Trunk Or Treat... Halloween!

This year for Halloween, my friends Andrea, Heather and I put together a Trunk-or-Treat for our friends. We had about 110 people in attendance. It was such a BLAST! We started off with a potluck soup and bread, next was the costume parade, followed by CANDY! This was my favorite Halloween with my kids. We had such a fun time together and awesome company. Thanks to everyone who helped out and came to celebrate with us. A special thanks to Anakin SkyWalker, Cinderella/Rapunzel, Kip, and his Lil Man.

My favorite moment on Halloween was when I created a beautiful updue for Kailee to be Rapunzel. After making an extremely long braid and attaching it to her head, she informed me that when the braid was behind her, she looked just like Cinderella. She then said, "Just cut if off." I laughed, and sighed. Of Course, Kailee is full of surprises.

Until Next Year... Happy Halloween!

School Begins...

Preston and Kailee began their school year with Smiles. Both of them had kept the smiles going. Preston entered 2nd Grade and is Loving every moment. He is extremely kind to everyone and is a great helper to the teacher. Preston loves to read, especially his Star Wars books! He has been playing Baseball, Football, and will start basketball in a few weeks. He is a great kid.

Kailee started Kindergarten this year. She was so excited, and very brave... even forgetting to hug Mom before she ran into class. I did follow her in and made sure I got my hug. She is enjoying school and seems to already know everything... so she says! Kailee loves playing with her friends Cara and Maria during recess and is having a blast. She just finished her first season of soccer... her first sport actually. She played with her friend Cara. After watching soccer on the computer, Kailee insisted she didn't need to practice. We loved watching her play and pick sequins off her uniform. What a fun daughter Kailee is!

Michael was thrilled to do a Preschool playgroup. 4 Moms near us rotate hosting a playgroup once a week. Michael is having a lot of fun and is enjoying his 'lil buddies. Michael is talking up a storm and making us laugh constantly. He loves to ride Kailee's pink bike (I'm determined not to buy him a bike before Christmas). He loves to eat pizza and Macaroni, play with his friends, and go to nursery at church. He just loves just being around others.

I am loving the experiences our children are having here. They are truly having a wonderful time, though missing their Grandparents and cousins constantly. We can't wait for Christmas to come when we'll see them all again.

PRESTON

Preston is just finishing 1st grade. His fabulous teacher, Mrs. Royal, thinks the world of Preston. He is a great example to his friends and is getting so smart. Preston loves playing with his brother and sister. He is a great help when they play outside. It's nice, Preston always brings the little ones inside if they are bleeding \"/ True. Preston has the most tender heart. He is very sensitive to those around him and always lets me and his Dad know he loves us. Preston really looks up to Adam. He wants his approval for Everything. Preston is currently playing on the Scrappers baseball team. He is having a blast and hasn't struck out yet. It's been so fun watching him grow this past year. He has learned so much and I appreciate the way he teaches Kailee and Michael. Love ya Pres.

KAILEE GIRL... Finally 5!

Kailee's the happiest 5 year old I've ever seen! In fact, today she told her friend she is 5 and a half. I didn't know saying that started so young \"/ She loves to help take care of Michael, go to Ballet, play with her best friends, dress up, make up, and color. She also just learned to ride her bike without training wheels. I can't believe she is going to Kindergarten next year, she's just getting so big. Kailee is a sweet heart and is a tremendous helper around the house. She loves to earn stickers on her work chart and is great at cleaning her room. I love doing "Girl" things with her. She also loves to sing all the Primary songs. When I teach the music she sits up tall and knows all the words. I love her.

MICHAEL 2 Yrs. Old

Michael just turned 2 on March 20th. He had a fun "Sports" Birthday Party. He for sure new it was his special day. He kept saying "Almost" every time he shot... and missed... shooting in his new basketball hoop. He had his friend Daniel and Allison in attendance. Michael has been such a fun addition to our family. He is constantly making us laugh. He says the funniest things and coppies EVERYTHING Preston and Kailee do. Michael's favorite thing to do is to ride his new spiderman scooter. He thinks he's so big, and he is. He is off the charts in height and weight and he looks like a 3yr. old. His favorite dance is to "Shake your booty yah yah hey hey." He was trying to get his 2 girlfriends to do it when they were over last. We'll have to post a video definitely. We love you Michael, thank you for coming to our family.

Triple the joy and triple the fun. Here are my babies.

To see my children all together is such a joy. They have made me so happy to be their Mother. I have to say I had the most wonderful Mother's Day on Sunday. Each of the children made me gifts and cards which they were thrilled to deliver to me. I find it difficult to to imagine them as grown ups as I am enjoying each moment with them so small and impressionable. I only hope I will always remember these special times with them. Thank you Adam for the beautiful roses and for making me dinner. Adam also purchased me tickets to see "Wicked", something I've wanted to see for a really long time. Thanks Babe.
Thank You Kathy for taking pictures for us. Kathy is a fabulous Neighbor to us, we don't know what we'd do without her. I've appreciated her friendship and how much she's helped me these last 2 years.

What better way to say "Hello" to Spring...

THAN WITH A LEMONADE STAND.

Hmmm: It looks like we have just enough for us each to EAT one. What a fun day this was for the kids in April. They made $24. Split between the 3 of them it was quite an Sale. If you need any tips on getting the most money out of passer-by's give these kids a call. Kailee and Caroline are best of friends, we sure love having her just 3 doors down.

snow day 2010 (71 photos), by michelle vandermyde

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A New Year has Come!!!

Time seems to be flying by! Our Christmas break was amazing, it couldn't have been better... except for that time when we all became sick. I guess that's what happens when you put 20 people under one roof. \"/
The kids couldn't get enough of the Grandparents, cousins, and exciting outings. We spent a week in St. George and one week in SLC.
Our week in St. George with my family was a blast. We went down to the "Farm" and had a scavenger hunt and hotdog roast. Don't tell my kids, but I went down earlier and dug a 3 foot hole in the ground and burried a box filled with dollar toys. We then told the kids there was a burried treasure on the property, gave them a sketchy map and shovels. It was a great time! Thanks to Neil's cowboy ambition, he got the horses saddled and we all were able to go for a ride. The farm has been such a fabulous escape for our family and I really love the time we get to spend down there. The kids have a great time and feel so free to run-a-muck. Preston was able to drive the 4-Wheeler by himself, he felt so cool. I was grateful to have some much needed girl time with my Mom. She helped me sew babydoll blankets for Kailee's Christmas. I wish I could just put her in a tote bag and take her with me. Angela was in town too... We're silly together, it made for some great chats. My kids will miss the farm, tickles, curlers, dress-ups, rides to town with Grandpa in the truck (He loaded up all three of them while he ran errands.) and Grandma's delicious Chicken noodle soup. We also were there to celebrate Mom's Birthday. She spent it, by choice, putting curlers in Kailee's hair, making bracelets with Kailee, and taking all the girls and grandkids to the movie. What a fun day it was.

Our week in Salt Lake was Fabulous. We came up on the 23rd to be there in time for Christmas. We spent an amazing Christmas Eve at Annie and Regan's new house, which was beautiful, and Annie had fixed up some amazing soups/and bread bowls for dinner. They're great hosts. Then for Christmas morning we had a fun breakfast with everyone. I was responsible for the less than perfect scones... sorry. The kids had a wonderful Christmas. Preston's highlight was his electric scooter which he had to wait a few days to ride... snow etc., Kailee loved her "Fur-Real" kitty and babydolls. Michael was just so happy and enjoyed everyone's toys. He liked his Thomas trains and the toys at Grandma's. They had a fun time with their now bigger cousins. They were so cute playing together. I felt bad one day for Tanner, Michael ran to him saying "Nanner, Hug!" and gave him a nice football tackle. Poor thing. We all got to go for a ride in Grandpa's cool airplane, except for Kailee of course who didn't want to go unless baby Brooklyn went with her. That Saturday we also watched Ashton's Eagle Court of Honor. The Next day was Zack's mission farewell. He just left last Wednesday to the Mission Training Center. He did a great job on his talk and We're excited for the experiences ahead of him. That Monday we went to see the Nativity in Temple Square, it was so gorgeous. It was wonderful to take the kids this time around because they remembered a little bit and understand things better. It was a neat experience with Adam's parents and Ashton.

The best thing about this trip I think was the way Michael really loved being around everyone and learned their names. He had so much fun chasing, hugging, playing, and begging for food, he was in toddler heaven. It was an exciting trip altogether. We really enjoy all of our family and are just so blessed to have such great people around us. So much fun!!!
Back to Real life, Pictures later :(

Birthday Moment of Gratitude...

Since it is my Birthday, I am allowed to do anything I want, right??? "Anything" includes writing on my blog if I feel so inclined... and I do.
The things I'm most thankful for vary from year to year and often day to day. The circumstances surrounding me at the time have helped to dictate my priorities and the things that mean most to me. Today, I find myself thankful for "My people". (As Preston would say)
My husband who has shown me through our marriage that I am a priority in his life. He's always making my day with something. Today he made me the most delicious strawberry pancakes for breakfast. (An invention for his strawberry loving wife.) He means so much to me and I'm so blessed to have him.
I also am feeling a great amount of gratitude for my Mother who always made my birthday special, and still does somehow even miles away. And Dad who always worked and provided and loved us with Mom... and made us laugh.
I'm grateful to Kailee who wanted to put up "Congratulations" for my party. (Meaning Decorations). To Preston who made me a card for me enclosing 3 pennies. And to Michael who knew something was special about today and greeted me with the most joyful hug out of bed.
To Grandparents leading the way with their experience and wisdom. My siblings who set such an example to me of love and encouragement and fun times. And my amazing in-laws who have joined me in their famililes by no fault of their own. Each of you have a place in my heart.
And to my friends, some old some new, who take the time to call, meet, share, and be there just when I need you... and you don't even know it.
It's one thing to be grateful for what you have, today I marvel at how I've been blessed. I am lucky girl, and so darn happy to have you all surrounding me. Thanks to God for all of you.

Some time in SLC July-09

We were excited to go through the open house of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. The open house is awesome because it gives anyone a chance to see inside the temple before it is closed to those with special recommends. I love the feeling I get inside the temple, espcially having all my family there together. What a unique opportunity for my children to be able to go inside and see what a special place it is. This is just one of 130 LDS temples around the world. Right now there are 8 more under construction and 13 more announced.

Here's Preston sneaking in some one on one with Grandpa. Preston had just lost his bottom tooth, that's one proud kid... and Grandpa!

The adorable girl in Pink is Brooklyn. She is Michael's competition for favorite grandchild. Just because your closest Brooklyn, doesn't mean you automatically win. Michael's got other things... like more teeth.

And thank you Grandma Copier for Kailee's Pioneer hat. So adorable for Pioneer day... She loved it. Anything with hearts. \"/

Thank You Vandy's for such a special time with you. It was great to see you working in the temple, it was like coming home. Love you.

Here is a link if you are curious about the temple.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLXYxmaHWQs

Jacob and Grace's Baptisms

Being away from family has it ups and downs. "Downs" when something significant happens in a family members life and we have to miss it, and incredible "ups" when we actually get to share their special day. Preston was able to attend his favorite boy cuz's Baptism while on his trip to California with his Dad. He had an awesome time with Jacob and was thrilled to be there for his baptism. We were sad to miss Grace's baptism earlier in the year, she had a very special day as well.
We are so proud of Jacob and Grace and their decision to be baptized. I'm amazed at these little ones and their already great knowledge of the Gospel. It wasn't until I taught a primary class of eight year olds that I realized how smart an eight year old can be, and how strong their desire is for good. They are so incredibly sweet, It's no wonder we love them so much.
And while they are busy getting smart and all, I hope they can still remember who their favorite aunt is!!! (Do you need a hint?)

Two cool dudes in Lego Land

Adam told Preston he could go anywhere in the country he wanted to go. The result... A trip, just the two of them, to Legoland. Preston was in Heaven... (Lego heaven if there is one) which meant Adam was too. The anticipation building up to the trip seemed almost as exciting as the trip itself. Preston wanted to stay in a really nice hotel, and had specifics of what made one nice. When it finally came time to go, even meeting Dad at the airport was incredibly exciting. I certainly can't speak for them and their feelings on their trip, but I know how much Preston adores his Dad and know this was likely the best time of his life.

How lucky Preston is to have a father of such good character. I've got 3 incredibles boys surrounding me.