Where are the trees?

Every December I like to do fun, holiday things each day. On the first of December we decided to go see some Christmas trees at the "Christmas Tree Lane." It is in the same place every year - except this year. The building it is usually in is under construction. We looked there - no luck. However, as if we were on a treasure hut we found a sign telling us where to find the trees. We walked a few hundred yards to the designated area. Not there either. We looked and looked. Finally we left. My kids were sad and kept asking why we weren't seeing the Christmas trees. MaKyra was devastated that we had said we would see trees and then we didn't. Gabe just seemed confused and kept asking, "We see more Christmas?" Luckily we past by festive homes decked out with Christmas cheer and lights. Did I mention my kids have all been sick. Gabe and Parker were on antibiotics for ear infections and a sinus infection. MaKyra was sick but I thought she was okay. After walking around all over outside in a very cold weather for about a half hour we headed home. At home we found out MaKyra had a fever of 102.1. Nice. I felt like a really nice mom. We took her to the doctor on Wednesday and found out she has bronchitis. Anyways, these beautiful pictures were taken on our walk to the original location of the trees. Happy faces hadn't discovered the trees were missing yet. Matt told the kids to say "rocks" resulting in mouths open in talking fashion. There is a reason people say "cheese."

Tag Catch up

Crazy 8's Tag
8 TV shows I LOVE to watch:
1. One Tree Hill
2. Biggest Loser
3. Smallville
4. The Bachelor
5. So You Think You Can Dance
6. American Idol
7. Amazing Race
8. ER

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Olive Garden
2. Betos
3. Wingers
4. Texas Roadhouse
5. Pizza Hut
6. Sizzler
7. Applebees
8. Carinos

8 Things that happened Yesterday:
1. Went to breakfast
2. Went shopping for diapers
3. Went to Thanksgiving dinner at in-laws
4. Had lots of fun
5. Went to Scouts
6. Ate lots of food
7. Played Mario Kart
8. Went to bed!

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. Holiday Visits
2. Kids during the Holidays
3. Getting our own House
4. Matt Graduating
5. 4-wheeling
6. Christmas Party with friends
7. Date night
8. Christmas Break

8 things on my wish list:
1. Matt being home everyday.
2. A house
3. My kids to love reading
4. Gabe to out grow breath holding spells
5. Gabe to overcome his developmental delay
6. A Vacation just me and Matt
7. Change to a healthy lifestyle
8. ipod

8 People I'm Tagging:
Eight great people who want too!

High School Tag!

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes - and I married him
2. What kind of car did you drive?? Chevy Sprint and a Subaru
3. Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? Nope
4. Were you a party animal? Not really. I went to parties but I didn't party.
5. Were you considered a flirt? Me? No way. :)
6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Troylairs! Yeah choir
7. Were you a nerd? I didn't think so but looking back we are all a little nerdy
8. Were you on Varsity teams?? No
9. Did you get suspended/expelled? No
10. Can you still sing the fight song? Of course. I even sang it this year at a hometown football game.
11. Who were your favorite teachers?? Coach Whit, Mr. Ward
12. Where did you sit during lunch? We went somewhere in Rigby - Broulim's, Papa Kelsey's, wherever
13. What is your school full name? Why?
14. School mascot and colors?? Trojars, Maroon and Gold
15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? Junior Year - Mike Maloney, Senior Year - Matt Reeves
16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Maybe for a day or two but I don't know that I want to be that immature again.
17. What do you remember most about graduation? I had to give the opening address. I loved it. We had a fun all night party.
18. Where did you go senior skip day? I didn't go. I stayed at school because Matt had to or he wouldn't be able to play in the baseball game. So I stayed too.
19. Were you in any clubs? Yes - German, Student Council, Choir, Spirit. - Are those all clubs?
20. Have you gained some weight since then?? Yes, 4 kids later that is what happens
21. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? I did. I was in charge of it. It was a lot of fun.
22. Did you have a job while in high school?Bateman's Baking Products

Kids

Here are some pictures of our kids. The only picture I have of all the kids together was when Peyton was still in the hospital. It is sad. I thought I should do a little better. So here are some pictures. Here are all the kids. So happy.

Our boys. I don't think Parker knew what to think with Gabe hugging him so tight.

Sisters. MaKyra is so happy to have a sister.

I would have taken Peyton's pacifier out but this is what happened when I did.

MaKyra discover Rainbow Magic books through her school book orders. They are such cute books. We have been reading hers at night and she loves it. There is a big series of them. Check out the website www.rainbowmagiconline.com. The books are about two girls that help the fairies when the evil Jack Frost tries to upset the fairies world. I think most little girls would love these books.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was really fun this year. Usually we have our ward "Trunk or Treat" on Halloween night but this year it was during the week. Parker was sick so we didn't go but Friday night we were feeling great. Every year we trick-or-treat to my mom's office (pictures). Then we went to a community trunk-or-treat and then we hit the streets. I lived out in the country growing up and we didn't walk from house to house on Halloween. We had to drive. This Halloween was my first time walking around the neighborhood. It was so much fun. Our kids loved it. It was great to see people from our ward out trick-or-treating. These are my only Halloween pictures even though there were several Halloween parties during the week: Katie and Brent had a kid Halloween party and had an grown-up Halloween party a few days after. Then MaKyra did go to our ward party with neighbors. We attended the school carnival. Our kids also had Halloween parties in school on Halloween and then trick-or-treating. Needless to say our candy loot is large. It was a lot of fun though.

Water Falls

Last week we went up to the mountains to see some waterfalls. There was a nice little walking path down to the falls. It was beautiful. All the trees were changing colors. The kids loved it. It was nice to get outside and moving.

Well Baby

Peyton had a doctors appointment today. She is doing well. She weighs 8 lbs 4 oz. The doctor said because of how well she is doing she is now considered a "well-baby" and will be treated normally. She will just have normal check-ups now. We are very grateful for how she is growing and doing. She is such a sweet little baby.

Peyton at Home

Peyton was welcomed home with open arms. My mom was able to hold her for the first time. Gabe loves holding her so does MaKyra. Parker takes his turn holding her for about 3 seconds and then he is done. It has been great having her home. She is doing great. She had a check up yesterday and all is well. Her heart and lungs sound great. She is eating and growing well. We have been so blessed.

Peyton Came Home

Peyton came home last Friday. We were so excited. These are pictures at the hospital right before we left. We are so grateful for the hospital staff that helped us the past week. They were so great. I was impressed with all the doctors and nurses. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.

Gabe Going to School

Gabe started his new year of preschool last week. He is very excited. He is attending at our elementary school and he gets to ride a bus. He feels very grown up. He is loving it.

Four Kids Together

We took our kids to see Peyton today. They haven't been able to see her so they were pretty excited. The nurses had just fed her and got her to sleep so we tried to keep her asleep. I wanted to hold her so bad but I knew we couldn't stay long so I just let her rest. It is definitely hard to leave the hospital. Matt and I are going back to nightand I intend to hold her for a long time. I can't wait to have her home. The doctors still say she can come home Friday afternoon. They are running some tests on her today in hopes of finding what caused her heart to not work. They said they only find out 50% of the time. I am just glad she is doing so well. Oh, I forgot to mention she was 6 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches long.

Firsts

Peyton's first feeding.

Matt's first time holding her.

Peyton Marilyn is here!

Peyton was born early in the morning on Sept. 12 and was off to a rocky start. The left side of her heart wasn't pumping and so no oxygen was getting pumped to her body and fluid started backing up in her lungs. She was not doing well and so they transferred her to a bigger hospital. She has been improving rapidly thanks to prayers and modern medicine. The doctors have been astonished and how quickly she is improving.

MaKyra is back in school. She started yesterday and has been so excited. I have enjoyed our summer but am really looking forward to being back into a routine schedule. Gabe and Matt will both be back in school soon. Add dance for the kids and a (soon to be) baby and we have our hands full.

Our Busy Summer

We have had such a great summer and have been really busy. We have hardly been home between spending a lot of time with family and traveling.

Ducks and Fish

We took the kids and cousins to feed ducks. They loved it. The only down fall is that it doesn't matter how much bread you bring, you always run out a lot faster than you expect.

Gabe loved chasing the ducks and talking to them in "duck language."

I thought this little family of ducks was so cute. We all loved watching the babies.

After about falling in the pond several times, we decided Parker would do better in the stroller.

The kids loved looking for fish. The pond has big goldfish that are easy to watch under the water. They tried "making" a fishing pole. I don't think they caught any fish with it.

Parker's Party

Parker's birthday was a lot of fun. We had a cousin party at our local spray park. Everyone really enjoyed themselves. Gabe was especially excited about Parker's new dump truck, but wasn't as excited about sharing it with Parker.

Happy Birthday Parker!

Parker turned 2 on July 5th! I can't believe two years have passed since he was born. Time flies. Parker is such a great little boy. He is always happy and just has a great personality. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. We love you, Parker.

4th of July

We love the 4th of July! Fishing ponds, bounce houses, racing and fireworks. The whole day was just relaxing and nice. I love starting off the 4th with flag raising. It brings so much respect and patriotism to the day. The kids love the foot races. They all did so well. My camera batteries died as Gabe was getting ready to race so I only got the picture of Parker. Parker won his race. Granted, he raced with the 1 year olds when he turned 2 the following day. I think he will do great things with his money prize of 75 cents.