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Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Spring Break-Red Cliffs Hike

Red Cliffs Hike

This is the first year ever that I have worked outside our home. In January I began working part-time for H&R Block as a Tax Preparer. It's been a bit of an adjustment on our family but I have been loving it. I work Tuesday-Friday from 3pm till closing which varies from 7-9 pm. I also work about 2 Saturdays a month from 10-5. I love the hours. I'm home all morning with Kylie, I can still volunteer at the kids school and go on field trips. I leave for work when Hunter and Madelyn get home from school. They are home by themselves for about 2-3 hours and then Kory gets home. When Spring Break approached I was a little worried. My hours weren't going to change and I was little worried about the kids not enjoying their Spring Break and being home bound too much. I tried to plan some fun things to do with them. 

On Monday 3 other moms and myself with our 17 kids went out to Leeds and did the Red Cliffs Hike. It's very easy, and ended in water. To me that's the definition of the perfect hike for kids!

The three older boys lead our way. Hunter sure has some good friends.


Madelyn and Kylie taking a break.

All kids seem to like to climb over boulders and play King of the Mountain. 


Miss Emily loved how smooth the rocks were. 




 At the end of the hike we found the little water pond. The kids discovered that going through this crack between the rocks put them on a trail that took them to the other side of the pond and they could stand over the small water fall. 
Brayden tried his hand at fishing with a stick.
He wasn't very successful. 


Here's some kids that were trying to climb over these smooth but super steep rocks to get back. One fell and slipped right into the water. 
OOPS!


We loved the sunshine!


On our way back the bigger kids ran ahead and so Brayden, Kylie and I took our time coming back. The weather has been crazy these past few weeks. One day it's in the high 80's low 90's and the next we are back in the 50's/ 60's. I told the kids to bring a jacket not knowing quite how the temperature would pan out for the day. Brayden does not like to be cold so opted to bring his winter coat instead. 


Almost back to the car we came across a stinky smell. Brayden told me to stop and listen, that an Ogre must be close by. He loves the movie Shrek. I love this boy of mine and his wild imagination.  

These two thought this old tree stump was pretty cool to play in. They thought we should bring it home and it could be their play house for the back yard. 


What a great day to spend outdoors with friends! 
We sure enjoyed soaking up that vitamin D. 
What a beautiful day we had. 

Mom turns 36

Happy Birthday to ME...
Happy Birthday to ME...
Happy Birthday to Mommmm
Happy Birthday to ME!

I have the best kids! 
I woke up early Monday morning, about 5am to paper rustling in the other room. 
Knowing my girls Madelyn and Emily had "big" plans for my birthday I stayed in bed as to NOT ruin there surprise. All too soon the alarm clock went off and it was time to start my day. 
Went to the bathroom first and discovered a decorated mirror. 


Walking out to the front room I was greeted by another banner.


I had gifts sitting and homemade cards waiting for me. 


When I headed back to my room to get dressed for the day I discovered that even my bedroom door had been decorated. 


Love these kiddo's that call me mom!


Thank you for making me feel loved on my birthday!

Sunday, May 22, 2016

A new Primary Year

It's official! 
 Our nursery days are behind us. As the littlest enters the "big" Primary our oldest officially exits. 

Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam!


Being the baby of the family....she's not spoiled at all! 

We have had lots of awesome families move out of our ward lately.
This little lady is now the only girl in her primary class. Her class has shrunk from 7-8 to 2-3. During the holiday's there were several Sunday's that she was the only one in class.  

Brayden and his class are now the oldest kids in Junior Primary.
He is so excited that Mom is his teacher this year.  

This kid sure loves to pose funny for pictures. 
He keeps us laughing! 

This is Madelyn's last year. In June when she has her birthday she will be leaving her Primary class early to attend Young Women's. Due to our small numbers in Primary the Presidency asks that those turning 12 this year still participate in the Primary Program in the Fall. After all the majority of them where in Singing Time most of the year to learn the songs. Makes me sad knowing Hunter won't be participating this year and will be this young ladies last year. My kids keep growing. 


Hunter wouldn't let me take a picture of him this morning. But he will now attend Sunday School. He's pretty excited for this new year, no more Primary meaning no more singing time or sharing time or being labeled part of the Primary. My kids are growing up. It seems they are constantly changing! It's going to take some time getting use to this. 

Christmas Break

During Christmas Break we took the kiddo's bowling. 


Brayden was so fun to watch. He was so serious about the game!

We laughed at Emily who sticks her tongue out during every turn.  

Hunter was winning. Couldn't keep the grin off his face!  

Kylie played some and ran around some.
She liked all the pretty balls but they were all a little too heavy for her to lift.  

By the end of game Dad came in first and Hunter 2nd. 
I love spending time with my family and the memories we are making. 
I wish Christmas Break would last forever!

Friday, May 13, 2016

Heaton Christmas Gathering

The day after Christmas Grandma Joy reserved the church for some fun. We played lots of different games. Here's Brayden all decked out and pulling Santa's sleigh. 


Here's Hunter made up to be a Snow Man. 


Everyone loves the cookie challenge.
Ruth and Madelyn.


Now for the gift exchange.



Brayden and Uncle Tim sure love to tease each other. 


Yeah for fire crackers and pop-its!


We ended the afternoon with a fun basketball game.


When we were ready to brave the outside world we went to the local indoor pool and tried swimming off those extra calories consumed today. 
Fun, fun!

Christmas 2015

It's Christmas Morning and it does appear that Santa Clause found our house last night. The boy and girl twins are for Emily. She has been asking for those for months! Kylie will be thrilled with her Elsa and Anna dolls. Brayden is going to love his Dinosaur that's almost as big as him. It roars, walks and shoots out darts!

 Looks like Santa got the memo that Hunter wanted a Rip-stick and 
Madelyn her very own Volleyball net.

Look at those cute kids! So excited to see what Santa brought!


Mean while snookem's here did not want to wake up.  


Eventually she too got caught up in the excitement. 
Her favorite stocking gift was a princess toothbrush. 

Emily loved the owl jewelry found in her stocking.


Brayden working so diligently with Dads knife to open that gigantic dinosaur.


"They came, Mom. Santa really is real!", said Emily. 
What does mom want? One more year of this magic with this special little girl?


Hunter was thrilled with the latest book released in his favorite book series. 


I love these people!
So glad they are mine.


Hunter loves playing the cello. Not wanting toys this year it was hard to decide what to get him. In the end we went with some new cello music. The books came with a c.d with different parts so he can play with the "whole" orchestra. He sounds awesome!

Madelyn's been wanting some new black boots! I've had them for months. She's been asking for weeks if we could go shopping for some new ones. So happy she has finally has them now. 


So happy!
Loves the rip-stick, his new clothes, baskett ball shoes and cello music. 

Madelyn is thrilled with her very own set of scriptures with her name on them. She loves her new clothes and boots!


Emily loves her twins! She got new clothes too. Daddy gave her a box of supplies to finally fix her broken bike. She's thrilled!


Brayden loves his huge dinosaur, his new legos and his book about sharks!

Miss Kylie loves her writing/coloring station but her love is the Elsa and Anna dolls. She too loves her new clothes because they have Elsa and pony's on them. 


Playing together with our new Christmas toys.


We love Magformers....


This year we stayed home for Christmas and didn't have anyone to join us. It was a Christmas feast of just us. It was a bit quiet but we enjoyed our day together. 


Merry Christmas!