Happy 9th Birthday Raychel

Today Raychel turns 9!! I think it as been a great
birthday spread over a few days!! The Caberet on

Saturday, golfing with her dad yesterday and lunch

at her favorite place afterwards. Then the family

party tonight. It is hard to believe she is 9!! Time has gone so fast!! She has really grown up to be a beautiful young lady!! She is so kind and tender.

She loves with her whole heart and is concerned about

everyones happiness!! She is a terrific big sister!

We can't image our lives without Raychel.

She has a special way of making everyone around her happy. She has always been the joy of our lives. Our family wouldn't be complete without her sweet spirit here.

A few things Raychel loves today~

reading

her sister Jolene

animals

golfing
dancing~any kind

music

her sister

loves deeply

money

pink

rainbows

being outside

swimming
grandma & pop pop

grandma & George

Mac n cheese

pizza

bubble baths

flip flops

play dates

family night

sister sleep overs

family dog Cami

horses

snuggle time
laughing

funny movies

mysteries
watermelon

Birthday Weekend

For an early birthday gift to Raychel we went to the Caberet and saw The Wisard Of Oz on Saturday May 24. It was great! Last year we took the girls to see Cinderella and thought it was a fun tradition. The girls sat together through most of it. We had a nice lunch and one of Raychel's favorite cakes, carrot cake, for deseret during intermission. It as an afternoon we wont forget!!

Pre School Graduation

On May 15, 2008 Jolene graduated from Preschool.
She was so excited, I was excited but a little sad. She
will be in Kindergarten in the fall, she grew up to fast.
I know she is only 5, but it went really fast. She picked out
her outfit the week before, she knew exactly what she wanted to wear on her special day. Just before her little program started she called Ward to tell him it was starting and wished he could be there with her. It was so sweet. She told him not to worry there would be pictures and video he could watch later!

They got to wear little caps and gowns (T-shirts)

and put on a really cute program. They had learned

how to do some sign language so they signed

"Old McDonald Had A Farm",

it was really good, then they sang a few other songs,

and some rhymes then they got their little diplomas

and had refreshments. She was so proud of herself.

We are proud of her too. I must admit I did get a

little teary at the end thinking she is really growing up.

Time goes so fast as I look at it through the life of my children. These days can never be again.

They grow and change every day. Every day is a new discovery. They are starting to spread their wings, I'm not looking forward to the day

when they really fly away.

Here is a little song about meeting bird they sang at the program.

Another May Birthday

Happy Birthday to my Sister-in-law Katie!!

She married my littlest brother in August 2006.

My brother is super cool which makes her super cool!!

We hope your day is full of great memories!!

Happy 30th Birthday Kristen

Not sure I fully understood you were to be my sister or a really cool doll mom brought home for me!! I hope you have an incredible day.

Take care of you!! Celebrate you!! I am proud to be your sister. I love you very much. You are a wonderful sister, mother, friend and wife to your children, husband, family and all the people who call you their friend. Have a wonderful day!!

Happy Mothers Day (late)

All because two people feel in love. These are some of the greatest women in my life. My sisters by birth, and the great women my brothers married who became my sisters. And the great mother to Ward, Illa Rae. I thank you for your strength, your examples, your smiles, your love and your friendships. (I know these are out dated by a few years and few children for some of us, but they are still my favorite.)

My sweet mother in law

Illa Rae

What is it??

If your wondering what this is go to

http://99thingstosmileabout.blogspot.com

Field Trip #3

On May 9, the 3rd graders took a walking tour of Downtown

to see all the historical buildings and homes. They began

the tour by having a picnic lunch at the park and then

starting to walk Downtown. Raychel was really interested

for this field trip because she learned some of these

homes are over 100 years old. One home was 110 along

with the huge trees in the front yard. Jolene did great,

she didn't want us to drive and then walk with them,

but to walk from beginning to end. she walked the whole

thing with us without complaining once!! By the time we

got back to the park we had walked 2.8 miles!!

Field Trip #2

Jolene's preschool class is ready to start Kindergarten

in the fall so they went on the big school bus. The bus

picked them up at preschool took them to the bus barn

to watch a safety movie then back on the bus. The bus

took them to both elementary schools in town to see

where the bus parks at the schools. Jolene loved the

bus ride, she is disappointed we don't live further away so she could ride the bus. (Little does she know I would still drive her!!)

Field Trip #1

The 3rd graders have been studying about our town's history.

It was been very interesting since I didn't grow up in Colorado

to also learn. Tuesday May 6, the classes went to the town Cemetery.

The lady who did the "tour" focused on the founders of the town

and a few others who had made town history. The stories

were interesting, but over the head of many of the kids.

Rolly Polly Bugs

Rolly Polly Bugs are Jolene's favorite bugs EVER!!

On the way home from taking Raychel to

school yesterday she wanted to count how

many rolly polly bugs we could find. So as

we walked we counted...1...2..3...4..by the

time we got home we had counted

25 rolly polly bugs.

She brought her two favorite ones home to live in our backyard!!

Flowers

Yesterday Jolene noticed how many tulips and

flowers from last year were back and asked if she

could have her pictures with her favorites to

remember them when they are gone.

A really great day

Last Friday Jolene wanted a mommy and Jolene day.

So we did what she wanted to do.

Watch Barnyard!!

We love that movie!! I'm not sure if it's because it's a

really cute movie,or if it's because Jolene quotes it so well!

Another favorite thing she loves to do is lay

on her tummy and look at the Jolene baby

book from beginning to end and asking lots of questions!!

We had a great day!!

I'm It!!

Here it goes, I've been tagged!!

A-Attached or single: Attached and loving it!

B-Best Friends: Ward and our girls, my parents and siblings

C-Cake or Pie: Grandma Pearls homemade strawberry pie!!

D-Day of Choice: Friday night Thur Sunday night, there's nothing better then family time

E- Essential Item: lip gloss

F-Favorite color: I love them all especially yellow, blues and greens

G-Gummy bears or worms: Neither

H-Hometown: Born in Ogden Utah, but grew up in Richland Washington

I-Indulgences: I love creamy strawberry ice cream, orange slices (thanks to my mom), making cards, and a really good Pepsi once in a while, chips and salsa.

J-January or July: July, I don't like being cold!

K-Kids: 2 beautiful girls; Raychel and Jolene

L-Life is not complete without: A pray, a tight hug, a kiss and an I love you from my kids and Ward!!

M-Marriage Date: July 28, 1995

N-Number of Siblings: 2 sisters, 3 brothers, 2 brother-in-laws, and 3 sister-in-laws

O-Oranges or Apples: Love apples, and love orange juice

P-Phobias or fears: Being alone

Q-Quotes: A strong man stands up for himself, a stronger man stands up for others. -- Ben from Barnyard.

R-Reason to smile: I'm loved

S-Season: End of Spring, all of Summer, beginning of Fall and the first snow

T-Tag three friends: Kristen, Cousin Melanie and Raychel

U-Unknown fact about me: I was bit in the face by my grandma's dog when I was little and got stitches, then in the 5th grade bit in the leg by a pit bull dog on the way home from school and again got stitches.

V-Very Favorite Store: Herbergers, Hobbie Lobby, and Michael's especially if the girls are with me or when my mom is in town!!

W-Worst habit: I over think things, I love to vacuum!!

X-X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasound I loved seeing my babies!!

Y-Your favorite food: Strawberry Ice Cream, Really good Mexican Food

Z-Zodiac: Scorpio

My Personality

What Heather Means

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?