He did it!!!

Josh Graduated from BYU-I on Friday December 16, 2011. What an awesome day, he did it, and we are so proud of him. He worked very hard to get through school.  It was not an easy task for him to work full time, go to school full time, and keep his family happy but he did it all.  We love him very much and think the world of him. I should say We all made it through with him, because when the dad goes to school and works the days become long and we all have to work together to get through the day. I am not going to lie I am so happy that he is done. At least for now, who knows what next year may hold. Masters anyone?

When the kids saw him after the first ceremony they ran to him and gave him the biggest hugs.

Us

Family that came to the second part of the graduation. Ryan and Lynette's family and Josh's Mom and Dad.

The family shot

This was in the big BYU Idaho Center. There were over 1,200 graduates this semester. Elder Quentin L. Cook came and spoke to all the graduates.

I have to say that we were seated in our seats at 4:30 and we didn't leave until 9:30. I was worried about how the kids would act and how well they would sit for both ceremonies, but they did really good. We did have a break in there to walk to a different building for the second one. It was a long day for all of us but we are so proud and happy for him.  Now onto Real life.   

Finally catching up... I guess thats what happens when you have a life.

We went to Troy and Ann's house for the weekend for two reasons. Nyah was getting baptized and Ryder was getting blessed. It turned out to be an amazing night. The week before for Thanksgiving Bailey broke out with Chicken pox. None of the other kids had so we assumed they would be alright for the big weekend. We got there Friday evening. When we were about an hour away from their house Spencer started saying his tummy hurt. We got him out went to the bathroom and said he felt better after that. Well ten minutes away from their house he threw up. We discovered that he gets car sick his limit is about three hours in the car and then he starts complaining his tummy hurts. This happened to us this summer when we went for a family reunion. So not just a one time thing. Anyway we got there in the evening with a fun mess to clean up and discovered that Ryder the baby was breaking out. Saturday morning Nyah and Rylee both broke out as well. We thought for sure that it wasn't going to happen but after talking to their Bishop he said it was okay if we did it after everyone had left the building. It was such and amazing experience to be a part of that. They ended up baptizing Nyah and blessing Ryder that night with just family members there. They will never forget that night. Hopefully my kids do not get chicken pox so far so good.

All nine of our kids their five and my four. 

Troy, Ryder, and Nyah

Nyah and Hannah
This week Hannah's class went on a field trip to Zions Bank and sang Christmas songs and decorated their tree. Their class worked all week on making different ornaments and filled the Christmas tree at the bank. The bank also surprised them with little cupcakes for them. Sorry the lighting was awful and my camera is crappy which equals not very good pictures.

Hannah's class she is in the blue dress on the front row.

By the tree they decorated.  Now I think I am all caught up until next week.  Like I said before that's what happens when I have a busy life this gets put on the back burner.  

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had fun at my parents house for Thanksgiving. We went down Tuesday night and came home late Saturday night. It was fun to get away for awhile. My brother Troy and Ann and their family came and we stayed up late talking and having fun. We did some cooking on Wed. so there wasn't that much to cook on Thursday.

My mom finishing up with the gravy.

Ann still plating everything.

After dinner my dad and I took these guys for a walk in his back yard down the canyon. They love to go walking down there and beg for someone to go with them every chance they can.

They love to take a different path and see which rocks they can climb up. The older ones try to pick the hardest path back up.

Spencer and I back on top. Don't you love his hat, he insisted on wearing it. At least he was warm I guess. He was told to find a hat when they went on 4-wheel rides and he thought he had to put it on every time he went outside.

There is always a Tea Party (which is really punch) at my moms house for the kids. They love it and have to be on their very best behavior for it. Obviously not for these pictures but that's what happens when you pull out the camera.

Rylee and Kaitlyn

Brody and Spencer what can I say about these two boys the picture says it all.

Makenzie and Bailey

Hannah and Nyah
It's always fun at grandma and grandpas house. We did many other things that week and lots of fun was had. I am also Thankful for everything in my life that I have been blessed with and still receive daily. I am grateful and Thankful for my family and the wonderful friends and examples they are to me and my family. The list could go on and on but I am truly grateful for the people in my life.

Red Ribbon Week

For Red Ribbon week they had an injury day, crazy hair, Hat day, you get the idea. Things that you normally wouldn't wear to school. My kids loved it they loved coming up with different ideas through out the week.

For their injury day they came up with wrapping their arm and two of their fingers. Makenzie also added a bunch of socks to one foot for a broken foot. The wrap we got when Kaitlyn had to have an IV put in.  It worked great for them.  

The kids with their crazy hair. This is what happens when you put curlers in their hair when it is wet and then send them to bed. As you can tell I didn't get a picture everyday but you get the idea. It's fun for them to come up with different things. I think they had more fun planning all of their ideas than actually following through with all of them.

Veterans Day

On Veterans Day the Elementary School puts on a program that is really good. They have always had the Kindergarten classes and the 5th grade classes do the singing part. This year that meant Kaitlyn and Makenzie would both be singing. They do such a good job honoring those that have served and are serving it brings tears to my eyes every year.

Kaitlyn

Makenzie in the middle

Makenzie announcing my cousin and her uncle who is serving and who did serve.

This is my cousin Matt. We had the opportunity to get to know him a little better, when his brother was in an accident and was hospitalized here in town he was serving in Japan. While his brother Daniel was in critical condition he got leave to come visit him and then his leave turned into work over here for a month. He lived with us while he was working and visiting his family at the hospital. It turned out nice to have him come and be honored by the kids. My kids got to know him very well and loved having him around.

Better late than never...

Lets start with Halloween. We carved pumpkins, kids had a school parade, a carnival night, and too many chances to go trick or treating.

Spencer loved his pumpkin it was super easy for him to do. He loved everything about carving pumpkins. He had to make a scary face and the girls followed suit.

Hannah

Kaitlyn

Makenzie

This is the only picture I have of them all together in their costumes. You would think with as many times as they wore them this year I would have way more but I don't. Hannah and Kaitlyn were witches, Makenzie was a Hippie girl, and Spencer a lion.