SNOW!!!

I can't believe how much snow we got yesterday!! Even though the roads were crazy and it made shopping take a little longer, it looks beautiful! Plus, it's finally starting to feel like December :0)

One thing I must say, is that I am so blessed by all the service that is provided in our neighborhood. The last 3 times it has snowed, I've gone out to start shoveling and someone has come by with their snowblower or 4-wheeler and finished the job for me. I know it doesn't take them very long, but they save me tons of time (and energy)! I know I've said this before, but we live in a wonderful neighborhood!!

Halloween during Christmas

OK!! I know it is well past Halloween, but I was looking through my blog and realized I never did Halloween. It was the week before Halloween when I went to the emergency room for my gall bladder and I guess I've been behind ever since. I put so much work and effort into these costumes that I had to post these pictures. Cameron and Melissa were Peter and Susan from Narnia and their friends Bryce and Camryn were Edmond and Lucy. Jill and I sewed our costumes again this year. It took a lot longer then I had planned, but they turned out SOOOO cute!! Thanks to Jill-- she was the brains behind it all and I was just the laborer. :0)

Brook's new Collection

I had to take a picture of all these bikes lined up in our gargage. Brook wishes it was his collection, but only two are his (his and Cameron's). The rest belong to his friends. We took them up to Idaho with us over Thanksgiving so they could all go for a ride. We had all these bikes, a regular 4-wheeler and a kid size 4-wheeler all on our trailer. That's what I should've taken a picture of. I couldn't believe it all fit. It took Brook hours just to load it.

THANK YOU!!!

I want to thank everyone for their support!!! I have such wonderful family and friends. My family and I appreciate everything that has been done for us: meals, babysitting, flowers, cookies, entertainment..... I even appreciate all the help that was offered, but not needed. We are so blessed to be loved by so many. Hopefully one day I'll be able to repay you all.

For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, I had surgery on Tuesday. I had my gall bladder taken out. A few weeks ago, Brook had to take me to the emergency room after I ate a "bacon cheese burger", because I was in so much pain. Then we found out that my gall bladder was only working at 4%. So I had to learn to survive on non-fatty foods. Then after 3 weeks I finally had my surgery. It was only same day surgery, but it's taken me longer then I thought to recover. I actually slept in my own bed last night :) I'm still waiting for the night that I will sleep all the way through and not wake up each time I move. I will definitely appreciate sleeping and eating from now on!!!

I want to give a special thanks to Jill who went above and beyond being a friend. I appreciate everything you arranged for me and my family. I even appreciate you making me walk to your house and back :) (even though I may not have loved it at the time).

Last but not least, I want to thank Brook. (I don't know if he reads this or not?) He stepped in and took care of me, the kids, and the house this past week. He has been the best husband ever!!! I couldn't ask for a better half. Especially for all the back rubs I beg for each night....sitting all day long isn't too good on the back :)

Thank-you again. Be grateful for your health each day!!!

I had to share my good news! At my soccer game yesterday, I scored my FIRST GOAL!!!! Our team had scored a few goals by different ladies, then Jill told me it was my turn to score. She sent me up to be a forward and I scored! I couldn't believe I did it right after she told me to. Thanks Jill :)

I also had to post some more soccer pictures. One of our teammates didn't make it to the game, so we toilet papered her house. "Ma Rocks" (I love our name because we are all mom's...except one) It was a lot of fun, but probably not much fun for her, because it rained a little after that.

Soccer in the Rain

Last Saturday, it rained all day and made the field nice and muddy for our soccer game. I fell down once during the game on my back! At the end of the game Jill, our fearless leader, decided that we were all sliding in the mud. If you know me, that wouldn't be the first thought that came to my mind but, I decided to have fun and get muddy. We had a blast!!! We felt like kids again. When all was said and done, Brook had to drive me and our kids and Jill and her kids home in the back of the truck because we were all muddy. To top it all off--we won our game too! :)

Never Too Old For MUD!!!

Cameron

Melissa

Minnie & Mickey

We had a blast at Disneyland. We went with our friends Steve, Amy, Toria, Carsen, & Bransen. (Did I spell them right this time Amy??) Melissa's favorite ride was California Scream'n. Cameron's favorite ride was Indian Jones. Melissa was able to meet a few more princesses this time (Pocahontas, Ariel, Belle, and Princess Mini). Cameron entered the Jedi Knight training. Then he was able to fight Darth Maul....he loved it!! Brook and Steve were able to watch the BYU football game at ESPN Zone. They were able to get a table in the room with the HUGE t.v. This year was extra fun, because our kids were tall enough to go on every ride with us. We didn't have to take turns. We can't wait to go back to the Happiest Place On Earth!!!!

Dash

I wish I had a picture to go along with this story. Every time I think about it, it makes me laugh. So, I thought I better add it on here. Last week I went to Cameron's soccer game. For starters, it is so fun watching just because of how young they are. It seems like most of the boys keep falling over each other every few minutes. One time, Cameron was running after the ball with the rest of the "herd." He started doing his "DASH" run. That is where he gets his arms and legs moving as fast as he can, and he is never looking at where he is going but to the side to see if people are watching him. Well this time he was watching his shadow as he went. (no he didn't run into anything.....that would have been funny too) He wasn't paying attention to the ball and he didn't realized that the other team stole the ball back and his team was all running the other direction. I just thought it was funny to see him running super fast one direction while the rest of the boys were running the other direction. Since I have no video to show, you'll just have to picture it in your mind. :)

First Day of School

What a fun day the first day of school is!!! The kids can't wait nor can they sleep the night before because they are so excited. They also love wearing their new clothes on the first day. It was also weird for me to drop off both of my kids at the same school and drive to work all by myself. My two little kidlets aren't so little any more!!!

They both got the teachers they wanted. Cameron's teacher is Mrs. Powell. She is AMAZING!! I used to teach with her a few years ago. Melissa's teacher is Mrs. Mecham. She lives by us and I think she will be great! They both have plenty of friends in their class this year. I think they will have an awesome year!

Tagged!! You're it!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, if we’ve actually met in person or not, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

Speedy Spaniard

10K Race

I know this race happened almost a month ago, but I finally got some pictures to show. A few ladies in our ward decided to run the Speedy Spaniard 10K race. This was my first 10K ever. Actually it was my first race ever. Lauren (on the right) and I ran together the whole way. We were both injured and made a great team to keep each other going. Krista and Jill (on the left) are fast runners and finished long before we did. Lauren and I did it in 75 min. Brook ran the race in 57 min. He knew he could've done better (because he didn't really train for this race), but I think he did a great job! Cameron ran the 1 mile race. His race is the last mile of our race. So I could see them all start their race as we were coming. Cameron finished about 5 people in front of me. He was so proud that he had beat mommy!

The Dark Knight

Brook and I were one of those super fans this weekend that waited in line to see The Dark Knight!!! We both loved the movie Batman Begins and we couldn't wait to see this one. We arrived at the theater 1 hr. 30 min. before the movie began and there was still about 20 people in line ahead of us. The theater filled up so fast and everyone was so excited!!

The movie (and the joker) were awesome.....but I won't say anything about it to spoil it for the rest of you. All I can say is that you won't be disappointed!!

New Bikes

Melissa's new bike

Cameron's new bike

Melissa and Cameron have needed new bikes for a long time. It even came to the point that Melissa wouldn't ride her bike any more with her friends because it was too small. So we finally got them new bikes. They are both very happy!! Now Cameron doesn't have to pedal super fast just to keep up with everyone else. :)

Handy Man-Woman

OK, so we bought a Hanna Montana bike for Melissa and it was a lemon. The first day she rode it the chain fell off. Then the next day and the next day. (we did take it back) Sad to say I had never put a chain back on a bike before but to see my daughter in tears, I had to try. So after a lot of practice over 3 days, I became a little more confident in myself. The funny thing is now when their friends need help with their chains, they bring them to me. I am so not a girl that likes having grease on her fingers, but how can I let my kids down......the adventures of being a mom! :)

Fireworks

Wow......I haven't been on my blog for a long time. We've been out of town for over a week and just got back last night. I wanted to put a fun video clip of the Idaho Falls fireworks from the 4th. They were so awesome!!! So I know everyone is past thinking about the 4th so bear with me. :)

Fixing up our trailer

Now that we have motorbikes, 4-wheelers, etc. we've needed a trailer to put them on. We were about ready to go buy a new one when Brook found a used one on KSL. So...we got it for alomost half the price, but then we had to put some work into it. Brook took the old plywood off and we painted it. Okay-- so Brook did most of the painting, but I did help. My finger is still numb from holding down on the spray can so I can only imagine how Brook's fingers feel. Then we bought some wood, stained it and put it on. It's amazing how good it looks. You almost don't want to use it now because then it will get all scratched up, but o-well. Brook did an amazing job!!!!

New Trailer

Widow Maker

This weekend Brook and Cameron went with Gregg and Derrick to the "Widow Maker" motor bike hill climb. Cameron and Derrick thought it was pretty cool and loud. (They were sitting by the start area so they got to hear the guys start their bikes each time.) Brook thinks it would be fun to enter the competition. I told him he wasn't allowed to enter something that is called the Widow Maker. Just doesn't sound right!!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Brook....We took Brook shopping for some more clothes this weekend. It was a funny experience. Once the kids figured out that Brook wears the letters "XL" they were walking all over the store bringing any shirts they could find with the letters "XL" on them. Brook had more shirts to choose from then he was used to. We actually bought a couple of shirts that the kids picked out!! Brook thought it was fun to go shopping with the kids and told me it's not so bad......Well, I still don't like shopping with the kids!!!!!

In May we went to Bear Lake. It's been so cold this spring that there was still a lot of ice. I had to wade out into the freezing cold water to take a picture of the "kids" by the ice on the shore.

Work in progress

Well, I guess I am a work in progress. I have my blog, but I'm still learning how to do all this fun stuff. In case any of you were wondering....I got my nick name "emmytoad" from my dad when I was little. I guess some things never change!! :)