Trunk-or-Treat

We went to a trunk-or-treat Halloween Party last night at the church. The kids had a blast as always. Notice Iree in Costume #2 "CookieMonster". Jacob is of course a clone... and Mason is a Cheeta.

Heather was in charge of my trunk while I took the kids around. She kept scaring kids when they reached for candy she would reach out the dead hand... lots of kids were jumping away from my trunk!!!... There were so many kids I ran out of candy....so I just snuck a huge handfull of what Mason collected and we out lasted the crowd... he doesn't need it anyway...right?

Ballet Class Halloween Party

Ireland is in costume #3 "A Fairy" she thought it would work best for dancing.

Maelyn and Iree love their dance class.

I guess 2nd isn't all that bad.

We had the rec league championships last night. We just couldn't get past "The Dominators" they have a great team... It is a blast playing them because it is real competition. I normally hate taking second in anything but I guess it is just rec league so it is ok...I'll live.

Here is our team.

Martha, Heather, Me, Tameisha, Tasha and Lindsay.

We already play again next week... It is the never ending league.

I love it.

And It Begins...

Halloween Week

Iree's Halloween Program at her preschool.

She is Snow White... don't know if that will change by Halloween but I wouldn't be surprised.

She has 4 other events this week (Dance Class, Church Activity, her other Preschool and Halloween night) so I will of course take pictures and post all the Halloween fun.

Maybe this is why I should pay a photographer...

It was such a beautiful day and the leaves are an awesome red. I though I would go out and do a little photo shoot with the kids. I need to update the individual pictures hanging in the entryway they are over a year old. I snapped away thinking, "If I just take 100 pictures I am should end up with at least one of each kid that will work." Well I filled the card and this what I got. I think my kids are just plain tired of me taking pictures and the sun was just a little too bright.

I hope we have better luck next time...

Thriving Ivory Concert
They are an awesome new band check them out.
Thriving Ivory


Benton Paul opened for Thriving Ivory. He is a local kid from Highland and he was very good. Overall the music for the night was great.

We had a few other exciting things happen... while waiting in a line with a thousand people we were talking and laughing and out of the blue I was pummeled in the head with ice!!! Someone drove by and threw a large Wendy's cup of ice water out the window... and it had to hit us!!!! It hit Mark in the shoulder and then bounced right onto my head... Heather and I started laughing hysterically and we just had to get pictures... I heard the people behind us say, "If I was her I would be so mad!!" Chill out people... life is funny! I always like a good laugh even if it is at my expense!

At least it was only water...

Oh yeah... I almost forgot... we also got a parking ticket... the sign was tacked on a stop sign in an odd place and none of us noticed it... So all in all our cheap date night actually was a little more spendy than expected.

Tickets $10.00 (killer deal thanks to 101.9 the end)
Water $3.00 (no drinking fountain)
Baby sitter $33.00 (gets more spendy each year)
Parking Ticket $45.00 (just plain stupid on our part)
Lots of laughs $Priceless

The Joys of being "Mom"

Just a little warning... if you don't like disgusting stories you better stop reading!

I just want you to get the real feel of what life at our house is like. :)

So this morning I was going about my usual routine. Iree and Mace were in the bath and I was across the hall folding laundry. I heard Iree scream (nothing unusual she screams at everything) so I didn't pay much attention. Then I hear Mason laughing and saying "Poop mom... Poop" I ran in the bathroom and Iree practacly jumped into my arms. I looked in the bath water and saw 3 little logs floating around. I took her to my shower and turned it on and then went back for Mace. In that short time he must have hit the poop and made it decinigrate in the water... (brown water... get my drift... oh, with many floaties!) I plucked him out of the water, holding him at arms length I took him to my shower. After scrubing the kids and getting them dressed I returned the the stincky, disgusting bathroom to clean. Some of you know that it doesn't take much to make me gag... even the thought of poop in a bathtub makes me gag!!! But there I was cleaning it. Like I said... The Joys of being Mom!

Spencer David Perry

Oct. 10 2008
10:30 p.m
8 lbs. 5 oz
23 in

I got the pictures today so here they are... Sawyer got his little buddy and I am sure Scott, Sunny and Sammy are a big help and love the little guy. I get all tongue tied when I try and say all their names. One thing is for sure... Michelle sure has cute kids.


Congrats Michelle!!!

First Snow
Excitement!!!

Iree and Jacob put on snow clothes over pajamas because they were so excited to go out in the snow.

#22 is here!!!

Spencer David Perry
Oct. 10 2008
10:30 p.m
8 lbs. 5 oz
23 in

This is my sister Michelle's #5. She has had every one all natural... yes she is a lot tougher than me. She had him at home with a midwife. Every thing went great and a lot faster than her other deliveries. I don't have a picture yet but as soon as I get one I will post it.

This makes 22 grand kids under 12 years old.

Congrats Michelle!!!

Yo Yo Mace Dancing :)

We have finally figured out how to get our videos going!!
This is Mason on the 24th of July in Mapleton. Sweet rhythm.

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I saw this on Reiko's Blog and thought I would give it a shot... I do not consider myself a "princess" in any way so I was a little curious who they would come up with. It turns out I am exactly like Reiko... So Reiko, I guess you like to hang out in comfortable clothes and your idea of a date is hiking to a waterfall! I didn't realize we were so a like. :)

"Oh Man! You have a "Joseph"!!!"

This is our family's word for "bedhead." Mason woke up with a pretty nice one because we slept the last 4 hours of the night on the couch! Ugh!!! I just had to take a picture and explain.

My dad's name is Joseph... He has a "Joseph" 24/7. Ok, maybe not the moment he steps out of the shower and combs it down with his ancient brush. It stays down until it dries and whammo the hair on the top/back of his head sticks straight up. He knows we call it this and laughs with us.

Sister's Night Out

We missed you Michelle!!!
Michelle lives in Idaho and is about to pop any second... She was actually due last Saturday and nothing has happened so far... Hopefully labor is starting as I type.

We have decided that around each of our birthday's we will go out with no kids or husbands... just the sisters.

My sisters are awesome.
It has taken a lot of work from all of us to overcome our "social issues" and actually be true sisters. I feel like the last little while I have become so much closer to each of them. I have always loved them but now I can actually tell them with out feeling awkward. We had a great time and they didn't put up too much fuss when I made them pose for a picture. (I fear people are getting sick of my camera)

You know you are absorbed in hilarious conversation when you say "tampon" way too loud and you see heads turn in your direction. It is so great to be close and share our lives with each other.

What other set of sisters can put together a volleyball team and kick some serious butt!

I love you guys!
Thanks for a great night out!

Pumpkin Patch

The kids and I went to pick out pumpkins... we had a great time playing in the pumpkin field, in the wheelbarrow and going through the corn maze. I put a ton of pictures on... I just couldn't decide which ones to post... enjoy.

This is my new favorite group for the month... This is their music playing now... It took me a few tries before I really liked it... but now I like almost every song on the CD. He has a very unique voice that I like. Mark got some cheap tickets to their concert next weekend. Wow another date night... I love it! I am a music nut... I have to have something playing all of the time so I just thought I would let you all know what I listen to lately at home and in the car.

"Mark McNees, you wont believe it but here.... is... The Best and Most Amazing Brazilian you ever known in your life!!!"

The other night Mark checked his messages and had a hilarious message from Ito... Ito and Mark go way back. They played volleyball together in High School. Ito was a foreign exchange student from Brazil. They were great friends and lost touch for over 10 years. Mark has often talked about Ito and how fun he was. We had a great visit. He has been traveling so we went through pictures, he has been to some amazing places. Hopefully we can go visit him in Brazil soon... how awesome would that be.

American Fork Canyon
Fall Leaves

We took a little drive up the canyon today... we wanted to take family pictures but it was raining so we just went for a drive. It was beautiful... we will do pictures next weekend so hopefully we will have blue skies and no rain.

The fall leaves made me think of Dave... he loved the outdoors and hunting... hunting season is coming up. I decided to take some leaves to his grave... Heidi picked a bench so the kids and anyone else could sit and look out over Utah Lake. The other side lists Heidi and the kids. I never understood why people would visit graves. I just didn't understand the peace you can feel. Now I find comfort there. What a beautiful fall day. :)

The Day I Loved Construction!

We have a lot of constrution going on around us. A few days ago they started digging the foundation for a home across the street. I usually get anoyed with the loud noise that goes on all day... but not today! I had a house to deep clean and these trucks kept Mason busy for more than an hour... no kidding, he watched out the window and would say, "dump it" , "truck dump it!" Here is what I got done...
Dishes,
Vacuuming,
Toy reduction!!!,
Bathrooms,
Moping,
Windows,
Dusting,
Cleaned out the fridge,
magic erasered my walls that had crayon on them,
and I even read a few pages from my book. All before we had to go pick up Iree from pre-school.

The Clone is
7!!!
Jacob's birthday is conveniently located before Halloween so a costume is the perfect gift. He and 5 of his friends are going to be Star Wars characters. This is Jacob on the left and his friend Spencer on the right. They have been wearing the costumes everywhere.

Heather and I constructed a clone cake...good thing about 7 year olds... they could totally see the clone we created. When my mom came the next day she looked at the cake and said, "Oh, what is that... a rocket?"

UV Alumni Night

Tasha and I played in the alumni Match at UV. It was lots of fun. It is was great to see Sam and Lori. I have great memories of UV. It is always fun to look back and see the people who have impacted your life. Sam was a tough coach... there were times I thought he was crazy and too involved. After my whole career I can easily say he is the best! I look back and am grateful for everything he taught me about volleyball, character, teamwork, and responsibility.

This is me, Melissa, Tasha and another coach Brooke.

I'm now 29 !!!!

I had a great birthday... Mark planned the whole night which made it even better. He arranged to have my nieces watch the kids while we went to Tepanyakis and a movie all by ourselves. It has been so long since I have gone out to eat and not had to entertain the kids so they don't go nuts. I actually got to eat my food when it was hot!!! Thanks Babe!

It is nice every once in a while to feel like your dating again. While at Tepanyakis we were seated with 3 businessmen and another couple in there early 40's. One of the businessmen and the couple started talking about kids. He said, "I have two little ones." The lady said "I have a 1 year old and a 3 year old... They keep me young..." Then her husband said "We are 42 but having kids makes us feel like we are a young 29" I chuckled.... Here it is my 29th birthday and I have three little kids and feel like I am 18... Mark and I were content just listening so I am sure these people thought we were either newly married or dating. As Mark and I walked to the car we both chuckled as we got into our minivan!!!! I have a minivan... never thought that would happen. Anyway... My kids keep me young also!

It's Official!!!

No, I am not pregnant... are you crazy!

Mason has officially been off the pacifier for a week!!

Last Friday was his two year appointment. His doctor suggested I get rid of the pacifier.
I love the pacifier... It was my key to Mason sleeping. Both Jacob and Iree never took it and I loved that Mason did. I was a little scared because he was very, very attached.

Here is how we did it!!
When I got back from the doctor on Friday I cut the tip off. I did the usually routine and put him down for a nap... he didn't even say anything. About five minutes passed and I was thinking "Oh, this is easy... I will just cut a little off each day and wallah... It will be gone." Just as I finished my thought I hear Mason. "Mommy Broken! Mommy Broken!" I went in and he was so sad. I didn't get him to nap that day and he didn't go to sleep until 11:00 p.m. and that was in my bed. (Mark was on a camp out) I stayed strong!!! The next day at bedtime Mark had a little talk with him and explained that they were all broken and he has to be a big boy and go to sleep without it... And he did! We haven't had a problem since. He usually says "Mommy pass broken" but then lays down.

Now that he doesn't have it in his mouth he is a little chatterbox... we love it.

Happy Birthday Mark and Mason

Happy Birthday Mark!!!

The big 30
Crazy that I use to think 30 was old.

So I thought I would tell everyone how "Lucky" I am to have Mark in my life. He is awesome.

Just a little about why I love Mark...first of all he is athletic! I always new I needed someone athletic... not only so our kids would be, but because I love to play... I wanted my love of sports to be a family affair. He far exceeds this category ... He is great at everything he plays.

He is Smart... He loves to research and he even remembers the stuff he researches... such a hard concept for me :) He is passionate about knowledge... I am sure most of you have been in some conversation with Mark and know exactly what I am talking about. He has the perfect balance of home, fun and work. He works hard and continually moves up in the company but he never has a hard time taking time off or even sleeping in. His job has never and will never run his life. He has a goal of being his own boss. I have no doubt that will happen soon. Like I said he researches and makes very calculated risks. I love this about him. I have never had the guts to take any risks...but I fully trust his.

Mark makes lifetime friends everywhere. He has a genuine concern for his friends and keeps in contact with many all over the US. He might not speak to them for years but often wonders how they are and what they are up to. When they do talk they catch up quickly. He will come home from work often and say, "guess who I talked to today." It will be some person I hadn't thought about for years.

Mark loves the gospel. He has been a member for 7 years now. He has so much faith and love for the Savior I am constantly feeding off of him. He is a great example to me.

He is a great dad. The kids adore him and love when he walks through the door. He pushes them to their potential. Jacob is quickly learning that dad doesn't just let you win... you have to earn it. Mark explains everything in detail to them... he wants them to understand everything around them. He loves his kids and wants the best for them.

Mark is the best!!! He is my best friend...I truly mean this. The other night we were sitting on the couch at 9:30 p.m. kids asleep, tv off and we were just talking... solving the worlds problems. Suddenly it was 1:00 a.m. we both chuckled and Mark said, "at least we like to talk to each other." I love that we enjoy each others company and can talk for hours even if we both get huge bags under our eyes often. Both Mark and I are completely different people from the day we got married. I look back and think, "what were we thinking... we were so young and stupid." I am so glad for the changes that have occurred in both of us. I love Mark more than I could have imagined and our marriage is better than I ever hoped for. I love you Mark... Happy Birthday

Now that you read my novel...
leave a happy birthday comment for Mark
if you think he is as cool as i do.


Happy Birthday Mason!

2 years old
No Way!!

Mason is our sunshine. He is a happy little guy that makes us laugh constantly. He loves to dance and jump... he jumps off of everything. I am sure we will spend some time in the emergency room with this one.

He is starting to talk very well. He is smart and so aware of everyones feelings. He is the best at hugs and kisses. He gives them freely.

He is so friendly. He will say hi to everyone and loves to talk. He carries on conversations all the time with our neighbors and they just laugh.

I love Mason tons... and I am so grateful for his smile.

Happy Birthday Mace!

My Little Zoo

We had a little carnival fund raiser for the Huntsman Cancer Society in the park by our house. The kids did the jumping things and got their faces painted. Mason wouldn't hold still long enough to finish but he is a tiger. Jacob is a cheetah and Iree is a monkey.

Donor Wall Memorial

On Saturday we went to Salt Lake to the Donor Memorial. They had a little program and a few speakers and then unveiled a glass wall with my brother Dave's Name on it. Here is Dave's family... Heidi, Lasca, Kaymin, Joecee, Stryder and Brogan.

One of the speakers was a heart transplant recipient. It was so great to hear how much the transplant has impacted her life and how grateful she was for the opportunity to live and spend time with her family. I have said this many times but I am so happy that Dave had the opportunity to save 5 people.

Heidi recently received a letter from the man who received Dave's Lung. It was amazing. I smiled and cried while I read it. He expressed how sad he was for the family but also how grateful he was to receive a lung. He had been hooked to oxygen for years and now he doesn't have to be and he can spend time in the outdoors fly fishing and spending time with his grandkids. He said he was so grateful for the gift to breathe.

What a great Gift!

Alpine Slides - Park City, Utah


This is a long shot of Me, Iree and Jacob on the ski lift. As you can see, I didn't realize there was a safety bar until half way up the mountain. Iree was clinging to me like a monkey. After we had the safety bar down she relaxed.

This is Chuck's Brother Jared, Jared's wife Katrina, Heather, and Chuck. It was nice of them to let us tag along. Things always take a little longer and noisier when your hauling around 3 kids.

Iree and I raced against Jacob... he killed us. He has a little more need for speed. He loves the thrill of going fast. Iree and I like to take the turns slow.

Vegetarian


I was rubbing in the seasoning on the chicken
getting ready to put it on the BBQ.

Jacob: "Mom does that feel good?"

Jen: "Not really."

Jacob: "Oh, Do you realize your touching a dead chicken!"

This actually happened a month ago but I just keep laughing about it. Last night while I was preparing the chicken for the BBQ I thought I would take a picture and share my son's funny thoughts.
Mark and I have always tried hard to answer any question our kids have in detail. We feel this will help them understand things better. Well... Jacob knows and understands where each piece of meat comes from and he isn't to keen on eating it lately.

I guess there are a few thing that would be better left unexplained.