Happy Halloween!

Fun Filled Fall Weekend:)

On Friday, Aimee and I took Mason, Emma, Grant and Emmeline to the Treehouse Museum for the annual "Haunted Woods" party. I ordered tickets in advance, and it was a good thing because it was completely sold out! Bruce and I used to take Justine and Colter every year, so we've started the tradition again with Mason and Emma Jayne. The kids had a great time visiting all of the different fairy tale characters, hearing a story and getting a treat. Emma's favorite? The one little pig. His story was in the little theater, and Emma laughed the whole time! The funniest thing, however, was when the wolf came out. He threatened to blow someones house down, but Emmeline would have none of that! She put her arm tight around Grant and shouted "You won't blow down OUR house!". It was so funny! Thanks Aimee and kids:)

On Saturday, Bruce and I attended the Michaelson's annual Halloween bash! We had such a great time (as always!!!), and loved visiting with our friends. Angie did a fantastic job decorating and Rich cooked up a great big pot of chili. Thanks guys for a wonderful time!....BTW...If you're wondering, Darci is Beth Chapman and Jon is Dog:)

The 80's crew

Beth and I...Dog was off catching a bad guy with his holster of "Outst" air sanitizer....

Walker, Texas Ranger and 80's chick...

Hey....It's DEVO!

As if we couldn't fit any more fun into the weekend, on Sunday we went up to Grandma Sue's for a pumpkin carving party! We had the best time. I think we're going to make it an annual tradition. The kids loved carving the pumpkins (provided by Tobin, Diana and the kids), eating the yummy lunch, and playing with the treats in their treat bags (thanks to Jeni and Nikki). It was a beautiful autumn afternoon, and all the more wonderful when we were able to spend it with family and friends....... Highlights to follow......

Happy Days.....Grandma is home!

MY MOM IS HOME! Yeah:)......She and Mardee embarked on a whirlwind tour of Eastern Europe on October 1st, not to return home until the 21st. LONG TIME to be without my Mom! On Wednesday the 21st, Colter and I went to pick them up at the airport, hoping to surprise them with some Pumpkins http://paigehill.blogspot.com/2009/10/plethora-of-pumpkins.html. Jeni and Nikki were the designated picker-uppers, but Colt and I were determined to show up and get them unannounced. Their flight was supposed to be in at 10:30. I wanted to leave at 9:30, but travel-expert Bruce told me that we'd just sit and wait. Flights are NEVER early, you know. So we left at 9:45. What do you know? We hadn't even reached 1-15 when Jeni was calling to let us know that their plane had landed an hour before it was supposed to!!!! Yikes! She stalled them and Colter and I hurried to get them. Funny thing. When we pulled up, Mardee was not surprised to see us. I had posted on my Facebook page that we were picking them up. Dumb you say? Well, their FB pages didn't work in Europe, but apparently they work in New York (duh!)....Anyway, she kept the secret and they were excited to see us. I'm so glad they went, but so glad they're home:). On Thursday Mom came out to see the kids and give them the souvenirs she had picked up.

Here's Mason modeling his authentic Soccer jersey...

We love you Mom/Grandma! Thanks for all of the nice treats:)

Family Fun Night @ The Treehouse Museum:)

On Thursday evening we loaded up the kids and headed to "Family Literacy Night" at the Treehouse Museum. It was put on by the school and they did a fantastic job! Emma loves the Treehouse, so she always has fun there. Mason was thrilled to meet the author Kristyn Crow (http://www.kristyncrow.com/) so we bought her book, Bed Time at the Swap and she signed it for him. Meeting the author was a great thing for Mason. He really needed to have some reading motivation. It's odd because Bruce and I are huge readers. We read to the kids, we read the paper, books magazines. However, Mason just isn't interested. So I was excited when he came home reciting the book and telling us all about the author. I really knew it was a good thing when, today, he sat down on the couch and started reading to Emma! Thumbs up for Family Literacy Night!

Emma and Daddy make a book mark....

Emma builds....

Mason milks a cow...

Yippee!

Funny story..... This Pikachu used to be at RC Willey in the electronics department. When we were building our house, we were looking for appliances. Mason, who was about three at the time, saw Pikachu across the store. Colter was the king of Pokemon (of course) so Mason knew all about Pikachu and had to walk up to it. The whole rest of the day he kept showing us that he could do the "Peace" sign just like Pikachu! It was so funny.

PINK JUSTINE TURN'S 18!!!!!!!

Yes, I'm shouting! Justine Helen turned 18 years old this morning at exactly 6:18 (she and Colt were both born at the same time). Can you believe it? She's an adult! Wow....time goes by so fast. It seems like yesterday when we first met. Bruce and I started dating when she was almost two and from the very beginning, I knew that she was a special little girl. I loved her (and Bruce, for that matter) from the start. We always had such a good time together (and still do). She's just a joy to be around. Always so positive and cheerful. We love our Juss so much! So I spent the last couple of days sorting through thousands of pictures (you think I'm kidding???), trying to find a few favorites that I could post of the fun times over the years. I just couldn't decide. How do you narrow it down? So I choose 130+ favorites.They're on the slide show at the bottom. I also wanted to share just a few of my favorite memories of Juss. Again, I have thousands, but rather than write an entire novel, here are my most cherished:

*When I was pregnant with Colter, Juss would go to my Dr's appointments with me. Naturally, she picked up on all of the procedures that went on during these times. Of course, she turned it into a game. A game that could only be played with me. We'd be anywhere, home, the store, driving down the road and Juss would shout out "Hey, Why are you coming to the Dr. today?". I'd have to come up with some "symptom", then we'd have to run down everything that you'd do at the Doctor. Taking blood pressure, looking in ears, throat, eyes, temp. Then she'd give me a "Diagnosis". Poor Bruce always wanted a turn, but only I could be the "patient". We'd even play over the phone! So for Christmas, I bought her the Fisher-Price Dr. kit. I swear we played that game for years:). No wonder she wants to be a nurse.....

*Here's Margaret.

Here she is in her Space Suit...

Margaret is one of my most cherished possessions. I could never replace her. I kept her in glass case in our old house with my most precious things. Now she sits on my desk where I can see her everyday. Here's her story. One day when Justine was small, we went to Dairy Queen. Margaret and her space suit were the "prize". That day we had a really great time. We went to the park, read books, played with the Fisher-Price little people, one of those awesome kid days. Juss had to go back to her Mom's that night and she said to me "Who are you going to play with while I'm gone?". I grabbed Margaret and told her " I guess I'll have to play with Margaret". From then on, that was our thing. Juss would always say "I know you'll miss me, but you'll have Margaret to keep you company". Isn't that cute? Margaret had cemented her place in my heart.

*The famous "Gingerbread Cookie Tattoo" incident of Christmas 2000. Santa filled Justine's stocking with many fun and exciting things this Christmas. The most exciting, however, was a sheet of Christmas themed temporary tattoos. Justine was so excited and filled her arms with Santa's, Candy Canes and Snowmen. I think she even put some on Colter. Well a few days after Christmas, Justine went into the bathroom for what seemed like an eternity. I finally walked up to find out what she was doing. I knocked on the door. "What's up, Juss?". "Are you sick". She was crying. "I need help". She whimpered. I unlocked the door, afraid I was going to find her sick on the floor. Instead, I see her in the bathtub, with no pants on, trying to rub something off her rear end. What in the world is she doing? Here is one of the tougher parts of parenting. Your child is obviously in distress. You walk over and see that your daughter has strategically placed a Gingerbread Cookie tattoo on her right check. You are trying not to laugh, so you're biting your tongue so hard it feels like it will bleed. YOU CANNOT LAUGH! You have to go to the medicine cabinet for the baby oil and some cotton balls. You pass your husband on the way. "What's wrong with Justine?". He asks. You cannot say because you said you wouldn't. Finally you get the offending tattoo off of her backside. You walk into your bedroom and shut the door. You tell your husband what has happened. You both laugh so hard that you're crying. You have to eat dinner, watch movies, play games and not laugh. Finally, a few years go by and your daughter lets you tell the tale of the Christmas Gingerbread Cookie tattoo and everyone can laugh, including Justine.

*In June of 2004, Justine got sick. She hadn't felt well all weekend, but on Sunday, just as soon as Bruce's plane took off, I really got concerned. I called my Mom to come and get the boys and I rushed her up to the clinic. They did a battery of tests, but couldn't really tell me anything. "She could just have a stomach virus, or she could have Appendicitis". "But if she does have Appendicitis, you better get her to the ER quick or she could be in trouble". They couldn't tell me if she did or didn't, but they gave her a shot of Phenergan and it hurt. I held her hand so tight I think it cut off the circulation. We left the clinic and sat in the car. Bruce was in the air. Should I go home and hope for the stomach flu? What if it is Appendicitis? How would I know? She didn't have any of the usual symptoms, still I felt something was wrong. Appendicitis. Funny about that. When Justine was little, she love the book "Madeline". We read it over and over. We watched the movie. We had the doll. She was fascinated with the Appendix "scar" on Madeline's stomach. So here we were. Luckily, Justine's awesome Grandma Myrth, who happens to be a nurse, lived close to the clinic. She was on a walk, but quickly met us at her house. We sat and watched Juss. Both worried. We called her mother who told us to keep her updated. Finally the decision was made. I took her to the ER. We were both scared, but I tried my best to not show it. Funny how being with my dying Dad a year earlier had made me strong. I never thought I could be strong in these situations, but I talked to the Doctors with a confidence in my voice. "Something is wrong with my daughter", I told them. "I just know it". They admitted us and gave us a little room in the ER. Bruce called me back. He was in Boston. He was upset (of course!) and wanted to catch a plane back. They had scheduled a CAT scan for the morning, so I told him to wait. If it was Appendicitis, by the time he could get home, it would be over. He stayed. Poor Juss. She was so sick. I just couldn't stand it. I tried to make her laugh, but she was just miserable. The nurse was great, she and I tended to Justine all night. And a long night it was. Finally, it was time to take her for the CAT scan. Myrth came right after and we got the results. It WAS her appendix and it needed to come out. Surgery was scheduled for later that morning, so I left her with Myrth and went home to take a shower. When I got home, everything hit me and I started to cry. I was trying so hard to be strong, but 2003 had been the worst year. I was just getting used to all of the changes, most of all, missing my Dad. Here it was, a year later, and poor Justine was sick. It had been a horrible year for her too. I won't ever post it, but it was awful. Suddenly I got a feeling that she was going to be fine (thanks Dad!!!). I got ready, went and bought her a pink poodle stuffed animal and headed for the hospital. The surgery went well and Juss's mother stayed with her the next night. The following afternoon she was able to come home. She wanted to come back to our house, so we spent the next week helping her get better. Friends and family visited (Vern and Joyce happened to be out of town when all of this happened) and she recovered nicely. The memory that sticks with me the most is sitting there with her in the ER. She was so sick, but told me that she was glad that I was there with her. I'll never forget that. So every year on June 14th we celebrate three things. Flag day, Darci's birthday and Justine's liberation from her Appendix!

There are so many great things about Justine. I couldn't possibly write them all here. I'll just say thanks Juss, for letting me be a part of your childhood. I will never forget all of the great things that we had done together (remember the pink train we used to race down Grandma Sue's driveway? or the time we rescued "Lucky" the Parakeet from our cat Groucho?") seriously I could go on all day. I love you Justine and I'm so proud to be your parent. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!

*This picture is one of my all time favorites. It's the day we became a family.....

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Blog Slacker!

I'm a Blog slacker! Life has been so busy lately that I haven't had time to update. I started this blog as a way to journal our family adventures and as a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom), I think it's part of my job description to be the family historian. I'm the picture taker, scrapbooker, keeper of all school, holiday, birthday and milestone memories. I keep all the artwork, special school papers. You name it, I probably kept it. I think blogging is an excellent way to do this, however, I've slacked! No more. I was talking to some friends about Blogs/Facebook. Everyone seems to have a Facebook. They post pictures and update their status so they kind of use it as blog. So the discussion was Blog or Facebook. I say both. I know my friends and family read my blog, so I do both. Yes, it's easier to post on Facebook and everyone seems to do that, but I really want to keep my memories on the blog, so I'll continue to blog and FB. Oh and thanks for all of the comments, even if they are on Facebook! I told my friends how sad it looks to have the little 0 on my comments here, but I guess I could copy them over when I make a scrapbook of my blog:). So here is a condensed version of the last week....

Our new pup's name is...(Drum Roll)......MARLEY:)! Here she is going for a ride. Notice her splint? She and Colter had a collision resulting in (what else?) a hurt leg. She's fine now and sweet as can be.

This weekend we went to Island Park with Jon and Darci. Taylor was participating in a downhill mountain bike race at Grand Targee, so we were excited to go cheer him on. Colter and Emma Stayed home, So Bruce, Mason and I followed the Nix's up on Friday night. Saturday morning the guys headed out at the crack of dawn, while Darci, Abbey, Mason and I drove a little later. Here we are waiting for the race....

Here's Taylor and Abbey between races. Taylor did an excellent job. His best time was just over 11 minutes! Way to go Tay:)
Mason and Abbey picked these flowers for Darci and I on our walk down the nature trail...

Bruce and I took the kids on a hike up the mountain. The view was incredible! Mason and Abbey did so well. Here is there buddy "Tom" that we found on the way up.

Almost to the top...

Bruce and I taken by Abbey...A great view of the Teton Range...I had to snap this pic of the John Colter sign for Colter. FYI: John Colter was the first white man to see Yellowstone.........

Mason Relaxing at the cabin....

Ready to go home.....

One more thing. My hard drive died. Not good. Especially since it was only two years old. Hopefully it can be recovered. If not, I lost a good year and a half of pictures. I know it's my own fault for not backing them up. Moral of the story, BACK EVERY THING UP! Luckily I had some pics on the blog and some online, so it's not too bad. I'm just hoping for some recovery. On the bright side, I GOT AN iMAC:). A lot to learn, but I'm having fun.

A Very Eventful Week!

The Princess at a Princess Party:
On Saturday Kaira had a Princess Party, complete with a real, live princess! Emma had such a fun time learning how to be a princess, dancing, singing and making her own princess crown. Happy Birthday Kaira!

Happy Birthday Colter! The First Day of School.

I can't believe how fast the summer went by! Monday the kids headed back to school. I'm so sad to see them go. Other parents celebrate, I'm sad. First of all, once again the first day fell on Colter's Birthday. It doesn't seem to bother him, but it makes me sad. Next, he started (GASP!) High School! We did this happen? What happened to the little boy I used to cuddle with in the morning and watch Winnie The Pooh? Yes. I cried. Happy Birthday Colter! We love you.....

Mason: Poor Mason had allergy testing. Not fun. As soon as they put all of the serum on his back, it turned into a giant hive! Here's the allergy short list: Grass, Weeds, Trees and, our least favorite, animals. Luckily the animals are only a 2, so we don't have to get rid of our cats. So every week we'll be visiting the hospital for two allergy shots. He had his first round on Tuesday. He was really nervous, but after the nurse finished, he was fine. Now for Colter's very special Birthday present:

Isn't she cute! She doesn't have a name yet, but we're so excited to welcome our new "baby" Schnauzer to the family! We picked her up yesterday, so we're all just getting used to each other (Midnight and Maggie are NOT impressed!), but we're so glad she's here!

Swimming and Jackson/Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park....

The whole month of August has been so fun, but so busy! However, if I don't update now I'll have a post the size of the whole blog and nobody wants to read that! So here we go....

*Swimming Lessons: The kids started swimming lessons the second week of August. Emma and I did the "Mommy and Me" class and Mason and Quayden took level 2. Mason did so well! He swam the length of the pool and even learned to dive! Emma Jayne absolutely loved swimming lessons! It was only a half-hour lesson, so when we were done, she was sad to get out of the water. Quite a difference from Mason's "Mommy and Me" experience. He didn't care for it at all! I'm so glad he loves to swim now.

*Right after Swimming Lessons, we headed out for Jackson/Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park. As always, we had a great time! We went to Jackson the first day and had a great time. We ate at a great restaurant, then walked around the town. The next morning, we drove to Yellowstone. It was quite an adventure! First of all, President Obama was visiting Old Faithful while we were there, so we got the privilege of seeing the Presidential Helicopters, Secret Service agents and even a tiny glimpse of the President and his family (well the car they were riding in. Doesn't that count?). The kids were more interested in seeing the wildlife, so off we went to Mt. Washburn, A.K.A Grizzly Bear haven. We weren't disappointed (well I was, but the kids were able to see one!). Right when we got there, we saw the familiar site of a "Bear Jam". We tried to find a spot. Nikki did, so the kids and Bruce jumped out with them, while my Mom, Emma and I tried to find a good place to stop. As soon as the word "Mom, I think there is a Bear over there" left my lips, Emma started to scream "I don't want to see a Bear"! "I hate Bears"!!!!! So my Mom and I were driving down the steep incline, trying to see the Bear, looking for a spot to park, Emma screaming! Finally, I spotted a place in a little pull out. Unfortunately, I didn't notice the very steep incline on the other side! Needless to say we almost ended up at the bottom of the hill! Lucky I have some pretty smooth four wheel drive moves (NOT!) and got us out of there, just in time to see a tiny dot of bear wander off in the opposite direction! When we met up with the rest of the family(of course!), they told us that they got a great view of the Grizzly! Later when we drove a little further down the road, we saw a little black bear on the side of the road. Next, while driving through the Hayden Valley, we saw Bison, Elk and Deer. As we were leaving the park, I remarked to Bruce "Well that's it for the major wildlife for today". Apparently I spoke to soon, because right on the side of our car was a large black bear! I stumbled for my camera and my Black Berry, but didn't get a great picture. However, Nikki got a pretty good one. Thank goodness for Nikki! The next day we went to Grand Teton. It was kind of chilly and a little bit overcast, but a beautiful day. We went to Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and then we hiked to Taggert Lake. It was a long hike, especially with a toddler, but so worth it! It was so beautiful! The lake was just stunning with the Tetons as a back drop and the crystal clear water. On the hike back, Jeni spotted a cow moose with her calf right next to the trail. She and Mom freaked out and made a bee line down the trail. Nikki and I pulled out our cameras and tried to get some good pictures (for those that are concerned, we were at a safe distance!). After we met up with the group, they told us that they had seen a coyote! Mason was pretty excited about that! We visited Jackson again on the way home. Emma had to get one of those huge Disneyland suckers that are as big as your head. So while we were driving home, she started to scream. We had to pull over because, guess what, she had a piece of said giant sucker stuck in her eye! Yikes! Luckily I got it right out and we were on our way. Thanks Mom, Nikki and Jeni for a great trip! Jackson/GNP/Yellowstone is my favorite place to visit. I never get sick of it. Oh and mom, sorry for having to watch "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" 30 times during our trip! Here are the pictures. Yes there are 70! I couldn't help it:)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Oh Go Jump In The River!

On Sunday, we took Justine and Colter down to the swing rope at the Weber River. We met Juss's cousin Davis, Grandma Myrth and Grandpa Jerry. The river was too much for Colter (he's not a great swimmer), but Justine and Davis jumped right in! Here they are having a great time.....