Wind, Wind, Wind

Happy Tuesday everyone!!
Sunday was such a nice day! Walking to Church at 9:00 a.m. and it was actually somewhat warm. Crazy! I can't wait for that kind of weather all of the time. Today it is just super windy! Last night the wind kept waking everyone up. I guess it is suppose to rain and snow! Sounds like a good day for soup and bread bowls! YUMMY.

Sunday we went out to Moms to visit for a while. Sadly, she had to leave at 5:00 for a Trek meeting so we didn't visit that long, but it's always nice to go out there. Tayler finally noticed the butterfly on Mom's house and she had to ask Grandma why it was there. I'm not sure what the explanation was, but it completely appeased her. They are so funny when they get something like that on their little minds and have to know WHY??!

Yesterday I went to the gym while Tayler was at preschool. Rylee likes the day care at the gym. She's never sure at first, but she does well. It's been so nice to start working out! I feel so much better.
Then I watched the Bachelor at my friend Kirsten's house last night. She tivo'ed it so we started at 9:00 and still finished a little after 10. Love that!! I was so antsy to watch it- so when Sean got home from the gym I darted over to her house. Such smuck I know, but it's fun to watch! I was happy with the choice. Not that it means a lick of beans to me, but it was good.

Today Tayler had a make-up day of preschool, so Rylee and I went to Extreme Auto to get an Emissions test done on the truck. Nothing like waiting until the last day!! Then we had Tay's little friend Aubree come home to play, so they are playing Princesses! What a surprise. Tayler has her 3rd tumbling class tonight. She is excited as usual. I actually haven't been all that impressed, but it's good interactions and Tayler does feel cool when it's her turn.

I still haven't heard from JetBlue. I really hope I get the job! It would be so awesome to be a reservationist at home. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Carry On!.. A tribute to my Dad

A family with an unexpected loss.. Carry On!

His memory will.. Carry On!

His family & those left behind will.. Carry On!

His work on the other side of the veil will.. Carry On!

A name that was given, passed on, that will continue.. Carry On!

His love will.. Carry On!

Our love for him will forever.. Carry On!


His 3 sons, 3 brothers and 2 son-in-laws carry him to his final mortal resting place. It was 3 years ago today that my Dad passed away. That was indeed the hardest day of my life. My heart broke and will forever have a void, yet it carries such a special place as well for the man I was privileged enough to call my DAD! He was my hero in so many ways. I long for the day that I can wrap my arms around him and give him a great big hug. But for now we must Carry on!



I am grateful to have a dad as great as he. To know that he his carrying on the work on the other side. To know that it is not an end, but a short time apart. My mom is a rock and for her I am grateful as well. My family has held strong and I love them very much.

I LOVE YOU DAD!!!!!!

My Dads 3 remaining brothers. My Uncle Neil passed away Sept. 2002. Left to Right (Dennis, Kent, & Gary)

Love the Weekends!

Happy Birthday Brent! I hope that you have a great day. This picture is in tribute of you. I remember many days that he woke up looking just like this. Actually Jared and Ryan did too! Love the bed head- pretty funny! Thanks for posing Rylee!!


Last night we picked Sean up at work and met the rest of his family at the big GC (Golden Corral) on 8800 S and Redwood for his Grandma Clara's birthday. I have to say that GC has done a better job on everything. I guess the only one I have to compare it too was the one in Tooele and I think I was around 14 the last time we went there. (maybe even younger) Anyway.. It was Shrimp and Seafood night! Yippee for me. So I saw a lot of food and didn't eat! When Sean was walking out of work Tayler said "that is a pretty shirt that daddy has on." Then when he got in the truck she said "Daddy- pretty shirt" It was so cute. She is very observant.

Today I actually get to see Sean. It is so nice. Even though we just veg and do nothing I love it.

This is Tay's tallest tower (as she called it) that she built. She was so proud of herself. She used every lego she could find.

Uneventful week

I think the kids and I are going to go swimming in a while. I love the pool because it seems to suck all the energy right out of them.

Yesterday I actually put the kids in day care at the gym and worked out. It was nice until I almost passed out on the elliptical machine. I think it was because I didn't eat breakfast so my energy was zapped.

Tues. I watched my little nephew Keaton from 7:45 until 4:30. It made for a long day, but we had fun. He and Tayler actually played really well together. I just am not a morning person. He and I sat on the couch for a while until we both woke up.

I actually put my Kirby together and used it that day too. I know it has been a long time, but I had to wait for the vacuum bags to come. I love it!! I can't wait to use all the nifty attachments and shampooer. Just the vacuum alone worked great. I actually heard it picking up dirt. It made my carpet look fluffier too. Love little things like that.

This week so far has been quite uneventful. I haven't seen much of Sean except for the 5 minutes before he falls asleep. It has been hard for me, but I can do it. I don't want to just get use to it though because I want to see my husband. Man, before when he would come home at 7:00 I thought it was late, but that would be nice. He basically has 2 full time jobs now. It'll be nice when he quits IHC and just is doing Farmers- then we will actually see him. Tayler asked me Tues. night why Daddy doesn't come home anymore. That was a tough one to answer, but she did see him last night before she went to bed. She just kept hugging him and giggling. She sure loves him.

I can't believe that February is almost over. That means that Spring is getting closer though!! Yippee.
I can't wait to go on walks and to the park again. But then Tayler will be out on the swing set 24-7 again. Maybe this year I can teach her how to pump.

Fantastic Weekend

I LOVE it when my family comes into town. It is the first time that we have been together (all 6 kids) for a long time.

The girls and I picked up Julie from the airport Thursday evening and then went shopping. We went to Distribution first to get all of her temple things and then we went to Valley Fair to shop. It was fun to be with her and shop. Tayler was so excited when we arrived at the airport. She couldn't wait to see her.

Friday night we went with Julie to the temple. It was awesome to have everyone and their spouses there. I am sure that won't happen again for a long time- so it was a very memorable time! Thanks to my great friend Heather for watching Jen's kids and my 2 so that we could enjoy Friday night We met at the temple for the session and then went to the Training Table for dinner. I love hanging out with all my brothers and sisters. We had some good laughs and great times. When we came home all 5 kids were in bed. Heather truly has the gift!



Saturday we woke up early to get every one ready for the wedding. We had to be to American Fork by 10:30 so we had to leave by 9:30. It was mass chaos to get kids in and out of the tub and hair dried and dressed and fed, but everyone was ready and looking fantastic by 9:40. I almost forgot my recommend, but remembered it at the last possible second. The sealing was beautiful and now Jared and Katie are married. It was freezing outside for pictures, but we survived. Katie had on a short sleeved dress and flip flops. I think she froze her tootsies off, but she looked beautiful. I am very happy for them and think that they are great people. I'm excited to get to know Katie more and more.

After the temple we went to Thanksgiving Point for the luncheon. It was nice to be inside somewhere. The food was good and everything went smoothly. During lunch it started to snow so it made for a scary drive home but all parties made it safe and sound.




Saturday night Sean took Meggy and Tayler to Curious George, Jen and I went shopping and Steve played X-box. It was fun.

Sunday we skipped out on my 9:00 church and went to Mom's Sacrament Meeting instead then went and hang out all night. It's fun to catch up with all my siblings since we all live in different states.

Yesterday everyone headed home except for Julie. She doesn't leave until tonight. I hope that her and Mom had fun at the play last night!!

Getting back to everyday life stinks! I wish that we had fun events that brought everyone together every month, but I truly treasure the times when we are all together. In the temple the only person missing was my Dad of course (but I KNOW that he was there). I felt him very strongly and I am grateful for that. All of his kids and their spouses and his wife were together in the temple. I'm sure that put a great big happy smile on his face. It was a great weekend!! Love to all my family.

I'm Stranded

Sean went to the gym last night and took the truck and then put the truck keys in his coat pocket. This morning he forgot and grabbed the car keys too so I am stranded. I guess it is a good day to be stranded though since it is snowing and yucky outside. Heidi, Tay's preschool teacher, had to come and get her. I would have walked her but little Rylee would have been a frozen popsicle by the time we got home. The wind is blowing all the snow around plus new snow is still coming down. Anyway.. I think I will clean and get all my laundry done. I wanted to run to some stores, but this will give me an excuse to just stay home!



Last night was Tayler's 1st class. She LOVED it and she loved her teacher. It was a little rowdy with all the boys in the class, but it was fun to watch them all. She is such a performer! At the end of each thing they did they had to put their hands in the air and everyone would clap. She stood there a bit longer than anyone else and would turn to face everyone around the room. Sean met us there since he didn't have class last night because of Valentines day. It was a treat to have him there. Rylee also loved it. She would clap and run around whenever we would clap. She also escaped and headed out to where Tay was doing a somersault. Funny little girl




Sean gave Rylee and Tayler the cutest Valentines. He is such a great daddy to them. He gave me some nice gifts too and a $20 gift certificate to Chick-Fil-A! Does he know me or what!! After our yummy dinner I went to the gym. While I was there I heard that Rylee took a tumble down the stairs. Poor thing. She has been doing so good going down backwards, but she must have missed a step (near the top) and tumbled all the way down. She's a trooper though. It didn't scare her one bit- she was back at it again last night. Thank heavens for little short term memory!!

Happy Heart Day

Happy Valentines Day !!!

Quick recap from the weekend (since I haven't posted for a few days..)

SATURDAY
The girls and I met mom at Kohls and we shopped for a while then went and played out at her house. I love it. I hate shopping by myself and I love hanging out with my mom. I can't believe that I didn't buy anything at Kohls though. They had a ton of cute clothes, but just nothing I was in love with. Sean was quite proud of me, but I really wanted to buy a cute outfit. Oh well. Mom had to leave at 5:30 to go to a meeting so we left around that time too. Always relaxing and fun to be there. Thanks mom for letting us come.

SUNDAY
We had Stake Conference so Church wasn't until 10:00 (instead of 9:00). That extra hour was awesome! It was a good meeting and the kids were even well behaved. We all came home and took naps. It was great. That's my favorite part about Sunday! Relax and nap.. then I watched Grey's Anatomy at 9:00 p.m. Love that show. I am completely addicted!

When I was getting ready for church Tayler asked me when I was going to be done "painting myself" I know we say that when people put on makeup, but I've never said it to her. She must have picked it up somewhere though... funny girl!!

MONDAY
I got the itch to rearrange Tayler's room so I did while she was taking a nap in my bed. I moved her bed to the other side of the room and then cleaned out her closet so that all of her toys would fit in nicely. It's so much better. She couldn't wait for Sean to get home and see it. She told him all the things that made it so great. She said that she could now see all of her videos in the closet better and could see her TV from her bed without having to look over her little rail and where all of her toys belonged. She went on and on for quite a while. It was stinkin' cute!!

I finally got my hair done today!! Sean is such a great hubby!! I had it weaved and cut. I love it. And I went tanning last night so I totally feel better. I know it's so bad, but it feels so good.

Then we had a little potluck luncheon down the road at my friend Debbie's house. I love potluck lunches because people always bring such yummy food. There were tons of people that came so it was crowded but tons of fun. Then all the kids passed out Valentines. Tayler had her little mailbox that they made in preschool yesterday. She left it out on the porch this morning and got 2 deliveries. She was so pleased.

Taylers little friend Aubree (her preschool pal) didn't come to the luncheon so Tayler made a special deliver to her mailbox too. I made Tayler write her name on all 25 of her Valentines that she passed out. She did such a good job. I'm so proud of her. She wanted to write "happy valentines day" too, but that would have taken well into next week so we passed on that.



Tonight Tayler wanted Roast Beef dinner, so instead of Heart shaped meat loaf or something like that we are having roast beef. We'll make the rolls heart shaped to get into the spirit of things. We have red punch and red jello too! Should be yummy. Tayler finally has her first tumbling class tonight. Hopefully they won't cancel it! That would devastate her.




I'm sure I'll have more Valentine pictures to post later. Love to you all!!

A Ponytail

My little girls first pony. How funny is that little stub of hair!! It totally has stayed all day though. I love it!!

Friday has arrived

Happy Birthday to my great friend Brookelyn! Have a good one my dear.

Yesterday Maria and I went up to Park City. It was such a nice day up there. We didn't find a lot of stuff, but of course I still managed to spend money. I wanted a swim suit for Tayler, but I never found one I loved so I will wait. I already have Rylee's but I can't find one for Tay. It was a beautiful day up there. We broke out the double stroller again and Tayler was in heaven. She loves that thing. I heard on the news yesterday morning that someone had hit a Moose. Scary! On our way up we saw the dead moose and where the accident had happened. I can't even imagine coming around a corner at 5:30 in the morning and seeing something like that. That would be awful!

Then I had to be home by 3:30 to watch my neighbors kids (Kinsey and Trevor) for a few hours. It was chaos for a while, but they all played together nicely. They are good kids.

Then I had my basketball game. It wasn't until 9, so Sean made it home and brought the girls to watch. Tay kept screaming "go mommy" and "go cougars." Such my little cheerleader! We totally won!! It was a good game. Then we came home and put the girls down and they are still sleeping! I think I might take them to the gym today and drop them of in the day care. Sean bought me a punch pass to use so I best use it.

I get to make dinner and take it to my neighbor who just had a baby! She isn't a member, but I have had a good feeling about sharing the gospel with her so we will see how it goes. Especially now that she has a new little baby. It would be awesome!

Happy Friday to all of you. Have a great weekend!!

Being Organized

Buenos Dias Everyone!! I have decided that being Organized is the key to my happiness and stress level. Yesterday it seemed to be so hard to get going and finish everything, so this morning I woke up the same time Sean did (which yes was far earlier than I normally wake up), but I accomplished so much. I got myself ready and finished all the little tasks that usually takes me 3 hours with the kids in just a little while. I know that most of you are saying.. HELLO Jess, of course that is how it works, but I finally realized it or should I say- did something about it. Anyway.. I love when I feel organized. The days go so much smoother and everyone is happy.

Last night Alex from across the street came over to play while her mom went to a Church meeting. Well her and Tayler decided that Rylee needed to join the dress up gang too. She came down looking like this. She wasn't so sure what to do with it all, but laughed and flapped her arms.


Every Monday and Wednesday Tayler has preschool from 10-12. It's so nice. I think she is the cutest preschooler there is. I just love her so much. I haven't ever taken a picture of her with her backpack on so I thought I would.

She loves to go to preschool and is doing so well. She is starting to write Rylee's name now. I just realized that they are all the same letters that are in her name. Anyway.. she is one great girl. Her new favorite toys are the Polly Pockets that Aunt Jen keeps sending her. She loves those things and I have to admit that they are pretty fun to play with. After preschool on Wednesday's Tayler's little pal Aubree comes to our house. I think that I am going to be adventurous today and take them to the indoor pool. That should wear them out :)

Our official new number is now back to our old #. I think that you can still call our 660 number and it will go right to voice mail. That should get confusing for people.

Tay's little tumbling class was cancelled last night. I was so disappointed because she was sooo excited. They called at 5:05 (the class was suppose to start at 5:30) and told us that the instructor was sick. Now they are going to have it next week on V-Day when it was suppose to be cancelled.

Last night Sean and I watched "Just Like Heaven" I love Reese Witherspoon so I loved the movie. It was a good show!! I think it may be one that I buy. It's just a feel good movie. Those are good for the soul.

Rylee is on the best schedule and SO easy to go to bed. I thought after I had nursed her to sleep for a year that it would be hard, but she is awesome. We get her ready for bed, give her a bowl of cheerios or a gogurt (Love those!) and she goes right to her bed. She hasn't made a peep for 6 nights straight and she wakes up at 9:00 the next morning. It's such a great thing!! They say that kids thrive on schedules and she definitely does.

Well I hope that you all have a wonderful day! Thanks for the comments. I love them.

Errands

I try to avoid running errands as much as possible. Some days I like to get out and about, but other days I dread it (especially when I really have to go.) On today's agenda:

** Bead Store- I need one more crimp bead to finish a bracelet for Shelly. I went yesterday but it is closed Mondays!! Hate that.

** Drop off dry cleaning for Sean

** Return stuff from card making project from Enrichment night.

** Wash the truck (at least vacuum it!! Tay dropped a cupcake in it.. YIKES)

** Grocery shopping

** Get craft punches and take them to Corrie

** Get birthday present

** Tay's tumbling class at 5:30

** Try to look at 2 townhouses.

If I write them down at least I will be able to keep track.

We may have a lady interested in our house. They won't make an offer until April, but I am pretty sure they will. If they do we will move into a townhouse (at least for a year or two.. until Sean gets his feet on the ground and his business up and running.) I told him I didn't care as long as it has a pool to go too. Since I won't see him ever at least I can play at the pool with my kids and get a good tan :) It will give us something to do. We have been looking at some in Farmington. He still wants to stay in this area because he is getting some good contacts up here.

I think we will buy Lagoon passes while we still have money as well. It is a fun place to spend the day too. Tayler loves it and it will pass the summer days!
I am scared, but excited for this little transition. I just which I could see a quick glimpse into the future. Oh well, I guess that is where the faith comes into play.

I talked to mom on Sunday and we are going to shop and play on Saturday while Sean is working. I love to have fun things to look forward too.

My friend Maria and I are going to Park City Thursday to see if we can get in on the winter clearance. I will stock up for my kids for next winter-- except that they are so hard to figure out sizes at a later date. Any excuse to shop I am good for.

I will post some other pictures tonight. I'm sure there will be some good ones from Tayler's class. Hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday!!!

Finally the Weekend

I am so proud of my family for their blogs!! Way to go guys- it is so awesome to read about everyone's lives!

We haven't had a phone or the internet for 2 days now. It stinks. We finally are getting rid of Vonage and going back to McLeodUSA for our phone because we have had so many problems. That means a new number again.. but we got our 776-8088 number back so hopefully everyone still remembers that one!

Last night we went out with some friends! It was fun except for my head congestion. I have made it this whole time without getting sick and now I finally caught the bug. Anyway.. we went to Macaroni Grill and to see Fun with Dick and Jane. I love nights out with my honey. And now since Rylee is weaned I don't have to worry about that anymore. It's so liberating.

I talked to Julie last night and found out that she is going through the temple. That will be a neat day!! Then every person in my family will be endowed. Pretty impressive I think!

Jared and Katie's wedding is just around the corner. Can't wait. I love events that brings everyone home. It's great. Cute invitations by the way J & K!