Chirstmas Morning

Christmas Morning finally came for the kids. We enjoyed hearing Josh sing Christmas songs this year. He loved singing "We Wish you a Merry Christmas." So cute. The kids we happy with everything they got.
Isabella still looks half asleep while finishing opening her presents. She got a lot of littlest pet shops which she loved and also got enough points to send in for a free elephant. She also was very excited to open up some kissing frogs that mom wouldn't let her get at Disney World, thanks to Grammy and grandpa Gardner.

Josh as a pirate. Josh loved everything He is at such a fun age. He got lots of dragon stuff and dinosaur shirt which he had to wear from grandma and grandpa Winters.

Zach opening his laser tag present that mom got for him. We had a lot of fun playing with it on Christmas morning. He was also very exciting to get some more football trading cards for Grandma Greta and Grandpa Pres. Thank you to everyone for the wonderful gifts. We wish we had been there and miss everyone a ton.

Christmas Lights

During our time out of school before Christmas we went down to New Orleans and looked at the Christmas lights at City Park. It was a lot of fun. The hot chocolate however was very, very hot. It took a long time for it to cool down. The kids loved playing at the storybook village at the park.

Here are the kids inside the whale from Pinoccio.

Here they are again on Captain Hooks boat. Isabella is trying to give Zach some bunny ears. Quite the girl. We also we able to enjoy a delicious funnel cakes. Josh's favorite lights were of the giant dinosaurs, Bella loved the light show that went along with the story "A Cajun Night Before Christmas." Gotta love those alligators pulling the sleigh. Zach had fun watching the laser light show with the music.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. We had a great Christmas. Zach woke up at 5:00 am. He waited very patiently for Bella, Josh and Matt to get up. I started making muffins and other goodies for breakfast. He is a picture of the kids after church on Sunday. Josh didn't want to pose for a picture so Zach and Bella hung on tight while I hurried and snapped a picture.

Disney World

At Disney World we stayed in a cabin at Fort wilderness by the Magic Kingdom. We got to take a ferry every time we went to the Magic Kingdom. Josh loved the cabin and wanted to stay forever.

Bella at the table inside the cabin. Enjoying the packet of welcome to Disney World for the 1st time stuff.

Zach with his new and improved Buzz Lightyear gun. Zach got a Buzz Lightyear gun when we went to DisneyLand and couple of years ago. He must really love that toy. Josh got a keychain version which he loved just as much.

Josh locked up with Zurg. Josh didn't quite get the ride the 1st time but the second time he was really into it. We loved all of the shows and parades we were able to attend. we went the the Lion King show, Dreams Come True at the Castle, Country Bears, Nemo in 3-D, Philomagic, Block party parade and of course the fireworks. Bella was finally able to go on the scary rides with Matt. She went on everyone except for Matterhorn. What a girl!. We had a great time and can't wait to go back.

The beach at Florida

During Thanksgiving week we were able to take a family trip to Florida. Matt did all the planning and did a great job. We left Friday after school got out and drove to Destin, Florida where we spent the night. Saturday we spent the morning at the beach. It was so beautiful with all the white sand. The kids had fun building sand castles and chasing seagulls. Matt also found a crab in a tide pool which made Josh very happy.

Zach posing with a seagull that they chased and chased.

Josh being sneaky. So cute.

Bella didn't want to go to the beach at first but had a lot of fun while she was on the beach once she got out of the car.

Sorry It been so long!

I know it has been a long time since I last posted. We had a lighting storm and it took out our computer and our camera has also died. So we sent in the computer to be fixed since it is still under warrenty. It came back and worked for a few days and then quit. Very frustrating. So that is why I haven't posted. I still don't have a camera but maybe for Christmas. Here is what we have been up to.
Zach has been working on a big report about Sweden. He turned in the paper and the doll dressed in Sweden national dress. He still has to do his oral presentation and take in a dish from Sweden. Matt said he did the same country when he was in school. He was also able to go to a birthday party and had a lot of fun. For Halloween he was a Saints football player. You could say he is very happy with how the Saints are doing this year. He is a little disappointed with the Hornets.
Isabella has been busy with dance and driving mom crazy. She went as a light-up pumpkin princess for Halloween. She loved going trick or treating. This was the first year that we have ever went house to house. She is doing great in school and received an award for perfect attendance.
Josh is doing great in speech. He loves going. He has also made a friend. We watched a little boy from the ward while his mom volunteered at school. They had so much fun playing with each other. So now they are always looking for each other at church and scouts.
Hopefully we will soon be able to post some pictures.

Read for the Record

Josh and I went to the Read for the Record event at a park here. Every year people organize events all over the world to try and break the record for having the most people at the same time reading the same book. This year the book was The Hungry Caterpillar. Josh was excited to go.
Meeting Hugo the Hornets mascot was the highlight of the day for Josh. It was the only thing he would go to. He loved getting free tattoo's and magnets. I tried to convince him that the other booths were giving out free stuff too but he didn't want to go to them.

Curious George helped read the book to everyone at the park

Here is a picture of Josh listening to the story. We had changes to take pictures with Curious George and Hugo but Josh just kept saying he was to scared. He loved watching them though.

In the Car ready to go. It was so much fun to be able to go. The only bad thing was it was like 93 degrees. It was so hot. I can not believe it is that hot in October. In other news Zach won his soccer game this week by two points he even scored a goal. I wish I had been there. I was with Bella and Josh at Nutcracker practice. Isabella is also feeling better Yay:)

Busy, Busy, Busy!

We have been really busy with everything. We had the missionaries over for dinner on Tuesday. Seeing them makes me feel so old. I hope when I finally see Scott he won't be shocked at how old I am. I am sure I just feel this way since I just had a birthday. Oh to getting older.

We had doctor appointments for Josh and Bella. They had both gained weight. Josh gained a pound so he weighs in at 27 lbs. Yea! Bella had gained 2 lbs. The doctor wanted to run some test on Isabella to make sure her thyroid is okay so we had to go have some blood drawn. That did not go very well. She pasted out and had a hard time coming out of it. It was very hard to watch. Then when we got home she started throwing up. Yuck! She was finally able to take a nap and she felt much better. I was so happy. I am pretty sure everything is fine with her this doctor just wants to make sure since she is on the small side.
Zach has been enjoying scouts and soccer. His team tied on Saturday's game 3-3. Isabella is still loving the nutcracker practice. I was also able to take Josh to a play group. He loved playing in the sand. I forgot my camera so no pictures. Sorry! It has gotten busy at the Bishop's storehouse. This week I didn't get home until 10:30 on Thursday. Matt usually doesn't get home until 10:00 on Wednesdays.

What's Been Going on!

Well Josh was finally able to use his money from both grandparents. He bought a Thomas the Train set and of course a dragon. He has loved playing with them. He has a hard time keeping Isabella from joining in a teasing him by telling him how to play. That girl! Thank you grandma's and grandpa's.
The dragon and the train set.

September 14 Zach got braces so cute. His mouth is a little sore but he is doing great.

September 14 was also my birthday. Matt sent me some beautiful flowers. They totally made my day, since I had had such a busy day.

Saints had their first game of the regular season. Zach and Josh were more into playing football with each other than watching the game. Isabella doesn't want her own shirt. She just isn't into football.

Zach had is first soccer game. He played great. His team didn't have any subs. So he got very tired. This was the only picture that turned out. Hopefully we don't get any more rain on Saturday so he can have his game. Last week it was canceled because of all the rain.

Labor Day

This Labor Day we really don't have any big plans. Our weeks are pretty busy so on the weekends we just hang out. Saturday Zach had a soccer game it was a close game but they ended up losing. It was a tough lose. Zach's team had no sub's so they were very tired by the end. The other team had two sub's. Zach had some great assists. I took pictures but they didn't turn out very good. It was very humid and kept fogging up the lens on the camera. Bella also started practice for The Nutcracker. She is so excited that she gets her sword next week. For the battle scene between the rats and soldiers. She is having so much fun. I got to watch part of prat ice. It was fun to see her dance finally.
I was also remembering last years Labor Day. I am really missing spending Swiss Days and handing out at Jordanelle Utah. It had kind of become a tradition to drive down and spend the weekend there with Matt's family. I hope that LaRene and Paula found some really cute stuff. I wish I was there. I kids were also remembering playing in the water. Pam had a bunch of fun toys for the water and the kids had so much fun. Here are some pictures from last year's Labor Day.
Bella taking a rest from having too much fun in the water with Kylee and Cecelia. She had so much fun hanging out with them.

Zach enjoyed hanging out in Grammy and Grandpa Gardner's trailer watching T.V.

Josh liked being outside and wanted to be the one taking pictures not mom.

Lots of you have been wondering what Matt and I's callings in church are. Matt and I both have been called to work in the Bishop's Storehouse. Matt works on Wednesday nights and I work on Thursday night. We have meet lots of people who really miss Doug and Angie.

Bella and The Nutcracker

Isabella this year is taking dance at a more formal dance company than last year. Her teacher was a dancer with a Russian ballet company. She has had a tough time adjusting but is coming to love it. She doesn't like having to have her hair in a bun for class. Each year they put on The Nutcracker. You have to tryout. Isabella really wanted to try out so we let her. I had never done tryouts before so I was a little nervous for her. When we got there they took Isabella back to the room for tryouts. Parents were not allowed. She had fun and today we found out she is going to be one of the mice. She is very excited. We are proud of her and glad so was so brave.

Josh has started speech again and is doing great. We have been focusing on his 's' and 'f' sounds this week. His therapist is really nice. Zach started soccer. Matt has to be the Soccer dad because practices are on Thursday's and I have to help out at the Bishop's storehouse then. When I got home they were all covered in mosquito bites. Zach will also be getting some braces on Monday. He isn't that excited to be giving up some of his favorite snacks like Airheads. Oh well.

Josh Turns 3!

I can't believe that my baby is 3 now. It went by way to fast. Josh decided to have a Dinosaur birthday. Isabella helped decorate while Josh took a nap. He was so surprised when he woke up. IT was too cute. We even made him so Dinosaur jigglers.

Josh opening his presents. He loved everything.




Josh's cake. Underneath all that chocolate frosting is a pink cake. That is what Josh wanted. He was very insistent.

Josh opening Grammy and Grandpa Gardner's letter. He was so excited to get a 'credit card.'

Josh reading the book that Grandma and Grandpa Winters gave him. He also loved getting money. Isabella really wanted the money. She spent all morning trying to get him to give it to her. Silly girl.

The kids all had a better week at school this week so that was great. Matt was off shore this week also. The kids sure miss him when he is gone. We are glad that he made it back safely.

School and Saints

Well school on Monday went more like how I pictured the first day of school. Zach didn't want to get out of the car. Finally I told him he couldn't go to the Saints game unless he got out. He said he would if I walked him in so that is what we ended up doing. Then it was time to take Bella to school. She didn't' want to walk in by herself either so I ended up walking her in also. I was so glad to get them to school. Then after Bella got home it was time to go to dance. Bella didn't want to go she was too tired. I finally talked her into going. She ended up liking it. There was even a girl from her primary class in her ballet and tap class. I was so glad when Monday was over. Grumpy kids are not fun.

The highlight of this week was when Matt took Zach to the Saints game on Friday. Zach was pretty excited. Plus the Saints won yeah! They got home late and Zach didn't get much sleep because I had to take him to soccer evaluations Saturday Morning. All the kids who have not previously played Mandeville soccer had to attend so they can make the teams balanced. He did great for being so tired. Josh came with us and loved cheering Zach on.

1st Day of School

Wow! Where has summer gone? It seems like we were just starting to enjoy summer and then school started. We are not enjoying starting before Labor Day, but we are trying to stay positive and remember that we will be done with school in May.

After Josh and I took the kids to school today we went to Barnes and Noble to look at books. Josh got a dragon book. He loves it. I think we read it at least 20 times today. I was able to find a book for Matt. They also do story time there on Tuesday. Josh will have fun going to that. He really enjoyed it in Pinedale.

Here is Zach our 4th grader. I can't believe he is in Middle School this year. I am feeling really old. He did really good at school today. I was really worried that he might not want to stay with out me but he did great. He was even able to hang out with a friend from soccer camp so that was nice.

Our 'sweet' little 2nd grader. She enjoyed school also and made a friend who even bought her a treat at snack time. She also rode the bus home. I was a little worried because it is an hour long ride. She enjoyed it though and is looking forward. To bad Zach won't. We had to wait in the car lone for about 30 minutes. It was crazy. Josh and I left early to get in the line fifteen minutes early. Not early enough though there was already and long line. It took even longer to get home because there was an accident and we had to wait for them to clean it up. It was nice to know the kids like their schools.

Happy Anniversary Matt! Can't believe it has been 11 years. It has gone by so fast. Love you.

Movie Night

Friday we had a movie night. Matt and Isabella went and picked up some movies. Zach and I ordered some pizza. We watched Coraline in 3-D. Isabella loved the web coming out at her. Josh got tired of the 3-D glasses and then started to jump on everyone to add to the excitement. They all thought the ending was a little scary. Josh calls it the monster movie.

Josh showing off his glasses. They wouldn't stay on so I had to tie them with so string.

Zach and Bella really like 3-D glasses.

Soccer Camp

This week it was soccer camp for Zach. I really felt for him having to spend 3 hours in the the heat. Camp started and 9 am and got done at 12. Long morning for Zach. He was really hot a tired when he got home. I am so glad he had fun. He liked playing in the world cup tournament they held.
Here is a picture of Zach after soccer camp. His shirt is totally wet from all the sweat. He also got sunburned the first day because I forgot to put on sunscreen.

Here is Zach playing soccer. He has on the black socks.

Trying to keep the other team from scoring. I felt bad we couldn't stand the heat for very long so we would go back to the car to cool off in the air conditioning.

Monday while Zach was at soccer we registered him for school. Isabella got registered on Wednesday. It took a long time to get her sign-up. Josh was really testing my patients with all the running around while we were standing in line. Friday we went to Orientation at Zach's school and on Saturday Isabella and I went to her school for orientation. I am gald that is over. It looks like they will both be attending very nice schools. Zach's in newer and has all the lastest technology.

Weeding and Sliding

This week we have been doing lots of weeding of the flower beds and the walk ways. Here is Isabella going down the slide 'one' more time before starting to weed.

Zach put on his sweat bands to get ready to weed. It must have worked because he filled up his bag with weeds in less than 10 minutes.

Josh did lots of sliding and throwing sand at Zach and Bella while we were working. The wonderful thing after weeding is getting to go swimming afterwards. It is so nice. Plus the weather was really nice this week. The high was only 92 degrees so that was nice.

Sir Josh

Josh has become a knight again. He loves to ride his stick horse and go looking for a dragon to fight. He has a toy dragon that he gets first, and then he is off to fight more exciting dragons. The exciting dragons are called Bella and Zach. The house gets pretty noisy. Josh is so cute though when he is riding through the house.

Zach this week was able to go see Harry Potter with his dad. Josh was pretty sad that he didn't get to go, but we thought it would be to long for him. We also spent lots of time swimming and trying to find a doctor, dentist, and sign Bella up for dance. No luck yet we are still waiting for them to call back. We will probably try calling again on Monday. Hopefully we have better luck.

Primary Activity Day

Bella cooling off at the water park.

Zach enjoyed playing with friends throwing a water ball at each other.

Josh wasn't sure about the water at first but then he really got into it.

Today we went to a Primary Activity. We went to the park and played in the water and on the cool playground. It was pretty hot but the kids still had tons of fun. They also enjoyed the freeze pops. The water felt nice and helped keep everyone cool. This week Josh also got his first bee sting. I was weeding and Josh was cooling his feet in the pool and when he went to stand up his hand landed on a bee and stung him. Poor thing.

July 4

After reading Lisa's blog about this year's family reunion it made me remember last year. So here are a couple pictures from last year. Here is Matt and Josh with one of the many fish Matt caught in my dad's ponds. Josh had fun watching Matt with me. Josh especially liked helping release the fish.

Zach needed to build a fire to pass of for scouts so here he is with the fire he built and started.

Sorry Lisa to hear that there was no dancing. Maybe they will do it the next time you go camping. We wish we had been there.

Bella and Josh posing for a picture in the backyard. Isabella knew just where she wanted to take this picture.

Zach,Bella, and Josh show off their new 4th of July shirts.

Josh shows of the tower he made. He sorts them in the shapes and then stacks them.

This 4th of July we kind of took it easy. We ordered pizza and then went swimming afterwards. It is kind of fun to swim at night. Unfortunately that is when the pool is the warmest because it has had the sun warming it up all day so the water was pretty hot. We still had lots of fun.