2008 Polar Express

As I am running a little backward on my blogs, this was our next stop on our vacation two weeks ago....The North Pole!! We boarded our Polar Express in Heber City, Utah and made the magical journey to the North Pole! It was very exciting for the kids and I'm sure made memories for them. We sang Christmas carols, read the Polar Express book, and ate cookies and hot chocolate. They got to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and Hanna changed hers at the last minute! She didn't want to tell Santa she wanted a cell phone, so she told him a camera, which surprised us! She said afterward that she didn't want to be embarrased asking for something too old for her....but she was sure Santa knew what she wanted "in her heart." I'll never know what goes on in her head half the time. Alizah held true with her My Little Pony Rollercoaster and Piper asked for her baby doll. Santa gave them each a bell and the elves told each of them which reindeer the bell came from. Piper's came from Rudolph (which Alizah wanted REAL BAD), and Alizah's came from Blitzen who the elf said she was lucky cuz he never really shares). I don't remember where Hanna's came from, so I'll have to ask her. All those kids ringing their bells at once for an hour after, is still ringing in our ears! Papa and Grandma Nelson were able to make the trip with us and after we went into Salt Lake to spend the night. We made a quick trip to Temple Square to see the lights. I say quick because it was freezing cold and we basically ran through the outside lights. The next day was my birthday, so we had a nice dinner at The Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square (my parents took us their alot when we were llittle) , and we went Christmas shopping a little bit. I was able to go to Tai Pan, an interior design warehouse, which my friend Lisa has been talking about and I walked around with my mouth open the whole time wishing I had brought a U-Haul with me to take home! All in all-great trip!!

My Christmas Card Secret

So I feel like I also need to reveal my Christmas card secret. My uncle Terry seems very impressed with my ability to maneuver graphics and take wonderful pictures to create a beautiful Christmas card. Well, my secret is I have good friends!!! I have a dear friend who is a professional photographer and an AMAZING graphic designer. She does amazing work and all of the grandparents also recieved her magic as they got pictures for their office and houses! So thank-you my friend. THANK-YOU JENN!!

Post Office mix up!

So manyof you might be wondering why they haven't gotten your Christmas card from our family. The day after Christmas I recieved a stack of my own Christmas cards in my mailbox!!! They didn't have enough postage. So, I'm wondering how some people got their cards and I got some sent back when they all had the same amount of postage???? I'm hoping some of you didn't have to pay the postman the extra 20 cents to get our picture. When I return to real life tomorrow, I will be heading back to the post office and you will get your very BELATED Christmas card!!

Great Grandpa Beck

Our next stop on our Burley trip was to Great Grandpa Beck's house. He is nearing 100 years old and doing better than ever!! He had just gotten surgery on one of his eyes to remove a cataract and is doing the other eye soon. Hence, he could see the girls and seemed excited to talk with them. Alizah was a little apprehensive as she is with most older people. But she stood in for a picture which I'm happy about. Piper on the other hand was more willing to talk with him and sit next to him. I couldn't believe how good he looked. He said the doctor did a great job and the nurses were "real pretty"! I was able to help him with his lunch a few times and want to give a big thank-you to my family down in Burley for taking care of him more than I will ever be able to. It is hard to leave everytime we come to Burley knowing what type of responsibilities are left behind. I am never able to do as much as I want to. My dad stays with Grandpa Beck most nights and the others are spent with Uncle Leonard. I think of the love that is expressed every day in the acts of service that are happening every day. I wish I was able to do more and want to start sending more letters to him in the mail and make more of an effort to help my relatives that are far away a bigger part of our life. I wish grandpa could use the internet and see our blog!!!

20th Anniversary of the Nutcracker

I'll start posting pictures of our vacation starting with the 20th Anniversary of the Nutcracker, which was the whole reason we went to Idaho. When I was younger, my ballet studio started a production of the Nutcracker. I was the first Clara and was recognized along with 20 other Clara's! I felt OLD!! It was so fun to show my girls what they've been looking at in scrapbooks for years. Hanna would remember pictures of costumes and would comment on the dances. After 20 years, I remembered the steps that the ballerinas were still doing! I enjoyed going to the ballet and also giving the girls-and Brandon- a little culture. Hanna and I even went and had our hair done along with dressing up the girls in their beautiful Christmas dresses. It was a fun weekend with lots of visiting with old friends and memories....

Thank-you to KIND people

We are back from our little vacation and I have tons of pictures to post, but for now I just have time for a quick post. We had our mail stopped while we were gone and went to the post office today to pick up our stack. I think they must have messed up because we were expecting things that were not there, so we'll have to go back tomorrow. Anyway, what we did get that we were not expecting was so many things for Alizah! She recieved cards from Terry and Jana in Colorado and a package from Aunt Jake. We also got little gifts from Branson and Beck and her friend Lanie right when she got hurt. I just have to tell everyone what she said today..."Hey mommy, that was sure nice of people." Yes, Alizah we have very good friends and family. Then later while she was playing she said, "It looks like some guys like me. That's cuz they sended me things." I sure appreciate everyone's thoughts and gestures. She was excited to get mail with her A on it and she feels very special. She's been pretty good, knowing she can't run or jump around. I can't really describe what she does, but she'll tell me "look mom, I'm running!" and she'll be moving her arms real fast, but her legs real slow. We are excited for this time to be over, but so blessed that she wasn't hurt any worse! Thanks everyone again, you made her day! (and thank-you also because these "three sleeps" that we are waiting for Christmas to come are killing me..the mail took her mind off the long wait!)

Color changes....

Alizah can see out of her eye today. It's moving farther down, and changing colors into deep purple, black, blue, and yellow.

She told us we could sign her cast today. One of the first things she'll tell anyone is how brave she was when the doctors put on her cast.

You can't really see too good, but today we can see the original contact spot. The spot at the top of head is bruising yellow.

I was talking to Alizah about how she got hurt and how she shouldn't get on the banister again, and she muttered under her breathe, "It sure was fun though!". And another cute thing that happened was when I was helping her say her prayers at bedtime. I said "we are thankful for the doctors that helped Alizah," and up until this point, she had been repeating everything I had said. She stopped, and then whispered, "I don't want to say that part." I think she definately has had enough of doctors to last her awhile!

Mother of the Year goes to.....Kortni!!!

The blood from her head is settling beneath her eye....she's got a "take your breath" away shiner. I wish I could get a picture of everyone's reaction when they see her!!

Beck and Piper getting the joys of someone else's pain!
(Alizah was bribed at the doc with toys, ice cream....everything!!

Alizah's choice of color is the pretty blue. She was pretty nervous to get the cast, but overall did awesome considering what she has been through today.

A smile at this point from Alizah, but she didn't know what was in store for her after this!!!
(more x-rays and a CT scan and lots of waiting in the doc office)


So here goes the story.....the incident of sliding down the banister happened Sat night and the pit in my stomach settled deeper and deeper as I watched her eye get worse and worse. I haven't slept for two nights watching her and making sure she was breathing! Monday morning I called the nurse and she said to bring her in. The doctor wanted x-rays and noticed her swollen wrist. Alizah had said her arm hurt, but she didn't even complain anymore than she usually does with a scratch that doesn't even need a band-aid!! So the x-rays came back saying she needed a cast for her wrist and a CT for her head. The CT confirmed a skull fracture-YES-skull fracture. So my poor baby was made to sit at home with a broken arm and a head for two days before I even took her in. The doctors in Wenanchee are still looking over the CT, but don't think she needs antiboiotcs at this time for infection that could leak from her skull to her brain. Yes, this is the part were I started crying and wanting to throw up. We are good for now, and the hard part of her not being able to run, jump, or go upside down for a month starts today! So no gym for Alizah which is going to break her heart. I need to tell everyone that watches her- the news that I heard ,as to scare them senseless too, "A bump to a head in this condition, is life-threatening." So Brandon wants to know where the helmet is!! I'm tending to agree, the stress will probably wear off soon, as the eye fades, but for now she's banned to the couch.
So any new movies-send them our way!!

Pretty in Purple

Alizah just looked in the mirror after her bath and said, "My eye is a pretty purple!". I hope she feels the same about the green and yellow that will come soon.:)

I'll bet....

Alizah doesn't ever fly down the banister again!! We were at a Christmas Dinner and recieved a call from the babysitter, "Alizah fell down the stairs." I said, "Is there blood? -no, but a bump." We were about done anyway, so we rushed home. She was screaming still when I got there, but I couldn't see a real big bump. I was talking about what she hit her head on and the babysitter said the floor. I had been assuming she rolled down the stairs, when she actually was straddling the banister, sliding and fell from 7 feet onto her head. We watched her all night. I didn't sleep until about 8:00 this morning! About 3 in the morning was when the swollen forhead turned into the color, light purple, then darker, and darker. She can't see out of it, but refuses to take any medicine. She actually whimpered all night long. I can't imagine the headache she's got and there's nothing she'll let me do! She wanted to take the picture next to her christmas list because she says, "I'll be able to see before christmas right?" She's breakin my heart.....

Ahhhh! Open Wide

So, Piper is following in her sisters Alizah's footsteps. She has terrible teeth and refusing to brush. Well not anymore....she experienced the dentist and now has no problem brushing her teeth due to her not wanting to go back to the dentist. I noticed a few weeks ago some bad spots on her teeth. So off to the dentist we go. She wouldn't open up the first time, second "happy" visit was good so we atempted to drug and drug some more to get four cavities filled. I really didn't want to take her out of town due to our experience with Alizah, so I pushed to do it here in Moses. The cost was half and we can make payments, so wanted to try at least. The first "cocktail" didn't work, so we gave her another dose and she was pretty loopy with the gas too. The first cavity went well with her hardely flinching, but by the last three-she'd had enough. Dr. Jorgenson worked pretty hard for his money and I was so impressed. He kept working with her kicks, bites, and quick turns of her head. I had to hold her arms down and by the time the hour was over, was so tense that my head hurt for a few hours after. Piper was so drugged after cuz the two doses had completely kicked in that she was kneeling at the treasure box and head dived into it before the hygienist and I could catch her!! I felt really bad laughing, but everyone had to smile as she lumbered out of the office. She has recovered and hopefully won't remember the torture that she was put through. Brandon's turn is next. I'm afraid I'm going to have to dose him up with cocktails to get him to go. He's more afraid than the girls!!

Pretzels, cakes, and messes

The girls LOVE to cook. I had a few pics on my phone of their latest cooking adventures. If you notice these two do not have a parent in them. It's the girls' favorite people, their babysitter, Lindsay and their pretend older sister Ella. Lindsay babysits on Mondays and Fridays. Fridays are "Treat Fridays" where she brings them treats or makes something with them. They look forward to her every week. The second pic is of Ella making her famous pretzels with us. I did help with this, which did us no good, because we burnt them. They were supposed to be for Jerry down the street who always helps us. He did get some, but they weren't our best showing! Ella is so patient with the girls. Her and Hanna play models, photographers, and rock stars. I love that she includes the other two and seems to make everyone happy. We've looked into renting her on a monthly basis, but her mom wouldn't go for it! A funny story about Lindsay and her sister, McKenna (who sometimes babysits too) is that the girls play, "Lindsay and McKenna". One of them will be Lindsay and the other- McKenna and they will talk to each other as the girls and dance around. (They are both dancers and Lindsay is on Drill team-who we went to watch at a football game once.) It's pretty cute and I honestly can't think of two better role models. I love how much I trust them to babysit and it definately says something when the girls want me to leave so Lindsay can come over!!

O Christmas Tree....

"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...." And keep singing those sames words for the next 1/2 hour!! That's what we listened to the whole night. I tried to get them to sing other carols, but Alizah said it had to be O Christmas Tree. And they didn't know any other lines, so they just repeated it over and over! Jerry brought down my favorite "skinny" tree, or as Korbi calls it my "charlie Brown tree". Now the kids call it that too. This year it is a little sparse on one side, but I think beautiful all the same. The kids had fun this year putting the ornaments up and I fixed them when they weren't looking! One room is now already for Christmas, boxes put away and the rest of the house needs some damage repair this morning. I also burned one batch of carmels already and need to try again tonight. At the gym, we are getting all of our parties and get togethers over this week, so it's busy for me doing cards, apprecation gifts, and getting ready for the dinner we are doing tomorrow. Christmas is coming and the kids are so excited!!

Turkey Day!

So it's 7:00 in the morning and I can't sleep. The one day to sleep in and I can't do it. So I'm snooping on all the blogs that I've missed in the passed few weeks. As I'm looking at everyone's blogs, I'm realizing I need to sit and take a few minutes and think about what I'm thankful for. After my past year, I've had a few things happen that don't necessarily bring the grateful mood into my life. But I'm going to try to refocus my thoughts with a start this quiet morning on what I am thankful for. Let's just say it's practice before I'm put on the spot at dinner this afternoon!

1. Family
Hanna-she is so tenderhearted and smart with a mind that doesn't stop. I am thankful for her deep thinking and questioning mind.
Alizah-she is a special girl with quirks that I do love. I am thankful for how hard she tries to be brave.
Piper-wants to be big girl and a baby at the same time. I am thankful for her desire to learn new things.
Brandon-I am thankful for the amount of effort he is putting into this family at this time.

2. My House
I love where we live and the land and neigborhood that that surrounds it. Every morning as the ducks fly over the creek, I think of what a lucky family we are to live here.

3. The Church
I am thankful for Heavenly Father for providing a church that is supportive and full of people that are willing to love. I am thankful for the Savior for giving his life for us to provide a way that we can repent of our mistakes and move on with Faith.

4. Friends
I am thankful for the many friends that I have that listen when I need them too with or without giving opinions back! I'm thankful that they they love me for who I am and are willing to help build me up.

5. Jobs
I am thankful for the opportunities I have to provide my family with the things that they need.


Ok, now for a few more thankful things that I'll just list in any given order....

dead mice,good customer service, drugs for dental work, ice cream, Maggie & The Ferocious Beast, DVD players for cars, cell phones, cheetos/oreos, computers/internet/email, i-phone, removable showerheads, Dyson vacuum cleaners, TEVO, contacts, employees that have workethic, dead mice-oh wait did I mention that already, better do it again, dead mice.

I have many, many things to be thankful for and I think that in my busy life that the negative can easily overpower me. My new year resolution (I might as well start early) is going to be to think more positively. I heard a technique yesterday that I'm going to try to start. It's called stop and redirect. When you are thinking something negative, you visualize a stop sign and redirect yourself into a positive thought. So I guess for Christmas presents, my friends might be getting stop signs to help me out with this!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone and I hope you have many things to be thankful for also!! The kids are stirring and I need to start my assignments for the dinner before they get up. We are going to a friend's house this afternoon. The kids are excited and I'm not having to cook that much so I'm excited!

Deep Kindergarten comments

My kids in kindergarten have been talking about the election. Some of their comments that I heard were definitley one sided to each of the presidential candidates. After reading Korbi's blog, and the article about the terrible disgrace we have shown as a country to our current president, I couldn't help but get my thoughts out on the matter. I have never told a class who I vote for or which candidate I support. Instead I've tried to teach the kids that no matter what we think, there are other people out there that might think differently and if we think we are right, we still need to be considerate to other's opinions. The article on Korbi's blog is interesting in the light of the election that was just held. Even though I did not vote for Obama, I need to take into consideration that he is our President and until he proves otherwise he needs to be supported. I guess I'm so surprised how young these deep feelings of support, respect, etc. are fostered. For example, Hanna came home from school and told me that our new President kills kids. Well, after a few days I figured out that she has just been introduced to the topic of abortion. I now have to have this conversation with her and despite my thoughts on the matter, I was shocked at how second graders are percieving things that are happening in our country. I just hope that parents can be a little bit more aware of their comments and try to teach kids to think for themselves and not be persuaded by other's opinions. Children this young really should have no opinion because there is no way they could have all the information to make an educated decision. And I think this is the biggest problem with elections, conversations about politics (well anything for that matter), etc. is that many people don't have all the facts before they are making their opinions known. I myself need to be more educated in these matters and am trying to make it a point to read more information.

So, on lighter notes, I have another mouse-mice haunting (well not haunting because they are not dead...yet) me. I really feel their eyes on me when I walk down every morning for the past week and see the mouse traps LICKED CLEAN and not set off. I think they are probably making fun of me in their own sick way. So my neighbor, Jerry the hunter, has baited the traps with bacon rines tied to the traps with string. So they'll have to pull and pull and hopefully,....SNAP!!!!!!! Jerry is such a kind man. The kids even know that when we have a problem, we call Jerry. We are so blessed to have Jerry and Tedde down the street and I'm really not just talking about the mice right now. They are always available to help us and we so appreciate them.

Twilight Fever

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I guess I'm not as excited about the new twilight movie coming out as my sisters are, but I do look forward to it. ( My Idaho sisters are going to a before party, a limo ride to the movie, and an after party!) So I had to take the quiz and see which character I was like. Maybe some of us Washington residents need to make plans to go to the show together. hint, hint....

A.I.M. Halloween Carnival

My Rockin Staff!!
Ok, I know they don't look too professional in this pic...but they are awesome!
We put together a fun afternoon for a hundred+ kids AND we were all smiling in the end :)

Hanna and her good friend Ella. They loved letting Alexie dress them up and do their makeup!

Beck and Piper. Beck was anti-Halloween and wouldn't dress-up. And Piper was at one point seen stripping her costume also...

Alizah was a bunny fairy turned princess fairy. My favorite is her "super-fast" tennis shoes that had to go with her outfit. She also enjoyed Alexie and her make-up. Now, every time Alexie comes over, Alizah asks if she can bring her make-up!


We had a fun afternoon for the first party of many for this Halloween season. We've carved pumpkins twice already and have a Stake Halloween carnival on Thursday and this is all before Halloween! We'll be traveling on Halloween day and arriving in Burley hopefully in time for trick-or-treating. The kids will all miss their school Halloween parties, just like last year. What's with family planning things on such a major holiday...just kidding! There is plenty of candy to go around and my kids DON"T need anymore sugar. Piper's newest thing is to take the entire pantry sugar container and hide in the living room and eat it by the spoonful. Why haven't I found a new place for the container yet? I guess she takes after me. My aunt still teases me becasue my favorite food at one time when I was a kid was butter and sugar sandwiches!!!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Something must be shocking to Alizah!

Alizah loved the leaves and loved to be chased around the "forest" of trees.

Piper hung in there for a few of the field trips this week and picked a pumpkin every time.

Hanna and Paisley (this outfit and picture is funny to see cuz I took Piper's picture the exact same way a few years ago in the same outfit!)

ALizah loved the GREEN pumpkins-they were actually easier to carve!


Ok, all my fonts/color is messed up and I couldn't figure it out in the above lines....
So we went to every one of my school's pumpkin patch field trips (six times in all). We were the drivers for the hay ride down to my neighbor's patch, so my kids definately got their fill of field trips this week. We also only lost two pair of gloves through the whole week! Hanna got to skip school and come to one of the trips. She's having a hard time with the amount of second grade work so it was kindof nice to give her a little break and let her do another type of learning! The school kids rode the hay ride, did the pumpkin thing, played in the leaves, gathered pinecones, then played in the backyard. My favorite time was when one of the classes, Alizah included, played pirate ship in our backyard swingset/fort. They were "heaving" up the anchor (a wrapped up volleyball net) and yelling at each other pirate style. It was so fun to see their imagination. You just don't see very much of that anymore with all the academic push so young. I won't get on my soap box today, but it's just fun to see their minds at work without a pencil in their hand...We had a busy week. We'll post pictures of the pumpkins we carved and the Halloween carnival that was today-as soon as Korbi emails them to me:)

I also have a story that I wanted to post, but I don't know if it is very appropriate, but I figure this is like our family's history-so I'll just say this much. My seven year old and I just had the "talk" today. I figured she was WAY TOO YOUNG!! But a neigbor girl has been telling her things and she was asking way too many questions, so I figured I better be the one to be giving the answers instead of an 8 year old. So I just wondered where my little baby has gone??? She has grown up and I'm just counting my blessings she came to me and I pray we keep this relationship for at least a few more years!!!!!

Thoughtful gift

I got a package and a card in the mail today from my Grandmother. It was a thoughtful card with a nice treat in it! And the package had three black wooden letters in it....A.I.M. This stands for my business and will look great in my new office!! I promise pictures will follow soon when I get the room put together. I just had to post quickly and tell her thank-you for the thoughtful gift and it was nice to know she was thinking of me. I rarely get a chance to talk on the phone and do anything in person, usually because people are asleep by the time I slow down for the night! :) It's sure fun to get mail and i appreciate all the nice thoughts for our family lately and the kind gestures of cards, lunches,and packages. It's been a good day!

Olympic Superstar Tour

Our Future Superstars!! The girls were so excited to see the gymnasts. Our two little ones, Laney and Alizah even wore their leos and everyone got a kick out of them!

WOW!! Nastia Liuken and Hanna!! We were talking about Alizah's birthday and having a princess come and Hanna pipes up and says I want Nastia and Shawn to come to my b-day. I hate to break the news to her that this is the closest she'll ever get even though it was only for a few seconds. I couldn't believe how fast the security rushed you through. The girls wouldn't even talk to the Olympians and they were just really busy signing things.

Shawn Johnson and Hanna and Victoria-a teammate.

So this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our girls. We had great seats and when the gymnasts ran by to change events or move formations, they would run along the side and give out High Fives...Hanna got to give Nastia a high five! I had two backstage passes for the autograph session so Hanna and Victoria got to be with only about 30 other people that got to go meet the gymnasts, but I had been e-mailing one of the head ticket guys and he actually let me slip in with them, so I got to take pictures and got a shirt signed along with a few posters for the gym. Hanna had her leo signed along with the other Olympians from Woodward Camp this summer. Hanna was actually pretty sick with a high fever and wasn't too energetic the whole night. I felt so bad that she wasn't enjoying it as much as she could have. She was a trooper and I guess she'll remember it in the end. Alizah had so much fun. She kept asking if they were real and all she wanted to do was touch them. I was so grateful to be able to take them. When I was in high school, I took my sister Jake to one of these and still remember meeting my idols and getting their autographs. I'm thankful to be able to give my kids these memories.

Hanna's School's Fundraiser

Hanna had so much fun at Longview's Jog-A-Thon. I didn't help her get too many sponsors (Mom and Korbi:)), but her grandparents did sponsor the back of the school's shirts-so thanks!! I got to see a few laps, but was not able to stay for the whole thing. Hanna's school is really great. Her principal, teachers, secretaries, counselors are so nice to work with. She likes school and told me one of the boys likes her "like a boyfriend". OK, WHOA....when did this start happening in the second grade? I took a deep breath then asked "what a boyfriend" meant. And she said he just chases her. So I asked her if she liked him chasing her. She said no and she tells the teacher all the time. I guess I better tell her to stop being so cute and nice!! Speaking of funny things, Alizah was smelling something outside of the car today and said to me, "Mom, you didn't shower today and you stink." Let's hope they let me shower tomorrow!

Another comment, there are sure some nice people out there. Unfortunatley, I missed one of them today or even possibly yesterday. One of my friends stopped by to give me lunch, and all i got was the note and I don't even know what day it was written. I sure appreciate people that go out of their way to make me smile! thanks....

Dead Mouse

One down, I don't know how many more to go.....it was so exciting!??

I had two meetings in my new office today...I actually used the words "step into my office". It was great! I can't wait to decorate more. Hanna had her Jog-A-Thon today. I borrowed a friend's camera so we'll post pics soon. She ran 20 laps for her school and after 3 hours of gymnastics-she's asleep earlier than ever! Alizah's even down before 10 and Piper is on her way. Wow, my show's even recorded and I might get to relax and eat my "Triple Chocolate Nirvana" rice krispie treat that my friend dropped off to me today!! What a name for a treat though...I haven't been able to do my morning workouts lately and I'm definitely missing them, so I better only eat 1/2...anyone want to take bets to see if it's gone before morning? We're looking forward to a quiet weekend and hope that the weather cooperates to play outside. Our grass still looks so green and nicely mowed that it's hard to believe it's getting too cold to play outside. I guess I better start digging out coats and making sure we have the right sizes..We also are going to take a walk down to our neighbor's pumpkin patch and check the progress.. We go with my school and we usually have to "transplant" a few because we have so many kids. It's also a fun trip with a hay ride and games at my house. We look forward to it coming soon!

Murdered mouse?

I have not murdered my mouse house guest yet, although the thought consumes me....I tip toe around doing the dishes and know that he/she is not going to run out while I'm watching, he'll/she'll wait until my guard is down and scare me then. Just when I think it might be gone (after a few days of no signs), it will make an appearance. I know the process, but can't seem to get it out of my mind. Besides a wanna be mouse killer, I'm also a liar to my children. According to them, the traps are still set "just in case" because we've caught the mouse. To my defense, the lie was necessary for their health. Poor Hanna ate her cereal on the stairs today for fear of going downstairs. If anyone is close to Hanna, they know her EXTREME fear of rats because of Ratatouie-the movie. We can't even say rats in our hair-we have to say snarls. She has nightmares, etc. So you can only imagine what one living in our house does to her. I hope to see a dead mouse tomorrow-I'd even take two or three (because Korbi says if there's one-you know there's more. She tells me this why????)

Besides setting my own mouse traps last night, I also went out of my comfort zone and attended a Chamber of Commerce social as we are now a part of the "commerce". It sounds so official. I was completely out of my eliment. It's a good thing I took Jasmine-my other teacher because I seemed to be tongue tied the whole time. I'm very comfortable around 5 year olds, but men and women in business attire intimidate me. It will be very good for our business as we are trying to up the level of professionalism. I also am enjoying the peace and quiet of my new office. I'm needed a few more pieces of office furniture, but anyone that is around here, I'm inviting you to "step into" my office and let me just pretend to do real business for a few minutes! Maybe I should make Korbi come take pictures to post for everyone when it's done!

I Just NEED One Break!!

So cute, huh??!!@@#$#@ This is a picture of something I want to die. He/She currently is living behind my dishwasher. My children and I are moving upstairs and will be eating out until this creature is gone. I will be calling in reinforcements tomorrow. I'm sending a message to any of it's friends/relatives that I mean business this time and I will not play games. All of the appliances are coming out and I'm calling in Kellee. She was your associate's destruction last time-SO BEWARE!!

Great-Grandma Mimi

We were so blessed to have family here this weekend. Great-Grandma Mimi came to visit with Uncle Tim, Aunt Debbie, Cousins-Kaela, Jordyn, and Justin, and Grandma Maimi Dawn. The kids were very excited to show off their gym, their rooms and their toys. We swam at the motel, painted me a new office at work, and played with the cousins. It was a much needed break and it is hard to have to go back to normal today. Korbi posted me some pics last night to show everyone my fish that love to swim! We watched conference as much as we could with all the kids and recorded it for me with the tevo so I can watch when they go to sleep! My friend Melanie and I actually hooked up the satellite a few days ago. We've had a broken satellite for a few weeks and I've missed all the premiers to my shows and the kids were going into a serious relaspe from missing Maggie and the Ferocious Beast. We're (maybe me the most :) ) are so excited to have it back!! Did anyone notice the smiley face I made? I'm also catching up on my texting skills!!

Whirlwind Saturday

It's midnight and my day is over. It was our fourth annual fiesta and it was a success again!! meaning-we all survived. You know after an event like this-feeding 100+ people, I think to all those who give of their time to help our school. There were more volunteers than ever and families that are new to our school that donated money during the raffle and auction to buy new toys. We've had a rough couple of years, but I really think we might make it! Like I said we are heading into our fourth year, which means we are almost to five years, which I hear is a mile marker for businesses....I guess I'm just wanting to put a big thank-you to all those supporters and the people who have faith in what we are trying to do.

So...you are all waiting to hear if guacamole was a part of tonight. I'm sure there will be pics. posted somewhere soon, because there were more cameras available this year and Korbi outdid herself. We'll have to see what type of evidence surfaces.....She always makes me smile at the end of the day. I couldn't function without her.

Brandon spent today roping which is something he hasn't been able to do for awhile. I got him a pass to go to a two day roping clinic here in town. He seemed to enjoy himself and is extremely sore-not sure how he's going to get there in the a.m.! I've been helping a group in town with vaulting on horses which is basically gymnastics on horses. It is very interesting and something Hanna now claims she wants to do also. I'm really excited to get Brandon and her doing activities together. When I think of Brandon roping I remember my Papa Doodle who was actually a real life saddle bronc rider! It's his birthday today and it brings tears to my eyes thinking of him since he passed away recently. My sister, Korbi has some nice pics of him on her blog and I think it's pretty neat to see him during his rodeo events. Happy Birthday Papa. We love you!!

Gotta get to bed-tomorrow is the Olympian's Tour in Spokane and a friend actually is taking Alizah now too. Poor Piper is the only one who has to stay home. Hope she has fun with Beck and Paisley tomorrow!

Field Trip

Long time, no post. We're finally up to something more than work, so thought I'd post a few pics. My school is going to the apple orchard this week. We have 85 kids-so it's split over two days. Brandon took our girls today with Korbi's class while I went to some meetings and I will take my kindergarten class tomorrow. it's the best field trip we've ever done. The kids get to go from the field to the washing/storage building then over to the packing shed. It's a great process that is very interesting-probably more so for the parents! The farmer is so nice and gives the kids apple treats, pins, and coloring books. There is no evidence in the following pics, but Hanna even got to go....shh! We're having our 4th Annual Fiesta Fundraiser this weekend-anyone want to buy tickets go our website aimgymnastics.com-it goes for a great cause!! Anyway lots of cooking work ahead for us, but a really fun evening for families. My kids look forward to the pinatas. Hopefully there will be no guacomole throwing this year-Korbi are you listening???? Salsa might taste better!! Anyway then we also are going to see the Olympians in Spokane. The gymnasts are going on tour and we are lucky to have tickets. Hanna wants them to sign her leotard so bad! We have a busy week ahead, then October is here. Hope we hang in there!

"Snow White"

Yes, this is my nephew Beck and I know his father would kill me for posting this, but we are banking on the fact that he doesn't blog! Anyway Beck loves to come to our house and play with dolls and dress-up. That's all we have so he really doesn't have a choice. He is gone right now to his cousins in Othello and Alizah keeps asking, "WHEN is Beck coming home?" She misses him terribly. I certified in CPR tonight and will finish with First Aid in the am. It's been a long couple of weeks with the gym starting it's fourth season in our new building. I've been working insane hours, so I needed a laugh and this picture caught my eye.....My kids are currently playing beauty parlor and they are on break with my appointment starting in a few minutes. Hanna had to go to the bathroom during the last appointment and she gave me $5 off-what a deal! My girls love to pretend and poor Beck gets wrapped up in it when he comes over. Well, Hanna just yelled and told me she is closing if I don't show up, so I need to spend some type getting my hair pulled-I mean "done." Isn't anyone impressed that I've started blogging again??????

Kortni's Vegas Trip