We did it...

The newest member of our family... Jack Blackie (as Marin calls him, it's really just Jack.)

The 3 VERY happy new owners...

This is how he rode the entire way from Grace to Blackfoot! (is that legal?)

Trying to teach him to poop in the field, not the yard... we'll see how this goes, so far, no luck!

Who's happy we have a new puppy?????

The second they roll out of bed in the morning, they are with Jackie Boy!

We are officially dog owners. Matt and the kids went to purchase a puppy Saturday afternoon at the fair, but the dog was honestly sold just minutes before they got there (they actually saw the people leaving with him as they walked in!). Of course that sent Jace and Marin into a crying frenzy and so what did daddy-o do? He thumbed through the paper, made several phone calls and found their new puppy in Grace. They all jumped in the car and rode the hour and a half to get Jack, our new Black Labrador. He is so cute and so loved... Great to have another child the same age as my baby... once I get this guy potty trained to not poop in the yard it will be time to start Macey! (course she won't be going in the yard!!) Macey is still trying to figure out if she likes him or not. She likes him from a distance (when someone is holding her), but not so fond of him when she's on the ground and he can touch her (you all know her DRAMATIC cry with BIG TEARS running down her cheeks!!). We are excited to start this adventure as a family! Wish us luck!!

BUSY WEEK!!

This week was crazy. Macey's first birthday, Marin's sixth birthday, Marin's first birthday party, the first day of Preschool for Jace and the first day of Kindergarten for Marin!!! Not to mention we moved into a HOME 2 weeks ago and you know how that is!! (pics of that to come, gotta get the whole before and after going on!!) We're getting around to the projects I want to start (like painting!!). We had a great Labor Day weekend with the LeeMaster's coming up with San and Sadie. We went to the SEIS fair and the kids loved it. Then Sunday we jumped in the car and went to Bear Lake to go camping for our "annual" get together with the Hansen's and Lindhardts. GREAT times!! This is what life is all about!! The memories! Thanks for everyone for all your help with everything and those of you who planned and organized to make things happen this week. WE LOVED IT!!

Our Baby is ONE!!

She was not shy when it came to diggin' in!!


Just two days later, Marin celebrated her 6th birthday!! What a big girl she is becoming!! We love you Marin. You are such a sweet, beautiful girl. We are so lucky to have you!

The only picture I got of the entire party, and this was the last 2 minutes!! Watching The Young Black Stallion, it was a cowgirl/cowboy inspired shin dig!

This is just a happy girl who enjoys all aspects of life. We love you Macey!!

Our big boy on his first day of Preschool! Jace is getting so big. He loves preschool and learning. He is such a good brother to both his sisters. We are so blessed! We have such sweet kids!!

I know it doesn't look like it, but he INSISTED I get a picture of his back pack.

Marin's first day of Kindergarten!! (Didn't I just have her??)

Anyone who knows this little girl knows this is the "K Mom, now take my picture like this." pose!

And after school she got right into her "homework". She loves school and learning... I hope she always does!

Finally!!! She lost her front tooth! She's been going around all week with a snaggle tooth hanging on by a thread and REFUSING to let anyone touch it or try to help her get it out.

Her cousin Esi was here to share in the excitement!

Jace milking a "cow" at the fair...

Marin thought it was fun, but a little "gross"!!

There was a little hands on area at the fair where they used fake animals so the kids could practice milking, brushing and lots of other fun stuff.

Future pooper scoopers! Little do these kids know how much of this their mother has done in her life!! Zephyr Ranch memories came flooding back! :)

This is how Macey enjoyed the fair!

Chad and Melissa and their fam came up to say hi, see our new house and so we all went to the fair. We had so much fun. We love you LeeMasters!

Sadie came up with Grandma and we love it!! Thank Sade! And I have your straightener so I'll try to mail it soon!!

We love Grandma!

The best back poppin' chica in town. Matt is still in a daze over the job you did on his back Melis!

Camping at Porcupine campground in St Charles which is next to Bear Lake! Perfect weather! Good Friends! Amazing food (thank you PAUL!!!) and so much fun!

Macey was so much help putting the tent up and down!!

The campsite...

Kids doing what they do best! Getting dirty, having fun and making new friends!

The boys who started it all.... Zach, Matt and Paul. These guys met as nerdy civil engineering students and now, life long friends. I say nerdy only because, I love you all, especially you Mateo, but when you guys start talking engineering talk with force and torque and bla bla bla... it's nerdy. :)

Jace and Caden playing football and being forced to take a picture. Thank guys!

Jessica was a picture magnet. Posing right at the right moments. I loved her "Mom, look like you love me" instructions to Jill before a picture was to be taken! Classic!

The two organizers. Jill and Marci, you guys rock. Getting this all planned and then coming and spending 2-3 nights while PREGNANT! You two are amazing!!

These two little cuties kept busy and were so good. Camping definitely agrees with them!

A couple of weekends ago we went to Logan so I could run the 1/2 marathon there with Jennie and Candela. It was so fun. Wish we took more pics. Thank you Hancock's for letting us stay with you, it was a blast!

The kids always have fun cheering us on! We love their support!! And the hubby's, for getting everyone up and ready to meet us at the finish line!! Wouldn't be worth it without you all!

The 3 Amiga's! Me, Jennie and Candi! It was so much fun! Thanks girls!! Again next year? And Jennie, 3 weeks till we conquer St George!!!

Here are some videos I decided a little late to add... Enjoy!


Marin with her new birthday bike...


Happy Birthday Marin...


Macey enjoying her cake (and eating it too!!)

Happy birthday Macey... oops!

*Disclaimer* No one was hurt in the shooting of this video... promise!

reunions...

So my 10 year high school reunion was a few weeks ago and I was so excited to go and see people I haven't seen in 10 years and catch-up... why is it these type of events are always a bit of a let down? Have I just completely romanticized my high school experience? I loved high school. It was so fun! I mean, picture this: a time in your life with no real worries. No financial obligations, romantic involvement is so minimal... seriously. My biggest worry was whether or not I was going to be asked to the boy choice dance that month and if not, what my excuse could be (I'm going to be out of town, Oh I didn't want to be asked!). Now just because I look back fondly of my high school days does not mean I still wish I were there or would ever wish to do it again. HEAVENS no! Glad it came and went. But I guess I still picture people the same now as they were then. I am glad I got to see those who came. The cliques seemed to come right back, it was hysterical! I'm glad I got to talk with people I haven't seen or even heard about for the last 10 years. It was a bitter sweet experience. People have done a lot in 10 years. They've gotten married; gotten divorced; they have been widowed; they've never married; they have had children; they've gone to school, are still going to school , and will continue to be going to school for the next 10 years! And way too many have passed away due to abuse, addictions and accidents. Anyway, for my YW lesson last week it was on dating so I dug up some old high school dance pictures and remembered the people in them as the same fun, silly and light hearted kids they were back then.

If only life could be still be so simple!

The best part of the reunion was NOT the reunion! It was a little get together I had with some of my very best girl friends. I hate we took this picture after Coral left, so we're missing one, but this was a great couple of hours! I could spend DAYS talking with these girls!!

I LOVE THEM!

The good old SFHS dance pictures. My kids have been looking through them, picking me out (which sometimes they can't!!) and telling me, "That kid looks funny!"

The memories come flooding back: Why would I ever want to forget the shorty shorts in this picture? Tell me that!


The ridiculous dress up dances...(Marin cannot understand why we would dress up as elderly people. To her, you dress up as a princess, a dragon, a fairy. It is so confusing to her! )

And just the fun ones...

It was fun seeing everyone at the reunion. I'm glad they made us wear name tags!! And I'm glad Zach Fife finally apologized for telling me I looked old... 6 years ago! :)

Ding! Ding! Ding! we have a winner...

Home made pizza has never been my specialty. The crust never is quite right, the sauce always leaves something to be desired, etc. So tonight, when it actually worked, I have to blog about it.

I used a crust recipe I got from Sara Murray's blog (yes Sara, it is FANTASTIC! THANK U!)

Here we are going into the oven for our first round of baking...

I had some help from my future FoodNetwork Star!!!

Used homemade bbq sauce from my good friend Tyler Florence (HAHAHAHAH!!) Maybe you've heard of him? Anyway, use his ULTIMATE BBQ CHICKEN recipe, the BEST! (and I'm not usually a big bbq fan)

And there you have BBQ Chicken Pizza which honestly, was my best homemade pizza to date... Here's the proof.........

O wait, there's no picture to show, cuz it's ALL GONE!!

Macey thought the whole thing was very entertaining!!