This Ones For You Babe!

Kate is such a cute dancer. This is her performing at the Festival of Trees. Her smile is so wonderful to watch.



After many mornings listening to her cry and scream when I would comb her hair, it was time to cut Nicole's beautiful hair. She got 6 1/2 inches cut off this past week. She definetaly looks grown up with her cute new look.

Here is Ethan and his dog or gog as he will tell you. Ethan convinced me that his dog needed a bowl of Alpha Bits (including milk) just like him. Ethan made sure the bowl was postitioned just right, on the edge of the counter waiting to spill all over the dog. Everyday there is something new that makes me laugh.

Falling For Fall

GO UTES!!!

It is officially fall for me. Football season is here, the kids are back in school, the days seem shorter, and the nights are cool. Fall is my favorite time of year. So here is a post will some of the favorite things about fall.

I must also mention that fall also brings me to make certain things at my house. I have made 6 batches of caramel popcorn, and have eaten probably 4 myself. I really should stop, but I just can't resist the chewy, crunchy, sweet popcorn. If any of you are interested try the following recipe.

Microwave Caramel Popcorn

16 cups popped popcorn (not microwave)

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon salt

Microwave on high for 1 minute - stir

again for 1 minute - stir

then again for 1 minute - stir

Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Stir, the mixture will foam.

Take a brown paper grocery sack and spray the inside with Pam.

Put the popcorn in and pour caramel mixture over the top. Roll closed and shake.

Place in microwave for 1 minute, shake

then 1 minute, shake

then 30 seconds, shake

and 30 seconds, shake.

Once done shaking, pour out onto cookie sheet to cool. Enjoy!

Kiddie Kandids Today!

Well, Amber has done a decent job of updating the blog, but I guess it is my turn. Amber took the kids to Kiddie Kandids today, and, well, since she's not quite sure how to get the photos off the kiddie kandids website to be able to post them on our blog, it's my turn.

There are some good pictures. For example, Ethan turns 2 in a couple months and he loves balls. Here is a picture of him in what he would consider to be heaven on earth.

I can't believe that he would actually sit by all the balls without throwing all of them.

Here are a couple of pictures of all 3 kids together:

Here is our little Kate. She is getting so big. She went to the doctor's office right after these pictures to get her kindergarten check-up. She didn't realize it going in, but they gave her 4 shots today. She isn't in the best of moods right now. Maybe I should take her to Ikea to lift her spirits.

Here is Nicole. She is also growing like a weed. She will be starting 2nd grade in a month or so. 2nd grade - I can't believe it. I can almost remember when I was in 2nd grade...

Here is the most amazing picture you will ever see. I have not seen these two so close to each other with smiles on their faces in about 4 years. I guarantee if you put these two this close together that they will be fighting and one of them crying (if not both) within 10 seconds. We'll put a copy of this picture in every room in the house just to remind us that these two can co-exist without pulling each other's hair out:
In fact, Kate just came up to me and said, "Daddy, don't you like the picture of me and Nicole hugging each other?" Just as I am about to answer, Nicole chimes in "I don't! I hate it!" I bet you can guess who causes the fighting.

10 Years

So here is to embarassment. Next week Jeff and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary. I can't believe what has come about over the last 10 years. But I will say I am blessed. I have a wonderful husband and three children who are amazing (well most of the time). So here is to the next 10 years. Hope they are just as fun as the last. Love you Jeff!

Happy Father's Day

So I feel really bad not posting something the wonderful man who has given me my family. Thanks Jeff for all you do. Happy Belated Father's Day Jeff!

Jeff is the best dad, he is always helping the girls and loves to be with them.

Jeff has three loves and they are Nicole, Kate and Ethan [Jeff's edit - It's actually 4 - Don't forget Amber, she's #1 - OK enough cheese....] He is truly an amazing father. The kids can't wait to have him home, especially Ethan.

He loves his kids and will do anything for them. So here is to you, the best dad. We all love you!

Pirates Cove

So here is Pirates Cove. One of the most amazing places our family has ever been. Thank to the generocity of Uncle Blake, we got to enjoy this amazing house/resort/villa/etc. I am not sure how to describe it but FUN FUN FUN is a good place to start. This is the top of the slide that Jeff and Ethan are going down.

As you can see Ethan loved going down the slide with his dad. We also sent him down several times by him self in a life jacket with Jeff waiting to catch him at the end of slide. I still am not sure if he loved it, but he never cried and always wanted to go down again with his dad.

Also Ethan loved the ice cream machine. This was just after he woke up from a nap and the ice cream is what he wanted.

Holly and Dave were such good helpers. Jeff and I could not keep up with the demand of slide runs, so Holly and Dave were always ready to take a turn.

Here our little Kate is jumping into the deep diving pool. Her face just lets you know that she is always having fun, no matter what she is doing.




Once again the favorite thing to do was the slide. The girls would get up and have their swim suits on by 9 am. We would drag them out of the water at 7 pm. We were supposed to only stay one day after spending the weekend in St. George, but we just couldn't leave so soon. We stayed an extra day. The girls were so happy. Not to mention Ethan, who learned to say "pool" this past weekend, and then would repeat it every five minutes.

Here is a perfect picture of Nicole jumping into the diving pool. She had been watching Dave and Holly jump of the platforms, so this is her version. She is so crazy.

Once again Holly and Dave saved the day. They had good practice looking after the kids for when we go out of town and they will be in charge. I will pray for Holly and Dave every day!

Here is grandma and grandpa soaking up the sun and watching the girls have so much fun. We truly had the best time. And what an amazing place. I could post about 10 more pictures of just the amazing place we stayed at. Thanks Uncle Blake for the invite!

Discovery Gateway

This past week the kids and I went to the Discovery Gateway museum. The kids loved it so much we got a membership so we can go as often as we'd like. Here are some of the special moments of that trip.

Use your imagination and put the sound with this face. Let's just say that Ethan is like his dad, they both aren't very fond of horseback riding.

Kate is my little construction worker. She is the most adorable 4 year old I know. I am so blessed to have three amazing, cute and wonderful kids.

Wii

This is Ethan watching Jeff and Nicole play the Wii. He loves to stand right close to the TV. And in case any of you are wondering, he does the same motions everytime we play. Ethan is just obsessed with any type of ball.

* Next time I will try to make the posts a little bit more scrapbook like and not so many of them. I am still learning. Hope you all haven't given up on us. Love to all!

Oh! The Snow We Have Had

Lori this is for you! I am sure that you are missing the snow, so I captured the girls outside playing in the backyard. Jeff could probably give a better report, but lets just say that this year we have had more snow that in years past.

Movie Night!

So here are the kids having movie night. As you can see Ethan is surrounded by his two favorite people, Nicole and Kate. What a group!

Now I know that I am not as funny as Jeff, but I will do my best to show you all some of our lastest pictures and give everyone a glimse of our crazy life.

I just love this picture of Kate. He face is just perfection. She loves life and will put a smile on your face anyday.

We are still here!

Sorry for the delay in blogging. Jeff has been so busy with work, and I have not taken the opportunity to post, but enough is enough. Our kids are just so darn cute that they must be seen by all who chose to visit our blog.

This is Ethan last fall playing in the leaves. Don't you just love his big brown eyes. Such a handsome boy.