Stay tuned...

Sorry, we have been so busy... As soon as my finals are over I will post the latest happenings. I can't even begin to tell you all how excited I am for a break from school!! It is very much needed.... I will be able to get caught up on all my projects! YAY!

Holiday tunes

Well its official..... we have started listening to Christmas music in the house and the car! I love Christmas music and it really helps get me in the spirit of the season. The kids have enjoyed singing and dancing to some of the songs I loved as a child. Their favorite one to sing is "Your a mean one Mr. Grinch"

These are some of our favorite Christmas CDs. With the list of new ones I want, our collection will be growing! Happy Holidays!! :)

Childhood memories....

Last weekend, I got the chance to take the kids to Blanding. I loved every minute of it, and so did Konner and Zaydee. I got to show them the house I grew up in. My grandma and grandpa now live in our old house, so we got to stay there. I got to take them to the Patio, a tiny little restaurant that makes the best shakes ever! Every year, our family would take a trip up to the mountains to get fire wood. My old house has a wood burning stove, so we went to help my grandparents get wood for the winter. My dad and grandpa used the chainsaws to cut the wood, and Konner would pick up the "BIG" logs and load them in the truck. Zaydee sat on a stump with grandma and ate snacks the whole time. Another thing we did every year, as a child, was rake all the leaves into big piles and jump in them. The kids and I spent HOURS doing this. Zaydee loved all the stray cats that hung around the yard. She would chase them around and pet them. I had to inform her that cats don't like being picked up by the tail. Konner loved the fact that the yard backs up to horses. He spent a lot of time sitting on the fence watching them.

I loved all the fall colors. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I got to Blanding and saw them. They were gorgeous! We took a drive by the reservoir, where I swam as a kid. It was lined with yellow trees. My grandma has the prettiest, bright red, bushes around her yard.

While we were driving around, showing the kids the town, we drove passed the movie theater. As a kid, I remember begging to go to the movies. It is a super old, one screen theater. Konner could not believe that old thing was a movie theater! 

We had an amazing time. I am so glad I got to take the kids to spend time with my grandparents. I spent so much time with them as a kid, and wanted my kids to get to know them better. My grandma and grandpa loved playing and reading and laughing with the kids. We really appreciate them  letting us stay there, cooking for us, and making our weekend a great memory!

Zayd's first pedicure

A couple weeks ago, Joyce told Zaydee if she could go 2 weeks without having an accident, she would take her to get a pedicure. Well she did it! So, on Tuesday they went and got their toe nails done. Zaydee loved it and  told me all about it. Her favorite part was the bubble water, the "ticklish stuff" and the fact that Brookie was there too! She loves every chance she gets to play with another girl!

 Soakin' in the bubble water

The finished product. Zaydee shows her toes to everyone. She also wants to make sure everyone knows she has flowers on them....... just like mommy

Every girl does it, RIGHT??

Friday started out to be a great day. We ran some errands in the morning, and we had pictures scheduled for the late afternoon. Zaydee was all ready, hair curled and all. Konner just needed his hair combed and we were all ready. With 5 minutes to spare, I noticed a little patch of hair hanging over Konners ear. I grabbed the scissors and cut it. I set the scissors on the bathroom counter while I combed Konners hair.

 BIG MISTAKE!!.....

Just as I got done doing Konners hair, Zaydee says,

"Mom, look I cut my hair."

I glanced over and saw this.......

I had to do a double take.

I could not believe that she had just cut her bangs, that were as long as her hair, to the scalp!

She took a chunk off the side, right by her ear too.

5 MINUTES BEFORE PICTURES!!!!

After I was done crying, yelling, questioning & scolding we headed out. 

We ended up rescheduling the pictures for next month (hoping the bangs are long enough to call bangs by then)

side view of the "new hair do!"

"The bangs"

We have heard many comments:

My daughters all did that when they were small

Every girl does it, at least once

Wow, I like your hair

Cute bangs! Who cut them?

From the sounds of it, most little girls try it when they are little.....

Hopefully this is the first and the LAST time this ever happens!!

See ya soon!

Halloween Week

This year, we got to celebrate Halloween for a week! After getting dressed up 4 times, I am glad it is over! Started out on Monday night.... We had a trunk or treat at work. The local businesses sponsored it and we had a great time. My mom came and walked the kids around while I sat at the car and passed out candy. 

My mom had a neighborhood halloween party, and invited us to go. I got the kids dressed up again and headed to the party. They did a carnival theme and Konner and Zaydee loved it. Konner spend most of his time at the mini golf game while all Zayd cared about was DANCING! She danced from pumpkin to pumpkin at the cake walk. She didnt care about winning a cupcake, she just wanted to dance! The weather was nice and the company was good!

Saturday was an EXTREMELY long day for me. I worked all day and then hurried to get the kids ready for the next halloween event! We started the night with dinner at the Middleton trunk or treat. Konner and Zaydee were so excited to get to trick or treat with their BEST BUDDIES! After getting a bucket full of candy we headed over to do a little trick-or-treating in my moms neighborhood. We went by a couple of houses before the kids got to tired. I took the kids over to see my grandparents. And, as always, the kids had a blast! My grandpa drew a Z for Zorro on Konner's chest. Konner said "Mom, I am never taking a bath cause I dont want this to wash off!!" 

And we ended the night like this.................

On Sunday, we made halloween french toast! The kids thought it was soooo cool. After we ate Emilee and Konner did a little switcheroo! They dumped out all of their candy and traded. 

Halloween was a lot of fun but I am glad it is over. I am really looking forward to the holiday season now!

Until next year......

Time flies...

Wow! Time is flying by... 

The last month has gone by so fast for us. Here is a brief little update

Mikey turned 20! We had a fun little birthday party for him the day after his birthday. The kids were so good to help him blow out "ALL" of his candles! I got to hang out with him in Vegas on his real birthday. 

My friend, and co worker, Leslee works at Tuachan and got me a free ticket to see THRILLER. I was very impressed with the dancers and look forward to next year.

Met some friends in Vegas! Had a great time but didn't get to much sleep... I was in need of a vacation from my vacation! :)

Polished up on my bowling skills with Sammy and her family.

Yeehaw!

One of the many great things about August, is the Dixie Roundup. Konner really does look forward to it for a whole year. He asks ALL YEAR when "his" rodeo is. This year, since he is 5, we put him in the drawing for mutton bustin' but were not successful.... bummer. He was sad about it but we will try again next year. Seriously considering changing his last name for the occasion! (you know, like staheli or Gubler or something!)   

We had a really good time! We got to hang out with good company and snack on "rodeo" food! I had a great time figuring out my camera and other than the fact that the rodeo was sooooo long, we all had fun!

Michael, Michael, Motorcycle!

Mikey got a WHEELS!! My dad and Mikey have been looking for a decent, inexpensive motorcycle for a while. Well they finally found one in Cedar City. They drove up there and picked it up, but when they got home they realized, Mikey didn't know how to drive it! haha So my whole family sat outside while my dad and Josh gave him some lessons. Started out a little scary but ended GREAT! Michael was so excited and keeps trying to get me to go on rides with him...... sorry, not yet!! 

 Zaydee and Em

 Mikey's FREE lessons! :)

 So happy!!

Konner and Zayd trying it out for size!

Avery's Birthday

Avery's birthday party was so fun for the kids! Zaydee especially loved dancing in her "DANCING SKIRT!" I really love this picture because of what was happening...... Avery and Zaydee were in deep conversation about the Barbie. The other little girl came over and started talking to Avery. In this picture, Avery looks at her and says, 

"Excuse me, but I am not talking to you right now. Can't you see I am busy talking to Zaydee" 

HA HA HA I was cracking up!  Thank you for the fun party!

Movie in the park!

One of our favorite things to do this summer was go to the movie in the park. We would grab something for dinner and head to the Town Square to get a good spot! We brought blankets, pillows, jackets, jammies AND SNACKS! Before the movie started they would get all the kids together for some wiggle time. They did the chicken dance and the macerena. Then they did a train and danced around the whole park. By the time the kids got done they were ready to settle down for the movie. We had a lot of fun and look forward to doing it again next year! 

p.s Thanks Bradi for the collage frames! Love it :)

When I grow up

On Thursday morning I took the kids to the 2450 park. They played in the sand and on the play ground while I studied. The park shares a parking lot with the fire station. While the kids were playing a couple fire trucks pulled in. One parked in one of the stalls and the other truck parked outside. When it was time to leave Konner wanted to just look at the BIG fire truck. We were admiring all the gages when a super nice, older gentleman, came out. He opened the doors, let Konner climb in and check everything out. He explained what all the equipment does and dressed Konner in his fire jacket and helmet. It was such an awesome experience for Konner. He told Konner to stop by the station by the college and he could have a tour of the ladder truck and he could get a fire helmet of his own.  That man made Konners day. I am so grateful that he took the time out of his busy day to show the kids how important fire men are! When we were leaving Konner said "Mom, if I can't be a bull rider... I wanna be a FIRE MAN!"

Explaining why the helmet is shaped weird in the back and what the eye shield does.

The door has a reflector in it, like a mirror. 

Zayd really didn't think it was THAT cool. haha

The next cover for the fireman calendar! :) 

Summer showers..

We have loved the warm, summer rain showers! Konner and Zaydee laughed so hard while running, jumping and splashing in the rain! Konner helped Zayd roll up her pant legs, after they were already SOAKED! They had a blast chasing worms down the gutter, trying to scoop them up in the plastic sand shovel. Konner was to scared to pick up the "slimy little bugger" (as he said) so Zaydee came to the rescue!

The rainbow that came along with the rain was beautiful. 

There were two rainbows but, my lens was not quite wide enough to get both.... 

Happy Birthday to you

Ugh.. I have gotten a little behind on the blogging thing. 

A quick little catch up:

My mom's birthday was August 6th and we had a fun little party. I took her to Tarzan at Tuachan and the kids got her some of her favorite treats, a book (they love to read with grandma) and a cute little willow tree figurine. 

We made her favorite cake, pineapple upside down cake.

I am sooooo blessed to live so close to my family! I loved spending the day and night with my mom on her birthday. She is AMAZING and helps me so much! Love you mom! 


My whole family (minus Mikey) went to Tarzan. I loved it! Konner really liked it too. He was constantly asking questions and laughing. I am really glad that we have such an awesome theater so close to us!

Grandma Joy, Konner and I

Happy Birthday MOM!

Konner and I waiting for the show to start!!

At the first of the summer, my grandma told me if I passed my CNA class she would take me to Vegas to see Phantom of the Opera. Well...... I passed!! While the kiddos were camping with the Eardleys my grandma got a condo and we headed to Vegas. We stopped in Mesquite and had SUPER GOOD mexican food for lunch. We got to Vegas and checked in to the Worldmark. We had just enough time to change our clothes and hop on the shuttle that took us to the strip. We picked up our tickets and went in....... HOLY COW.. our tickets were on the fourth row in the middle!! Let me just say, I LOVED IT!! The theater was awesome, the music was amazing, the sets and costumes were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I am super glad that I got to go before it left Vegas!  We had dinner and went back to the condo to relax a bit. The next morning we slept in and then went to the Bodies Exhibit. That was a different kind of cool, but totally cool still!
They wouldn't let us take any pictures inside Phantom or the Bodies Exhibit so we only have one picture :)

Tinkle Tinkle...

I am laying in bed Monday morning and I hear the sound of diaper Velcro. I wait for a second and hear tinkle, tinkle in the potty. I immediately sit up and say "Zaydee, what are you doing?" 

She flushes the potty and comes running into my room and says

"I don't want to wear diapers anymore. I am a big girl and i wanna wear panties."

SO.....

It has been 6 days and she is still wearing panties. She has had three accidents but I think that is pretty amazing! We have been playing, going to Cafe Rio, Wal-mart, my moms house, shopping for birthday presents and all of her accidents have been at home! 

She is such a funny girl. She has to do things on her time. But when she is ready... SHE IS READY!! 

We made a little chart so when she went potty 10 times she got to go get a treat. When I asked her what she wanted she said (in the most serious prissy voice)

"I want my very own PURPLE snow cone!"

So after 10 times we headed to the BEST snow shack in town... (parking lot of Ace) for a snow cone!

I try to get her to do a "nice smile" but I get this

OR.....

THIS!!

Head tipped back saying "CHEESE"

She is so excited to be able to go for a week without wetting at night so she can get 

PRINCESS PANTIES

to match her Belle jammies!

Proud "mommy" moment

Konner can TIE HIS SHOES!! Now, I dont when kids usually do this.... and it obviously depends on the kid, but I am so proud of him! He wanted to tell every one. He said to me, "Mom, Dad is going to be so proud of me cause he hates tying my shoes all the time! I gotta call him right now!!" I love watching my kids accomplish something they have been working for. They are so proud and get the satisfaction of knowing they have reached a goal! 

Goin' to the chapel

I have been so, extremely, lucky to work with such awesome girls. Two of the girls I work with got engaged just a couple weeks apart, they are getting married two days apart..... AND they are sisters!! Anna is moving to Cedar City so she wont be working anymore. Erika is moving to Provo and doesn't want to commute... DANG!! haha We had a bridal shower for them before they left and it was so fun. Stephanie got Cafe Rio for everyone for dinner. We played a couple games, had cheesecake for dessert, and laughed til my face literally hurt! Jessica and I did the shopping for the presents and did an awesome job! well.. I would have been happy with what we got them. We were told we had to keep it "G" rated but managed to sneak a couple little PG-13 things in there! We are also losing Jess.... (super sad about that) She is going on a mission so she is moving home (Vegas) with her family to save money.....

All the Bridal Elegance girls

good thing you cant see our faces... we could not stop laughing!! 

EVERYONE!! They boys are the fiances.... Obviously 

This is going to be a staple in bridal shower gifts from me!! There is a whole line of this brand and it cracks me up! The girls loved it too

Girls weekend

The weekend of July 24th, Konner got to go camping with the Eardley/Staheli clan. Since he was gone, it was just Zaydee and I, and I had the weekend off work... SO.. that meant lots of girly bonding time. Zaydee really missed her bubba but we had lots of fun. 

We went out for snow cones... (my favorite treat!)

Played babies

painted nails! Zaydee said.. "Look mom, now I am pretty like you!"

Went to dinner at Olive Garden

walked on the curb while we waited

had the waitress take a picture of us after (accidentally) making her feel bad. she assumed we were waiting for some one else. When i told her it was just the two of us, she said sorry a million times! ha ha

We went to the 24th of July parade in Washington. Zaydee and Scotlyn enjoying the view

Emilee and Stephanie

Trying to see what all the noise was.....

This was the culprit... 

After the parade we went to the festivities at the park and Zaydee got her face painted for the first time

Emilee and Zaydee showing off their cheeks!

That night, we went to grandmas for some fireworks and sparklers! 

LOVE THIS PICTURE! Zayd looks so homeless but so happy!

She was a little reluctant about the sparklers...

We had a super fun weekend, but we were really happy to have Konner back. He makes such a difference at our house. He had so much fun with his cousins and came home SUPER DUPER dirty!