Oktoberfest 2011

 Yes, I know, this is way behind, but this semester has been INSANE and my new phone isn't the easiest thing to get pictures off of. Just for anyone's personal edification--stick with the IPhone, all other smartphones SUCK, especially Samsung. Okay, it's fine as a phone, but if you want something that is easy to download pictures and doesn't freeze every time you use the camera, stick with an IPhone.

Anyway. Back in October we headed up to Sundance for Oktoberfest. The kids had so much fun they wanted to go back every day until it was over. However, since I haven't learned how to magically produce money, we only went the once. While it was a blast, it was expensive.

Hyrum jumped on the big bungee trampoline. He LOVED it.

We hung out while the little boys jumped on the big bouncy house. Sorry no pictures of that. Joe took them while we sat and waited.

My cute Porter boy.

Emma, Porter, and Dan had their face painted. They loved it, and it turned out so cute. Emma's was a rainbow. Porter had a shark.

Dan had a spider web with a cute little spider.

Definitely going again next year. Yummy food, fun times, and great music.

Good Mom

I saw this on a friend's blog and just thought, "oh my, maybe I'm not a bad mom afterall." Sorry for not posting, it has been so crazy with the kids starting new schools and starting my semester. Hopefully things will settle soon, and I'll actually get around to posting.

U2

Joe and I went to the U2 concert in Salt Lake this past week. It was fun to be there with Joe, although I admit the experience didn't make me want to go to another concert right away. I mean, I'd go if Joe wanted to but there is just too much standing, too many people being rude, and then the bass line drills your heartbeat for you. I don't know, it's just not my thing, but it was fun to be there with my hubby and we were really close so that was pretty cool!

 The Fray opened for U2.

 Bono

 Bono and the Edge

 Bono

The Edge.

Pretty cool show and I know Joe had an absolute blast.

Porter's Graduation

 My little man graduated from preschool. His favorite thing this year was Centers (specifically the Castles). When he grows up, he wants to be an astronaut.

 Styling those glasses.

Ms. Jamee really is the bestest teacher in the whole world!! Dan sure can't wait to be in her preschool next year!

These are only a few of the videos I took that day, but this was all that would fit and they were the ones that were Porter's favorites. I wanted Crazy Color Monsters too but that one was way too long. Happy Graduation Little Joe!! Mom and Dad are so very proud of you.

Emma's Celebration of Learning

The K-2 pod's expedition this semester was World Cultures. Each class focused on one particular country or group of countries. There was Africa (specifically the Maori people--so sorry if I spelled that wrong), Polynesian Islands/Hawaii, Japan, and India.  Emma's class did India. Their Celebration was quite spectacular!!

 Showing off her travel journal and suitcase. The journal had various postcards she designed from the different places she visited, along with a biography of her mom (which was the person she chose) and an autobiography. It was really cool!

 Her travel suitcase.

My little Indian. They made each little girl a Sari, placed "Henna" tattoos on their arms and of course she has her bead on her forehead.  She was beautiful! They all were beautiful and the boys were so cute in their Punjabi suits.

I filmed alot of the other classes too, so I'll put what I have here. They were just so adorable!!

Aren't they adorable!!??

Hyrum's Celebration of Learning

Hyrum's class's expedition was the Water Cycle--specifically focusing on the Ogden River Watershed. I hope to be able to scan the book the class created and place it on here as well but for now you get his explanation of the page he did.

I apologize for it being sideways.

Being goofy before it started.

Hyrum's page was about the Sewer cycle:

Mother's Day Tea Party

I know, I'm really bad about updating this blog but life is busy and sometimes things get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. So here goes the blog dump for today.

For starters--the middle of May, Porter's preschool had a special tea party for their Mom/Grandma/Aunt or whoever. It was so cute and their little songs were adorable. I messed up taping one, so I preapologize but they are cute.

 I wanted him to wear something nice, since that's what we were told to do, but Porter is beyond obsessed with the color green, so this is the shirt he had to wear.

 At least I got him to wear pants instead of the running shorts that actually go with his green shirt! Kids with their flowers getting ready to sing! Such a cute little flower (we got home and the stupid cat ate mine!! I really hate that cat!!)

Hope you enjoy these sweet little voices as much as I do. He's had such a great year in preschool and made so many new little friends. The class really is great!!

Joe's Birthday

 For Joe's Birthday we all headed out to the Farmington Bird Refuge. Just wanted to be outside in relatively nice weather and go walking.

Emma was excited to go hiking and see birds. She was not excited about the amount of mosquitoes that decided we were all very yummy.

 Dan can't pass water without throwing stuff in. The challenge was convincing him to move on to another puddle.

 Porter was being very goofy. He liked throwing things in puddles too and holding Mom's hand.

 Hyrum just wanted to walk. And of course, pick up pill bugs.

 Me and my handsome husband.

 Me and my beautiful kids. Hyrum was literally sitting on my back. It was not comfortable.

 Dan did not want to stop and have his picture with Dad but the rest were willing.

 Getting the energy out. They all had a race.

Playing in the puddle before turning around because Mom had to go potty. Yup, I know you wanted that information. ;)

It was cold and windy but it was nice to be out and about. I only wish we could have stayed longer. Dan got grumpy because he was tired and I had to leave. Then headed out of the refuge to go to a park, the van decided to get a flat. Yes, we needed new tires anyway, but I was really putting it off due to straining finances. Of course, we live in Utah, which totally sucks for many reasons but it is particularly crappy when you get a flat on a Sunday. Wal*Mart I know love, because they were the only place open and we were able to get the tires replaced. By the time we got home we were thoroughly exhausted. But of course, we stayed up and listened as our President announced Osama Bin Laden was dead!! Talk about one heck of a birthday. . .

10 Years

On our wedding day--28 April 2001--Manti, UT.

Less than a year later, I was very pregnant. Damn doctors don't know anything!! I still swear there should be a way to sue doctors that tell you it will be difficult to get pregnant only to find yourself knocked up by the end of your honeymoon. . . ;)

Us now.

 10 years and 4 kids later.

And I love the man more now than I did on our wedding day!! Thanks for putting up with crazy for 10 years!

Happy Birthday Nonny Bug

 Emma got to have a late over with her girlfriends, and unlike Hyrum's, Emma had all her girls come.  Here they are eating their pizza and drinking pop and watching Ferngully.

 Emma being goofy.

 More eating.

 Getting ready to open presents, the girls needed to get those sillies out.

 More sillies.

 Blow out the candle.

This is what boys are for!

Emma is having a blast.  The girls are still out of control but having a blast.  They are all sugared up and almost ready to go home.  They've declared this the best birthday party ever, so I guess that must mean it's been fun.

Happy Birthday my little Nonny Bug!! Welcome to the big number 7!

Hyrum's Birthday Party

 In just 4 days, Hyrum will be 9 years old!!!  Geez, this kid makes me feel old.  We allowed him to have a friend party this time, a lateover.  All I can say is unless he drastically grows up this next year, he won't be able to do this again next year!!

 Hyrum and his friends--(Left to right) Ethan, Hyrum, Zaydon, Jaxxon.

 Blowing out the candle.  Dan did it for him the first time, so we had to relight.

 Zaydon showed them all the joys of smearing cake all over you.  Needless to say, Mom was not happy but it did lead to some good picture taking opportunities.

 Dan's face.

Hyrum's.  This was mainly done by his friends.

Well, he's having fun, but Mom is not too happy.  He was suppose to watch a movie with them all, but has mainly spent his time in his room kicking out his siblings and geeking out on the DS.  Seriously!!!  That is so being taken away for a MONTH!! 

Oh well.  Happy Birthday my little Mern Bear!!

Emma's Celebration of Learning

Emma's expedition for the last term has been on the Human Body.  For her Celebration of Learning, she was part of a Living Museum to showcase all the parts of the body.  Emma was the muscles.  Sorry if you can't here the video very well, she's too quiet.  Unfortunately, Mom had class and had to miss it, but Daddy took Dan and went with her and took pictures for Mom to enjoy when they got home.  Mom was very disappointed she couldn't be there, especially since it sounded like it was freaking AWESOME!!

 The three pictures above are body sculptures, these are the kids.  They were taped and measured to make them.

 Emma as the muscles.  The red dot on her shoulder was her push button.  You pushed it and she told you about the muscles.

Emma's muscle sketch and sculpture.

Dan hanging with Dad.  Porter and Hyrum are old enough that they played computer games while Mom had class.