a fun night for a worthy cause!

This past June, one of our local police officers was shot while on duty as he was getting ready for a normal traffic stop, which then turned into anything but normal; a deadly tragedy.

Officer Terry was shot in the head and the suspect, shot dead.

Officer Terry was flown to the hospital in serious condition, not knowing if he would live...to make a long and emotional story short, (easy for me to say) Terry was later released from the hospital and last night at the Lehi high school, they were having a fund raiser to help raise money for his medical bills.

...so tonight we attended the 5th annual Mascot Bowl.

This is where the local and national mascots from the different sports come together and play a good old game of football, and they play against the Lehi 8th graders.

Here are the kids with the NBA Utah Jazz Bear.
Carson at first had no desire to go up to the mascots, they were freaky to him.

Can you blame him?

.

Here is Bummble from the Utah Bees, Swoop from the Philidilphia Eagels, the fox (I didn't get it's name) from the NBA New Jersey Nets, and Cheif from the AFL Utah Blaze.

The horse from the Denver Broncos, The Cheer squad from Lehi High, Bummble again, (Carson FINALLY got in one picture) and Cosmo from the BYU Football team.

The Sun was shinning this year as you can tell from the picture, we couldn't see the field till the sun went behind the school. With the sun out, the people came out too. Last year it was super cold and there was no one in the stands, that was not the case this year.

Go Pioneers!

During the half, Officer Terry was there and honored him for all of his work and support he has given to our city. I am not sure if he was walking or if he was in a wheel chair, we were on the other side of the field, but knowing that he was there, made the whole night worth while. I am sure this was only the beginning to a long journey he and his family will have to face.

Also, during the half, before the game was to start up again, the mascots came over to the visitors' side and without us knowing, shot silly string all over us. With the people yelling/cheering the mascots on, Carson and Cassie had NO idea what was going on and started to wig and I mean wig out! During all of Carson's tears, he was still able to wave hi though to the mascots. It was very cute.

The rest of the evening was filled with seeing who could collect the most silly string off the ground and off of people.

The evening ended with the score of 16 to 16; everyone was a winner.

Fireworks were then the finishing touch.

So, we all had a good time this evening and even more so, we help out with a good cause.

Our police and firemen give so much to the community, so it felt good to be able to give back.

I totally would recommend the mascot bowl next year to any of you! We will totally be there, you can count on it!

More fun to make...then to EAT.

"Beasty" is a great Auntie for the kids...

They all were having a sweet tooth, so they decided to make some fresh chocolate chip cookies. This idea didn't take much encouraging from "Beast," the kids were excited to help in the kitchen.

The girls helped "Beast" do it all: add the butter, sugar, and flour. They even got to crack the eggs and they girls thought that was gross. They each got to take turns mixing the dough and spooning balls into the cookie sheets. They enjoyed every minute of this time they got to share with "Beasty."

The house smelled so good while the cookies were in the oven and then the timer went off and the kids all ran to watch as "Beasty" took them out of the oven...

...ALL of their faces were pure disgust...

The cookies were flat and looked pretty sad. "Beast" was awear of the high altitude that we have here and didn't alter the recipe.

All that hard work and nothing to taste of it. So every one's sweet tooth went unsatisfied, but you ask the older girls and they said that they just had more fun making them anyway, but then Delanie told us the truth..."We can't waste the cookies, No cookie is a bad cookie."

People must have agreed with Delanie, because they ended up gone. Nothing was left but crumbs.

****So the moral of this story is...NEVER judge a cookie by how the way they look, you must ALWAYS try them first.****

Family + Chaos + Mother Nature = a Photo Shoot

QUESTIONS???

Why do people want to get the family together for pictures when you see them so often anyways?

Why do people go through the stress of finding matching?

Why do people bribe their kids to sit still when they have NO desire to?

How do you smile so quickly when the photographer says "Smile" when minutes before you were discussing certain poses?

Why is it that the first picture is always the best, but you still spend an hour trying for more?

Why waste a weekend to sit and smile when it is such a perfect day to golf?

The answer to all the questions above is easy...

TO REMEMBER MOMENTS LIKE THIS!

YES, it is crazy to get family pictures, but so worth it...I think, just kidding, I know it is!

I am blessed to have such a beautiful family and what better way to remember every minute then to deal with the stresses and chaos of family pictures.

I Love everything about Fall and I love everything about my FAMILY, so it all just makes sense to capture every moment together; craziness and all!

The kids show the adults up...

... in a game (or two) of Bowling!

On Monday afternoon, "Beasty" wanted to have some fun, so the older girls played hookie from school and we take the kids bowling. If I remember correctly, this might have been the first time the twins have ever bowled; either way, Carson and Cassie loved it.

In fact, we all had a good time!

We played the first game and "Beasty" got a bit frustrated that ALL of the kids beat her, so she wanted to try again and so we played again. I saw another side of "Beast." She was cheering when the kids WOULDN'T knock any of the pins down...which just made the kids laugh.

Needless to say, "Beasty" took last place again; NO JOKE!

She says it was because the kids had the bumpers up, but I sware Mackenzie and Delanie didn't even need them 80% of the time, and the Carson and Cassie, they are a great team in all things including bowling...Cassie would go first to knock the pins down and get 6 or 7 of the pins and then Carson with out any trouble, would walk up to lane, roll the ball down the ramp-aid and without any dought...get a spare! This would happen almost ever time!

So, "Beasty" didn't think bowling was that much fun with the kids, but the kids sure did!

A Normal Weekend with US

With Nana, Pappy, and "Beasty" (Taylor Swift aka Kristen) here for Mackenzie's Baptism weekend, we thought that we would ALL go out and attempt dinner out in public; so we went to Tepanyaki for dinner and a show, yeah a show!

The kids and the rest of the family hadn't eaten there before, and for the most of them, they enjoyed it.

Carson and Cassie had a hard time with the loud noises from the cook and were not sure what he was doing. Carson sat with his fingers in his ears the entire time while the cook was with us, but when the cook was finished, Carson couldn't eat fast enough...He loved it!

In fact, everyone loved it and was soooooooo stuffed when we were all done. I sware some of us could have been rolled out of that place, we were so full.

(I can be such a pain; but you all already know that!)

For dessert later that evening, we went to a frozen yogurt place, and you have to know that I tease "Beast" that she looks like Taylor Swift (Country Singer) and we walk into the building and I see this mom watching her daughter open a present...it was the Taylor Swift CD...Well, being the pain that I am, say, "Why don't you sign your CD for that girl." I didn't think anyone heard, but that mom was star struck!!! Let's just say, the stares that everyone gave "Beast" were priceless. It was the most perfect moment to tease her.

Beasty, You are such a good sport! We love you!

Saturday Night after Mackenzie's Baptism, we were just hanging out...literally. We wanted to just relax after a day full of emotions.

Well, with 4 kids, a brother-in-law who is the biggest kid of all, and a Pappy in town, no Relaxing took place!

I love my family, no matter how crazy we may get and now Beasty can testify for herself the chaos, but fun we have together.

Also, the men learned a hard lesson... Sorry if this scares any of you and NO teasing Dan, he will kill me...this I can promise you, but...

(I think I might have gone a bit too far and letting you into our crazy and weired life)

NEVER let your wife have a crazy idea and NEVER NEVER let her go with it.

and NEVER NEVER NEVER let her have a camera to capture the moment FOREVER!

You guys are so silly, yet so beautiful at the same time. Thanks for the laughs!

***See I told you, there is never a dull moment in our family and I wouldn't want it any other way, even if they could have a TV sitcom after us, oh wait they have...Everyone loves Raymond is seriously us!***

Just Because:

a Sunday morning photo shoot...

Because:

We had time before church

Carson & Cassie were happy; there were no tears

Mom's hair was done and her make-up was on

It was a beautiful morning

I wanted to freeze time just for a moment

Cassie actually left her hair alone for more then 5 minutes

Dan was home from his meeting early

Carson actually wanted to take pictures

AND most importantly,

Mom and Dad love these two kiddos so much!

8...finally!

(This slide show took 8 years to make! If you ask me, it was well worth the wait!)


Today Mackenzie finally has turned 8!
She has been looking forward to this birthday more than any other, I would have to say.
I can't believe that she is growing up so fast; where did those past 8 years go??!

What do you get an 8 year old? (it is kinda a hard year to buy for; they are too old for dolls and stuffed animals, even thou Kenzie loves ALL of hers and too young for high end dollar electronics )

So when Dan and I asked her what she wanted, kenzie said "an IPOD and erasers (WHAT?? Yes, you heard me...erasers! She collects them. I had to think back when I was her age and I collected stickers! Kids like all things!)

One thing that I love about Kenzie is that she is pretty easy going and very grateful for what she gets...so when she opened her gifts, I think she was pretty happy.

Cake Time!

This year Dan thought it would be fun to get Kenzie those trick candles for her cake.

So we sang and she made a wish and blew out the candles, only to relight again and again. Keznie was laughing and giggling so hard that she had to give up. I was teasing kenzie that she had lots of boyfriends, she told me like "32 maybe!"

Oh my, this girl got her dad's attention real quick and then she realized what she had said and was then just too embarrassed to blow out any more candles.

So all you moms out there; watch your boys' hearts, Kenzie might just be their next broken heart.

Makenzie Joy at age 8:

Loves School

Enjoys her friends

Helpful, Happy, Easy-Going, Lovable, Beautiful

Wants to learn the guitar

Favorite Movies- High School Music & Hairspray

Favorite Animal-Horses

Enjoys Singing and Music

Enjoys Primary

Zac Efron and the Jonas Brothers makes her smile

Creative and hands-on

Loves her bed/is a home-body

Enjoys Basketball and Soccer

Now that the birthday has come, Kenzie's next upcoming event she is so excited for is her baptism this Saturday.

Let the accessorizing begin.

See, with three girls, I know that I am in trouble when it comes to accessories and clothes, the girls know that they need to have it from the matching belt, hair clips, jewelry, ect.

Well, tonight I have now added to the accessorizing craze...

Earings!

Mackenzie wanted to go first, she wanted it done first as well.

(we have been trying to get the older girls to pierce their ears for some time and now that Cassie is a "big girl" that wears panties, she wanted to be like her friend Gracie Mae, so Cassie came up with the idea to get her ears pierced, well, the older girls didn't want their two year old sister to show them up, Hence that is why we all ended up at Claire's tonight)

Mackenzie was pleased to have it finished and did a good job at being brave.

(She is excited to have them done for her upcoming baptism this Saturday)

Kenzie then ran out of Clarie's with a smile to get Lanie; she was the next.

(Dan and the others walked around the mall so each of the girls wouldn't see the other, in case they got scared. It work out pretty well.)

Lanie ran in, jumped into the chair and was ready to get it done; when they pulled out the "gun" she wasn't too sure, but didn't want to back down. She saw how cool Mackenzie's looked and wanted then too. Lanie cried just for a bit, but nothing a couple of suckers couldn't stop. The rest of the night, Lanie wore her hair behind her ear, so all could see just how brave she was.

Last but not least, was Cassie, she too jumped onto the chair, not saying a thing and didn't say a single thing even when she was done. That kid didn't even shed a single tear, but did give the girl who was doing the piercing a look of death, but then the girl held up a mirror and Cassie was in love looking at herself. She picked out the sparkle diamond flower. It is weird just how old she now looks when you look at her.

So, here are the girls proud of themselves with their new sets of bling. Let the cleaning of ears three times a day begin and we couldn't leave Clarie's without buy new sets of earrings; even though they can't change this pair for 6 weeks.

With three girls; let the accessorizing continue! (I should have known better)

MAY WE NEVER FORGET!

September 11, 2001

There are somethings in life you will always remember; where you can recall the certain moment perfectly; where what you felt and saw will always be remembered in your mind and for me, this was one of those moments.

We were living in Orem when I remember that I was snuggling Mackenzie in bed with me; planning what we were going to do for her first birthday, for it was the next day.

I then get a call from Dan to turn on the TV and watch what was taking place in New York. I happened to turn on the TV and saw the second plane hit the second building. I can remember Matt and Kate of the Today program just freaking out. I was there holding Mackenzie so tight wondering WHY this was happening.

I remember watching all kinds of emotions from the people on the streets of New York: the anger, being scared/the unknown, the confusion/wondering if there was going to be more and who would do something like this, the compassion for strangers, the lost of family members, the ones who no emotions/shock and awh of this awful event.

I remember that the images we saw on TV were unbelievable; hard to take it and watch, but in a way, I remember our TV never turned off. Dan and I wanted to know all the details of what history was taking place.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the whole 911 events: No matter what evil may try and bring the USA down, we will raise and go on; keep moving forward and continue being the Best nation in this world. The freedom that we have by living here is something we need to not forget and be grateful for always!

So, here is to all the many many heroes; men and women who lived and died that terrible day on September 11, 2001. Thank You for all you did and you will be forever remembered on that historic day, a day where one nation became one.

Even 7 years after that day, the pictures are still hard to look at and seem like it was yesterday, but now it is our turn to make sure the legacy of the Twin Towers and the people who sacrifice live on forever.

NEVER FORGET!!!

The last 4 days...

Here is where I have been: Oregon!

This is a picture I took from the airplane of Mount Hood...doesn't it just scream beauty and it would be a perfect SouthWest Airlines commercial.
(I heard people say that they have never come this close to the mountain as they were flying into Portland...it was a picture perfect way to welcome me back home to the great North West!)

Here is "Home Sweet Home" way back when I was living at home. My parents are still currently living there and have been there the past 26 years. It was fun to see all the green and see how the landscape is just full of big full trees; something we don't really have here in Utah.

The entire time the weather was perfect upper 80's; something Oregon doesn't see all the time. It didn't rain once while I was there and there was no rain the the future forecast. In the evening, we would open the sliding door and let the fresh air and breeze in.

In the earlier post before this one, it tells you the reason why I went to Oregon; it was for this lady right here, my Grandma!

As you can see, she was able to give the "thumbs up" and was indeed doing a tons better from when I first saw here in ICU to when I was heading to the airport.

I can now tease her and told her "that if she wanted to see me and have me fly to Oregon, then all she would have had to do was give me a call; she didn't have to add all this extra drama." Grandma just laughed. I am glad to say that she will be going home by this weekend. Thanks for all your support and prayers!

While I was in Oregon, I just had to deal with me; I was able to dress myself, clean up after me, sleep in if I wanted, no fighting to deal with, come and go when I pleased...it was a true vacation! I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back and deal with reality...

But as I was flying back into Utah, seeing the flat ground, the great salt lake, the dry mountains; I was actually getting excited to be back at HOME.

When walking down the airport, I see the kids and Dan (who by the way, had a huge smile on his face, it almost looked like it could have been a smile of relief.) waiting for me, jumping up and down, each kid holding pictures that they made for me. They all were ready for me to come home!

The kids were on me like flies on poop or like ants on a melted popsicle... They didn't want to let me go and didn't want me to go again for a very long time. I know that Dan was thinking the very same thing; how I knew this was, he was very vocal about it. (See Tues. was picture day at school and I get a phone call in Oregon, it was Dan and he was TELLING me to already plan on retake picture day...I now know where a dad's limits are and when it comes to his daughters' hair, he has no clue. Dads are great!)

So, here I sit back in my own home in Utah and I am for sure back into my life of reality... getting kids ready for school, running here and there, homework, breaking up fights, up early (8 am) and late late nights, (1+ am) wiping bums, fixing lunches, cleaning up messes...I think you get the picture; being a mom...and honestly there is NO OTHER PLACE I WOULD RATHER BE! (well maybe Disneyland with my family)

It is good to be back at HOME!

Update: Oregon is where I am at.

Hey out there to all of my bloggin' friends...

I am here, but not really "here" at home, see Nana and Paps were on vacation with us and Nana's mom went in for a routine shoulder surgery on the 3rd of Sept in Oregon. We said our prayers for her and went on our way in Utah...

The next thing I remember is I was on a flight with my parents first thing Friday morning heading back into Portland with all kinds of things running through my head; wondering if Grandma was even going to "make it" till we got there. I was preparing myself for our "good-byes."

See, Grandma C. is 76 and bearley 113 pounds and her body just was under too much stress after the surgery and she was having blood clots starting to form in her body and after that, the rest went down hill. She was rushed into surgery AGAIN, where this time they placed some kind of umbrella to block the clots. Grandma's heart was racing and she was making no sense with gasping of air... ICU is where they were going to keep her.

SEE, that is why we were on our way to see her.

We got there and I was emotional doing OK, UNTIL I saw her in ICU laying in her bed. I went to kiss her hand and that is when the tears came. I didn't like seeing Grandma like that; with wires and tubes all over her; monitoring her every breath.

To make a LONG couple of nights and lots of emotions short, I am glad to say that I know there is a God and he does hear prayers and answers them!

As of today, she was out of the ICU and was up moving (very slowly) had a sponge bath and was even drinking some Dt. Pepsi. It looks like she is going to pull through; her journey in life is not quite over, she is still needed here. She may even get to go home sometime THIS week.

I know that death is a part of life and that there is life after death. I know that we will see our loved ones again after we are finished here on earth; but death is never easy, but knowing what I know does help in times of grief. I am grateful for the knowledge that I know. While Grandma was in ICU, I was walking in and I happened to see the nurses zipping up a body bag and wheeling the body out...NO ONE from it's family was with this person when it died. It really kinda shook my up and seeing Grandma in one of her episodes, I had to step out. I wasn't ready for that, but that is life; a part that I am not familiar with.

(also, in case or by chance anyone in the medical field may read this, Thank you for the hard work and time you spend dealing with the loved ones that we care about so much.

Thank you for your LONG hours you put in, for not giggling when you see bear bums, for your patience with the family members and making sure we are as comfortable as the patients, for you tender touch and warm blankets, not to forget the drugs to help the pain and the 24 hour non-stop care.

Thank you so much for all you do and it really does take a special person to deal with strangers and show love and care. You people are truly amazing!)

(NOW a note to the people who are the supplier for the chairs and bunches for the hospital...please think of the families and friends who stay many hours of the day at the hospital.

I can personal a test that they are not the finest in the land. I TRIED to sleep on the chairs and that was a joke. I tossed and turned; what we do for the ones we love! It is amazing what kind of things you can do to stay awake or entertained while stying in a hospital...be watching for photos.)

I am glad and lucky that I can be here for my Grandma and also my mom during this time. I know that I am scarifying time with my husband and kids, (Dan has all 4 of the kids by himself and I know just how hard that is, Thanks Dan for allowing me to be here.) but living out of state from my family, I needed to be here for my Grandma, but also myself. My Dad said, you never want to have regrets about life. So I know that this is where I need to be as of now.

I will keep you all posted...thanks for your prayers!

Finally, the Scooter has come!

With the Scooter here, that can only mean ONE thing...

Cassie wears PANTIES NOW. No more diapers for her!!!

We started the first day of school and with only a few accidents and a week of staying home; she did it. The very first day she went poopie in the potty, she wanted a cake, (hence it was Lanie's birthday and she got to pick her very own out) so we made her a cake. I asked Carson if he wanted "his" own cake (meaning he needed to start using the potty) and he told us "NO, I will just eat Cassie's" He knows what he wants and has things figured out, so to this day, Carson has no desire UNTIL the SCOOTER has come and NOW Carson wants one!

I want to knock on wood with the whole potty thing with Cassie; she even will come in from outside from playing to use the potty and also will use other people's potties at their home; so the potty phobia is gone. On the other side, now EVERYWHERE (and I mean everywhere) we go, Cassie always wants to go and find the potty and see it. All in all, I will take that instead of changing poopie diapers!

And now with only one in diapers, I can't believe how much longer the diapers last. I just have to change 3-4 diapers a day instead of 6-10!

Way to go Cassie for showing us that you are a big girl now!

(I have to give me a hand for keeping strong and not giving in earlier and giving cassie the scooter Early. It was hard and I knew that Summer was about over, but look at Cassie face; you know that she is Happy to finally get her scooter and knows just how big she is!)

(Also, anyone who says bribery is bad and doesn't work, never had kids!)