Happy New Years!!!

In wishing you all a Happy New Year I also wanted to share inspiring words to live by from the happiest, most fulfilled people I could find in the world.....children.

Since I have available, 5 such children here are their inspiring words to live by this year, if you desire a happier, more carefree 2010.

Gabe can't speak just yet but in his gurgling and coooing we have deciphered this code, "There is nothing a boob can't fix." Ahh, truly inspiring and many a man would agree, there is nothing a boob can't fix.

Westin's words to explain his satisfaction with life, "Milk and food." He suggests a healthy diet of milk and food and you will be happy. Deep, how can one be unhappy and discouraged if their tummy is full of milk (preferrably Strawberry) and good food?

Braeden is an often misunderstood child. On one hand he seems so happy and carefree and on the other hand he can be so negative and mal-contente. But his inspiring words for us this year are, "Play video games." Losing your cares into a video game for hours is one sure fire way to forget your troubles, until you turn it off.


Samantha is full of happiness, giggles and spunk. Her advice to anyone searching for more joy in their life is, "If it's fun then it must be done." Such a girl! Her rule for a happy life is to do the happiest and most enjoyable tasks first and save the unpleasant things for later.

Andrew, our pre-teen, has forgotten how to find happiness since he's turned 13. Apparently joy in life is not to be had when you're a teenager full of angst and hormones. So between his grumblings and dirty looks we have determined that his advice for cherriness in life is NOT to be a teenager, in fact avoid it at all costs!!

HAPPY 2010 TO YOU ALL!!

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!!

We hope you all enjoy a relaxing holiday at home with

peace and happiness. We send our love and well wishes.

First Day of School

First day of school today. Andrew is in 7th grade, Middle school, where they wear uniforms. He doesn't like it, but I love it.

Samantha is in 5th grade. Her last year before she joins big brother in Middle School.

Braeden is in 1st grade; the beginning of his many more years of day long school.

Leaving only 2 little ones at home. Westin starts pre-school later in September. Then of course baby Gabe, who has a long way to go before he's in school.

I feel liberated!!! I jump for joy!! I'm always a little sad and lonely the first day but not for long ;)

Summer

Once again summer is here and it is hot!! We are in the pool almost every afternoon. The outside temperature is in the triple digits and the pool an awesome 93-94 degrees. We are all slowly turning a toasty brown. Westin (4) is another self-taught swimmer. He jumps off the waterfall into the pool and swims in the 5 foot area of the pool. He doesn't feel confident enough yet to swim in the deepest part of the pool. Braeden (6) taught himself to swim a couple years ago and this year entertains us with flips and almost dives into the pool, mostly bellyflops. His favorite thing to do is front and back flips into the pool. We love taking pictures of the kids jumping or diving into the water, you never know how the shot will turn out.

Hope you all have a fun and happy summer!

4th of July Weekend

For 4th of July weekend we drove out to Bryce Canyon, Utah and stayed with family. We sat around a campfire, ran through the streets of the small country town playing Fugitive late into the night. We enjoyed a holiday carnival. We went hiking (or rather walking) to Mossy Cave and played in the frigid mountain water. The kids played at the park and out in the yard all day long. Thank you Mike and Traci for tolerating us.