We are very proud to be Americans!!

Here are four of my five beautiful children in front of our new flag (Thanks Grandpa Welch!!). It sends a new sense of pride through me to know that we know get to show off our appreciation for our country. Being a parent makes if more wonderful to be here in such a wonderful country. This picture above is for Grandpa Welch. He asked Jayden to salute the flag for him so here you go Grandpa.

Jayden is my favorite little boy (that is one nice thing about one son, I get to say that all the time!) we were going to Vernal the weekend before the Fourth of July and out in the middle of no where there is a flag mounted to a rock. JayDee and I have seen it so many times that we don't really notice it anymore. Well Jayden must have seen it for the first time. He states "Mom, Look there is a flag. Do you know what that means?" I asked him what it meant and without any help he replied, "It means we are free." I asked him if he knew what it meant to be free He said, "It means that we get to go to church on Sunday and get to play with our friends." I have thought about that and don't have much more to add to that. Because of our freedoms we do get to worship the way we want and we also get to be happy and have fun with our friends and family.

With Brooke, it was the first day she came home from Kindergarten and recited the pledge of Allegance to me. She had some of the hard words mispronounced but it still brought tears to my eyes to hear my oldest child recite something that is so profound to us here in the US. I can't understand why people would want to take it out of the school system. It is absolutely wonderful to here these precious children recite. This year for the Fourth of July we had a picnic with the Kelly family well Amber asked Brooke about the flag and the fireworks and what they have to do with our freedoms. She wasn't sure about the fireworks part so it was fun for me to introduce her to the "Star Spangled Banner." I broke down the three versus and put them into terms that she could understand. I told her that I love this hymn and anthem and loved when we get to stand and sing it. Well she went off and I wasn't sure if she understood anything I had told her. Well on Sunday the 6th of July I had left Sacrament meeting and came home so I missed out on singing the hymn with the ward. The first thing Brooke did when she came home was come over and sit by me and told me that she had sung my favorite song and that she got to stand up and sing it. Since then I have heard her sing it several times. She knows where it is in the hymn book and she will put the book on her lap and sing. No music playing and surprisingly enough she knows the melody. It is the most beautiful thing to hear.


I love being here in America and the freedoms and the opportunities that it gives us as a family to explore and to appreciate. I am eternally grateful for our founding fathers who with Gods help established this land. I am truly happy that we still have men and women who willingly go and put their lives on the line to fight for the freedoms for these other countries. They know how wonderful they are and how important it is to share them when we can!!


GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

This picture I had taken and when uploaded them to our computer I found this weird image on the picture. I know what it looks like to me but you go ahead and let your imagination take you where ever it does. But look closely, you can see the flag through the image!!

Uncle Jess to the Rescue!!!

Ryan Kelly (husband of my friend Amber) has an Uncle who has been coming out to visit the area for a long time. When he can he will come to church here in DJ. Well one Sunday as he sat back and watched our ward he realized that there were five new moms in the ward and he wanted to do something special for us. He wanted to get us something that we wouldn't get ourselves. Well, with Emmalee being our last baby I wasn't wanting to buy a new swing just for her so I had been putting it off. When Amber called to see what it was that I would like I told her a swing. Uncle Jess paid for it and Amber got the fun job of shopping for it. I think it is the cutest swing I have ever seen and it is completely portable so it can go wherever we go very easily. It doesn't hurt that Emmy loves it. Before we got it she thought I had to be holding her constantly or she would cry. But now she loves to be in her swing I can get a lot done!!! Thank You Uncle Jess and Amber!!! We LOVE it!!!

"Giddy Up!!"

Anna loves getting "horsey" rides from Dad so wanted to give Emmy a ride. Emmalee got Anna right where she wants her. Including by the little hair that Anna has.

My little Emmy is losing her hair. We were so excited about her hair and now it has just stopped growing so now that she is growing her head is too big for the hair that she did have. She better get growing more soon!!

Super Big UH-OH!!!

Sunday Mornings are always done in order. Since JayDee has been in the Bishopbric and I am on my own getting the kids ready for Church we have had to have order in what we do so that we are on time. Let's just say that this didn't fit anywhere in our schedule before Church (nor after Church, this was a big mess)

I had just gotten out of the shower and was helping Brooke in the shower when Jayden and Cora both came in saying that I was going to be SUPER mad. I asked them why and all they would say was Anna did it (which probably means she had help). I walked into the kitchen and just about flew off the handle!!! JayDee had gotten the hot chocolate and powdered sugar down for the kids breakfast and didn't tell me about it and then forgot to put them away. So needless to say we had them both all over!!

When I walked in the kitchen Anna held up her hands full of hot chocolate mix and asked if I wanted any. I couldn't help but laugh then loosing any chance of scolding her. That came later. I knew I had to get the camera before I let my anger set in so I could remember this (Not that I could forget). I needed to have a good laugh or I was afraid I might get really angry. This really messed up our schedule for Sunday.

(look at the footprint in the mess!)
I made Jayden, Cora and Anna miss Church that day, telling them that because of the time crunch and all the work that I have to do to get everyone ready for Church I needed their help in the future. I suspect that Anna didn't act alone in making this mess otherwise Jayden and Cora wouldn't have come and tattled they would have waited for me to find the mess and then blame it on Anna. (I speak from experience!!!) Since that Sunday I have had some really great helpers getting ready for Church. I am a firm believer that if you give a punishment you have to follow through with it or the kids won't learn as fast.

What Have I Done?

I had no idea that I was training a photographer. I am usually the one taking the pictures. And you can guarentee that now that we have digital pictures I take pictures of just about everything and then delete the ones that don't need to be kept or the ones that didn't turn out.


I got up from a nap with Emmy and Brooke couldn't wait to show me what she had done. If only it wasn't me in the picture it would be very cute. This is the reason I am the one taking the pictures instead of being in them. I don't think anyone is ever happy with the way they look on film. But I do have to admit Brooke did a very good job. They really aren't as blury as some of the pictures she has taken.

Not My Baby Any More! :(

A week ago I went to put Anna down for her nap and couldn't find her. She is always hiding from me especially when it comes to nap times. Well I decided I would get Emmy ready for nap as well and then I could find and spend a little time with Anna. When I went to put Emmy in her bed I found my Anna as well. This isn't the first time I have found her in Emmy's bed but it is the first time she has fallen asleep. It is a good thing though. I am not eager for any of my kids to grow up. Emmalee is such a good baby that if Anna wants to act like my baby SOME days then it is okay with me.

"Snug as a bug!"

My parents gave Anna this purple bear for her birthday this year but she doesn't get it. Some of you may say that Emmalee is too young to be that demanding but your wrong. Any time that I can put her to bed without her crying is wonderful and if she doesn't have this bear then she will cry. I guess her room gets too dark. The bear has lights that glow when you press its hand and will stay light up to 20 minutes (long enough for her to fall asleep.)! She loves her pink bunny as well because it sings a lullaby to her. Boy I think she might be spoiled!! No maybe not. She is just loved!!
Anna doesn't even care. It was her at the beginning that gave the bear to her. She is always wanting to share with Emmy. I LOVE IT!!!

Where Is My Helper?

Just so I can keep an eye on her (away from Anna) I usually keep her with me at all times. I have started folding clothes on our bed so that she can lay there and keep me company (most of you know how boring laundry can be). Most of the time she will talk and make noises at me but just as I was getting started I looked over and this is what I found! At least I know that the fabric softener is working. These clothes look comfy even to me!

Again!!? Happy Birthday to me!

Two days ago my friend Amber Kelly treated me to a pedicure down in Vernal for my birthday. Because JayDee had plans on my birthday we just barely got to get away and go down. It was such a wonderful day to get to be away from the kids all day (poor JayDee had them all!). Just the two of us went down and spent the day. A while ago I decided that I hate the way my fingernails always look so I also got myself a manicure. What pampering. It is a good thing my birthday only comes once a year. I really could get used to the pampering!! Afterwards we went out to lunch and then the boring grocery shopping. By the time we hit the road back home it was after 4 pm. We were just at the first switch back (for those of you who don't know it is at the very beginning of our trip up the mountain) when we found ourselves stuck behind a couple miles of traffic. We got there after a horrible accident had happened. A mom and a 7 month old baby were in an accident with a dump truck. The mom and baby had to be extricated from the car and then flown to Salt Lake for treatment. The mom didn't make it and the baby is still in critical condition. We waited there for about 15-20 minutes when we decided that we would take the only other way home. That was to go back to Vernal and then out through Diamond Mountain. It was an extra hour and a half before we got home. There are two reasons why I tell of this. The first is because of an horrible accident I was reminded once again that I am so lucky to be out here in the mountains. As we drove on the bumpy and twisty roads I was very grateful that we had a car that we knew would make it. And second, when I heard of the death of this mother and the seriousness of the child it made me realize that we can always be just a little bit more careful. This mom was going just a little too fast going around the corner and ended up in the other lane and hit the other truck head on. I don't know how many times I have been in a hurry to a doctor or dentist appointment or just in a hurry because I was tired of being in the car so I would speed up enough for me to think I wasn't going too fast. And more often than not I have the kids with me. I can promise that from now on the appointments are never more than the knowledge that I am doing all I can to make sure that our kids are safe. Never take things for granted. I bet this mom wishes that she could be around to see her child grow up and who knows how many other people she left behind because of her reason to go just a little faster than she should.

"Is That Really Snow?!!"

Two weeks ago I needed to get out and mow the lawn. Our outside thermometer said 40 degrees but I was so sick of seeing the dead stems of the dandillions. So I went out and started mowing. I have decided that it is so much more pleasant to mow when it is only 40 degrees versus 70-80 degrees. I could see my breath as I was mowing. The kids kept telling me that I was crazy because I didn't have my coat on but it sure felt good to get a work out and not even break a sweat.

I was only on the first line across the back of the hill when it started snowing on me. I thought well I can hurry and finish since there was only small flakes at this point but just as I thought this the mower ran out of gas. So I had to call it a day. The sun came out shortly after that but I still didn't have gas and I didn't want to walk down to the gas station to get more! Who would when it means that you have to do more mowing?! You would have to be crazy!!

Needless to say Brooke thought it was so much fun to get snow in the "Summer" technically it was still spring so I guess it was okay to snow. The kids all wanted to get into their swim suits to play in the snow. I guess they thought it would be just as fun as when it was raining and I let them change so they could play outside. I can tell they are my kids! They never dress warm when it gets cold. JayDee would probably have a fit if had seen them!!

We have heard from several people in our ward that they have seen snow in every month except August. Yes! That is right! It snowed one year as everyone was going out to watch fire works on the Fourth of July. How about that? I sure hope I don't ever see that. I just might cry. I would take this heat any day over the snow. I bet you are wondering why I am here in Utah then right!? Well where else do you get to see the different seasons as well as we do? They might be a little behind or a little ahead of our plans but still we have all four seasons.

Can We See Those Pretty Smiles?!

Emmalee has the most beautiful smile but it has been hard to capture. I wish you all could see her. I decided that I can't wait for the perfect picture because each one we take I think how much cuter she is in person. So enjoy these pictures but keep in mind you just have to come see it for yourself!!
These are daddy's fingers. I don't like sticking my fingers in the babies mouths. Brooke ruined me. She had new teeth that I didn't know about and when she got my finger in she bit hard!

SUUUUPPPPERRRR Baby! She loves to be lifted into the air!

Happy Birthday to Me!

On Sunday 6/8/08 I was sitting in Church (where the good girls should be) and a neighbor came up to wish me a happy birthday (tomorrow). She asked me how old I was going to be. I told her 29 (which is the truth), she said "No! Really!" I told her really 29, she said that I was too young to be worring about my real age. It then dawned on me that she thought I was older than I was and being like all those people who always say they are 29 instead of their real age. Look how fun I can have with people this year. By the way - how old do I look? I thought I was right where I should be but I guess I look older. Just Curious!For my birthday JayDee surprised me with a day away from the kids. We had a friend in the ward (Janalee) take all five of the kids while we went and hiked around God's beautiful land here close by. We have found that we are so blessed to have these beautiful trails and views so close to us we wanted to take advantage of them. We went to Swett Ranch (Just below the Junction) and walked around. I found that it reminded me of Grandpa Nelson quite a bit. He didn't have all the buildings that were on this ranch but I think he would have loved all the different buildings. There was a pig and chicken pen, a bull pen, a tractor shed (which still had tractors that had been hooked up to horses), a grainery, blacksmith shop, wood shed, out-house (who wouldn't love that!), a root-cellar that was dug into the hill, and a place to hang all the days killings (animals of course). This Swett family lived there from around 1905 to 1970. They started out in a one room log cabin (they had three children in there), then they built a two bedroom log cabin (six children here), and finally built a three bedroom house (nine children all together - two boys and seven girls). The father felt that having a bathroom in the house was gross but because of his wife and all the girls complaining about having to go clear out to the out house he built a bathroom attached to the house but you still had to go outside. All the houses are still standing on the ranch today. We heard a funny story about the father as well. When tractors got engines this man still enjoyed doing the work the old fashioned way. The neighbors kept telling him he ought to get a tractor so he went out and bought a new horse and named him "tractor"
Check out this deer! I found it was very cute. Its ears are sticking out to the side instead of straight up. Like most deer. A side note - A little while ago I was going up to the resort and past a deer that had been slaughtered (seriously) on the road. On the way back down to home I was coming upon the same area and the dead deer was cleaned up and now there were six deer forming a circle around this spot. It was as if they were paying their respects to this dead deer. I had to come to a complete stop because a car was coming the opposite way and the deer weren't moving.
We are not sure what this is. It looks like a bunch of caterpillars. If anyone knows what they are please let us know. JayDee was fascinated with them (which is the only reason I kept this picture).
Not only did I get a way from the kids but I also got to have a nice picnic up near the canyon rim. That is where we went and hiked after going to Swett Ranch. It is a very gorgeous hike. Mom and Dad maybe this year when you come out to go camping we can go there on a hike. I am sure the kids would do alright on this hike. Any time anyone wants to come and go hiking please feel free. We love it here and would love to show you our favorite places.
This is a picture of a butterfly (for those who couldn't tell). Let's see. We saw deer, squirels, more deer, squirels, and oh I almost forgot - we saw a coyote. He was 40 feet away from us. He stood there watching us until JayDee whistled for it to come closer but instead it ran away. We love it out here and again are so blessed to have all this apart of our lives on a daily basis if we wanted.

VRROOMM!!

The kids all got to go play with the Collett cousins while JayDee and I went hiking for my birthday. This is what Jayden found right off. I think it looks fun. If there was ever a toy that I would want it would be a four wheeler. Or a "Ranger" like Nana and Papa have at the cabin. Maybe I can get Santa to bring me one this year for Christmas. I better start being Good!!!

I LOVE THIS!!!

I love it when we can get the girls to get along with each other. It is usually one on one and the other gets left out. JayDee went in to check on them one night and found all three of them crammed onto the Dora couch (Mom and Dad it is the one you gave Cora a year ago for her b-day). You can't see it but Jayden is on Anna's big girl bed. He says he likes having Emmalee in his room but because she doesn't go to bed until later he would rather sleep with the older girls. JayDee ended up moving Cora and Anna to Cora's bed and left Brooke on the floor. She is too big to move to the top bunk when she is fast asleep.

Sticker Artist

Look what I found! Anna loves everything about Emmalee. She loves her so much that she will not leave her alone. I find Anna where ever Emmalee is. I can't leave her alone for a minute unless Anna is asleep or something like this happens. The kids all got new books at the store and in one of them there was stickers. Anna decided that it was funner to put them on Emmalee than it is to put them on a boring piece of paper. I think she did a good job though. Atleast they aren't in her eyes and in her hair. Is it fair of me to ask now that they will be great friends in the future too. It might be fair but might not be likely.

Looks like Trouble!

I got tired of the kids jumping on the furniture and their beds so JayDee and I decided to go ahead and buy a trampoline for the kids. They absolutely love it. There is not a day where they are not jumping outside. The kids are so excited for summer because they want to sleep outside. Getting the tramp is so fun for that reason. But the rule is that they can only sleep outside when Dad wants to. I know that they wouldn't make it outside alone yet. Even Anna slept outside until about 2 in the am when she decided that it was still too cold.
Anna and her best friend Josie Kelly. A year ago Josie was scared of Anna because Anna was always wanting to be in her face but this year they get along so great. Amber and I love to sit and watch the two of them play. Anna is always asking for Josie to come and play. This was a rare occasion - the two little ones don't get much of a chance to jump by themselves because the big kids are always wanting to jump.

Happy Birthday Cora!!

Yes!! Cora is four years old. This year she had nearly a week of birthdays. It started on Monday the 2nd. I thought it was the 3rd so that would make it her b-day so we had a bbq with some of our friends here in town. They pointed out that it was only the 2nd so we let her open only one of her presents. Then on the 3rd (her actual b-day) she got the rest of her presents. She four horses to go along with all the "My Little Ponies" she got for Christmas last year. Plus other things but if you ask her those are the important things.



Check out this way cute cake. I wish I could tell you that I did it but I can't. My friend Amber Kelly made it for Cora. Her and her family came to the BBQ with us on Monday.

Anna's Big Girl Bed

For FHE we all helped paint Anna's new bed. She loves it! It is the perfect size for her. She got to pick out her own bed sheets and blanket. And can you believe it she chose the princesses. Cora didn't ever get excited about princesses. She has always loved horses and puppies. But my little Anna loves her princesses.

What is she thinking?

The kids were outside riding their bikes. I came out to check on them and this is what I found! No the dog is not ours. Our neighbor says that "Whippy" sits in the window and begs to come out any time the kids are out there playing. So they came over and asked if we would dog sit for an hour. I think the kids want one of their own. Too bad Dad is allergic!




I asked Anna what she was doing and she said that she had a baby in her tummy like mommy. She is two! I can't believe that she has figured that out already. I watch Brooke and her friends play house but never would have guessed that Anna would have learned this so young.

My Little Actors

Sorry about the color of this picture. I have never been able to get a good picture in the gym at the school. Any suggestions Amy? Each year the kids at the elementary get to put on a play. This year it was "How does your Garden grow?" But not Mary's garden because the farmer was a boy. This play was about Herb and his garden.
Brooke got to be the little bunny and Jayden and the other preschoolers were the crows. They other crows here are Kaytlin Mosley and Olivia Clegg. Jayden loved being apart of the play this year.

Our Wonderful Home Teachers

Brent has been our home teacher since we moved here and Marty (his wife) became my visiting teacher about a year ago. JayDee is their home teacher so a year ago we started doing FHE with them instead of home and visiting teaching. We alternate homes each month and share supper and then have a lesson of sorts. We love these two so much. Since being married this is the first time that we have had home and visiting teachers as faithful as these two have been. No one can take the place of Grandma's and Grandpa's but the kids sure do love to be around them. Even little Anna can say "Brother and Sister Feltch" I won't try to type it the way she says it, you will have to ask her about it one day.

I Did It!!!

One morning I woke up and decided that this would be the day! For several days I had thought about having Brooke's hair cut but the problem is that I have to take her to Vernal and then they never do what I want. So when I woke up that morning I decided that I would just do it myself. Oh!! What a rush I had that morning. It didn't look as bad as I would have thought it to especially since this was my first time cutting any hair other than JayDee's and Jaydens. I think I ended up cutting atleast 4 inches. And Brooke didn't even cry!! I didn't expect her to unless it looked bad since she had to go to school that day. I just might start up my own business in a few years. I think it will take that long since I have to wait for all of my girls hair to grow long enough for me to cut. (Unless you guys want to come be my guinea pigs!!)

See what I mean?

Jayden can be a GREAT big helper when he wants to. I think he is starting to really care for Emmalee. He couldn't wait for her to be big enough to sleep in his room. Now it could be two things. Either he really loves her or he was just tired of sharing a room with Anna. I think it could be a little of both.








One day the two of them took a nap on the couch together. Brooke was actually the one who captured these on the camera. Thank goodness for my big helpers. You can bet that if I don't have the camera Brooke of Jayden will have it. Good thing for the digital camera's since almost half of them we can't tell what the pictures are.

Beautiful Baby!

May 4, 2008 Emmalee Jean Guymon was blessed by her dad. If you want to see more professional pictures of her go to Amy's blog (If you haven't already). I am really slow at updating our blog. Our email is so slow that I have a hard time doing this every day. So as you can see I have a lot to show off now!
We had a lot of fun with those who were able to make it out. The next time that we will have a gathering like that will be for Brooke's baptism in a year. So those of you who need to get off work start thinking about it. It will be the first Sunday in September 2009!! If you start thinking now there should be no excuse next year why you can't come and have fun with us!

Where is his baby?

Andrew Collett loves babies. The first day that I had him back after having Emmalee his mom told him to leave the baby alone but the first thing he did when he came in was ask where the baby was and sat and held her hand. And after that he could be found holding and feeding Emmalee for me. For a long time I couldn't get Jayden to help me like that. He said that he didn't like her because she wasn't a boy. I think he had his heart set on a brother. He is getting a lot better though. I still think he would take care of her if he needed to.

"Look at me!"

Brooke got tired of waiting for JayDee and I to help her learn how to ride her bike. So she taught herself. It really helped that her new best friend here in town knew how to ride and always wanted to ride bikes. Brooke came in one day and said that Morlie wanted to ride bikes and asked if she could. I asked her if she knew how. She said no but she would learn. I looked out the window and there she went. And now we can't get her off her bike.
Good thing that around here the drivers are always told that the kids rule the roads so to keep their eyes open because for some reason that is where my kids would rather ride their bikes. Even little Anna. She tries so hard to keep up with the older kids!

Best Buddies

On Tuesdays Jayden had Andrew come and play
with him. He and Andrew get along very well. They are in the same class in both school and church. I guess that doesn't mean much here since the primary classes have a mixture of ages. So far this summer has been difficult for Jayden because we no longer have Andrew over every week.

Look what we can do!

As soon as we had enough snow melt the kids pulled the blankets out and hung them on the clothes line so they could "hide from the sun." If it were me I would have just put them on the grass and lay out and bask in the sun. We didn't see much of it during the winter. Brooke was so happy she could hang the blankets all by her self. She better watch out. I think I might put her to work hanging the clothes out to dry!

Flaming Gorge Icicles

This is at the base of the Flaming Gorge Dam after many many days of cold weather. This was created due to seepage around the dam and then the water freezing, making these huge icicles. Beware when the icicles start to melt. Amy, this picture was put on just for you.