Holidays. . .

Here is a picture from Halloween last year. We are getting ready for a good round of trick-or-treating this year. We are going to find some fun places to go so the kids can enjoy their time. It is pretty cold here though, I think Tinker Bell is going to need lots of warm clothing! Peter should be a little better off with his costume - though a jacket is still in order. I get to bake a ton of cookies for Sammi's party at school. It should be fun. They still get to have the party just not dress up at school. I am glad they at least sort of do the holidays in school. I remember it being so fun to make pumpkins, have parades and parties for all the holidays. It was so great and part of my sweet memories. I try to really do things up for the kids so they can enjoy their childhood. We have the house all Halloweenie and fun. We often go driving around to find the best Halloween house. Tomorrow night is Pumpkin carving night for FHE so I will post those pictures.

After Halloween, like a few weeks into November, up goes Christmas! We will go to our Christmas tree place down the street where they sell the BEST real Christmas trees! They smell and look so pretty and last so long! It is so fun to go there, pick out a tree, and strap it to the top of the car then bring it home. That is one of my very fond memories of last year. It is cute to watch Charles pick the "best" tree and hold it up for our approval. I love Christmas time so much! Heck, I am listening to Christmas music right now! I know it is silly, but it makes me feel happy. We went shopping last night and they already had a Christmas tree up at Albertsons! It was so great! I love this Season full of lights and colors.

Hi there family,

I just want to let you know that this blog can be viewed by random people and because of that I do not want you to use last names, phone numbers, places such as school names etc., or any other personal information. I really enjoy your comments so please keep it up! Because I do have it open for anyone to comment - anyone can. But if uninvited people do - I will be deleting their comments. I enjoy this blog as a way of staying in touch and I will do my best to keep it safe and pleasant for all! Thanks a bunch!

Auntie Beppy

Here is Auntie Beppy with new baby Stephen and doggie Sage

Check out these cuties. . .
Auntie Beppy with her newest nephew at the hospital
Beppy and Sage getting ready for their snowy adventureSo Beppy will be heading to our home for the Christmas holiday. We are all looking forward to her visit. Hopefully, we will have a little bit of a white Christmas this year, last year not a hint of snow, just fog. We love having visitors since we do not have any family around. It is always fun to entertain people when they come. The kiddos love having auntie Beppy around to play with. They are so excited she will be here for Christmas day. Sammi really wants Beppy to sleep in her room with her on Christmas night. Since Santas is coming and Beppy can't peek either - she may have to! It should be a great time! Hooray for the Holidays!

My Precious(es)

Sammi and Daniel are so silly - for sure. They are also very sweet and kind children and I am grateful. They teach me so much as a Mother and I am learning what it means to be "selfless" in my Motherhood. I still take time for me to make myself stronger, I try to improve myself each day, and do some "me things" ( it is very important to not forget about you). Now, my number one concern and goal is to love my little children and teach them all that I can and show them the way through life. I find much joy in this, especially now as they are growing older. They learn so much so quickly. It is so neat to watch them grow.

Sammi is singing "I am a child of God" in the Primary Program, in Spanish. They picked her to do it because she would sing "with enthusiasm" while practicing in Primary. It is so cute to hear her practice with the trio of tiny kids. It makes my heart warm and fuzy as I remember the countless times I too have been at the pulpit, terribly nervous, yet singing my heart out. I am excited for the program to see how she does. It is so amazing to see her from across the room and know that she is mine, from me, and she is a part of my family. I am so proud of her!

Daniel is my sweet boy. I love Daniel. He becomes very upset if he does something wrong. He will cry and say, "Mommy, it was an accident" and he will seek comfort from me until I tell him he is ok. He is very helpful. If I ask him to help me - he is quick to do it. I just love having him around. He provides great fun for the family. He will be going into Primary in 2 months and I am excited to see how he does there!

I love them both so much and I really look forward to adding another child to our family. I think that it will be so sweet to see Sam and Dan interact with a little baby. Sammi has already told me she will take care of the baby when I am "busy". How thoughtful! I just think they are so great, and I love them so much!

Silly Kiddos

So, I told the kids that mommy has a baby growing in her tummy. I showed them the ultrasound pictures and explained a little bit about babies etc. They know that baby grows in the mom's tummy and then one day the baby "pops" out. What they know is that I will be getting a big tummy like Aunt Kary and Aunt Mindy. So, on they went to find basketballs, put them in their shirts and begin their chants, " Mommies gonna have a big tummy, Mommies gonna have a big tummy. . ." they sang over and over. "How rude!" I thought, but then I thought it was pretty silly so I told them to stand still so I could take a picture. So here they are in all their glory being their silly little selves. How I love my little munchkin heads!

Udderly Cute!

Photos and Post by Kary. . .
Today Stephen tried on his Cow outfit that Cheryl gave him as a welcome to the world gift. He loved MOOvin' around in it. way cute! Cheryl is so thoughtful. She came over to hold baby Stephen a few weeks ago. It's definitely time for another visit from our 8 cow woman friend. This outfit is very appropriate since Stephen seems to love milk.

Missionary Moments. . .

Pictures and Post by Kary. . .
Last Friday, Mom and Dad had an email from Pres. Nichols stating that their mission call was in the mail. You can imagine Mom's response when Dad told her: "woo hoo!" She was so cute (well, she's always cute, but she just beamed with joy!) The anticipation continues. Dad started checking the mail Monday in hopes that the 'call to serve' would arrive from SLC headquarters. No such luck. Tuesday arrives and we're eating lunch at the dining table. I'm told to be on watch for a white truck carrying the precious cargo from SL. Dad makes the approach to the mailbox, Mom and I go and stand at the door. Mom's blood pressure goes up to 186 and I have to pee my pants. I'm not sure what dad was feeling like, but I assume his heart rate went up to 150 or so. Dad waits for the mailman to drive up and tells him he's waiting for the publisher's clearing house check to come. The mailman replies: "it's in the mail." Well, Mom and Dad continue to wait for the call to come. This mailman needs some serious coaching from Karl Malone since he's a mailman that knows how to deliver. It is now Wednesday and Mom's patience continues to be tested. She is managing quite well as long as we engage in a Yoga session now and then to keep centered and breathing deeply. I'm very impressed with her calm demeanor as she awaits for the arrival of the big white envelope. Tune in tomorrow to see if Dad gives a 'thumbs up' after checking the mail. They will call ya' all when they receive their call to................

The Missionaries await their call. . .

Pictures taken at the Japanese Gardens here in Spokane
Dad and Mom are anxiously awaiting their call. It should be in the mail any day now - maybe today! They are SO excited - they can hardly stand it! Kary will be sending me photos of the occasion as soon as it happens. How exciting! I am not sure if you can still kiss so much in public though Dad. You may have to cool it a little. ; - ) I am sure it is hard to resist someone as hot as Mom! Look how cute they are! : ) We are all so excited for you!

Here are Melinda's three kiddos

This a a picture of Melinda and her newest baby


Here is the most silly photo of Emily's youngest hanging out in the potty.
These are Emily's three kiddos

The Three Geeks

Here is a cute picture of "The Three Geeks" as Kary and Bob would call us when we were small. Kary would tell us that "geek" means "I love you!" I later learned - it didn't. She even made a special sign at Young Womens camp just for our door that said, "The Geeks Room". How thoughtful she was! I know they loved us, right?! I am sure they loved having little crazy kids around when they were dating and going off to college. I can remember grabbing on to Kary's legs and begging her not to leave me to go to college. Kary would have TONS of guys over doing who-knows-what but I do remember there were many different guys. : ) She was (and is) hot stuff with her great "swinging hips" which she even won awards for. I remember Bob would take us out to movies, he would drive REALLY fast, and he would make an entire batch of cookie dough and we would all eat it from the bowl - what a great thing! How cool it was for us "geeks" to have older siblings to look out for us and for us to look up to! What great times we've all had together!

My 12 week gut

Here is a picture of my twelve week gut (last week). I tried to attach it to the other baby post and it was not being friendly about it. : )

Baby 3. . .

So yesterday I went to a regular doctors appointment and they tried to find the babies heartbeat and they couldn't (for the second week in a row). So out they rushed me to the front desk and they tell the receptionist that we need to set up an ultrasound to "verify the viability" of the baby. Basically, they wanted to make sure it was alive. They were not very sensitive and the rushing around made it seem worse. I thought it was still pretty early to hear the heartbeat since I had never heard it that early before with my other kiddos. Anyhow, they got me all nice and worked up, ran me around town, and then when I got to the ultrasound place the lady there was nice and calm and instantly found the heart beating and the baby in good shape - no problems. Apparently, I have a "tilted uterus" something I was never told that I had. It makes it more difficult to find the heartbeat because the baby is nice and snuggled in the depths of my womb.

Charles and I were grateful, for sure. I was disappointed in my doctor (who is fresh out of Medical school) and I am on the journey to search for a new one. It is hard when I know nothing about the doctors around these parts. I did receive a good recommendation from a church friend. We shall see if I am able to switch. I think that doctors need to work on their bed-side manner. It is SO important, especially with something as delicate as baby-business. It sounds like Mindy has had similiar experiences with lame nurse/doctors. It really stinks when they stink!

Anyhow, all is fine and good. The baby seems to be progressing well - I had no indication that it was otherwise. My "gut feeling" was that all was well and fine. I am now 13 weeks along so past the 3 month mark. I am so glad all is well with baby three so far.

I am feeling great and I still run 4 miles 5-6 days a week while pushing the two kids in the stroller (which means I push about 90lbs!) Yikes! My favorite thing is to see little frilly girls out by themselves in their bootie shorts and skinny legs and then I catch up to them and pass them! (they love that). There is some sort of competetion monster in me that comes out when I see people running in front of me, I just have to try and pass them - regardless. One time there was this lady running with her dog. She came up behind me and chatted for a bit. She said "good for you pushing the kids" then I mentioned I was pregnant too. She said "wow!" then "have a nice day!" and she started running past me. I thought, "No you did not!" so I picked up my pace and I stayed on her heels for miles and she kept looking back at me and I would smile and wave. I had to do it. It keeps me alive and excited! : ) I will do my best (Kary) to run until the end - that is my goal. I will have to get a "belly-bra" and run much slower, I am sure. I will give it my best go. Wish me much luck! (I will need it). Running was not something I was able to do the first two pregnancies (living in the Hoyt building in Alaska) and I am so grateful I am in a safe neighborhood and much stronger now! Hooray for growing older and getting better!

Kary's SONshine. . .

Here are some pictures of the most beautiful mommy. Isn't she so pretty? Baby Stephen is pretty cute too. : ) Stephen is doing well, growing and is almost a whole month old! Amazing! Of course, I wish I could see my cute little nephew. I have been told that he gets lots of hugs and kisses. I suppose Beppy has a good chance at being his favorite aunt since she gets to hug and kiss him the most -lucky girl! I am sure grandma and grandpa have been loving being around to see Stephen before they take off soon. Kary is doing great, I have been told she looks fabulous. Stephen is a real sweetie and so cute! I love Mama Kary and baby Stephen!

Fall's Fashion

Here are some pictures from our walk on Sunday afternoon. It was SO beautiful, the leaves were amazing colors and the air was cool and crisp. It is really so wonderful here in Spokane in the Fall. I love to be out and about in our neighborhood. There are always "old" people out walking or jogging - it is so inspirational. There is this lady who has to be 90 or so and she walks completely sidewards. I see her many times when I go out for my runs. She is so amazing and she inspires me to keep going on the hard days. She is out sidewards walking rain or shine and so I must go too! I love people who defeat the pain, the aches, the trials, and go for it anyway! It is amazing what a body can do when you let the mind control it. Rather than the other way around. Your body usually will say, "No, too tired!" and the mind or spirit must say, "Do it anyway!" I find if I listen to my mind/spirit I am ALWAYS happier than when my body is the winner. It ALWAYS feels better after you exercise - regardless of how hard it is to tie your shoes at the beginning!

This picture is of the day Charles asked me to marry him. We climbed to the top of that big bunch of rocks (behind us) in Denali and he asked the question. Moments later a rainbow appeared right over "our spot". I remember it being a very sweet day, and looking back I am so grateful for that day. I am so grateful for Charles and for all that he has done for me over the years. When we were first married I came down with mono and I was very sick. The doctor even told me I should not kiss Charles (though that was not going to happen). He has always taken good care of me, and he has been so kind to me through illness, pregnancies, health - through it all. We have grown stronger and closer with each passing year and I love him more each day. I think when we were first dating some may have thought, what are they thinking? They are so young and silly. I am so glad that we got married when we did and how we did. I would not change it for anything. We have been allowed to grow together, learn together and progress together, it has been so good for us. I have truly enjoyed our journey together and I look forward to an eternity and beyond to be with my Charles. He is my sweetheart, my love! A great bonus for me - he is so cute! : )

Here are our kindergarten pictures...nice bangs?

Sammi's Kindergarten School Picture

Here is Sammi's school picture. I thought it turned out pretty cute. . . : )

Baby-Sitting Fun!

Here are some pictures of my baby-sitting fun this morning. The older boy is from Sammi's kindergarten class. He is a cute kid who freaks out if you mess up his hair. The family are friends from church. The little boy with Daniel is so funny. He is SO loud at church and he usually is beating up his other brothers and sisters but he seemed happy outside of church. Maybe it was cause I fed him ice-cream. : ) I think it is so funny to "kid-watch" as Sammi calls it. They love having people over to entertain or beat with their light sabers. The boy actually brought his over too so there was quite the battle - luckily only a few wacks to the head! They only did the battle when their mom was here too. I am not to fond of letting kids "use the force" without their mom's permission. : ) Anyhow, it was a fun-filled morning. Notice the shirts Beppy -they love the shirts you sent them, they are so cute. Ma and Pa, thanks for all the fun stuff! The jackets fit perfect too, they both were so cozy that they fell asleep during the cold run in the stroller yesterday. They get to be warm and snuggly cozy and I freeze and run my bootie off. Oh well, it is worth it?

Chomp, Chomp!

Here is the picture Mindy. I know Charles will love this. : )
This picture is of Sammi, but I think she has a "Mindy Look" on her face.

More Fun at Riverfront Park...

Here are some of the rides we got to play on this summer at the really neat Riverfront Park. I love it there - so do the kids. You'll notice I am not in the big Strawberry ride, well that is because it makes me sick! It spins round and round and blah!

Thoughts on a Thursday...

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
- Heleman 5:12

I think this scripture may qualify as one of my favorites, if not my favorite. I have always loved the fact that if you build your foundation upon the gospel of Christ, then you cannot fail, or fall. I think one of the problems of today is that people do not try to actually "build" their foundation based on the gospel, rather they may have one foot in the gospel and the other one firmly planted in the world, and worldly views, ideas, opinions, etc. There is a scripture, something about serving two masters. . . it just cannot be done. Sometimes it is tricky too, especially (I believe) when you have to work "in the world" and try not to be "of the world". Somehow it can be done, it must be done.

I recently read an article written by a Prophet (do not recall which one) but he said that it is not sufficient in this world to pray just once a day, but that we need to pray often, morning, night and all throughout the day so that we do not go astray. I try to do this, and especially with Sam and Daniel.

There is nothing sweeter (for me) than hearing Sammi and Daniel pray to Heavenly Father. We pray all day, it is very helpful. They pray before I take them in the stroller for a run so that we can be safe. They pray before I take Sammi to school that I can drive safe. They pray that their food can be safe ( I am not such a good cook). At night we pray together and then I ask them to say there own prayers and I close the door and listen. When Daniel prays his prayers are very simple such as, "Please help me be a good boy." Sammi prays about school, having a good day and getting green cards at school (green is good). It is so cute to hear them, especially Sammi as she is getting older, she is actually thinking about what she says. I love it, it warms my heart.

I also love reading the scriptures with them - that is entertaining, to say the least. One thing I have noticed is the word "destroyed" or "destruction" is used very often throughout the Book of Mormon. Everytime it is used Daniel asks, "What does destroyed mean?" I explained it to him and now everytime he hears it he says, "Destroyed means, broken to peices!" Well, I think he is pretty much right. : )

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Happiness and Motherhood...

"Where is happiness, real happiness? Nowhere but in God. By possesing the spirit of our holy religion, we are happy in the morning, we are happy at noon, we are happy in the evening; for the spirit of love and union is with us, and we rejoice in the spirit because, it is of God, and we rejoice in God, for he is the giver of every good thing".
- Brigham Young

I really like this quote because I have noticed that many in the world are finding themselves with their "hearts failing them". Many are lost and without hope or the knowledge of where to find the "happiness" we ALL desire. It is only in God, having a real relationship with Him and an understanding of our purpose here on earth. I know that for certain.

So many people, women especially, are so hard on themselves. Finding such weakness in themselves, in their abilities, talents, mothering skills, etc. I have noticed a recent trend in Mothering being considered a burden rather than a joy, children are considered a problem to be solved rather than a gift to be cherished. It is hard, no doubt, to be a mother in this world. But there is so much joy to be found in family and the good things in life. I believe Motherhood is the greatest gift that a woman can possess and I hope that maybe women might come to understand the greatness of their role in this world. For it is Mothers (and Fathers) who are creating the future by creating their children.

I have many weaknesses when it comes to being a Mother, I am sure. One weakness I do not have is my desire to truly love my children as much as I can. That is one thing I can do without fail, and I try to do my best, and according to a man named Gordon B. Hinckley - Your best is good enough! Thanks Heavens! : )

Summer Time Fun...

Here are some photos of the Summer gone by. We sure had lots of fun and now we are ready for the Holidays - my favorite time of the year! If you go to Costco they are all set up for Christmas, which I love. It is so fun to go to Costco, isn't it? Fun and dangerous. The other day we went there for printer ink and we came out with Christmas CD's, wrapping paper, pants and some frozen chicken. All I have to say is whatever strategy they use there to suck in the buyer, well - it works! Is it possible to spend less than $100.00 there? I have yet to see that happen!

Anyway, the pictures are of our Utah trip for the 4th of July, and some park time here. Lots of Fun! We sure love it here. It is really quite beautiful. I am grateful, it has been a great place to be for the last two and a half years!