Herriman Fire- What we did.

Well, I'm sure everyone has read all they want to about the Herriman Fire, so I'm not going to re-cap everything. We simply packed up our goods that meant something to us. And that we sat in camping chairs outside and watched the fire burn down the mountain till about 2:30am. We had a great time visiting with our neighbors, family and friends. We eventually decided to just go to bed because we felt we were safe. It honestly was an amazing blessing and miracle that so many homes were saved. With that being said, the very next day the kids were working on "thank you" cards for the fire fighters. We consider them our hero's around here. So for Family Home Evening the kids wanted (I promise it was their idea) to make cookies and bring them to our heros. So that's what we did. Alayna brought her card and off we went!

"Police, Firefighters, Soldiers...Thank you very much for saving us."

We decided to bring the cookies to the policeman and soldiers that were stationed just up the street from our house. I figured the Fire Fighters at the station were well taken care of by all the other mom's and kids out there so we decided to take it to them. Anyways, they were GREAT to the kids. They let them turn the lights on in the cop car, the siren, climb in the Hummer, shake their hands and just visit with them. It honestly was wonderful to tell them "thank you!" It was a great experience of service and gratitude. I loved it and so did the kids!

Dilemma of being a girl

Welcome to Alayna's 5 year old little life. What shoes will she wear? We were on our way out the door the other day and I found her in the corner looking like this. Who knew picking shoes would be so difficult and take SO LONG??? Certainly not me! I have two pairs of flip flops, 1 brown and 1 black. (Currently, my black is missing so, it's the brown where ever I go.)

I made her smile just because she has such a cute little face when she's smiling.

As I am warning her that she will have to go with out shoes because she's taking too long she finally picked her favorite pair. Her brown Reef sandals that were given to her. They are finally getting too small after being worn for two years in a row, but they are her first choice. Oh, I think she is the reason our oh so unsightly shoe basket is exploding everyday!

Life of a toddler

Let me introduce you to Caleb. He is (I think) 16 months old. He is Mr. Trouble around here. The kids call him, Coo-Coo or Fee Fee Love. Really, where do my kids come up with these nicknames. I like to call him Crazy Man. Because simply he is. If he's not strapped down in his car seat, high chair or caged up some how. You will find him on top of the dining room table, standing on a stool reaching anything that is NOT meant for him on the counter, finding my jewelry in my bathroom cabinets, touching any electronic in sight, remotes to the television, my computer, anything in the office, pulling books off the bookshelves, etc. The list can go on and on.

Things I do that I shouldn't...Oh, eat markers...even though this messy face was created by Jake sharing some M&M's with him. He normally is FULLY covered in markers. He has learned to take off the lids, chew on the marker point and pull it out. Which ends up in your fingers and it turns everything on you PINK, BLACK or BLUE! Oh, you find everything you shouldn't!

Alayna's favorite job on her job chart is when it's "Help with Caleb" - she is the BEST big sister. She will get him milk, a cracker, play with him outside and entertain him while I am cooking dinner. I have GREATLY appreciated Caleb's vocabulary growing. It's amazing how much "AHHHH" and "SCREAMING" we have been enduring lately...so with even a few words being used we LOVE to hear them. "Down, Don't, No No, Mum...Dadda, F-oohn (Phone), Uh-Oh, Out, All Done, Mmmm-k (milk), Ah-Na-Na (Alayna), Isaac (We think he means this for Jacob...because he's always yelling it at him. Maybe it's just because Jake and Isaac are always together, but it's easier to say than Jake). My favorite moments in the day with Caleb is when he arches his head and neck up and says, "Mum...and stares at me than he begins to ramble baby gibberish..over and over again" But he is dead serious, that I should know what he's talking about. It's hilarious. I can't wait to get it on camera!

But Jake said it best, "We just love him, huh mom." Yes, we do. Even though you are causing us to lock every door and continue to child proof everything, over and over again. Yes, we love you Caleb! (Who couldn't just want to hug and kiss my big toothy big eared baby??)

BYU Football should be Jacob's middle name

Here is one little dude who loves BYU Football! When Jake heard that a "real" BYU football player would be coming to our house on Sunday he ran right upstairs and put his BYU football shirt on and hasn't taken it off since. Thanks to his Aunt and Uncle Brian he has plenty to wear! :)

Here was a dream come true...meeting a "real Football Player" - This is Walter #71 (I won't even attempt to spell or say his last name!) He's dating our really good family friend, so they came to dinner and pretty much made every little boys dream come true!!!

Here's Conner thinking he's pretty cool stuff with the football player!

A great reminder on those hard days.

Please tell me I am not the only one that has hard or difficult or tiring "mom" days! I'm not complaining I just simply watched this video when I needed someone to remind me, "I am magnificent!" Enjoy.

Time Out For Women

The Fam- Krista was here, but she had to leave before we pulled out the camera!

My good friends...missing Camille, she also left before we snapped the photo!

YEAH! For my sister Angela telling over 25 ladies about Time Out For Women...let's just say it is a tradition. We will return and have another GREAT time. If you know me well, you know I love all things spiritual, crying, sharing heart to heart feelings, laughing, good food, great friends, beautiful music, excellent speakers, laughing, staying up till 3am, being with my mom and sisters. Really, the only thing missing that I love more is my husband and kids. But since they were together (and were not invited) I knew all was well. This is a MUST for any female out there that reads this. Honestly, if you h

ave been to education week or women's conference at BYU like I have, yes, you love that...but this I love. It just was done perfectly for us.

Here are just two silly pictures of a funny morning. Yes, there is TONS of laundry on the floor. Yes, the kids are supposed to be sorting them. I thought I'd have this great idea while I was working Deals to Meals yesterday to turn on a movie for them WHILE they worked. Um...note to self. This does not work! They decided to go to a "drive-in movie" instead of doing their jobs.

Because they are so cute and clever I decided to take a picture of them happy before I turned off the movie and ruined their fun. Sorry, we try to live by the "work before play" phrase around here. That sounds like I'm super strict, because once again those that know me know that I will take imagination play over working any day!

Ok, here's to marshmallow. My dad gives all the grand kids the largest marshmallows ever. I think my kids are kinda sick of them, considering I found them doing this!

Sleeping Beauty

Ok, so for some of you, you will be totally shocked that my little guy is dressed like a beautiful princess...I guess this is the curse of an older sister. Yes, Alayna plays dress up. I have yet to have Jacob even interested in playing with her until the other day. To my surprise and my sisters because they were over with their kids playing. We had little Princess Jacob come down dressed head to toe like this...Anyways, we were BUSTING up laughing. We decided that it was just too hilarious to pass up an opportunity for a photo moment. Ok, so we started asking him questions like what's your name princess? He said, "Princess Beauty." Later we found out the reason he dressed up was so his cousin Kennady would play with him. Apparently, she only wanted to play princess and he didn't...or I guess he did! So he decided to be the princess instead of prince charming.

So within a few minutes, to our surprise he said he didn't want to be "Princess Beauty" anymore. So we thought he was done...Oh, don't worry he was ready to be Cinderella. Hilarious.

I just can't stop laughing at this picture. Good thing Jacob you are a true BOY at heart...Considering this princess dress up lasted for a short 5-10 minutes and yes, you began tacking and running around and playiing football again! Welcome back. But for a moment Jake, you provided some great entertainment.

Park City 2010

Really, as I go through my hundreds of pictures I realize it is impossible to document every moment of the trip. When you are vacationing for an entire week...Sunday to Sunday. You take LOTS of pictures. We walked on main street, went swimming, ate Carmel apples, went swimming, rode on the trolley, went swimming, ate lots of good food, went swimming, played with cousins, played tennis, cross-stitched, more swimming, eating hot pepper contest, and even more swimming, etc. Really the list goes on and on, you get the idea we went swimming and hot tubing every day! In the end some were ready to go home and others (my family) wanted to stay another week!

Here is a cute picture of Caleb enjoying our daily adventures to a fun Park City park. We returned there everyday. The mom's had a monkey bar contest. We can't forget the obstacle course we set up for kids and parents. Little Olivia won both, she's amazing.

Alayna was in HEAVEN having her cousins by her side from morning till night. Now, that she's back in school she doesn't see them unless it's on the weekend or something fun and she just is hoping for off track time again!

Our annual tradition is to hike up to the Payday lift. It takes about 1 hour and it is intense for the little ones. Alayna is our little "prayer" girl. If it gets a little rough, she says, "Mom, I need to say another prayer!" Last year, we attempted this hike with our 5 two year olds. This year we did it again...all 5 walked on their own and they did amazing! Really, as an adult it's hard for me, but yet the little legs just inspire you to keep on going. The joy at the end of the hike is a free ride down the lift. We were privilege enough to see two moose down below. Overall, our week was fabulous and it was SUPER great weather! Until next year, we love Park City!

Top of Utah - Half Marathon #2

That's right...I have completed Half Marathon #2. There was no better place to run a half than up in Logan. It was a beautiful memory of Cache Valley.


There wasn't a better training partner than Jared either. Honestly I had the BEST time with him. We were able to run all of our long runs on Saturday's together and it made those hour long runs great...if that's possible! Surprisingly it is though.

I might have improved on my original time by around 14 minutes... Even though I did improve I still am not done this year. I must shoot for another half. I can't wait to finish even 8 minutes faster to reach my ultimate goal. If I reach that goal I will share with you my time! :) But hey, 14 minutes was a HUGE improvement...and not to mention I had SO much fun. I also have to give a shout out to Jared because he stayed right by me the whole time. He really could have finished MUCH faster considering he wasn't even "breathing hard" at the end. Come November he will run at his own record speeds...not having to be "nice" and stay with his wife. But in the end he admitted he had a great time.

When we arrived home we had are little cheer leaders waiting for us. As you might have noticed from the first picture of me holding up my "women's" (aka...baby girl) shirt...yes, it was running extra SMALL...and last time I checked I'm not the smallest gal in town, so I thought it would be a great present for Alayna! She was SUPER happy for her own "running" shirt. She told me that when she really fits in it she will run her own "half" with me. This girl is catching the vision of running...well maybe it's the new shirts, music, headphones and shoes I bring home...not the exercise it's self!

Conversation with Alayna before I left.
Alayna: "Mom, are you running a full or a half this time?"
Me: "Funny, a half."
Alayna: "Oh, (somewhat disappointed) I think you should do a full sometime."
Me: "Oh, wow...not this year!"
Alayna: "Ok, I'll run it with you next year."
Me: "Deal, you run with me I'll do it!"

So there ya have it. I will run a full marathon when Alayna is running by me. I think I have several years to train!

Boating...

(Shandra posing with all the kids)

A fun filled day of boating deserves a tribute to Amanda...Let me introduce you to her. (Sorry I didn't take your picture!) She is my dear friend, who can drive a truck with a boat, back up a truck with a boat on it, she's totally cool...need I say more? Oh, and let's just say she has WILD and CRAZY ideas when it comes to FUN and being spontaneous. For all these reasons (and so many more) this is why she is my friend! So after a fun Saturday filled with SUN and BOATING with just women and no kids, we decided to go back out on Monday with all the kids. Three Moms and 10 kids set out for a day filled with fun and boating...even though it was windy, a dead battery, a broken air pump, etc. We did have success, no injuries and SO much fun. I loved it and so did my kiddos!!!

Alayna, even attempted to knee board. She did great. I would start out on the board to stabilize her but then I would let go and they would go around and around. I was so proud of her! At first she was afraid and she chickened-out and stayed on the boat after I had jumped in...I was NOT happy about this (did I mention this was in Utah Lake (yuck)...anyways, I yelled up to her that she will have to do the dishes for me because she didn't knee board. Finally, after she decided to hop in and try knee boarding after I had done it by myself she gave it a shot. She LOVED it! She was having so much fun. When her turn was over she looked straight at me with a BIG smile on her face and said, "Now, I don't have to do the dishes!"

Let's just say that the reaction from the kids was WAY BETTER than Christmas morning! Seriously, the older KIDS LOVED IT! The very next morning Jake and Alayna said, "Mom, I think I'm going to ask Santa for a boat." Then I said, "Well, Alayna you better ask Santa for a truck and trailer to pull the boat!" They smiled but didn't get my sarcasm.

Here's to show that Caleb smiled for a brief moment...Oh, how I will totally PAY REAL LIVE MONEY for a babysitter next time!

Oh, let me introduce you to Mr. Grumpy. When I got home and told Jared about our fun adventurous from boating that day, I said "Caleb cried the whole time." Jared said, "You mean some of the day." I responded, "Oh, no. I picked my words carefully...the WHOLE day!" Oh, this age did not enjoy the boat ride. Seriously, he needed his 12 hours of sleep and his crib. By the time we returned home for dinner, his eyes were bloodshot red and puffy. He was one tired kid. Sorry little buddy, next time you will stay home and sleep the day away! :)

Yes, we are alive!

Is summer at your house this crazy as ours? Seriously, where does the time go? Oh, let's see, playing outside, getting wet, swimming, eating picnic lunches, playing with cousins, mini-vacations to Cherry Hill, etc. Anyways, we are alive and we are living it up this summer.

This night the picture taken was a funny evening. We had Aunt Krista over and cousin Kennady over for dinner. We were doing our family questions around the table and it went like this.

Me: "When is it okay to watch bad movies?" (*The original question read, "At what age should chilren watch PG-13 movies?" Since my kids have no concept of movie ratings I changed it a bit.
Alayna: She was staring at me a little confused. She then replies, "When I'm a teenager because I will know what is right and wrong." (I laughed because I think of any age, this is when kids forget their morals!)
Jake: He was rambling off on his third question in a row having to do with Lightening McQueen or Buzz Lightyear. He began talking about the "mean or bad" part in Cars when Chick runs McQueen off the track. Once he was finishing answering, he looks at Kennady and asks in the sweetest voice and his head tilted...
"Kennady, what's your favorite BAD movie to watch?" he contined to ask her this question over and over again!

Krista and I look at each other and just start laughing. Apparently, the question was a little too deep for them. Either way, Jake gave us a good laugh all night long. When he went outside he decided that the bucket would become his helmet for his "super fast race car hot wheels bike!" Oh, and that would be little screamer or crazy man...aka Caleb! WOW, this kid has personality!!! (Yes, he loves my bathroom and yes, he is carrying my deodorant around!)

First Day of Kindergarten

First Day of Kindergarten

Is it really true? Have 5 years come and gone? Is my first born leaving me EVERYDAY now? Oh, how I can't believe this is the case. But time passes, children grow older and they too have to move on. Today (July 26th) was the first day that Alayna met her teacher. It was the "testing" day for Kindergarten. Her teacher is Mrs. Knudsen. So here is the story of Alayna's experience leading up to her "testing" day.
Story: Sunday night Jared and I were doing our nightly ritual, tucking the kids in, talking, singing, etc. I was taking my turn at Alayna's bedside after family prayers, when she started to cry. Now, this wasn't your average 5 year old crying, this was real emotion. I knew it was real when her two little hands covered her eyes, and continued to wipe down her face over and over again drying her tears. I immediately hugged her and encouraged her to tell me what the matter was. She replied, "I don't want to go to school the day after tomorrow!" I asked her, "Why?" She then said, "Because I don't want to be tested...(a small shudder and sniffle) I don't know everything!" (with a big sigh of relief once it was said). My first reaction was to laugh, sadly I did, but I had her snuggled up next to me in my arms. I giggled and explained to her that is why she is going to school. She isn't required to know everything, that's why she is going to learn. I continued to talk with her about how, daddy went to college to learn to by a "doctor" (that's what the kids call him!), and he didn't know how to be one until after he was taught by his teachers. In the moment of explaining I thought to myself, I was doing a good job explaining, she was calming down and we were doing well. My thought was quickly proved wrong when she let out another big sigh and tears when she said, "But what if my teacher asks me to write my name in cursive!!! I don't know how to write in cursive!" (boo hoo hoo) I once again had a good little laugh and just hugged her and told her she knows everything she needs too for Kindergarten! We also discussed how when she comes home we will have after school snacks. She explained to me "Mom, the Madsen kids (her cousins) can open the fridge and get anything out of it they want! Even little pickles...Can I have a pickle if I want one?" I laughed again! "Yes, you can have a pickle if you want!" What a funny girl, worrying about every last detail.
We continued to talk through the entire process, day to day things and how she really is going to love it. Jared eventually joined in on the conversation and gave her some encouragement and that was that. I must admit that this memory will be a lasting memory for our little girl, having such high expectations of her self when entering Kindergarten!
Once the official "testing" day came, she entered with confidence and LOVED every minute of it. As soon as she left her teacher and classroom she exclaimed to me, "I got them all right! I did so well, mom...it was so easy!" I asked her the different "tests" she had to do and she said, "They weren't tests mom they were games!" I realized in that moment that when Jake enters Kindergarten we are going to tell him he gets to go play "games" with his teacher and not take a test! But then again I don't see Jake having any issue with anxiety like his sister. I did ask Alayna what the trickiest "game" she had to do and she said, "I read a book and I could do it, but when my teacher took the pictures away and only kept the words it was hard...it took me awhile but I still could read it." I couldn't agree more with her, that is the level she is on. Either way, this "game" day made her MORE excited to return back to school. She just had to wait a week before she could go!

Here is the REAL official Kindergarten day! August 3rd, 2010 (Tuesday) at 12:13pm...This is the day she was finally able to ride a school bus. I love how excited kids are when this happens. (Thanks Kari again for the cute sign idea!) Alayna was so thrilled to have her hair grow long. For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile I have mentioned in the past that Alayna will not and has not allowed me to cut her hair. About two years ago she said, "Mom, you can't cut my hair because I want it to grow long enough to have two braids coming down when I go to Kindergarten!" So there you go! She did it. She got her wish of two years, her two darling braids. Personally, I think she is one darling girl. She has a smile and fun personality that just lights up a room. We love you!

Really, do backpacks need to be this large? Or maybe she will grow into it? Either way I loved the view from the back.

She wanted to pose by something pretty...so here you go, her hiding in the trees in our front yard.

Now, tell me this isn't a girl ready to take on Kindergarten? I think so! I LOVE this picture for her smile. She was SO HAPPY! It was finally her turn to ride a school bus! Okay, so here is another little story about her the night before her first day. Monday night was family home evening, so we spent of coarse more time talking about school, making good choices, having good friends, doing the best you can, etc. We had a great time talking and as usual having fun. Anyways, bed time came once again (are you catching on Alayna LOVES to talk at bed time!) anyways, we knelt in family prayer once again and Alayna asked if she could say it. She said the MOST sincere prayer she has EVER said. She asked Heavenly Father for comfort and to bless her to have a good day at Kindergarten, to help her have fun, to be happy, to be safe on the school bus and to not miss her mommy too much, etc." Her prayer continued on in this fashion saying such sweet things that I did have to open my eyes to catch a glimpse of her. She was poised so reverently and really asking with such intent. You could tell she got it. She knew how to pray. As a mom, you just hope with all your heart they get this moment in their life. She did. I loved it! After her prayer she lunged into my arms and started to whimper, (yes, it's a girl thing...full of emotions!) I asked her what was wrong and she said she was "a little scared for tomorrow." I told her how proud I was of her and how if she is scared she can say another prayer just like the one she had said at anytime to help calm her fears. She said I know. I then said, "What is something else you can do to not be scared?" She said, "I can remember that Jesus is always in my heart with me!" Jared and I looked at each other and pretty much, "oohhed and gooed" over her! It was the most adorable moment ever. We just love this little girl.
So the next morning, I went running early in the morning. I love this time because it's SO peaceful, quiet and just me. (I can't even run with music anymore it's so peaceful!) I'm able to run with beautiful scenery all around me, and just think. It's simply the BEST suggestion I have for anyone out there needing some "alone" time. Anyways, as I was running just thinking to myself, I had this thought as I looked at the mountains with the sun just peaking up behind it, "Is she ready for this?" It was almost like a mini-mom moment, "Is she ready for this miniature mission in her life?" I felt like this is her mini-mission in life. Her next step, the next phase of growing and maturing, out on her own...with out me right by her side. As I pondered on the question that entered my mind, "Is she ready?" I reflected on the last night. As I ran, I had a quiet peace in my mind, I could answer the question.
Two things were proven to me, and confirmed by the Spirit that night before.
1. She knows how to pray to her loving Father in Heaven.
2. She knows that she is never alone. The Saviors Spirit can always be with her.
After that quiet spiritual moment, of answering the question in my mind. I knew that she was ready, because the Spirit had confirmed that in my heart. Now, that I look at the darling picture above of her getting on the school bus, it's like I can see her armed with her "spiritual armor"- she is ready to move forward, she's ready to start her journey. I couldn't be more pleased with our first child. We love her dearly! You will make the BEST kindergartner out there!!!

Bear Lake 2010

Seriously, what part of this picture isn't adorable? None. Well, other than the fact this is how much Caleb enjoyed his time spent at Bear Lake. Oh, how a one year old just doesn't appreciate a vacation.

Here is the Perry Family gang. I grew up coming to Bear Lake every year for the BEST reunions out there. As the families have all GROWN with MANY children, we haven't had the opportunity to return as "cousins" for a few years. Thankfully, we spontaneously planned this trip and several of us were able to attend. It recommitted all of us to attend each year here on out. We loved every minute of it!!! We tried new ice cream shakes at a local joint, they had ice cream with a real slice of pie in each shake. I tried the caramel pecan pie shake...and YUMMY! We also rented two wave runners for several hours. This was AWESOME! It brought back memories as a kid of how much fun we used to have out on the lake. I must admit that my daring adventurous side has increased. I wanted a thrill...could this be a result of being a mother of three and needing some extra FUN in my life? Probably, not. But either way, I had my crazy cousin AJ give me a run for my money and it was great. He couldn't match my thrill seeking adventure so his dad, my uncle Alan gave it a shot....let's just say that I found myself backwards on the wave runner holding on...that did it. A few minutes of that, crazy turns and high speeds...I was DONE! I fell off a few times and got wet. All in all I stayed healthy and had a GREAT time. I can't wait till we come up again!

Me and the little dude. Notice how his eyes are red and puffy. That would be the result of sadness and sand in the eyes. Poor guy.

Jacob doing what he does best. Being a happy kid. This little guy would fall asleep on his own out on boat rides, floating in tubes, on the beach, etc. It made for a very relaxing vacation with him around.

Before I headed back home to help with Youth Conference in my ward I had to have one family photo taken. Until next year Bear Lake, we love you!!