I can't believe it lasted this long...

You know how most people get 10 toasters for their wedding? Not us, we only got one...

After 10 1/2 blissful years it finally bit the dust! Thank you to whomever purchased this gem. I've always wanted to get a nice one with four slots, matched our kitchen and would cut toasting time in half, but the practical side of me would never, this one worked just fine. NOW I CAN!!!

YOU BETTER SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN

Sometimes Dustin just can't resist...

He is such a jokester. He loves to make people laugh. He often comes home from work with a new joke that he used in a presentation to lighten the mood. He makes life fun around our home and here is just one small example of his mind in action...

Sweet little Embry escaped being a work of art, probably because Dustin didn't want to wake her. In the morning Brody and Kenley were sitting on the couch watching cartoons and Kenley looked over to Brody and said "HA HA you have a mustache on your face". As Brody turned to say "no I don't" he saw hers and said "you do to!" Brock came up a little while later and Kenley immediately noticed and said "Brock go look at your face!" Good thing he used washable marker! We all got a good laugh! It was a great way to start off the day. Thanks Honey!!!!

Through the eyes of a 4 year old

I saw this on a friends blog and couldn't resist:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
No (Oops!?!!??, after I had asked all the questions i tried this one again and he said we already did that one and I said "No". I guess I need to say NO less)
2. What makes mom happy?
when I love her
3. What makes mom sad?
when I don't listen to her
4. How does you mom make you laugh?
when she tickles me
5. What was your mom like as a child?
ummm...Brock, Kenley, Me and Embry
6. How old is your mom?
I don't know
Do you wanna guess?
ummm.... 32? Your not 32 your 31. Are you 32?
Yep!
I got it right!!
7. How tall is your mom?
3 feet
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
play computer
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
play with Embry
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
being a rock star
11. What is your mom good at?
volleyball
12. What is your mom not very good at?
charades for kids
13. What does your mom do for her job?
get dressed
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
lasagna
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
when she hugs me
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
wow wow wubbzy
17. What do you and your mom do together?
play with friends
18. How are you and your mom the same?
we both have brown eyes
19. How are you and your mom different?
she has long hair and I have short
2o. How do you know your mom loves you?
she kisses me and hugs me
21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
when they got married
22. Where is your moms favorite place?
Wal-mart

Gotta love it!

The time has come

I said goodbye to my baby brother yesterday for two years. He's off to serve a mission in Mexico. He doesn't actually report to the MTC until October 8th, but our family will be in Rocky Point when they come through here on their way to Utah. We all got together in Sierra Vista at my parents home for a going away party. We had a beautiful evening in their gorgeous front yard. The kids loved running free and getting into the soda and water buckets full of ice water, or in little E's case the chips and salsa also. It's so great to see what a wonderful family you have when they all pull together to support each other. He had so many people come to hear him talk at church and to wish him well on his mission, some from really far distances for a very short time. That's when you know you're loved. Here's just some of the people that love Clay...

We'll miss you Clay but be with you every step of the way!

Return with Honor!

Colorado Hunting

AHHHHH... what a nice relaxing, calming week. Dustin and I were able to go to Colorado for his annual deer hunt. He's been going for the past five years and this year he decided he wanted me to go along (picture me in a cabin with six men dressed in cammo eating deer meat, yeah I fit right in). His sweet mom kept the kiddos for us so that we could go enjoy being the two of us! We had a great time, beautiful weather, pretty sunsets, nice talks, long walks, laughs and quiet moments. I was telling Dustin it was different than any other trip we have taken, cause there was not much to do but enjoy each other.

I got a ton of reading done! Every chance I had I picked up a book, there were a lot of chances. That's my kind of vacation! Corry and I were reading buddies.

Dustin got one on day number four, he was holding out for a trophy. I finally told him I was bad luck and that he needed to go out by himself, do what he does and shoot a deer! I, of course, took one for the team and stayed at the cabin and slept in. A few short hours later Dustin showed up with dinner.

Our wonderful cook got out the dutch oven and before the night was over our tummy's were full!

In case you all were wondering, this is how I showered...

...In the buff... in the wilderness! Dustin set it all up for me and would fill the bag full of water and let it set in the sun all day so it would be warm like a real shower. He even brought some carpet from home so I wouldn't have to stand in the mud. I only took two showers the whole week (didn't want to seem like too much of a girl) but those two showers were glorious!

I am grateful for the pioneers that traveled so far their bodies aching from the long journey, I sure ached after climbing each mountain and I only did it for 4 days. My bed, my shower, a solid roof over my head, time with Dustin and to be back with my kiddos!

THINGS THAT MADE ME SMILE TODAY...

Coming home from the gym to Dustin making blueberry muffins for breakfast! Yummy my favorite!
Dustin creating a new Olympic sport... getting all water bottle ice cubes out of the tray with out breaking a single one. His score... a perfect 10.
The kids out gigin' frogs in the backyard before school. We are now the proud owners of 11 baby frogs.
Brother and Sister walking side by side to the bus stop.
Brody wanting to take a picture of his Mama and his sweet baby sister.

Dustin excited to take me hunting with him, out packing everything so I didn't have to do a thing. He thought of everything, a portable shower, my favorite candy, stuff to read, all my bathroom stuff, a light to read my book in the early morning hours when the sun isn't even up yet, clothes to keep me warm. He's even washing all his hunting stuff so it smells nice and pretty for me. I'd venture to say he hasn't been this excited since our wedding night!
Brody and Kenley hiding before scriptures. I didn't see them until I sat on the couch and called them to come for scriptures. Then I smiled of course and ran to get the camera.
Dustin thinking it was funny and adding all the kiddos to the decor.
And little Miss E doing her best to recite the 1st Article of Faith, learning from the example of her brothers and sister.

Being grateful... I am grateful that my older three can all say the first 3 Articles of Faith, we're working on four now. That Embry wants to follow their example. That I had so many things to smile about today. That Dustin is going to tell the kiddos that we should let our 11 pet frogs go so they don't die. I'm grateful that it's raining, man I love the rain. I love the smell, the overcast days, the frogs...as long as they say outside, I love the rain. I am grateful that I can go to the gym and run, run, run, all my stress away. Well at least it's gone for a few hours. I am grateful to spend 7 days with Dustin in the mountains, reading, talking, hunting, laughing and just being us!

Might need to brush up on my Mothering skills...

Embry was eating lunch today and I went to send some emails for RS. I was in the room for maybe 10 minutes. When I went to check on her this is what I found...

Poor little tired girl

At church today we were told that Matt Bachrach one of our ward members was killed in a car accident. I didn't know him very well, mostly I knew of his beautiful music. I am so sad for his family, his wife (expecting their third child) and his two little boys. I also feel extremely grateful.
Grateful for my family, for my sweet children who teach me patience, love, to be young, gratitude, how to have fun, that it's okay if you don't match, and if you skip one bath life still goes on. I'm so grateful for my husband who loves me no matter what, helps with the kids all the time, works so hard, misses me when he's gone, loves ice cream, loves our kids to pieces, teaches me to always be positive, to relax and enjoy life and shows me the beauty of the world around me. I am grateful for a support system, in family, in church, and in friends. I am grateful for the knowledge that I will live with my family for eternity. I am grateful that I can pray to a Heavenly Father that will listen and answer.

Leave it all behind

It's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. We had so much fun at the cabin for Labor Day. The weather was beautiful and the kids spent almost every waking hour outside. Brody played on the trailer the entire time and was dirty from head to toe the whole trip, I'm surprised his clothes came clean. Brock, Caden and a friend from another cabin built a TP and fire pit, and Kenley, Maija and Mikki added their girly touch to the campsite. It was nice to see them working together and having so much fun. Embry loved the swing, we still don't trust her enough to let her ride by herself so she took turns with Mom and Dad. She couldn't get enough of being outside and would often say "outside me?" Her Aunt Kirsi took her for a walk and made her a darling flower crown. I could just eat her up she looked so sweet! Dustin and I loved watching our kiddos use their imaginations. I wish life wasn't so busy.

A friend of mine does something on her blog that I want to start doing. She posts about being grateful, at the end of most of her posts she writes the things that she is grateful for that day or just in her life. I hope it's okay that I steal your idea Lisa! It's been very uplifting for me to read. It's not always easy to remember the things that you are grateful for at the end of a long hard day, so today I start being grateful!

I am grateful for great friends that teach you to be grateful. That my family is healthy and safe. I've been reading about Christian and Stephanie Nielson who were in a plane crash and were both burned very badly. Their kids are under the care of family and probably won't be able to see their parents for many months (if you're curious click on the c jane link on my blog). I am grateful that I get to see my kids everyday, except for Brock, he's hunting with his daddy right now. I'm grateful for the Ensign and the inspiring stories that touch my life and my heart. I'm grateful that I was able to watch my newborn nephew today and smell the sweet smell of a brand new baby. And lastly for my comfy bed, but not for the mosquitoes that keep me up all night swatting and scratching. Wow, It's late! One more, I'm grateful for this sweet face that puts a smile on my face every morning no matter what time I went to bed.