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.

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!

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!!!

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!

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!

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.

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!

Halloween 2009

Real "Carribean" Pirate


Dead Soccer Player


Bleeding Boy


Santa Claus (with style)


Cowgirl

Alivia's Halloween Hair

Liv's cute hair for the Carnival!

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!

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 ???

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.

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.”

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!

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!

Let's Play!

All the kids wanted to play soccer this year. It has been a lot of fun to watch. Just some pictures of the cuties listening to the advice of the coaches, and practicing. They have had lots of fun!

Curl Formers

We bought these curlers, they were expensive, to try something new with the hair. I must say that they are amazing! They really work well. They were not hard to put in Alivia's hair, just took time. I'm sure that practice would make it go faster. Anyway, Liv's hair looked darling! I forgot to take a picture. With the humidity, they didn't last long, but I am sure with some dryer air and some hair goop, they will be fabulous!!

It's that time!!

Could it really be a new school year? My kids are growing up. Didn't they just start Kindergarten? It seems that time goes faster with every year. How can I slow down time? I totally enjoyed them as babies. I use to worry about when they got to be teenagers, and wish that I could freeze them, while they were still little. Now that I have teenagers, I totally enjoy them! I love hearing about their day. I love watching them grow spiritually. Yes, I admit I even "Enjoy" the fact that they "Think" they know everything. I never imagined that I could love or enjoy them as much as I do. They make me so proud! They are ALL so strong. I pray for them everyday as they go through this mean world. They constantly surprise me with their maturity, and goodness among all the garbage they encounter. They truly are a chosen generation. I pray that they will make the world a kinder and better world. I know that my world is kinder and better with them in it. Yes, a LITTLE more chaotic, but kinder.

ARMY MAN

Elijah was upstairs playing in his room. He had been up there quite a while being VERY quiet. When he did come downstairs, he was dressed in this...Isn't he the cutest Army man you've EVER seen. Our house doesn't have a lot of storage, so Scott had his Army issued backpack and gear "hiding" in Elijah's closet. Well, it had been found!

OUR IGGY

We have two iguanas that live in our front yard. They are usually very nice, and entertaining to watch. I think they are kind of cute (in their own way). Last week the kids called me at work to tell me that the female, we named Iggy, was dead in the road. The kids and our neighbor found her. (The neighbor started crying) Iggy had not been hit by a car. She looked like she was just sleeping, while ants were eating out her eyes. It was VERY sad. Her honey is so lonely. We haven't seen him in days! It is good to know that she is in a better place.

Could you say that a little louder?

We went to the Galley, with some friends, for dinner. It was very crowded. We finally found a place to sit, and started to eat. Elijah was sitting at the other end of the table from me, when I heard him say (yell!!)..." I have hair on my back, lots of it! It's down low by my butt!" After the peals of laughter died down, he looked at me and smiled. At least he is proud of it!! I love that kid. He likes to keep us on our toes!