Lauren's Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Lauren's 11th birthday at The Peak. She invited several of her friends (Shelby, Tillie, Elise, Hannah, Courtney, Kylie, Ryleigh, Holli, Kenzie and Adia) I think they all had a ton of fun. Not all of the girls are in the above picture.

This was Hannah's first time to jump off the rockwall into the foam pit. It took a little convincing but after Kayli climbed up and jumped at the same time as Hannah - she did great. Hannah is the one staning on the ledge then Lauren, Courtney and Tillie. The foam pit was a hit for everyone.

Happy Birthday Baby. I love you. I am glad you had a fun time.

You know you're poor when...

A couple of nights ago, Kayli was hungry and of course I was bailing out of making dinner. She put a couple of Totino pizzas in the oven. Yes, I have a family of six - and yes, I am counting two totino pizzas as dinner. I cut the pizza each into 6 pieces. Me, Lauren, and Madi Mae each had two pieces. I gave Kayli and Jeff three pieces each. We sat down to eat and all of a sudden Madi Mae asked me if I would cut her last piece in half "Cause I am still hungry and want some more pizza". I asked her if one big piece and two little pieces was more than two big pieces. "Of course mom - cause now I have three pieces like Kayli and dad". Oh how I wish that was true.

The story gets better. Today, I ran to the bank to deposit my paycheck. Madi Mae asked if she could bring all of her coins and change them into dollars. She ended up having $5.41 worth of change. We went up to the teller and she gave Madi Mae a $5 bill and then .41 cents. She seemed extremely disappointed to change ALL of her money in for a $5 bill. I tried to convince her that it was just like have 500 pennies and it seemed to work a little. We ended up going to 7-11 to get a drink and she wanted to buy herself a Slurpee. Now this is where it gets good - She got rich just by buying a small Slurpee because she got 4 $1 bills - Yes, lets count them 1 - 2 - 3 - $4. Now that is alot of money. The 7-11 lady gave her tons more money than the lady at the bank. I wish that is really how life truly works.

Box Elder vs. Bear River

This Box Elder's first home game and boy was it exciting. Box Elder won 17 to 14. I took the girls down to support Kayli. It was a lot of fun watching her cheer. It seemed just second hand to her. I am used to watching her cheer at competitions so it was refreshing to watch her being so relaxed. The mini cheer camp girls performed during halftime and then the cheerleaders did their pom routine. Here are some fun pictures of Kayli during the game. Kayli is the front flyer in this picture.














This is a close up of Kayli. I teased her because in several pictures #49 was looking back at the cheerleaders. I told her that I thought he was checking her out. She just rolled her eyes.

Kayli is the one doing the tuck. I keep telling her that she is up high enough to do a full but I think she is still a little apprehensive. I know it is harder than it looks - but it would be awesome if she would throw a full.

The girls had a lot of fun watching their sister. Lauren was really sick but she didn't want to miss this game. I tried to call my parents to pick her up but they weren't home. She really was a trooper.

It has been a long time...

It has been a long time since my last post. A lot of things have happened. Avery was blessed in June. Right after the blessing, Jeff took the girls to the Oliver family reunion. They had a lot of fun. Kayli has gone to cheer camp and is at girls camp now. She will be getting home tomorrow. It seems like she is gone more than ever. Lauren has been watching Madi Mae and Avery while Kayli has been gone. She is an amazing babysitter. I signed Lauren up for some scrapbooking classes and she has loved it. Kayli was able to participate in the Relay for Life on July 17th and then perform in the Little Valley Parade in Mantua with the other cheerleaders. Man she has sure grown up fast. It kind of scares me.

A couple of weekends ago, I took the girls down to the train station to take pictures. I love taking pictures of them - it is the best therapy. Here are a few of the picture we took. Aren't they beautiful girls.

This is one of my favorites. I know it is a little blurry but I still love it. I forgot to grab a blanket for Avery to sit on. Kayli was determined to show me that the grass wouldn't bother her but BOY was she ever wrong.

This picture was take at the Community Center. It is one of my favorite places to take the kids when the flowers are in full bloom. Yes, mom - I made the bows all by my self (well Lauren helped me quite a bit). I do think they turned out pretty cute for only spending a couple of dollars to make all of them.

Madison Graduates!

On Wed, May 20, 2009, Madi Mae graduated from Peak-A-Boo Preschool. After 2 1/2 years, she is finally old enough to go to Kindergarten. On our way to Kindergarten Round-up she informed me "I sink I dus stay at da Peak wif you mom!" I asked her why she thought that and she continued to tell me "You need me to help you - duh!" During graduation, she was given the award of "Most Contageous Smile". That is so true - she just makes you want to smile everytime you see her. I love you my big five year old!





This is a picture of Madi Mae with her teachers - Miss Michelle Vance and Miss Cris Loll. She loved her teachers. Right after Madison turned 3 she started preschool at The Peak. Her teachers were Miss Tammy Andersen and Miss Ashlie Jessop. The following year she had Miss Ashlie again and Miss Cris. We loved all of her teachers and she will never forget them.

These are some of Madi Mae's best friends from school this year. Tylie Coburn, Madi Mae, Laney Zito, Chloe Jeppsen and Vanessa Garza. She will truly miss them (especially Vanessa because she is the only one not going to Kindergarten at Willard Elementary)

Cousins vs. Cousin

Last weekend, Lauren's soccer team played against Holli & Kenzie's team. I missed the perfect candid shot with Lauren and Kenzie running right into each other.

Lauren up against Holli. It was fun to watch Lauren and Holli play against each other. I didn't think Lauren had an aggresive bone in her body. Guess I was wrong. Holli and Kenzie's team won but Denise said it was the first win for quite some time. Both teams played very well. In fact, Lauren played so hard she got winded at the end of the game. Better luck next time Lor!

Sunday Afternoons

I love Sunday afternoons in the summer. It has been a tradition with our family to go feed the ducks after church. Today was the first time back this year. We drove up to Logan (First Dam) but was disappointed that it was so crowded so we decided to go to North Ogden. It was a beautiful day. I needed the break from the hustle and bustle of the past week - reviving me for another week.

I wanted to get out and take some pictures of the kids. It has been such a long time since they have all been together and Avery's debut in family pictures.

Kayli was completely thrilled. I guess being fifteen and banded from her cell phone on Sunday's doesn't bring out her best side. Or maybe because she set her bread down on a rock and a beaver came up and stole it - taking all the fun out of feeding the ducks. It really was quite funny because she couldn't figure out what kind of defective duck just grabbed her bread - not thinking it wasn't a duck at all. Mom, I promise her roots are not BLONDE! I must have damaged some of her brain cells with all the Pepsi I drank while I was pregnant with her.

Lauren takes a break from feed the ducks to pose for a quick picture. I love to see her smile - what a beautiful girl. I love you Lor Lor.

Madison loves to feed the ducks. This time there were four baby ducks that simply amazed her. She is a happy little girl all of the time (well most of the time). I love to hear her giggle - she always makes me smile.

Baby Tate is almost 3 months old. It is so much fun having a baby in the house again. She is a happy baby - the only times you hear her cry is when she is sleepy or poopy. Can you blame her?

The Ultimate Christmas Gift

Uncle Matt had our family's name for Christmas. He went way overboard - not only giving us Christmas gifts - he took the girls on a RIDE OF A LIFETIME!





Kayli was the first to go - It seemed like they were gone forever - making it harder and harder on Lauren.




Lauren was so freaked out before she even got in the plane. When Kayli got back she said that Matt did a bunch of tricks - loops, rolls and something called "splitting ice". Holy cow, does he not know I didn't sign them up for a test ride on a new type of roller coaster. (It is a good thing they are nothing like their mom - completely SCARED of anything that might make me motion sick.) Kayli loved it and Lauren enjoyed the experience once but would rather stop there.





Then there is Madison - she is the youngest and is tough as nails (in front of her sisters). Matt took her on a ride which included a couple of rolls (Matt, I hope that is all). She later told me that she had to hold onto Uncle Matt's jacket the whole time cause it kinda scared her. What a day - they will never forget it. Thanks Matt you are the best!


This picture is after the trilling rides. (Candie, Lauren, Madison, Kayli and Matt.)