Free Zoo Day

It's IMPOSSIBLE to get these kids to all look at the same time.

This is the best we could do.

Front Row: Kylee, Kami, Justin, Alex, Hanna, Dawson

Back Row: Cody, Logan, Brady

Allie and Mayson in Strollers, Kalli and Wagon

and Dylan is the hooded fella in the very front

Back Row: Alex, Kami, Justin

Front Row: Hanna, Logan, Mayson

Like all the other kids, Allie loved her trip to the zoo!

14 kids and 5 Adults we did pretty good and only lost 1 kid once.

Sorry Dawson, maybe your mamma will decide to take the day

off work and come with us next time.

Scripture Time

Last night while Derrick was reading from the Old Testament Stories (Easy Reader), the story of Isaac, Jacob and Esau, with the boys for scripture study, Logan politely asked "Daddy, will you please read that part again, I didn't understand"? The way he said it and the little grin on his face was sssooo dang cute I couldn't help but laugh. It sounded more like "daddy, wiw you pwease wead that pawt again, I didn't undewstand"? He has been talking since 18 months and hasn't ever stopped, so he has said PLENTY of full sentences, but it was the way he asked and the sincerity in the question that really got to me. I wish I knew when they were going to do/say something cute so I could have the video camera rolling...

6 Years Later

Justin had his annual check-up with his Cardiologist today but, Last night while he was getting ready for bed we had this conversation:
Justin: Mom, are we going to the doctor tomorrow to get monkey brains (Thanks Adam).
Mom: Monkey Brains?
Justin: Yeah, the one that gives us new monkey brains.
Mom: Justin, I have know idea what your talking about. We are just going to the Dr. to let them listen to your heart to make sure everything is okay with it still.
Justin: Oh, (thinking... thinking... thinking...) what if everything isn't okay?
Mom: It will be.
Justin: But, what IF?
Mom: It will be!
Justin: Would they have to cut me open again?
Mom: They would have to so that they could fix it and make everything better again, but everything would okay, I promise!
Justin: thinking... thinking... thinking...
Mom: I love you, Justin!
Justin: I love you too!
This is the first time Justin has every shown any concern for what might lay ahead in his future. Up to this point he has never acted as if he actually realized what he had been through as a baby. Each year the Dr. does an EKG (monitoring his heart activity) and like every other year everything looked great. He does have a slight murmur, which was caused after the surgery when the arteries where re-attached to the heart, causing some narrowing in the artery. The Dr. said that typically if the narrowing was going to cause problems it would have done it by now.
Today they also decided they wanted to double check everything with, an echo cardiogram (an ultrasound on the heart). He was very good and was very patient while the lady took her time. Also for the past 6 years, anytime Justin had to go to the dentist (even just for cleanings), get stitches (which has been twice)or have a surgical procedure (once) done he was required to take a high dose of antibiotics prior to any work done to prevent infection of the heart. But he no long is required to do that either! YEAH! The Dr. said that he is officially a normal little boy, with the exception of still needing his annual check-up.
Back when Justin had his surgery, just after birth, the surgical procedure he was having performed was only 15 years old. People prior to that had, had a different "fix", but they were seeing complications and where redo-ing them. So we have been little curious how those in the beginning where getting along. Gladly to hear, 21 years later they are still not seeing any major complications. GOOD NEWS for us thus far!
WE LOVE YOU JUSTIN! We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for watching over you during this time in your life. I am so greatful for the strength he gave me during this time as well and for the testimony that I gained from it. I KNOW his spirit was with us both for comfort and healing.

New Beginnings

We, as the Young Women Leaders decided we wanted the girls to plan the New Beginnings this year. We told them to get into groups of 2 or 3 and each group was in charge of 2 of the values. What they had to do was come up with was a tablecloth, a floral arrangment, a food/snack along with something that represented that value to go on there table. We invited the parents, bishopric and stake yw leader to come to

"flavor their world" through the colors of the Young Women Values.

The girls did a fantasic job. They were very creative, we were all very impressed.

Faith - White

The snack for faith was wintergreen mints

Divine Nature - Blue
Cupcakes
Individual Worth - Red

Cinnamon Candies
Knowledge - Green

Green Rice Krispie Treats
Choice and Accountablity - Orange

Orange Slices and The Orange Reese's Pieces
Good Works - Yellow

Lemon Bars
Integrity - Purple

Purple Sugar Cookies
and the Young Womens newest value
Virtue - Gold

Golden Rolls

And us leaders took care of the drinks, complete with water, 6 different flavors of Kool-Aid and apple juice.
It was a really fun night.

Valentines Projects

The very cute Valentines box we made for Justin to take to schoolHe wanted a lion, he got a lion.Justin's Valentines he made for his teacher.

Logan's Valentines he made for his mommy.

It's a good thing I didn't see it.... It was a sweekwit!

Ogden's Tree House Museum

Derricks cousin had her wedding reception in Ogden this past week and Mel and I were in charge of the decorations for it. We had to set up on Wednesday and then we couldn't take down until Thursday evening. So we were left with nothing to do, but play all Wednesday evening and Thursday day.

We ended up spending Wednesday night eating dinner at Cafe Rio, swimming at the hotel

(which I didn't get any pictures of) and watching movies in our ajoining rooms.

Thursday we went to the Tree House Museam and the kids loved it!

Logan off to fight the fires

Sydney and Croydon ready to help

Justin being the Ruler, he thinks he really is...

Allie learning all about our wonderful nation.

Is this what the future hold for my Logan?

Or maybe my Justin? We shall see...
Sydney, Logan, Croydan, Justin and Allie

What do you get...

When the kids get a hold of the camera?