Rain Rain Go Away

Jakey's first T-ball game was supposed to be today. Unfortunately it was canceled due to the rain.

I saw this picture and it reminded me of Jake. He was disappointed that his game was canceled. He was very optimistic though. He told me if it cleared up before it got dark,then they could play. I didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't going to happen. He was sad,but he didn't let it get the best of him.

I love the earth after a good rain. Everything is clean again and smells fresh. I love to see how the rain effects people. Some don't like it at all,they get depressed. Others remember that it will be gone soon and the heat will return,so they enjoy it while it lasts. Kids love the rain. I think we forget how amazing it is as we get older.


I made homemade stew for dinner tonight. It turned out yummy. We we're eating dinner and it was quite. Jacob was staring into his bowl of stew and a big smile came across his face. He exclaimed "Hey I got a apple in mine". Ryan and I laughed so hard. I didn't say anything. Ryan finally explained to Jake it was a red potato. I asked Jake what if I put apples in the stew? He said I think it would be good. I love that kid.By the way Marli loved her first dance lesson. She listened to her teacher and did her best. There are six little girls in her class. Marli is the youngest,but she is the tallest. When the lesson was over she came out I gave her a hug. She said "Mom did you see those two naughty girls?" There were two girls who didn't listen to the teacher and played on a little trampoline in the corner. I thought it was funny that Marli thought they were naughty. I was also glad that it wasn't her. I asked her what she thought of dance. She said "Mom I love it".

Miss Marli

The day has finally arrived. Marli's first dance lesson. She has been patiently waiting for this day. I had her try on her little dance outfit to make sure everything fit. We went out front and I snapped some pictures of her. When we came back in I told her we needed to take off the dance clothes and put her other clothes back on. She wasn't going for it. We had 4 hours until her dance class and I was worried something would happen to either her tights or something. I finally convinced her it was only for a little while.



Marli's favorite color is pink. So she is pretty excited about her pink dance outfit.


It's fun to see her dolled up. Sometimes she's such a tomboy that I forget she can be a girly girl. I hope she loves her teacher and class today.

Primary Children Telethon

Sunday was the annual Primary Children Telethon. South East Idaho raised $178,600. I am thankful to live in such a wonderful community. We have been involved in the telethon for the last five years. I remember being in Salt Lake with Jaxon and we were on the telethon there,while Ryan was on it here in I.F. Ryan was at the t.v.studio and I'll never forget him reaching in his pocket to donate what little money he had to the telethon. A company was doing match your dollar. So at that time every dollar donated was matched. When the viewers saw a dad that's child was in the hospital give all he had the phone lines went crazy. I have such bitter sweet memories of staying at Primary children's. There are a few books published about sacred experiences that take place there at the hospital. I know when you first walk thru the doors there is something so special. The building has a saying in gold letters..."The child first and always".

It is said that the Savior walks the halls there. If you think about how much the Savior loves the children,where else would he spend his time ,but there at the children's hospital. I have had some very sacred experiences that have strenghtened my testimony. Besides the Temple there is no holier place. The people who work there are doing the Lord's work. I'm grateful for all the wonderful people who took such amazing care of our sweet Jaxon.


When Jaxon had to have surgery to have his tumor in his abdomen removed we trusted him to Dr. Meyers. Ryan and I were terrified to have our little boy cut open. Once we met with Dr. Meyers we both felt good about it. She took such great care of him.

I'm thankful that each year wonderful people donate their time to put on the telethon. Jaxon's care was close to a million dollars. Without the help of donations the hospital would not be able to keep their doors open. They never turn a child away because of the parents inability to pay.

Monday Madness

Man today was a Monday for sure.I was having a really rough morning. I worked and the kids played with grandma Bette. They came and picked me up for lunch. We went to bajio. Jacob loves their shrimp. The owner knows how much he loves their shrimp and he gave him a huge container full of sauteed shrimp. Delicious. After we ate we were on a hunt for dance shoes for Marli. Tomorrow is her first lesson. We didn't find any in her size. I went back to work. Grandma took the kids to find shoes. She finally tracked some down. Yeah for Bette.My poor mother.

Also my poor friend Nikki. Her girls have taken dance for many years and whenever I have a question I call her. So I called her about four times today. Thanks Nikki your the best.

When grandma was trying to find shoes for Marli, Jake found a orange Shrek shirt. This kid loves orange.

OK so I have to tell you the funniest thing. We got home tonight and Marli fell asleep in the truck. Ryan carried her in and put her to bed. We were eating dinner and Jake looked Ryan in the eye and said"Dad I have to tell you something...this is the best damn sandwich". OK the thing that makes it really funny is Jake is the bad word police. If he hears anyone say anything bad he flips out. If he hears you say shut up or dang it or anything he says we don't say that and gets really upset. Ryan and I looked at each other and both about fell off of our chairs laughing. Jake goes"What I can't help it it is". He ate all his dinner and said "Mom can we have those again"? So apparently he liked his dinner. For those of you wondering exactly what it was that was so good. It was a breakfast like sandwich...it was a hamburger bun with egg,cheese,ham,and bacon. I'm glad he liked it.

Another funny thing this character said today was when I was talking to this guy and I told him not to work too hard. Jake said" Mom why did you tell that guy not to work too hard"? I told him I thought the guy was nice. Jake said" Mom if you thought he was so nice then why did you tell him not to work too hard,now he won't work hard and he'll get fired. Way to go Mom". OK please tell me that he does not think like a four year old. This kid uses his brain way too much to analyze everything.

So here is Jake in his new Shrek shirt.Ok vote please on who thinks Jake looks exactly like Brandon Bob in this picture. That is so scary. If you saw pictures of my brother Brandon when he was little if they didn't have a date on them you would swear it was Jake.

Thanks for everything today Grandma Bette. You really are our personal lifesaver.The kids had so much fun playing with grandma. She got her pool out for them and then took them to A&W for a ice cream cone. She even brought Dr. Fred a root beer float. We love you Grandma you are one of a kind.

The LadyBug Game & Chicken Salad

Ryan is working over time today. I'm home with the little munchkins. Jake found this game that Marli got for Christmas and we never opened. It must have gotten put on the shelf and forgotten about. So while I was making lunch Jake unwrapped it and punch out all the pieces. It's a fun little game. Perfect for their age right now.

So I made a batch of Chicken Salad. I have made this several times for potlucks and always get asked for the recipe.... I do have to say I don't think I've ever made it exactly the same twice. Basically you can throw in whatever you have. I didn't include a picture cuz I thought it might look weird. So anyway if you want to give it a try put in whatever you and your family like. My kids love it. I like to make a big batch and then eat on it for a few days. The great thing is you can serve it on rolls,croissants,any kind of bread,inside tortillas on top of lettuce or you can add a package of uncooked broken ramen noodles and eat it out of a bowl with a fork. So you start with any kind of cooked chicken. It's nice if you have leftover chicken you can use it up. Today I just used a can of canned chicken. Then you add sliced apples,celery,grapes cut in half,craisins,water chestnuts,sunflowerseeds or any chopped nuts,mayo or miracle whip a little garlic salt,pepper to taste. Honestly you can throw in practically anything and it would be great.You can serve it warm or cold. So yummy for summertime.
After we played the LadyBug game the kids wanted to watch cartoons and lay in my bed. It was nice to lay down in between them and relax.

The End Of A Long Saturday

We were winding down for the night and all was well until the kids got pretty tired. Ryan went to bed and had to get up very early for work. The kids started wrestling and getting a little loud. Ry came out and was pretty mad that they were being so loud. Whoops. Sorry Ry.







Jake climbed up on my lap and said he wanted a picture with me. OK.





We had a great day. All is well all is well. Good night family.

Wedding Card

My boss Dr. Fred's daughter Charlie got married today. I can't believe she's in her twenties. I've known her since she was seven. I made this card and put a gift card inside. It's black and silver. Ryan really liked it. He said it looked store bought. It was fun making it for Charlie. She was married in the Idaho Falls temple. The reception was at her mother and step-fathers house. They live out past us. They have a beautiful home with acreage. They have horses. They had a huge white tent set up and the reception was outside. It was beautiful. As I was visiting Ryan took Jake over to see the horses. They had a dance floor and music. Marli told Dr. Fred and me she needed a boy to dance with her. It was really fun. Charlie looked like a princess. Both the bride and the groom are attending BYU in provo. They bought a condo there. They looked so happy. Congratulations Charlie and Ryan.

The many Faces Of Jake & Marli

Tonight when we got home I followed the kids around shooting picture after picture. They were good sports even though I could tell they were getting irritated by me. I thought it was funny that they would make faces at me. I love these two monkeys.

Jakey Gets A Haircut

It seems like every time I turn around Jake needs a haircut. If only his sister's hair would grow as fast. Thursday Grandma Bette mentioned to Jake that maybe when mom's at work Monday she would take him to get a hair cut. His hair was getting really long. So today as we were getting ready for the day I told Jake when we're out and about today let's get your haircut. He informed me Grandma was taking him. It's a good thing Grandma was home today so she could take him. I made the appointment. Picked up Grandma and dropped her and Jake off at dollar cuts. Marli and I were on a mission to find dance shoes. We ran in and out of store after store. We never did find any. We went and picked them up and were off to do a million other errands. Grandma treated us to lunch at Gandolfo's. I love that place everything is so yummy. We took Grandma home and Papa Bill was just getting back from a motorcycle ride. We sat in the back yard and visited for a bit. Then we had to go home and get ready for a wedding reception. Thanks mom for keeping your promise to take Jake to get a haircut.

Jake let me take his picture of his new hairdo. This is the shortest his hair has ever been. Maybe it won't get long too fast and will go all summer with nice short hair.


Jake you are one handsome dude.

SUN & FUN

Today I met my friend Devon for a belated birthday lunch at the Olive Garden. It was nice just us girls. Then I came home picked up the kids and went to walmart for some grocery shopping. I had to get some organizer stuff to help clean sweep Miss Marli's room. I told the kids if they were good I'd get out the swimming pool. They were so good. We got home and they said they wanted lunch. I fed them,put the groceries away and then attempted to get the swim pool blown up. Ryan went with some friends to ride dirt bikes up at Kelly's canyon. I couldn't get the tire gauge off of the air compressor to blow up the pool. It was hot in the garage and about the time I was loosing my cool I figured out away to just take off the top part and get air to blow out. We got the pool blown up and the kids were excited. Of course I had to haul out buckets of hot water for them. I really was tired by the time they were all settled.




To see them happy makes all the headache worth it. They played out there for hours. My neighbor down a couple houses called and said she could hear the kids having a good time. I'm glad it was sunny and no wind. Summer is here.



So everyone is invited to our house for lemonade and swimming.