Monday, December 29, 2008

I say Hello

I don't know why you say goodbye - I say hello

Goodbye skinny jeans - Hello elastic waist jeans
Goodbye feeling great - Hello "I feel sick"
Goodbye composed emotions - Hello mood swings
Goodbye old life - Hello wonderful, exciting new life

Hello new baby Marshall sometime in July!!!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Merry Christmas To All

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house and it was great like always. All of my family was there, and it will be the last time for two years since my brother Preston will be leaving on his mission this Spring. We decorated and judged sugar cookies, played games, read the Christmas story in Luke and put on the pageant, and watched a Charlie Brown Christmas. Christmas morning was an early one for us. June decided to get up at 6 am, but everybody else didn't get up until around 8:00. June loved her presents and even kind of caught on to the whole "Santa" thing this year. Her favorite gift was her new baby doll, but she loved opening presents - even if they weren't hers.
This is her first sighting of her new baby!

Sean got this very stylish new hat, and as you can see he was thrilled with his new socks. He did get ski's, boots, and poles as well.

I was the most spoiled. Along with these lovely snow shoes, I got a new PINK Kitchen Aid and the coat I have been wanted for a year now.


June got a sled too, but I don't think she liked it very much. This is the face she had while we pulled her on it.
We got so much snow this year on Christmas day that we postponed our Marshall Christmas party until the day after. It was fun too. I am always glad I married into the family that I did. That family is constantly growing so before too long we are going to need a bigger room to hold us all.
Our Christmas was a great one, and I hope yours was the same.




Thursday, December 18, 2008

An Anniversary Not to be Forgotten

December 17th was my 3rd wedding anniversary and I am most positive that it will be embedded in my mind for quite some time.



Things were going as planned that day. Sean went to work, but was leaving by 5 pm. June and I had been playing at home all day, and I was planning on dropping her off at grandma's later that evening so Sean and I could go out. Then things took an unexpected turn. June was on the counter, which is one of her favorite places to be, and I was right there with her. June loves to climb and is not one bit afraid of heights. I turned my back for a few seconds and then next thing I knew there was a loud BANG. She had fallen off the counter and was laying face down on the floor. I immediately picked her up gently and assessed the damage. No broken bones, no blood, and she did not lose consciousness. I could tell she got the wind knocked out of her because it took her a few seconds to start crying. The next twenty minutes were spent trying to console a crying baby. I was a bit of a wreck because it was obviously my fault that she fell, and I hate when my baby gets hurt and I can't make it stop. Then June threw up all over me. Besides the initial shock (June has never thrown up before), I was even more concerned now. For those of you who know anything about head injuries you already know that vomiting is never a good sign. I called my mom who is a nurse, and whom I trust above pretty much anybody else. She told me to keep monitoring her - watch her pupils, don't let her fall asleep, keep trying to talk to her, and keep her alert- and that she would call back in a little bit. I felt a little better after that. I few minutes later June threw up again. This is when I really started to panic. My mom called back and when I told her what happened she said that we had better go to the emergency room just to be safe. I agreed.



Sean got home shortly after with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and I filled him in to all of the events that had take place. He gave June a Fathers Blessing and then we were off to Redicare, which is like an urgent care facility. We got in quickly and the P.A. looked June over. She seemed fine - eyes were normal, no blood in the ears, she was acting like her normal self - besides the big bruise that was forming on her head. The P.A. was still concerned about the vomiting because that can be a sign that there is serious brain damage, and he suggested June get a CT scan. We of course agreed, and headed over to the hospital.



Anybody who has ever had to go to the emergency room knows that it is never a pleasant experience. It wasn't too crowded that evening, but it still took forever to actually see the doctor, and then I think they forgot about us for a while because a nurse came in about an hour later and asked if June had got her CT scan yet. We said no and it wasn't too long after that that we got taken back to the machine. Having never experienced a CT scan myself I was nervous. This next part was pure torture for me and for June. They had to strap June down to the machine because you have to lie completely still. June was screaming bloody murder. How do you tell a 19 month little girl that it is going to be OK when she is strapped down and being moved into a tube with red lights while four people try to keep her head and body still. I am a pretty tough customer, but I couldn't help but cry as my little girl screamed my name and there was nothing I could do to help her.



After more waiting, the doctor told us that the CT scan came back normal and that there was no brain damage - thank Heaven!!! We got to go home then (after more waiting to be discharged). It was about 10:30 pm and we were all starving at this point. Not much was open, but Applebee's was so that is where we went. Not much of an anniversary dinner, but it was better than Denny's.



It was a very eventful 3rd anniversary, and I am just so happy that June is OK and that no serious damage occur ed. We are very blessed.

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Holidays are finally here!!! We have so much to celebrate: Sean graduating, our 3rd anniversary, CHRISTMAS, and New Years. I love this time of year as I'm sure you all do. The only thing that could make it better this year is if it would snow!!! Sorry that these pictures are in reverse order from what I wanted, but oh well. These lovely flowers were presented to me by my sweet husband just this past Wednesday. I love when he does things like this (and it isn't even our anniversary yet). We set up the Christmas tree for family home evening and June just can't get enough of it. Just the other night she thought it felt funny to have the needles touch her little tummy - what a nut!!! She loves when we turn the lights on, and she enjoys taking off all the ornaments that she can reach.
Oh, this next picture is just a funny story. I was blow drying my hair out in the kitchen before church on Sunday because it was too humid after Sean got out of the shower (my hair does not do well in humidity). Anyway, I was blow drying away when I noticed that June was doing the same thing, just wi1th her bubble machine. This is just one of the many reasons I love her - she never fails to make me laugh in new creative ways.
Last Saturday we headed up into the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree. I have done this pretty much my whole life, and now I think I have gotten Sean hooked on it too. It is just fun to be up in the mountains and see how beautiful the world is all covered in snow. Sean hauled the tree down once we found one, and I carried June down until the very end when she wanted to help.

She thought she was so big being able to help Daddy.






Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Tag - I'm It

This is for you Kelltie

5 years ago I was. . .
Living at the Ridge in Rexburg and attending BYU-Idaho. When I wasn't at the library (my second home) or in class (I think I had 20 credits), I was doing crazy things with my two best buddies Brittney and Kelltie. For example, taking all of my friends stuff in her room and hiding it in various places all over the apartment!

5 things on my to do list:
Get Christmas cards printed at Sam's
Have my mom help me sew a super hero cape
Get June to take a nap
Cook dinner
Go to mutual

5 snacks I enjoy:
Fruit snacks
My mom's cookies
licorice rope
ice cream
Twix

5 places I've lived:
Provo, UT
Evanston, WY
Phoenix, AZ
Idaho Falls, ID
Rexburg, ID

5 jobs I've had:
Souvenir girl at the I.F. Padres (minor league baseball)
Lawn mower for the City of Idaho Falls (my most favorite job)
Little league baseball Ump
Babysitter
Melaleuca R&D

5 things I'd do if I won the lottery:
Build a new house
Buy a new car
Go on vacation with my family
Buy land
Save and invest

Monday, November 17, 2008

Back to one child

Last week I had the pleasure of babysitting a family I know from my old home ward. The mom and dad got to go on a cruise, and I got to watch their 5 kids. It really was a lot of fun, and the kids were very good to me. The oldest was 14 and the youngest was 3, plus I had my own 18 month little angel with me. We went swimming, watched movies in their sweet theatre room, baked brownies and cakes, played and watched their basketball games, played Mario Kart Wii, built forts, did homework, and lots of other stuff in between. Below is two of the kids with their "decorated to the extreme" brownies. June and Max were home with me during the day while the other 4 went to school. We read lots of books together, watched cartoons, played outside, went to the library, and were the best of buds. The kids got along so good together, and June is really missing Max now that we are back home. I think my sweetheart needs a playmate other than her boring old mom.
It was fun to have 6 kids for eight days, but I don't think I am ready for that many children all of the time - hopefully quintuplets are not in my future!!!!!




Sunday, November 2, 2008

Blast From the Past

The above picture is of me and my mom when I was one year old, and the pictures below is of me and June. My mom made the costume for me, and twenty three years later my baby gets to wear it!!! I think that is pretty sweet. Oh, and doesn't my mom look great!


Halloween Fun

Happy Halloween to everyone!!! We had a great time celebrating this year. My little June was a dinosaur with pink spots. My mom made the costume for me when I was one year old, so it was sweet to have my little girl wear it too. June loved wearing her costume, and she looked so adorable in it. When we asked her what a dinosaur said she would respond with a ROAR, so I think she got into character very well.

Our ward had a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot on Halloween night. It was well attended and the kids had fun going from car to car to say trick or treat. I stayed by the car and handed kids the candy, and Sean took June around. I think she was a little overwhelmed with all of the kids, but she did manage to say trick-or-treat a few times when she came up to the trunks. Sean and I dressed up as well. Sean wore his grandpa's army jacket from WW2 (his grandpa was in the 101st Airborne), and I was his protective nurse.

The picture below was taken a few days before Halloween, but June wanted to wear her costume, and who could say no to this sweetheart.
On Wednesday we went to "Boo at the Zoo." It was a really big event that ran for 3 nights. We went on the first day thinking we would avoid the crowds, but there were tons of people there. June wasn't too interested in the animals, but she liked all of the Halloween decorations that they had put up.

On Monday night we carved pumpkins. June helped me pull the guts out and thought sucking on the pumpkin seeds was a great idea. Her pumpkin is the one with the big smile.





Thursday, October 23, 2008

Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken recently, and I think they turned out pretty good. She took so many and it is hard to decide which ones I am going to get. These were some of my favorites.






I am most likely biased, but I have the most beautiful one year old in the world.













Thursday, October 16, 2008

Teenager

My baby sister celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday. I can't believe she is a teenager now!!!! I remember the day she was born, and it doesn't seem like it was that long ago. We went over last night for a family party, and Rose is going to have her friend party on Saturday. My sister is fast approaching the day when she will be taller than me. Although, as you can see in the picture, I still have her by a little bit. Rose is such a sweetheart, and the best sister I could ever ask for. I love her so much! I loved this shot of her celebrating after she blew out all of her candles.
June enjoyed licking her plate, and hamming it up for her audience. She loves it when all the attention is on her.
Happy Birthday my sweet Rose, we love you to pieces!!!!!!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Pony Tails At Last

I know it isn't fancy, or even very good, but I put pony tails in June's hair!!!! It was a very exciting moment for me I must admit. I have been waiting for June's hair to get long enough and the time has finally arrived. My lovely and talented sister-in-law, Katie, showed me how to do it. The picture below is my first solo attempt. I am hoping to get more advanced in the future, but for now I am very proud of my new skill. On a totally different note, it has turned into winter here. It SNOWED quite a bit over the weekend. I had to get June's new coat out so she wouldn't freeze. She is my little pink Eskimo!
This next picture is pretty random, but I think it shows our true character. This is me and June "shadow dancing." The sun was setting and in a perfect spot to cast our shadows against the garage. I thought it looked cool.
And finally, we have 4 kitten's that live outside our house. I am not a cat person, but who doesn't like kittens? June adores these kitty's and likes to hold them like they are her babies. They are cute for now, but lets see how I feel when they grow up - - free cats anyone!!!!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Best Visiting Teacher Ever

My visiting teachers name is Judy, and she is definitly the best visiting teacher I have ever had. Her methods are not conventional, but that just makes it all the more fun. I never know when she is going to show up at my door, but I am always glad to see her when she comes - and she comes faithfully every month. This past Tuesday I was vacuuming my living room when I looked up and saw her at my door. I of course stoped and let her in so we could chat. Judy always brings me something when she comes and this month it was a bag of apples. We got to talking though and she mentioned that she had two bags full of sliced apples in her car ready to be made into applesauce. She said I could have them if I wanted. I responded that I didn't know how to make applesauce. Judy then jumped into action and said, "well let me teach you right now!" I didn't think she was serious, but she was. The next hour was an adventure not to be forgotten. We boiled, mashed, and ground apples (Judy went home and got this cool gadget that did most of the work for us) plus we got to hunt in my scary basement for jars and lids. When we were all done I had 10 jars of applesauce all thanks to Judy. Now that's what I call visiting teaching!!!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Tag - I'm It

This is for you Kelltie

5 years ago. . .
I was living at the Ridge up in Rexburg going to BYU-Idaho with my two best buddies. When I wasn't at the library (my second home), or in class (I think I had 20 credits) I was doing fun things like taking everything out of my friends room and hiding it in various places all over the house.

5 things on my to do list:
Get Christmas card pictures printed at Sams
Have my mom help me sew a super hero cape
Get June to take a nap
Cook dinner
Go to mutual

5 snacks I enjoy:
Fruit snacks
my mom's cookies
Twix
licorice rope
ice cream

5 places I'v lived:
Provo, UT
Evanston, WY
Phoenix, AZ
Idaho Falls, ID
Rexburg, ID

5 jobs I'v had:
Souvener girl for the I.F. Padres (minor league baseball)
City Park lawn mower (my most favorite job ever)
Little leage baseball Ump
Melaleuca R&D
Babysitter

5 things I'd do if I won the lottery:
Build a new house
Buy a new car
Go on vacation with my family
Buy land
Save and invest


If anybody wants to do this tag - feel free!






Wednesday, September 24, 2008

So Much

So much has happened since I last posted. Time just goes by so fast and before I know it the end of September is here. Back on September 14, Sean had his 25th birthday. It was more like a birthday weekend for him. We had a party with family on Friday night, but his actual birthday wasn't until Sunday so we just celebrated all three days. This is the cake that I made. This is Sean and Brett blowing out their candles. If you look closely Brett is eyeing Sean's candles!!!!
We went to the Riot Zone with my family and did some miniature golfing and rode the go carts. It was my mom's work party so everything was free - which makes it all the sweeter.
And of course I have to update you all on my little angel. She is really becoming my little girl and not my baby anymore. She loves to read books and she has this little chair that she sits in to read them. June can say so many things now - I love that she is talking. Her favorite word is mom and I am constantly hearing her sweet voice calling my name. She is a pro at all of her animal sounds too. I seriously have the best job ever!!!! I can't image spending my days anywhere else - June and I have fun all day long.
Oh, and I just wanted to show off June's killer tan line. She wore her Croc's all Summer long, and you can definitly tell where they covered her feet.
We also went to the BYU football game against Wyoming last weekend. My Uncle Shayne gave us his tickets!!!! It was a blow-out (44-0), but it was so much fun. Go Cougars!!! I also got to go to the musical CATS. I had never seen it before. It was different from any musical I had ever been to, but the dancing was spectacular. I know that I am forgetting some of the stuff we did, but this will have to do.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Change

Things are changing quickly in my family. For most of the Summer my mom and dad had 3 kids at home, and I only live 15 minutes away. Now they are down to one kid at home, and they are begining to feel what it is going to be like to be empty nesters. My brother Stuart is up at BYU-Idaho living with his old friends from high school. This isn't the best picture of him, but I thought he looked cute with the bow on his head. My brother Preston is down in Provo at BYU. He is loving it, and I am a little jealous that he gets to go to all of the BYU football games.
Rose is in Junior High this year - I can't believe it!!! She is an Eagle Rocker now, watch out world. She is running for class office this week. Isn't she the cutest almost 13 year old you have ever seen.
I love my brothers and sisters so much, and it is fun to watch them grow up and move on to bigger and better things.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Fleeting Summer

Summer is most definitly on its way out, and it is making me a little sad. I love everything about Summer, so it is always hard to watch it leave. Although, I do love Fall so I guess I don't have to be too sad. Fall for me means FOOTBALL - from grid-kid all the way up to the pros - I love it all.

Well, since it has been a while since I posted I better update you all to what we have been doing. A few weeks ago June and I went on our final camping trip for the year with Sean's side of the family. We had a good time as usual. I had done June's hair in a mowhawk before we left, and it stayed that way for the whole trip.
June pushed this bunny around everywhere. It was her little baby. The bunny got very dirty.
And so did June. She has some lovely black lips in this shot. Where is her mother?????
Rose, June, and I went to Rexburg one day and played at the Spray Park. I think Rose and I had more fun, but June had a good time too.
We also watched a lot of Olympic coverage for two weeks in August- all I can say is "Way to go Michael Phelps." I must admit, I once wished I could be in the Olympics, but I am ok with just watching them now. They are better athletes than I could ever be.

Some of my cousins came to town, and it was fun to see them. Nick, Kambria, baby Augustus, Brooke, and her new fiance Matt were all on their way back up to Law School and they spent the night at my parents. I love when they come. Some of my best childhood memories are with these cousins. Ryan, Savannah, and their sweet girl came about a week later. June and Ryannah are the same age, so it was fun to watch them interact - lets just say that June is not a very good sharer.

I also read Breaking Dawn, the last of the Twilight books. I love those vampire stories, and I am very much looking forward to the movie coming out later this year.

Oh, and I can't forget about softball - Sean and I have been playing all Summer, and we just started a Fall league that plays twice a week. It is a lot of fun, and I think I am getting my old form back - I hit a triple last game!!! Ok, I have probably bored you all with my life stories, but I felt like I had some catching up to do.

Monday, August 11, 2008

On Top of the World

Since last summer, my family has been planning on hiking Table Rock on 8-8-08, and on Friday we all accomplished our goal. Our company of hikers was as follows: my mom and dad, Rose, Preston, two of Preston's friends, Uncle James, Auntie Em, J.T., Max, Sean, and myself. Our little June bug spent the day with my Grandma JoAnn. We ranged in age from 9 years old to 52, and every last one of us made it to the top. Table Rock isn't an extremely hard hike, but it is long and there are parts that are a bit challenging. Teton Creek comes cascading down the mountain and you have to cross it about four times on the trail. I thought it was great fun walking across the logs and rocks in order to get across to safety.
Below is the group that I hiked with most of the day - we all wanted to go a little faster than our parents.
We reached the top at around noon, and we were all excited to be at the summit. The last bit of the hike, the actual "table", is the hardest part because you are up so high that there is very little oxygen and that makes going even 10 yards seem difficult. You just have to take it slow, and you will be alright.
Some of us ventured even further after we go to the top and went over to a spot called Inspiration Point. When you look over the edge it is a sheer drop off into the valley right at the foot of the Grand Tetons. It is a little scary, but a totally killer view - well worth the extra effort.
I'd like to tell you that I wasn't sore the next day because I am in such amazing shape, but that would be an outright lie. My legs definitely let me know that there are muscles that I should consider using more often. I'm happy and proud of all of us for making - we even got official Table Rock medals to prove to everyone that we did indeed come off conqueror