Mother’s Day 2010

So for Mothers day I was trying to think outside the box. Something that my mom would need.And not be boring and Lame at the same time. One weekend we were eating lunch and when we eat outside during the Summer we all try to squeeze onto the nice glass table that my mom and dad have. And it’s the same routine all the time. The parents get the kids dinner/lunch ready and have them start while we make our own plate. So by the time we have made our plate all the kids have taken up there spots at the glass table. And what is supposed to be a family lunch turns into the kids at the table and a few lucky adults who get table spots and then rest are spread out. My mom has been talking about getting something for the kids for some time now.So it dawned on me that it would be a great idea t o “Build” my mom a picnic table. So I talked to my Dad before because he would need to assist and also it would be left to him to move around the picnic table when it came time to mow the lawn. So his approval was needed. Once I sealed his approval I got my mom some shorts and a shirt and talked to her about this table. It took some convincing from Kerry to help convince my mom. So the next week I would be building her a table. Winter and Zarley and Amber had solo’s the night before and a Dance compation the day of the great build so it was a perfect chance for me and the boys to build something together. As a side note Amber and I got Owen some home depot stuff for x-mas that he loves to play with. I was excited to say the least about the opportunity to use some real tools. Saturday had come and my dad was prepared for a day with the little boys.Here are some pics. You can see in the back ground of one of the pics the finished product.

Xavier taking his turn to hit it.

X-man kept saying mmm turn, mmm turn

"Always look what your doing Xav"

Good picture of the finished product.

" Safety First!"

Finally Big brothers turn

Happy Mothers days, Mom, Amber, Kerry

Mike

ole times

no idea where this was taken

Owen going down the slide at the koa in Bear Lake I believe
one of my favorite pictures, Owen and Zarley playing in the front
yard with a sprinkler. Owen is actually trying to spray me

Winter and Grandad falling off the back of the boat
Amber, winter, and Zarley at the beach on Half Moon cay
after Kerry and Jeramie's wedding. It is really that beautiful

So these are all Pictures Mike chose out, just from going through old pictures, and he put them on the blog for me to write about but there really isn't much to say, just some old memories and cute pictures of some of the cutes damn kids ever .

Zarley and her broken arm

Zar at insta care getting a splint



Zar thrilled as can be about the whole thing
Zar at primary children's casting clinic getting her
permanent cast.

outside the clinic, looking ever so happy still.
Finally a smile, when she got an ice cream treat for

being so good.

So Monday night the kids were playing just before bedtime, Cheerleader and Basketball player, hence the cute outfit in the first photo's I just said to them 15 more min, while I was cleaning up after baths and stuff they were in the boys room playing when all the sudden Zar starts crying I went in and asked what happened she said she hurt her arm on the floor, I asked how she said she jumped off the toy box, while doing a toe touch. I told her she would be fine she ran to her bed crying that it hurt, now although Zar can cry forever when having a fit she doesn't usually cry much due to injury so I went in looked at it thinking that would calm her down, it was swelling and had some uneven lumps on the sides, I thought oh great, Winter was at dance so I text Mike telling him to come home (which is funny because I told him that I was going to call him home because I wasn't feeling well, which is actually a bit of an inside joke at the expense of one of his co workers. ) we debated back and forth for a while if we should take her or not, you know not wanting to be that crazy mom who takes their kid in for every little thing when there is nothing wrong, against being that mean mom who says your fine when you actually aren't. Finally Mike said better safe than sorry so he was on his way, then we thought going to insta care was better it would save us money. Mike got there about 5 min before they closed and said the desk attendant was less than thrilled, I got there a few minutes later and they quickly took her back, they did some x-rays the Dr. came back and said the x-rays confirmed what she thought she broke the 2 bones in her wrist. So they splint it and sent us home. Zarley is not happy about any of this and getting her to school on Tuesday was less than fun. She did not want to go at all she put one arm in her jacket and had Mike zip it up, I walked her into class because she was crying and unwilling to go, I told the teacher and told her how Zar didnt want to talk about it. Needless to say I left her kicking and screaming on the floor because she didn't want to be there, poor teacher, I love her. She didn't take her jacket off all day, and wouldn't dance at all that night, nor would she talk about it to anyone. She said to me " I decided to say it's a long story, even though it really isn't" I laughed. Wednesday we went to get her awesome pink cast and she is warming up to the whole thing a little, she did let some people sign her cast. Doesn't that make them look so gross and dingy? Oh well right? If that's what will get her to not be freaking out about the whole thing than sign away!

I have always thought Zarley would be our first one to break something, she has never had any fear, So I guess this is inevitable. We bought this cool thing to go over her arm for baths and swimming, they do have waterproof things, to go under the cast if anyone is wondering but insurance doesn't usually cover it so they don't offer it, they told me I could buy this thing for 40 bucks at the Salt Lake running co. or pay 40 bucks for the waterproof gauzey thing that goes underneath. So we decided to buy the cover thinking maybe it will come in handy with two little boys coming up behind her.

My Endless Love...

So mike and I got married 9 years ago so I decided I will put down 9 things that I have learned about mike over the last 9 years. 1. I learned that Mike is more of a Jackass than I originally thought, to bad right?

2. I learned when you go on vacation with Mike you must always

bring the first aid kit he always needs it. If you look closely at this
picture you will see a huge rope burn on his neck from tubing at
Lake Powell. (by the way one of my fav pics of him and winter)

3. I have learned that he is like freaking gumbi, hard to tell in this
picture but he is down in like a tripod picking up something

off the floor for a silly game we played. It's creepy to that

flexible especially for a guy.

4. I was lucky in a sense that before we got married I knew that Mike was going to be a good dad because I got to see before we got married, 3 more kids later and he has not disappointed at all.
5. I learned that Mike can throw a punch and that competitive team sports bring out a side in Mike that I didn't know was there before we got married. He played hockey for awhile with my brother and his brother and he was always in the penalty box.

6. He will protect his family at any cost and hockey also taught me that about him, most of his penalties came from him trying to make sure he had Evans back.

mike and Owen

Mike and Xavier

me pregnant with Owen
7. I learned that in tough times Mike is who I want by my side, getting our kids was a challenge for awhile with lots of miscarriages and he couldn't have been better at that time.

mike at the beach

8. I have learned that Mike is all about a good time and great fun to take with on any vacation.

Lake at Yellowstone (Jenny lake I think)

Mike and Winter

9. I have learned that life is an adventure and good or bad being with someone who makes you laugh is exactly who I want by my side, even if they aren't as funny as they think they are.

p.s. I accidentally deleted a few pictures so I will try to fix that in the morning.

All I needed to know about my Wife and Kids I learned at Boondocks

So once a weekend Amber and I try and take the kids out of the house as a family night out. Usually we try to do the most with the least amount of money. This weekend we decided to take the kids to Boondocks. As information this is a place that has a video arcade, Mini Golf laser tag. That sort of thing. Well they have a big play area that the has some slides and some things to jump on. We thought this was a great idea to get some energy out of the kids. So we pay the 6 dollars to get both Zarley and Owen and X-man in. Well the little climb things to get to the slide are about up to Xavier's chest. So Zarley his big sister starts lifting him up these step things so he can climb and get to the top. Really a big sister moment. Usually Winter does all the big sister things but this time Winter was baby sitting. I was very proud to see Zarley step into the role.

This portion of our story is brought to you via Amber I was not around, its still me telling the story but this is a story she told me, well half if it I was there for the second half. So once Xavier had figured out how to get to the top by himself he is getting up there. Amber said there were these little girls pushing him out of the way so they could go down the slide. So this is the part I show up for. When the little girls get to the bottom of the slide. Amber walks over there and yells at them not to touch her baby. Very proud of Amber for sticking up for her baby.

Finally Owen and Xavier decide they want to go up the slide the wrong way, well Owen is just flying up the slide the wrong way but Xavier is struggling. No need to worry, big brother to the rescue. Owen sees what the problem is with Xavier his socks are on. So Owen rips off Xavier's socks throws them to me and off he goes up the slide with his little brother in tow.

Every once and while you have these moments in time when you realize how lucky I have it in life. I don't have money, I now don't have hockey. But I am so lucky to have the wife I do and the four kids who I do. Things money cant buy and plenty of people would give up everything they have in life for what I have. This was not meant to be a anniversary post for Amber but she has brought all these things into my life and I am so lucky to have her and the kids she has brought into the world for me.


- Mike

P.S. sorry for the crappy pictures but they were all i have with me

Happy Happy Birthday Zar Zar Dear...

So today is Zarley's 6th birthday, I swear time is just flying by, it is so depressing sometimes. We had a crazy weekend with a wedding and everything that goes with that but I didnt want to forget Zarley's birthday tribute however I will have to add more tomorrow.

Zarley is a very unique girl who has the determination and stubbornness of no one I have ever met before, which I am hoping takes her very far in life, the more time that goes by the more I wonder if it took us so long and so many miscarriages to get her because she was just being stubborn, she was going to come on her time perhaps?As difficult as she can be at times she can be as equally hilarious and we can always say that she always keeps things interesting, we will never have boring lives with her in it. She is fierce and tender all at the same time. Watching her grow into a one of a kind girl has been stressful and entertaining so far and we cant wait for more, (well that depends on her mood).

You Say It's Your Birthday

I cant believe Winter is 12, what happened to my sweet nice little girl? She is growing up way to fast and thinks she is even older than she is, so sad one day she will wish she was 12 again. I am very amazed at the girl that she is turning into though, She is very funny and very smart and has an amazing ability to make friends and make people feel welcome. Not a talent I share. She is a beautiful dancer as well and really puts her all into that, I love to watch her dance and hope she continues to work as hard at achieving all she wants in life as she has this year in dance. I wasn't sure what life was going to hold for her and I just 12 years ago but I am very pleased with where things have gone and the amazing girl that she is. Happy Birthday Winter, I love you

Our first picture together

(the one that mike says it notflattering for me, always so sweet.)

Winter getting ready to go home from hospital

Such a cute baby, so funny and sweet, wonder what happened.

Winters first dance class, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Zarley and Winter, normal interaction for them

One of winters famous self portraits,

There are 33 others where this one came from.