Dogs, Dogs, and more DOGS!

A BOY AND HIS DOGS!!!

Last year Sam won, at Six Flags, a huge Curious George and banana stuffed animal. Everytime we go there we would see a gigantic "PUG" stuffed animal, and Sam would ask if he could have $5 to win it. We of course said "NO", you already won a huge stuffed animal and just considered him lucky to have won once. When we went for Liv's birthday, we wanted to play some games, and Sam said, "Give me $5 so I can win my pug." I had no idea that the boy has such luck and skill!!! It's good we waited to the end of the day to play games, because that GINORMOUS pug is NOT fun to pack around. Now if I can only figure out WHERE to put it!! IT's going in HIS room, I hope he'll be able to walk around...

Happy 12th Birthday!!

Watch out Young Women's Program, here comes Alivia!!! FINALLY!!! Liv is so excited to finally get out of primary, and on to older girls and older things. I think we all remember singing primary songs when you are so ready not to....I on the other hand am wishing she were stuck in time, and would stop growing so darn fast.

She amazes me everyday! She is SO funny, has a great sense of humor, so kind, very outgoing, awesome style, and has a heart of gold. Everyday is a new adventure... She is so much fun to be around, and she is just a delightful person....

She had a great birthday party. Actually, she is kind of having 2 parties this year. For her birthday, day, she had her friend Kyra spend the night, and then we went to Six Flags. Played games, won prizes, rode rides and just had a blast. On July 13th, she invited four more friends to go back to Six Flags, and do the same thing. Maybe we'll try out Hurricane Harbor, for a change.

Mom and Dad gave her a new cell phone. Brothers and sister gave her collectable erasers, Grandma gave her an itunes card, she has already spent, and Kyra gave her a gift card to Claire's, her favorite store. Thanks everyone!!

Liv, I am so proud of the person you are and are becoming. Keep up the good work...I love you so much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Alivia's New Haircut

Alivia's hair at Easter time. She has been trying to grow out her bangs.

Her new Summer haircut. She loves it! She said she wanted something drastic!

So I gave her layers, and blended the bangs. It looks a little uneven in this picture, but it isn't, it is just how it is laying. It looks really cute on her. She looks a lot older, so I'm having second thoughts. Where has my baby girl gone? Just for my own information, this took me about 2 hours to do. I was very cautious, and am hoping that my speed increases...It was a lot of fun to cut her hair, and she was so patient. Thanks Liv for being such a great Lab Rat! You're AWESOME!!

Wedding Bells

Sweet!

Congrats Ben and Emilee McMurdy. The happy couple...
My Mom with her kids, and one grandson, Thomas!
My Dad with his kids, at the reception.

My sweet, beautiful, kind, loving niece, got married this month. I flew out to Florida to see her and Ben get married in the Orlando Temple for time and all eternity. Everything about it was absolutely beautiful. Emilee and Ben looked so happy. We went to the temple, then to a really neat place called Vino's for the Dinner. We then drove to Amy and John's house for the reception the next day. After the reception, Ben and Emilee went to Miami, to get on a ship for a 7 day honeymoon cruise! LUCKY!!

It was a lot of fun to see my family too. I haven't seen some of them since before GTMO, so it was really good to see them! I wish that there was a way to make time go by slower than it does. It was such a fast weekend. It felt like it was over before it began.

Thanks to John and Amy! They sure know how to throw a party. It all turned out wonderful... I miss you all already!!

Beauty School!

I have always wanted to cut hair (and actually know how to do it right). About 6 months ago, Scott came home from work, and told me he thought I should quit my job (which I hated), and go to Cosmotology School. So here I am in week 5 of my 9 month program, and I LOVE IT! My graduation date is January 2, 2012. If you need a haircut, color, facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup, perm or a relaxer, give me a call!! I need the practice!

Happy Mother's Day

As I sit here writing this, I am at a loss for words, to describe my Mom. I feel very blessed that I have such a great one. She is and always has been my best friend. She really is SO much fun to be around. She has taught me so much about life, love, and the importance of faith. I honestly have NEVER heard her be mean to another person. My Mom has been through so many trials, and yet her faith stands strong. She is positive, kind, forgiving, loving, and truly has the best sense of humor. I thank Heavenly Father everyday for sending me to her. I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day! You ARE the BEST!

Here Comes the Sun!!

Jack, Molly and Baby H

I think this is how we all feel. It looks like warm weather is FINALLY here. We made it through our first really cold weather in over a decade. It was a little bit fun, but we are all ready to bask in the sun!

A Boy and His Dog...

This is one of my favorite pictures. Samuel thinks "Molly" is the greatest dog ever. She would rather be with him than anyone else. He has several nick names for her. Here are just a few of them... Puggapiggle, Pegasus, and Beautiful. I find myself calling her Moo, Moo. There is just nothing like a "Boy and his dog"

Happy Birthday Scott!

Happy Birthday to the best husband, father, and friend. Hope you know how much we love and appreciate all you do to take care of us. You are AWESOME!!! Love, Sara, Allie, Joe, Sam, Alivia, and Elijah

GROOVY!!

Here are some pictures of Elijah that someday will really embarrass him. I was going through my High School box, and found this great "Sandra Dee" outfit! He just HAD to try it on!! I love this boy!! He is the funniest 8 year old I know!!!

What is real? What is Sci-fy?

We were doing our family scripture reading the other night. We were reading about King Benjamin, and how he gathered the people together, to speak to them one more time, before he died.

After we read the verse that he had died, Elijah, very seriously asked..."Did this happen before or after Star Wars times?

I wonder how he pictures the stories in the scriptures? I LOVE this sweet, funny boy....

Snow Days Are Grand!!

There has been so much snow! We have had 2 snow days so far this year. The first snow day it was so cold outside that we couldn't do much with it. This last snow day, it warmed up nicely, so we went outside, shoveled snow, had a snowball fight, built a couple snowmen, and made snow angels! I LOVE it!! Bring on MORE snow!!!

Birthday Time!!

Joseph, Allie and Samuel getting ready to blow out their candles. Coldstone cakes "ROCK".

We have a picture like this every year. Someone always blows the candles out first. Can you guess who it was? Ha, Ha!

Samuel, our reader, and his "Nook"

Joe and his dog "Rowan"

Allie and her birthday present "Les Miserables"

Overall, a VERY good 15th Birthday! I was OK with them turning 15, but I am not making any promises on how I'll take them turning 16....Time flies to quickly...I love you Allie, Joe and Sam! Happy Birthday!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Out our front door....

The Neighborhood...

Out our back door...

WOWEE! It is a snowstorm to remember! It started snowing at about 11:00 AM this morning, and hasn't stopped all day. It is now 10:30 PM and we have about 14 + inches. We are definetely in a blizzard! Bring it on!!!

Christmas 2010

Molly and Jack

Alivia

Elijah

Sleepy Allie, Sam and Joe (I am loving Sam's hair)

What a great Christmas! We kept it simple this year. It was nice to stay home, open presents, and eat dinner with the Missionaries, and Brother Rowley. We enjoyed the company, played a few games, and enjoyed the day. Christmas eve we went to our first Candlelight Ceremony on base. We loved it! What an awesome way to remember our Savior's birth. That is absolutely a new family tradition. Merry Christmas to you all....and a Happy New Year!!

Baptism and Family

Elijah was baptized on 12/11/10. Grandma Sherie, Aunt Amy, and Emilee came to visit for the big day. It was a wonderful baptism, with family and great friends. Afterwards we went to TGIF's for a great dinner. We are so proud of your example Elijah! You're on a great path!! Keep up the good work!

Happy 8th Birthday Elijah!

I am in shock! How did this happen so fast? How did my baby boy turn 8 years old? He is a light in our lives. He is sweet, happy, and keeps us on our toes! I love you Elijah, and am amazed by you everyday! Happy Birthday!

Markoff's Haunted Forest 2010

The week before Halloween, we headed to Maryland, to see our cousins,

Jennifer, Jill, Jessica, John, and Jayne.

We left Friday and spent the night in a hotel,

with a swimming pool...Saturday, the REAL fun began!

Alivia and Elijah enjoying the pool.

Markoff's Haunted Forest

John and Joseph "Jousting"

Joseph and Elijah giving it a go.

I like this picture because it shows Sam sneaking up behind Joe.

Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky.

After checking out the forest, Jennifer took us to "Zip" lining through the forest.

Joe and Sam "gearing" up.

Elijah getting ready to go.

Natalie and Alivia waiting for their turn.

Here they go.....

He is so brave.

Yes, that is me. It was a blast... It went a long ways through the trees.

I thought I was going to hit a few of them.

Scott helping Allie through the forest.

After the fun in the day, we all went to eat, and then came back for the Haunted Forest. I didn't take any pictures, because it was to dark, and they wouldn't have done it justice. We had so much fun, throwing Hatchets, the boys shot a clown with paintballs, went through the haunted bus, and then for the finale, we went through the haunted trails.... I can't even describe how much fun it was. It was fun spending time with cousins, and seeing such an awesome place. Thank you so much Markoff family. We can't wait to go back next year!!