Note to Self: Put ALL scissors up high!!

I guess this is what happens when an almost 2-year old gets a hold of a pair of scissors!! She cut through the strap on the goggles yesterday and today she cut little holes all over her shirt!! She loves cutting everything! We tried to just keep telling her "paper only" but obviously that went right over her head! I am really glad she didn't cut her hair!! (Sorry--the picture is kind of blurry--Payton wouldn't sit still and the camera had a hard time focusing on just the shirt!)

Muffins With Mom

Well, after Doughnuts with Dad it was time for Muffins with Mom!! What a fun school activity! It is done before school and is usually supported by a local business. We had muffins, milk, and juice! It was really busy! I think the kids enjoyed it!

Taylor's Swim Party!

Here are all the girls, Haylee, Taylor, London, Emerie, Brooklyn and Madison. We thought it would be cute to have them pose on the rock!

Kerby was the pinata dude (after tearing him away from his 'deep' conversation with Seth)! Everyone got one turn before it busted open!



We are still eating on that cake (thanks to the bakery at Costco)! It was huge! She got lots of cute presents! She ended up getting 4 webkins!! She was in heaven!!

They threw water balloons, swam, had popsicles, did the pinata, ate cake, and then it was over!! Phew!! I still cannot believe my little Taylor is 9!! I think I have been in denial of her age because she has always been a little short for her age. She is definitely growing up WAY too fast!! We sure love ya, our little Tay Tay!!


After the party and the guests had left the adults had their turn and went to Cafe Rio for dinner! Laurel and Seth had never been there but had heard so much about it! It was yummy and yes, I got the pork salad, and I convinced Laurel that it was just about the best thing on the menu! We then decided to have a tennis tournament--Wii style! It was a lot of fun--especially for the kids watching the adults make fools of themselves and sweat like dogs!! I guess I have to admit that the guys won! We also did bowling and had a great time!

Fun Night at the Park

We decided it would be fun to go to the park one evening after dinner. It was a warm day and the kids just wanted to get out and play. We went to Mountain Crest Park.Payton loves to swing! Out of anything at the park this is her favorite!
Well--they figured out that this little handprint was how you turned on the WATER!
We let them play in the water knowing full well they were going to get soaked! It was a warm day but it sure seemed to cool down fast! And being wet--well, that made it feel even colder!
We had fun anyway! We kicked the soccerball around for a while--yes, even mom did!-- and they played on the big toys.
I decided that I needed to start getting into some of the pictures so Kerby took this of Payton and I. I looked surprised for some reason!?

Taylor Turn's 9!

Taylor is going to have a swim party for her birthday! Each child gets a BIG birthday party every other year (to save on expenses and mom's and dad's sanity!) So we decided this was Taylor's "off" year so she could just have a few friends over to swim. Well--after buying the pinata, plates, cups, leis, flip-flips and candy for their goodie bags, water balloons, and popsicles I don't think this is such an "off" year afterall!! :)

This is a picture of Taylor making her invitations with the cricut machine! They turned out really cute! They had water at the bottom, a little swimmer girl with a swimsuit on, and a palm tree on the inside! Taylor LOVES to make cards! We even made Thank-yous!
Taylor got to bring in cupcakes for her birthday!! They get to eat them at lunchtime and mom gets to come!!

Mom AKA Mindreader

Emerie was in the backyard and saw a puddle on the patio. I told her to please not jump in it because she would splash all of us and also herself and get us all wet. She asked if I was going back inside now. I said, "Why, because you want to jump in the puddle after I leave?" Her answer in astonishment was, "Can you read minds?" I said, "Yes!" She was in awe!

Later that day she came up to me and asked, "Mom, what am I thinking about right now?" Oh-Uh!! I was discovered! I tried my best to guess what she might be thinking about but I was totally wrong! I think Emerie was actually disappointed that her Mom couldn't read minds after all! :(

Shoes--Gotta Love 'Em!!

We were at Wal-Mart searching for BASIC flip-flips for summer. Grandma HAD to say "look at these!" It was obvious to me that she was being sarcastic but, of course, to Emerie they were like "Princess" shoes! Emerie now had tunnel vision and only wanted THOSE shoes and wouldn't settle for anything different! I cursed my mom for even showing them to Emerie knowing that Emerie would want them because they have Hannah Montana on them! I can't believe they make such hideous shoes!! My mom consented (because there was no way in heck I was going to buy them) but there was one rule: You can't wear them in public!! :)

Roses in Full Bloom!

Our roses are finally in full bloom!! No, I am not a gardener but I guess there isn't a whole lot you have to do with roses since they are pretty hardy plants!. I have never really been a rose fan but these turned out really pretty this season! I was pleasantly surprised! I am not really sure how they turned out so well since I did not one thing to them! I have to keep telling Emerie not to pick them--she loves them too!!

Payton's Vice

I have learned (by turning off the leapsters) that Payton actually wants ALL of them turned on at one time! She still doesn't quite know how to play the games yet but likes 'drawing' on the screen and listening to the music the leapster makes. She won't just play with one but wants them all out and on and playing different tunes! Funny girl! She does like her picture taken though!

First Time Making Trifle!

I hope to take all these ingredients and end up with a beautiful trifle! I have never made one before and don't particularly like them (I don't like soggy cake!) but I was asked to help out for a get together! I will let you know how they turned out! I am going to make a Strawberry Banana one and a Chocolate/Vanilla Caramel Brownie one!! It sounds yummy but we'll see!!


Well--Since I don't own a trifle bowl my neighbor let me borrow one and I used a clear salad bowl for the other one. Obviously the trifle bowl is prettier but you use what you got!! I feel okay about how they turned out since it was my first time making them but if I make them again I learned a few helpful things! I hope they taste good!!

First Swim Day of Season in Las Vegas!

The first day it was going to be 90 degrees so we fired up the pool heater and had our first swim of the season! The pool got to about 86 degrees which was just right considering it was 90 degrees outside with no wind (go figure! it is ALWAYS windy in Las Vegas!) We had our friends over with us! Laurel, Haylee and Luke Beisner and then Maddie invited her friend, Allie, over as well.

From left to right: Taylor, Haylee, Allie, Payton, and Maddie.

From left to right: Haylee, Taylor (backwards), Payton, Emerie (peeping out of the water with goggles on), and Luke.

What a fun day we had! We stayed outside by the pool for over 2 hours! It was so great to have the heat again! We were all hoping to get a tan! It should be a fun summer!! :)

It's Official--Emerie does need her tonsils out!!

Emerie screamed at LabCorp getting her blood drawn. But she was definitely wanting her photo taken with her "battle scar"!

We went to the ENT doctor today. He said her tonsils were "ridiculous" (yes--I know this is your favorite word Dad!!--Hee-Hee!) He hardly ever sees them that large! He actually wants us to do a sleep test on her first. We will get that scheduled right away when they call after it has been approved by the insurance. He also wants a blood test--which we did at LabCorp on the way home--to see what her oxygen levels are normally and then the sleep test will test her oxygen as she sleeps to see if it goes down. I guess sleep apnea is a very serious thing! It can be dangerous for your oxygen level to go down too low as you are sleeping! After the sleep test then we will set up the actual tonsilectomy appointment. I guess it won't be outpatient afterall because Emerie has sleep apnea they want her to stay overnight to watch her through the night! We will keep you posted!!

Doughnuts with Dad

What a fun idea!! The kids were so excited to eat Doughnuts with Dad!! They were even more excited when they arrived and realized it was Krispy Kreme doughnuts!! They sat down and ate the doughnuts with their Dad with huge smiles on their faces!! Rarely do they get to do a fun activity with just their Dad!
Dad had to hurry and take Grandma to the airport to be back in time for this but it all worked out! It was so fun to see all the kids with their Dads! See you next time with Muffins with Mom!!

Mekall's Dance Recital

We went to Mekall's dance competition in St. George over Conference Weekend. We were so lucky that it was close enough for us to attend!! She is such a beautiful dancer! I only wish I had a picture of her dancing!!
After watching Mekall in the competition Maddie wants to get back into dance classes! I hope to start her back in the summer and then continue into the fall. What cute girls!!

Payton can "Swim"!

We bought these arm floaties at Wal-Mart for $1.00! What a great investment! She swallowed water a few times but then got the hang of holding her head up. She kicks her feet really well too! She loves being in the water! She is 22 months old!
What a ham! She definitely loves her picture taken and loves to look at it afterwards! It will be so much nicer to have something for her to do this summer and not have to worry so much! We will still have to watch her really close but it will be so much better for her not to just have to sit on the side of the pool till mom wants to get in with her!! All of us love to "Swim" with Payton! She chases everyone around the pool!

Surprise Photos!!

I found these pictures when I was viewing some photos I had taken of the kids! I was trying to figure out what they were and then I noticed the last pictures--Emerie and her friend, Brooklyn! I guess this is what happens when your 5 year old finds your camera and figures out how to use it!!I think this one is of a picture on the calendar that is located on the fridge?!?!
If you can't tell what this one is--here is a hint--you put your cup under it to get a drink!! (The water dispenser on the fridge!)
I can't believe it is actually in focus! They did a great job even though--yes, she did get reprimanded for using Mom's camera without asking!
Cute close-up of some cute little girls with dirty faces!!

Emerie may need her tonsils out!

Emerie has the biggest tonsils ever!! The last time we took her to the doctor the doctor actually asked if Emerie's tonsils are usually that big! I said yes. She then asked if Emerie snores at night or if she takes gasps for breath as she sleeps. I said I didn't know but that I would pay more attention. I did and found out that Emerie is a HUGE snorer! And that she indeed takes gasps after stopping breathing to get air! Anyway--she will probably have to get her tonsils out! We have an appointment set up for next Wed. Apr. 9th. We'll see! Emerie is adament about not wanting "surgery"! She cries about it when we talk about it! Nowadays it is all done outpatient so it shouldn't be too bad. I told her she would get to eat all the popsicles, ice cream, and pudding she wanted! She liked that idea!

Bad Luck!

Well--so much for the start of a good month. Our truck was broken into last night. Luckily Kerby doesn't keep anything of value in it. They came in through the sliding window in the back near the truck bed. A cop came and took a report. They think it was just some kids getting into cars that aren't locked. There were several other people's cars that were broken into as well. One person's car was even stolen! Always lock your cars! They will probably not find who did it but they are going to try!

My First Post

Well--I have never been a good journal writer but I have always wanted to be one. So this is my honest attempt to try.

I hope I don't bore you with details but life is details, right?

So far this year:

January:
I turned the big 36! I don't feel 36 but I guess that is how it goes! I feel blessed to have my 4 daughters and husband around to share it with me!

February:
Maddie went to Sea Camp in San Diego. She was gone for 3 days! She had a great time and lots of memories and pictures! We missed her but I guess I have to start loosening the apron strings little by little!

March:
Taylor passed all her multiplication tables! She was the 2nd person but the first girl to do it!
Emerie learned to ride a 2-wheeler! It didn't take much but she was definitely scared to try!
Went to Red Rock Canyon here in Vegas. It was beautiful!! We will go back!!
Easter was spent in St. George with the Brimhall/Ryan clan!! We did an Easter egg hunt and had a yummy ham dinner! Yes--Grandma heated the pool so the kids could swim! We also went 4-Wheeling, Rhino riding, and dune-bugging! It was a great Easter!

Easter March 2008 Fun at the ATV sand park!

Max, Taylor, Mekall, Cameron and Maddie in the Rhino

Heidi's cute Nate getting ready to go in the dune-buggy

Zack, Taylor, and Emerie waiting for their turn

Taylor, Cameron, and Maddie on a ride in the Rhino (Mekall took the picture)

Emerie getting ready for her ride in the Rhino

What a great day!! I even rode in the dune-buggy! It was crazy fun!
I took the kids many times in the Rhino as the driver!
We had a lot of fun!!

Red Rock Canyon March 8, 2008

Mom and Payton making Dad nervous

Emerie peeking through the rocks

Taylor sitting on a massive boulder

Madison swingin' in the trees

Our Family enjoying Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas!

What a great day! Perfect weather!