The Tea Party

Yes, our family went to the "Tax Day Tea Party" this evening. It was awesome. The kids actually enjoyed themselves. We decided this would be a good way to teach our kids that if people want to make a difference, then you have to get involved and not sit back and wait for others to take action. I was a bit amazed at how many people showed up at the courthouse steps to be involved. I did not expect that big of a turn out.

I don't want this post to be a political rant. I don't consider myself an activist. I just feel like we can't sit on the sidelines anymore. The way this country is headed just scares me. I feel it is time for the people to get involved and not depend on the government to solve all the problems.


The kids had fun holding their signs up and got lots of honks, waves and thumbs up by passing cars. Needless to say, they also got a couple thumbs down and "the finger" once. But that didn't damper their enthusiasm. Even my Dad and Mom came over from Duchesne to attend. Becky and her kids were there too.

Bryson made this sign. I love it! (FYI--it is a picture of a monster....not Obama)

We joked that this was our "First Family Protest". I just hope that my kids learned that is it okay to stand up for you believe in. Also, that if you want to make something happen you have to get involved.

Susan, my sister, is the chairperson over all the Tea Parties in Utah. I am anxious to hear how the Tea Parties in the rest of the state turned out.

A good day.

Today I spent the whole day with my two girls and my Dad and Mom. It was a good day. The girls and I went to Duchesne last night and spent the night at Grandpa and Grandma's house. The girls really like doing that. I need to do it more often. This morning we got up early and drove out to the Draper Temple open house. We met Susan, Bill, Brooke, Madison and one of their friends there.

My girls really loved seeing the Temple. This is the first temple open house they have been able to attend. They both really loved the celestial room. It really was beautiful. Makayla and her older cousins got separated from the rest of us for part of the tour. I was a little stressed but kept thinking if your child is going to get lost, at least the temple isn't the worst place they can get lost in. Brooke and Madison took good care of her. (Thank you).

After the Open House, Susan rode to Provo with us and we went to my Aunt Renae's house. Kit and Tenna and Shauna came over to visit. My cute BYU coed nieces, Maren and Jesslyn came over too. We had pizza for lunch and a good time visiting.

My boys were a little disappointed they didn't get to go. They had a scouting merit badge thing they have been working on and couldn't miss it. I promised to take them to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House in June. It is amazing how fast these Temples are being built. I am glad we have the oppurtunity to let our kids see inside them before they are dedicated.

It was just a good day.

Happy Birthday to Caitlin!

Today my little girl turned 12. I can hardly believe it. We were so excited to get a little girl after two boys. It does not seem like it has been 12 years since she was born.

Tonight she and I actually went to Young Women together. She has been waiting and waiting to be able to go. She had a good time. There are 16 girls in her Beehive Class and more turning 12 in the coming months. She has great Beehive leaders so I am sure she will have fun in YW.

Yesterday Caitlin celebrated her birthday inviting friends over for a party. They were out of school so it seemed like the perfect time to have it. We banned the brothers from the house. Caitlin and her friends watched a movie and ate pizza and a whole lot of junk food. They were silly girls. After the movie they played "sardines" for a long time. Dean and I just kind of made ourselves scarce and stayed out of their way. Caitlin had a good time with some good friends.


Girls at the party.

After the girls got to our house I took their picture then e-mailed them to Wal Mart for their one hour printing then sent them home with the girls in these cute frames. The girls thought that was pretty cool.

Being silly...

Today she had to go to school. She said she was sung Happy Birthday to in three classes and at lunch. She was complaining about it, but I know she really did enjoy it. After school she decorated her own birthday cake at her request. It really looked like a "Caitlin" cake.
We really weren't sure what to call the cake, or what kind it turned out to be, but she loved it!!





















We had birthday dinner tonight (chicken Parmesan and garlic bread.....her favorite). Then went to YW.

She got some fun presents, including a digital camera (even pink, and surprisingly she likes it) from Mom and Dad. I think she had a pretty good couple of days.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITLIN......We sure love you lots!!

Makayla and Sarah

Today I watched a little girl for a friend of mine. She is four years old. Sarah is such a little cutie! When Makayla got home from school she was so happy there was someone here for her to play with. They really had a good time together. I think Makayla loved having someone younger than her around.

Makayla has been hounding me to put pictures of her and Sarah on the blog. She loves to get on here and look at pictures of herself. (That girl is so vain -- I guess it would sound better if I said she has good self esteem instead).

So, I guess this post is really for Makayla.

Here you go sweetie.....

SNOW DAY

Today was the first official "Snow Day" I can remember the kids ever having. It snowed like crazy all night. The kids did go to school this morning, but were sent home. I had to help out in Makayla's class this morning, so her teacher just sent her home with me at 10:00 a.m. The older three kids were home by noon.


The kids have had fun shoveling tons of snow and of course playing in it too. After shoveling, Logan and Caitlin had to get the 4-wheeler going too. Any excuse to ride the four wheeler.

A Quiet Friday Night

It seems like life has been so busy and hectic lately that it was nice to have a peaceful quiet night for a change. Makayla got to go to a friend's house for a sleepover. Today was "early-out" day where she gets home from school about 1:00 p.m. Her friend wanted her to come over early...so she left about 2:00 p.m. and I haven't seen her since. You are probably thinking what a harsh mom I am, but honestly this little girl has been sticking to me like glue lately. I don't know what her deal is, but she is like my little shadow from the time she gets home from school until he goes to bed. I love her, but it can kind of get on your nerves, especially when the older kids need me to. So, this has been a much needed break from her constantly by my side. Any insights as to why she is like this when she hasn't been before?

Logan went to a friend's house for a "late night". I tend to think those are better than sleep-overs. I have never been big on sleep-overs. I think they were planning on playing alot of the Wii.

Caitlin went to a movie with a friend. That was a good thing. She doesn't seem to go as much as her big brothers so it is nice when the opportunity arises.

That left only Spencer home tonight. I like it when there is only one of the kids home. It is just a different atmosphere. We took him to Winger's for dinner. Then to Blockbuster to rent some movies and a Wii game. So far only the game has gotten played by Spencer and Dad. No movies have been watched. I guess that is for tomorrow night. So now I am going to enjoy my quiet, relaxing night and go finish reading my book.

Good night!

Fun with cousins and new friends

We went to Salt Lake the day after New Years. Most of you know that Dean has a younger sister who was adopted. A few years ago her biological sister found her. She is from Texas. Dean's parents and sisters had met the bio sister, but we never had. She was going to be in Salt Lake to visit Kristie, so we decided to go out and meet her and her family. It was kind of funny, she and her husband had a son Logan's age, a son Spencer's age and a daughter Makayla's age. Her children were very nice and all the kids got along very well. It was nice meeting this family. We stayed overnight at Lisa and Wayne's house. Our kids had a great time playing with their cousins there. Of course we had to watch the Utah/Alabama Sugar Bowl game on Friday night. Wayne is a big Ute fan! (Go Utes--they won!).

On Saturday, the girls decided they all wanted to go get their nails done. Well, except me. I opted to go get my back cracked by my chiropractor father-in-law instead. (Excellent choice for me). Caitlin had no interest at all in getting her nails painted (no surprise there), so she took the camera along and took pictures of the nail salon outing.


Makayla getting her fingernails painted.

Aunt Lisa getting her nails pretty.

Aunt Kristie getting new nails!

Sisters -- Kristie and Jamie. Can you see any resemblance?

Twins Baylie and Aubrie with their new friend Alie in the middle.

Caitlin and her cousin Baylie.


Makayla's french manicure with green??? Very interesting.