Tammy's Tribe

2011-12-29T20:28:00.000-08:00

2011-12-29T19:13:00.001-08:00

This is the only Christmas Picture I can find, maybe they got sent out with the wrappin paper?

Once Every Six Months

2011-12-29T17:03:00.000-08:00

Once every six months is good for blogging, right? I think sometimes I should just shut it down, but then think maybe one day I'll get back to it... I add something to Facebook about as often? Maybe I'll get better, but maybe it"ll be another six months.. we'll see.

We had a great and chaotic Christmas at the Griffith house. It's been nice not having a lot of places to go and just be able to hang out at home with the kids? The house is a wreck, and I don't even care. I'll clean when they go back to school.

Junior Prom

2011-05-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Gavin and Hallie went to the Junior Prom last night at the Capital Rotunda and participated in the Promenade. Gavin was really nervous for the promenade, it was up in the air most days whether he was going to do it or not. They had their day date in Salt Lake with another couple and then came back to Tooele to get ready for the real date. We of course had to follow him to her house so we could get pictures. Steve, Gracie and I went to the Capital to see the Promenade. We (Me and Gracie)loved admiring the pretty dresses. I think we should have a prom for grown ups, I want to play dress up. LOL.

Easter

2011-05-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

So maybe I'll just get major events on here. I really wanted to try to update my blog more often, but life is ", so crazy, even my scrapbooks aren't keeping caught up. So, for our annual Easter trip, we traveled down past Hansksville, about 20 miles to an area called "Little Egypt". It really should be called "Little Goblin Valley", because that's what it looked like. The first day the wind blew terribly, then we had two great days, and we were rained out on Sunday, literally. We ran into 3 rattle snakes, yes 3, which we have never done on our Easter trips. Two were literally walked right over, they were the same red color of the sand. My Grandma wasn't able to be there, as she is still in the hospital trying to recover from her surgeries. This tradition was started by her parents and she loves it so much and so do all of us, so it's really sad not to have her there. We love you, Grandma!

1 year ago

2010-12-25T11:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, I don't feel so bad now, I went to check out my fellow blogger's sights and there were only three of you that had posted since "1 year ago"!! I guess we are all too busy.

More Christmas Photos

2010-12-25T11:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T10:44:00.001-08:00

Yes, yes, yes, We are still here. Just crazy busy all the time. I just never get around to blogging, as well as many other things. So... Now that all the hooplah is over and I can sit down and relax, I thought I would start the upcoming new year right, by posting on my blog. I hope that I can keep up through the new year. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I know we did. However this morning I really thought that after this week of the kids being home and fighting and fighting and fighting, it would have been good for them if Santa didn't show up.

Gavin's legal

2010-03-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

Gavin got his driver's license this past Tuesday. I don't know who was more nervous, him or me. He passed with flying colors and is so excited to be legal now. He wasn't to happy to hear that he couldn't drive any of his friends around for 6 months, though. We are looking for a little beater vehicle to buy, that gets decent gas mileage, if anyone know of one.

Mexico, where its warm!

2010-01-26T21:09:00.000-08:00

We got back last night from a week in Mexico. We stayed about an hour outside of Cancun in Playa Del Carmen. It was awesome. We stayed in a great resort that was all-inclusive, which is the only way to go with 8 mouths to feed (my cousin Jessica came with us) The beach was really nice, 100 times better than our last two resorts. We had so much fun playing in the ocean, that was what the kids looked forward to the most. I was a little nervous that I would be a nervous wreck about them drowning in a wave, but I wasn't and we had a ball. We spent a day at Xplore, where we rode the zip lines, water hammocks, rafted through stalactite's and stagmites and then swam through them and rode atv's through the jungle, it was awesome. Steve and I weren't able to dive because the winds were too high out on the ocean, so the port was closed :(, but that just meant we had more time to spend with the kids. I was really bummed that Gavin didn't get to dive. Needless to say, we were not ready to come home to 30 degrees. I will have more pictures maybe by tomorrow, I want to make a slide show. So tune back in.

"Sweet" Sixteen

2009-12-30T23:48:00.000-08:00

Gavin turned 16 today, it's very scary that I am old enough to have a 16 year old. We had a party at the house last night, with all three sides of his family, it was great. Tonight he had his first date planned and we were going to drop them off, because he doesn't have his license yet, and go on our own date,(we had gotten rid of all of our kids. Thanks Grandmas and Aunt Andrea). He decided he wanted to go on a double date with us, which really surprised me. I think he was really nervous about how to pay and tip at the restaraunt. We had fun and it was cute to see him opening the doors for her and being a gentleman. We had them sing to him at the restaraunt, I don't think he loved that. We finished the evening off with the new Sherlock Holmes movie. (Sorry there is a duplicate picture, I didn't want to take the time to figure out how to remove it)

Christmas in the dark

2009-12-30T23:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas turned out great, even though we lost power until about 3:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve. We cut back on Christmas this year because we are taking the kids on vacation in January, but they still made out like fat cats, between us and their Grandma's and Grandpa's. Is there a way un un-spoil children??

Piano Recital

2009-12-30T23:35:00.001-08:00

Gracie and Gage had their Holiday Piano Recital this month. They both did great, it is so fun to see them improving and "enjoying it."

Gingerbread Trees

2009-12-10T14:28:00.000-08:00

We tried gingerbread trees this year instead of houses, and I think the mess was bigger. Grandma Shelley, Kay and Makaila were here and we had a lot of fun. Steve still had a hard time letting the kids help, though, we are going to have to work on him.

Finally Posting-Halloween

2009-12-10T14:22:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have to post the Halloween pictures before I can move on to Christmas, so here you are.

Cleaning and cleaning and cleaning

2009-09-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

Since the kids have gone back to school, I have been trying to get my major projects done, that I didn't get done all summer. I keep getting interrupted, though, and it is taking me forever. I got the basement cleaned, ick. I got my salsa made, 69 pints. I am not sure whose bright idea it was to get 2 bushels of tomatoes, and I can't get the smell of peppers and onions out of my house. I have had to try to fit 12hours of CE for real estate in, so that I can re-activate my license and go into the office a couple of days a week. And this week I have been working on the play room. It was sooo bad. We couldn't even get the closets shut any more. So, I have before and after pictures. All I have to do now is organize my scrapbook stuff, and the bonus room is done. Yay! What next? Oh, ya, zucchini bread, I like to make a bunch and freeze it for winter.

You are the best teacher, Gage!

2009-09-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

Berek has insisted on keeping his training wheels on his bike. And we thought that Gracie was cautious. But yesterday one of them got bent and threw his whole ride out of wack and the only fix for that was to take off his training wheels and force him to learn to ride. The kids were all down riding on the road, and Gage was holding Berek up while he ran with him, and then he would let go. It was so cute to see him helping him. Gage was red faced from working so hard, so I went to help. After I helped him for a few minutes, Berek wanted Gage to help instead, Ahh. While we were eating dinner he was talking about Gage helping him and turned to him with such admiration and said, "You are the best teacher, Gage!" It was so sweet. Gage just beamed, he was so proud.

Permit, yikes!

2009-09-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

Am I really old enough to have a teenager driving? Gavin got his driving permit last week. He is so excited and has been bugging me to death to drive. Everyday after school he wants to go drive, errands, hauling garbage, whatever, just to get behind the wheel. So if you are headed to church or to the store and one my vehicles is driving really slow around the lake, that's Gavin behind the wheel, not me (not that I don't drive the speed limit:)). We seem to have a train of cars behind us until the road straightens out. I will be very excited when he has his license and can run over to town by himself and run errands for me.

Back to School

2009-08-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Does it make me a bad Mom to be so glad my kids are going back to school? I loved having them home, we did so many fun things this summer. But, I love that they are going back to school, so I can get something done. It will be nice to have a few moments of peace and quiet without all of the fighting.

Gracie was by far the most excited for school, but the boys were excited too, and a little nervous, even Gavin. They all had a hard time falling asleep. Except for Gavin, each one of them woke up at some point in the night and couldn't go back to sleep for over an hour. They are going to be dragging, as is Mom. I should go back to bed instead of uploading pictures to my blog and Facebook.

Gavin is in 10th grade this year, a Sophomore. Am I really that old?? He has a tougher schedule this year, we'll see how we do. Gracie is in 4th grade and got the teacher she has been hoping for since the first of 3rd grade, Mrs. Baker. Gage is in 2nd grade and got the teacher I had been hoping for, Mrs. Feldmann. The twins are in 1st grade, all day this year!!! (You should see my cartwheels, they are really not that good) They didn't put them in the same class, which I wanted to try, but that's okay, I guess. Berek got Gage's teacher from last year, Mrs. Gladney, and we love her. Bridger got Ms. Nash and I think we will really like her, too.

Canopy (zip-line) and ATV Jungle tour

2009-08-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are a couple photos from our zip line experience. It was a blast. We bought the DVD that they make during your whole tour and the crew was really funny and friendly. My boys were so funny when they watched it because they are so protective of me and didn't think these guys should be that close to their Mom. There was one zip line that they sent me down without holding the line and it made me spin backwards and it was a really fast line. One of the crew, the one I am on the 4-wheeler with, zipped a long behind me and caught me. As he was watching, Berek said, "Mom, does he like you, why did he do that." Then Gage said I shouldn't be hugging other guys when Steve took a picture of me with the whole crew. And Bridger didn't like me on the 4-wheeler with the guy doing the wheelies (he had all of the girls on the tour get on to scare us to death). Too funny.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2009-08-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

We had a blast in Puerto Vallarta this last week. After a summer home with the kids, I needed a break, I know you all did too, you should have come with. Steve and I were alone until Wednesday night when my Dad met up with us there. We went diving, where we got to hold a small octopus, my kids are so jealous. We took a catamaran tour to a bay that was lit with only torches and candles for a show and dinner. We took a city tour and ate fresh seafood in a fisherman's village in the jungle. We played in the ocean and layed out and relaxed by the pool and on the beach. I got sick from the water??? maybe, but Pepto kept me going. We went on a canopy zip line and ATV jungle tour that was awesome, those pictures are to come. I really only wanted to do the ATV part (because I am a big chicken) but ended up sailing above the jungle on 12 different zip lines and luuuuved it!!!

My Babies are Six

2009-08-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged all summer, our life has been so crazy. So it takes a birthday to get me back in the groove by putting together a "birthday slide show". I had so much fun going back through the pictures. I had forgotten how little Gage was when they were born, he was just a baby himself.

The twins have been so excited for their birthday. They got to have their first friend birthday party and we had, including my kids, 19 or 20 kids at the party. A little crazy, but a lot of fun. The pinata didn't break all over the place and I had to throw the candy at them, but that's okay. They played in the water and on the playground.

Later that night (this was all on Wednesday, the 12th) we had the family party. Their main gift from Mom and Dad were their much needed new bikes. Bridger had to learn to ride a bike on his friend's bike, because his old one was too small. They love them, and Bridger had his first crash. Berek still has the training wheels on his because he is a big chicken, but a cute chicken.

Happy Birthday, Boys (not babies anymore, I guess, but always my babies(sniffle)).

2009-08-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

Taylor Swift

2009-05-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night was the Taylor Swift concert that the girls have been looking forward to for months. Shannon took her three girls, Mrs. H (incase she doesn't want her name on the blog) took her three girls, and I took Gracie. We went out to eat, first (Cafe Rio, my favorite) and then off to the Delta Center (I know that is not what it is called anymore, but that is what I still call it. I can never remember its real name). A band named Gloriana opened. Kellie Pickler was supposed to sing, but she was sick. Taylor Swift puts on a great show. It isn't just music. She adds a lot of props and special effects, like when the rain falls with the words "No", "Me" and "Why" in it (that was really cool). The girls loved all of the extras she added to each of her songs. For instance, the background changed to look like a library and she sang, sitting at a table with a boy, for the song "Drew". It was great, except for the cable that hung down from the ceiling right infront of center stage from where I sat. What is up with that. You'd think they would have the technology not to have to block view to get to their equipment.

Sorry About the Music

2009-05-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know what is up with the music on my blog. I haven't changed anything, but apparently there is a glitch. So, until I get a chance to play with it and figure it out, Sorry.

Memorial Weekend

2009-05-28T20:13:00.000-07:00

For the weekend we had the best camping spot. We wanted to go camping, but didn't want to be around all of the other campers, so we decided to go to my grandparents'. They have a grass field between two rows of trees and a pond. It was so nice. The kids had a ball playing in and around the pond. We had a great camp fire. The kids could ride around on the ranger and 4-wheelers without having to worry about them getting in other peoples way. We did get some rain, but that was okay. Along for the weekend were Steve's Mom and husband, his sister, Andrea and her kids, our friends, the Harvey's, my sister and her girlfriend, and my Mom. We had a great time.

Finally Get to Mow

2009-05-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

This is kind of a late post, but we finally got to mow our grass about a week ago. We planted early fall of last year, but it just never got long enough to mow, until last week. It is starting to fill in more and actually look like a real lawn. It is so nice not to have dirt out my back patio. Front Yard? Probably not this year, real estate needs to pick up!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

We got the kids out on the porch for a picture on Mother's day. They were pretty easy, this time, as far as taking pictures go. We usually have atleast one that won't cooperate. My Mom's dog had to get in the picture too.

Tuckered Out

2009-05-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

This is my very cute little niece, Makaila. I watched her and her 6 month old sister for a few days a week or so ago. Makaila loves my boys and would wait, so impatiently for them to come home from school each day. When they got home they would play and play. She passed out on the couch after a hard day, with one of the many pairs of shoes that she had on that day. She loves shoes, I finally had to lock my closet to keep my shoes from littering the house, so she just went after the boys.

Piano Recital

2009-05-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

You'll have to bear with me, I am finally getting to my blog, so there is going to be a few new entries.

Gage and Gracie had their annual Spring Piano Recital on the 2nd. They both did really well. Gage did the cutest bow after he played his pieces and it was so cute. The girl before him bowed and I think he just wasn't quite sure if he was supposed to, also. He has almost been playing for a year and Gracie for 2 years. They were less nervous this time, so I it must be true that the more you perform the easier it gets.

Student of the Month

2009-05-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

Gage finally got Student of the Month, for his class. He was so excited, he has been hoping for it all year. He is a really good student and loves to learn new things. He has had a really good teacher this year, in fact she has been nominated for "Teacher of the Year" and Gage loves her (so does Mom, I am hoping the twins get her next year).

Easter Tradition

2009-04-14T15:25:00.001-07:00

Our "Easter Camping" tradition started when my Grandma was a little girl and has grown and grown. Her parents started taking her and her siblings on a camping trip for the Easter weekend, when there were only 9 of them. It has now grown to over 200 and our camp usually consists of around that many. We always go where there is plenty of sand to dig in and plenty of rocks to climb on. The Easter Bunny hides the baskets in the rocks so that the kids have to climb for them, following the jelly bean trail. This year we were down by Green River. The weather was great for the most part and we really enjoyed our new trailer. My Dad was home from Peru for the week. My boys were like his shadows the whole time. It was fun to watch them chase after him, they think he is the greatest.

Green Eggs and Ham

2009-03-02T13:45:00.001-08:00

Bridger brought home this cute Dr. Suess hat, and Berek has one too, but wouldn't go put it on so that I could take a picture. It must be Dr. Suess' birthday, since the Google logo is made of up cat's in the hats and things 1 and 2. Anyway, my favorite part about the Dr. Suess day, is today when I was at the school helping with Student of the Month, we passed Gage's class. They have little Dr. Suess rymes that the student did on their door. Gage's was so cute, it read, "I like green eggs and ham in the dark, I like green eggs and ham with Linkin Park." Now, I am really naive about music, and Dad has the boys hooked on a couple of Linkin Park songs that are okay, but who knows, the rest of it could be trash, and there it is right up there on his school door. Who knows, but I thought it was cute, Gage loves his ipod and his music.

Adventures in Dirt Biking

2009-03-02T13:30:00.000-08:00

Gavin finally got a dirt bike, yikes! He has always wanted one, and we told him if he'd save $300, we'd help him buy one, when he was about 8. He is a terrible saver, so I figured it would never happen, and then I wouldn't have to worry about him breaking his neck or leg or whatever else. Well, this last summer he worked for a family in our neighborhood with landscaping and made enough to give us $300 for the bike and buy him a cell phone, with a little left over. I lost the argument that he didn't really save and save and save. Steve finally started looking seriously and they went and looked at a few and bought this one. It is older and wasn't too expensive, since he will be learning on it. He tipped it over already, twice last night. I hope he survives his new adventures in dirt biking. Bridger said last night that when he grows up he wants to be a "dirt Biker" like Gavin. Too cute. I thought I had a picture of him on the bike, but maybe I didn't get one because he was driving too fast.

Bunko or is it Bunco?

2009-02-24T20:57:00.000-08:00

We have a really fun Bunko group in our neighborhood and this last Thursday was my month to host. My kids get to watch me get ready all day and set out the candy at all the tables, all the time wondering what Bunko is. I set out mini Charleston Chews on one of the tables, my kids' favorite. We also had Sierra Mist, which they were hoping wouldn't get finished off by "all" 12 ladies. The next day when the twins got home from school, their first questions was if there were any Charleston Chews left (they were in bed when Bunko was over). After lunch, we were going to play two games, one I choose (some type of learning) and one they choose. They chose Bunko. I have a Bunco game that was given to me a couple of years ago that I pulled out, which is the ? of the spelling, I have always spelled it Bunko, but the box is Bunco, so maybe I have been spelling it wrong all along, and hadn't noticed that everyone else spells it different? Or maybe Bunko is right? I personally like Bunko better. Anyway, back to the boys, we sat down to a card table and played Bunco. 21 was a little high for their attention span, so we played to 11, and I really wasn't sure if they would catch on to the counting of the numbers, but they did and they had a great time. They had their Sierra Mists and Charleston Chews right there to snack on.

Slow, Children at Play

2009-02-24T14:30:00.000-08:00

In the nice weather we have been having, my boys have been riding their skateboards down our hill and flying onto the road in front of our house. It scares me to death that they are going to crash, or worse, be run over by a car. So I have been placing my "Slow, Children at Play" sign (my mother-in-law had it made because we lived on a really busy street before) out on the road, hopefully so cars would see it and pay attention that kids are around and hopefully slow down. It looks like its been working. But, when I came in the house today, they decided the bigger hill would make them go faster, and when I no longer heard their wheels going down the hill, I went looking. They had gone done the big hill onto the main road, which a car would not be able to stop. So, I guess they were being looked after by someone other then Mom on that little jaunt, because they came back unscathed, but with their tails between their legs as they saw me standing with hands on hips. It kind of reminded me of the "Poky Little Puppy" story. When I asked why they would go out there, they answered "Because we could go super fast" and "Mom, Don't be mad". See what happens when there is two, they never would have done that alone.

Basketball

2009-02-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

The boys have been in basketball this season and have really been enjoying it. Gage is on a team with several boys from our neighborhood and they have a good time. I would like him to be more aggressive, but I would like that for Soccer, too, and maybe that's just not him, we will have to see. Maybe he saves all his aggressions for his siblings at home. The twins really like their team. They don't really have games, they just scrimmage against each other and learn the basics of the game. There are 22 kids on their team and they split up into 3 groups. They do really well if they don't get teamed up with one of their little friends from Kindergarten, then all they want to do it play. So, we make sure they are each in a different group. Gage has one more game tomorrow and the twins have one more week, and then we are all done. Woohoo!

Slugs - From Flushed Away

2009-02-11T13:31:00.000-08:00

I had to post this picture, because I think they are so cute. Gage found in the "Bonus Features" of the Flushed Away movies a walk through of how to make slugs out of clay. So we got out the clay and we followed along to make our slugs. I think they turned out so cute.

Bronchitis. . . What's Next?

2009-02-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

After our bout with the flu, that should be sufficient for our illnesses this season, don't you agree? But last week I came down with a nasty head cold which turned into a sinus infection and Gage got Bronchitis. Trudi reminded me that it's because our house is toasty and warm. I joked last year that we didn't get sick because propane was so expensive, that I kept our furnace at 65 and the germs couldn't grow. As soon as we got our pellet stove, we all got sick. So. . . I think that's it, either that or my house is too dirty!! Gage missed two days of school last week and he's off today, ick for the make-up homework, good thing he's a good student. He should be up for going to school tomorrow.

Student of the Month - January, a little late posting

2009-02-06T19:51:00.000-08:00

When I went over to the elementary school on Monday to help out with February students of the month, I realized I had never put a little blog on about Gracie being January's Student of the Month for her class. January was a little crazy for us. So, a little late, here is my good little Student of the Month, for Academic and Behavior. She's such a good girl (when she isn't beating on her brothers:)).

Lockers - Yay (is that how you spell it?)

2009-01-23T22:46:00.000-08:00

I finally feel like my house is complete. Last Thusday my mud room lockers were installed and they are so awesome. I hope the pictures give them justice. Each kid and Steve have a locker, all their own, that they can put the coats/jackets, back packs, etc. It is so nice. They have three really big drawers for storage and three big cupboards. I am in heaven. They were done by Nick Staley, I think his shop is in Lakepoint. He does great work, if youre ever looking for that type of thing. And the really nice thing is he finishes in one day, he didn't have to come back 6 times because he didn't have time to finish, or give me lame excuses, or leave part unfinished (maybe I had a bad experience with a cabinet company??) He was great.

Is Flu season over yet?

2009-01-23T22:37:00.000-08:00

Our flu season started about2 1 1/2 weeks ago. First it was Bridger, I only took him in because I thought he might has strep. But, surprisingly he tested positive for Influenza A. I thought he would get much sicker, but he only has the fever, body aches, and ended with a cough. 3 days later Berek got it and 3 days after that Gage got it. And then . . . Steve and I got it. I suffered through three days of scrapbooking with it (see, I am a die hard) and then stayed in bed for a couple of days, even on my birthday. So, now I am all better and trying to get life back to normal. I just wish we could have all gotten it at once.

WOW - 15

2009-01-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Gavin. He had his 15th birthday on Tuesday, the 30th. It is hard for me to believe I have a 15 year old, just yesterday he was 5. He's so old that I had to scan his younger pictures, rather than pull them off a cd, some of them are stuck on floppy's that I don't even have a drive for anymore. It was so fun to go back through his albums for find a few pictures for the slide show. He was so cute, and he still is (he takes after me).

We had a little celebration for him on Monday, with part of my family, and then tonight we had cake and ice cream with the rest of the family. I haven't seen him since he blew out his candles (no, Trudi, they were not pink) he's been too busy with his new game.

Watch out, next year he'll be driving.

Little Rockers

2008-12-26T22:39:00.000-08:00

After I typed that title, I had to laugh. . . and I left it anyway. My boys all got Power Tour Electric Guitars for Christmas, and that is all we have heard since. They are really funny to watch, jamming out (Berek really gets into it). Even Gracie has been playing them, they have a setting to teach you how to play the different rock-n-roll songs. I think I have heard the first line of "Wild Thing" atleast a million times in the last 24 hours.

Matching Jammies

2008-12-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

We, as most of you probably, too, have the Christmas Jammies tradition on Christmas Eve. This year Steve got Gracie and I matching Jammies from Cabelas, how fun is that! Check out my new mantle in the background, I love it.

Here Reindeer, Reindeer, Reindeer

2008-12-26T22:11:00.000-08:00

Along with milk and cookies for Santa, we put reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter) out on Christmas Eve, so that Santa knows where our house it. The wind was blowing and I kinda like the way the flash caught the glitter in the air.

Hey, what do you know, we have a sledding hill

2008-12-22T21:52:00.000-08:00

It finally snowed the kind of snow the kids could really play in. After they had been out a while, I noticed them at the top of our lot, getting ready to sled. It made me laugh because we have gone to other places to find sledding, and we have a great hill right there:). It took the little boys some help from their big brother to smooth out the snow, so they didn't have to do the caterpillar lurch to get going. As soon as Gracie and her friend, Bailey, saw them, they headed out too. Gavin and his friend, Garrett, were having fun "grinding" with the snowboard, while the little boys used their jump for their sleds and tubes. There were several times I was sure they were going to get decapitates by running into the playset, the snow wanted to take them right there. My trees got hit a couple of times, and they even ended up on the patio a few times. There were a few crashes, but no blood (which is good, because I am out of band-aids). They had a ball and stayed out until almost dark. I couldn't believe they weren't frozen solid.

Move over Martha!

2008-12-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

Can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!

2008-12-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

So, I had a great idea to have a gingerbread house contest, and split us up into two groups and see whose house turned out the best. Gracie thought we should have all gotten one of our own, but since they are $9.00 a piece, and I didn't think royal frosting would turn out for me, I opted for 2 and to have the contest. We drew for teams;Bridger, Berek and Gracie got on my team, while Gavin and Gage got on Steve's. Right off the bat theirs was turning out better. Who would have thought my dear hubby would have a knack with frosting. I am pretty sure our frosting was defective, it would only come out in big globs. How big was that hole supposed to be, anyway? So I tried the Pampered chef cake decorator thing, which by the was is way over-rated, and just ended up in a big mess. As I decorated windows and doors with rows of frosting, well sort of, Berek picked up the original bag and went to town on the roof. He even managed icicles, in a way. Gracie was getting pretty frustrated with him. And when we went to put on the gingerbread people and the tree, Bridger had eaten the tree. Meanwhile Steve is loopty looing and perfecting his masterpiece. I teased him that atleast mine was a team effort. He did let the boys put a couple of candies on:). We voted, our won, of course, there were four of us. I think it was almost as messy as the pumpkins.

Thanksgiving Baby Girl

2008-11-30T22:29:00.000-08:00

We don't get a lot of new babies in our family, so it's pretty exciting when we do. This is little Alysa Dawn Durrant (I hope I spelled it right), she belongs to my brother, DeWayne, and his wife, Denise. She was born while we were in Mexico, on November 17. Thanksgiving was the first time we were able to see her. She is so sweet, I had a hard time puting her down. Her big Sister Makaila is equally as sweet, and we all just adore her, but I didn't manage to get a picture of her this time.

Mexico

2008-11-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

I had been looking forward to our trip to Mexico for soo long and poof, its over just like that. We stayed in a resort called the Mayan Palace between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, it was beautiful. We had a two bedroom suite with full kitchen and a mini pool on the balcony. Our friends, Jon and Renee Harvey went with us. The weather was great when we got there, but by Saturday afternoon, it headed South or North, wherever the nice weather goes when it leaves Cancun. Sunday we went to Xel-Ha for snorkeling and then to the Mayan ruins at Tulum, it was still 80 degrees, but cloudy. They were amazing. Monday we were supposed to dive in Cancun, but because of the high winds, the ports were closed and we were forced to find our way into Cancun for shopping. Tuesday, again the ports were closed, but we were given the option to dive in a cinote, which is a sink hole. We took them up on the offer and 2 minutes into the ride there, the dive master had me in tears. The dive was a cavern dive, which is basically into these underground tunnels and caves. I was terrified, and almost bagged out. It was great, after all. There were fossils of shells, sponges, etc. and Stactites and Stalagmites, all underwater, kind of like Minetonka cave, under water. It ended up being a good experience for me because I had to step out of my comfort zone. Wednesday we went to Chichenitza, which was even more amazing than Tulum. Thursday we did our Ocean dives, finally the sun came out. We dove a ship wreck at 85 feet, where we saw, besides tons of fish, a large school of Eagle Rays. Our second dive was a 60 foot reef dive. We saw sting rays, a sea turtle, a nurse shark, which I got to touch, and many, many other things. IT was awesome. We did two shallower dives in the afternoon with Jon and Renee. So, even though the weather wasn't great, we got to do everything we wanted, except go to Cozumel, and did some things we hadn't planned, and had a great time. It was so hard to come home.

Piano Recital

2008-11-12T21:50:00.001-08:00

Gage and Gracie had a holiday piano recital last Saturday. Gage has only been taking lessons since September and he did a great job. He played Old MacDonald. Gracie played Jolly Old St. Nicolas and O Christmas Tree. They were both so nervous, and I totally know their fear. When I was young and taking piano, our piano teacher would make us play for the relief society sisters on Sunday. One time I kept messing up so bad, that I finally just ran and sat with my mom, sobbing. She didn't let me out, though (my teacher), I had to play it again the next week. But, atleast she didn't slap my fingers with a yard stick like she did when my Aunts were taking lessons.

Happy 7th Birthday, Gage

2008-11-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

I am a little slow getting this on. Gage turned 7 on November 6. We had his party a couple of days early due to scheduling conflicts on Mom's part (Steve said don't even think about getting his nomination for "Mother of the Year". We have a tradition that I take each of my kids to SLC for a day for their birthday. Gage and I went on Friday and saw the new Madagascar movie and he got to spend his birthday money at Toys R Us.

2008-11-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

Halloween

2008-11-01T19:49:00.001-07:00

As I watched the leaves start to blow yesterday afternoon, I thought to myself, "the weather girl was wrong, and just like every other year, it's going to turn cold tonight". But . . . It held out and was great. We headed over to the church for games and a chili cook off and then had the much anticipated "trunk or treat". Steve and I fight for the trunk position every year that he's home. I won this year and got to sit in the car and hand out candy and see all of the cute costumes. Trunk of treat sometimes gets a bad rap because it's not the traditional door-to-door. For me, the door-to-door is okay, but my kids had their buckets over flowing in a matter of minutes, what could be better than that. We (when I say we, I really mean I) decided that instead of buying new costumes, as we usually do, that the kids had to either pick out a costume that we already had, or build one with stuff they could find around the house. I had to talk Gracie into the Dorothy costume. She happened to have the perfect dress that I think she's only worn a couple of times. I agreed to temporarily die her hair, and that won her over. The die didn't come out as dark, but she loved it. Gage didn't want to be the dragon, but I bought the costume a couple of years ago, on clearance, and talked him into it because it wouldn't fit by next year. The twins couldn't decide between the iron man costumes they got for their birthday or the cowboys, but since they got to wear guns, the cowboys won again. So I guess if you really think about it, the kids were what they were because I am a good negotiator (LOL). Also, I won the decorated trunk contest, mainly for my "blinkie" lights. I didn't know they were judging the trunks, but you all know how I like to decorate, and I wanted to see if I could get the strobe light to work in my car. I really wanted to bring the fog machine, but the little converter we have doesn't have enough volts. Maybe a generator next year??? Happy Halloween.

Thriller

2008-10-31T06:59:00.000-07:00

I had to add the picture, because it's pretty cute. Steve put halloween music on for the pumpkin carving event and the song "Thriller" came on. Grandma started teaching the kids the "moves". They were pretty impressed that grandma knew how to dance, especially to a "scarry song".

Carving Pumpkins

2008-10-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

Grandma Vicki came out on Wednesday night and after a halloween themed dinner (inspired by Sadie) we carved pumpkins. Grandma had her own version of a veggie pumpkin, while the kids picked templates to carve theirs off of the internet. Bridger and Berek thought that pulling the pumpkin guts out of their pumpkins was pretty gross. There was enough of a breeze on the back patio that we did it at the kitchen table, and I can't believe how many places pumpkin guts can get, and how it cements to the floor. Happy Halloween.

Eva Nave Chandler

2008-10-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

This last week, Steve and I traveled to Alabama for his Grandmother's Funeral. "Mema" was born on July 20, 1927 and lost her battle with cancer on October 20, 2008. She was a wonderful lady. She and Pappy would visit Utah at least once a year. They drove their motor home here, until the last couple of years. She was loved here and in Alabama. I was impressed with how their Church of Christ congregation banned together to help, during Mema's illness and after her death.

I was so impressed by how well my Mother-in-law held it all together. She has been in Alabama for the past month and for weeks at a time for the last 7 or 8 months, since her Mother was diagnosed. I know that couldn't have been easy for her, but we are glad she was able to be there. I was amazed by her strength through the viewing and funeral services. Steve must also get his emotional strength from his Mom. He was asked to speak at the funeral, which for me, would be an utterly impossible task, at any funeral. He did a really nice job, that would make his Mema proud.

Happy Birthday Gracie Girl!

2008-10-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is growing up way to fast. She turned 9 yesterday. She and I always go to Salt Lake for the day for her birthday. We shopped a little, visited Gardner Village, and made two trips through the aquarium, and then returned home for her party. I decided to try and be creative like Tiffany and Hiedi and make her cake. She chose an artist's pallett our of a kid's cake book that I have, it turned out okay because it was fairly simple, it's a good thing she didn't choose the princess castle.

How Do Twins Sleep?

2008-10-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever read the book, "Where does God sleep, Momma?" Well this is the "Where do Twins Sleep, Momma?" page of that book. From the day I brought them home, watching them sleeping side by side (or in this case on top of each other) always chokes me up, because I know they were sent here together for a reason (that's my sappy side). Although lately they have been informing me that they would rather have a different twin. The other day, Bridger said he didn't want Berek to be his twin, and would rather have Gavin. Berek informed me that he would prefer Garrett (my nephew) or Gage, on a separate occasion. But, there is a bond between them like no other, whether they like it or not.

Cute PJs, No Picture

2008-10-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

As the kids were all heading out the door in the jammies, I thought, "I should take their picture to put on my blog". But, since the bus was on its way, I didn't. They looked so cute. It is Red Ribbon Week, for those who don't know why I would send my children to school in the PJs. I find that I look for reasons to take pictures for my blog, and then I usually dismiss them. Like last week when I was doing plum jelly, or yesterday when I was doing Salsa, those would have been good "look what I am up to" updates. But it all the mess, the camera just stays where it's at.

Big Bleeping Spider

2008-09-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

I am using Shannon's spider adjective for this tarantula that was strolling past my garage doors this morning. I was kind of intrigued to see the tarantulas that were crossing Silver Avenue down by the lake, but I don't really think the idea of them hanging out at my house is so great. I have enough trouble with snakes, scorpions, and sand puppies in my basement, I don't think I could handle tarantulas. I did have Steve catch it, though, so I could show my boys. Should you hear a blood curtling scream today, it means it got out.

6 Random Facts??

2008-09-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is the second tag from Shannon, and I really had no idea what that meant the first time, so I had to ask, and never got around to it. So.. this time I will and I hope I get it right. Here is 6 random facts about my life.

1. I hate to leave my house a mess, especially when we leave town for a few days. However, with my ever busy life, I don't always get my way. My house is not nearly as clean as it used to be.

2. I grew up in Vernon, not a big secret, though. This is harder than I thought.

3. I was born in Rocksprings, Wyoming. My Dad worked in the oil field and me and my younger sister were both born in Wyoming.

4. Steve and I have been married for 12 years.

5. I hate to do laundry, and of the laundry that I hate to do, I hate to fold the whites the most, or is it worst?

6. I like to make up silly words to known tunes, my kids think its pretty funny.

I tag Hiedi and Janae.

And the green grass grows all around and around

2008-09-14T21:22:00.000-07:00

Well, after waiting patiently, we finally have a green haze to our back yard. We were a little worried about it, due to the severe rain storm we had three days after the hydroseed was sprayed on. You can see a little river down through the middle that was caused by that storm, but I think after the grass grows in, it shouldn't make a difference. Soon I will be getting a workout mowing, yipee!!

Late Night Date

2008-09-05T07:11:00.001-07:00

So, last night I had a great idea. Steve's Friday's are every other Thursday and I could tell he needed a night out. So I had this thought that we could get all the kids, except Gavin (he is 14), in bed and go to a late movie. We pulled it off pretty good, I thought. They were all sleeping and I told Gavin to sleep on the couch in case the twins woke up. We saw Babylon A.D. (not really my pick, but there wasn't anything else worth seeing) and then went to Wal-mart. Just as we were leaving Wal-Mart, I get a call from home. It is sweet little Gracie wondering where we were and the twins are hysterical in the background. I assured her we were on our way and tried to call Gavin, who didn't answer because he was sacked out in his room upstairs. By the time we got home, Gracie had calmed the boys down. They were all snuggled up in my bed. She had gotten Bridger a heat pack for his leg, because he had another leg ache. She had tried to get them to eat something to calm them down and got them a glass of water. Needless to say, I felt terrible. I guess I will plan better next time. But the movie was good.

School Daze

2008-08-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Being in school has been an adjustment for us all. Gavin has forgotten something 5 days out of the 8 he's been in. And he has missed the bus several times and is already having trouble with the bus driver. On a positive note, he is thinking about trying out for the swim team. Gracie and Gage have been doing okay getting up and in class. Gracie finishes her homework on the bus, to allow for more time to play. Gage had his first day of "all day" school yesterday, and wasn't really impressed. The twins have been having a terrible time getting up. I am hoping this will get better. Our biggest problem is what clothes they will wear. They are both partial to a couple of shirts, and because there are usually two of every shirt, they want to wear them back to back. From a mother's standpoint, although they are clean, it will look like I am sending them in the same shirt day after day. This morning after listening to Berek cry and beg to wear the "Green muscle shirt" (between the two of them, they each have two different green muscle shirts and has worn three of them this week), I finally said he couldn't go if he wasn't willing to wear a different shirt and told him he could put the green one on as soon as he got home. The minute he walked in the door, he headed for his room and changed his shirt. He didn't even say "Hi, Mom.", first.

Kindergarten

2008-08-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

School started last week for my older kids. Gracie started 3rd grade and Gage started 1st. We hit two milestones this year. Gavin started high school and Berek and Bridger started Kindergarten. Their (Bridger and Berek’s) first day was today. I have been so ready to have them go to school. A few hours a day to myself, to get to the things that never get gotten too. They went back and forth about whether they were going to ride the bus or not. I really wanted them to “need” me to take them to school. They really wanted to ride the bus, but they could see that I “needed” to take them. In the end they rode the bus, although we almost missed it because we couldn’t find Berek’s shoes. We had Gracie shouting at us the whole time to hurry (she hates to be late). They were so cute all lined up for the bus and they were so excited. I had my camera all ready to take pictures and had left the card in my computer, Crap! So. . . I sent my babies off and just stood there and thought, “Now What”, my babies are gone. I have been crying every time I talk or think about it ever since (like now, for instance). I so didn’t think it would hit me like this. I know I will start to appreciate it in a few days when I am actually getting projects done, like my basement. But for now, I’m going to sit around and cry and blame my dear sweet husband because I don’t still have a baby at home(just kidding, honey). Maybe I should eat bon bons and watch soap operas. What are bon bons, anyway?

Kindergarten

2008-08-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

Watermelon and Trees

2008-08-26T10:34:00.001-07:00

I am so excited, we are finally getting a back yard. I think I am more excited about the trees, though. They got most of them planted today. I have a small garden off the side of my house, that by the way is right in the way of the landscapers. But I have several pumpkins and this watermelon that I am so proud of. I think we are even going to be able to eat it. The kids keep asking when it's going to be ready. They love to go out and check it out. Berek said to Gavin the other night, "Did you know that Mom's growing melons?" Good thing Dad wasn't around to hear that, I am sure he'd have a comment for that.

Soccer Time

2008-08-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today was the twins first soccer game. They were so excited they could hardly stand it. They played really good too, and couldn’t stand it when I had to take them out to rotate players. Gage had his first game today, too, but I didn’t get a picture. The twins game was at 9 in Grantsville and Gage’s was at 10 in Overlake. He is on the same team with another little girl that lives out here, and her little brother is on the twins team, so her mom took her and Gage and headed to their game early and I followed with the three little boys after their game was over. So, in the rushing around, I didn’t get a picture of Gage. Oh, well, I will get one later. He did really good too, even with a blister on his foot. His next game is Thursday at 7:00 at Overlake. You all should have the twins schedule already. Love Ya All. This is my new way to keep everyone informed or the goings on in our lives, so hopefully I can keep it up through the school year.