Welcome Brynn

Shellee and Justin had Brynn on December 22. She is 7 lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long. Here is Justin, Taylee, Tyson, & baby Brynn. Congratulations, we are so excited to have a new niece in our family.

Visiting Santa

On Saturday Kelly took the boys to the children's Christmas party at the Fire Department (Kelly is a volunteer fireman). The boys got to ride bumper cars and go down huge slides. They loved it. Then Santa came to visit and Kaysen ran right over and sat on Santa's lap. He didn't notice there was a huge line of children waiting to do the same.

It's been fun this holiday season since Kaysen is old enough to understand. He picked out Tyler's Christmas gift and even loves to help wrap. Kelly has taught him to sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. He now has to sing this as many times as we'll let him before he goes to sleep everynight. He never gets sick of that song. Hopefully next year we will be able to teach him better about the true meaning of Christmas.

Longtime Friends

There is nothing like a friend that you've known forever (or almost forever). Yesterday I took a trip to Boise to see my friend, Karen. She is visiting from Hawaii and asked if I would meet her there. We were best friends in Middle School and then went to different high schools. Since then we have only talked occassionally. That is until a few years ago. We hadn't seen or talked to each other since we each got married. Then one day I got a phone call. Since then we have kept in touch. It has been fun to get reintouch. It's nice to know that things can just pick up where they ended like time has stood still. Thank you Karen for the fun day.

No more binky's

Finally, at 2 years and 10 months we are done with the binky. One evening last week I was sitting at the table holding a catalog when I noticed for the 100th time that Kaysen had his binky in his mouth again (he's only supposed to have it to go to bed). I got a bright idea. I held the catalog up and told Kaysen that if he threw away his binky he could get this toy. He got excited and threw away his binky and then found the others and threw them away too. Then I looked at what I told him he could have. Oops. I tried to get him to choose something else, but this was the only thing he was okay with. So...I believe if you tell your children you will do something you do it...I had to buy what I had showed him. At least it was cute and I think both the boys will play with it a lot.

The whole time I was trying to put it together is kept coming up to me and giving me great big hugs saying "oh, thank you mommy, thank you." When it was almost done I asked Kaysen "How does it look?" He said, "perfect". He is just so cute...Tyler serving food to Kaysen

Kaysen still really tries to eat the food.

(No, he is not still using the baby swing. Our friend was over and needed it for her baby and I just haven't put it back.)

Veteran's Day Program

The 3rd grade class did a Veteran's Day program at school. A month or so ago Tyler came home and said they were doing the program. I asked if he had a part and he said no, I don't want a part. Then the day before the program he came home and said, "Guess what, I'm doing the flag ceremony." My first thought was great!!! Then I remembered that I had never put any patches on Tyler's scout shirt. I didn't even have all the patches. So after cub scouts I went to the store to buy everything...thank goodness we have a store here that carries a few scouting things. Then after the kids were in bed I started on the patches. My sewing machine wasn't working so I had to sew them all by hand. I was up until after 11 pm and my hands hurt so bad, but they got done. I was very glad the next day when Tyler stood up to lead the flag ceremony and he was the only cub scout doing it. They had 2 veteran's carrying the flag. I was so proud of him (even when he was saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the state flag for a few words). AND...this was the first year he actually sang. What more could a mom ask for?

Kaysen says...

Kaysen is starting to say the funniest things. Today I needed to a couple of things for scouts so we went to a lumber store. When we were leaving Kaysen said "no more stores mommy, the store is too big for me." I couldn't help but laugh. He always makes me smile.

2008 Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken by Shiner Photography. She did a really great job. My only problem is chosing which pictures I like best. The boys had tons of fun playing in the leaves. Afterwards they were even able to so play on a little beach by the water. I can't believe that after a foot of snow we could still get beautiful fall pictures.

more...2008 Family Pictures

Kelly & me, The boys & me

Kelly & the boys

The boys

Kaysen

Tyler

My Boys

I had to add a picture of the boys shovelling the driveway. This is about all they got done before they decided to play.

It's Offical...

We had our first snow. It wasn't just a little snow either...it was about a foot. Snow is so pretty. The boys went outside and played for a couple of hours and I watched the snow falling out the window. They came in around noon and now you can't even tell where they had played. The snow kept coming down unitl sometime after midnight. I love watching the snow fall, but I'm not ready for winter yet. Hopefully we'll have a little more fall first.

Also, today was the fireman's breakfast. The boys loved looking at the firetrucks. Tyler wanted to climb in each one of them. This is a picture of our boys with the brand new firetruck.
Here the boys are sitting in the back seat. Tyler is such a great big brother.

We're going to Boise!!!!

So most of you know I go to Boise ALL the time (I've been 3 times in the last week), but this time we're having a family reunion!!! I'm so excited to see my sisters. Tyler can't wait to see Taylee and today when I put Kaysen down for a nap he said "go nannie papa, no nite nite" We're all excited to see my parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, and nephews and nieces!!!

Fair Week

Okay...I know I'm going back a couple of weeks
So anyone who knows anyone from Burley has probably heard of fair week. It all starts with the parade Wednesday morning (at least for us) The whole town closes down since most everyone participates in the parade and those who don't watch.

This year Kelly got to drive the back of the fire truck. Kaysen was so excited to see Daddy, but that wore off when he saw a dog (someone dressed up) in the fire truck too.



You may have guessed this would be chocolate from all the candy, but not from my child...it's dirt











Here are the boys by the pigs. When Kelly was younger he raised these for the fair too.

Kaysen eating a huge ice cream cone. It was supposed to be mine, but once he saw it he wouldn't give it back. Oh well, it was better for me anyways.

I've been to dozens of rodeo's but I've never seen anything like this. Here they get groups of 3 people together and they have to catch, saddle, and ride a cow across the finish line. It is so fun to watch. We love the Cassia County Fair and Rodeo!!!! I hope someday my sisters can come watch this.

Back to School

I can't believe another summer has past already. Tyler started 3rd grade this year. Now he is one of the oldest students in his school. We had such a fun summer, but I was excited for school to start again. I'm so excited to get my house back in order. As you can see, it is in need of tidying up.

After school, Tyler came home and said that it was the best day EVER!!! I'm so thankful that he is excited to go back to school.

Kaysen on Tyler's first day of 3rd grade. (He needed a picture too)

Swimming Lessons

Tyler and Kaysen took swimming lessons the last week of June. Kaysen loved to jump in to his teacher and would do it for the whole class when she let him. He was in such a cute class. There were 2-2 year olds. The other one sometimes had a hard time staying in the water, but not Kaysen...I was very happy since it's only been in the last few weeks where is hasn't screamed his whole bath!!! Tyler has even learned to love the water. He is no longer afraid because he can really swim. I can't believe what a huge difference it has made.

Kaysen jumping to his teacher

Kaysen and his friend Chance
Tyler and his friend Jared doing "Monkey, Airplane, Soldier"
Tyler jumping in

Better late than never

Ward Campout
Our ward campout was the 20-21st of June, but I've been a slacker at getting anything posted. There was a huge water slide that kept the children...and dads busy. Ok, even some of the mom's too. My boys all loved it, even Kaysen (until Kelly sent him down by himself, however it was so cute. It looked like he was trying to surf and stand up, but couldn't quite make it up and was going in circles. I wish I would have gotten a video) Kaysen slept his first night in a tent. Dad couldn't get much sleep since Kaysen wanted to be in his sleeping bag all night. We all had a great time and we are so glad we went this year.

Baseball is over

We are so proud of Tyler. His team took 3rd place!!! It has been fun to watch how everything is finally coming together. He has done a really great job hitting. I can't believe how fast the ball comes at them. He has come a long way since his T-ball years.

Where's Kaysen??? Yet again...

So last night when I was going to bed I did my nightly checks on the boys. Tyler was completely out, laying spread eagle sideways in his bed. Then I went to check on Kaysen. I looked in his room and he wasn't in his bed. I thought he must be snuggling with Kelly soI went in our room and didn't see him on the bed. Then I start to worry and woke Kelly up to ask him where he put Kaysen (he put him to bed). Kelly said he put him in his bed. So I go back into his room and I still couldn't see him on his bed or the floor. Then I spotted something and this is what I saw...

It's freezing

What does June 4th, coats, blankets, and bleachers have in common? I bet you wouldn't have guessed FOOTBALL (at least not in this part of the world). On Wednesday we went to Jerome to watch Chris Campbell play in the All-Star football game. Who would have thought it would be in the 40's? We had to get our winter coats and hats out of storage. On the way down there it started raining and I was thinking, "Do we really have to go?" But we were excited to see Chris play and thought it was a great family outing. We had a fun time and the game went to double overtime.

Here we are with the Campbell's
When we say "smile Kaysen" this is what we get
Tyler playing the gameboy...he thought this was the highlight of the night. (Jared brought it for him to play)
Kelly worked really hard all night trying to keep Kaysen and "LaaLaa" (Kaysen's word for Alyssa) safe and warm

Last Week

Last week was a crazy week. I was so excited for school to get out, but now that it's out life has been even busier. Tyler is taking swimming lessons again. We took last year off hoping that the break would be good and he would be ready to learn this year. It worked!!! The first day he was having a hard time, but the second day he took right off breathing and everything. I can't believe what a difference a year makes. Tyler also decided instead of doing a basketball camp he really wanted to learn to golf. Thank goodness we live in an area that offers a golf clinic all summer. He had golf lessons 3 times last week and is loving it. On Saturday he got to go golfing with Kelly and all his brothers. Tyler loved spending time with everyone...I'm hoping there is a lot more golfing with Kelly soon!

Where's Kaysen?

Today we went to Kelly's parent's home for dinner and Kaysen went to the backyard to play. Tyler was keeping an eye on him and then he looked and couldn't find Kaysen. Of course, this gets everyone worried since they have a canal in the front yard. So Tyler yelled "Kaysen" and a little head pops up from under the trampoline (which is underground). I guess he lost his ball under there and went to find it. I was surprised he was even able to get out by himself.

Cub Scout Day Camp

I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to go to Cub Scout day camp with Tyler this year. I've been 3 times, but this is the first one with Tyler. It was so fun watching him and the other boys make fun things and learn at the same time. It also makes my job, as their leader, a lot easier since they pass off so many requirements.

Tyler learning to play ping pong (we could even have a table like this!!!)

Doing a chin up on the obstacle course

Giving Tyler a shoulder rub after a long day

Getting ready to shoot a BB gun

Tyler in his Zulu mask. At the end of the day all the boys put these on and had a Zulu parade. It was really hard to keep track of the boys with their masks on.