Crazy month ahead!!

So, we have had lots of visitors here and i think it is safe to say that we shouldn't be getting any more for a while (except for the in laws, they will be here for another few weeks). It has been so crazy here. We had Owens best friend Mike come here last Tuesday with his family, until Wednesday. Then on Thursday, a lot of Owens family came in to town to visit til Sunday. Saturday, my mom, Porter, Michael and Sierra came into town for my cousins wedding. Then on Sunday, my cousin Brittany from Arizona was here with her family and her now husband Brian (They got married on Sunday). I got to take all their wedding pictures and it was so fun to share their happy moment with them. Everyone that was here for the wedding left on Monday morning, then on Tuesday we packed up our Tahoe and headed to St. George. We stayed the night there at my sisters house and then headed to Page Arizona on Tuesday to find a house. We took the long way to Page and went threw Zions national park, which was beautiful. We got to Page and found a house and then headed back to St. George that night. We left St. George this morning and we are now home trying to get things in order for our big move to ARIZONA!!! I am so excited to move and start our new adventure. The house we found is almost 1700 sqft and it has 3 beds 2 baths with all the added appliances. We have to re-do all the flooring and all the paint before moving in so I'm excited about that. I'll keep posting updates and hopefully some pictures of the progress.

This is the wedding of Brittany and Brian.

Our drive threw Zions National Park.

Some Buffalo just out of Zions.

Weird weather

It is so freaking cold here!!! Last Sunday and Monday, the temperature here was around 108 and now it is down to the 50's and rainy!!! I am not enjoying this weather change so quickly. I guess, it is always better to have it colder then hot, I was just not prepared for it.

We also got snow on our mountains here (IN VEGAS)!!!!! That is what I'm talking about... CRAZY!!!!!!

friends this week

On Monday night, our friends Mike and Michele and their two kids came from Utah to see us for a few days. It was so fun to see them and hang out. On Tuesday, we went to a water/dinosaur park and played on the "painful" slides and ran threw the water. Then we fed the ducks and turtles in the pond outside of the park. It was lots of fun to just relax outside for a bit. That night, we had a BBQ with everyone and then went on a helicopter ride to red rock and over the Las Vegas strip. On Wednesday, Mikes and Michele took their kids with my kids and myself to the shark reef at the Mandalay Bay hotel. The kids had a fun time seeing all the sharks and fish again. After that, we met up with Owen for lunch at Panda express and then we all went to circus circus to play some carnival games with the kids. While there, we watched some little shows and then we had to say good bye to Mike's family so they could get home at a good hour. Here are some pictures of the visit!

This was the park and duck feeding event.

This is Michele andher kids Madison and Maison on the helicopter ride.

this was all of us at the shark reef exhibit.

This is Owen and Rylee in the elevator at Circus Circus.

The Brick

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared .

Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, what was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?

The young boy was apologetic. Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do, He pleaded. I threw the brick because no one else would stop... With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. It's my brother, he said. He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

Thank you and may God bless you, the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Thanks Heidi for the story!

suckers

As I was driving to St. George today, I handed my kids a sucker. After about 10 seconds, Bo asked for another one. I looked back at him and his was gone, he had eaten it already! Rylee continued to lick hers and it lasted maybe 10 minutes after Bo finished his. In that 10 minutes, Bo ate 3 more!!! Now I got thinking... How many people are in a hurry to finish their suckers instead of enjoying it for as long as possible? You can think up many scenarios for that question, I have several! One that is at the top of my list is, just remember don't rush life, cause it's short enough and you'll have regrets! (;

St George

I took the kids on a little drive to St. George today. I went as a favor to my mother in law that asked if I would run something there for her. I went and did what she had asked, then I went to a park with the kids while I waited for my sister Jana. She had an ultrasound that she had to go to, to check on her fluid levels. Yes, everything still looks great with Jana's pregnancy. Here's hoping it continues like that!!! (;

This is us hangin' out at the park. (: I sure miss nice, soft, green grass!!!

Mom got to fly

Yesterday afternoon, Owen had the opportunity to take his mom (Sheila) on a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. She loved it, although she was really bothered that the people that went with them didn't leave a tip!

tadpole adventure

Today I took the kids with a friend of mine from the ward, Holly and her son Carter on a tadpole hunt. It was rather frustrating because Owen found the place while on a mountain biking excursion and gave me directions from what he remembered. We first went to the wrong place, but soon got back in the Tahoe and went to the right location. I am a dork and tried to take the stroller but, soon emptied it and left it by a bush while we tried to locate the tadpole pond. It wasn't that far of a hike, we just followed the dried up river bed and soon found a small shaded area with water. There were hundreds of tadpoles of all sizes. We could hear the adult frogs near by croaking. Holly and I, I think had more fun than the kids. We were the ones picking out which ones we were going to take home and the kids just watched us and played in the water. We brought home about 5 and than I discovered that I also brought home 4 little tiny snails! Oh, they are so cute!!! (; Anyway, it was so much fun to get out and enjoy the outdoors anyway.

Holly and Carter

If you look really hard, right where the hill comes to a point in the center, you can see the wild donkeys! (Maybe click on the picture and it will be bigger?)

Worthless?

We have had our trampoline for a little over 2 years. While here in Vegas, it has been so dry and hot, that our tramp has LITERALLY fallen apart! I know it is really ghetto, but it provides the only shade for our poor dogs. Besides, Rylee still really likes to climb on it and it is the only thing in our backyard that the kids can play on. (;

a day outside

Today, while Owen worked on his truck, Rylee and Bo played in the front yard and made a mess out of themselves! The joys of being a mother never end, do they?(:

My mothers day!

Last night, Rylee and Bo gave me some beautiful flowers (courtesy of Owen).Then this morning, Owen made me yummy breakfast and helped get the kids ready for church! Thank you honey, I love you!!!

Happy Mothers Day!!!

For all the mom's in my life, this is to you:

Mom (Janine)~ Thank you for always putting up with my attitude, I know I wasn’t always the sweetest to you, and I am sorry for that. I love that you took the time to take me to all my sports and dance lessons. Just a small glimpse in the past… Thank you for having patience with me in, showing me how to fold clothes and when I didn’t do it just right, you would show me again. The time I shrank your work clothes because I was in a hurry, you didn’t get mad. For showing me how to de-bone a chicken and me getting grossed out, so I quit and you finished it without saying anything. For the times I cut, broke or ruined something of yours, and you just shrugging it off. For putting up with all of my messes and changing all my diapers when I was a baby (I know how big a pain in the BUTT it is to change diapers and I wasn’t the cleanest or the easiest). For example: When (I think I was 2) my mom was expecting her visiting teachers and I smeared my dirty diaper all over the front door. Thanks mom, I love you!

Mother in law (Sheila)~ Thank you for excepting me into your family and being such a wonderful example to me. For taking my children for a weekend here and there when I was going crazy. For helping me with each added child. For listening to my frustrations and giving some really good advice in return. For raising Owen the way you did! For, allowing us into your home for days at a time when we come into town. Thanks and I love you!

Older sister (Jana)~ Thank you for always putting up with me borrowing your things when we were growing up. For, being such a wonderful and helpful example in how to raise my children (i.e. potty training, tempers, time outs, “clean up, clean up” and scripture time). For, allowing my children and I to come to your home and scrapbook for hours on end, for showing me all your craft secrets. For, giving me all your kids really cute clothes for my kids, for basically everything you do for me! Thank you and I love you!

Little sister (Elicia)~ Thank you for putting up with your bossy older sister (ie. Me). You have always been such a quiet and thoughtful sister. Thanks for being such a great example to me. You are such a cute mommy, I hope your kids know how lucky they are to have you! Thanks and I love you!

Sister in law (Shantel)~ Thank you for all your patience with me and my family. For, all your advice on, “how to’s” of raising children and for all the long hours visiting. Thank you for Showing me your patience to your children for funny things they do. I now know how experimental children can be! You are such a caring and patient mom. Thanks and I love you!

Sister in law (Laura)~ Thank you, for all our visits and “how to” advice swaps you shared with me. For listening to me and all my venting of raising children. You are such a cute and caring mom. Your kids are way lucky to have your as their mommy! Keep up the good work! Thanks and I love you!

Big boy

For the past month or so, Bo has been pretty good about going potty when he needs to. I haven't been trying to potty train him or anything, he's just been doing it on his own. I think in about a month or so, I'll try to get him 100% out of diapers. Good job Bo buddy!

Kodi's First's

Today is the first day I have given Kodi SOLID food. I have given her mushed stuff, but not this! She usually gags or something so I try not to give anything with much texture to it. Ritz crackers I believe have become her new favorites. Just look at her!!! (I know she has the weirdest faces, but hey... She's related to her dad! lol)