitting kids and took the pictures. Dani absolutely loves dance. I'm so impressed by what she is learning(I know nothing about ballet) and her balance in pretty impressive while she is doing all the positions. She now tells me that she can speak French because of the position names. Good job Dani, I'm so proud of you! Can't wait for the Spring recital.

doesn't this look like a comfortable state to be in while teaching dance

Professional Photos????

2008-10-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos that I had done of the kids. A lady from Bliss came up and offered a 1/2 hr. photo shoot, free 8x10, and a cd with all the pictures for, drum roll please........$39.00. What I actually got was about 45 min., 1 8x10, 6-5x7's, and several 4x6's, the cd and a release form so that I can print all my own photos. I chose to have a later session with the idea I would be able to get my girls down for a nap. By the time we got home from church I decided it would be better to not nap them than have to wake them up. Well, Gretchen wanted no part in the pictures and would take off just before she would take the picture. She told the lady in no uncertain terms that she did not want her picture taken, so typical of her. The pictures that I posted are some of my favorites. I couldn't decide on just a few so it's kinda long. Hope you enjoy! These are by far the best looking kids around.

the sweet innocence of a child

Where's Gretchen? I know, I know, that's what I'd like to know too.

Becca loves her big brother

Little helpers

2008-10-24T22:57:00.000-07:00

Here we are making applesauce. It is so good! We have already eaten 2 quarts and 2 pints of it. Homemade applesauce is quite the process but so worth all the work. Thankfully my mom inherited the "Sqeez-O" when my grandma passed away. It cuts the work down and makes it that much more fun. I remember using the sqeez-o when I was kid. It's kina nostalgic now to be using it with my kids and the memories that we will have becoming domestic together.

Dani's 6th Birthday Part 1

2008-10-24T22:34:00.001-07:00

On Dani's actual birthday, Oct. 1, we had my parents over for dinner and cake and ice cream. We had nachos for dinner and confetti cake with cookies and cream ice cream. It was all really good. Dani, is very loved(or spoiled, however you look at it). Tony bought her just about everything Hannah Montana and she got High School Musical 2(which included a free ticket to HSM3...YEH!) She got a gift card to Target from Grammy and Papa which she thought was the next best thing since sliced bread. Any chance she gets to do her own shopping at Target she is in heaven. We had a great time!

super cute dress from Grammy and Papa

the Hannah Montana wigher very own laptop.

readyset

blow!!!!!!!

Dani and the trick candle. I don't know how I only got one trick candle on the cake but it did make it a bit more entertaining for the rest of us.

Dani's Birthday Part 2

2008-10-24T21:49:00.001-07:00

This is Dani's "kid party". Because of the size of our immediate family I have never let Dani have a party with just friends. Since this is her first real year in school and Aunt Erin moved(taking two cousins with her) I decided I should let her have a theme kid party. The theme was

Hannah Montana with a splash of Tinkerbell. I had a bunch of outside games planned but the weather changed my plans. It was only 32 degrees outside. We quickly changed our plans and moved the party inside. We played pin the nose on the clown, balloon pop, musical pillows to HM music and of course the pinata. I actually had a lot of fun doing her party, maybe I'll do it again next year. Dani invited 8 friends and one of the girls got to stay for a sleep over. My friend Chante` came over and helped keep everyone under controll and took the pictures and videos. My sister-in-law Shelly also stayed and helped. Thank you girls for all the help, it was very much appreciated.

Happy Birthday Dani! You are a very special little girl and we are so glad God put you in our family.

playing balloon pop. an Awana favorite.

all lined up and ready for the pinata

opening presents

Dani doesn't look too excited but she was....really. After all the Hannah Montana stuff Baskin Robins didn't have the cake. So, we settled for a Tinkerbell cake.

Dani and the pinata

Alexandra and the pinata

Mom Tag

2008-10-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Here are the rules: Ask the following list of questions to one of your children and enter their EXACT answers!

MY MOM....according to Dani

1. What is something mom always says to you?

I Love You

2. What makes mom happy?

Tucking kids into bed

3. What makes mom sad?

When I'm at a friends house and you miss me

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Tickle me

5. What was your mom like as a child?

sort of like me(not quite as sweet though)

6. How old is your mom?

7. How tall is your mom?

I don't know(after much thought you're just how big you are)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

to help us

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

babysit

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

fashion show(looks like she has my sense of style.....not good)

11. What is your mom really good at?

making applesauce

12. What is your mom not very good at?

I don't know(she does think I'm perfect)

13. What does your mom do for her job?

Takes care of us

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

Spaghetti

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

buy me stuff

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Jerry the mouse

17. What do you and your mom do together?

shopping

18. How are you and your mom the same?

We both have brown hair and bangs

19. How are you and your mom different?

You're white and I'm tan

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

You help me do stuff

It's always interesting and scary to really get your kids perspective on you. Thanks Dani for helping see through your eyes.

Anyone out there reading this blog is tagged!

The Fruits of My Labor

2008-10-09T12:55:00.001-07:00

Here is a brief overview of my little fruits and because of them what I have started doing to satisfy their little tummies.

Thoughtful Than. The look in this picture about tells it all. Than is one of the most serious, dry, thoughtful, concerned about others boy that I know. Than loves to be by himself and get lost in his own little world. Than loves to read and reads 2 grade levels higher than he actually is. Than loves soccer and is getting very good at it. Than has a very dry sense of humor that throws most people off guard. Than loves to learn and is history buff. He will rattle off war facts like nobody's business and wonder why I'm not interested in all the weapons that they used, who was President during a particular war, who was involved and who won. Why is the war still going on in the Middle East and when is it going to be finished. This is my Than in summary and I'm so very glad that God blessed me with a boy with such curiosity.

Darling Dani. Dani is the most sensitive, empathetic little girl. She feels everyone's joy and pain. She is always very anxious to help(unless it's cleaning her room) She is such a "little mother" and keeps everyone in line and comforts them when they need it. Dani and Becca are the bestest buds. Dani is very fashioned minded. I'm not sure what to do with such a picky dresser. She is very particular about her shoes, dresses and she HATES jeans. This is what makes my Dani so very special and keeps me on my toes.

Gorgeous Gretchen. She is the funniest, sweetest little girl I have ever met. She gets so excited over the littlest things. She has the biggest heart and when someone is upset she is the first to console them. She is also the biggest tease, I'll hear Becca screaming and Gretchen giggling so hard she can't breathe. I'm so thankful and blessed to be entrusted with her. I know this is not the most becoming picture of Gretchen but it is so her.

Our Beautiful Becca. Up until the last couple of weeks I've wondered why God blessed me four times. I think I'm finally catching on a little. Being able to be home and be with Gretchen and Becca all day I've learned so much. Patience, tolerance and how to have fun with my kids. If we would have only been blessed with two I would not know how to really enjoy my kids. Anyway, Becca is the most expressive child through her eyes that I've ever seen. You can look into her eyes and see the most amazing things and if you're not careful she'll take you out with those big, brown, beautiful eyes.

because of the "first fruits of my labor" this is what I have been up to the past couple months.

Italian stewed tomatoes

super yummy cinnamon applesauce

corn

Soccer

2008-10-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

This is Than's 5th year playing soccer. He LOVES it! I don't usually get too excited at the games since I don't know the game all that well. (I'm the mom that will get kicked off the field at sporting events) Anyway, each year he gets a little more aggressive and for those of you that know Than, that is a good thing. He is much faster this year also. He plays in the offence and is so happy there. I was starting to get a little irritated after the last game when he was still playing offence. He's been playing offence since last season and I as the mother and seeing how well he has improved thought he should at least play a little defence. I asked him why he never got to play defence and he told me, "I don't like to play defence, just offence and did you see that I got to play to whole game Mom?" So there you have it, he plays offence because that's what he likes to play and I as the very competitive mom needs to be o.k. with that. After all he was the only one that got to play the whole game. The first game of the season got rained out and when they called the game we were up by 5. The second game against a pretty hard team who think they are playing American football was awesome too. We won 9-1. We have another game this Saturday and hopefully we will keep up our winning streak.

waiting very patiently....to patiently if you ask me

Future Photographer.....

2008-10-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

Gretchen found the tripod for the camcorder one day and decided it was her camera. She played with it for a good couple hours. She is just so darn cute and her imagination has no limits.

AARG Matey.....Walk the Plank!

2008-10-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm a bit late in posting this, but it is hilarious. A while ago it was National Talk Like a Pirate Day and Gretchen learned how to talk like a pirate while staying with a few of her favorite people, Mandie and Shelly Kimball. Before this day she would find whatever she could to put over one eye and she would tell me she was a pirate. She is just sooo funny with some of the things that she comes up with. Take a look at my little pirate.

Kinley

2008-09-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

Thank you all who were praying for Kinley(previous post). They confirmed that she had ecoli in her blood stream and not sure how she got it. The doctor that she saw in Boise was mis-treating her and the meds. they had her on was what was making her soooooo sick. She came home Friday night from Utah and is doing great!

Please PRAY!!!!!

2008-09-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

I got an email today from a friend today about another friend about another friend about another friend. No not really all those friends but I did get a disturbing email today. My friend Kelly has two little girls and the younger who is just about a year old has been quite sick for a while now. She is having kidney problems and just recently they found that she has a blood infection. After dealing with the local dr.'s and not being able to figure out what is going on they went to Boise with no luck. Today the headed for Salt Lake to Children's Primary Hospital to hopefully be able to get some answers. The nurses told Kelly that there was no time to waste and get there ASAP. Please pray that 1) the Dr.'s would be able to find out what is wrong with Kenley and treatment could be started immediately and they would get the best dr. for them and their situation and 2) that they would find God through all of this and that His will will be done.

Conversations

2008-09-20T20:35:00.001-07:00

So you never know what you're going to find out when having a conversation with Than. Or better yet when you hear Than playing with his toys and the conversations he has with himself.
I was on the computer blog surfing when I hear Than whistling a tune. Neither Tony or I can whistle so I was quite impressed with what I was hearing, careful not to say anything that would make him stop. Tony came down stairs and was getting ready for work and he heard the sound too.

Tony: Is that Than or Dani?

Me:What? Whistling?

Tony: Yeh.

Me: Than.

Tony: Oi, where did you learn to whistle?

Than: I just blow.

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can!!!!!!

2008-09-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

We finally accomplished what we started this summer. After much frustration and many tears from everyone, Dani has finally taken off on two wheels. We didn't really have plans to ditch the training wheels this year. Tony ran over the training wheels so we had no choice and I refused to buy new ones. She was going to learn how to ride a bike. I tried, Tony tried(anyone who knows Tony knows that was a short lived experience), and Chante tried. We bribed as you will see in one of the videos. Chante had told me about a thing that you put on the bike to help them balance but you don't have to brake your back trying to hold onto the bike, and they learn quickly. What did I have to lose? I went to Target and bought the Balance Buddy(the funny handle on the back of the bike), that was back in July. I finally got aroung to putting it on the bike tonight and gave it a try. All the testimonials that I read said the child should be riding on their own within 10 min with no tears. They were right! Dani we are so very proud of you and all you do.

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

hands on demonstration.....still didn't work

Yes....you did it!

I'm still trying to figure out loading the videos so watch the bottom on first then the top one

Monkey #2

2008-09-10T20:30:00.001-07:00

This is what I found the other night while I was cooking dinner. Becca had left my side which is a very rare thing in and of itself. When I went looking for her this is what I found.

Let Me Hold You Longer

2008-09-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Here we are 10 years and 4 kids later. I know this post is extra long but as I was reminiscing over all the years, the title and the poem at the bottom was a real reality check for me. Hope you enjoy.

Gretchen's 3rd birthday.

Than's 10th birthday

Than's first track meet

Becca's 1st birthday

the absolute most awesome, handsome, boy in the world

headed into the Harvest Party with a bunch of very excited kids....can you tell?

Dani turns 5

Ethan, Uncle Trent and Dani. Although you can't tell by Dani's expression the ferris wheel is the highlight of the fair for her. Than refuses to go on this ride so she always has to find someone to take her.

Precious Becca

Precious Gretchen

Than, Andre and Dani at the Filer Fair waiting to go on the same roller coaster that I went on what seems like just yesterday

Than jeep'n with Dad up at Boulder City.Than's 9th birthday

Gretchen, Bailey Grace, Cam, Dani and Than...Becca was in the front pack

beautiful girls,partners in crime

does she look like her daddy or what?

Our sweet Becca Ann came into our family on Jan. 5, 2007.

Our Family. Dec. 2004(sorry our of sequence)

Our Family. Sept.2005

Sisters first, Friends forever

Bailey Grace and Gretchen are exactly 3 months apart. What a size difference.

Then came Gretchen. Such a tiny little fighter, when we brought her home she weighed in at 4lbs 15 oz. She still has that look on her face 3 years later. She was born at 38 weeks which is full term.

Christmas 2004

Dani's 2nd birthday

Than's 6th birthday

Unfortunately this is the youngest picture I have of Than on the computer. He's 5 in this picture

Dani 1st birthday

Let Me Hold You Longer

Long ago you came to me,a miracle of firsts: First smiles and teeth and baby steps,a sunbeam on the burst.But one day you will move away and leave to me your past,And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time when I hold a bottle to your baby lips.The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,needing to be walked,When last you crawled up with your blanket,wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,still small enough to hold.The last time that you said you'd marry me when you grew old. Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past-Would I have held you longer if I'd known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,your final midday nap,the last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten, those last days of first grade, Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed. So what about tomorrow-will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond.The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn. Silly, scattered images will represent your past.I keep on taking pictures,never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight. The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you.The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake. Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass. But as I do, I sometimes miss today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test. The last time when I shout that yes,your room is still a mess.The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass. I want to hold on longer-want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help with details of a dance.The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass. If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away.College life will beckonin a brilliant sort of way.One last hug, one last good-bye,one quick and hurried kiss.One last time to underst and just how much you'll be missed.I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.

Dani the dancer

2008-09-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

Dani has started dance class. She absolutley loves it so far. We've only been to one class and she has learned so much. At the bottom are two videos of her dancing. We signed up for Creative Movement with is another term for beginning ballett.

After one class.

Before any formal instruction, unless the Disney channel is considered formal training.

Wagons Day

2008-09-02T20:14:00.001-07:00

I talked my friend Chante and her little boy Wyatt into going up to the Wagons Day parade in Ketchum with me after I swore I would never go again after the last time I went. I'm so glad I went. The weather was awesome although we did get rained on right when we got our of the car. The Wagons Day parade is the oldest and I believe the only non-motorized parade in the U.S. If you have never been it's definitely something to experience. We sat with my brother and his family and several friends. We all had a great time.

cousins and best friends

Gretchen was so excited to see all the animals

Wyatt, Dani and Ethan

beautiful horses

The Budweiser Clydesdale's. These horses were amazing to see. They are probably some of the most catered animals around. They each ride in their own air conditioned stall and don't come out of the trailer until just about the last minute. They are groomed for 1-2 hours each before each appearance. I was also surprised at all the requirement to be a Budweiser Clydesdale. There are almost as many requirements to be a Cowboy cheerleader. The City of Ketchum has been trying to get them here for the past 2 years and finally got them here for the 50th anniversary.

old trappers

The kids thought it was pretty neat to see someone they new in the parade. Juve Worthington playing the fiddle goes to our church.

Becca loved watching all the horses and mules

what's a parade without Smokey the Bear

Dancing horses, I got a video of them that I posted a little video that shows the horses dancing

The amazing 20 hitch mule wagon. The 20 mules are pulling 8 ore wagons that they used to use coming over a very dangerous mountain pass.

All tuckered out! This picture is definitely worth 1000 words. 4 kids all asleep, all the same way.

this guy is amazing

The not-so-soon- to-be Mr. and Mrs.

2008-08-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Wyatt and Gretchen were having so much fun playing in the car. They wouldn't tell me where they were going though.

What a good man. Making sure everything is in tip top shape.

1st Day of School

2008-08-29T12:47:00.001-07:00

This was a very sad day for us. As we come to this time every year it makes us realize how quickly time goes and how little time we really have with our kids. We moved the kids to a different school that is not our neighborhood school so we have to provide transportation to and from school. They will not bus the kids because they are not in the dual immersion class, we are only a block from the "neighborhood school" line and they won't come pick up Dani, how silly. Anyway, Than is now in the 5th grade, and the last year of elementary school. We are close enough for him to ride his bike or walk and he is taking full advantage of that. Tony tried to convice Than to let him take him to school but Than was not the least bit interested. Tony was a little disturbed by how old and independent he is becoming. Our little boy is growing up. I didn't get any pictures of him. Then there is our sweet little Dani. Kindergarten, can you believe it?! Two in school. Dani was very excited to go to school. She is in the afternoon class so she doesn't go until 11:30(I have to say it's nice not having to drag her out of bed early). All morning she kept asking if it was time to go. Dani, unlike Than, was excited for me to take her to school, although she was a bit sad when she found out she didn't get to ride the bus at all.

You can't see the sign very well but it has the school name on it. This is the same school that my parents graduated in, now it's K-5.Dani is sooooo ready for her first day of being a kindergartener.

1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish????

2008-08-29T12:19:00.001-07:00

Tony was still on vacation for the week after our Yellowstone trip so we took the kids down to the fish hatchery to do a little fishing that all the kids could enjoy. The first pictures are of the first trip (this year). Dani is the only one that caught a fish. She was so proud of her catch.

And the winner is........Dani. Dani caught the trophy trout of the evening on what else but her Barbie pole.

Take one........

Can you see it????? Tony has Dani's fish trying to get the hook out of it's mouth.

Dani and Tony waiting paitiently for a bite. Tony won't admit it but really enjoy's these little times with Dani

Take two........
We went and got Gretchen a Barbie pole too so everyone had their own pole

Than is the only lucky angler today. He takes the trophy for this poor little fishy.

Family time

2008-08-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

We decided to go camping for our last little fling before school starts. Tony wanted to go somewhere that we could take the boat to do some fishing and my parents camper so I don't have to deal with 4 kids in a tent. It was decided that I would pull the boat with the suburban and Tony would pull the camper with my dads truck. Tony informed me the night before that he needed to stop at JCPenny's in Idaho Falls to get some shorts. Are you kidding me, you're just now deciding you need new shorts when I was just in Twin. So, I get to pull the boat through Idaho Falls and go shopping, oh yeah we also had to stop at Wal-mart to get fishing stuff. I informed him I would not be going to the mall with the boat and the kids and I would wait at Wally World. Let the journey begin. It's always an adventure when we decide we are going to go anywhere with the kids. But what do you excpect when you are taking 4 kids and a very grumpy husband who has been up all night and wants to leave right after work. Anyway, the day started at about 6:30 for me, when I finished cleaning my parents camper, got all the food out in the fridge and freezer and made a macaroni salad. Than and Gretchen were both up and helping get things loaded. Gretchen started coughing and threw up a bit, ( I chalked it up to the dry cough). Well needless to says she threw up 2 more times before we pulled out of town, but I grabbed the puke bucket just in case we might need it. The goal was to get out of town at noon. It's 11:30 and we're ready to go. Tony gives me the go ahead and to stop at Guffy's for a drink and we would hit the road. I had the 2 younger girls, Tony had the 2 older kids. I made it the first 2 miles of the trip without a problem, but where did Tony go? 20 min. later he pulls in. We get drinks and we're off on the 2 hour drive to I.F. I only made it through town before Gretchen starts puking again, and she decided that she didn't need to hold the bucket. I stopped in Gannett(5 miles into the trip) and change her clothes and tell her that she has to hold the bucket. Back on the road again.This time I'm in the lead. We finally make it to Arco where we decided to stop for lunch and all is good. After we all have full belly's we head out. Gretchen pukes yet again and about two minutes later Tony calls saying Dani just puked and I need to pull over, okay I'll pull over the next turn out. If you have ever drove to I.F. you know that there aren't many turn outs that are big enough for a suburban and boat and 3/4 ton pickup and 20+ ft. trailer. He calls yet again to see if I'm going to pull over or just go into I.F. (at this point we're only about 15 miles out.) yes, I tell him as soon as I find a big enough spot that we're not going to have to slam on the breaks to stop at. We finally stop, get everything cleaned up, I take Dani and we're back on the road. I head to Wally World and Tony heads to the mall. 3 hours and 2 sick girls later we head out toward our final destination. We made it to camp at 8:15, get dinner and settle in for the night and hope noone gets sick in the night. The next day we had plans to go into West Yellowstone and find a laundrymat to wash car seats and blankets and see one of Tony's friends. Laundry done, belly's full of pizza, and friends seen were headed back to camp. A couple of Tony's friends met him at the camp site to go fishing in the boat so I decided to take the kids back to Yellowstone for a day. I hope you enjoy our adventure as much as we did.

Tony trying not to look at the camera and smile. It would be just aweful for him if I actually got a real picture of him smiling. he he

Fun in the sand. Tony gave the kids shovels to play in the sand. Than had made little towns with baracades, it was so fun to watch him and his imagination. The girls had fun wrecking his things. What are little sisiters for?!

how can you resist that face!
Off to Yellowstone. 4 healthy kids a lunch and no agenda for the day other than trying to get back to camp at a decent time for dinner with the guys. Since it was a 1 1/2 hour drive from our camp site to Yellowstone I knew we would have to leave the park by 5, we left at 7. We had fun and that's all that really matters when you're doing this kind of thing with kids, right?!

Our first critter sighting. How exciting!

After our little picnic and ready to hit the road. 4 of the most awesome kids in the world!

Geiser pools. After looking at these and reading what actually goes on with a geiser it just reminded me of how amazing and "in to detail" God was with creating the world. How could any think that it all "just happenend"? Amazing God, how great thou Art!

Old Faithful. What is Yellowstone without Old Faithful and bison? Alot of extra time on your hands. After a nice picinc we head over to Old Faithful (not really knowing where I'm going and hoping there is a gas station there). I see the signs, gas and services ahead. Deciding I should get gas first, find a parking spot, get t-shirts watch Old Faithful then be on our way. Silly me, what was I thinking?! After an hour of driving aroung all the parking areas, going the wrong way and then being told the parking spot I finally found was not really a parking spot, even though there were cars all along there, were head out to the geiser. It was just finishing and it blows every 90 min. I was not about to leave so we walk around all the geiser pools which turned out to be about 1 1/2 mile walk. What a workout! We head to the restrooms, find t-shirts and it's time to watch what we came to see. Becca's tired and wants to nurse and the other kids are really not all the interested. Oh well, maybe next time.

Yellowstone Lake

These are some of the most amazing animals to me. It is rutting season for them and lately the have been attacking vehicles on the road so Tony gave me very explicit instructions to stay away from them ( would I really put myself and our 4 kids in that kind of danger) anyway, we got stuck in the tourist traffic jam for an hour watching and listening to these huge creatures. Than kept reminding me of what Dad had said but what do you do when the whole world is stopped in the middle of the highway taking pictures (a little too close I might add). Gretchen and Becca were totally awed by them. Gretchen calls them "bluppalo's". I love listening to her say big words when she is soooo very excited.

isn't it cute

Can we are say beautiful?!!!! This is the lower falls in Yellowstone. The kids and were kinda lost at this point in the day. I was trying to follow the map and hit all the highlights of the park that my friend Kathy (the Yellowstone expert) told me to go to yet get back to camp at a normal time. I missed the turn Kathy told me to take and ended up here. Not too bad if I do say so myself. It was nice to get out of the car and stretch a bit before we headed out of the park.

a lousy attempt at adjusting the brightness of a picture.

One of God's magnificent creatures

Gibbon Falls

ready for the military

2008-08-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

Than has always wanted a true buzz cut like Tony. After I used the wrong guard on my clippers he got one. He wouldn't cooperate to get a picture of the after result, but here is what came off of his head. He thought he wanted to go into the military until this haircut when I told him this is what his hair would look like all the time. (you can get a glimpse of what his hair is like in other posts, although it has grown quite a bit.)

Becca's 1st real hiarcut

2008-07-28T14:53:00.002-07:00

Okay, I can hear it all now," What took you so long, afterall you are a hairdresser and all." I think that is part of the main reason for not cutting her hair for so long. As any of you that have kids know once you cut their hair your baby is gone forever, at least their baby look, haircuts totally change their look and make them look soooooo much older. The major turning point for me breaking down and cutting some bangs (this is gross so if you have a weak stomach stop reading now) I was tired of pulling her hair out of her runny nose. She looks so cute but I'm still a little sad that I took that plunge. So here you go, before and after shots of the cutest baby in the world with her new little do.

BEFORE

AFTER

Fashion Trend Setter

2008-07-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

I never know what I will see Gretchen in these days. The beauty of being 3 and able to put anything together without looks of utter discust from other people. It's funny that when we see kids wearing clothes that should not be put together it's the cutest thing ever, but if I walked out of the house in the same outfit, my size of course, you would be able to hear the comments and laughing miles away. The skirt and headband are a couple of things she got in a dress up trunk for her birthday. Thanks Kimball family it's been a huge hit with all the girls!

Gretchen turns 3!

2008-07-28T13:59:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Gretchen's birthday twice. Since her birthday fell on a Monday and my parents were out of town for the 4th weekend we had our own little family celebration and then on the 19th when everyone was home including my sister and her family we had the big crazy family party. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday all she would say was candles, (if only all the birthday's presents would be as inexpensive as a pack of candles) she actually got a new big girl bike, sorry no pics of the bike yet. And when I asked her what kind of cake she wanted expecting her to say chocolate she wanted blue cake. Hence the pictures of the "blue cake". Tony wasn't quite sure about the way it looked and I have to admit I was a little nervous about the flavor. It didn't taste all that great, but Gretchen loved it and that is all that matters.

Gretchen and Wyatt enjoying a nice piece of watermelon before we ate lunch.

Pretty in Pink!

2008-07-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

I lost Becca this day, yes I said lost she doesn't usually leave my side, but this day she wondered up to her room and found some of Dani's makeup. Isn't she beautiful?! She certainly thinks so. She was so incredibly proud of herself. Note to any mom's reading this, DO NOT BUY LITTLE GIRL MAKEUP, it does not come off of anything. After several attempts with dish soap I kinda got her cleaned up.

She thought Gretchen should be as proud of her as she was of herself.

TAG!!!!

2008-07-04T22:41:00.000-07:00

A- Attached or single: attached
B- Best Friend: Mandie
C-Cake or Pie: Pie
D- Day of Choice: Saturday
E- Essential Item (s): sunglasses and kids
F-Favorite Color: purple
G-Gummy Bears or Worms: worms (the sour ones)
H- Hometown: Bellevue, ID
I-Indulgence(s): blogging, a quiet house
J- January or July: defiantly July, it's my birthday
K-Kids: 4 of the most awesome kids in the world, Than 10, Dani 5, Gretchen 3, and Becca 1
L- Like or Love: love
M- Marriage Date: November 22, 1997
N- Number of Siblings: 2, Trent and Erin
O- Oranges or Apples: apples
P- Phobias or Fears: going outside after dark
Q-Quote(s): don't have one at this time, check back later
R- Reason To Smile: all the little silly things my kids do and say
S- Season: summer
T- Tag: Erin, Trish, Amanda
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I wanted to have 6 boys (what was I thinking?)
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Oppressor of Animal
W- Worst Habit: putting my kids in front of the t.v.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds, all of mine have been for a positive reason
Y- Your Favorite Food: Italian
Z- Zodiac: Leo

Fun with Friends

2008-06-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

We have had a very busy week with VBS, friends in town, birthday parties and a rodeo. It all started with VBS at Calvary Bible Church in Hailey, the kids go every year and have an absolute blast. I usually help but with all my extra kids that I'm watching I wasn't able to help this year.

Our good friends, the Baker's, also came into town for the week(the same Baker's that gave us the awesome play structure and whose house we will be renting). We had spent 3 evenings with them just letting the kids play and have a good time. One night we went to my parents to visit, play with kittens and make s'mores. YUM! It was so good to spend time with Kathy and the boys again. We will miss you and can't wait for your next visit this winter.

And then the birthday party. Several of our friends and family all have birthday's within a week of each other so we just celebrate all together. It has turned into a summer kick off water fight. It wasn't quite as livley as in years past but it was still a lot of fun. We go over to Carey to the Kimballs and make a day of it. After the water fight we play the bing bag toss game. Mandie and I team up and usually win most games. This year we weren't quite as lucky. I had a handicap this year named Becca on my hip. We cut the party a bit short this year and all loaded up and headed to Mountain Home to watch Clancey ride(bulls) in a rodeo. He did pretty good, he stayed on and scored (sorry no pics of the ride). Alex and Dani

Kitties at Grammy's house

Aren't they cute!

Becca is teaching Erik how to jump. She is after all a pro at jumping now.

My darkest baby
Alex and Dani at VBS

Erik, what a cutie with such a great personality!

Alex, Than, Erik and Dani

My new do! I love it! I decided that as I approach the big 3-0 I needed a change. This is as daring as I get.

Than making sure all his weapons are fully loaded

Becca totally got in on the fun

Who needs a gun when you have the hose?!

If only we could all run this way!

Baby ZaneThe Boys!

Gramma Cris with Zane

Funny Videos

2008-06-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Tiff! (even if we are a few days late)

Model Material

2008-06-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

I saw an ad in the Parents magazine looking for the next cover model. Call me biased but I think my girls are totally model material. I took these pictures with the intention of entering Becca in the contest but didn't get them uploaded in time so all you bloggers can enjoy my little models.

Right back at ya babe!

Twins!?

2008-06-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

We have been getting out more and use the bike trailer this summer. Our good friends Chante` and Wyatt usually go with us. Since Dani won't ride her bike we double up on the trailers and Chante takes one of my girls. Gretchen was the lucky one to ride with Wyatt this time. Even though there is 15 months between Gretchen and Wyatt they are the about the same size.

Than at his best

2008-06-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Than is absolutly facinated with the army and anything that has to do with war. I got these pictures as he was undertaking his latest battle. What I didn't get on the pictures was his entire outfit. He had a camo duffle bag strapped to his back with a Nalgene water bottle and one of the girls little doll bags tied on him as well. It was pretty funny.

Sweet Dreams

2008-06-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Becca wasn't feeling well this day and I had just got her to sleep. When I laid her on my bed she had this sweet peaceful look. I think she is praying that I won't put her in her bed when I go to bed.

We're Moving!!!!

2008-06-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read right. God has answered my prayer to provide a much bigger house within our means. Our friends John and Kathy Baker that you read about in a previous post have had their house on the market since October of last year and with the market as it is now and NO ACTION! Kathy called me on Sunday night(after I told our current land lord that we were staying in this much too small of house for 6 people) to see if we would be interested in renting their house if the price was right. We immediatly jumped on it. It will give us 700 sq. ft more than we have and the master bedroom is not right by the front door. The later is more importanat than the first since Tony works nights and having extra kids in the house is sometimes hard. Now we will have the room for me to take a few extra kids in, please pray that God will provide more kids this fall when a few of the kids I have now will go back to school.
That about sums it up for our family this week.
YAH FOR US!!!!!!

It's a Jungle Out There

2008-06-05T20:26:00.001-07:00

Our dear friends John and Kathy Baker(our personal photographer, ha ha) moved to Kansas City last fall and left us their totally awesome play structure. Tony went over and got it this week from their house and I had to go over and check out the damage it had done to the lawn. Tony had said that the lawn was a little thick and neede to me mowed, small understatment or my girls are even smaller than I thought. In some places it came up to my knees. Thanks again Bakers, we will enjoy it as much as you did all those years.

Becca was scared to walk in the tall tall grass.

I thought this lonley little tulip was pretty.
The yard looks so much bigger without the play structure.

Than turns 10!

2008-06-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

Does time really go by this fast?! As I sit and think about all we've been through and done over the last 10 years it seems just like yesterday. We had a great time with friends and family over for his birthday. Of course Grammy and Papa, Uncle Trent, Aunt Shelly and Ethan were here as well as the whole Kimball clan. We had taco's for dinner and then as you can see cake and
ice cream for desert. The presents were kinda sparse since Grammy and Papa didn't have a chance to go shopping and the gift we got for him hadn't showed up yet ( a PSP system). As it was he still got plenty. A fun time was had by us all.

As you can see the little girls are ready to dive right in. They did when they thought no one was watching. I saw many finger marks in the frosting.

The new Super Soaker to take to the annual water fight birthday party at the Kimball's at the end of the month. He is so excited and think he will have total advantage over everyone else.

Than Blowing Out Candles! This is hilarious!

Help, I'm addicted and I can't stop!

2008-05-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay, I'll admit it. I am completly addicted to other people's blogs. As I was being nosy I ran across this bit of funny information that is sooooo true when it comes to women and men. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
9 WORDS/EXPRESSIONS WOMEN USE
( 1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes.Arguments that begin with 'nothing' usually end in 'fine'. And if used after, 'What do you want for your birthday?' or 'What do you want to do for our anniversary?' BE VERY AFRAID TO COMPLY!
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is anon-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. Aloud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question,or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' ... that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying up yours!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Memorial Day Weekend in Utah

2008-05-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

The kids and I were so blessed to be able to go see Erin in Utah over Memorial Day weekend. We met at Thanksgiving Point and went to Farm Country. Farm Country is basically a domesticated zoo. We went on a wagon ride around the grounds and looked at all the cow, chickens, and horses.
On Sunday we went for a picnic out by Heber City. At first the weather was cold and windy, got a little rain, then it cleared up beautifully. The kids had a blast! It was so nice to get away and get a break. The kids didn't want much to do with me once they saw Aunt Erin (even Becca).
Monday we got to experience Jump On It. That was an experience. It was alot of fun, but forgot to take the camera in, sorry. It is most definitely something everyone should try. Fun for all ages. We had an awesome time. The ride home wasn't quite as enjoyable as the rest of the weekend. Becca was soooooo tired of being in her carseat. She was asleep before we hit the freeway and I thought I had it made. Stopped in Tremonten for gas and everyone woke up. Becca cried the rest of the way home, which was only 4 hrs.

Still not tipping the scales very much.

This little donkey kept sticking it's tongue out at us. Becca thougt it was pretty cool that the donkey could do that too.

I hope this is not a preview of what we're in for in the next few years.

My handsome little man. He would climb up on the fence and insist that I take his picture

The Three Pyro's. Cam and Danie were "smoke makers". Clancy was there supervising, I think.

Than in his own element. He loves recreating war scenes. He his a total history buff when it comes to any war, who was involved, who won, who was president at that time, and motst importantly what weapons were used.

Becca is such a happy baby. It is sooo rare that she doesn't have a smile on her face.

Cam and Bailey found a lizard on one of their outings and Becca fell in love. She was so fasinated with the poor little creature. I'm surprised that is survived her.

Kids just havig FUN!!!!!

2008-05-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

The time has come. Becca has her first braid. Mama was so excited for this day to finally come!

Hanging out and having a little snack with Lance and Dylan Hyrand.

Gretchen being silly wearing a baby doll for a hat.

Gretchen was "Super Man" wearing a pair of Thomas the Train underwear and a purple bandana.

Becca and Gretchen were completly tuckered out after a long walk(ride).

Twinkle Twinkle Little Super Man

Trying to get Becca to say Auntie. We were leaving to go see Erin and her family in a couple of days.

2008-05-11T00:27:00.000-07:00

As you can see there have been a few minor changes to the site. I am just amazed every time I type out all of our names how blessed I am to have a full quiver. I am reminded of a quote from Kate Gosslin (from John and Kate plus 8) that goes something like this, " My life may be a crazy life, but it's our life", I feel this way quite often. Gretchen asks me on a regular basis, "Mom, you crazy today? Yes, Gretchen, I am going crazy.
Becca has discoved the power of her lungs when Daddy is sleeping. Screech when anyone gets by me or mom and mom will jump to make sure Daddy doesn't wake up. Thankfully spring is finally here and she loves being outside so we spend most of day outside. Becca also doesn't think it is neccesary to sleep during the day, except for maybe 1/2 hr. in a 14 hr. stretch. Help!!!
I have to keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. They are only little for such a short time and it's a good thing they are cute. Oh yea, Becca has only slept through the night the last couple of nights. Did I mention it's a good thing she's absolutly adorable.
That about sums it up for now.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU AWESOME MOM'S THAT TAKE THE TIME TO BE A PARTY OF THE ATIENZA 6

Dani's Mother's Day program

2008-05-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Dani goes to pre-school at Woodside Elementary. Her class had a small Mother's Day program. They sang songs, had snack and we colored. It was so cute to watch the class, they weren't as excited to sing with all the mom's there as they usually are.

Jessica, Dani, and Coral. Two of Dani's best friends at school.

READY, SET, GO!!!!!

2008-05-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Than decided to try thetrack and field program this year. At the track meet he participated in the ball throw, 50 meter dash, and the 100 meter dash. He did so well! We are very proud of him!

READY!!!!!

SET!!!!

GO!!!!!

Dani waiting for Than to come down the track.

Becca and Grammy

The Awana Grand Prix

2008-04-20T21:12:00.001-07:00

The kids participated in a pine wood derby with their Awana club. Our club joined with the Hailey club. Than had the tank, it was a huge hit with all the other boys. Dani's was the slug bug, she is totally into the slug bug game right now. Last but not least is the "Jeep". Gretchen can't get enough of Tony's jeep, so it was only fitting that she race a jeep.

Puggles, Cubbies and the Sparks.

Dani waiting for the big race to start.

Dani's slug bug is on the blue lane.

Steve getting the "Jeep" all lined up to race.

Gretchen wasn't quite sure why she was suppose to be so excited, but she wasn't about to let anyone touch her trophy. She took 2nd place for design.

Than was very surprised when they announced that he won 1st place for design.

The whole gang.

Than took 1st place, Gretchen took 2nd place and Dani took 3rd place for design. We were all very pleased with the outcome.

Spring Break in Salt Lake City

2008-04-11T13:04:00.001-07:00

We spent spring break in Salt Lake City, and had loads of fun. We went to Hogle Zoo, the aquarium, Park City shopping (Tony's new favorite shopping spot), the Living Planet Museum, and Boondocks. Than said that Boondocks if every 9 year old boys dream spot. We all had a great time. It was nice to just get away from the snow for a few days.

Daddy and his girls. Watching Than on the jr. go-carts drive very cautiously.

Than on the jr. go-carts. The jr. go-carts are right up his alley. Not too fast.

Lindsay and Dani. Ready... Set... Go! The go-carts couldn't go fast enough for Dani.

Than wasn't sure he liked to big go-carts. He thought they went too fast.

The girls. Gretchen and Becca are not happy they can't go on the go-carts.

Tony and Dani chasing Than down in the bumper boats.

Dani's first time golfing. Didn't do too bad for her first time.

Becca hanging out waiting for sister's at Boondocks.

The Living Planet Museum is definitely worth checking out. Lots of stuff for all ages to do.

Tony and Becca checking out all the Dinosaurs.

Dani working on her archaeology skills at the Living Planet Museum.

Tony and the kids in front of the huge talking elephant at the zoo.

Winter Fun!!!!

2008-04-11T12:38:00.001-07:00

We took Uncle Ed and Aunt Coralea sledding for the first time on Rotor Run. We all had a great time. Coralea was impressed by all the snow.

Lindsay and Becca. Becca loved sledding!!!!

Cam and Becca. What a good big cousin he is.

Gretchen working her way back up the mountain.

Than was very adventurous that day and would go almost to the top every time, (very uncharacteristic for him).

Gretchen and Aunt Coralea trying to make a snow man.

Cam, Bailey, Uncle Ed, Aunt Erin, Tony and Becca watching everyone go down the mountain.

Because we had such a big winter these deer were forced down into town. This herd of about 18 head hung out a couple blocks from our house all winter.

Becca and Gretchen

2008-04-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Bailey Grace and Gretchen doing what they love most. Being close to each other.

Becca loves to eat.

Becca enjoying helping mommy make choc. chip cookies

Becca's 1st Birthday

2008-04-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

After alot of encouragement she dove in will all 4

She wasn't sure what to think about the whole thing.

One cake for Becca and one for the rest of us.

We didn't get any pictures of the presents because her finger got caught in the drain of the shower while trying to get her cleaned off and cut it pretty bad. She was not at all interested in anything the rest of the day. What a present

Because of all the snow we got it was a very small party.

The Kids Misc

2008-04-10T15:16:00.001-07:00

Couldn't get all 4 to cooperate at the same time. Talk about a 4 ring circus.

Dani the Diva

Dani and Bailey Grace

Harvest Festival '07

2008-04-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

We celebrated October 31 at the Community Campus where they have a huge carnival with massive amounts of candy. The best part is, it's inside where it's warm.

Than trying to catch donuts that are swinging

Than is Luke Skywalker, Dani is the Little Mermaid, Gretchen and Becca are monkey's, Cam is Spider Man and Bailey is Tinker Bell.

Clancy, who's suppose to be Tinker Bell? Dani and Gretchen trying to get donuts

Becca, the cutest little monkey you'll ever see!

Dani turns 5

2008-04-10T14:14:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Dani's 5th birthday at our house with all the cousins, grandparents, great-grandma, the Aiken's, Baker's and Kimball's.

Dani Maire and Danie Jay

Dani Maire, Dani Jay Aiken and Alex Baker
Dani is such a princess-she loves dresses. The friller the better.

Summer Fun '07

2008-04-10T13:04:00.001-07:00

Gretchen and cousin Bailey.

Dani waiting very patiently to go on the ferris wheel.

Cousin Ethan, Uncle Trent and Dani on the ferris wheel. The only people Dani could find take her on it.

Andre', Gretchen and Than

Becca's just chill'n

Dani milking a cow.

Than, friend Andre' Murphy and Dani waiting to go on the roller coaster.

Gretchen hanging out waiting while the older kids rode on rides.

Fun at the Filer Fair if Twin Falls.