Fall Break!

The kids' Fall Break has officially started. I am looking forward to just chillin at home and not having to run around dropping off/picking up kids throughout my day. Luke always gets so bored when he's not in school, so I will have to keep him busy. Fall Break is when a lot of families I know go on vacations, and I sort of wish we were going SOMEWHERE. But, then I remember what it's like to travel with Jake and how he doesn't sleep well if he's not in his own bed. We'll have plenty of opportunities to take fun trips when the kids are older...at least that's what I keep telling myself!

On Wednesday, I had parent/teacher conference with Luke's teacher. It went really well. He is excelling on every level and, of course, I was so proud of him! She praised him for being so kind to the other kids and the teachers. Apparently he always talks about his "baby brother" at school and how he loves to play with him. His teacher also told me that Luke's reading level is a lot higher than the other kids, so she is going to start having him read different books during the day. Luke is a very intelligent kid, but it isn't because of us. He has always had an interest in learning and, sadly, Curt and I don't really sit down with him to try to teach him more. Luke has learned mostly on his own. Perfect example...he was about 18 months old when I discovered that he knew almost the entire alphabet by sight. One day, I drew an "A" on his Magna Doodle and asked him what it was. To my amazement, we went through the whole alphabet and he only missed 4 letters! Had I worked with him before?? Uh, no.

Anyway, I love all 3 of my beautiful boys! They bring me the most joy and frustration I ever thought possible. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Our Ward Family Campout

On Sept. 21st, we drove up to Payson for our yearly ward campout. This was actually the first time I have ever camped with Curt and the boys. He usually takes them while I stay home because either: A) I'm pregnant (which I am NOT right now!)
B) we have a wee baby that I don't want to camp with
C) or because I need some "mommy" time and a break
from the two older boys
I decided it would be fun to go this time and make some memories with my boys. Our first camping experience as a family of five was pretty much what I had expected. I had a feeling that Jake wouldn't sleep very well in the tent, which he did NOT. He woke up several times during the night screaming his head off, while in the meantime, waking up his brothers, who then started crying because he woke them up. Sounds like great fun, eh? That was a loooong night, but once the sun finally came up, we were ready to go hiking and explore a bit. After the men cooked up a yummy breakfast, we packed up and headed to the service project. We have a kid in the ward who is working on his Eagle, so most of us pitched in to help that morning. We were to dig up this plant called Star Thistle (I think) which is actually taking over the other wild plants in the area and causing a lot of problems. Luke and Ty had fun playing in the stream alongside the pasture that we were weeding. I'm sure I was a sight to behold. I was so sore the next couple of days from digging up those weeds with the shovel, all the while with a 25 lb. brick (aka Jake) strapped to my back. It was a lot of work, but very fun and rewarding. As always when I travel, I was glad to be home.

Our tent was nestled in the trees just above the stream.

On our drive home from Payson, I looked back to find Luke holding Jake's hand as he was falling asleep. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen! Luke is such a gentle and loving big brother to Jake...and Jake thinks the world of Luke. His little face lights up whenever he sees Luke.

Awww...

The Highlight of Our Camping Adventure

We were parked along side the road waiting for others to get there so our service project could start. Curt spotted this gross thing going across the road. After living in AZ for over 5 years, this is my first "wild" trantula that I've seen! I was grossed out, especially when Curt picked it up and was letting it crawl all over him! What kind of freakazoid did I marry??!! Just kidding, babe.

I know. Disgusting.

40-something Anniversary

Today was my parents' wedding anniversary. They would've been married for 40-something years...I can't remember for sure and am too lazy to get up off of the computer chair to look! I have always loved this picture of the two of them and I want to thank Dad and Debbie for sending me an 8x10 copy of it last week!

You can't tell by this photo that my mom was going through chemo, can you? Sick or not, she was always so beautiful. I remember vividly (shocking, I KNOW!) when this picture was taken. It was during one of mine and Luke's trips back to IL to visit my parents. My siblings and I had made reservations at the Sears portrait studio for Mom and Dad to get their picture taken. It had been yeeeears since they had that done. So, we decided to surprise them, as a gift from us on their anniversary. Since Luke and I were staying at the house with them, I helped mom decide what to wear. Dad, on the other hand, was a little more difficult. Mom and I had decided on what he COULD NOT wear, which was his gray suit (Sorry, Dad!). We weren't the biggest fans of that one, at least not for photos to be taken. It took some coercing, but he choose one of the ties we had picked out for him. Mission accomplished!!

We then all drove to Burlington, IA where the studio was, and after their photos, we went to a buffet-style restaurant called Ryan's. A good time was had by all.

My sweet momma died just 3 months after this picture was taken. Her smiling face and loving persona that radiates in that photo is how I will always remember her.

Today's 6 year anniversary of 9/11 is a sad one. Curt and I were living in Nauvoo still at the time. I was 6 months pregnant with Luke. That morning, I remember watching CNN and seeing the first tower burning and then watching live...the 2nd one being attacked. I remember the knots in my stomach.

Not long after that, I had the priviledge of taking my dad to the ER and ended up spending about 8 or 9 hours in the hospital with him. He was so distracted because of the terrorists attacks that he darn-near cut a couple of his fingers off while working in his wood shop. After surgery to repair them, and making sure he was okay, I got back home about 8pm that night. I knew that our "small" ordeal with my dad was nothing in comparison to those affected by 9/11.

I GIVE UP!!

Ever wonder why I don't post many pictures of my older boys??

THIS is why. To get them to stop monkeying around so I can take a cute picture of them is impossible! I was trying to get a nice picture of them with their new ties on yesterday before church. My sis Christie sent my nephew Andrew's old ties to the boys and I knew they would love to see the kids wearing them. Well, this is as good as it is going to get.