THE JOHANSEN'S!!!

Swimming Lessons Summer 2011

2011-07-20T16:26:00.000-07:00

The kids did so well with swimming lessons this year. Addison was able to go into the 4 year old class even though she is only 3. She had a blast and learned how to swim so fast. She loved her teachers and they loved her, she was so tiny in her class. Her favorite teacher was Jessica Murray. Every time we would go to the pool Jessica would grab her and take her swimming. Brooklyn is like a little fish, she has always been a really good swimmer. Brenden hasn't had swimming lessons for a really long time but he caught on really fast and was diving and swimming the whole length of the pool. We had such a good time this summer going to the pool a couple of times a week. It was so worth getting a pass this year. Can't wait till next summer!

Much Needed Updates!

2011-07-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here is some more catch up, the next few post are going to be trying to catch myself up to now so bare with me. This is Brenden's end of the school year play, he was the godfather of soul and he had a part in it. He had to say, "Uh I feel good, like three times and then he said New York City, Uh I feel good. It was pretty funny! I was really proud of him for doing it and not being shy. He has really grown up this year.

Brenden's class, he loved having Mrs. Tuttle she was a really good teacher and we will miss her.

Brenden with is black make up on and black suit and shirt.

Brooklyn had her end of the year play also and they did a circus theme. She was a dancing bear, she is still really shy. But she did her part and so that was good. Mrs. Dawes was her teacher and she loved her. Mrs. Dawes calls her shortcakes, because she was the shortest in her class until recently. We love Mrs. Dawes and are very sad that we have to move up.

Brooklyn the dancing bear.

Here is just a picture of Ashlyn, she is getting so big so fast and I thought I would throw one in of her.

Brooklyn's 7th birthday party she wanted to have it at the pool. So we invited all her friends and had a good time. This is her cake, usually I make it but we were really busy so I had to get it at costco.

Blowing out her candles. I didn't get a lot of pictures because I was dealing with a very ornery baby. So I feel bad.

A picture with most of her friends that were there. We had pizza, drinks, prizes and a fun time at the pool.

Brooklyn got her first American Girl doll from her grandma Johansens, she was so excited to finally get one.

I have been in scouts for a little over a year now, and this year I got to take the boys to day camp. We had so much fun, I have actually never been to day camp. They got to shoot bow and arrows, bebe guns, they made swords out of those water noodles, rowed boats, made boats that they raced, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I am just so glad that I was able to spend that time with just Brenden. I don't get to do that very often anymore.

Brenden shooting the bebe gun.

Rowing the boats and playing some game.

Brenden shooting with the bow and arrow.

Easter and California

2011-05-01T11:59:00.001-07:00

So I have been really slacking lately. But I am going to post some of these just for my remembering. You will have to bare with me, this may take awhile.
Since this was Ashlyn's first Easter, we went to California to spend it with my family. We didn't go to Disneyland this time which usually we do. We decided to do something different and went to Sea World and San Diego Wild Animal Park. We had a wonderful time!

Addison watching the Shamu show, hoping to get soaked.

Ashlyn had a lot of fun, even though it was really hot for April. She always has a smile, she is such a happy baby.

Kendra and Brooklyn sitting on the front row in the Shamu show hoping that they will get soaked, the funny thing is that Shamu splashed every section but ours. Hahaha.

This is their piles from the Easter bunny before they got into them.
They got a lot of stuff, but I had to cut back this year for traveling. They got a lot of clothes for the summer, books, pillow pets, princess barbie stuff, shoes and a lot more that I can't remember. But they had a good Easter.

My three girls waiting for the boys and Kendra to get up to see what the Easter bunny left.

The three oldest kids right before they see their piles.

Brooklyn and Addison both got a princess play set.

Brenden is playing baseball and got 2 really nice expensive bats and baseball gear.

Addison and Brooklyn both got the little tiny pillow pets. Addie got the pig and Brooklyn got the panda bear, they are really cute!

Ashlyn's favorite thing to play with is the grass, also ripping everything out. She got some toys and books. Lots of clothes for summer because she seems to be growing really fast, well at least for my kids. She had a lot of fun with her first Easter, she is 7 months old.

Looking for hard boiled easter eggs outside, the only bad thing is that it was lightly raining. But they had so much fun finding them.

This year we decided to go to the wild animal park because we had never been there. There is a petting place in there with a few different animals. Addison loved this place, she wouldn't leave the poor animals alone. Here she is with Uncle Tom petting the deer, put the others she mauled.

There is another place in there that you hold this little cup and these birds just land on you and eat out of it.

My kids in a turtle shell.

I think we had to take a picture in everything that they could get into.

Look at all the frogs that we have. Playing leap frog, of course Brenden had to fall in.

Posing on the rhino when you first come into the park.

Here are my kids in their Easter dresses and suit. This picture isn't great but at least I got one that is ok.

Ashlyn posing in her pretty dress for me. She turned 8 months this very day.

Ashlyn gets her first tooth!

2011-03-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have been really bad at updating what Ashlyn has been up to. So I have made a new goal and I am going to post at least something monthly about her.

Ashlyn has been very fussy the last few days. She is usually a really happy, smiley baby so I couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. So last night she was really bad, wouldn't go to sleep. But this morning when she got up, she had a little fever, was drooling all over the place and her nose was running. When I looked in her mouth her tooth had popped through, the bottom left one. She is only 6 months old, it isn't fair. My other kids didn't get their first tooth until they were 8 months. She is growing up way to fast. This month has been a big one for her, she started sitting and she got a tooth. She is a very weird child and only likes to eat rice cereal with water. I have tried other things and she doesn't like them. So hopefully soon she will start liking other types of food, I just keep trying them.

Weekend!

2011-03-21T09:57:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend we went up to Provo to spend sometime with my family. On Saturday we went to the Living Aquarium in Sandy, I can only say that it was better than I thought it would be. But it was no Sea World! We had to wait a little while for all of my family to get there so the kids played with this thing that you put money in and it goes around in circles. They could have done that for hours.

Some of the first things that we saw were frogs. They were hiding in this green moss stuff, so they were really hard to see.

My cute kids on the frog.

Octopus

Jelly fish, these were really cool.

Sea Horses, these are they biggest ones I have ever seen. I think they are so cute!

Love the Sting Rays! Brenden was able to touch them, but Brooklyn's arm was too short. She was really bummed that she didn't get to touch them. I tried to help her but she freaked out because she thought I was going to push her in. But I was holding her the whole time.

They had penguins and this one just stood there they whole time. I am the king of the world!

My sister Kate and her boyfriend Art with my kids watching the penguins.

They had one turtle in with the sharks. But it kept hiding, this is the best picture I could get of it.

Addison was very scared of the Anaconda, I told her it could eat her. She didn't like that, what a mean mom I am.
It was a really fun day, I loved spending it with most of my family.

St.. Patty's Day!

2011-03-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

The day before St. Patty's day, I mixed up some homemade pancake mix and put it in the fridge for the next day. When the kids came home from school I made the point to show them the pancake mix so they knew it was white. Then the next day I got up before them and put a couple of drops of green food coloring in the pancake mix but I didn't stir it, I just put it back in the fridge. Then I got some clear cups out of the cupboard and put a drop of food coloring in each one and put them back in the cupboard. I went and go the kids up and while they sat down I got the pancake mix out and started to stir it in front of them and they were like "It is turning green!" I was like oh my gosh the leprechauns must have gotten to it. So I put those on the griddle and got out their cups, I started pouring milk into them and they turned green right away. They were in awe because the gallon of milk was still white but when I poured it in the glasses they turned green. They totally couldn't figure out how the leprechauns did it. So they ate their green breakfast and wore all their cute clothes. I also made mint chocolate chip cookies that day and they also turned green.

Yummy green pancakes and milk.

Mint Chocolate Chip cookies.

Brenden and Brooklyn ready for school in their St. Patrick's Day clothes. You can see how excited Brenden was about it. I told him he didn't have to wear it but he said he wanted to.

I didn't get a picture of them all together because Addison and Ashlyn didn't wake up until after they other 2 went to school, so here are Addison and Ashlyn in their cute clothes.

When they got home from school I had hidden some gold chocolate coins around the house and then I wrote a note and put it on the front porch. When I was feeding the baby, the other 3 were playing outside. I called them in and said that the doorbell just rang and they went running. They grabbed the note and read it and started hunting for the treasure. They found them and were so excited that the leprechauns had brought them treasure.

Ashlyn rolling all over the place. She has been rolling since she was 4 months but I thought I would put that on here also since it has been a while.

So this day has always been special to me. One it is my anniversary and we have been married for 11 years. Merrial gets me flowers every year and we went out to lunch because this day was really crazy. We had pack meeting, where Brenden got his wolf, 1 gold arrow point and 2 silver arrow points. Plus it was the space derby that was a joke, they totally didn't work very well. Merrial had a meeting at 7 and wasn't home until 10pm. So we will have to celebrate another day.

I just wanted to post a picture of my grandpa, he died on this day last year and he was all Irish! It was very fitting. I have been a little emotional today, I didn't think that I would be. But I miss him. Just wanted to say I love you grandpa and hope you are doing really well.

Happy V-Day!

2011-02-14T16:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day Everyone! Just wanted to tell Uncle Chad and Aunt Kira thank you for the cute Valentines shirts, they love them.

This is the best picture I could get of them, we were in a hurry.

I don't like my kids to have a lot of candy. So I usually get them a book and this year they got a cute puppy with a heart sucker. I thought they were really cute.

Merrial got me flowers like he does every year. I never know what kind they are going to be, every year they are different. This years are really pretty.

Motherhood

2011-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

I have had a lot of time in the past little few weeks while my kids have been sick to really think about things. For some reason my mind has been wandering to why I am a mother. I guess it is because there are so many babies being born around me. I love being a mother, some days I want to pull my hair out and hide in my bedroom with the door locked. But I don't know what I would do without them.

Motherhood
it's the start of a new chapter for your family.
you'll have your baby in your arms and think,
just a few days ago you were inside of me.

this world will be different than your moms
but you'll want to ask her about everything
and everything you used to do with two hands
you'll now do with one.

you'll take a million photos of the same thing,
and want to show them to everyone.
sometimes you'll beg for silence.
but then you'll worry when it's quiet.
sometimes you will ask, "what did i do?"
but more times you'll think, "wow!, look what i've done!"
and you will wonder if there is a new mom out there
going through the exact same thing.
-the pampers commercial that made me cry

"Mothers, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are, better than you are, and better than you have ever been....May I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, you are magnificent. You are doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.”-Jeffrey R Holland
I really loved this and thought I would post it so I would remember it. So I thought it would be kind of fun to put all my kids baby pictures on here and see how similar they looked.

Pinewood Derby

2011-01-22T12:41:00.000-08:00

This is the first year we have done pinewood derby. My dad came down and helped Brenden build his car and Nathan Johansen put the weights in it for him. You would think because Merrial is an engineer that he would be all into this, but he isn't. I guess Nathan is the one that did all of Merrial's cars when he was younger.

Brenden's car is the black one with flames in the first lane.

He came in 2nd place in his den, which is not bad for a first timer. It makes it so we have room to improve for next year. Now that we know what we are kind of doing we might get even better next year. But he had a lot of fun racing, even though he was still sick I let him go for an hour. I felt bad he worked so hard on getting this car done, I couldn't make him miss it.

Here he is with his trophy for 2nd place in his den, you can tell he just isn't himself. He looks like he doesn't feel good, poor baby. He is very proud that he got 2nd, good for him.

January 15, Brenden turns 9

2011-01-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

This year for Brenden's birthday, we really didn't do much. My dad came down, Craig and Jonnie came over and we had dinner, cake and ice cream. Then we opened presents. He got some clothes, some NFL stuff from Erin, Kacie and Great Nana. Big buck hunter gun game from my dad, toy story 3 wii game, some movies and some other little things.

He loves chocolate sheet cake and so that is what he ordered for his birthday cake.

He got almost all of the candles when he blew them out.

We didn't get to go do anything fun because Brooklyn was sick. Not only was she sick but she had Influenza B. Brenden and Addison ended up getting it also, so we have been sick all week long with over 102 degree fevers, throwing up, headache, stuffy nose, cough, you name the symptom we have had it. It has been a really long week for me. I sure hope that they get better soon, so we can do something fun with Brenden for his birthday. It has been 6 days and the doctor said it can last up to 10. I might have no hair by that point from pulling it all out. Good thing I love my kids!

Another Christmas and New Years Eve!

2011-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Every year Merrial's family all comes after Christmas. We have a big dinner, another program and gift exchanging.

My girls in there cute new outfits that match.

Here we are all listening to Craig sing songs from his childhood.

Merrials family all listening to Craig.

Brenden got a drum set toy from his cousin, it is really fun.

My sweet little Ashlyn asleep through most of the chaos.

So the next night was New Years Eve and my baby went to sleep at 8pm so I didn't get to go over to Merrial's parents house to play games like we do every year. I had most of the older kids at my house playing games in our basement. They got tired of that and they came up stairs and we played a good game of hand and foot. For those of you that don't know what that is, it is a card game. Then at midnight we let off fireworks in the negative degree weather. It was so cold!

Playing cards with Merrial's older nieces and nephews. We were having a lot of fun!

Letting off fireworks.

Addison insisted on being out there, but she was freezing to death.

Addison out lasted all of us, she is my night owl. If there is something going on she wants to be a part of it.

As you can see Brooklyn rang in the New Year asleep on the couch.
Hope everyone had a Happy New Year!

Christmas Day 2010

2011-01-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

The kids were so excited this year, I didn't even have to wake them up like I usually do. Brenden and Brooklyn came running in my room and woke us up at 7:30am which wasn't bad. They then proceeded to wake up Addie which she didn't want to wake up. So while they did that I went out to see if Santa had come and get our breakfast casserole in the oven.

Here is our tree this year, after our mess last year we decided that a fake tree would be best for a little while. When our basement finally has furniture we will put a real tree down there.

The kids finally got Addie up and here they are waiting in the hall to go out to see what they got.

Addie and Ashlyn's kitchen from Santa. Addison also got the stick horse.

Here are their piles. Brenden and Brooklyn both got motor scooters. Some Wii games, DS games, lots of books this year. The two girls got some princess stuff. Addie got a couple of CDs for her to sing with. Ashlyn got a huge box of diapers, a couple of toys and some clothes. They all got a lot of fun things.

Brooklyn and Addison playing with the kitchen, they were having so much fun.

Brooklyn and Brenden looking at their piles. Brenden must see something that he really likes.

Brooklyn is really happy about this wii game that she got, as you can see.

Addison opening her princess bed tent and Brooklyn got a Tinkerbell one.

Brenden figuring out his bakugon's, I wasn't sure what those were but that is what he said he wanted. They are actually kind of cool, they are kind of like transformers.

Addison really happy about everything that she got.

Brenden out on his motor scooter. They are pretty awesome. I couldn't keep the kids off of them. I didn't get a picture of Brooklyn on hers for some reason.

Ashlyn was a sleep through all of opening presents on Christmas morning. So there was no pictures of her, but here she is in her Christmas day outfit.

So I have decided that I can never get a really good picture of the four of them. There is always at least one not cooperating, so this is the best I could do in there new church clothes. They really did look cute. We had a really good Christmas, Santa spoiled us like he always does. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2010

2011-01-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas Eve we did it a little different. Usually we have quite a bit of Merrial's family here so we have a big dinner and program at his parents house. But this year we just had a few people, my dad and my sister Katie, Peter, Joe and Merrial's parents. So everyone came to my house for the big turkey dinner and program. It was very nice, first we sat down and had a really yummy dinner and then we did the Christmas story of Jesus' birth. My kids had to play all the parts so it was kind of fun. We sang Christmas Carols and then it was time to open our one present for Christmas Eve. Can anyone guess what their presents were? Pajamas! I had a really hard time this year finding pj's that matched, all my kids are different sizes and Brenden is a big boy now. So I just ended up matching the girls and Brenden has almost the same color. But they look pretty cute.

Merrial and Ashlyn taking a nap on Christmas Eve day, so they were ready to go for that night. Isn't that cute!

Addie was the Angel. Merrial's mom Jonnie was telling her what to say and she did such a good job, it was so cute. I have it on video, I will post that when I get it loaded.

Brooklyn playing Mary the mother of Jesus. Merrial's mom Jonnie telling her what to say.

Uncle Peter playing a Shepard with a towel on his head.

Joe was a wise men with the gifts for the baby Jesus. Ashlyn was baby Jesus, doesn't she look happy about it.

Brooklyn as Mary riding Brenden the donkey.

All four kids in their cute Christmas Pj's all ready to go to bed and wait for Santa to come, they were very excited and we had a hard time getting them to go to sleep.

Castle Dale City Christmas Party! Dec 9th

2011-01-01T07:43:00.000-08:00

I take the kids to the Castle Dale City Christmas Party every year by myself. This year my friend Tiffany met me there so I wasn't all by myself. The kids always have a fun time, they have blowup things to go on, a hay ride, dinner and of course this is where we get to sit on Santa's lap.

Ashlyn dressed in one of her Christmas outfits at the party.

Addison was so excited to see santa, she jumped right up on his lap and told him what she wanted. She didn't want to get off, but there was a huge line behind us.

Brooklyn on the other hand was scared to death, you would think she has never seen Santa before, she was almost in tears. But she did end up telling him that she wanted a motor scooter.

Brenden was a little shy like he always is, but he told him he wanted a motor scooter also. He was a good sport to sit on his lap.

I was able to take a picture with all of them, this is the first year I have been able to do that. It turned out ok.

After sitting on Santa's lap we went on the hayride and then ate dinner and let the kids play until it was over. It was a fun night, maybe next year Merrial will finally come with us.

First Christmas of the Season

2010-12-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

For the last 3 years my family has started coming down to my house for the weekend before Christmas. They usually come on Friday and stay until Sunday sometime. We do Christmas presents on Saturday and we have a big Christmas dinner. Every year we have so much fun that we decide to do it again. Everyone is such a good sport to come all the way down here for it. I hope that we keep doing this tradition, because it makes it a lot easier on us not having to travel.

Merrial always looks so excited!

Addison opening her princess computer.

Brenden and Brooklyn with their new DS games. Loved them!

Shane and Hailey's cute little boy Griffin.

My sister Kate's boyfriend Art and my brother Shane having a good time.

Everyone having so much fun opening presents.

We just want to say thank you for all the fun times and memories that are being made. We love that you all come down and have a good time. Thank you to our parents for all the wonderful gifts, they always spoil us.

October 14th, 2010. A Visit to the Zoo!

2010-11-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

Well, since my birthday was on the 13th and the kids didn't have school the 14th or 15th. We decided to head up state. I haven't been anywhere since June so I took the kids to the zoo. Addison had never been so she was really excited to go. The other times we have gone we only stayed for like an hour, this time we were there for 4 hours. It was a lot of fun! My brother Shane and his baby Griffin, my dad and mom all came with us.

Addison loved the elephants, especially the baby one. She kept wanting to go back and see them.

Brenden and Griffin on the rhino.

My brother Shane and his baby Griffin. Look how cute they are!

My little Ashlyn chilling in the stroller, she slept most of the time.

We think that this giraffe was in a trance it just stood there not moving staring at us.

All the kids, you never can get them all smiling at once.

You always have to have a picture in front of the gorilla measurement.

Brenden

Brooklyn

HALLOWEEN!!!!

2010-11-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

This year we were very busy. On Wednesday the we had the ward Halloween party where the kids had a truck or treat. Then on Thursday we went and helped at Brooklyn's school party, but Brenden's class didn't get theirs because they were bad. Also, Jonnie went to Brooklyn's class dressed like a witch and read them a Halloween story and had an activity with them. They totally loved that. That night we went down to the Castle Dale City party were they had a dinner, with pumpkin carving, a witches convention and a costume parade.

Jonnie after she came home from Brooklyn's class.

At the city party in the Witches parade.

Friday night we decided to carve and decorate pumpkins, usually we do it the Monday before but we were late this year. We had so many pumpkins coming out our ears this year, this insurance company that does stuff for us brought us two giant bins of pumpkins in all sizes. So we started painting some first and then we carved 5 pumpkins. It took us forever.

Brooklyn and Addison painting their pumpkins.
Brenden had moved on to gutting his
Brooklyn digging in her pumpkin, trying to get out all the stuff.

Here are all the pumpkins on our wet front porch.

Here they are all lit. We had a ghost, a crazy face pumpkin, a skull, a witches hat and Merrial carved the wolves. I think they turned out really good this year, we always have fun doing pumpkins.

Saturday we started the day off with Addison puking all morning long. The older kids went with Merrial to move cows. We were suppose to go have dinner with some friends of ours at 3:15 but Merrial and the kids didn't get home until after 3pm and I had to frantically get them ready in their costumes because we were also going on a hayride trick or treating with these same friends. Addison was feeling better by this time so she was all ready thank goodness. We got to our friends just in time for the hayride, it had started to rain a little bit so we went to a few houses and decided to go to the schools trunk or treat. We got there and it started to pour on us, in just a minute we were soaked! I even had an umbrella but it wasn't helping, by the time we got done with that the kids had enough. We put all the kids inside the car and Tiffany and I sat on the hayride in the pouring rain all the way home, just a few blocks up the street. But it was far enough to have us dripping wet. So our Halloween was cut short by the weather but we still had a wonderful time with friends and family and the kids got way to much candy.
All four of my children dressed up for Halloween. Brenden was Iron Man this year, they all look so good.

The girls, Brooklyn was a pretty witch she didn't want to be an ugly witch, go figure. Addison was Princess Jasmine and Ashlyn was barely fitting in Addisons old kitty hat that she wore. She is my big girl.
Here are the kids on the hayride before it really started to rain. It was a lot of fun, hopefully next year it won't rain on us.

October 17th, 2010 Ashlyn's Blessing

2010-11-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

We blessed our sweet little baby on the 17th of October. We had some family come down for it. Not everyone could make it, we just wanted them to know that they were missed. Merrial had Gracelyn's family, LaDawn's family, Joe, Craig and Jonnie, Justin's family and Jonnie's Aunt Sally. I had my Mom and Dad and my sister Katie and her boyfriend Art. Merrial did an excellent job on Ashlyn's blessing. He blessed her that she was going to be a leader and was going to keep her brothers and sisters in line. That would be really nice. Because he blessed Addison that she was going to be a peacemaker and that is totally opposite of what she is. I would say she is the instigator. I just wanted to thank all those that came again, we were glad you were there.

Ashlyn on her blessing day. All three of my girls have worn the same dress. She is 6 weeks old.

The girls. They are always mauling her, giving her kisses and hugs and always wanting to hold her. They love their new baby sister!
Brenden and his little sister. He is finally starting to like her, at first he wouldn't even look at her. Now I catch him talking to her and holding her for a minute.

Always have to have a family picture and this is a pretty good one.

Brenden's Flag Football

2010-11-01T10:16:00.001-07:00

Brenden has been playing flag football the last month and a half. He loves it and he is so good at it. I am not just saying that because I am his mom, he has like turbo legs. He is a really fast runner and he just gets the ball and takes off. He is the team secret weapon, he is so little that they just don't think he can do anything and all of the sudden he has the ball and in the in zone.

This is him in full motion. It is kind of funny because when he has the ball and running I yell faster, faster and our friends by us are like how much faster can he go with out his legs catching on fire. I am so proud of him, he is such a good boy.
Getting ready for another play.

Here he is quarterback, handing off to his buddy Brett. This year there was only 2 third graders on this team, Brenden and Brett Olsen. All the rest of them were either 1st or 2nd graders, they had a lot of fun being the older kids on the team.

Brooklyn cheerleading and Addison's 3rd birthday!

2010-10-08T08:30:00.001-07:00

So I am really behind posting because Addison has lost my camera again, so I haven't had any pictures to put on here. I have looked everywhere for it and then decided to buy a new one. I bought a new one and a few days later Brenden found my old one, happens every time. So if you ever loose anything just buy it again and then you will find it.

The Emery High Cheerleaders sent out a flier about the little girls cheering at a football game. Brooklyn decided that she wanted to do it, so I signed her up. Merrial and Brenden actually went up to the cabin that night so I had all the girls and we went to the game to watch Brooklyn. She was a little nervous at first to go out there and cheer, but then she had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures of her.

Addison's Birthday was October 5th and we had a little birthday party for her. We just had a few families over for dinner, had cake and ice cream and opened presents. She got a lot of princess stuff that she is starting to get really into. She was a lot of fun, she would get really excited when she would open her presents. Happy Birthday!

Welcome Ashlyn Dawn Johansen!

2010-09-07T14:24:00.001-07:00

Born September 1, 2010
7 lbs 13 oz, 20 1/2 in

I went to the doctor on August 31st and he stripped my membranes. I really didn't think that it would do anything, because it usually doesn't work unless you are ready. He told me to come back in the morning and we will see if he would send me to the hospital. I was only 38w2d so I didn't think he would keep me. All that day nothing was happening, until 9pm then I started having contractions every 8 mins. I was up all night long because they were hurting, I just kept thinking either water break or contractions get closer together. But neither happened, they decided to stop at about 5am. I was pretty mad. So I fell asleep until 6:30am and decided to get up and get ready. I dropped my kids off at school and Addison at Jessy and Justin's and drove myself over to the doctors. I was having some more contractions by now, but didn't think anything of it. I got in there and he checked me and said you are 4cm dilated. I am sending you over to the hospital, because if I don't send you now you will be back today sometime anyways. So I called Merrial and told him and he said "Can you wait an hour?" I was like sure just hurry! They didn't get anything going until about 12:30pm and then I had her in 4 1/2 hours. It was a really easy labor. I am so glad she is here and we are both healthy.

Of course she had to go under the lights, because every single one of my children have had to. I guess there is just something about me that makes them have Jaundice.

Addie loves her baby sister. When we were in the hospital she really did, she keep telling everyone that she was her baby. Then we brought her home, she wasn't so thrilled. But now she is doing fine. We are all adjusting to having a new little person in our house. She is a really good baby and she all ready sleeps from midnight until 5am. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Back to School!

2010-08-22T16:12:00.001-07:00

Well, it is that time of year again. Where kids are sad that summer is over and they have to go back to school. (well, at least mine are.) Brenden will be in 3rd grade this year and Brooklyn will be in 1st grade. So they both will be going all day long. Addison is going to be very bored with just mom at home. Especially right now, I am not a whole lot of fun these days. Hopefully it won't be too much longer and then Addie will have a baby to play with or mall. Here are some pictures from the first day of school. I am so proud of all my children and know that they will have an awesome year!

Doesn't he look so excited to be going to school? He really wasn't, school is not his favorite thing. But he looked cute anyway.

Brooklyn was so excited to start school, she gets to stay all day now and have lunch there.

Here are all three of my little ones. I had a doctors appointment that morning so Addison was ready to go also. I can't believe how old and big they are getting. Time goes by so fast!

New Calling!

2010-07-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

So I am having a really hard time accepting being released from the Young Woman's. I wasn't in there very long and only 4 of us got released. When they announced it on Sunday the water works just started flowing and I couldn't stop. I had known it was happening for about 2 weeks so I thought I was prepared. Oh no, that wasn't the case! I loved being in there and I was hoping to be in there a lot longer. But the bishop had other plans for me. I got a new calling, I am the assistant Bear den leader. Which after I really sat down and thought about it, it will be really good. Brenden really needs me, especially right after I have this baby. He is the one that really struggles with everything. So this will give me one on one with him once a week that he will love. He is really excited for me to be his leader. I am still really sad that I am not in YW's anymore but I am doing all right with it. Maybe some day they will put me back in, probably when my girls are in there. I am looking forward to having a little extra time with my family, that I didn't have before. I just wanted to thank the young women for all they have taught me and for how much fun I had with them. I will truly miss you guys!

Potty Training!

2010-07-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

I am just going to do a quick post. Addison is officially potty trained, even at night. We did it all last week and she only had 2 accidents. She is doing so awesome, I am so proud of her. I am so sad though because she isn't my little baby anymore. Why do they have to grow up so fast, I wish she wouldn't. I love you baby girl, thanks for being so awesome!

Happy Late 6th Birthday, Brooklyn!

2010-07-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

So this year I was a really bad mom, we just had so much stuff going that I didn't get Brooklyn's birthday party done until the 21st of June, which her birthday is June 4th. But I did get it done and she had a lot of fun, so that is all that matters.
Here is her caterpillar cake that didn't turn out how it was suppose to. But it worked, the little girls didn't care.
Blowing out the candles, that wouldn't stay lit because of the wind.
Playing some water balloon games, with her friends.
All she wanted for her birthday was a trampoline, so of course she got one.

All her little friends at her party, we called it Brooklyn's backyard birthday bash and she had a lot of fun.

Brooklyn's last day of Kindergarten

2010-07-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn had such a wonderful teacher for Kindergarten this year, Mrs. Norton. She loved going to school and did so well this year, she was one of the top in her class. She didn't want school to end. They put on a cute program and Brooklyn just sang her little heart out, I didn't know she was so out going when it came to things like that. Because she keeps telling me she doesn't like to preform but when she is actually doing it, she loves it. I am so glad she had such a good year and I can't believe my little girl is going to be in 1st grade.

Poor Baby, May 14, 2010

2010-07-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is kind of gross but I thought I would post it just for my remembering. Addison had these little bumps all over her left arm and side. So I took her to the doctor and they said it was a virus wart that had to be taken care of or they would just keep spreading. I didn't know it was going to be so bad. But the doctor put this stuff on them and tape and told me the next day to rip off the tape and it would take the blisters off with it and then they would heal really fast after that. Addison hates band aids so when she had 26 pieces of tape on her she freaked out. Then the next day I started taking the tape off and it was so bad, I never want to have to do that again. She just screamed, so this is a picture of what they looked like after I ripped the tape off. I had to keep Vaseline on her to keep the air from getting to them or she would just scream. I will tell you she laid in my bed for 3 days and didn't move, then they scabbed and she was able to get up and do stuff. But it was very traumatizing for her and for me.
Not only that Merrial and Brenden were at father and sons while this was all going on so they didn't have to experience what I did. Lucky them!

Salt Lake Real Soccer Game

2010-06-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

This year when we signed the kids up for soccer they gave us Real Salt Lake tickets. The kids were really excited to go, we had never been to a real soccer game before.

This is a all of the kids from Emery county soccer and other kids getting to carry out the Real's flag. The kids really enjoyed that and being able to meet the team.

The team stretching and getting ready for the game.

Addison loved these tube things that were so annoying when you hit them together, but it totally kept her entertained.

It was very hot this day and we were sitting right in the sun. So that part was kind of miserable, but we had so much fun. I thought it would be really boring to go to a soccer game. But it was actually really entertaining and kept the kids interested, the whole time. We will have to do it again soon.

ITS A GIRL!!!

2010-05-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

We went in for our ultrasound Friday, April 30th. The tech asked us if we wanted to know what it was and Merrial said yes. So she says, it looks like a girl. I was like WHAT, are you sure? She even kept going back at different angles to make sure that it was a girl. But there was definitely no boy parts to see. So this is totally not what we expected to find on our ultrasound. I even had the tech goI was totally set on it being a boy from the very beginning. I had a boys name picked out, baby boy bedding ready to order, and I was going threw all my girl clothes to give away. I have been right with every baby I have had so far, but not this one. It was out to prove me wrong! I have know idea what I am going to do with 3 girls, I always thought I would have 2 of each and I would be good. This has totally thrown me for a loop and I am having to change my total mind set. Poor Brenden, I was really hoping it was a boy for him. But he is taking it ok, I think that he is realizing that he is always going to have his own room and he will have a lot of stuff that his sisters won't. I think that he kind of likes that idea.

Here is a cute picture of one of its feet.

Here are its girl parts, so if anyone sees anything different let me know. But all I see are three little lines, right in the middle of the legs. What do you think?

Here is kind of a profile picture, she had her face smashed into the top of my uterus so she wouldn't show us her face very well. But the tech said everything looks good and normal. So I am just glad she is healthy and I will just have to get use to having another girl. I guess I am a girl type of girl.

Moving Cows

2010-05-01T09:36:00.001-07:00

So it was time to move cows again so we could put the bulls with them. The girls really wanted to ride, so I took them out to ride with Merrial. They always have to much fun with him. But Brenden did not want to ride so he stayed with me in the car. He likes to ride but he doesn't like the horse that we have right now. So we are trying to find him a different horse so that he will want to ride.

But Addison LOVES to ride, we can't keep her off the horses. She is probably going to be our little cowgirl. At least Merrial will have one.
Getting ready to move on out.

Brooklyn being lead by Merrial, she isn't confident enough to ride by herself yet. So Merrial had to lead her the whole time. He is a good sport, that is no fun for him. Addison rode with Merrial, which is always a comfortable ride.

You get those cows, in very slow motion with the girls.

But they were moving them and we finally got them to where they were suppose to be and the girls had a blast doing it. Maybe next time Brooklyn will want to try to go by herself.

Again Disneyland!

2010-05-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

We were able to do a few fun things while we were in California, it definitely was a bitter sweet trip. We went to Disneyland, not that we don't go every time. But Addison was so much fun this time and I got to do everything with her because I could only ride the rides that she could being pregnant and all. Here very favorite ride was Finding Nemo, which we went on very first and the line was like over an hour long. So we didn't get to ride it again. She also liked the princesses.
I got to take her to the playhouse disney show, which she totally loved. It had the mickey mouse club house, my friends tigger and pooh, little Einsteins, and handy Manny.
She jumped around the whole time and was just in awe about seeing all the things she watches on tv. She was so cute, they even had bubbles come down on all of us and they got to pop them.
Aunt Katie, Brooklyn, Daddy and Addison on the Merry go round.
Addison was so excited to see Minnie Mouse and she couldn't wait to get up to her. Then we actually got up to her and she freaked out, so I got to be in the awesome picture with the girls. But it was really fun to be here with all of our family, there was like 20 of us at Disneyland that day. It was probably the most crowded day I have ever been there, you could hardly turn around. But it was really fun just being together through this time.

Grandpa's Funeral

2010-04-27T12:35:00.001-07:00

I was very proud of my grandma, she really hung in there even though she was having such a hard time. I just want her to know how much I love her and admire all that she was able to do for my grandpa and everyone else. Thank you for everything!
Here is my grandma talking at my grandpa's memorial service on the yacht. It was a really nice service just immediate family, when we put his ashes out to sea. Brenden did not like this part because the boat started to really rock when we got out of the harbor, he kept telling me he wanted to go back.
My grandpa's ashes after my grandma put them into the water, then we all threw roses on them. It was really sad, I think that was probably the hardest part of the whole funeral. We all kind of stood there and watch for a long time.

My uncle Kevin, brother Chad and brother Shane, Connor, Shane, Brenden and little Logan. Brenden wouldn't throw his rose into the water, he kept telling me it was papa.
The boys with my grandma, very sweet picture.
My Aunt Kacie, my Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Erin. They will love me for putting this picture on but I think it is a good one.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-18T01:06:00.000-07:00

So today has been a mixture of emotion. We lost my grandpa, which we knew was coming. He has been in a coma for the last 2 days. I think that he just wanted to make it through St. Patrick's day with his family. He was a full blooded Irish man and wanted to be apart of the festivities, then he decided that he could move on. He will be truly missed, he was always a big part of our lives. We love you, Grandpa. The last few days I have gotten the opportunity to put together a book about my grandpa's life. I didn't realize how much I didn't know about him, it has been truly a blessing to be able to learn about my grandpa's life and to put it into words so everyone will be able to know him. He was such an amazing man and got to do so many things that most people would only dream of. I am so glad that I have this book to show my kids someday when they are older, so that they will know what a wonderful man their great grandpa was.
A picture of my grandpa when he was younger, he was always flexing.

One of my grandpa and grandma a few years ago.

Also, today is Merrial's and my 10th Anniversary. It has been an interesting day with everything else going on. So it kind of got pushed aside, we will have to celebrate another time when things calm down a little bit. But I do want him to know how much I love him and appreciate what a wonderful father he is to our children and to me. I hope that we get many, many more year together. Happy 10th Anniversary Merrial! I love you!

NEWS!!!!

2010-02-28T07:45:00.001-08:00

So this little person has its little hand up by its nose, and its legs are up in the air which you can barely see in this picture. It was moving all over the place, it was fun to see.
So I wanted to post this before I forgot what my little man had said. For those of you who don't know yet, we are expecting our 4th child at the beginning of September. We decided to tell the kids Thursday, February 4th because I have been deathly ill. Most days I can't even get off the couch, I feel like a terrible mother right now, but my kids have been very good to put up with me. Until a couple of days ago when Brenden came to me and told me that he didn't have any socks. For those of you who know me, I try to do laundry every day so we never have piles. So for my son to say that to me, it has been pretty bad. We have kept this pregnancy a secret for a while and then Merrial came home Thursday and said that people at his work were starting to find out, so we better tell our families. So I sat the kids down and asked them if they knew why mommy was so sick. Brooklyn said she didn't know and Brenden said it was because I have drank to much soda. I laughed to hard, because I actually haven't drank any soda. So I said to them, the reason mommy has been so sick is because she has a baby in her tummy. Brenden comes right out and says, "OH CRAP, ARE YOU FOR REALS? IN YOUR TUMMY RIGHT NOW?" I was like yes, right now. Then he says, "HEAVENLY FATHER, PLEASE LET THIS BE THE LAST ONE!" "IF IT IS A GIRL, CHANGE IT TO A BOY RIGHT NOW!" I was trying so hard not to laugh because he was so serious. I wish that I would have had the video camera out, it was definitely priceless.

Brenden's Baptism!

2010-02-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the invitation I made through my business Heritage Makers. It turned out really nice, I was very happy with it.

Brenden's baptism day turned out really nice. I was really worried about it, but it came together. The Friday before my mom, sister Katie, and Brother Shane and his wife Hailey and son Griffin came and stayed. Which was good, because it decided to snow that night and morning. Because of the weather we didn't get as many people as I thought we were. The people that came were: Papa Beeton, Great Grandma and Grandpa Beeton, NeVille's, Jones, Grandma and Grandpa Johansen, Peter, Joe, Justin and Jessy, Amanda and Joey, his teacher Meghan Burke, Brother Sanders (from bishopric), Sister Snow(primary Pres), Sister Sitterud (primary pres), Esplins, Whites, and if I forgot anyone I am sorry. I just wanted to let those of you that couldn't make it, that we missed you and wished you were here! The program went really well, Jonnie (grandma) gave the holy ghost talk and I gave the baptism one. I now know why moms don't give the talks, I barely made it through it. He was baptized by Merrial and when Brenden came out of the water he was gasping like he had just got into a tub of ice cold water. It was pretty funny, especially since the water was warm. He is kind of a dramatic child. His baptism turned out really good and I am so proud of him and love him so much!
I just wanted to thank everyone that came and for all your help. It was very appreciated! We love you all! This experience has actually made Brenden a more confidant young man, which he really needed. I didn't think it would change him at all, but he is definitely not as shy as he was.

Brenden Turns Eight!!

2010-01-29T08:08:00.000-08:00

How time flies when you are having fun!! So my little boy has turned 8 years old on January 15. It totally makes me feel old, I never thought this day would come and now it is here. I just want him to know how much I love being his mom and what a wonderful son he is. He is such a big helper to both of his sisters, and he is also the best one to make them scream. He brings a lot of joy into our lives and I just wanted to tell him how much I love him and how proud I am of him. Here are a couple of pictures of him when he was little.
His blessing picture.
A few days after we came home from the hospital, it snowed 2 feet in Logan and it was -30 outside. I was remembering that because around his birthday we got another 2 feet here in Castle Dale, which we never get this much snow. I thought that was kind of ironic.

Here is my big boy, he is all grown up and very handsome! For those of you that haven't gotten his baptism invite yet. He will be getting baptized on February 6th at 11am. For more info, you can call me.

Christmas Disaster!!

2009-12-28T20:16:00.000-08:00

I guess that I will catch all of you up from Christmas till now. I have been such a slacker lately, but I have been spending a lot of time with my kids that was so needed.
So our Christmas started out awesome! My dad and my sister Katie were here and spent Christmas Eve with us where we had a big dinner and program at Merrial's parents house. Brenden was the first one up the next morning at 7 which is so unlike him, he's usually my one that sleeps in, he must have been excited. This year our tree was a charlie brown Christmas tree, it wasn't one of my favorites.

My kids know that they can not go out and see what Santa has gotten them until everyone is awake and they come and get us. So here is the kids standing in the hall waiting for me to finish taking pictures. It was actually really funny trying to keep Addison in the hall, if you can tell by her face.

Here are Brenden and Brooklyn's piles, their big presents were in little boxes. They both got Nintendo DS from Santa.

This is what Santa got Addie, she was so excited when she saw it. But it didn't take long for her to see all the wrapped presents and she came running.

She was kind of still half asleep, because Brenden woke her up.
Then she really got into it and loved her play house.

Brenden getting started on his presents. He was very specific this year with what he wanted, I think that Santa did very well. He asked for acouple of Transformers, Bumblebee, Mega Tron, Sideswipe, and Optimus Prime. He got a blue Nintendo Ds with 4 DS games, both Transformer movies, Wii NBA2K10, an awesome two hoop arcade basketball game that takes up a lot of our basement. There was a lot more, but I can't remember it at this time.
Brooklyn also got a pink Nintendo DS with 4 DS games, a couple of littlest pet shop toys, a baby alive doctor doll, some cds and movies. Hannah Montana barbie and board game, some webkins that she loves playing with. She got a Liv barbie doll, coloring stuff, clothes, books and a whole bunch more that I am drawing a blank.

Addison was really fun this year, she just went from one present to the next until they were all ripped open. She was like the Tasmanian Devil, it was really cute! Addison got the little cottage like you saw above, she got a couple of baby dolls, food for her kitchen and pots and pans. She got some clothes, stuffed horse and some books.
The day before Christmas, I had been bragging that my tree was so healthy. It was still drinking like a pitcher of water a day and at the beginning when we put up the tree it was drinking 2 pitchers a day. So as I got under my tree to get the last of the presents out, it was all wet. The presents were wet, the tree skirt and the plastic underneath the tree. So we ripped out the tree, the carpet, the pad and the wood underneath was all wet and moldy. So we got some fans and started drying the wood and carpet. It smelled so bad, I was going crazy! I was so mad at myself for not noticing that it was wet. Then after all this carpet mess, Merrial put a hole in our wall going down our stairs and then my car wouldn't start, I had to take it to the shop and they had it for 2 weeks trying to figure out why it wouldn't start. I will tell you it was a wonderful Christmas up until this point. I lived with my carpet and living room torn up like this for almost a week.

Welcome Griffin Shane!!

2009-12-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

My brother Shane and his wife Hailey finally got their baby boy today at 3:30 this morning. He weighted 8 lbs 11 oz and was 20 inches long. After being a week over due we are excited that he is finally here healthy and happy!! Congratulations Shane and Hailey!! We love you!

Christmas Tree Hunting

2009-12-05T10:40:00.001-08:00

This year we ended up missing Merrial's family tree excursion. They went on the Friday after Thanksgiving and we were still up in Park City. So my Aunt Erin and her family went with us on Saturday, they cut down like a 20 ft tree and tied it to the top of their car and drove it all the way to California. They put the whole tree in their house and didn't cut anything off of it. It was a really pretty tree.
Merrial and I looking for a tree.

Tom and Merrial holding up the really big tree.

Tom, Erin, Connor and Kendra with their tree.

Merrial, Me, Brenden, Brooklyn, and Addison with our tree. Ours wasn't so pretty this year.

Polar Express

2009-12-03T14:42:00.000-08:00

This year we did Thanksgiving a little different. Usually we are home and we spend it with Merrial's family. But my Aunt Erin called me and said that they were coming up to Park City to go skiing and spend Thanksgiving with us at the condo. So we headed up to Park City on Tuesday. Wednesday just Erin and I went and saw New Moon which I had been waiting for since it opened. Erin and I actually had tickets to the midnight showing in California but I didn't go, so she decided not to go either and we went together up here. Let me tell you how hard it was not to go with my friends. But I am glad that I waited, it was really fun going with just Erin.

Then Wednesday night we headed to Heber City to ride the Polar Express. It was a little pricey but I think it was good to experience it at least once. It is definitely better for the kids, than the adults.

Posing on the train.

Addison wouldn't get off the train after we took their pictures, she was having a fit.

Brooklyn and Kendra waiting to leave the train station.

Connor and Brenden also waiting for a fun excursion through the snow to the North Pole.

Nana and Addison waiting for the train to leave. Addie was really restless and wanted to run around. But we were told not to do that, so she had a rough time.

Erin and Tom getting cozy on the train ride to the North Pole.

Our elf named Gingerbread, walking up and down the aisle while they read the story.

Kendra and Brooklyn getting their tickets punched by the conductor.

Connor and Brenden also getting their tickets punched. Just like in the story.

Mrs. Clause came and saw us before the big guy himself did. She brought us a copy of the cookie recipe, and talked to the kids for a few minutes.

Addison was getting really tired by the middle of the train ride, this is her almost a sleep.

Just a few minutes later she looked like this, very tired baby. Nothing woke this child up, not even santa.

Cute picture with Santa. Too bad Addie wasn't in it. But she was a sleep. Santa gave each child a bell, just like in the story. We had a good time just enjoying each other. We sang Christmas carols, they gave us warm hot chocolate, and 1 chocolate chip cookies. But we were sitting right next to the cookies and Erin kept stealing them and giving them to everyone. It was pretty funny!
The next day was Thanksgiving and everyone came up to the condo for dinner. Erin, my mom and I did all the cooking. We had my brother and his wife, my mom and Jeff, us, Erin and her family and that was it. It was really nice, we watched football for Merrial and played games. Then at 4am Erin and I hit Walmart. I have never done shopping on black Friday before, it was crazy but a lot of fun being able to spend time with just Erin. We got alot done and there was some really good deals. Then after we got done shopping we had to check out of the condo and we headed down to my house.

Eclipse

2009-12-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let everyone know what the new Eclipse Poster looked like and that they have released the official date the movie comes out. June 30, 2010 baby!

Thankful!

2009-12-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

I saw this on my really good friends blog and loved it! Totally agreed with what it says, so I borrowed it.

Things I am thankful for:

The mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends and family.

The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

A lawn that needs mowing, gutters that need cleaning, and windows that need washing because it means that I have a home.

The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot becase it means that I am capable of walking.

All the complaining that I hear about our government because it means that I have the freedom of speech.

The lady in church who sings off key or the guy at the game who yells too loud because it means I can hear.

My heating bill because it means I am warm.

The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.

All of the frustration, stresses and joys that my children add to my life because it means that I was able to have them and they are alive.

Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.

Happy Halloween!!

2009-11-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

My cute kids, they all were wearing black, white and red this year. It was kind of fun to have them all match, we didn't even plan it. Brooklyn is Jessy off of Toy Story, Addie is a lady bug and Brenden is a Vampire.

Brenden loved cleaning all the guts out of the pumpkin.

Addison digging in the pumpkin, she really didn't like it!

As you probably noticed Brooklyn really wasn't into cleaning out the pumpkins so she isn't in any of these pictures.

These are our pumpkins this year. Brooklyn has a princess crown, Jonathan made the Broncos horse, I made the ghost and Brenden did the Cowboys star.

The school was having these workshops on halloween for the kids and they had some different animals outside. Addison was having a fit when I just walked past the llama, so they let her ride it. She loved it!
We played witch, ghost and they had a lot of fun doing that.

Brooklyn's Kindergarten class and Addison just had to get in the picture with them. We had a really fun Halloween.

Thanksgiving Point!

2009-11-02T15:35:00.000-08:00

I took them to thanksgiving point while we were up there acouple of weekends ago and we had fun at their little barnyard boo. We did face painting, pictures, and all kinds of stuff. Here are some pictures of that day.Them after they got their face painted with the giant pumpkin.

This was so funny, this calf would lick everyone when you went up to it. So Addison went up to it and it licked her across the face and I got this picture right when it was happening. It was actually really funny, she was so mad afterwards.

Brenden played ring toss onto the witches foot and did really well.

They got to decorate sugar cookies.

My sister Kate and Brooklyn on the hay ride.

Brooklyn on the pony.

Brenden on the pony.

Addison loved riding the pony.

Playing in the jail, we really had a fun day. Next year we are going to go do cornbellys, it looked awesome and Addison will be a little bit older to really enjoy it.

Brenden Flag Football!!

2009-10-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

Brenden just finished his first season of flag football. He loved it! I didn't let him play the last 2 years because I was afraid that he would get hurt. He is just so little, which makes him really fast. It was really fun to watch him, to see how fast he really is and what potential he has as he learns the game a little more. He is definitely going to be a really good player. That isn't just coming from me either, I am a little bias he is my son. His team the Vikings were undefeated all season until the last game.Here is his team picture, after they got second place in the super bowl on October26, 2009. They were excited to get a shirt for doing well. It was kind of sad that they only got second, they had to play three games that night and the team that beat them only had to play two. Plus, it was one of the coldest days we have had, they just kind of gave up at the last game. I mean it was 8 o'clock at night and freezing.

Brenden ready to get the pass, or fake.
Here he is handing off a pass to Jesse.

Some kid trying to take Brenden's flag.I am not quite sure why they have football so late in the year. It is so cold out there watching the games. Here is Addison all bundled up.My dad and sister Kate came down to watch Brenden play and as you can see froze to death. Except for my dad, he was being tough. Even though it was really cold, we never missed a game and we love it! Bring it on next year.

My Baby Turns 2!! October 5, 2007

2009-10-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

Vegas Baby!!!

2009-09-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

I had a Heritage Makers convention is Las Vegas in September. Merrial decided that he wanted to come and he hung out with the kids for 3 days. I had a ton of fun going to all the workshops and learning a ton of new things. The kids went swimming in the 3 gigantic pools at the flamingo and went down the water slides. I didn't have my camera the whole time so we didn't get any pictures of them at the pool, which Merrial wouldn't have taken them anyways. We also went to Ghirardelli's ice cream shop, where we had the most amazing ice cream and chocolate sundae's. I couldn't believe how big they were.

I finally got to spend some time with my family and we went to Ceaser's Palace and saw this awesome aquarium, the kids loved just watching the fish.

They keeped following this giant sting ray, he was really cool looking.
Then we went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory which is one of my favorites, but we tried to get them to got to planet Hollywood but they wanted to eat here.
Then we went to the Mirage and watched the volcano erupted and they loved that. Brooklyn loved to pose!
Brenden being cool!
Taking fun pictures while we waited for the show.
Them chilling after we wore them out, they had a ton of fun and Brenden cried when we left. He wanted to stay longer.

Happy 4th of July!!

2009-07-08T15:01:00.001-07:00

We spent the 4th of July in California with my Aunt's and their families. It was really fun!We spent the day swimming in their pool and then we had a BBQ and roasted Marshmallows in Erin's fire pit that she has by her pool and made some mores as Erin calls them. Then we went and watched fireworks that they shoot off over the lake that they live on. I also got to visit with my grandpa that is going down hill with his health very quickly. I was glad that I was able to spend sometime with him. But I had a really hard time when we said goodbye because I knew this was the last time I would see him. So it was a really good trip, we really enjoyed ourselves. Thank you Erin and Tom for putting up with us for the last 10 days, we love you!
Addison roasting Marshmallows, she didn't get very close as you can see.
My girls putting their mellows really close to the fire, not.
Kendra, Brooklyn and Merrial all roasting their Mellows.
Best buds Connor and Brenden, they are inseparable.
Look at how happy we are, force the smiles!
Uncle Tom and Merrial just chillin over the fire.
Brenden, Connor, Brooklyn and Kendra aren't they cute in there 4th of July clothes?

2 days at Disneyland, exhausting but fun!!

2009-07-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

We just spent two days at disneyland, usually we only do one. It was a lot of fun, but we were definately pooped when it was over. Addison loved it this time. Her favorites were the Finding Nemo ride, Small world, Winnie the pooh and the carousel which we had to ride 4 times. She was so much fun to watch. The kids always love going so we go everytime we are in Cali. Here are a few pictures of how much fun we had at disneyland, Enjoy.

Having fun at Aunt Erin's!

2009-07-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

So I decided I will probably never see my other camera again, so I gave in and bought a new one before we went to California. So now I have all these pictures that I can put on my blog and keep up with what we are doing now.

Here is Brenden on the skimmer in Erins pool, getting ready to get on it. If anyone doesn't know what a skimmer is, it is something they use to get little kids us to waterskiing before they put them on two real skis. He is up on it and doing really good.

He loves it and now we just have to get him out on the boat with it and he will be waterskiing.

Here is Brooklyn thinking about getting on the skimmer, but chickens out and doesn't do it.

It has been a long time.

2009-05-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

So my computer got a virus before easter and I haven't been able to load any pictures on a computer since then. I just got a new computer today and was really excited and went to get my new camera and couldn't find it. The last time I remember having it was in my purse at walmart and Addison had taken it out and thrown it in the cart. I grabbed it and put it back in my purse, so I thought. Now when I just went to look for it, it wasn't there and I have searched every where and called Walmart 5 times and nobody has turned in a camera. I am so sick about this, I seriously haven't loaded any of my pictures since before Easter. I hope that I just miss placed it somewhere in the car or something. But so far it hasn't shown up. Anyways, so I still don't have any pictures to put on my new computer because I have no camera. But I was really excited to find the new poster for New Moon, and I love it! So everyone gets to enjoy it on my blog.

Bitty Bowtique has PayPal now.

2009-04-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to make a quick post and let everyone know that we have put paypal on our bow blog. So if anyone wanted to order before and couldn't now you can. I just wanted to thank everyone for all your support.

BITTY BOWTIQUE IS UP AND RUNNING!!

2009-03-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

I am just letting everyone know, that I have started making bows. If anyone would like to view them you can go to: www.bittybowtique.blogspot.com. If anyone is interested in buying any just email me or you can leave an order in the notes, I will see it there also. I am also having a hair bow party at my house on Thursday, March 26 from 6:30-8:30 if anyone is interested in coming.

TWILIGHT!!!!!!!

2009-03-21T15:21:00.001-07:00

So finally twilight came out on video and I was able to get it yesterday because my friends sister works at a video store and she had ordered it for us and we got it yesterday morning before anyone else. I feel very privilaged! I am a big twilight fan. I wasn't even going to read these books, but a friend of mine had read the first one and was like you have to read this book and I was like, 'I am not going to read some dumb vampire romance." So I ended up reading it and I haven't put them down yet. I just keep reading them over and over again. I keep finding more and more things that I didn't remember the first time I read it. I just wanted to let everyone know that the movie came out if you didn't know. I love Twilight, actually the fourth one it my favorite.

9 YEARS AND COUNTING!

2009-03-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

Today is a very special day for me. It is Merrial and my anniversary and St. Patrick's Day. Since I have a lot of Irish in me, I chose this day to get married because I thought my Grandpa would really appreciate it. We have always made a big deal out of St. Patrick's day, so we always looked forward to it. I just wanted to tell Merrial, thank you for putting up with me this long and what a wonderful father and husband he is. I love it when he comes home and gives me a kiss and the kids run to him. That is my favorite time of the day. So Happy Anniversary, honey!

Because it is our 9th Anniversary, I thought I would tell Merrial 9 things I love about him.

1. I love that he is such a wonderful father.

2. I love that he is always there for me, no matter what.

3. I love that he puts up with me at all times, because I know I can be a handful.

4. I love that he honors his priesthood and is able to give us blessings.

5. I love that he was my best friend first and then my husband.

6. I love that he really does try to help me out with the house, even when I have to ask.

7. I love that he always tries to spend as much time with us as possible, he is gone quite abit with the farm and all.

8. I love that he says silly things just to make us laugh.

9. I love that he loves me, for me!

I love you, Merrial!

New Calling!!

2009-02-26T08:09:00.000-08:00

So when I went into the bishops office in December for tithing settlement. He asked me how I liked my calling. I told him I loved it and to leave me right where I am. Then he said, "Well I have been thinking alot about you lately." So I said, "Don't do that." I was on the activities commitee and loved it, I have been in there for almost three years. So this last sunday I recieved a new calling in our ward. When the bishop asked me to come in to see him I had all these thoughts going through my head and one of them was my calling that I got. He asked me to be the 2nd councelor in the Young Womens. I am over the beehives and I am really scared! The only thing the bishop was worried about when he called me to this position is that Merrial is also in the young mens and we have really young kids. So he had a really hard time giving me this calling. But he told me that my name just keeps coming up to be in the young womens at this time. So not only am I getting a calling, but Merrials mom is getting a babysitting calling also every Tuesday night. So not that I wasn't all ready busy before I am really busy now! But I am excited about being in there and hope that I can do a good job with these girls and that they will like me as much as their last leader. Right now I feel like the girls don't really want the new presidancy in there, which I don't blame them. I remember when I would get a new young womens presidancy, I didn't want the old ones to leave. You get pretty attached to them. But I will hopefully win them over some day.

Smooth move Merrial!!

2009-02-21T15:42:00.001-08:00

So Merrial goes and plays basketball every Tuesday and Thursday night. But this last Thursday night he came home at 11pm like he always does and woke me up and couldn't walk. He had come down on someone's foot and twisted his ankle and he was in a lot of pain. So we iced it all night and elevated it but in the morning it looked like this. So I made him go to the doctor just to make sure it wasn't broken. It was just sprained really bad, so they gave him a brace and told him to stay off of it. Yea right, so what did he do? He went out and tried to do chores, I will tell you that didn't last very long. So now I have an extra child at home to take care of, which is so much fun. I hope it gets better soon.

Brenden's Jr Jazz is over!!

2009-02-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

Brenden going up to try and block her shot.

Some of these are really hard to see for some reason. But here is Brenden dribbling down the court.

Taking the ball down the court to make a basket and he made it.

Trying to get a rebound.

Here is his basketball team. We started out with 12 kids and by the end we had 8-9. Brenden loves to play basketball and I thought this wouldn't be a very good sport for him because he is so little but he is a scrappy little player. I also realized, he has actually grown quite a bit lately because he is almost even with the boys in his class. But the girls still tower over him by about a foot. I will tell you I am so glad basketball season is over and I don't know why but I always have to either be the coach or assistant coach. I don't even sign up to do it but always end up one or the other. I think that I am just going to have to start saying no.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2009-02-14T16:03:00.001-08:00

My sweet husband showed up with my favorite flower for Valentines day. I love white roses!! I told him not to get me anything and he still got me flowers. I just want to let him know how much I love him.

So every Valentine's Day I get my children shirts. They know they are getting them and ask for them every year. Brooklyn so far wants to match her baby sister, so I have to do it while she still wants to. Because I know it won't last long. I also decided this year instead of getting them candy to go with their shirts, I got them each a valentine book which they loved. We ended up reading them all morning, which was so much fun to have that time with them.

As you see Brooklyn loves her baby sister and Addison is always trying to get away. If you notice lately, everytime I take a picture of Addison her fingers are in her mouth. Poor baby is getting her molars and is miserable. So any way, I just wanted to tell everyone Happy Valentine's Day! Hope everyone's day was wonderful.

Out of the mouths of babes!!

2009-02-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I saw this posting on Carrie's blog but it reminded me of something that Brooklyn said the other day. Her and I were in my bathroom getting ready and she said to me, "Mom when I have a baby I am going to name her sparkles. " I said, "Oh really, I think your husband might have something to say about that." and she said, "No, I will be in charge just like you." It is so funny to see what your children actually pick up from what is going on around them. It just makes me realize even more how careful you have to be. I think that I will start posting things like this when they say stuff because they say stuff all the time that blow me away.

Tag - 10 Things

2009-02-11T09:56:00.000-08:00

10 Things I Love:

1. My family.

2. My house when it is clean.

3. Going out to dinner when we are up state because we

have no good places to eat here.

4. Cuddling up with my kids and reading books

5. Holding my baby when she sleeps.

6. Going on family vacations.

7. I love Twix!

8. Being creative and having whatever it is turn out cute.

9. When it is snowing and it is so beautiful.

10. When my kids run up to me and give me a big hug after

I have been gone for a little while.

10 Things I Hate:

1. Being lied to.

2. A messy house.

3. Finishing all the laundry and then you turn around and have a whole

other load just because it is the end of the day. IT NEVER ENDS!!!

4. Driving up state. When you have lived in a small town for so

long it is really hard to deal with all the traffic. It gives me anxiety.

5. When you have worked really hard on dinner and your kids won't

eat any of it.

6. When people always have to compete with everyone.

7. When I get cow manure tracked in my house after my husband and

kids have been out doing chores.

8. That my kids are getting big so fast.

9. When telemarketers call every 10 minutes.

10. When Merrial is watching tv and ignores everything that is going

on around him. Like he isn't even there.

10 Random Things:

1. I have started making bows for girls hair and starting a blog to sell them.

2. I like to reorganize things all the time.

3. My uncle is Grizzly Adams.

4. I have been to disneyland over 1000 times.

5. My dad worked for Walt Disney when I was little.

6. I said that I would never marry a farmer and that is exactly what I did.

Never say Never, it always comes true.

7. I have gotten really bad kidney stones during all three of my pregnancies.

I have just decided it comes with being pregnant.

8. I have gotten my gall bladder and appendix out.

9. I love to read!

10. My weakness is warm right out of the over chocolate chip cookies.

I tag: Mel, Becky, Lindsey, and Stacy.

I have been tagged!!

2009-02-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my two girls when they are the cutest! Addison was only 2 weeks old in this picture and Brooklyn was 3 yrs old. I am tagging Amanda Leonard, Ginnie, Melanie, Becky, Amanda Bennett and whoever else wants to do it. Instructions: Go to your picture file, go to your 6th folder and post the 6th picture and explain!

Find out what number you are.

2009-01-26T20:31:00.001-08:00

You Are 2: The Helper

You always put on a happy face and try to help those around you.

You're incredibly empathetic and care about everyone you know.

Able to see the good in others, you're thoughtful, warm, and sincere.

You connect with people who are charming and charismatic.

At Your Best: You are deeply giving, altruistic, and humble. You devote your life to others while caring for yourself too.

At Your Worst: You are manipulative and enjoy making other people guilty.

Your Fixation: Rejection

Your Primary Fear: Being unworthy of love

Your Primary Desire: To be loved unconditionally

Other Number 2's: Mother Teresa, John Travolta, Princess Diana, Dr. Phil, and Mr. Rogers.

What Number Are You?

Getting to know you Tag.

2009-01-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

Some of you I haven't talked to in a very long time. So I thought I would fill this out, to catch you up. If you feel like doing it .. TAG your it. copy and paste it to your notes page, so we all can ready about YOU!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I was named after my moms older sister that died when she was born and the river Shannon in Ireland.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Acouple of days ago, when I was reading a email.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No, I always wished that I had someone Else's.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey, of course.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, I have three. But lately I think that I have too many.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Depends, on if I get to know myself first. First impressions of me aren't always good ones.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Yes, and hopefully I haven't offended anyone lately, if I have I am sorry.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, I was suppose to get them out when I was little but the doctor said I had to get strep throat one more time and then they would take them out and I never got it.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way! Maybe when I was younger but not now.

10.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don't eat cereal.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, I always just slip them off.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? I am not a big ice cream fan, but I would choose choc. chip cookie dough or something with brownies.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Probably their smile and teeth. I know I am a weirdo.

15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Since having kids, not being able to lose those last 10 lbs, no matter what I do.

16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I miss my Aunts in California, they are like sisters to me.

17. FAVORITE SMELLS? My kids after they have a bath, new baby smell, and clean laundry. Oh an the smell of goodies baking.

18. HAIR COLOR? Dark brown, and it keeps getting darker every kid I have.

19.LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? I watched Mama Mia, it was cute.

20. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I am reading Eclipse right now. I am reading the twilight series again for the third time. I keep finding things in it that I missed and I love them!

21. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Tasmanian Devil, I have had it since college.

22. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Superman returns.

23. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Probably Maui, Hawaii

24. DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL TALENTS? I can be crafty, and I am a pretty good friend. Oh, I am really organized. I don't know if that is a talent or not.

25. Where were you born? Bountiful,Utah.

26. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Every body's

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? We were living in Rich Hall up in Logan, Utah. He lived across the hall from me and he was always at my house kind of in the back ground all the time. We just hung out for about a year and a half because I was waiting for a missionary that I was going to marry. He was very patient and didn't push me and then finally I decided he was the one I was suppose to marry, not my missionary. So we actually started dating and he asked me to marry him on October 13Th, my birthday and we got married in March 2000. I will tell you, he was my best friend and I never thought in a million years that he was the one I was suppose to marry. But they say, you always marry your best friend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDEN!!

2009-01-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

Colts/Chargers Playoff Game 2009

2009-01-13T16:07:00.000-08:00

Since Merrials football team the Cowboys didn't make it to the playoffs and my awesome team the Broncos didn't either. Merrial was able to go to the Colts/Charger Playoff Game while we were in California over the holidays. He was on the 4th row and could spit on the players if he wanted to.

Merrial never smiles with his teeth showing, he must really be having a good time.

This is Merrial with my Uncle Christian.

Kacie my Aunt and Christian her husband are the ones that took Merrial to this awesome game.

When they bought the tickets, it said that there was a slight obstruction. But when they got there it was just the cheerleaders.

Disneyland 2009

2009-01-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

It was very nice being able to spend New Years with my family down in California, where it was 70 degrees instead of negative. But now we all have colds which isn't very fun. We went to Disneyland on the 1st of January, which I don't recommend doing. It was so crowded you couldn't even turn around. I think that is the most crowded I have seen it in a long time. But it was still fun. It is a good thing we go to disneyland all the time because we didn't get to go on a lot of the rides.

Here is Brenden, his cousins Kendra and Connor.

We had just gone on soaring over California and Brooklyn didn't like it so she was mad in the stroller so that is why she isn't in the above picture.

This is the princess castle with all the pretty lights on it but it looks like it is kind of hard to see.

Watching the parade in the stroller. They were all tired by now and it was pretty cold. We didn't get a lot of pictures this time, which makes me sad because it was Addisons first time at disneyland. We will have to take some more this summer when we go.