Fun in the Sun!!

Running through the sprinklers sure help on these warm days!! The kids have had a blast playing. They ask nearly every day if they can go through the sprinklers. It is an easy set up plus it helps get those nasty brown spots we have!!

Step 1. Cover the sprinkler with the Frisbee and get sisters to come close.
Step 2. Let the Frisbee go and fun away from the sprinkler before you get too wet.
Looks like Anna forgot about step 2. Let's just say she wasn't too happy with her big sister. I of course just sat back and laughed. I remember doing the same thing and having the same thing happen to me growing up!! I guess that is the role of the big siblings!!

"Swamp Monster!!"
Anna didn't want anything to do with the water after Brooke's stunt so she sat right by me (I guess she knows that they won't get me wet!) and played with her dolly.
Cora being sad. Lately she has been feeling picked on and pouting a lot.
"Little Mischievous" Doesn't he look like he is getting into trouble?!

One last Post!!

I promise this will be the last post on the Fourth of July (for this year anyway!). The kids all had fun playing with Sparklers that Amber brought over to share with us. She couldn't get them lit fast enough for the kids. Plus they were gone before the kids were ready!!


Not sure why she is covering her ears. As you all know sparklers don't make noises.

Fourth of July Celebrations!

We had a whole weekend of celebrations here in Dutch John. Grandma Guymon came out to spend the weekend with the kids but got sick with the FLU so she ended up staying home near the wonderful "porcelain" throne and tried to sleep while we took the kids up to the Resort to let them play.

I had put my purse down next to Emmy so I could take pictures of Brooke and Jayden. I had to step away and had asked for JayDee to watch my purse. When I turned around I found him talking with some people from our Stake and not watching Emmy or my purse. Atleast someone was watching it for me!!



Wouldn't you say Brooke and Jayden look like PROS?!!













Even the Mules need to take a break when nature calls!! Jayden got a little nervous when the mule started to squat. He said that he thought he was going to fall off.




The Resort had many great activities on the third of July. They had an antique car show with some really funny looking cars and a great big slide, a petting zoo and mule rides. Cora and Anna loved the slide while Brooke and Jayden loved the mule rides. So there was something for everyone to enjoy.









We have Conner Miller, Jayden, and Cora in this picture.









My "Fearless" Cora!! Atleast when it came to this slide!! She is more on the timid "you do it first and maybe I will do it later" side!

Miss Anna was too quick on the slide for me to capture. I guess that means she loved it!! Daddy better watch out. The kids just might start asking for a big slide!!

Look at my BIG helper!!

Ever since we brought Emmy home from the hospital Anna has always been right there when I would change the diapers. But she always had her own babies to practice on. We always have clean used diapers around the house because she will change her babies and then decide that it needs to be changed again and then leaves them on the floor. Well I guess her babies weren't enough of a challenge for her. She had to move to a real squirmer!!

Here are the pictures to prove it!!!

She says "Hold your toes still!"
"Maybe if I give her the bottle she will hold still for me!!"


"What! You weren't supposed to see me!" Anna did it all by herself. After she was done we had to tighten the straps but all in all she did a great job. I think Emmy is liking her more and more because Anna loves to undress her and Emmy loves to be naked!! With the heat who can blame her!?

Memory Tag!!!

I got this from my Cousin Scott. Okay heres what you do.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. Enjoy!

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!