Can You See It?

A couple months ago our ward had a "Ward Family Night". The activities committee had different booths set-up to help promote the importance and different ideas to make monday nights "Family Home Evening" effective. One of the booths was a family assignment chart....this brought back memories of a wooden chart I made back when Ally was a baby.......I made it and honestly forgot about it, but looked forward to the day when we could utilize it. After the ward activity, I pulled it out and it has been SO effective! Our family's rotation: lesson/activity, treat, songs and prayer). Everyone has been excited to do their part and the burden is no longer left on mom.

Tonight's lesson and activiy was up to Ally. Normally, mom would assist and help her find a lesson and activity that would be suitable. This time, Ally was prepared and insisted she did not need help...she had the perfect lesson and it was one we had not done before. This preparation started in sacarament meeting the day before.

I was a little puzzled when Ally wrote on a piece of paper, in very tiny letters "Can you see it". There was no picture. On the opposite side of the paper, a poem was written.

Heavenly Fathers real.
He's really real to me.
I love Him so much.
I can't see Him.
Though he's really real to me.

I was touched in sacrament meeting, but didn't get the "Can you see it" on the opposite side...I didn't catch the fact that the two were related.

Tonight's lesson was all about combining the two, but with a little more detail:

She asked us all to look closely at the picture (no picture). "Can you see it, can you see it? Well, let me tell you about it. I know my Heavenly Father is real. He's really real. He can help us when we feel sad. I love him so much. We can't see him, though he's really real."

Jeremy and I were pretty choked up. The spirit was so strong, coming from this sweet 7 year old girl. We were able to tell her what a wonderful lesson she had given. We were also able to convey that this lesson was her testimony of Heavenly Father AND we were so pleased she shared it with us.

For our activity. Ally wanted each of us to draw pictures of Heavenly Father with His Son Jesus Christ. We needed to include a sun in the top corner, write something about the way we feel and anything else we wanted to include. Ally's picture is below:


We are thankful for this daughter of God that was sent to our home. She is such a blessing to our lives and helps us feel the spirit daily through her example.

Dad's pups

This is a nightly scene at our house....can't say he's the only one though. The pups are getting pretty darn cute and as of today are just beginning to open their eyes.

Take your kid to work day!

Ready for the day to begin! "This is going to be a great day...maybe, I can even earn some money mom!"


At the office, plugging numbers in the calculator. Jessell, receptionist and soon to be photographer, took this shot...I'm sure she loves the special effects, sorry Jessell, your camera shows too much...including my spots and double chin :)


A text came through mid-afternoon of Ally in daddy's park attire. She enjoyed the attention and the opportunity to wear a few hats throughout the day: mom, office assistant and parks assistant (last half of the day).

The first thing Ally did when she got home was head for the couch and PLOP! Face in a pillow and ready to sleep....I think she got a taste of our exhausting days and I couldn't help but tell her...."okay, now its time to make dinner and feed the kids!" Her response "UGG". Maybe now she understands our exhaustion at days end :)

Puppy Names

Yes, most of you would say this is going overboard...naming all 10 puppies. Let's just say at this point we're glad everything else around us is multiplying like mad and it makes up for our lack of ability LOL :0)

We had a blast pulling all the names from Jeremy's list (a list he started the day Ruby was bred...a list he lost sleep over...a list I wish he would have contributed to the day I started lists for our kiddos 5 and 8 years ago LOL!). I thought we did a great job matching the dog to the name.

Rose: Spec on the back of the neck...is the Rose.
Twins: Mae, has a "V" on her chest; June, just a blotch.
Storm: Lightening strike on the back of her neck.
Mini: Smallest of the litter...I think has really cute markings on her forehead.
Pearl: The tiniest white dot on her back end...my favorite name.
Fancy: Nothing fancy about this one, just like the name.
Hondo: Only boy and because Jeremy's a huge Clint Eastwood fan...the movie "Hondo"
Jewels: Diamond shape on her back.
Daisy: The little spec on her back end is the last pedal remaining on the flower (stretching it...but it helps identify)

The Pups are here!

Jeremy & I realized Ruby was in labor last night. Just after the girls fell asleep we noticed 2, then 3 before we headed to bed.

We woke up with a shock this morning. She had 10 pups! We'll have to take a better look later today, at this point we think there's 9 girls and 1 boy. We never thought little Ruby could deliver such a large litter. Way to go Ruby! Now hopefully you can get some rest!

More Chicks...

I realized I haven't posted our chicks! We got them in February. They are now big enough to head outside. The girls had a blast playing with them in the sunshine today! This is only two of them. We will have a total of 9 chickens roaming around the farm :) This time confined to the goat pen....now that we know you can trim the wings and prevent them from getting out LOL!

I love to see the TEMPLE!

On our way back from the tulips we stopped to see the temple. What a sight when your coming down the highway (heading home) and see the spires and Moroni shining though the treess! It was a short stop, but well worth every minute! Look at these happy girls, having a great time in a place they know is so special!

Tulip Festival 2010

I look forward to the chance to get out and see the tulips each year. It is such a good feeling to be out and see such an array of colors. Mom went with us. This was so nice! For it's been a while since we had an outting together. I was upset towards the end that we didn't get any pictures with her. Sorry mom! I wanted to make the attempt, but after Ally lost her show in the mud and got her socks and feet dirty, there was no making her happy until we got them clean.


Making the trip on a nice day is a bonus for the girls. Lots of activities and fun....these are Ally's favorite things!


Kaitlyn loved the cow train and taking pics of the tulips. She took most of the pictures surrounding our group photo above.

Our baby's first tooth is GONE!

I cannot believe Kaitlyn lost her first tooth already. She noticed it was loose on Saturday and it took only 5 days to loose it! She is growing up so fast and is SO ready for kindergarden.

The toothfairy came the next morning and Kaitlyn was thrilled that there were "more than 1 moneys!" I had to correct her, a total of 6 coins ($1.15). She feels rich!

Congrats Kaitlyn!

Easter Day

Easter day was great! Sad I didn't get more pictures though! Woke up with an easter egg hunt and our colored eggs for breakfast. Rushed off the Grandma and Grandpas for another easter egg hunt and a great session of General Conference (broadcast worldwide from our church). Following conference we had a wonderful lunch with mom and dad, then headed home to listen to conference (this is the time of year I get so sad we can't get cable).


After our second session of conference we headed over to Jeremy's brother house (Aaron and Katie's) and have a great Easter dinner. All of us were thrilled that Great Grandma was able make it. She is looking great and it always great company.

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter and a chance to remember the wonderful blessings of our Savior and His Resurrection.

First Sleepover

Ally and Jillian are the best of buds. The highlight of springbreak (since the weather was so crummy) was their sleepovers. Kaitlyn had Ruby over a few nights before. Ally went to Grandma's that night (she thought is was a much needed break from her sister). Ally was thrilled when Kaitlyn (the third wheel of all play dates) went to Grandmas and she got Jillian all to herself. It was a fun girls night...with lots of curls the next morning :) They stayed up until 12:30am. Ally didn't know how to get to sleep at that point and was a wreck!

Now I don't know what to when the girls are asked to have a sleepover elsewhere. Hopefully, the parents won't think I'm hypocritical when I say no and hopefully I can find a tactful way to say it. Nothing against the parents, I just know my girls and their need for mom and dad in the middle of the night.

Reese Arrived!

Jeremy's youngest sister delivered beautiful Reese Rebecca on March 30th. This is her 4th child. So happy everyone is healthly and doing well! Congrats Becky, Steve, Sydney, Steven and Tori, she's a beautiful addition!

Jam packed day of fun!

It's official, Kaitlyn is 5 and SO happy! A common statement from Kaitlyn when she's pleased is "You Rock!"


When Kaitlyn returned home from pre-school, she and I had about an hour to enjoy each others company. Grandma came over and had lunch with us. After that we headed to pick up two of Kaitlyn's closest friends, Talitha and Ruby. They all had a great afternoon at Kids Club, then back to the house for presents, dessert and craft-time.


Once the girls were picked up, our family headed out for a great family fun night. It started with the best chinese food ever, free birthday tokens at chuck e cheese, then ice cream. It's lots of fun to be together and celebrate our little sweet Kaitlyn!

Our Baby's Turning 5!

We were so happy to celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday with our family last night. It's always difficult trying to accomodate everyones schedules. This time, a saturday night party worked wonders! Both sets of grandparents, Aaron, Katie and their kids Lauren, Audrey, Rachael and Thomas made it in addition to Kevin, Heather and little Mya. That's all the family close by these days.


This was a Hannah Montana themed party: cake, music, deco, games, etc. The kids had a great time playing "Don't Eat Hannah" and "Pass the Present". It was fun watching them play and enjoying the company of our loved ones. Thanks everyone!!!

More "Goodbyes"

Rosco and Ella went bye-bye this morning. Kaitlyn was a little sad, but not quite as devastated as Ally (more time to cope with the idea). We are thrilled that some friends from church took little Ella and Rosco and don't live far from home. The girls are so happy they'll get to visit...although I'm not sure if they are more excited to visit the goats or the miniture pony they own :)

Here are Kaitlyn's goodbye photos:

Resemblance?

I can't believe I forgot to post this pic of Kaitlyn with her great grandfather in the last posting. It's a great picture of the two of them and I'm amazed at the resemblance I see in the two of them.

Happy 89th Grandpa!

We are thrilled we were able to celebrate your 89th birthday together. You are an amazing grandfather, filled with so much love for your grandchildren. Thank you for being the Grandfather you are!


We love you!!!


Ally and I enjoyed baking a spice cake from scratch. She was glad she got to present it to Great Grandpa and dish-up all the pieces. I think grandpas expression surprised Ally a little...love it!


Surprises are one of my favorite things! When Sami (my cousin) and I scheduled our visit with Grandpa, we didn't tell him about the other people that were coming and that it was for his birthday. Mya was one of the surprises...this was the first meeting. Mya examined him pretty good, but from a distance.


My cousin Sami is my Uncle Tim's (dad's brother) daughter. I haven't seen her since her baby shower and that was over 5 years ago. Our girls Shelby and Kaitlyn are 4 months apart and hit it off SO well! Kaitlyn told Ally away several times, for she wanted Shelby all to herself. They all had a great time on the back patio. It was great to see my Aunt Karen as well. Thanks for the reunion everyone!


A couple of the things I love most about Mya is her expressions and her jibber jabber. SO cute. These are pictures of her with Grandpa's dog Lucy. Thank goodness Dad was holding Lucy in case she snipped at Mya when she got close.

Lauren's 10

Happy Birthday Lauren! You are a lovely young lady with such a loving personality. We are glad we were able to celebrate your special day....and what a great one it was....entering the double digits and having a cousin born on your birthday! LOVE YOU LAUREN!

Wecome Baby Jade

First of the 5 babies in 2010 to arrive in the family. Congrats Kierstin, Wes and Westin, she's adorable!

Saying Goodbye is Hard

It was really hard leaving Rosemary and Eli. They are the best goats I’ve ever had. It was fun watching them play with each other. Eli would not stop jumping up on Rosemary. Eli was my favorite because he had a black stripe down his back and white on his chest. He was my cute buddy. Rosemary was cute. She was named after me. Even though she kicked me, she’s still a fun goat.

I felt really sad the day they left. The people who picked up the goats said they would be nice to them. They also said they would take care of them by bottle feeding them. I believed them. They will take good care of my goats. I’m happy that Carol and her husband will take pictures and let me come visit.

I love you & will miss you, Rosemary & Eli!

Ally