April 8, 2010

Easter Weekend





This Easter was a little different this year. Scott, Joe and Sam were driving to New Jersey for a fun trip, so it was Allie, Alivia, Elijah and I at home. We had a lot of fun coloring eggs, and then we went to "Clash of the Titans". We also did some sewing and played with the doggies. It was a fun weekend, but it felt weird to not have everyone at home.

Track!




Joseph and Allie made the track team this year. Joe rocks at Shotput and Discus. Allie loves to run. She was in her first track meet, running the relay, when she tore her ligament in her foot. Needless to say, the doctor says she is done running for the season. She is pretty bummed. She did win the race though! I'm just hoping we're not looking at surgery.

April 2, 2010

Visitors!!



Erika and her family came to visit us this last weekend. We had a great time. It was so good to see them all. I can't believe how big the kids are getting. We love you guys!!

March 7, 2010

Elijah and the Piano



While in GTMO, Elijah heard the Star Spangled Banner everyday, twice a day. He sang it constantly. When we got home to our piano, he sat down one day, and after, about a half an hour, was playing The Star Spangled Banner. We were all in awe!! I signed him up for piano lessons immediately, but we only lasted about a month. He hated playing from a book. He has since learned to play several different songs, that he loves to sing, but WILL NOT play by the book. His teacher said we need to find someone who teaches the Suzuki method. I guess that the Suzuki method goes more by ear, and Elijah's style of playing. The kid is AMAZING!

Missoula Children's Theater


Alivia is our actress. She was recently in the play "Pinocchio". She was a puppet. She did a great job, and had a really awesome time!! We love you Liv!

January 29, 2010

Let It Snow!!


Alivia's Hair




I finally took pictures of the final product. Lets just say that the curls stay in her hair a lot longer and look better, here in dry weather. Humidity is nice, just not nice for certain hair-dos.

January 16, 2010

Our Comedian

We discovered on our Mac computer a really cool feature. It is called Photo Booth. Ever since Elijah learned how to run it, he disappears to the computer and creates... I was laying in bed the other morning, when he started playing me all his videos he has made. I thought I was going to burst a gut laughing. I knew he was funny, but this is just hysterical! I am going to post one, or two a week, just for a good laugh! Tell me what you think!! Enjoy!

January 14, 2010

Youth Dances..."Here We Come!!"


WOW! My tiny babies, 3 to 4 lbs at birth, are 14 years old tomorrow! It seems like just yesterday that we brought them home one at a time from the hospital. The 1st year was a BLUR, diapers, feeding, playing, no sleeping X 3. The 2nd year was full of them biting each other, and becoming their own little, sweet people. The 3rd year came the temper tantrums, and the really funny memories and stories. At 4 years old, they started preschool, and I don't know who loved it more, me or them. Kindergarten was next, and life became a bit more Chaotic! Blink a few times and here we are! I can't believe that they are going to High School next year! I can't believe they are old enough to go to Stake dances! I can't believe they have turned from darling, sweet, yummy babies to these amazing, smart, happy, kind young adults. It really has gone fast! I am so thankful that they are mine FOREVER! They make my life complete, and I can't imagine my life being any different. I am glad that I am their Mom. Happy Birthday Allie, Joseph and Samuel! I love you more than you can imagine!!!

January 5, 2010

Christmas 2009 "Through the camera of a 10 and 7 year old"


A Christmas Classic



Brother's Shoveling Snow (taken through the screen, because of the cold)



Good Food



The Reason For The Season



Christmas Tree And Wrappings


This year we headed to Utah to have Christmas with Grandma Sherie. We just moved back to cold weather, and desperately needed warm clothing, so Santa just brought stockings this year. I actually really liked that idea, and think that we may make this a family tradition. Alivia and Elijah both got digital cameras, so they were in charge of the pictures this year. I am pleasantly surprised with the things they took pictures of. It is truly Christmas through the eyes of a child. Allie was happy to receive her blog turned into a book and an itunes card. Joseph got art supplies and an itunes card. Samuel got a book and a Borders gift card. Scott and I both got cologne. We had a blast at Grandma's house! She gave us great t-shirts and ornaments. Thanks Mom for being such a great Mom and Grandma! We love you!

December 11, 2009

Elijah's 7th Birthday







Happy birthday baby boy! Can you really be seven? You always keep us on our toes, and keep us laughing! We couldn't imagine our lives without you!
Elijah's birthday this year, happened to be in the middle of our move, back home. We spent a couple of weeks at Amy's house in Florida. We celebrated with Amy, John, Emilee, Tyler and Gpa Joe and Gma Terri. Gpa Joe and Gma Terri got Elijah the biggest, greatest Spiderman cake! He loved it! We went out to lunch, and then had cake and ice cream that evening. I think that he had a pretty good day. We love you Elijah! We are so proud of you!

November 24, 2009

Last Beach Day!!

Some random pictures of our last day at the beach. I will really miss living 5 minutes from the ocean.

Liv and Jack enjoying the water.



Elijah climbing rocks.



The Thinking Man. (or Joseph the young man)



Elijah and Sam exploring.

On the Road

I love the look on Elijah's face.

I love the holidays. This year we are in between places. We just finished a year overseas, and are heading home. We are not sure how long we will be there, with the whole Air Force thing. We flew off the island on November 17th, and are currently at Amy and John's house for Thanksgiving. We are so thankful to them and their great hospitality. What would we do without family?
Lots of big changes are coming this year, moving, AGAIN, New schools, new friends, etc... Hopefully the last time, for 3-5 years.
We have lots to be thankful for this year. We hope that you all have a very Happy Holiday season.

November 4, 2009

Air Force Chaplain Corps.


November 3, 2009 is a historical day for our family. This morning, Scott, received his Acceptance letter to the Air Force Chaplain Corps. We started this process in February, so it has been a long process. He won't be flying the jets, just helping the people who do.
We are so excited, yet a little nervous. Where will they send us? Will the schools be good? Will there be a Branch or a Ward? So many more questions, that we don't have answers to, YET!
We know that where ever we go, is where we are suppose to be. We are on a mission called...LIFE!
We hope we go somewhere that relatives and friends want to visit! You're all invited!

November 1, 2009

Halloween 2009


Real "Carribean" Pirate


Dead Soccer Player


Bleeding Boy


Santa Claus (with style)


Cowgirl

October 29, 2009

Alivia's Halloween Hair



Liv's cute hair for the Carnival!

October 25, 2009

Halloween Carnival!



Great Halloween Carnival at the Elementary school this year. Alivia won a Pumpkin cake in the cake walk, and Elijah won a huge jar of candy for guessing the right amount of candy in it! Poor Allie, Joe and Sam had so much homework they were not able to go. They missed out on fun games, food, and friends. Sorry guys!

October 23, 2009

Costume Ideas?



We have always been pretty good about creating our own costumes. This year however, we are on a VERY isolated island. We do have one store, The NEX. They carry some Halloween costumes, but they are either "little" kid, or not very appropriate "adult" costumes. I did buy a Halloween Make-up kit, before they were all sold out, but we are all having a hard time coming up with good costume ideas.
ANY IDEAS ???

October 19, 2009

The "NEW" Twilight


Why couldn't they have made "Twilight" this good? This is officially a great TV show. The actors are amazing! The music is awesome! The story is interesting. It is even a little scary. It's not one I would watch with little kids.(It does have some "Stuff" in it.) All I can say is that I am hooked. Try it out! You can download old episodes on itunes, or you can watch them for FREE on their website. Just google "The Vampire Diaries". You won't be sorry.

October 16, 2009

You're Famous Scott!

During his 2 years here, Scott has been assigned to be the Chaplain for the Victim's Families. He does such a great job. They love him. He has amazing stories, and love for these people who's lives were so drastically changed the day of 9/11/01. We will forever remember the victims, who lost their lives so abruptly, and their sweet families who have risen above the tragedy, to carry on.

If you google "Guantanamo Bay, or 9/11/2001 this is one of the articles that comes up:



GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (July 20, 2009) — For some service members, serving at Joint Task Force Guantanamo is one more chapter in the book they call life. For others, the significance of the mission holds a deeper meaning — more personal — especially for service members who have lost friends, loved ones or know someone affected by the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
For the Soldiers of the 189th Military Police Co., the mission became more personal when family members of September 11 attack victims, visiting Guantanamo during the recent military commissions proceedings, made a special effort to say “thank you,” and convey gratitude, face to face, for a job well done.
“I started talking with [Army Capt.] Chaplain [Scott] Brill last night and he was talking about the guards,” explained Gordon Haberman, who lost his daughter Andrea during the World Trade Center attack. “I thought we should meet them to thank them ourselves, they’re the ones who deal with the [detainees] every day; we can go home at night and forget about them.”

October 13, 2009

Heading Home!


We found out last week that we are heading home the end of November. I have very mixed feelings about this. I am excited about going home, but I will miss quite a few things about this place. Number 1 on that list is : The GREAT people and life long friends. Number 2: The branch is amazing. I will miss (kind of) giving a talk in Sacrament meeting every 5 weeks. Number 3: The ocean is beautiful. I never thought I could live next to the ocean. It always scared me a little bit. I was WRONG! Number 4: The island life is slow and relaxed. I will miss the easy going, laid back life. Number 5: My job is fun, and the people I work with are the coolest. I have learned so much about them and about myself. They amaze me with their strength and determination to make a better life for themselves and their families. Number 6: I will miss the safety of this place. I love that my kids can go get on a bus and go to the pool, and not be in any danger. It is almost like we live in a bubble, and the rest of the world seems so far away. There are many more things that I could list, but it might get me crying. We have had an amazing experience! We have made great memories! It has been an unforgettable year!

October 3, 2009

Congrats Amy and John!




After a long , scary plane ride, visiting, watching "Some kind of wonderful", walk in the morning, 3 hour cramped car ride, Tyler singing "Mama Mia" (very entertaining)...I got to see Amy and John get sealed "For time and all eternity" I was so happy that I could be there. I had a lot of fun! Wish I could have stayed longer. I love you both so much and I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!