Wow... Time flies!

I just noticed that I haven't blogged since August. Well all I can say about the last few months is "holy cow!!!" I don't think I have picked up my camera in a few months... those of you who know me well know that that is a little strange. I usually have it in my purse and am constantly making my kids and everyone around them pose.

There are many novels I could write about the last few months... but this condensed few paragraphs will have to do.

Jacob started 4th grade at Utah Virtual Academy (some call it "home school" but it is far from that)... long story for another time... I love it, I hate it, It is the best, It is the worst, overall... a great experience! This was the main source for my blogging absence... any extra time I used to have was all put into Jacob's schooling. He also played football, is now playing in two different basketball leagues, in scouts, and has to play with friends everyday or he feels very deprived!!! Oh, I forgot to mention he could be a sportscaster on ESPN he keeps us all up to date on the NFL and NBA happenings.

Ireland started 2nd grade...loves every minute of it. (I help in her class 2 times a week and I am her PE teacher every Wednesday) she played soccer this fall, and was in a community play "Cinderella" and had a blast. She, like Jacob, thrives on playing with friends... she can often be found singing at the top of her lungs to "kids bop" She loves doing crafts and projects... when I can't find the scissors, stapler, or any other office supply I know it is hiding somewhere in her room... I am a little worried I have a horder on my hands... she keeps everything! Our monthly declutter of her room often results it 1-2 garbage bags full of random items and papers that were stuffed in cracks and corners. Iree is thoughtful... Mark and I receive constant notes from her saying we are the best mom/dad in the world... I love my little girly girl... P.S. She did get a volleyball for Christmas... I still have high hopes!

Mason is a riot... He started pre-school and loves it!! He goes 3 times a week but would love to go more. He has a best friend Ike,who he plays with almost every day. When he is not playing with Ike he can play with his cars, trains and trucks for hours all by himself... He is also content just hanging out with me... I love that about him! Mace played tee-ball in the fall and is fast becoming a good basketball player... He rides his bike constantly and loves video games. His happy, funny attitude is a blessing for our family. We love our little guy and I can't wait to see what he becomes!

Me... I am crazy...crazy busy... yep I am... that about sums it up.

Mark is super busy with work... and working out... he is getting big and not fat-big... muscle big. He is playing hockey,volleyball, an occational basketball game and flag football. He works hard at anything he is involved in. He is a great dad and hubby...We all love going to his games and we all love when daddy is home!

So much was left out... but time flies... and sometimes you just can't catch up.

Starting off the New Year!

My little Mace Man was so sick... It is so hard to tell when he is because he is always so happy... he never complains.

I decided to take him in after two days of fever... they said he had strep so I got meds and of course took him skiing two days later... (I know, I am the worst mom) like I said... you can't tell when he doesn't feel well because he is so happy.

Over the weekend he wasn't getting better... he had a fever every time I let the meds run out so on Monday I took him in again. He had had a fever for 6 days even after being on antibiotics.

My doctor was super concerned...His oxygen was low... he was having an asthma attack and he was pretty sure he had pneumonia. They gave him a breathing treatment right then. He sent us to run a bunch of tests at Primary Children's... They took an x-ray of his chest and saw that it was pneumonia.

We had to go back to the doctors to get an antibiotic shot because of some alergies he has to certain meds. This is how he looked an hour later...

Great!!! After trying 4 different Antibiotics and too many other meds we finally got it settled... The sad part is the medicine we ended up with tasted like "POO" he had to take it 3 times a day for 10 days... he was such a trooper. He would almost puke every time he took it. I love this little guy and am so glad that he is doing better now.

Skiing

Seriously... It's a blast with these kids?

My little Mason is growing up so fast. This is a picture of him on his first lift ride up the mountain... no fear in this little man. He is a pro skier now... I am just worried because he doen't seem to know that you can go "too fast"... he is always pushing the limits.

Iree up at the top of Alta. We had a mommy-daughter ski day... She liked the part where we were standing still... other than that she was screaming at me... I am sure she will be passing me up soon. Love this girl!

Jacob isn't in any pictures because he just takes off on his own... he says we are way too slow.

Utah Lake

Paige's first day out on the boat.

Heather and Chuck were of course nervous, and protective, and worry warts about their little girl but she did awesome!!!

She slept in the special baby spot... at Mark's feet.

Iree and her Daddy... she is growing up so fast.

Jacob always wanting to drive or mope... I can't remember what it was this time.

Nice clean Utah Lake water... it was warm and refreshing!

The kids rode on the tube for over an hour... they were laughing so hard, standing, doing flips and falling in. Today was a good, good day!!

Odie watching over his kids...

We took Odie out on the tube and it didn't turn out so good. Every time we hit a bump he would go flying... I was holding on to his life jacket but he was ready to get back on the boat quick.

Paige all decked out!!

The boys (Mark, Chuck and Jacob) went for a tube ride and I dumped them twice... Now I am nervous for my next ride. Revenge!!

Heber Valley Camp

Todd set up a weekend at the Heber Valley Camp for our family. It was such a blast. We stayed in these nice cabins on bunks and had fun doing the challenge courses, canoeing, playing volleyball and sitting around the fire. We also had plenty of deer walk through our camp and the host told us that last week a bear was in our camp so we were always on alert... watching for the bear. I only have pictures of the challenge course and then my card was full.

The whole group getting their gear on and getting the instructions...

Jacob climbing the pole... he was super excited!

Getting ready to take the zip line down...

They all loved the ride down.

The hosts were all amazed that Mason was attempting this... they kept saying they had never had a kid this young try it and have fun... He zipped right up the pole faster than most of the others.

He walked across the pole with out a second thought.

The Sister Missionary got him all hooked up and ready for the zip line. She had already had to push two crying kids down but Mason just jumped off the ledge with no hesitation... should I be worried?

He happily brought the zip line back up to the top... what a stud!!

Whiting's Campground

Maple Canyon

With all the cousins in town we wanted to go have a hot dog roast up the canyon. It always turns into crazy fun!!!

Utah Lake

Andy and his family are always up for a day on the lake. We love having these cute kids along for a ride.


Andy and his little cutie Karolyn.

Odie's favorite spot... this way he can jump in and save anyone who might need help.

Karolyn is always willing to try new things... she did so good. I love showing all of these kids how fun surfing can be.

Andy and Joseph having a good time.

Rink Hockey Nationals!!!

Team Salt Lake City

We took Bronze!!!


So this was an adventure... A good friend plays on team SLC... they were in desperate need for a goalie for the National tournament which happened to be in SLC this year... so she asked me... What a blast.

This was seriously one of the hardest things I have ever done both mentally and physically. I trained for 2 months and then played in the tournament without ever playing in a game. Our team did great!

Paige's Blessing Day
July 3rd, 2011


Yep... we are a pretty good sized group!!!
Here we are just at the Oquirrh mountain Temple.

Proud mama and papa!

Heather's baby shower

Family, friends and fun... and also a ton of baby stuff!!!!

Heather and Wanda back to back...

Heather with Aunt Debbie and Grandma Horton

The Food... always yummy!

Pinewood Derby

Nap

This is pretty much me every day once the kids are in bed... Odie keeps me warm! After my little cat nap Mark and I usually end up staying up until 1:00 am and doing it all over the next day.

My Little Baker

Iree is always and I mean always asking to make a dessert... Here is one of her creations... frozen pie crust helps :)

She decided on cherry because it is Dad's favorite.

She cut out the hearts to make it pretty...

And... the finished product... baby alive (claire) is never too far away.