Christmas Ramblings

I love Christmas and since my kids have started school I always look forward to the fun holiday crafts they bring home. On this day Jeff brought Cooper home from school, I heard the door open and in walked the cutest little reindeer. I laughed cause Cooper insisted on having the brown nose all day.

My mom purchased this little people nativity for my kids a few years ago, and this year Kaylee is determined that the people remain in certain spots (I have not idea were she gets it from). Dalton however is obsessed with it everyday I find him with the baby Jesus and Mary, he tells me their his favorites. However today I found him loading the whole crew up in the the airplane I asked him why he had them in the plane, he responded by telling me, "cuz I don't have horsey." Sure that so obvious, what was I thinking?

Christmas Countdown

I have had a lot of people ask me what my countdown made out of the muffin tin was so here is a picture of it. I got the mini muffin tin at wal-mart for about $5. I cut the numbers, the circles, and squares out on my cricut machine but you could do it easily with just scissors and a ruler. Then I put magnets on the back of the cards to hold it in place on the muffin tin. I had touble finding candy to fit behind the card for each of my kids, so I just put one herseys kiss and a little note to help the kids do something for someone else (like make someones bed without them knowing). Then I let the other kids get a kiss out of the bag that I kept in the cupboard, which I was suprised worked out well as long as the kids get a treat they didn't care were it came from.

The last straw!

For family home evening we talked to the kids about how blessed we are and how we have each other, a warm house, a kitchen full of food and plenty of toys to play with but, there are some kids that might not get a present for Christmas and that we were going to go to the store and each one of them was to pick out a toy that we would pay for and then put in the toys for tots box. They each picked out a great gift and then purchased it and then ran to the big white toys for tots box at the front of the store. I was so impressed with all of them, their was no fussing when I reminded them that we were shopping for someone else, and no one threw a fit when it was time to put the toys in the box. I was so proud of them. If fact Kaylee kept asking me if she made a good choice she wanted to give someone something special. So I asked her if she were to get that toy would she like it? She said that she would have loved it. So then I told her that she made a great choice.

After finishing at the store we returned home and ate a great dinner cooked by Jeff (thanks for the night off honey), and I read the story "The Last Straw." We then talked about how hard it is to always be nice especially to our brothers and sisters but we are a family and that we should always treat each other with love. Then we got out the little mangers that the kids made last year and each child placed a piece of straw in it for the gift they donated. I then talked to the kids about continuing to do good deeds for others and remember to do what Jesus would do. I showed them a count down chart that I had made out of a muffin tin. When they remove the number there is a treat and a little note and on the note it gives them a suggestion to help them do something for someone else so they can keep placing straw in the mangers so the baby Jesus can have a soft bed.

Today was the first day of the count down chart and the kids were at me as soon as they got up so they could do the count down chart, I was so proud they were more excited about the little note and quickly started planning out what they were going to do. I know we just started this but, I truly hope they continue to be excited about this and we find the true Christmas spirit.

Date Night!

Tonight Jeff and I went out for a date night which is very rare. We went down to the temple to do a sealing session with a few couples in our ward but, us and the couple we drove down to St. George were the only couples that showed up. But, that's okay it has been a while since Jeff and I have been to the temple, so it was definitely time. I have never done a sealing session so it was really fun. It was really nice to actually hear the ceremony, I was so full of emotion when I got married that I was lucky I heared when I was suppose to say yes. It was just a wonderful time we were doing sealings for couples from the 1700's, these were couples that had been waiting quite awhile, I felt honored to finally do their work. Plus a great date night is even better with a great couple to enjoy it with. Thanks Amy and Tyler!

Remembering our Veterans!

On Monday we had our family home evening on being thankful and showing our appreciation to others. So with veterans day being on Wednesday I felt it appropriate to remember my Grandpa and his service in World War II. I took my kids over to the Veterans Memorial here in Cedar and showed my kids were my Grandpa' name was on the wall. I guess I just wanted my kids to have an appreciation of the sacrifice that all these soldiers have made for all of us and the solders that are continuing to make sacrifices for us, to ensure our freedom as well as others.

With doing this activity with my kids it really brought back a lot of memories of my wonderful Grandpa Pete. My Grandpa was one of the greatest men I knew. He as well as my Grandma were some of my biggest supporters all you need to do is ask. We were all asked to help with his needs. I started out just helping with meals, and just going to visit him. But, one Summer he needed help planting and watering his garden. So every Wednesday I would go down to his house and spent most of the day with him. That time with my grandpa was hard work but, I really am truly grateful that I got that opportunity. My grandpa would talk about tell stories I had never heard him tell before especially about the war. When my grandpa left to fight in World War II, he left my grandma with a child and another on the way. So that was not only hard for him but, my Grandma as well. I guess he had promised to try and write her every week, but it was hard finding time to write with all the things they wanted the solders to do so one night after everyone was suppose to be in bed he snuck off the the latrine to write my grandma but of course he was caught and then was forced to spend the rest of the night scrubbing the floor with a tooth brush, but he didn't care he still finished the letter and got it to my grandma. "She needed to know I was okay," and that is all that mattered to him. I was so impressed with his love and dedication to my grandma.

As a little girl I would spend the afternoons at my grandparent's house when I was done with kindergarten. I remember washing up for lunch and listening to him sing and then when he would come home from work I would help him in the garden. One things my grandpa was notorious for was his beautiful gladiola flowers, they were so beautiful and he had a huge garden filled with them. He would cut some and put them in bouquets and a lot of times he would ask my sisters and I if we would help deliver them to some of the widows around town. Those flowers would bring such joy to those ladies and they truly looked forward to his visit. I treasure the time I had with him, the stories he would share, and the many lessons he taught. He was a tremendous man and an outstanding example to me. My grandpa had a strong testimony of the church and had a deep love for the savior. He threw him self into all his calling and always was willing to do service for others. He also had a deep love of this country and was so proud of the service he gave this country. I am so grateful for his service and the sacrifices he and others made for us as well of those that continue to service this country. THANK YOU!!!

Being a Mom

So today I was driving Kaylee to school just her and I when she asked me if it was hard being a mom. I told her that being a mom was the hardest thing I have ever done but, it was also the most wonderful, and rewarding thing I had ever done. She got quite and we sat there listening to the radio when finally she said, "I think I would rather get a job!"

Happy Halloween

We had such a great Halloween this year, great weather, fun costumes, and free candy does it get any better? I got a kick out of Dalton this year, the kids knew what they wanted to be but, of course Dalton wanting to do whatever Cooper is doing wanted to be the same but only blue. I don't even think the knows who Commander Rex even is. The kids had a blast at the the wards trunk or treat, the activities committee put on a great carnival but, of course for us parents we just love visiting with the other grown ups. I was stressing over fighting the kids over the all that candy but, I got up Sunday morning and Kaylee knew it was fast Sunday so she didn't eat anything. Cooper had a couple of candy bars. Dalton on the other hand I found him in his bed with his bag and a huge pile of candy wrappers I think he had just a handful of candy left. Something tells me I have a dental bill in my future.

Silly Dalton

Dalton is a character he is always coming up the the funniest stuff. I was gathering the laundry from the bedrooms when I hear "mom where is you?" I said I'm in my room and he walked in with this beat up cowboy hat on and I said, hi cowboy and Dalton said, "I not a cowboy I a horse."

Happy Birthday Cooper!!!

Cooper wanted to have a pirate birthday party and having a birthday in October means that you don't always get the best weather, so Jeff and I decided to have his birthday earlier so the kids could run and play outside. Which worked out great the weather was beautiful and the kids had a blast. Because we were having a pirate theme we made pirate hats and the kids made their own swords. We had a treasure hunt, a bean bag toss, and we played pin the patch on the pirate. When he delivered his invitations he kept telling people to come to his buccaneer bash. I really think he had a great day, he came and put his arms around me and said thanks mom this rocks! That made my day, for me it is worth every ounce of hard work it takes to throw a party for my kids, when they appreciate what I did and when I can make them feel special on their special day! The best part of the party was when Cooper opened up a bag from my sister Jill, he had left his bear (which is his special friend that he has to have to sleep with) at her house in West Jordan the weekend before. So Jill wrapped it up and he opened it up, he was so excited I think that might have been his favorite present.

Cooper has always been a great kid! I would do anything for him, he is my little snuggle bug! Cooper tries to be helpful and kind and sensitive to those around him. But for me he always is looking out for me. He always asks me if I have eaten or if I need to sit down. He just loves to be everyone's friend and be a good friend. He is a good kid. I love you Cooper! Happy birthday!

Happy Anniversary

Jeff and I celebrated our 11th anniversary, he suprised me by taking me away for the night, I stuggled a little being away from my kids but, I really had a good time just being with Jeff. Plus it was really nice having a night the didn't include having to change a diaper, or putting a kid in a timeout, or braking up a fight
(it was strange). Getting away reminded me of all the reasons I fell for Jeff in the first place. I know having kids is amazing and I wouldn't know what to do without them but, it is strange how kids change you and you forget the people you use to be. I did enjoy a weekend alone with my hubby and just being Laura and Jeff and not mom and dad but, it was also nice to return home to those sweet little arms.

I have truely loved the amazing journey Jeff and I have started on together and I am grateful everyday that I was the lucky girl he choose to spend his life with and I am even more grateful that because of the choices we have made together that I even get to spend eternty with this amazing man. I have to admit that when my friend wanted to set me up on a blind date with her husbands friend I didn't want to go but, after some heavy persistance from my friend I gave in. I never thought in a million years that, this one date would be the best desicion I ever made. When I look back at how my life was when I began dating Jeff it was a mess and I thought that I would never find happiness let alone have this amazing life that I live now. I married my best friend the person that makes me the happiest and I have been blessed with three beautiful children. I may not have alot by some people's standards but, I feel like the richest person in the world. I am happy and grateful for all I have and most of all I am still madly in love with the man of my dreams my wonderful husband Jeff!

Keeping up!

I haven't been very good about blogging lately, I keep thinking things are going to slow down and they have a little now that Kaylee and Cooper are in school. But, I have been called to young women's and now I am a little more involved. I just need to find some balance. Jeff is still busy with work, now that the economy in the shape its in I don't think things are ever going to slow down for him, the crime rate just keeps growing. Yesterday Jeff and his dog were deployed by helicopter into the middle of a marijuana grove, and if you know Jeff he was in heaven.

Dalton is about the same just a little wild man he is currently obsessed with construction machines especially backhoes. My parents had some concrete work done and my cousin left his backhoe at their house. And every time we were there Dalton would drag my Dad across the street to visit the backhoe. (Grandpa is a good sport!) Now with the kids gone he is my little shadow at first I was annoyed but, his my last kiddo so I am now enjoying having him around and learning how funny he his.

Kaylee is in third grade this year and her teacher is Mrs. Hunter, she is new and so I am on the fence right now about school. I just hope everything goes well and she tries her best. She is pretty excited because she has a couple of her really good friends in her class and that does make for a good year. So far she is enjoying school and doing well I just hope that continues.

Cooper started his final year of pre-school. This year he is attending The Busy Bee Pre-school with Miss Brenda. So far he is having a great time, he loves his teacher and is making new friends, he already came home with a treat and an awards, he was caught being a good friend. I guess a little boy wanted to play cars but they were all being used so Cooper gave him his car. I was very impressed because at home all we hear is MINE! I guess if he is going to be good I want him to do it at school, I'll just keep working on it at home.

Kaylee was playing on the jungle gym at school when she lost her balance and fell and tried to catch herself using her wrist. After two days of doctors and x-rays she finally got a cast and was able to just lay down and rest. Kaylee was a real good sport about everything, I am the one who struggled with everything but, how do you sit there while you child is in pain and the doctors keep moving her wrist and making her cry. When all was said and done she ended up with a buckle fracture in the fore arm and a stress fracture on her growth plate in her wrist. Now we just have to wait and hope and pray that everything heals properly.

Kaylee's Baptism

Kaylee with her new hair cut!


Kaylee and her Grandma and Grandpa Mounteer

Kaylee with her Grandma and Grandpa Malcom

Kaylee with her cousins Kelsee and Garrett


Saturday Kaylee was baptised and confirmed a member of the church, I was so proud of her especially when you consider that three years ago Kaylee informed us that she was never getting baptised. We attended a baptism for one of my cousins and Kaylee was all well and good until they confirmed my cousin and she got really quiet and didn't say anything until the ride home, where she told Jeff and I that she never wanted to be baptised. I assumed it was a fear of the water and being dunked but, as I continued to talked to her she got increasingly upset. Finally she told us that she didn't want that ghost thing following her everywhere. We tried really hard not to laugh and then decided to just let it go and of course she out grew those feeling and realized how important being baptised is and it didn't hurt that all of her friends were getting baptised.

I have to say I was also very impressed with Jeff, I being the little control freak that I am asked Jeff if he was prepared and has studied the prayer, well I kinda irritated him by even questioning him but, in my defense he had lived at the office since the New Harmony fire and it was also labor day weekend which is one of his busiest so I was just worried that he didn't have any time. On the way to the stake house he started giving me a hard time, asking me if I had seen the card with the prayers on it cause he needed to study the prayer. I swear I wanted to hit him, he just laughed. All kidding aside he did a great job!

Girls Night!

Kaylee and I had the opportunity to have a girls night out! I took her to St. George to eat at In and Out Burger and then we went to see the play Annie at the Tuachaun. The play was really good, Kaylee laughed and really enjoyed it, which I loved because I enjoy going to plays and musicals and now I hope that Kaylee and I will have more opportunity to do fun stuff like this together. It is so rare that it's just Kaylee and I, I love talking to her and hearing what she has to say or how she feels. Usually Kaylee has to deal with her brothers needs too or I need to have her help me with her brothers, which she usually does without complaining, so it's nice to reward her for being such a sweet girl! I hope we get to have more of these girls nights just the two of us! love you sis!

Kaylee turns 8!

Well it is official my baby is 8! This year Kaylee wanted a girls only party were they did crafty stuff (lucky she has me for her mom). So the girls made lip gloss, necklaces from shrinky dink film, flower bookmarks, and then I bought little notebooks and covered and decorated them so the we could play makeover memory. It was a fun party the girls really had a good time, I was surprised how they got into making all the items, especially the lip gloss. Later that night I made Kaylee's favorite dinner and we watched Race to Witch Mountain. Saturday we went with the Grandparents to St. George to Kaylee's favorite restaurant Texas Roadhouse. The girl can't complain she got to do everything she wanted but, of course I am all to willing to give her what she wants.

I can't believe how quickly the time goes, I swear it seems like yesterday Jeff and I were just bringing her home and now we will be baptizing her.
It brakes my heart to know she is no longer my little girl, but I am so impressed with the beautiful young lady she is becoming. She is a smart, sensitive, loving and loyal girl. She tries to do what is right and always gives it her best try. She is fearless and confident, she loves her family and loves her Heavenly Father as well. She is the best kid and I am lucky to call her my daughter! Love ya Sis!




Move over Hannah Montana!

Our trip to the temple!

It has been so long since I have blogged, I finally downloaded the photos off my camera and realized I had never posted the pictures from our trip to the temple!
We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple way back in June, it was such a nice experience to share with our kids! With Kaylee turning eight we really felt like she would benefit from this experience. Kaylee and Cooper were really impressed by how beautiful the inside of the temple was and how quiet and peaceful it was inside. There was a part of the tour were you walked out of the brides dressing room and there was a glass window with circles carved in it and across from it was a beautiful picture of Christ but, if you looked in the circles everyone had the image of Christ it was so cool! Cooper stopped dead in his tracks and noticed it immediately, I was so impressed! The tour isn't very long but, I guess for a couple of boys it must have been sheer agony because when we got out of the temple both Cooper and my nephew Garrett being a little dramatic fell on their knees, "finally, were free!" The temple volunteers just laughed! I on the other hand was not so amused! But, then again with Cooper you never know what he is going to say or do! I've learned to just brace myself and smile!

Every year Jeff and Duke go to Kolob for helicopter deployments, which Jeff lives for and has a blast. I'll be honest so far my only worries have been for Dukes safety but, this year he came home and the pilot was going to give some of the supervisors a ride and he was having trouble getting off the ground and then after a few moments the helicopter was fine. I'm sorry and I know I'm a sensitive girl but, it completely freaked me out when Jeff told me what happened and I probably will be a nervous Nelly next year when he wants to go again. Leave it to the wife to be the wet blanket!

Girls Camp!

Seriously it seems like it has been forever since I have blogged! Girls Camp kinda consumed me there for awhile. I have to admit when I was called to be the assistant camp directer I thought the Bishop had lost it but, when it was over I think I got more out of girls camp then the girls did! The stake did an amazing job. One night they had the Bishop and his wife come and gather all of us at our camp sites and they were dressed in white and when we were all gathered together they informed us that we were going to grand council, after they we were seated and all the other wards as well they began the program and it was do good, you could feel the spirit the entire time. The Next day we broke up into groups and rotated through the different speakers, and this year the theme was "Be your own kind of beautiful." So they had some amazing speakers there to talk on self worth and being true to yourself and loving who you are! I think every girl left girls camp feeling alot better about who they are. I only hope they remember that they are all special and they all have so much to offer.

I also learned to love each one of the girls and I enjoyed getting to know them I had a great time, I also got very little sleep but, still I enjoyed myself!

A Day of Fishing!

The kids are out of school for summer and Jeff finally had a day off so, we packed this kids and a lunch and went fishing. We had a great time. I personally enjoyed just hanging out and relaxing. We didn't do well in the catching department but, everyone had a good time, even Dalton was a good sport!

A couple of cute fishermen!

Jeff was trying to help Dalton fish but, Jeff was doing all the fishing!

Cooper caught his first fish. Unfortunately it fell off the hook right as they pulled it out of the water. but, Cooper didn't seem to mind he just was excited he caught one. Plus I really don't think he would eat it if we kept it.

yep, you guessed it Dalton fell in the pond. As soon as we got there I wondered how long it would take before he got wet, but I was surprised we were there for a couple of hours before it happened. The joys of taking a two year old fishing.

Oh yeah this is how Dalton spent the rest of the afternoon (cute huh?).

KK's Bugz Program

Kaylee's second grade class along with Mrs. Dawson's class put on a school program entitled "Bugz". Mrs. Jenson and Mrs. Dawson did a great job coming up with a program were every child had a part and was able to participate. they had the boys dress up in camo to be army ants, and the girls work red and black so they were lady bugs. They even had a few costume changes. The kids brought flash lights and they made a bug to go over the top to be a firefly and turned out the lights and sang a song about fireflies it was cute. The teachers took into consideration the length of the program so the kids didn't get board and they had the kids do a lot of the bug decorations that were around the gym. Kaylee loved that part, she loves to do crafty things (I wonder were she got that from?) it made her proud to help out. She has had a great year and her teacher Mrs. Jenson has been so good for her, she has really helped her to love school which in turn has made me happy!


This is KK with Mrs. Jenson






Good Job Kaylee we are so proud of you!

Mother's Day!

I have to give my hubby a big huge thank you for giving me such a nice Mother's Day. I woke up to breakfest, and him going out of his way to make sure the kids were getting ready for church, as well as making sure they weren't fighting. Which on a Sunday is hard to do. I had propbably the nicest and most relaxing day, which I don't think I have had for maybe 7 years.

Thanks Jeff you truely are the BEST!

Hats Off To Enoch Elementary!

Enoch Elementary School was named A Distinguished Title I School from Utah for the second time in three years. As a parent this is very comforting to know that my child is attending a school with such a hard working faculty. Kaylee has had a great teacher every year she has attended school there. This year she has had Mrs. Jenson and she really is the greatest teacher ever! She always goes above and beyond and that truly amazes me. When I work in the class as a helper I am always impressed with Mrs. Jenson and unbelievably grateful she is Kaylee's teacher, I think Kaylee and I both will be sad when this year ends.

To celebrate this great honor the school had a parade. The kids all wore hats and walked around the school, the parents stood on the streets around the school and cheered as the kids walked by. It was fun and the kids were very proud(so were the parents)! THANKS ENOCH ELEMENTARY!