Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. I have been total fail so far this year for birthday posts. That's what happens when all of your good pictures are on the computer that is crashed. It doesn't really make you want to post anything. But I had to suck it up today and post what I do have. Sorry it's not much...

My dad is awesome!! He is always so willing to help us in any way we might need it. He is a hard worker and always took care of us when we were growing up, and even now. He loves babies and can't wait to get ahold of one. I think that's his favorite part of being a grandpa - holding the babies.

I love you Dad!! And I hope you had a great birthday!!!

Me and My Dad on my Blessing Day.


My family cutting a Christmas Tree when I was little.
Me, Beau, My Dad, Brooke, and Blake


My Dad and Jillen


My Dad and Jayden


My Graduation in May
Jorden, Jensen, Me, Jillen, Jayden, My Mom, and My Dad

LOVE YOU DAD!!!!!

Back to School...Again...

School time. Yay.

Okay, really, I have been waiting for school to start up again. The kids have been so bored, and have fought so much, I kept thinking I needed to make one of those paper chains like kids make to count down the days until Christmas. I never did, but I might next summer if it looks at all like it might be a repeat of this summer!! :D Mom's Countdown to the First Day of School Paper Chain... Has a nice ring to it don't you think?

So the kids are back and a few of them needed haircuts. I don't know, I like the boys hair shorter, but I LOOOOOOOVE it long! Yeah yeah yeah, I'm the only one, but I just do. I love it longer. I'm not apologizing for it either. But I gave in and cut it. Ehhh.

Here's Jorden (probably the most dramatic difference) pre hair cut...
from the front...


and from the back/side...


And with his cute little sailor hat. I think he should have worn this the first day of school. He said he needed a hat to wear during his cafeteria job...

And the hair we cut off. I wanted something to show just how big the pile of hair was, since everyone knows how big a soda can is (and it's my favorite kind :P ), now you understand how much hair I'm talkin' here. Luckily I was faster this time - it only took me half an hour.

And the after. If he would push it to the side it would look better. I'll have to get a picture from the back too...it's short. I almost forgot he has blue eyes. :D

Jorden is in 9th grade this year and is taking all advanced classes, because he wants to. Oh yay!! I'm not looking forward to that homework...

And full length. He's like 5'11" now. Wonder how much taller he will get...

And Jillen. In all fairness, this is after school and a 45 mintues ride on the bus to get home.

Jillen is in 6th grade this year and is so excited to be back with all of her friends.

And full length...

And then there's Jayden. Another victim of mom's haircuts...

Here are the before pictures - from the front...

and from the side...


And after. He wanted it shorter on top so that he could spike it up a little bit if he wanted to.

Jayden is in 4th grade this year and is glad to be out of the house for a few hours every day. :D

And full length. He's such a cute boy...

And my little Jensen. She is in 2nd grade this year. She wanted her hair in a bun for that first day back, and apparently it well and several people told her how cute she looked. She really did look cute... :)

And full length...

Yeah, this won't scare Jayden's teacher, I'm sure.

She's probably rethinking her decision to become a teacher after this first week...

See, nothing too exciting. I'm glad to have them not screaming and fighting in the house all day anymore. :D

But now I miss them all day instead...

Deploying Uncle Beau...

My brother Beau is a Combat Medic in the Army and before being deployed to Afghanistan for the next year, he got to come home and visit for a couple of weeks. We were so excited to get to see him!! We had a few parties and even got to go see him off at the airport! The kids were so excited to get to go through security! Though when it came time to take off their shoes, there were a few worried looks and cries. But that's life. :D

Me and my little brother, who sadly hasn't been littler than me for like 20 years. :D
Beau and Me


Even sadder still, me and 2 of my little brothers. Why am I the shortest one in this picture? But it is fun being surrounded by boys over 6 foot tall all the time. :D
Beau, Me, and Blake


Jorden and Uncle Beau - I'm not sure but by the time Beau gets back, Jorden may have outgrown him...


Jillen and Uncle Beau


Jayden and Uncle Beau -- Jayden made sure to wear his 'My Uncle is a Combat Medic' shirt. He loves that! And that is why is isn't decked out all in camo like he usually is. :D


Jensen and Uncle Beau


Us at the airport. It was so fun for the kids to get to see him off!! And the kids dressed up a bit more that day, more camo and another Combat Medic shirt.
Jorden, Beau, and Me
Jillen, Jayden, and Jensen


Beau and my parents.


Beau and all of his neices and nephews.
Marnie (Bri's), Beau, Emelyn (Brooke's), Jorden
Ellee (Brooke's), Jillen, Britt (Bri's), Jayden, and Jensen


Uncle Beau and his cute little baby neices - Marnie and Emelyn.


The whole gang! This is my whole family, except for Tim and Elliott, Brooke's hubby, and my brother Brett.
Laurissa, Blake, Justin, Britt, Brianna, Marnie, Jorden, my mom, my dad, Jensen, me, Jillen, Ellee, Beau, Emelyn, Brooke, and Jayden
Wow, that's a mouthful of names! :D And a LOT of B's and J's!! :D


And he's off!!


Watching as his plane takes off down the run way...


And into the air.

We miss him already!!! But can't wait to hear all about his adventures in a war zone in the Middle East.

Love you Beau!!!

Summer Craziness...

Oh where, oh where has my summer gone?
Oh where, oh where could it be?
With it's sun so bright
and it's days so long,
Oh where, oh where could it be?



So, if you don't know my Grandpa Jones, then you won't know the tune to that little rhyme. :D

How in the world is summer already over? Wow, it seems like it just started and now the kids are already back to school. Crazy!!

Well, here is a little wrap up of our rather hum-drum and boring summer.

Ahhhh yes, the ring leader of that little swimming goggle-fest -- Jillen


And her willing followers - Jayden


And Jensen


Jorden tried to find other things to do, like boarding. He's great at it. Even better on the carpet in the living room. That's always nice.


We also had 4 cute puppies to play with. We finally got a boy!! Out of the 12 puppies that Bambi has ever had, finally -- a boy!!


But some cute girls too.

And Transformers 2 came out. Yay!! We had been waiting ever since seeing the first Transformers movie, 2 summers ago.

Afterwards we went to McDonald's to eat and let the kids play. According to Jensen, it was the "Best day ever of my whole life!" I guess I should take her out more...

But they do all like ice cream...

Even if they would rather wear it.

Maybe it's cooler that way.

And of course there was Pioneer Days. Jillen got to help babysit her cute little cousins. Here she is getting Emelyn to sleep. Her technique must be really good because it worked on her too! Sweet little bed bugs...

And here is Jensen with Ellee after a bath. Cute litte bath bugs...

See, you didn't miss much! Our lives really aren't that exciting. But you wanted to know. Bet you're sorry you asked now, huh? :D

New Moon Trailer...

Here is the first official trailer for New Moon, the second movie in the Twilight Saga. I'm so excited, I can't wait for November 20th. I already have plans for that entire 24 hour period, so don't even think about asking me for anything that day. And I may need a few days afterward to recover. I think I'm gonna be good and sad. I'm considering buying stock in Kleenex...

Like always, turn off the music at the bottom if you want to watch this. It's worth it. Totally. And make sure you don't miss the end. It's AWESOME!!!!! :)

170 days to go... From now... I'm waiting...

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

Another School Year Bites The Dust...

Once again, Summer is here. The kids are out of school. It's only the first week and they are already bored. What's new.

Here is Jillen with her teacher, Mr. Lane. She enjoyed 5th grade and is excited for 6th grade next year.


Here is Jillen with one of her best friends, Maddie. Oh these girls...



Jillen and a couple of her other friends, Adrianna and Paola.



Here is Jayden and his teacher, Ms. Kuhse. He liked 3rd grade and he loved his teacher.

Here is Jayden at his class party. The theme was Hawaiian Luau. Needless to say, the flower lei was supposed to go around his neck, but he thought it made great face wear.

And here is Jensen with her teacher, Mrs. D'Appuzzo. Jensen loved her class.

And Jensen with two of her best friends, Juliette and Reagan. She talks about them non-stop!

I don't know what we will do to pass the time this summer. Jensen has summer school for June but the other kids are just hanging out. I should really find lots of good chores for them to do, don't you think? :D I'm such a mean mom. :P