Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!!!

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!

Thanks Karen for all of your hard work!



http://youtu.be/7gmvk6y8iT8

Ten Pictures on Tuesday

This week the 10 are related to pictures!
1. The kids at the Sacred Grove. We walked around and talked and enjoyed ourselves! It was nice to basically have the place to ourselves when we were there Oct 9, 2011.

2. This is at the Corning Glass Museum! We went there on Wednesday the 12th and loved it! We watched them make glass things and loved every minute of it!

3. Fishing - we did a lof of fishing in NY. It helps when there is a pond behind the home and you can fish whenever you want to! They caught lots of fishs, probably the same ones over and over!

4. The Apple Farm - in my mind there is only ONE apple farm and that is The Apple Farm in Victor. The kids were amazed at the apples. We picked apples, bought yummy apple farm donuts and fresh apple cider! It is the only way for me to drink the cider!

5. Niagra Falls! How could a trip to NY not include a visit there! There even was a rainbow from the splash on the water. The kids were amazed at how much water there was and how far down it went.

6. Maya and her bear. This is a picture to show you how really huge this bear is! She sleeps with it and it covers most of her bed!! She has named the bear Mr. Fluffypants (from Phinneas and Ferb).

7. Another shot in the Sacred Grove - it took Madi, Max, Maya and Mom to get our arms around this tree! The kids could not believe that a tree could be that big and just maybe it was there when Joseph Smith went into the Grove to pray!

8. Max on his Birthday - 9 years old and a GREAT kid! He loves to play the Wii, basketball, baseball, and anything with a ball. He is a great helper to me and he can't wait until the end of November when he gets his braces off!

9. The kids at the bus stop - Here are the three musketeers! They really do like being together (most of the time) and enjoy playing games together (execpt when they don't) I sure hope that they will be friends for a long long time!

10. Last picture from NY - this one is along the Erie Canal. The leaves were changing and Grandpa Sherwood and Bryant took the kids for a walk along it and Grandma Sherwood and I went to get donuts as a reward for their hard walking!

Monday Video - to make you smile!

This is a video that we took of Maya on her birthday. It is the kind of reaction that as parents, Bryant and I always have wanted. This bear was at Costco and Maya had been saving her money for it. When we noticed that there were not very many left, we bought one for her birthday. She then realized that they were all gone and decided that she would ask Santa for one.

Well - here is what happened when she opened her gift!

All on October

This month has been a crazy month - with trip to NY for fall break, 4 halloween parties, as well as everything else that normally goes on. So having said that - Here are the 10 things that we did in October

10. The kids started Rock Stars - they run every Monday at School and try to run as many miles as they can. They also can keep track of the exercise that they do at home. If they reach a certain number by Mid January - they get a t-shirt. I think they all want that!!

9. I kept on doing PT for my knee. 3 times a week all month. It is getting a little old BUT yesterday I was able to run 8 times for a minute each! That is huge for me and without any pain. I was not going fast but I have not been able to run since early September. After being able to do that - I am going to keep going to PT until I can run a lot longer!!

8. Max turned 9 - I can't believe that he is that old! His birthday fell on General Conference so it was not too exciting but he had the cousins over and he now gets to go to Bears for cub scouts! He is still the tallest kid in his class and he now is taller than Madi - which he likes to remind her! He loves to play the Wii when I let him, my itouch and the games on it. He also likes to play baseball, kickball and wrestle with Bryant!

7. Maya turned 7 - I can't believe that my baby is 7!!! I am feeling old! Her birthday was a few days after we got back from NY. For the longest time, she wanted one of the huge stuffed bears from costco. She was saving her money, but they were all gone before she had enough saved. But Bryant and I surprised her with one for her birthday. It was the reaction to a gift that all parents (or at least we) hope for. It is taller than her, takes up most of the room in her bead and she has named it Mr. Fluffly pants!!! I will post pictures later.

6. Madi has been doing a great job at the piano! She loves to play and helps Maya when she is having a hard time!

5. I survived the October 15th deadline by going to NY for most of it. It was not nearly as crazy as the April 15th but I am AMAZED at people who bring their tax information in that morning and expect it to be done that day!!! They have had 10 months to get their taxes done.

4. Bryant is still running! He is doing a great job and it is killing me that I can't be out there with him. But he is going strong and starting to enjoy it more now that the weather has finally cooled.

3. Halloween - we celebrated Halloween for what seemed like an eternity. Thursday - fall Festival Halloween party, Friday - Halloween Carnival at our friends and truly amazing - I am still blown away by the party. Saturday night - Rostenbergs annual halloween party. Sunday - acutally a break from parties but we did have the primary program. Monday - Ward Halloween Party with a little (I mean 6 houses) trick or treating afterward.

2. NY Trip - we got back there as the leaves were starting to change and it was an amazing week to be there. It was a typical NY fall. The weather was perfect - only rained one day - when we went to Corning. We went to The Apple Farm, Buffalo Naval Yard and Niagra Falls. The kids rode and rode and rode bikes, scooters at Grandma's and fished and fished in the pond on the property!

1. NY Trip Part 2 - It was so much fun being together as a family when we had no real schedule. We played, watched some movies, were outside a ton and just enjoyed being together!!! I will post the pictures from this past month on the next post!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. This is a picture of my grandparents - Forrest and Mary Jensen. I am so lucky to have them as grandparents and as Grand ma and Grandpa Great for my kids! Granddad, who is 92, had surgery on Thursday. Thanks to kris for letting me steal this next part - "His goal in life right now is to live longer than his wife so he can always take care of her and tha she will not have to live on her own." He is an amazing example of loving and caring for his wife!

2. With his surgery and the outcome, it has given me a chance to reflect on eternal families and how lucky and grateful that we are for this knowledge!

3. I didn't post last week because I was feeling sorry for myself! I have been having some major knee issues and I had gone to the dr on Monday and I told him that I am training for a half marathon in November and he corrected me by saying that I was but not now.

4. More knee stuff - I had an MRI done -pretty cool but very hard to stay still for 20 minutes. I have tendonitis in my knee, hamstring and a really bad IT band - so it is off the PT for me. Kris told me that your PT will be your best friend and worst enemy all at the same time! I totally agree especially when they are doing the astym to my leg - it is covered in brusies but hopefully it will be worth it!

5. Phones - we cancelled our land line with cox one month ago and it has been GREAT!!! It is amazing how many fewer telemarketers we get calling us - even though our number was blocked. I also love giving that much less money to Cox!!

6. Bryant and running - Bryant is continuing to do a great job at running. He likes how he feels after he is done which makes him want to do more!

7. My niece got baptized and which my dad came in town for. It was amazing to see him and spend time together. I love my parents so much!

8. My sisters and I are planning a vacation of a lifetime for us and our spouses - we said 2020 but it may be too far away - I think that we may have to go on a test one sooner!

9. President Utchdorf is amazing. I love how I feel everytime he talks. He is so positive. His talk about the forget me nots is one that I will remember for ever. I am going to the store tomorrow to get a forget me not plant to put in my house to help me remember the 5 things that he talked about!

10. My kids - we had parent teacher conferences last week and each of their teachers said that they wish that they had classes full of kids like ours. Even if they say that to all of the parents - I don't care- my kids are great and they do amazing things for each other, their friends and especially for me and Bryant!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Bryant has been playing softball with the Elder's Quroum on Thursday nights in the City of Mesa Softball league. Since it is their first time in the league, they place them in the B league - they have played the 7 teams and have won one game. There are some good players on the team but hopefully they will be in the c league next time! The kids have loved going to his games and cheering him on! They also realized that there are concessions and want to bring their money next time!

2. On Saturday, the kids and I went to Tempe Town Lake. There were almost 3ooo flags - one for every person killed on 9/11/01. Each flag listed the name, where they died and a little bio of each person. For the kids who had died, there were teddy bears placed at the base of the flags, for members of the miltary - combat boots, first responders - yellow ribbons and those on the airplane - blue ribbons. It was good for me to be able to talk to the kids about what happened 10 years ago and how many heros there were. It made them appreicate Bryant even more for what he does each day!

It was truly an awe inspiring sight! The flags were in straight lines whatever way you looked!

3. Monday - Madi pulled out her own tooth! This is the first time that a tooth came out without any tears! She had been wiggling it and it came out super easy!

4. I have had to begin to write the things down in my calendar that we have done so that I can remember for the weekly post! It has also made me do more fun things with my kids so that I can have fun things to post about!!

5. Dance Class - Maya has finally started her dance class! She has been waiting for this class since May. It is every thursday and she gets to go home with a friend and then I pick them up. THere will be pictures next week of her dance outfits! She loves it!!

6. My car - My battery died today! It is just one more thing that makes me want to chuck the whole thing! Hopefully I can make it until we decide which to get - right now I am leaning toward either the Honda Pilot or Volvo makes a SUV that has 3 rows and we can get it for a good deal from our car guy!

7. Work - I work for an accounting firm and this week all of the coporate taxes are due. I am truly amazed at how some people manage to run their businesses. If they run their businesses the way that they provide information for their taxes, I am very worried for them!

8. The Weather - we finally got rid of the extreme heat and now the nights are cooling off and it helps make me realize why we live in AZ. We have been running, playing outside and enjoying every minute of it.

9. Trampoline Mat - I think it was 6 years ago we bought a trampoline for super cheap from a family in Kindy's ward. This past summer, the stitching has been coming out and the springs have started coming off. I ordered a new mat on Thursday and the kids can't wait for it to come! With the beautiful weather that is just about upon us - I need to make sure that the mat is ready for a good 8 months of use!

10. Blessings - As I spent Saturday and Sunday thinking about 10 years ago, it made me think about all of the blessings that I have received in the past 10 years. Way too many to list and truly humbling how much my little family has been blessed with work, friends, family, church and so many more things! It always does my heart good to think of the blessings and not the things that we don't have!

Ten on Tuesday

1. We got rid of our land line for a home phone. Our carrier prices have been going up and up and Verizon was having a great deal so now if you call our home number, it will go to a cell phone. I am getting very tired of Cox!!

2. In connection with the first thing, Bryant is now the proud owner of a IPhone 4. He loves the games, apps and everything that comes with it. But with up grading to a smartphone, we had to get a new plan for our cell phones. We had our last plan for over 10 years and the guys at Verizon had a hard time figuring out how to upgrade.

3. On Saturday, we had Elena and Meghan sleepover and the girls loved having them here. They thought it was so cool to take a friend to church too!

4. We celebrate Labor Day on Sunday with the Rapiers and Wolfleys. Had lots of fun food, interesting and a variety of conversations and the kids played hard! Bryant was missed since he had to work and so was Tanna - she just could not make it from Logan!

5. Labor Day - was a day of labor - I did 8 loads of wash, went through Madi and Maya's drawer and played games with the kids! I love being home with them!

6. Getting older - my kids are getting older and have learned some things at school that I never learned. And when I mean school, I mean the playground. Bryant and I had interesting conversation with Max and Madi on Sunday and I am sure it is just the beginning of things to come. I am not quite sure if I am ready for it!

7. Fasting - I love the fasting and the ways that I feel when I have fasted and prayed and the reassurance that comes with it. The timing might not always be what I want, but I am grateful for the guidance that I have in my life

8. Grandma Great - my grandma turned 92 on Saturday and I spent the day thinking about her. What an amazing woman she is and how she is an wonderful example to me of service and the many things that she has taught my mom!

9. Bryant - things are always better when he is around. It was 12 years ago this past weekend that Bryant graduated from the Police Academy and I am so grateful to have been able to spend all of that time with him! Our kids love having him home and wrestling, playing games and just being together!!

10. College football - I love the fall for many reasons but one is College Football. Max has gotten into football and so I am excited to have someone watch it with me this year!! It makes me think of cooler weather, leaves changing and loosing your voice yelling for your favorite team!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. A few weeks ago, Owen started doing a couch to 5k in nine weeks - well Bryant joined in and has run ever week! I am so proud of him. I get to run with him 2 of the 3 times a week and running with him is making me run faster. He may not have run for 11 or so years but he can still run at a faster pace which is helping me run faster! I can't thank Kris enough for posting Owen's running on her blog!

2. Sorry that it is sideways - but Madi ran for VP of student council last week and here is her poster. She had to give a speech in front of the 4, 5 and 6th graders and did a great job. There were 7 kids running for the same spot and sadly she didn't win but she was chosen by her teacher to be the class representative! Way to go Madi and do something that was a little scary!

3. On Saturday I left my home at 8:55 and when I can back at 10:05 no one was home but there was a note on the mirror saying - "Went to U C, Max had to get S". So, I called Bryant on his cell and found out that Max had gotten 6 stitches in his arm.

4. How did Max get 6 stitches in his arm? Well they were wrestling on the floor, Bryant throw a pillow and it happen it hit the bottom of the chain on the ceiling fan which flipped up and hit the glass that surrounds the lights and a very small piece just happen to come off. They wrestled for a few more minutes until Max realized that he was bleeding. So grateful that urgent care was close by and not busy at all!

5. Maya wanted her hair in braids too - just like Madi a few weeks ago!

6. Unfortunately with shorter hair it did not work out quite as well as Madi's did.

7. The heat is still here - The extreme heat advisory will have been in affect for almost 2 weeks by the time it is supposed to be done. I can't wait!

8. We are looking for a new car and would love some advice. Our Minivan (Honda - which I love) is slowing dying and with 3 kids I don't think I want another minivan. I am looking for a car that has a possible 3rd row in case we need to take more than just our family some where. We have a Yukon that we use when we go camping - but at 12 mpg, it is not the best thing for me to drive around - so any suggestions?

9. My nephew Brock is serving his missin in AZ, we hope to see him once or twice - he is serving right now in the reservation and loving it! Way to go!

10. Piano - my kids have been taking again since June and I love hearing them play! They have the best teacher and they love her and she loves them!! Thanks a million Shannon!

Ten on Tuesday - kinda of boring and no photos!

1. On Sunday, they annouced that it was President Monson's birthday and he would like everyone to do something nice for someone else. Madi and Max wrote him a letter telling them happy birthday and what nice things that they did. We are mailing them off tomorrow! I am proud of my kids for doing that.

2. Also on Sunday, we were watching a show on TV and someone on the show took the name of the Lord in vain. Maya said, why do they always have to say that. Can we change the show? I was super proud of her for recognzing that what they were saying was and also to have the courage to tell us to change the channel. Thanks so much Maya for standing up for what is right.

3. Madi is running for VP of Student Council. She decided to do it, even though 5 of her friends are running for the same spot. This has been a great lesson for her so far. The elections are Friday - so you will have to wait until next tuesday to see if she won!

4. IT IS TOOOOOOO HOT HERE!!!!!

5. This week at school, the kids have not been able to go outside for recess due to the heat! WHY DO WE START SCHOOL IN AUGUST?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? It has to be cheaper to start in September and go thru part of June!

6. Can you tell that I am getting a little tired of the heat. August and September are always the worst months for me when it comes to the heat. In my mind, going back to school means fall and the cooler weather!

7. Bryant is looking for a different position at work that would let him spend more time with our family! He and I are praying for something to come up and soon!

8. no pictures this week. It was a slow week - sorry - hopefully we will take some this week.

9. We now have a new tradition on Friday nights. We have a dance party. I put on pandora and we pick a radio station and the kids and I rock out! It is one of the times during the week that I feel like a fun mom!

10. Love reading emails and blogs from Brock and Tanna - can't believe that they are on missions and at college! I remember when they were born or became part of our family! They have set such a great example to my kids! Thanks Brock and Tanna! You guys are the best and my kids miss you!

10 on Tuesday - Back to School, Raingutter Ragatta and more

1. Last night - Max had the Raingutter Ragatta and he won for the wolves! His prize - a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts! He and Bryant worked on the boat and had a great time!

2. Pictures are a little out of order - Monday night - Madi asked if Iwould put her hair in tiny braids so that she could have kinky hair - this is the result - the other pictures show the before!

Front - After

Side shot- before 11 braids

Another before shot -

3. This is what happens when you leave your digital camera out and the kids move all of the bean bags to the bottom of the stairs. You find over 50 pictures of them jumping off of the stairs! Love Maya's karate action in this one!

4. First day of School - Madi is in 5th grade with Mr Cook - she was very excited to go back to school to see her friends and also to wear the jeans with the sparkles on the pants and pocket!

5. Max is in 3rd grade with Mrs. Hoffman as his teacher. He said that he was not excited to go BUT he was the first one awake and dressed and ready to go at 6:15 am. Our bus does not get to our home until 7:50......

6. Maya is in 1st grade - can't believe it. She has Mrs. Jacks for her teacher and could have not been more excited to go back to school!

7. Here they are - all ready to rule the school! So grateful for the summer of fun that we have and can't wait to see how much they learn and grow this year!

8. Bryant - this is the most exciting post for me - Bryant has started running. When I read last week about Owen doing a couch to 5k in nine weeks - I challenged Bryant to do it and he is!!!! Last week he ran 3 times and all without me mentioning it to him! The best one was Saturday night - he got home at 1am and knew that he had to run so he went and did it! Can't wait to go running with him today!

9. With the kids back in school, I am back at work 3 days a week. I am working Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 to 2:30. I really do love my job and the people who I work with! I am really grateful that last summer, I was offered this job. It has been a blessing in our lives!

10. Piano - the kids started taking piano lessons again back in June and I was alittle worried about how and if they would practice. They LOVE it and they love their teacher. She lives 2 houses away so no driving back and forth (this is my favorite part), it is with a lady in the ward that loves them and they love her and they are practicing! I can't believe how much progress each one has made in 2 1/2 months!

10 On Tuesday - What we did all summer long!

Just like every other summer - we go swimming every day. Here are some of the fun pictures from swim team and just messing around!

Maya learned how to dive off of the diving board!

Max learned how to do a jack knife and get a big splash!

He was also the only brave one in the family to dive off of the high dive!

My three tan and happy kids - the last day of swimming - it ended far to quickly this year!

Max and Matt at swim team! - always swimming together!

Maya at swim team and loved wearing her swim cap - she started off the year in the 6 and unders - which is where she is supposed to be but ended up swimming with the 7 & 8 yr olds to get a better workout!

Maya - just after she finished her first meet! So much better this year and even a smile on her face!

Max after he had just swum his hardest in his first swim meet!

Madi - looking lovely for the camera - she did great too!
We love spending lots of time at the pool each summer and can't wait for next year!!!

Five Fotos for Friday

In Pocatello, they were having a appreciation day at the airport - we stopped by and the kids got to do lots of fun things! Here is Maya being trained by an Army guy (love my technical name) on how to shot a gun - they were hooked up to a laser and the target would bing everytime it got it! Love how her leg is bent!

Madi - be taught too! She hit the target everytime she shot!

Max is getting tips on where to point the gun and how to use the sights!

Another picture from the St. George Temple - love how Max is "hugging" his sisters!

The first night in the hotel. In order to fit 3 kids on a Queen bed - we had them sleep sideways! It was the beginning of tons and tons of fun for 2 weeks!

10 reasons why I am a slacker!!

I have not been very good about updating my blog this summer and here are the top 10 reasons why I haven't been:

10, Went fishing on the way back from Idaho - all 3 kids caught fish and Max's weighed the most at almost 2.5 lbs!

9. Spent too much time at the Idaho Falls July 4th Parade - my kids loved cheering for the floats and people as they went by. Our matching Old Navy shirts also took time away from the blog.

8. Made some swords out of PVC pipes and foam water noodles and had to fight off evil uncles and cousins and had a ton of fun doing so!!!

7. Madi and Maya were wrapped up in very colorful toolle and it took way to long to untangle them! The wind carried the toole all around and it made them look like fairy princesses.

6. After days of watching and waiting - the rouge bunny finally let Maya, Max and Madi put it. They put in a lot of time sitting close by with out touching it!

5. Eating and eating as a family. - enough said

4. Stopping for hamburgers at the same place that Man VS Food did - this time - Food won!

3. Shooting soda cans, clay pigeons and lots of water bottles to make sure that the area stayed green from the water spray!

2. Visiting the St. George Temple - one that we had not stopped off to see! So white and beautiful with the most peaceful feeling!

And the number one reason why I am a slacker about blogging - Vegas Baby - what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!! More summer fun pictures on Five on Friday