Here is some of our family pictures taken by Nikki Nelson.I love her work! You can her awesome work here!

Fall Time Again!

I love Fall. It's my favorite season. I love everything that it brings, cooler weather, turning colors, sweaters, wrapping up in blankets, hot cocco, tons of yummy comfort foods (not that I need them), and getting ready for the Holiday seasons. The change over from Summer to Fall has brought a lot of new experiances for us.

Keith is has started what should be his last year of school. I'm hoping that by this time next year he will have 9 to 5ish job with paid time off and Insurance we can afford!

I am oficially a College Student! The plan was that I would what until Keith was done with school then I would start. But, I've had the poking thought that I needed to start sooner. So I am taking a Math class at SLCC. I have a new found respect for Mom's who go to school, work and take care of their families. Some days I think I'm crazy for doing this!

Jackson started Preschool in September. He loved it! I say "loved" because after a lot of debating and tears on my part, I decided to take him out after a month. I had a hard time coming to this decision but our days were so packed between everthing we have going that most days we didnt get home til after 6pm. We (meaning the kids and I) had no time to play together and it was forever tears around the house. The two weeks that he's been home have been a lot happier around here.

One thing that Jackson learned in school was the letter "J". He now goes around pointing out all the J's. "Mom! that's my name!" It's so cute. We are going to start working on the other letters in his name.

Caitlin is growing so fast and has such personality. She keeps me moving non stop. Recently she has started to bring her baby and blanket to to Keith or I so we can wrap it up. She'll then kiss and rock her baby.

Here are some pictures from our Summer adventures!

Pelican Lake July 2010

Caitlin was so mad that Jackson was sitting with her, she was yelling at him and trying to push him off!



The wonderful hair gel made from sunscreen and sweat.



Fun at Mae's house





Bear Lake Labor Day Weekend 2010






So this is the only picture we have of Jackson at Bear Lake right now. He was on the boat the whole time we were at the beach.

Bee's Game (Thanks Carli!)

At home

State Fair

Not happy to be on the horse!

CSN GiveAway!

So my wonderful friend from http://alittlebitofkooky.blogspot.com/ is doing a $50 giveaway with the CSN Store. I would love to get these beautiful correlle plate. I've been slowly, very slowly, collecting one piece at a time. My Mom gave me two bowls and two plates for my birthday, I now have five pieces! Winning would totally help me out. Go visit http://alittlebitofkooky.blogspot.com and enter to win!

No more Slacking...

I know this is late, but better late then never right? We had a fun Easter, it lasted a couple of weeks at my house. We colored eggs at the in-laws the day before Easter.






Jackson made a "dragon" egg, he doesn't know that it was turned into a salad the next day. Poor baby dragon.

The next day Caitlin and Jackson got their baskets, (sorry no pictures, I'm trying to be better) and then we had dinner and an Egg Hunt at my Sister's.





Like Jackson's Spiderman Halloween basket?

Then a couple of weeks later, we went to an Egg Hunt on my in-laws side. Lots warmer and lots bigger. 70 people vs. the 20 at my families!

Upside Down....

I feel like the contents in my house have been shaken then turned upside down. I am madely trying to make things right again but all I'm doing is running in circles. Ever feel that way? I have so many projects that I want to do, or need to do (dishes) and I've started lots, just haven't finished any of them (or the dishes). Oh wait! I did get all of my pictures from various CD's onto my computer. I'm quite proud of that one because I started out not having a clue what I was doing. Plus I got out of doing the dishes a little longer.

So, back to the things I "should" (dishes) be doing. We have three bedrooms in our house, mine and the hubbies room, Jackson and Caitlin's room, (that looks like this half, ok, MOST of the time)

and then the computer (thats broken and we haven't used in over a year), and craft/food storage/ junk holder room. That one is way to scary for pictures, seriously, we make people sign liability release forms before entering. So my Sister had the brilliant idea to turn the junk room into a playroom. Then all of the toys could be a mess in there, my kids would have a clean room, and my junk room would be gone! Until it finds its way to another part of the house, but thats besides the point. I have slowly, very slowly, been working on making the switch, but this is the week! I know you're excited for me. Keith is done with School for the Semester and he has plegded his service to me. Hmm... maybe the dishes will get done...I will put up pictures when its done. The rooms, not dishes. Hehe! I cant wait!

In the middle of that I have a mile long list of other things I need/want to get done.

• Walls decorated in the bedrooms and soon to be playroom


• dishes


• kids bathroom decorated


• dishes


• my room some what orginized


• dishes


• wall art


• madehair bows finished

and the list goes on, it does include the mundane every day things, but who wants to dwell on those? dang never ending dishes... sorry, not dwelling... argh!

In the midst of all my crazy circle running we do find time to play. It's really more play then work at my house, but I didn't admit that.

bathtime is always fun





Inside Jungle Gym, complements of the couch!



Well, off to my list, or maybe the dishes, maybe.

After dinner fun.


Cait's new favorite place to play, under the chairs.

Things I should know by now.

Ever do something and then later look back and ask your self why? Thats me, all the time. I'm no pro at parenting, but I'd like to think that I've learned a thing or two. Now if I can just get my self to remember...

If I stay up late, one of the kids will wake up as soon as my head hits the pillow. It never fails.

Never, never, NEVER, go shopping while hungry. My grocery bill goes up by at least $20 and even though I came with a list, I end up going home with a bunch of snacky stuff and not much else.

If the thought comes twice that I should put Jack in a pullup at bedtime, I'd better act on it. Otherwise I will have the joy of changing his sheets at 2am.

Bathe the darlings BEFORE getting myself ready for the day. I don't know how many times I've had to change clothes or fix my hair. Water is drawn to the floor, and to me.

Bowlicious Bowtique Giveaway!

So one of my old Homeschool friends makes the CUTEST bows and flowers for girls hair. She has a blog where she sells them, and this month she is having a giveaway! You can click on her button thats on my sidebar of my blog. She's also on Facebook under Bowlicious Bowtique. Check her out! It's way cute stuff for a good price!

Safe Kids Fair

On Saturday we took Jackson and Caitlin to the Safe Kids Fair. It was a lot of fun, Jackson and Keith had their picture taken with a bunch of Star Wars people. Jackson got to sit in a Fire Truck, he thought that was the coolest! He won a free Bug Juice but he choose to take a t-shirt instead, Keith was proud of that cause Jack LOVES Bug Juice. Cait had fun looking yelling at people.
There was a little melt down on the way home. Jackson got a balloon sword right before we left the fair, not three minuets in the car and the whole thing popped! He was so sad! Then we stopped to get pizza and they had balloons, so Keith got one for Jackson. As we walked to the house Keith says "hold onto your Balloon, if it goes up you wont get it back". Right after that! Jackson lets go and the balloon flies up up and away! My poor boy who was so tired and hungry, thought his world would end. Now about every ten minuets he asks if we can go back to the fair and get a new balloon.

2009 Recap

So last year went by way to fast, lots of changes made and lots of learning. At the beginning of the year Keith made a change in jobs and is now working at the Encoding Center for the Post Office. In May he finished his Associates of Science in Generals at Salt Lake Community College and is now at the University of Utah working towards a Bachelors in Urban Planning. He's taking 12 credits while working, its hard to keep up with the homework but he does it. I'm so proud of him for finishing school!

I worked at America First Credit Union until the first part of November. We then decided that even though it'd be tight financially, it was best to have me at home again. I was able to take a full three months of maternity leave when Caitlin was born. I am so grateful for that chance, it made it easier to go back to work! Now I spend my days trying to keep up with the kids and the house, both of which are never ending.

Jackson is getting so big and independent! He is now in Sunbeams at Church and loves it. He got to give the Scripture during Primary and he was so proud of himself! We are slowly learning the Articles of Faith, he has an amazing memory. I've learned that because of his memory, we have to be even more careful of what songs we listen to. He can pick up lyrics fast! He is such a good brother to Caitlin. We have to watch him though because at times his "helping" can be to much.

Caitlin is growing way to fast, three more months and my baby will be one! I call her my Angel Baby, because she is so happy and content. She is starting to show a very defiant side though, my angel is going to turn into a little whirl wind! Cait is crawling and pulling herself up now, and she just started to shake her head no. Its still cute at this point!

At times I still can't believe that I'm married and have kids. It's been hard doing the whole mom thing while working and helping a husband through school. Tears are shed, tempers rise, there are days when nothing but story telling is done. And I have to admit that there have even been more then a few heated words. I love it though and wouldn't trade it for anything! We have our ups and downs, we learn from it all and try to do better the next time. I've learned so much about myself this last year, I am stronger then I've ever given my self credit for!
I'm so thankful that I have a wonderful family who puts up with me!