Merry Christmas!

My friend Tammy posted a Christmas letter on her blog. I thought it was so cute so I decided to do the same. This has been an amazing year for us. Rory is stilling working for the Sheriff's office and is also on the SWAT team. He loves all the training he gets to go to and I love the pager going off at 3 in the morning scaring me to death! Ok, that has only happened twice, but it scared me to death both times. He really enjoys his job and so I really can't complain, if he has to work he might as well do something he loves! He also loves hunting so the kids and I had the opportunity to go with him to Wyoming antelope hunting. I can't say I liked the hunting part, but it was so fun to be together as a family. We had so much fun we decided that we are going to take the kids on some sort of vacation every year, so next year we are taking them to California for my family reunion.

Connor turned 4 this year. I can't believe how big he is. He started preschool and is really loving it. He is so smart. Since this is my little brag letter I guess I can say that! He already knows his phone number, how to spell his name, his address, and can identify most the letters in the alphabet. He is a sunbeam and loves to learn about the gospel. Him and K fight over who gets to say the prayer and I love that they are so excited about it.

Kadee turned 2 this year and is a little handful! She is too smart for her own good. Anything Connor does she wants to do and so we have some fights. I am really proud of her though. She decided she wanted to go potty on the toilet and has been completely potty trained for about 6 months now. She knows her birthday, her colors, and loves to draw. She is our little princess and she knows it!

I have been doing really well myself. I started on Remicade treatments for my Crohn's disease and am a whole new person. I had forgotten what it felt like to be healthy and am so grateful for my health. I was called to be the 2nd counselor in the YW presidency in our ward about 3 months ago. It has been an amazing experience.

The most exciting thing to happen to us this year is the building of our home. It took us about 7 months and we couldn't be happier with how it has turned out. We love everything about it. I thought I would hate living by the river, but I have really enjoyed everything about the house. I love having property for the kids to run on and room to put all our stuff.

We have had so many great experiences this year and look forward to next year and all the exciting things that will happen. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thursday we went to Salt Lake to the Jazz game. Our seats were really good and it was a fun game. Rory always finds the best deals for Jazz tickets. The Jazz won, which is great because I have never been to a live game when they have lost. The kids stayed with my grandparents and I thought they would go to bed early, but they were up until almost 11. My poor grandma.

Friday we went to Provo for my Remicade treatment and then did a little bit of shopping. We are FINALLY done with all our Christmas shopping. We then went to my dad's house and C and K got to play. I only see my dad about every 6 months, so it is always nice when we get to visit with them. Saturday we went to see grandpa Wally and Kristene. My kids love their house. They have a son that is 9 and so of course Connor adores him. They played and then we headed home and the weather was ridiculous. We saw 31 accidents. I was so nervous. The canyon was a mess, trucks were stuck, people were stopped in the middle of the road. I wanted to turn around and stay in Salt Lake another night, but Rory had to work so we toughed it out. It took us 4 hours to get home from Salt Lake.

Today I had to speak in church- yuck. I was so nervous. I really don't mind teaching, but I hate speaking in sacrament. Here are my cute kids in their Sunday best. They really are good kids. They are so well behaved in church. Kadence is going to be a Sunbeam here in a couple weeks and I can't believe how the time flies by. I guess it is time to have another one :)

One Proud Mama... and Foxy Roxy

I have to say it has been a week of firsts and the week has just begun. Yesterday Connor had his first Primary Program. He did so great. He was the only sunbeam who didn't need help with his part. They were all so cute though. Each of them got up there and said "My name is..., I'm a Child of God and He Loves Me." Connor had practiced so much and was so excited to say his part. He didn't really know many of the songs, but when they sang "When Jesus Christ was Baptized" he jumped right up and sang with all his might. When he didn't know the songs he would curl his tongue or try to walk around or talk, he isn't the most reverent kid, but he sure loves primary.

After church we went out to the farm and got a dog. Don't ask me what kind because I have no idea how to pronounce or spell it. It is a bird hunting dog (of course) and we named her Roxy. This is Kadee's first dog... and she hates it. We had 2 dogs when Connor was little so he loves the puppy, but Kadee isn't used to dogs and is terrified. She seriously SCREAMS whenever the puppy comes near her. I'm hoping she lightens up a bit since we are planning on having this dog for the next 15 years.


Finally, the most exciting news of the week... Connor learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels. Rory took the training wheels off his little bike and within about 10 minutes Connor had it figured out. He rides all over the place and loves his helmet. I can't believe how big my babies are getting. Time flies when you are having fun. It is so nice to have a house and some land for the kids to run around on... now if I can get Rory going on the backyard.

Wyoming here we come!

I know I haven't posted in awhile, but we have been super busy. We got moved into the house and then took a family trip to Wyoming to hunt antelope. The drive was a nightmare. My kids had to stop about a million times to go to the bathroom, but we finally arrived in Saratoga. We went to dinner and stayed at a historical hotel. Kyle and Candee weren't too impressed, but we loved it. It was very old fashioned and quaint. We then went to the hot pots and swam, it was really hot!

The next day we headed to Laramie and spent the remainder of our trip there. The kids went swimming every day and we had to practically drag them out of the pool to go do other things. Antelope hunting was really cold, but Rory shot a really nice buck. We also went to a historic jail in Laramie and tried some of the local diners. It was fun but very exausting. I'm so glad to be home!

Potty Trained Princess

I've been waiting for a week to post this because I kept thinking I was going to get a picture, but I never did so... Kadee is potty trained! She has been doing great with #1 for a month now but was having some problems with #2. So this past week it just clicked and she hasn't had an accident since! This is the first time in 4 years that I haven't had to deal with diapers, I love it. I can't believe how big she is! She is such a good little girl. She was really excited because I bought her a barbie doll for pooping on the potty. She LOVES it and tells everyone all about it.

Saturday was our 6 year anniversary. I can't believe how the time flies! Rory was on afternoons, so Candee watched my kids and I surprised him with dinner from the Cowboy Club. He was so busy he didn't really get to sit down and eat but it was nice to spend a little time with him on our anniversary. Some things I love about Rory are:
He is an amazing dad. My kids absolutely adore him. He takes care of us. He is one of the hardest working people I know. Everyone loves him. He is so funny. I can't ever stay mad at him. He loves his family. He is very handsome. He looks so cute in his work uniform. He has built the kids and I a beautiful home. There are many other things I love about him and just wanted to say he is awesome!

I thought for sure we would be in the house by now, but we still don't have a railing. They were supposed to come and put it in today, but didn't show. I really hope they come tomorrow because I am so tired of living in 2 houses. The brick is almost completely finished and it is gorgeous. They did such a good job. I am so glad we decided to go with full brick, it will be a lot less maintenance in the future. Well as soon as we get in I will post some pictures. Until then, keep blogging!

Peek a Boo Preschool

Connor had his first day of preschool today. He loved it! His teacher is Miss Sandy and she is so cute. He didn't even care that I was leaving him and Kadee wanted to stay. She sat down at the table and I had to bribe her with a new backpack to get her out of there. He was so excited to bring his backpack home and show me all his work. He learned the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty and how to draw a square. I think it is going to be a great year and I am so happy we found a good teacher for him.

I'll fold my arms, I'll bow my head

Connor had his first talk in Primary yesterday. I found it on the internet and it happened to be the same topic as the sharing time lesson. He really enjoyed it but when he went to sit down a little boy in his class had stolen his seat and he was so upset. He started crying and ran back into his dad's arms. After that I had a hard time getting him to go to class. Once I got him to go in he was fine, but he was really upset there for a minute. Here is his talk:

When I take the sacrament, I renew my baptismal covenants
Each Sunday, before the bread and water are passed, a priesthood holder says a prayer. If you listen carefully, you will learn that the sacrament is a very special way to remember our Savior.
When the sacrament is being blessed and passed, we should do our very best to be reverent. We should bow our heads and quietly think about the love that Heavenly Fatehr and Jesus Christ have for us. Here is a little poem that helps me remember how I should act during the sacrament.
I'll fold my arms, I'll bow my head, and quiet, quiet be; As the sacrament is blessed, I will remember Thee.

Happy Pioneer Day!

This weekend was so much fun. Friday night we went to the Park to kick off the 24th of July celebration. The adults had steak and lamb and the kids got pizza. We got to hear Charley Jenkins perform (he was on Nashville Star), I was really impressed! Nicole, Brittnee, and I even line danced to the boot scootin boogie. I don't know about their husbands, but Rory was so embarrassed!

Saturday Connor, Kadee, and I walked to the park while Rory helped his mom with the parade route. I decided I am WAY to involved with my kids lives. The other kids kept stealing their candy during the parade, so I got right in there and was grabbing as much candy as I could. I don't even like my kids to have candy, but I hated that the bigger kids were taking more than their share. We then went to the park and played. The kids loved it. Connor played a dart game and a basketball game and won a prize at each of them, he thought he was so cool.

Saturday night we went to Kyle and Candee's for a bbq. The food was so good. The kids loved the fireworks, although they were pretty disappointed that they didn't get any sparklers. It was a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Connor!

Connor's birthday was Sunday and boy did we celebrate! We went camping for the weekend and had a blast. My kids were so dirty! It was a really laid back trip. We rode the four wheelers, hung out at camp, and even had a tire swing for the kids to play with.














Today we had a construction party for Connor. It was really cute, if I do say so myself. We had a construction cake, tool belts, pin the cone on the construction site, painted a house, and had a pinata. The kids had a blast. Connor just loves being four. He is such a good boy. He is my little lover boy. He tells us he loves us to the moon and back everyday and still lets me cuddle him. He is so smart, he can spell his name, knows his birthday, and can identify several letters of the alphabet and numbers on paper. He gets along with everyone he meets and I am so proud of him. Happy Birthday Connor!

Chuck E Cheese Please!

This past week we decided to go to SL and take the kids on a little adventure. We went to Chuck E Cheese, the Zoo, stayed in a hotel, and went swimming. The kids loved it! They thought Chuck E Cheese was the coolest place ever, Connor got to hug Chuck E himself, but Kadee wasn't about to go near him. There was a ride that took your picture. Kadee loved that one. Every time I couldn't find her I would either find her on that ride, or back at the table eating pizza.







The zoo was fun. The animals were all really active, so we got to watch them play. I got a picture of some bears swimming and the kids loved all the different animals. Kadee loved the "really big kitties" or cougars and Connor loved the penguins and the bears swimming. Kadee was so funny because every time she would see a monkey she would start to sing "one little monkey swinging from a tree." It was really cute.

We then met my grandparents for dinner and headed to the hotel. The kids were so excited they wouldn't calm down. At 11 I was begging Kadee to lay down and she would say, "no, uh-uh, we play at hotel" I had a remicade appt. at 8 the next morning so Rory took the kids swimming in the pool while I was gone. We had a really good time and I'm so glad we got to spend some quality time as a family!

Connor is a Soccer Stud!

Connor is the cutest little soccer player ever! Last night was his last game and he was so ready for the season to be over. He laid in the grass (right in everyone's way), blew on dandelions, and wrestled with his friends, but he didn't play one drop of soccer. He tried at first, but couldn't keep up (three of the six kids on his team are in the first grade) so he just didn't play. The rest of the season he did really well though. Last week he played goalie and loved it, he is definitely ready to start something new. Anyone for swimming lessons?

Safety First

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Rory got me a bike carriage for my birthday/Mother's day (he is a pretty good hubby!) and so I took the kids to the Health Department and got them helmets. The helmets there are so awesome and way cheaper than WalMart. I got each of them a helmet that lights up and we decided to ride to Connor's baseball game. Candee had to come rescue me! I went to the gas station to get air in my tires and their air thing was broken. Rory wouldn't answer his cell phone so I called Candee and made her bring me a bike pump, Candee to the rescue! We then headed to the ball field to play baseball and then soccer. I know I am going to sound like one of those mom's that brag all the time, but Connor is getting so good at baseball and soccer. He is such a trooper. He rarely sits in the outfield and picks flowers, and NEVER comes and sits in the dugout. We made a rule right from the beginning that if he wants to bat, he has to play the field too. He is the smallest kid on his soccer team, but always tries to get in there and kick the ball, yesterday he scored a point for the other team!



I planted flowers today. They don't look as good in the picture as they do in real life. Plus they are in front of our ghetto trailer which doesn't help


This is what Connor does on a regular basis. He is so weird. Yes, that is an Easter basket on his head AND he is running around in his underwear. Kadee is just a ham. She loves to pose and loves to be the center of attention. She LOVES her aunts. She wants to go to Candee's house everyday and the other day she was bawling because she couldn't go to "Cole's" house. Silly girl. I'm just grateful that she has aunt's that love her for exactly who she is, mean girl and all.

I know this is a really long blog, but I just wanted to say to all my fellow Twilight fans that I finally bought the series for myself today. I borrowed my mom's books, but decided I wanted a set of my own. I love your countdown calendar Melissa!

Take me out to the Ball Game...

I think I already have a post titled the same... oh well. Connor started Soccer last week and Tee Ball this week. He LOVES tee ball. Kadee does too. She was constantly running onto the field and wanted to hit the ball so bad. The little kids are so cute. One little boy just started running in circles, and Connor hit the ball and then ran and grabbed it and threw it to first. Little nut. He isn't really into Soccer. I think it is because he is the littlest kid on the team, so he never gets a chance to kick the ball. Kadee loves it all. She is going to be my little tom boy. As long as she likes dancing also. Anyway, here are some pictures of them at the tee ball game.

Stitches, Shots, & Suckers

The kids got their stitches out today. They made me put them in baggies so we could save them. Connor was so excited he had blue stitches. Poor Kadee though, she hated it. She cried and screamed and then to make matters worse, she had to go to the doctor today and get her last immunization. Poor Baby! Once they gave her a sucker she didn't seem to mind the shot too bad.

The Worst Day Ever!

Yesterday was by far the worst day I've ever had. It started out fine, we played and decided to go down to the house to check it out. We rode with Debbie in her truck and when we got back to the house, it all started. Connor went to climb out of the backseat of the truck, tripped, and fell on top of his head into the gravel. I have never seen so much blood in my whole life. He started moving, so I knew his neck wasn't broken, so we carried him in the house and put a wet wash cloth on his head. I couldn't see where the blood was coming from, so we got him in the bathtub, washed it out the best we could, and ran to the hospital. We were there for 4 1/2 hours. He ended up with 4 stitches in the front of his head (right next to his cow lick) and 4 stitches on the upper left side of his head.

I thought the drama was over, and was on my way to pick up Kadee from my brother and sister in laws house, when I got a phone call. I was almost to their house when my brother in law called and said K had fallen into the dresser and cut her lip open. I got there and they ran her out to me and her lip was split clear open. I ran back to the hospital and they had to sedate her and put 7 stiches on the outside of her lip and one on the inside of her mouth. The widest part of the cut was so deep it went clear through her skin into her mouth! It took her about 3 hours to wake up from the sedative, so yesterday I spent a total of 10 hours at the hospital.

They are both fine today, running around like nothing happened. Kadee has to stay on pain medication though, her lip has really been bothering her. I have to put neosporin on their stitches 3 times a day and go back in 5 days to have them removed. I hope today is a better day!

Sick Kids and bike rides

Connor has been really sick. He has had this cough he just couldn't get rid of. I finally took him to the doctor and he put him on an antibiotic and a nebulizer. This is the first time I've ever had to use the nebulizer before, but Connor responded really well. He's sleeping at night again and has been able to play outside and get some fresh air.

Kadee learned how to ride a two wheel bike on Sunday. I took pictures, but I took them with my mother in laws camera, so I can't post them. This last week has been an eventful one for her. She FINALLY got potty trained and learned how to ride a bike! She wants to ride it everywhere now and throws the biggest fits when I won't let her.

We started framing our house on April 7th. We have all the outside walls and they have started to frame the inside. I will post pictures of that later!

Big Girl Bed

We finally broke down and got Kadee and big girl bed. She has been doing so well! She hasn't had any problems adjusting and the comforter I got her is sooo cute. She is so funny because she sings Happy Birthday to herself every night before she goes to sleep. Connor makes me sing him the "baseball song" (Take me out to the ball game). I have to register him for preschool here pretty quick and it is making me so sad, my baby is getting so big! He gets to play tee ball and soccer this year and is so excited. His love is basketball though, so lets hope he gets a little height!

My First Blog

So Suzy convinced me to blog, and I'm so glad she did! Hopefully I will get the hang of it. We got our hole dug for our house. I am getting really excited. The kids love it, it is their own personal sandbox until we get the cement poured.

We celebrated K's 2nd birthday about a month ago. I can't believe how fast my kids are growing. They are at the funnest stages right now. Connor is really into football and Kadee loves babies. She has a blanket she carries around that she has named "Jimmy." It is so funny when she asks where her Jimmy is!