Our New House To Be

Today we had our offer accepted on a house in Tooele. We are very excited to be moving forward toward closing now, rather than still looking for a house. We expect to be moving now within 3-4 weeks. That is if nothing goes wrong along the way, which since this is us we are talking about, who knows what will happen. In other words it's not over until I post the colors on that flag pole. That will mean that it is ours.

Sam's Birthday

Wow! My first born turned 12 yrs old on Oct. 16th 2011. What an important year for him. He recieved the Aaronic preisthood and his first temple recomend on his birthday! What a special birthday! We were able to celebrate in style at Planet Play. They had a ton of fun playing games, eating pizza, and doing various attractions. It was a fun party! Thanks to those who could come to either or both and make it special. For Sam's birthday we gave him a new bike. It was much needed since his last bike was given to him about 5-6 years ago.

Sam also got a friend party at our house. A few friends came and they played capture the flag, maffia, mind games, and ninja. We ate pizza and ice cream and cake. I asked Sam if he wanted a theme. No theme for him. He's getting too big. Sad, Sad. My boy is growing up too fast. It was a fun party though. I think they all had a good time.

Sam is having a lot of first with this birthday. First time going to priesthood session of confrence. First time getting the priesthood. First time going to young mens or scouts. First friend birthday party at our house. First temple recommend. First time going to the temple (we're going there soon, I hope).

odds and ends

Back in Aug. We went to a Starwars Party at the library. It was a lot of fun. They had games and crafts for the kids. Ammon came in second place for the costume contest. He went as Han Solo. He had fun coming up with his costume. First place was a little girl dressed as Yoda. Sam wanted to go, but was at scout camp.

In Sept. I took Bella and Shahayla and her Mom, Tonya, to tempel square. They have lived here most their lives and have never been. It was a nice outing with just us girls.

Also in Sept. Samuel went on his first backpacking campout. I was so scared for him. Thankgoodness Al went with him. I think that pack wieghs almost as much as he does. It was an extremely difficult hike and he did pretty good for his first time. Dad on the other hand twisted his ankle on the way up. Ouch!

A couple weeks ago we went to see the witches at gardner village. My kids look forward to going there every year. It was a georgeous October day. This witch was just dieing to get a picture with my kids! Joshy wasn't too sure and didn't want to get too close.

These pictures didn't turn out so good. I don't think my flash was on. But I had to add them anyway because they make me laugh. Gideon got his first taste of some colorful buble gum. Some how he had opened his from grandma and thought it was great! One big one in his mouth, and one in each hand. Taking turns from hand to hand licking the different buble gum. He was quite the mess, along with the carpet. But ohhh the joy from that baby!



One fall day in Oct. we (Joshy, Bella, and I) decided to gather the leaves and have some fall fun. They had fun running and jumping in the leaves. And then burying each other in them.


Gideon didn't know quite what to think of the leaves. He was a little scared at first.





Last night for family night we carved our pumpkins. Bella and Ammon designed the faces. Sam and Dad cut them. We all helped get out the goo, and I separated the seeds for roasting.

I found my Camera!

My camera has been missing for a long while now and that has been my excuse for not blogging. But alas, my mother in law found it at her house. Yeah! Not that that is good excuse to not blog, but I'm happy to have it back. So here are some pictures.

Sam, Ammon, and Bella took swim lessons this summer for the first time. They really enjoyed it. Being older they learned real fast.

Joshy did T-ball this summer and Al coached his team. We saw a lot of the above picture. But Joshy did get in some good hits and some good throws. Sam and Ammon assisted Al, so it was a family afair. Bella took a lot of pictures of Gideon as we watched.

Gideon loves to suck on his toes. Those feet of his are so "handy". He even holds his bottle with his feet so he can use his hands to play with other things.

Look at those Big eyes! How beautiful. I hear this comment a lot. I have to agree. Gideon is getting so big. He is doing the army crawl and climbing on furniture. and into everything. He is such a good baby though. I can't complain.

About a month ago we started back to school and this month Joshy got to start preschool. No pictures because my camara was lost, but they are enjoying it. For discovery this term Bella, Ammon, and Sam all get to do fishing. Al gets to go with them to Tibble Fork Lake to fish this week. Joshy is loving preschool. He talks to me for hours about it. I'm so glad he gets this opportunity.

Also a little miracle. Al got an unexpected raise just after my birthday. This makes it possible for us to start looking for a house. So we are now in the prossess of looking at houses. We found one so far that we like, but are still looking. It's been fun to look, but also it's hard to imagine leaving our ward and school. We love them so much and have lived here for over 7 yrs. Change is always hard, but it can also be rewarding. I'm just excited to get in a house we will fit in!

So much going on!

So much has happened from now until the last time I blogged. So I will briefly touch on the things I can remember. April 13th was Bella's 7th Birthday. She is a big 7! Time to start preparing her for baptism. She got her first friend party this year. I haven't been very good about giving the kids friend parties since we always do a big family party, but I wanted them to have the experience this year so I promised them all friend parties this year. This was before I had Gideon. Only 2 girls could make it, but we still had fun. She wanted a Scooby Doo party this year. Ammon made this "Pin the Nose on Scooby Doo" game for her. He did it all free hand. I am quite impressed with his artistic ability.

Bella still had her family party at Cecilia's. This was a fun party too. Grandma bought her a schooby doo candy game where you pull out the sticks and candy may or may not fall out. All the kids had fun with this game.

Happy Easter! Easter was at Myndie's house this year. We had fun coloring easter Eggs and eating a yummy dinner.














Ammon had his school play in wich he had some talking parts. All the 4th graders helped write the play. I was verry impressed. Ammon did such a good job. It was all about the pioneers. Something they studied this year. It was a musical and everything. They even made their own scenery. I loved watching Ammon acting on stage. He had such a good experience. He loved it! Even with all the practices he wants to do it again.


Bella got her first hair cut in a salon. She has been asking for about a year now to get bangs. So she finally got her bangs! She also has been begging me to cut her hair short. I didn't want too, but told her when we could go to a stylist she could. So she and I went together to get our hair cut short. Mine is as short as hers. It was a fun mother, daughter time.

Alas, Al had to sell his truck. He was so sad about it. But after the bus hit him, he decided to just sell the beast instead of fixing it. It is weird to come home every day and not see his truck sitting there.

Ammon had his 10th Birthday June 26th! He wanted an indiana Jones birthday party. There was NO indian Jones stuff available. However, Ammon with his artistic abilities created his own. He did an Indiana Jones Pin the head on the body game. And I created a treasure hunt, and obsticle course for him. Only 2 boys could come, but they had fun.

Ammon also got two parties this year. The other being at Grandma Ramirez's. This was fun as well. As you can see he and his cousins especially had fun with the streamers grandma Ann put in his presents. He also got a new bike for his birthday!

June was our pack's Raingutter Raggata. Al being the Cub Master was in charge. It was quite the event! This was in place of the Pinewood Derby. We had a lot of fun. The boys make these boats and then race them in the raingutters by blowing on them. Ammon did so good. He won first place! Way to go Ammon! We gave him the most spirited racer award because every time he won, instead of glorring in his own acheivement he would stop and cheer on the other scout to finish the race. It was so inspiring.

Gideon ate in a high chair for the first time. He is growing up! Sam is such a big help with him. He wanted to feed him. Of course I can't turn that down.

March Madness

Gideon's blessing day

O.k. So March wasn't really mad, but there was a lot I haven't bloged about. First we had Gideons blessing. Thanks to all those who came. We had a nice dinner the Saturday before then Al blessed Gideon in church on Sunday. We had a lot of family and friend support it was nice. Unfortunately we forgot to take pictures. Next time I think I'll give someone camera duty.

Happy Birthday Joshua. Joshua turned 4 in March as well. We had a party for him at Cecilia's. He had a transformer party. We played Transformers, lightning ball, and birthday bingo.

Bella had surgery on her teeth in March as well. She had an extra tooth that needed to be taken out. She was nervouse the night before, but she went in all brave. She did so good. I was the one having problems and had a panic attack. The nurses were great and helped me and her. I just couldn't stand seeing my girl in pain. By that night she was feeling better.

Sam and Ammon also had thier discovery recital in March. Ammon's class wrote a play and performed it. Ammon was a detective. He did good. He was the only one I could hear because he spoke good and loud. Sam played the drums. You can't see him but he is right in the middle. He did a good job too.