some updates

This is me with my Christmas present. I was just telling my mom how much I wanted this certain kind of camera but how I would never have a camera that nice. I was so shocked when I opened my present from James and this is what he got me. We never buy presents for each other and he kept saying that he bought me something but that it was just small and that it was really for the entire family. I am here to testify that Christmas wishes do come true. Thank-you James!!!!(And from now on my pictures will look better on my blog)

Roxi had a good Christmas and got a lot of new toys to chew and throw around.

Christmas jammies. It is hard to find matching ones. This is as close as I got.

Fast and easy buckeyes. My girls helped me make them this year and it took less then half the time it usually takes. I used to make them when everyone was at school and I would be so sick of them when I was done that I hated the smell of peanut butter and chocolate for months. This was so much better. Thank-you girls!!

Our Christmas tree. It is one of the funny little ones with all the homemade and neighbor gift ornaments. We love it. It has a lot of memories.

Big birthday number 13. Ymmy cake time

Allison and her warm fuzzy blanket.

What a difference a year makes!!

Jarin has had three wrestling matches this year he won one, lost one and tonight he got his very first pin in a match. The boy almost had him pinned but Jarin used some very smart wrestling moves and got him down and pinned him in 40 seconds. It was very fun to see. He has improved a ton since last year.

On a side note--I have been accepted into the University of Utah masters/licensure program. I now get to add college courses to my schedule. But it was exciting to know that I could make it into a program even if it is at the U.

Happy thirteenth Birthday to Allison on November 23rd. I have blogging issues so I wanted to get this post up and wish my sweet teenage baby girl happy birthday. I may have pictures of her birthday(which is tomorrow) up someday but here are a few to remind us all that Allison is a fun-loving, happy, crazy girl who loves puppies, babies, music, art, her friends and having fun with her family. We love you Allison!!!

We have been doing a wall of gratitude (which jarin changed to the door of gratitude) ever night before scriptures. This has been a fun bonding activity with our family and has helped us remember to be thankful for all the little things in our lives as well as the big things.

Finally some new pictures.

Allison went on a super fun totally awsome activity with the young women. They went to a cabin and played guitar hero beatles all night. When I say all night that is what I mean. The only sleep she got was on the way home. Here she she is the next night. She is not sure she will ever stay up all night again.

Ashley turning seven. What a sweetie she is.

Allison and Ashley playing with "benaroos".

Here is her birthday cake. She wanted to make it on her own. She put too much Pam in the pan so it sunk but it was yummy. She decorated it with princess decorations. There are crowns, glass slippers, poison apples, and pearls.

Birthday Princess Ashley

Halloween with a zombie lady, a scarey orange witch and the grim reaper. Jason was not sure who he was or what it did but he knew he was something scarey and he loved that. He hated the hood over his face though.

Jason earned his bear. Here he is doing a cub scout cheer after. The theme was jungle safari--can you tell?

Happy Be-lated Birthday Ashley

I took pictures of my babies birthday and I will post them as soon as I can get Jarin to help me.(It has turned into a long and complicated process with my little old camera) But she had a great birthday even though we did not get to go to the zoo because it snowed. I can't believe my baby is seven.

Here is Roxi. Gotta love a dogs big, cold, wet nose.(unless you are not a dog person)

Here is a little collage I made playing on picasa. We have been taking turns having parent/teacher conferences and sickness. I forgot how crazy paper work is in the special education field. I do still love my job. The kids are great and the program is well run. Things are running smoothly at work. Home on the other hand is not so smooth. What is more important dusting, laundry or homework? If you said it depends on the day you'd be right.

We had regional stake conference today. When it was over we thought we would take a little drive and get some pictures of the family. We came across this cute little pond up by the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple. There were some crazy ducks at this little pond. They tried to be all tough, but then they met Jason and decided to get the heck out of there.

Hey did anyone see where those ducks went?

It is hard to get a picture of Jason holding still. But he makes the other kids have great smiles on their faces.

We went to the zoo for the members halloween crafty fun day(not on Sunday, it was over UEA). The line for that was huge so we just looked around the zoo. Which one is the real monkey?

I know I have not put anything on my blog for so long. I have been so busy getting ready to go back to work full time and getting my family ready for my absense. My mom and dad came to help for a month and a half. They just left on Saturday morning and now I am on my own. Thanks mom for all your wonderful help. I could not have done it without you. We also have some great memories that I will always cherish.

It may be blurry but it is hard to get a picture of Jarin. This is him on his first day of High school. I am not sure I am old enough to have a son in high school. But I must be because here is starting 10th grade. Wow.

Alllison and her first day of seventh grade. She has been so enjoying it.

Jason on his first day of fourth grade with Grandma.

Ashley's first day of first grade. She went a day after everyone else because they do little interviews with their teacher the first day. She was so excited. She has her preschool teacher for her first grade teacher. Yeah

Out of order but here is Jason doing his form for his Karate promotion.

The ferris wheel.

Ashley and Jason rode the little rides they had at the park. Ashley was screaming the entire time she was on this one. We thought she hated it but when she got off she said it was the funnest ride ever.

Grandma and papa sitting in the shade watching all the excitement. People kept talking to papa and shaking his hand. They all thought he was a cute, sweet little man, which he is.

This is Jason on a little metal bike by the Burger King we ate at with Grandma and Papa Labor Day.

Here is Jason with the Karate group on his promotion to blue belt.

We went to Gardner village one day when all the babysitting kids went home early. We haven't had much fun this summer. Here is Jason petting a baby goat.

Jason and Ashley rode the ponies. Jason loved it. Ashley was a little nervous. She does not like to be "up" off the ground.

Jarin in the dug out trying to stay cool. It was 101 degrees that day. We lost our first game by four. I think(and others agreed) that it was due to a few coaching errors. But even coaches can make mistakes. We won the second game 11-1. If we lose one more we are out. And the schedule is tuff now that we are in the losers bracket.

Catching a fly-ball.

Here is Jarin practicing his great swing that earned him a home run in the first game and an almost home run in the second, and several rbis.

I think they look so cute sitting on the bench all together. We have so enjoyed this allstar season. We will be happy no matter how long it lasts.

baseball update

Our West Jordan Allstars took first in district. Now it is off to the state tournament in Kaysville.

The fourth of July

Jarin on the allstar float. The most fun part of being on the float is to squirt everyone with waterguns. It is a tradition and a lot of people get hoses and water guns to shoot back at them. This year about halfway through the parade people were complaining so they made them stop. It was sad. We were near the end of the parade and were waiting for Jarin to squirt us and he could not. They look a little sad don't they. They still had fun. They got drenched and had a big water gun fight at the end with each other.

The rest of the kids watching.

Daytime fireworks. These are my kids' favorites. They love to catch the parachutes.

Here is Evan in a life jacket. This is for you mom. His smiles are few and far between unless you are making him laugh.

Take me out to the ball game

Here is one for all you sports fans out there. At the end of two innings the opposing team is up 10-0. Jarin got hit in the back and got a walk to first. He ended up getting home, saving us from losing because of the ten run rule. The other team scores one more run. During the next inning our team scored ten runs to tie the game( including a monster hit by Jarin). We then go into extra innings--two before our team finally scores the winning run. It doesn't sound near as fun as it was. But it was a great game, especially since it was raining during the last two innings! It is always fun to win games like that. It is also sad to lose them.(we know. We've been there). We are now hoarse and too hyper to sleep.

Random pictures

I keep forgetting my camera at the games. Here is an at home picture in his all star uniform. Maybe more action packed ones to come later.

This picture turned out way dark on the computer. It does not look like this on my camera? This is Jason head gear for his sparing equipment for karate.

Jason and his broken arm. The cast is now off and he has a brace.

Jarin "posing" on his birthday

These are the pajama pants Allison and her friend made.

Here is Jason eating crab legs on his birthday