Fishing

Grandpa took them fishing. Thought it would be fun  to share their pics

 

Paige and her fish. Its almost as big as her LOL!!

Logan and his fish

They went fishing quite a while ago. I am just slow about posting pictures. They all had a blast, and as you can see were very successful!!

Brendan and his first fish of the summer

Paige

Saturday Paige and I took the training wheels off her bike. At first she wasn't sure, but with the help of uncle Kyle she was off and riding within 5 minutes. She told Kyle "don't touch! I can do it all by myself." and she did. I am having a hard time getting her off of it now. Good Job Paige!! We are so proud of you. Such a big girl!!
Thanks Kyle for your willingness to jump in and help her, she just thinks the world of you!!

Graduation!

After what has to have been the craziest 11 months of my life, I finally graduated from the LPN program on July 08, 2010. Although I am not "done" with school yet, I did it!!

I have so many people to thank for helping me get this far. My Parents, Kendra and Mark, Amie, Laura, Kyle, Bubba, Melody, Jared and  I especially want to thank Mandee for all the time you spent with our kids. It really meant a lot to me to have someone who cares about my kids (almost as much as I do or maybe more I can't decide ;-) to take care of them when Derek or I couldn't be there. You all have been and continue to be a great support to me.

I am so lucky to have such an amazing family to support me in my desire to get an education. There were days I was sure it would never end, and then days that flew by so quickly I wondered if anything being taught would really stick. In the end  my knowledge of the nursing process and the skills I have gained are so worth the time and hard work put in (now to find a job! this might really be the hard part ;-).

My greatest supporter!! Thank You Babe!!

The amazing girls I sat between in class Jennifer and Tara. They will be great nurses :-)

My carpool group Trevor and Tara. 

We had some good laughs on our way to EIRMC twice a week!!
















Randee and Ryan. Thanks for all your help and support!

Randee, especially for your help with those crazy careplans and words of encouragement along the way. (Ryan looks so tall in this picture)

Cakes, Wrestlers, and Horses

I haven't been very diligent in keeping up with the blog. I don't really have too much time to devote to it these days, so here is a little update of the happenings around our house. 

 

Drake and Brendan worked hard on baking a cake for the Blue and Gold banquet with Derek's help. It was the birthday of the cub scouting program, so that was their theme. They did an excellent job and won an award for the "Nuttiest Cake"

Drake wrestling 2010

Brendan wrestling 2010

Logan wrestling 2010

All of our boys have started wrestling again this year. These pictures are from their first tournament of the season. They all did very well and were excited to be wrestling again! (even Drake, he is determined to win one this season ;-) 

Paige's first ride on the horse!

Paige finally decided that riding the horse would be OK! She didn't want to go without her pro-riding brother though. It was very sweet of Logan to hold onto her and make her feel safe. She has since then taken rides all by herself (with Grandpa leading the horse of course ;-).

Quote ;-)

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
-Albert Schweitzer

(I took this from Nicole's facebook page. I loved it so much I wanted to post it here. Thanks Nicole for letting me steal it from you ;-)

Life

Life is grand!! that's all...life is just grand ;-)

Jesus gave me the wrong face?

This morning I was in the bathroom washing my face, and under my breath I said " Ugh, I really wish my face would quit breaking out!" I didn't think anyone was listening, when from the bathtub came a sweet little voice saying " I think Jesus gave YOU the wrong face!" She made me laugh!! Who cares if your skin breaks out when you have kids like her?? I just love it ;-)

11 Years, 3 Months, 2 Weeks, and 6 Days...

 

 " You've always given me wings to fly, and I have loved you for it!"

Marjorie Hinckley

I was listening to a talk given by Pres. Hinckley today. In it he spoke of his wife, and about one evening when she said to him "You've always given me wings to fly, and I have loved you for it!" I feel the same way about Derek, and couldn't have said it better myself.

Derek and I have been married for 11 years, 3 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days (not that I'm counting). We have been through many Amazing, scary, Beautiful, challenging, interesting, Exciting, and stressful days together. There are times I don't know what to do or what is going to come our way next! Times when neither of us are sure! In spite of it all Derek always has a way of making me feel safe and like he says... "things will work out". He makes me feel like I can do anything,and helps me gain confidence in myself to make it through anything! I am so grateful for him and grateful that he " gives me wings to fly." I know I am a better person because of him, and I Love him for it!

Great message!

Best Friends Forever

Paige: "Mom"
Me: "Yeah"
Paige: "You're my best friend"
Me: "Awe, that's so sweet. You're my best friend too."
Paige: "You're my best friend Forever"
Me: "Sweet!"
Paige: "Are you ever going to get mad at me again?"
Me: Just had to laugh!

I guess if we are best friends forever, that means I can't get "mad" at her anymore. She is void from ever having to be in trouble...cause we are "best friends forever! I wonder if she will still feel this way when she is a teenager?

I know it has been a while since I have updated here. I thought I would take a minute and do a brief overview of what you all have missed since school started back in MAY!!


Well, the kids and myself started school...can you tell how excited Drake was about that?


Then, Brendan, Logan, and Paige started soccer and Drake played his first year of football. He was Excited about that. It was Paige' first year playing soccer as well. She did more twirling and dancing than playing, but she had FUN. Towards the end of the season I ran my first half marathon!! (I did post about that:-)


Following that was Halloween! We took them to the ward "Trunk or Treat" and then onto the Grandparents houses. We made our last stop at Grandma and Grandpa Daniels house and Grandma took them again around her neighborhood. Needless to say they managed to collect a TON of candy.


Now I am getting a little out of order here, but I had to throw these pics in somewhere. These are just some I took of the kids this summer before school started. Aren't they just so cute? They are all growing up WAY to fast!!

I'm not really sure what went on over the next couple of months. We were all so busy it was kind of a blur. The next pictures I had were of Christmas. I am usually taking pictures constantly but, school has slowed me down in that avenue of life.


Drake Christmas morning! He used to get WAY more excited. Why do they have to grow up?


Brendan Christmas morning. He talked about that Power wing scooter till Christmas Eve. He was so excited to get outside and try it out. He did pretty good on it too!


Logan Christmas morning. All he wanted was a Nintendo DS!! (Maybe, he should have asked for his two front teeth)He was so excited to find that he stayed on the "Nice" list and Santa brought him one.


Paige Christmas morning. I think her expressions while she was opening gifts were priceless. I was able to catch at least one of them on camera!


My family got together and took pictures Christmas Eve. I wish I had a copy of each family but, this is all I had on my camera. It was fun to have us all together and get some pictures of all the Grand kids!!

The past few months have been filled with excitement, fun, running, school, football, soccer, parties, family, and so much more. We have had so much fun!! I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be in school. It has been difficult adjusting to not being a full time MOM but, I know it will be worth it in the end. I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband who is willing to pick up wherever I leave off. I know I wouldn't be able to do it without him! I am also grateful to have family near us that are so willing to help at a moments notice. We have truly been blessed!! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that this new year is packed with JOY for you and your families.