Just Playing around right now with animated images that Paul is learning how to put on web pages.

I can't locate any pictures of Andrew right now at his games. I will get my hands on them and add them to this slide show. (We ended up getting a new camera after we lost ours...)

Brief Family Update

Since it has been so long since I have updated my blog, I will mostly just put the past several months pictures in a slide show. Also, I know that most people would rather look at pictures than read a long boring post....
Jacob and Andrew are both in tackle football this year. They are enjoying it tremendously. Andrew a little more than Jacob. Not sure Jacob will do it again next year.
Daniel is doing his last year of flag football. In our city, kids can do tackle football at the ripe ole' age of 6, but I tell my boys that they need to wait until they are 8 to do tackle, so Daniel is anxiously awaiting his turn next season. He is really enjoying flag football though.
Brenden told us a couple weeks ago that he will be getting married in January. This came as quite a surprise, but we are very happy for him and have enjoyed getting to know Lindsay. They will be getting married in the Redlands Temple in California.
Jeremy is doing really well with his Salt Lake City Police Academy. He will be completely done by Thanksgiving! He has been working very hard, and has come home completely exhausted on more than a few occasions.
Aubrey moved up to live with us the first part of August. She will be starting school in January at Utah Valley University. She has gotten a job at Ross Clothing Store, and has found several friends to hang out with. She has been a joy to have around.
Sierra and Josh have come up a few times to go to Brenden BYU football games. Josh has stayed over a time or two, but unfortunately, we haven't gotten to see much of Sierra. She is coming up this weekend with her mom so they (Kristal, Sierra, and Aubrey) can go shopping for dressed for Brenden's wedding. Sierra and Aubrey will be 2 of Lindsay's bridesmaids. Josh was ordained a Deacon the first Sunday in August. We went down to New Mexico to participate in that. The following day, Paul took Josh, Jacob, Andrew and Daniel fishing on his dad's boat...and we now can't find the camera, so unfortunately pictures of the ordiantion, and fishing trip are lost forever. :-(
The 3 younger boys are doing well in school. Daniel doesn't wake up this year everyday looking for some excuse to stay home, so that is good. First grade was quite an adjustment for him, but thankfully he is doing well in Second Grade.
Andrew's has been enjoying his Third Grade year. His teacher is about 3 inches taller than him. I told him that my 3rd grade teacher was about 3 inches taller than me, too. (Mrs. Harrigger...not sure if after all these years I spelled that right.) He is pretty motivated to get his homework done so he can go outside and play school with his friend Justus. They both have stuffed monkey that they sit around and teach math and science to.
Jacob has completely enjoyed his Sixth Grade experience so far. His teacher lets them have soda's in class, and munchies, so I have surprised him a time or two with a soda to drink during class. What fun is it to have "fun" rules and be able to take advantage of them?
Parent/Teacher conference is this next week, so we will see how disillusioned I have been.
Paul has started taking Web design classes. He is really enjoying learning all the cool things he can do. I think after a couple of classes, and the purchase of the "Dream Weaver" software, he will be able to create a pretty awesome web page!
I have been busy with preschool. It was good to get started again, and kind of get back into my routine. Every year seems to get busier and busier, as I am sure everyone can sympathize. As the boys get older, days get busier.
I think I have included pretty much everything. I will let the pictures say the rest.

Much Awaited Update...

Life has been crazy! I am getting caught up slowly but surely, and I am truly hoping for a chance to REALLY catch up on this blog this coming weekend. Conference Weekend, and Bill has the boys, so i should have a bit of time to catch everyone up....STAY TUNED!

Visitors

My Aunt Vicki was in town not too long ago, unfortunately, I wasn't coherent enough to remember my camera so I didn't get any pictures for my blog. She looks great though, and it was so good to see her again. My cousin Jenny and her husband were in town as well a couple weeks ago, and this time, I went to visit with camera in hand. She has a wonderful family and 4 really cute kids! Paul and I are planning on going to New Mexico the first part of August. Starting in Farmington, and then working our way down, visiting family and friends all along the way. I am really excited for the trip!

Memorial Day

This past Memorial Day weekend really wasn't like any other we had had. Aubrey was graduating from High School, so Paul was able to go down to New Mexico to be there for that, so that left me and boys to our own devices. I really didn't feel like doing a BBQ on my own, so I decided we would rent a Hotel room, play all night Friday, go to Build-A-Bear and a movie on Saturday, and then head home. The boys had a great time. I loaded up on snacks, and let the boys swim as long as they wanted (it was pretty chilly so it wasn't for terribly long) and then they sat in the hotel room eating snacks and watching TV all night. The weekend was all about them, so I didn't have a bed time for them or anything. I fell asleep before they did! The next day we went to Build-A-Bear, and then we went to go see Prince Caspian. I was surprised, but I quite like it. (I haven't seen the first one)
Paul was back by the time Memorial Day actually came around, so we went to go see Indiana Jones, and then went to Mom and Dad's for a BBQ.
Most of the pictures are self explanatory, but the one with the Build-A-Bear box and the HUSKY is something the boys wanted to do for Paul as a "thank you" for the weekend. Even though he wasn't there, he helped plan it, and and boys wanted him to know how much they love him and are glad he is in their lives. Paul teaches at Hillcrest High School, home of the Huskies, so the boys thought that would be the best one to do.

July 4, 2008

The ones of the boys with stuffed animals are Build-A-Bear stuffies that we did over Memorial Day. They have loved having these. It was money wellk spent! (Preston got his at an earlier time) I was pretty beat by the time 10:00 came around. I had worked all day (DOUBLE TIME PAY) and I had to work the next day. Dad wasn't able to be there because he got called into work to do a couple of surgeries. We missed him, but the kids had fun none the less.

Happy Anniversary

Paul and I celebrated our 1st anniversary on June 23rd. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go to Mexico as we had hoped, but we did go out to celebrate. Paul got us tickets to Brian Regan's comedy show in August. I am SOOO excited to go! If you don't know who he is, check out his website, he has a few clips on there. He is a clean comedian, so very kid friendly!

I have to say that I am so happy to have found Paul. It has been a wonderful year. He is truly probably the nicest man I know, and he treats me wonderfully. It is very nice for a change to have a hubby that has me as his first priority. He likes to have a clean house as much as I do, so he is also ALWAYS helping with laundry, bathrooms, kitchen, dinner, etc. (Ladies, you KNOW how rare that is!) I love him with all my heart, and we are waiting, not so patiently for the approval of the First Presidency to be sealed in the Temple. Hopefully it will be soon. I will keep everyone posted! I am just curious to see what my reading audience thinks...Paul and I were hoping to get marriedn in the San Diego Temple, however, because of the time of year that it will probably happen, and the expense that would be involved for everyone (including the rising cost of gas!) we have decided to be sealed here in the great state of Utah. We have narrowed it down to two temples: Logan Temple and the Bountiful Temple. I am leaning toward the Bountiful Temple, but would love to get some more input!

Lots of Little things....

Ok, this is the post where I put several pictures that don't get a post of their own...

My mom and dad's dogs had their puppies about 2 weeks ago. This time around, I will be able to claim one for my own. I have not decided which one I want. I will wait for their eyes to open and they develop a little bit of their own personality before I decide. I have decided on a name, and I am hoping that one little puppy will fit the name...Tamica. I know, but it is the name of the model on Deal or No Deal that is my favorite...#21

This is a video of Daniel playing the song he wrote for me for Mother's Day. It was really cute and he was SOOO proud of this!

Salt Lake City Police...Newest Edition

After months of preliminary physicals, tests, and paperwork, Jeremy has finally been able to start his training as a Salt Lake City Police Officer. He found out the beginning of June that he had been hired. He officially started his training on July 7. As of today he has finished a week! Needless to say, he is dead tired when he comes home at night. As you can imagine, they are working them physically really hard, as well as throwing all kinds of information at them that they are expected to memorize practically over night and be tested on!

The pictures are of Jeremy trying on his new uniforms. Paul didn't notice the goofy face Jeremy made on the first one, until I suggested that maybe for the second picture he could maybe not make a goofy face... :-)

Camping

I am trying to up date my blog, so for the next several entries, probably just mostly pictures, with very little commentary.

This set of pictures was taken when Josh and Sierra were here a few weeks ago. Paul took them camping at Hobble Creek. I went up in the evenings, but didn't stay because I had to work so early. (Jacob, Andrew and Daniel were with William for the month of June) Jeremy and Amanda stayed with them on the 3rd night, and I took Sierra home with me.

Tournament Play

Baseball is finally over, even though, it really wasn't all that bad. Yes, the boys that were playing had practices in Orem, on different days, and had their games on different days, or on the same day, differnt times....in Orem, but we survived, and it was really fun to see them learn the game, and to have Paul helping them through, teaching them.

Tournament play was double elimination. Jacob's team won their first game, lost their second. The third game was a good game. Jacob's team was up by several runs, but the other team came back and tied the score. It stayed this way for SEVERAL innings, both teams fighting hard to stay in it. Jacob's team ended up loosing the game, but it was probably the BEST game they had played all season. It was a heart breaking loss, and I hated to see Jacob's disappointment, but it is part of the game, and part of life.

Andrew's team also won the first game, and I actually think it was the second game they lost as well. (It was the first game they had lost all season, and it was a VERY controversial loss!) That was their one and only loss. They won every game after that, and in the finals, they played the team that they lost to earlier. The other team was "undefeated" in tournament, so they had to play twice, so they could beat them twice, and they did! The first game Andrew's team won 12-7 (or something like that) and the second game, they called early due to the "10 run" rule...the final score was 13-3. They were pretty excited, and they felt better about loosing the one game, after clobbering them so bad! These are pictures of the team and Andrew after the game. The one of Andrew and his coach has a shadow on it, which is yuck, but I was relying on another parent taking the picture because SOMEHOW I managed to go to the FINAL game with out a camera!!!!!

Paul?

Alright, now it's Paul's turn.

Paul finished teaching the first Wednesday in June. Since I am working during the summer he gets to play Mr. Mom. I know this makes him feel bad, but I really think he got the raw end of the bargain! I come home every night to finished laundry, clean house, and dinner! It has been wonderful.

William picked up the boys this past weekend, so on Sunday, Paul drove to New Mexico to pick up Josh and Sierra so they could spend a couple weeks with their dad. We are really excited to have them here. I know the boys would be disappointed if they knew they were missing out, so we didn't really mention it to them. They really enjoy spending time with Josh, and Daniel LOVES his sister!

Paul cherishes any time he gets to spend with his kids. He got there on Sunday evening, and just hung out with the kids. On Monday morning Paul went with his Dad and Josh fishing. They caught 20 fish or so. They had a great time. Sierra didn't go. She informed her dad that she didn't get up until 9:30 a.m. so the fact that they were leaving HOURS before that, meant she didn't go.

Josh had a game that night, and they all went. Paul was able to be the guest coach that night, which I know meant alot to Paul and Josh both. Josh's team won easily.

Paul, Sierra and Josh drove back up here on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, Paul didn't get pictures, so I just had him go take some, and this is what he came back with......we are going camping this weekend so better pictures will follow.

Boston Red Sox

Today I will update on Jacob. He is also doing baseball this season. Unlike Andrew, he did do T-Ball and I believe Coach Pitch. Unfortunately, for the 2 seasons that I was divorced I was unable to sign him up. Money was especially tight in the summer! Anyway, this year he is also playing for Orem (See Andrew's update to why orem...)and he is really liking it. He is on the competition league, which he was very happy about. His coach told me that he could tell he was "cold", but that he could really see some potential with him. He has worked really hard at practices. His coach wanted him to start pitching, and asked if Paul would help with the practices when Paul's schedule allowed, to help out with the pitchers on the team.
Jacob has played really well. I remember at his very first practice, he hit the ball really well, his first time. He was convinced that it was because Paul picked him out the coolest bat ever! His next time up, you could hear the other kids whispering, "Oh, watch this kid hit!" and stuff like that. Unfortunately, it may have been beginners luck, because he wasn't able to hit it again that day like the first time.
He plays really well in his games. He has tried his hands a few times at pitching, but when he doesn't do very well, he gets sad, like he really let his team down, so he doesn't want to try it anymore. His coach puts him at 3rd base, and he seems to really like that. Paul will help out at the practices when he can, which is nice, that helps Jacob out. Like Andrew, he has a "pro" helping him. It gets a little rough sometimes, because some others will tell Jacob different, but this what Paul does, so he listens to Paul.
I do have to tell you some really exciting news about one of Jacob's game. Paul and I were sitting there, watching, Jacob was up to bat. All of a sudden, on the first pitch, Jacob hits a home run!! Not just any home run. It is high, and it goes way out of the park! It almost hits the score board, and some cars parked in the parking lot. It was really cool! There were some kids on his team that were practicing pitching, and they stopped when they heard the "buzz"..."Jacob hit a home run!" It was fun. I loved cheering him on through all the bases. He was so happy. His coach gave him his home run ball, and Paul and I bought a case for it. He labeled it in his room, (so one day when he is famous everyone will know when his first home run was). After the game all the other Moms and Dads on the team came up to JACOB and told him what a great hit that was, as it should be. There would have been no point to tell me...Jacob was the one that hit the ball! :-)) It was great night. It has been so fun listening to him afterward..."Mom, remember when I hit the home run?" and my reply, "Yes, honey, it was just an hour ago!" ;-) (These picture are 1- Jacob up to bat 2- Jacob playing 3rd base 3- Jacob scoring a run.)

P.S. These pictures were taken on Jacob's first game. This is the same field, however, that he hit his home run, and in the picture where he is scoring a run, you can see the score board in the background, and parking lot, where the ball landed.

New York Mets

Andrew is playing baseball this year. He decided against soccer, which made me a little sad because he soooo good, but I let him make that decision on his own. Actually, he had decided against playing any sports this season altogether, but after playing with a bat and ball in the front yard, and him hitting a ROCK pretty far, and mom getting upset with him for hitting a ROCK so well, possibly hitting cars or houses, he decided he was a pretty good hitter and wanted to play baseball!

I signed him up in Orem. I decided against Lehi because they wanted to charge Saratoga Springs residents and extra $32 to play, so instead of $65 for Lehi residents, it was going to cost me $97. Orem was $75. I am boycotting Lehi anyway, because they are charging us way more for everything, so I am just not using their facilities anymore.

Anyway, Andrew has really enjoyed playing. It is machine pitch at this age for him. He has never played t-ball, coach pitch, nothing, so this is pretty new to him, and he is doing really well. He really knows how to hustle. Paul and I are pretty proud of him and his effort. He looks very focused when he plays.

He seems to really enjoy being the catcher. I think he looks adorable, and that's all I look for, but Paul says that he actually is a pretty good catcher. I guess Paul would know. He works with the boys at their practices, and at home, showing them the proper way to hold the bat, throw, etc. They sure have enjoyed the fact that they have a High School Baseball Coach for a Stepdad. Between Paul and I, we have been able to make it most of the games, between Jacob, Andrew and Daniel.

How cute is he?