Good Morning Happy Girl!

Jaedyn has always been such a happy little girl, which has been so nice. The other morning I went to get her up for the day and this is what I found...a smiling, laughing little princess. This is how she is almost every morning, I love it. I wish I could be that happy when I first wake up in the morning!



And yes, she gets those cheeks of hers pinched (in a nice, loving way) every morning. Oh how I love this little girl!

Soccer Time Again

Last Thursday Jantzen played in his first soccer game through our stake since he's now at the right age limit. He's been so excited for it to start and actually get to play instead of just watching Jaron play. Jaron decided he didn't want to play this season, he only wants to do baseball in the spring, so he gets to sit out on the sideline and cheer for Jantzen.

Here's a picture of Jantzen's team..."The Golden Eagles".

From left to right...Josh, Jantzen, Jansen, Ashley, Elijah, Bailey, Chandler, John, and McKinna.

I love how Jantzen and Jansen are the ones pulling the faces...must be in the name.


The kids got their pep talk from coach Brad, then headed out to play.


While waiting to go on the field and play, Jantzen and Jansen played around on the sideline. I'm not sure what they were pointing at, but it was obviously very interesting to them...they crack me up!


When Jantzen did get out on the field, he was put in as a defender with Bailey. He was so excited because he still calls her his "girlfriend". Again, I'm not sure what he's doing in this picture, but it's obviously not paying attention to the game. He might just be showing off for Bailey, but she doesn't look that amused.


Jantzen got a chance to do a goal kick and he did awesome! He kicked the ball pretty hard and far. He thought that was fun.


For most of the game Jantzen just stood there, not paying attention or would just chat things up with other players on his team. We kept having to tell him to chase the ball. He didn't really seem all that into playing, but I hope that changes as the season goes on. (He's #14)



The game ended up being a tie, 2-2. The kids all gave their end of game cheer, which was funny to Josh and Brad because it was so long. I love the smiles I caught on their faces.


I really hope that Jantzen starts enjoying soccer more each week. It might take him getting a goal to accomplish this, that's what it took with Jaron. We'll see how things go as the season goes on. Good luck Golden Eagles!

Farewell My "Old" Friend

Today was a bittersweet day for Josh as he said goodbye to his long time driving companion of 14+ years. He sold his truck (1990 Chevy Silverado) a couple weeks ago and it was just picked up and taken away today. Since Josh has gotten my hand-me-down Rodeo and I was upgraded to a nice Tahoe, we haven't had a need for the truck anymore, nor do we have the money to fix it up. For this reason, it has been neglected for the last year and a half, hence the reason we sold it.

As long as I've known Josh, I've known this truck. It had its quirks that at times were frustrating and at other times would make me laugh as I watched how Josh dealt with them, but it has been good to us. Even though Josh hasn't driven the truck for a while, there are some things I will miss if we had kept the truck and fixed it up. I will miss seeing Josh "turn on" his AC (he would open all of the windows, including the back ones because the actual AC didn't work), I will miss seeing him "roll down" his window (he would stick his hand inside the door frame to accomplish this), I will miss the black driver side door that we never got around to painting the same custom color as the rest of the truck, but most of all I will miss the loud sounds the truck would make that would let you know Josh was almost home.

Here, Josh is a little teary eyed (not really) about parting ways with his "old" friend and he made sure to give it one last hug goodbye...



This truck served its purpose and gave Josh many good memories...it will be missed, but we know that it's in a good home now getting a much needed makeover.

Stuffed Gear Bags

Everyone knows that we are a dirt bike lovin' kind of family, so when we get something new that has to do with bikes the boys go all out crazy with excitement, even if it's something not so extravagant.

Ever since Jaron got his dirt bike four years ago he's been using Josh's old duffel bag as his "gear" bag and it's not that big. When Jantzen got his dirt bike this year we didn't have a bag for him so we decided it would be fine for him to share with Jaron. FYI...a little duffel bag does not fit two helmets, two pairs of goggles, two chest protectors, two sets of boots, tow pairs of gloves, two pairs of pants, two jerseys, and two pairs of socks very well. Needless to say, only the helmets, goggles, pants, jerseys, socks, and gloves got to reside in the bag.

To remedy this problem I searched our favorite site to buy riding gear from and found an awesome deal on some new gear bags for the boys. A few days later they arrived and Jaron and Jantzen acted as though it was Christmas morning, they were so excited.

They even started loading up the bags early. They said they had to check them out to make sure they would fit all of their gear. Guess what...they do, plus a little extra!! The boys also love the fact that the bags have a roll out mat for them to change on so they don't have to step on the dirt (I think that's genius!).


It's so nice now that the boys have their own bags to house their riding gear with plenty of room to grow with. Now Josh thinks he needs a new one, but that's not going to happen for a while. I mean, I need something, don't I? I'm feeling a little left out. Hopefully soon I'll have my own little toy to play in the dirt with.

New Bed...

Okay, so we all know that Jantzen is our little character in the house, and he never disappoints when it comes to making us laugh. I have been super slow at getting all of Jaedyns baby stuff she doesn't use anymore packed away and so Jantzen thinks that means he can use them.

The other day I caught him using Jaedyn's infant car seat as a bed for a nap, he was sleeping like a baby. He's pretty creative...


Now, if I could just figure out how to get him to nap more often!!!

GNO

Last night my friends and I had another one of our monthly GNO's. We went to see "You Again", it was such a cute movie.

Here we are, all getting ready to enjoy another "chick flick" without any distractions of our real life...

(Me and Lara...we missed our Savannah this time)


(Tanya and Jennifer)


(Janae, Crystal, Amy, Jessica was missing from the picture, but was there)


After the movie we went to our usual place to eat, TGI Friday's and enjoyed some yummy food. As always, we all had a great time hanging out and chatting the night away. I love my monthly GNO's with the girls!

Mommy's Little Helper(s)...

I just love all the little helpers I have at my house. It seems that around age one my kids start wanting to help out with everything, but mostly the dishes. As the years go by and they get older it doesn't last though, unfortunately!

Jaedyn has been really obsessed with the dishwasher lately. I think she likes it more than the boys did at her age. Anytime she hears me open it up she's right there like she appeared out of nowhere. Her favorite thing to do is sit on the door, so I have Jaron hold it up for me so she can't all the time. The rest of the time Jaedyn will just pull out the dishes I've already loaded in, so I guess it ends up being more work for me, but she's such a cutie so I'll let it slide.

I think these are the three cutest little helpers ever!



I dug this picture out of Jaron's scrapbook, isn't he so adorable? And check out that expression he has. It's his, "Oh No" look, like he thinks he's in trouble. (Sorry, the picture isn't very clear. It was taken in our condo in Utah before I had a digital camera, so I had to scan it).


And here's my little (not so much anymore) Jantzen with his attempt at helping me with the dishes. He's always had such a huge smile on his face...I love it!


I think it's so funny how all of my kids have loved the dishwasher at the same age. Now, if I could just figure out how to make them like chores as they're older, it would be so nice and helpful!

Wolf Award

Last night Jaron had his first pack meeting in our new ward. He was really excited because he was getting his wolf award, one gold arrow point, and four silver arrow point awards that he's worked so hard to receive.

Here is my cute little cub scout and his awards.


After all the awards were given out the boys and leaders got to play some games. One of the games they played was with a parachute. Jaron and Jantzen had a blast with this. I remember playing these same games with a parachute when I was in kindergarten...those were good times!




The boys' favorite part of the night was the dessert. They got to enjoy some yummy ice cream with chocolate syrup, or strawberry if you're Jantzen.


I'm so proud of Jaron and for what he's accomplished so far in cub scouts. He enjoys it very much and I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.