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This is the Innes summer home/blog.. Some are home? Some are not? and Some are just too dang busy to blog.. sorry we'll be back online soon!

4th of July at the Cabin Lot in Fairview Utah

I know there are NO actual fireworks in these layouts which is one of my favorite parts of this month but this is what we did on te 4th of July weekend. It was a great time!

Fourth of July!!!

OK so Its past the 24th of July which is a BIG holiday in UTAH and I haven't even posted about the 4th of July. Here goes, pics to come later.

On Thursday morning mom called and said SURPRISE we are going to the cabin lot this weekend for the 4th of July!!! I knew all along we were gonna do something. WE just didn't know what, when, or with who. SO Friday morning we loaded up the swimsuits, camping clothes, jackets... oh and the kids and set out for Fairview Utah.

We had a good time just hanging out and enjoying Gods creations!!!

* Swimming in a pool that seemed like it was 30 below.!!! Ryker couldn't go because there were NO diapers allowed in the pools so Mom and Pa took care of him. It was fun!!!

* Singing on a rope swing that swung out over a little valley. Ryker LOVED it!!!

* Riding the 4-wheelers and exploring the mountain side was so fun!

* WE only had cellphone service at the bottom of the mountain so that was NICE!

* Playing dominoes, barbies, driving toy cars, and checking out the old Ephraim Walmart.

I will say that we went down to Mt. Pleasant to watch the fireworks. It was incredible!!! Thye BLEW Lehis out of the water! They were soooo good. I thought "man this city just blew their whole years budget on this one night."

We had a great time. Mom and Dad kept us well fed and entertained the whole time. It was soo fun to just get away!

The evening of our return I headed to Lehi to pick up Ryker since he insisted on riding home in Grandpas truck. There we saw family, played outside, rode bikes, ate some yummy food. It was just really a good weekend!!!

WE are alive and kickin!

Hey I just wanted to post that we ARE still alive but not really into the blogging world right now because we are busy and having fun!

We have been pretty busy around here with Jims three jobs, being parents, both our mutual church callings, and just life in general! We have enjoyed most of it though and tried to keep a smile on our face!

Jims has been working soooo hard with a third job, doing some programming stuff. Its tedious work, there are issues with the projects, he complains some but he is still sticking in there! I love him soo much! He works soo hard for us and I am really getting to enjoy this stay at home mom business. BUT.. I know come August.. I will be ready to be back to work.

This job pays well and we owe Amber his sister a ton for hooking us up. It has been great to not have to worry so much about living without my paycheck. AND He has already earned enough for us to take our family vacation this summer to SAn DIeGo WOOT!! and pay off some debt. Thanks Jim and Daddy we love you!

WE have been doing some fun stuff. My friend Jen and I took our kids to The Museum of Ancient life.. AKA the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. WE had a good time. We hadn't been in a while so it was nice. Ryker of course hated everything even the water table. He didn't like the feel of the sand on his fingers and speaking of sand... in the quarry, YEAH all he would do it THROW dirt!!! That caused probs, especially later in the bath since he throw a knock down drag out fit to wash his hair.. Yeah stupid ear problems.. oh well thank goodness for ear tubes and modern medicine.

*His favorite part of the trip. There is a steering wheel that changes the skin of a dinosaur to match its surrounding environment. He was in heaven thought he was driving! I swear all this kid eats, drinks and sleeps is CARS.

We also went to the UTa LAke BOat ShOw with some other friends the Rutherfords. We got to make fish hats, play some games, ride in a wagon and such. I was a little dissapointed that they closed some booths down 1 hour early to closing of the show. There were alot of people there. The kids wanted to fish but the line was sooooo long and I wouldn't have minded going on a canoe ride but... again the lines! It was fun what we got to do but I think we will skip it next year. Oh AND they ran out of food so we were starving when we arrived home at 3ish. It was FREE though so what can I expect!

Check out Rykers hat, he HAD to have it at the Dino Musuem but he loves it and wears it everywhere.

One Sunday mom Innes called to cancelled dinner and told us of illness in the home. I had already made a large dessert and had a salad so we invited Jen and Gary over for dinner after church. We had such a great time eating yummy food, and playing Metallic guitar hero. Thanks for coming on such short notice guys! It was a blast!

Orem Summerfest was fun we like to call it the Orem Stupidfest (we learned that from friends that work for the city) because of the stupid things people do, say, wear ... you get my point. At the park there are real rides, (if you can call them that they are rickety, old and scare me to death) booths, entertainment, a helicopter fly in, and more! We took the kids and they had a blast on Friday. We had to leave early with plans to return on Saturday to spend our 10 tickets but the carnival got rained out. It was amazing the thunderstorm we had that day. The water was racing up the roads and driveways! Jim was coming home from flying and there were chairs (that people had set up for the parade) and flags flying into the road into his car INTENSE!

*PS reason we left early on Friday was to meet up with Annaca and Aubrey my first year college roomies and their families at a park to play and catch up. I was soo excited to see them. I love those girls.!!! We have AweSOMe memories together and went through some great trials. It was soo good to see them. The following day they were running the Utah Valley Marathon( I wish ...sorta) and we were suppose to do lunch afterwards but they cancelled not feeling up to it and I TOTALLY understand.

H0wever, we weathered the storm and later that night it calmed down in time for a fun BBQ at at Jen and Garys house. GREAT FOOD and FRIENDS!!! Our kids play well with theirs, Kya and Brennon and other kids. Gary makes awesome steaks so we ate, gorged, chatted and we watched the parade. It was a good time however it made me grateful for the Lehi Parade. It's just a great parade with the miniature floats they are soo cute!

Girls Camp was alot of fun! It was alot of work getting it all planned and we were just going as a ward. We headed South to Manti and Mt Pleasant. The adventure started with breakfast at the church at 6AM. I volunteered to cook crepes for the girls. Jen Tippets helped me at last minute. Lets just say I was tired the first day with only getting 45 mins of sleep good thing I wasn't driving. So we went to the beautiful Manti temple to perform baptisms for the dead. I lost my recommend and so I stayed out with the other girls that weren't participating. I was sad as I haven't been in that temple but I did get to take a nice nap in the waiting house.

Girl camp was great! The first 2 days we had a lot of harsh rain and even hail. It was so bad we moved into the cabin that we were using the first night. It was nice to be warm. We just weren't prepared for that wet weather and many of the girls, including mine, feet were soaking wet and soo cold. Jim sent me up boots the next day thank goodness! LOOOOVE HIM!!!!

So I was the craft person for camp and we made some fun stuff. We made magnet boards with lil stands and the girls use them to put post-it notes on for their secret sisters. WE also made the clear jewel magnets to go with. We made Fathers Day cards and my favorite was we did freezer paper painting on shirts. These girls are soo creative and soo fun! Alot of them free handed the most beautiful artwork or funny sayings onto their shirts. It was my all time favorite craft. The crafts were ALOT of prep work and such but I was soo excited to see them all turn out. The weather turned up for us and we enjoyed the Manti pageant, some great service projects at the cabin and the lot we were on and more! It was all in all a good ward bonding experience no schedule, no stake activities, just relaxing and enjoyable.

I love my calling it's been soo much fun to learn and take in all I can from these awesome girls!

what a pretty site?

all the YW after baptisms

waiting out the rain

the beehive tent was soo cute all made up then it flooded

Blu and I tried to set up and old fashioned tent and just when we got it figured out... he ripped a hole in it. It's a good thing we didn't need it huh?

Doing Crafts... don't laugh at my hat it's too high I know I know...

The next week Jim was suppose to go to scout camp from M-W and be a leader for his deacons. He was excited HOWEVER on Sunday morning he woke with the flu and wasn't allowed to go. He was soo sad and has been stressing out over the scouting part of his calling forever now. He was excited to go and see it all in action, have the work be done and just enjoy time with his boys but that didn't happy. BUT he got lots of work done for us. We got to spend some time together. I got to take him out to dinner, since he didn't get a Fathers Day Dinner, to Tepanyaki Steakhouse one of our favs. It was sooo yummy! AND on Thur-Sat he got to go to a LOGAN HELICOPTER FUNFLY. He really needed that break and flying and bs'ing with the budddies is a great break for him!

I try to survive without Jim. It was hard. I gained more respect for my single mom friends out there. While he was gone I went to Youth Conference, Lehi Parade and Family Fun Day, started some home projects, tried to sleep, didn't happen, slept at moms house, and just was a mom.

I went to Youth Conference out at Camp Williams on Friday thanks for my sis in law AMy for watching the kiddos. She is such a great aunt, took them to McDs, and swam outside LOVE IT!~

At youth conference I got the chance to repel down a 45 ft wall and 45 ft free side! It was soo fun and scary. We also were fed well and got to participate in some other leadership action courses where we had to use certain equipment to complete a mission. That evening I enjoyed learning how to and MAKING A HUGE FOOL OUT OF MYSELF while doing so a game of outside volleyball. It was all in all a good time!!!

Afterwards I flew home to Lehi. (it will always be home) to watch the parade with my kiddos. They got soo much candy it was great! We enjoyed setting with the Humes they are the best Auntie and Uncle I have and their girls are like nieces not cuzzins.

* I have this thing about cheerleaders and flag girls though. I don' t really want Jo to ever be one but my Uncle Brett was being a punk about it all. He was saying things like "Hey JO doesn't that look fun, why don't you go out there and cheer with them. Aren't their dresses so cute? You want to be a cheerleader huh?" silly uncle brett!

After the Parade I took my kiddos up to see my mom and dad. I haven' t seen them in a few weeks as mom has been at girls camp ad youth conference too HOWEVER my AWESOME dad took 2 days off work to have my kids while I went to Girls CAMP. They were good for him too!! YEAH!! LOve you DADDY!

ANYWAY... we went to see gpa and gma herbert and played. They ordered pizza and we even slept over. It was a good time to sit and chat with my mom while the kids entertained themselves, or g'pa entertained them. I had alot to tell mom and miss those chats.

The next morning I worked out on the treadmill. HATE THOSE THINGS!!! and then we all went to the Parade again. It was 2 hours long, hot and muggy, BUT soo cute! And we sat with the Humes again so that was fun for mom to chat with her sister.

After the Parade I tried to be Worlds Best MOM and take my kids to FAmily Fun Day at the park. It was soo hard. Ryker was a whiner butt the whole time and would just randomly run off. So when I saw Shelby Humes, Aunt Shelli, Sis In LAw Staci and Baby MaCade I was soo relieved. Shelbs took JO on hte big inflatable toys, which were only like .25-.50 each CHEAP LOVE IT! and I took Ryker on the train, to the petting zoo and stuff. It was soo hot and crazy and by the time we headed home about 3ish Ryker was very mean. He was throwin all sorts of crazy fits and before we even got to PG he was out in the car THANK GOODNESS!!

JIm arrived home that night! It was soooo good to see him. I missed him a ton. I miss him more when he leaves me then when I leave him. I think this is because when I leave I am usually sooo busy doing stuff that I don't have as much time to sit and think. BUT when he leaves me the night is much longer and the bed is empty and you know I miss him.

I hope he knows how much I love and adore him. He really does do a TON for our lil family. I am a spoiled BRAT and he keeps me HAPPY!

WOW that was alot of news huh!

dentist trip and funny things jo says

Some more funny Joisms

So we have been prepping Jo lately for a change in dentist. We have been going to one that Alyssha our cousin  assists at and it's been nice.  Now, Jo has been referred to a pediatric dentist because 1- she was scared and wouldn't let the dentist even "count" her teeth and 2-lots of work to do!!! Too much sugar combined with Herbert teeth not a good combo there. ;(

So her new dentist Mountainland Pediatric is in Lehi next to Dr. Brown. Now I personally haven't been to see Brown ever but many people I know have and word is he is mean and grouchy and has done lots of unnecessary work. So we point at this place where the "mean" dentist works and it happens to be in the same building as Mtld. So obvoiusly she was scared. She kept saying which one is the mean dentist? Am I going to him? We kept assuring her no she was going to a kid dentist and he is nice and that Ali in the ward goes to him. 

Then the kicker

"why is he mean?  does he just pull all your teeth out so you can't eat?"  :) where she got that I dunno but soo funny

Tonight...

She cut her leg on something at my moms. While my dad was helping her get a band-aid, I was eating bless his heart LOVE HIM!, he said "I am glad we didn't have to cut your leg off" She said

"me too it's my favorite leg" she then went on to say "because it has my lil black dot" aka mole!

Love it! We did go for the dental consultation yesterday. She needs lots of work done! We have since minimized her sugar intake but most of her cavities are between teeth so I have to be a better mom and floss her teeth. She has like 8 cavities but the visit went well. She loved it! She loved the dentist. He talked to her lots, told her what he was doing while doing it, shook her hand, gave her a prize. She loved the "nice" dentist!

I am thinking this is a good thing. NOT that the other dentist was bad at all. It could have just been b/c the appt was at 6pm as she was in ALOT of pain so they squeezed her in. They have been really good too us.  I just wanted someone who specialized with kids and did sedation if needed. However, AFTER talking to her and the dentist we have decided to just try to do the work with the gas only. Her last work was nothing but numbing and the shot and she did great that time only cried a little. The no drugs will save us $300, some major mula and I won't be freaking out the whole time she is under. That is just scary to put your 5 yr old under right?

Kids are 2 Qt!

I don't think I will ever catch up on with all the fun stuff we have did this summer so far. We have been busy enjoying the sun, rain, friends and more! Soon I will do a photo log of all our outings and such. HOWEVER here are some funny things Jo has said lately

The other day "she said I am glad I am human because I can do stuff and have friends, animals don't get to do stuff"

Today.. watching HeMan.. "mom you know heman is 2 people, I wish he was like 180 people" random

Me yelling at my MacBook...."Mom we don't say stupid that is not a nice word, don't worry I won't tell dad!"

Happy Dads Day 2009

Today is a SAD day.. It's Fathers Day 2009 and Jim is pretty sick. 

He got Guitar Hero Metallica for Fathers Day along time ago and hasn't even got to play it today.  :( I love that he is such a big kid! He loves toys, and has a hard time waiting to open his gifts and HE has to have a new toy every time we go to the store. :) SOO CUTE!

I have been at girls camp all week long and am still exhausted so I am a crappy wife today. He didn't get breakfast in bed because, 1- he wakes up earlier than me and had already had a slim fast, and 2- he was worshipping the porcelain god when I FINALLY awoke.  I didn't get him a cookie @ church because I was too late getting to the people since I had a potty break. sorry :(  I will make it up to you I promise!

He has had a hard week and he even had to miss BBQ steaks at his mom house tonight. He is still a trooper though. HE  is a really good dad. When I stay home I tend to worry about being a mom and wife too much with the cleaning, cooking, working... ANd when he is home with the kids he PLAYS and PLAYs and PLays some more!  I LOVE IT! 

Now he was suppose to leave for scout camp tomorrow and was really looking forward to it but now because he is sick he has to stay home. He is heart broken!

He is tough though and not a whiner. He will get better and I hope sooner than later.  If he is not better he will also miss his Helicopter Fun Fly in Logan this weekend. That would be a shame since we had to miss St George one in April and he lives for them.  I hope he gets better. He deserves this break. He now has 3 jobs, and works soo hard for us and our family. We don't go without and are doing fine and it's all because of him. 

I love you Jim you are a great hubby and father. I mean what father plays barbies with his little girl and likes it or at least pretends  to? There may be some out there but I don't know many.

Ang took some pics of him for a head shot for one of his jobs  a few weeks ago. They are taken in front of his NOVA that is sadly rotting away in his parents drive way. It was a young boy project that he accomplished. It's a good car but needs some work. If we had some extra dough and a place to store it I am sure he would make it even better than it was. He always does good at setting a goal and getting it done. Anyway Ang is an awesome photographer and we really appreciated this quick shoot she did for us. Sorry for stealing the photo from your blog ang... I just was on the wrong computer.

*** I also have to say I LOVE both my other dads too. I am so blessed to have them in my life. My dad, AKA Gpa Mike, took time off work to watch the kiddos last week so I could go to girls camp. The kids were good for him and he even took them to McDs. He loves the grandkids and is such an awesome grandpa. He also makes me great things for my house and kids and is always willing to help out. I love you DAD!

I am blessed  to have such an awesome Father in Law. Gpa Jim is the bomb! His dry sense of humor just kills me.  :) He is soo good with my kids and makes us all feel so special. He lives the gospel to the fullest and is a great example of patience and unconditional love.  He really knows how to make someone smile and even though I hate sports, and watching them, being with him at this time brings a smile to me face. He is sooo funny! I lOVE his energy!

I am so very blessed to still have a grandpa alive. My grandpa Herbert is a great old man! He became blind from a mining accident when my dad was a teen so he hasn't ever seen me but I know he knows who I am. He is a great conversationalist and really helps one to define who they are. He doesn't let the little things in life bug him and is an incredible person, nonjudgmental and so caring. He is a lawn mower mechanic,  fixes cars, raises some animals, fixes his own meals, and all by the sense of touch. He inspires me to not let the handicaps in life slow us down. He is a hard worker and I admire his ambition in life!

Our First Preschool Graduate

Schools Out for Summer

-What a fun summer we have been having and it all started off with- 

*Jo graduated from Orem Preschool Elementary on May 28th at 10AM. 

*It was really great! She wore the cutest lil graduation gown and cap that they made in class from a tshirt and paint. They sang some really cute songs, were presented their diplomas (which were compiled of a book she has been making of the ABCs all year called Ants on An Apple!) They showed a slideshow which was soo fun to see what she had been doing all year. Then they broke a class made pinata and ate some cake and punch.  

*The pinata was suppose to be a fire breathing dragon but it looked more like a duck and JO agreed. She said they go to make it in their class and the morning class got to paint it.

*We were blessed to have our Grandpa Herbert, Grandma Innes, and Dad there.  The whole time Ryker was talking to my Dad ^about going for a ride in his blue truck. It was was driving me nuts though and I am sure Grandpa too. Ryker  literally would not be quiet about the truck... until JO came out and started to sing.

*It was soo cute to watch her and her classmates strut their stuff. I am MAD at myself for not having the video camera. They sang the "Stranger Song" the Alaphardy ABCS ( to the jeopardy theme) and "a tootie tatta" song. The expressions on some of the kids faces were to die for. some said "This is so lame with the eye rolling and all"  "Why do I have to do this" "Is it over yet?" and then there were those that had a great time and really got into it and they were FUN!

*JO was one of the kids that did very well. She wasn't shy at the least.. SHE must be My kid? I am thinking of putting her in a dance class. 

*As they were presented her diploma their answers were read to a previous interviews with their teachers "What are you gonna do now that you have graduated preschool?' There were answers like *go to the pool,  *go to the park, *play with friends, *go to Disneyland, and then one boy said *get married  and go to college. Later I found out he really said "Get married to Jo and then go to college" :)! Jo loves the boys and they seemed to like her.

*WE are so grateful we found that preschool and that we could afford it, work out Jims work schedule so he could pick her up and all sorts!! This school was so good for Jo. They helped her so much and she grew in so many ways. She learned to share better, take turns, be happy with what she got and her speech is MUCH better! She has awesome teaches and aides that we will never forget.

*Later that day we went to go to the Dinosaur Museum  at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi but we couldn't find a friend to go with us so we then decided to try out the Childrens Garden there, but the water exhibit was closed so... we went to my mom and dads house and played on the swings, had some cookies, rode bikes, played with baby Macade and of course played in the truck. It was a good day!  

Our happenings in photos!! Clickety to Biggify

ok I know this isn't pics but it IS important

Help 4-H out with 2 minutes of your time...

As many of you know, 4-H (the job I LOVE) has been earning much needed funding through the Albertson’s Community Partners Program. WE need your help to continue earning funds! All you have to do is link your Preferred Savings card to 4-H by going to,

www.albertson.com/cp/

All you will need is your preferred saving card number, your phone number and the organization number.

Utah County 4-H # 49000118401

Please link and tell your friends and family. We earn back 4% of your shopping dollars for every purchase you make. If you need help let me know.
Thank you for your support!

(stolen from my bosses blog but I totally support it)

Jumping for Joy!! Long Post & pics to come

Our weekend started off with my trying to coax Jim into going to a 90 min presentation about a travel company to get a free trip. Well he looked up the reviews and many people had said the taxes and fees you were to pay were really high, and they were there for 3 hours!! So needless to say with that not starting till 7:45PM in SLC we decided to not go we had better things to do with 3 hours of free time. Of course on Monday I got a phone call wondering why I hadn't gone. I told them why, they weren't happy, told me I was "misinformed" and was missing out! YADA YADA YADA

SOo..... Jim and I planned a date to the temple instead but first we had to go do something for for Rykers bday.

WE kept JO home from school, hey she is only in pre school I can do that right? We went to Kangaroo Zoo. It is a place in Lindon with tons of HUGE inflatable slides, jumpers, obstacle courses and more!!! We stayed for about 2 hours and had a good time. Jo made some cute friends and I have to say I enjoyed myself a little too much. Ryker well he got little tired, and hungry and I have to admit it was more fun for JO and I. :) I felt guilty because they don't charge parents for watching, I didn't say I was going to watch, but anyway... I took a few turns on the big slides with my kids! We can't wait to go back or maybe I can't :)

I even got Ryker to let me keep his faux hawk. He hated it and kept saying "make it down, make it down!" but I just changed the subject hehehehe.

After we jumped bumped and slid we asked Ryker what he wanted for lunch. He said "chicken" so we went to the Wingshack in AF. It was soo good and Ryker ate it up. We had terriyaki and mild wings. Ryker loved the terriyaki and fries. JO .. not so much.. 

*Funny thing about Ryker he loves hot stuff we took him to Wingers awhile back and he insisting on trying the wings so we let him. Now JO at this age cried and fanned her mouth, "Hot HOt HOT".. she would say.. RYKER noooo... he loved them. "MORE MORE MORE" he would say!!!

After lunch JO insisted I get back to her school in time to pick up here mothers day present so we shot back to 5 mins before the bell rang got the stuff and got out of there before traffic. WAHOO!!! JO gave me a cute little card and a flower she had planted in a plantable? cup. It's a MARIGOLD  and I can't wait to plant it in a pot!

M-Mothers

A- Are

R-Really

I-Ingenious

G-Gorgeous

O-Optimistic

L-Loving

D-Divine!

So CUTE!!

So my dad was already in Orem about 5ish so he came and go the kids and Jim and I were off to the temple. WE had a great time. WE did sealings for the dead. What a great experience it was to help the dead receive the crowning ordinance, to be with their spouses and some family forever. Oh how I LOVE this gospel! I can't imagine not being able to live with my family for eternity.

We then headed to Costco to get some much needed stuff for the holidays ahead. After our purchases we indulged in the GROSSEST crappiest but CHEAPESt meal ever. WE had the polish sausage and drink combo for 1.5o and a chocolate yogurt. HAVE you ever eaten something too disgusting that later you thought, that was soo not worth the calories, guilt, crap it put in my body even if it was cheap? Well there you have it! It was that gross... NEVER again!

SATURDAY WOW A VERY busy day it was. 

I got Ryker up! He is 3!! Wow I said Happy Birthday to him and he said

*"No I am SOO BIG...Firetruck?"

I got up early, made breakfast, baked a cake, made home made cards, prepped lettuce for a Sunday salad, got Ryker ready (Jo stayed at Gmas), headed to the store to get more stuff, then off to to a BBQ at the heli field for Jims club only 40 mins late. That is why we give me dessert heheh I am ALWAYS running late. We ate food. I had a good time visiting with other wives and kids. Then we tried to sing to Ryker but he was like WHAT? we ate his awesome huge 2lb COSTCO cup cakes or "dumpcakes" as Ryker called them :) and hung out.

Jims good friend Mike was so sweet and got Ryker a "Shake N Go" Tow Mater for his birthday. HE LOVED IT!!! He wouldn't put it down. We are so thankful to have Mike and his family in our lives. He is a good guy that would just give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He even gave a heli away to a kid expecting payment within and few month, hasn't received payment and still is nice to him. His wife GAVE me her smaller Cricut just because she got the bigger one! So sweet!

Ok so on to the surprise that JO had to tell Ryker about earlier in the week, a real life firetruck. Jims other flying buddy Ryan is a Orem city Fire Captain and he arranged for the red fire truck to come. Ryker didn't know what to think at first. He was scared and kept telling the guys to "go back to work." He would not even get in, try on gear, hold the water hose, nothing. He wouldn't let me get in "NOOOOO it's his fire truck and they go back to work" he would say. Well for 30 mins while the fireman ate some food we tried to get him in to take a ride at least. Jim finally put his mater in there and told him he was going for a ride and wasn't scared. Then we were off we had a great time and Ryker still says "I got tooo wide in a FIWE TRUCK and it was soooo pun, the man put on the wights and the whooo whooo!" Well worth the coaxing!!!

Then I ran to get JO at a birthday party in AF,  picked up Jim and we were off to Goshen, 45mins south, for a Ryker/Mothers Day Celebration. My family had gone earlier in the day to do some service and stuff but I had prior engagements and wasn't able to attend :( I was there in spirit though..So we had a dinner BBQ, don't worry I brought steaks to the Heli club one because I knew we would be having burgers and dogs!! and it was tasty all of it. While the burgers were cooking I hurried and slapped and I mean SLAPPED Rykers cake together. It wasn't as cute as I had planned but it worked. 

When it came to time to blow out candles, he made Jim do it. He doesn't like fire I guess,,,, only fire trucks :). We are sooo grateful for everyone who shared this day with us, for the presents, and fun times. We had Cort and Dan, Dig N Stacee, Mom n DAD Herbert, and my Herbert Grandparents and Aunt Dana who was soo gracious to give JO a small gift because she was sad.

IT was good times especially when my sister Cortney got chased by a turkey.

On to the moms day presents you see I have been working on this book for my mom for about 1.5 months now. It has been a lot of work!!! I did it through Shutterfly and was extremely impressed.  I wanted to do more digital scrapbooking for the pages but I had a deadline to meet. 

All the hours and late nights and stressing all paid off! Seeing my moms face as she opened it and as she went through commenting was such a great moment! I love you MOM what a legacy you will leave.  

"Funny Note"

*So when I made this book I had "All because two people fell in love" on the title page with a pic of mom and dad. Well unbeknownst to me the "love" got cut off  and so it said "all because two people fell in..." While funny and even hilarious with some people wanting me to keep it I had to add a LOVE rhinestone sticker.  Thats just the perfectionist in me!

*I also gave my new nephew Macade William Herbert who is just 9 months old the name Macade Blair Herbert... oops! At least it's the same person right? heheh William Blair Herbert is my grandpa who I love and adore, but it was funny Sorry Stacee AGAIN

The next day was Church. Jim was great to give me a nice breakfast in bed, let me sleep in as he always does on Sundays :) and some cute cards. We then had to roll with it to get ready for church. I gave a lesson about covenants and ordinances and thought it went really well. Sometimes I feel like the girls are soo bored just sitting there even if I get them to talk or they think I am such a scatter brain because I OVER prepare and then can't remember where I found this quote, or lose my place.

After church we took a few pics, and flew to the Innes' house. There we had a lasagna dinner with all the fixins, colored, vegged opened gifts and hung out. Then we headed up to my moms to say hi and bye.. 

WHAT A WEEKEND EH? Whats Up for the NEXT? 

Happenings!!!

What have I been up too.. 

The retreat was a good time last week and much needed as I had a busy work week ahead.

I have been working out on my air climber 30 mins a day and then working out on the wii fit running, boxing, stepping, hula hooping, catching fish :).... to make an hour or 1.5. a day.  At the retreat I tried to run outside for the first time, well let's just say, I was hacking up flem all day and night after that and sounded like I was a smoker... but it was still a good run.

The retreat was sooo fun! We relaxed, ate lots of, good and not so good for you, food ... scrap-booked, sewed, watched movies, talked and just had an awesome time. I am sooooooo grateful Jim took time off work and let me go!!! HAPPY MOMS DAY TO ME!!!

I am also soooo thankful for those that took all the time in arranging it! We stayed at a beautiful modern home in Heber that had all the amenities you needed for a stay away.

Work has been busy as the end of the year is near. School gets out in 22 days that is just NUTS!! then on to a fun filled exciting summer!!!!

Here are some pics of my 4-H kids involved in an awesome service project. We made tiaras, wands and bookmarks for the kids in the children's unit at our local IHC hospital UVRMC. It was fun to see what creative and not so creative kids I have. 

Then on to PARENT NIGHT...tonight was it! I am officially done with work, I still have red tape to do and some cleaning up but I am done teaching, babysitting, and entertaining middle school kids. DO I seem too happy? YEah..No not really I LOVE My JOB but 'tis time for a break.

Parent Night was a great time!! We had a share fair, volleyball game, and then performance time. My slideshows worked this time, we stayed on schedule, I had good food and the crowd seemed to be pleased.

I just love my job. I know I say it so much but you gotta love a job that when a leader unannounced gets up and puts you in the spotlight, starts crying and says how much she loves and appreciates you.

You got to love a job for when your principal pulls you in his office for a 1 on 1 talk just to express his sincere apology that he couldn't make it to support you tonight. 

You got to love a job that has students who bring sweet lil gifts for you to say goodbye for summer!

You got to love a job that only has me away from my kids from 2:30-5,  4 days a week and the rest is done at home.

I love my job because I love to give these kids opportunities that they would not have elsewhere and what a smile it brings to their faces!

I am so grateful for a job that I love. Life is just too short to do something your despise or hate everyday.. THat is why being a mom is soo great too!!! 

I am so glad I have a very supportive hubby who knows when work (both of them) gets stressful to just take over the home front and let me be!!!! I love you Jim.

Hatching Chicks, Sleeping in Cupboards, and a New Heli Field!!!

Well it's already almost May!!

This means I am almost done with 4-H for the summer! This is a good and bad thing. I love my job but I also love to have a break every once in a while... :) Don't WE All?

So not much has been going on in our family lately. Jims Heli Club has been working on their new county field. He is very stoked about having a insured place to fly when he wants, without having to worry about buildings, soccer players, and the new field is in Lehi!

Here are some pics of the field. They are ripping out lots of trees and putting down asphalt soon.

I have been invited on a Sit N Chat retreat. I will be spending today, tomorrow and part of Saturday in a nice modern home in Heber with some great friends from the ward.  Most of the these great women I get toether with every Thursday night for our weekly get a break night. WE have some good times! I am soo excited to get some projects done and to sit n chat with all of them and eat lots of great food. CALORIES DON'T COUNT THIS WEEKEND!!

We have all been victims of the dramatic weather changes lately, therefore we have all had our bouts of the cold, sinus' infections, and coughs. WE LOVE LIVING IN UTAH!!! 

Hey I guess it could be the SWINE flu right?

Here are just some funny pics of the kids recently. Next week, Sat Ryker is turning 3. I can't believe my baby is almost THREE!! Crazy!!

"All Tuckered Out!"

Ryker is really into climbing in my bathroom cupboard and pretending to sleep. We EVEN have to sing the night time singing routine starts with "I am A Child of God" then "I love to see the Temple" then "The Wheels on the Bus" and then "Pokey Bear." It's soo cute he sings along to and has to make sure  we do all the actions for the action songs..

A few days after Easter I purchased these Hatch your Own Chick Eggs. JO liked to watch them throughout the "hatching" phase. It was fun!

EASTER 2009!!

                                                           
With the 14-16" of snow we got the other day, it sure didn't seem like we have already had Easter, but tis true. As usual we always plan to go out with the Herbert Family and Friends camping for the weekend. I had to work Friday till late so we decided to go to dinner as a family and come home and watch a movie. 

Saturday morning we headed out to the West Mts, in Lehi. We met up with family and shortly after the trip turned very bleak. We took a few rides on the 4-Wheelers and got ready to hide easter eggs this is when the rain came. The rain never stopped in time to have an Easter Egg hunt. There are other friends and family that come out ONLY for the hunt and they were saddened by the event.  

OUR EASTER EGG HUNT  in the MTS... is so fun! I has been a tradition for my whole life and more. We are up to like 600 eggs or something! Every year we add more it's crazy. The kids don't even NEED Easter Baskets in the morning bc of the hunt. We hide money, change, balls, Wendys and McDs unopened kids meal prizes, PRIZE slips and of course wrapped candy in our eggs. Its really fun, and especially humorous when we find eggs from the year before while in the hunt, with that many eggs we can't possibly get them all.

ANYWAY... so with the crappy muddy yucky rainy weather the Easter Egg hunt was to be postponed. I was a bit sad but ok with not trudging through mud with my kids to hunt. 

Speaking of kids.. what a day it was RYKER was sooo whiney. All he wanted is grandpa to hold him, and sometimes would go for me or shelby. I am NOT kidding when I say I was completely warn out when I left, as RYKER cried the WHOLE time nor did I want anymore kid! I don't know what the heck was with him, it was part being really tired but the other I dunno. I didn't even get one game of cards in :(  So we headed home just as it got dark and both kids were out before we even hit the dirt road!  AHHH SILENCE!!! :)

To JIM and I Easter is a day to celebrate and reflect on the Savior Jesus Christ; his life, mission, and his love, and his greatest gift to us all, the Atonement and Resurrection. We are very adamant about our kids knowing and believing this. Easter isn't only for Easter Egg Hunts, Cards, Candy and Camping .... sooo .... with that we come home Saturday night from campin to spend Easter at home. 

Funny note here: We were trying to teach JO and help her keep in her mind this knowledge of the Resurrection she had some funny moments

mom: "Jo what is Easter all about tell Grandma"

jo: "It's the day when Jesus came alive again"

mom:  "What is the big word that starts with an R, that means coming alive again"

jo: "Its the day that Jesus was erected."

Giggle Giggle.... we quickly fixed that but RES -URR EC-TED!!! Later she digressed and said.

"It's the day Jesus was arrested!"  I love kids!

Easter Morning....

                    

                        

Who do you think was more excited?

The Easter Bunny, who almost didn't come because of bad behavior, left a trail of eggs leading to the presents, we brought some home for our kids from camping to hide on our own. Jo had a great time finding the 60+ eggs all over the middle floor of our house while Ryker just wanted to play with his new Doc from Cars, lego car and matchbox car. 

"MOM open thiiiiiiis"

Church was very VERY uplifting, fulfilling, inspiring and I am soo glad we went and didn't go back out West with family, all though it was a beautiful sunny day.  I sang with the choir in our ward and we have a good choir and even a better accompanist. He plays professionally for the Presbyterian church in SLC. He adds so much to our music in choir and sacrament!!!! 

YW was awesome! Sis Weber did a silent lesson. The lesson parts were typed up and displayed on poster board up on an easel. She would change out the boards as it went on. There were questions to ask yourself, movies to watch, songs to listen too and at the end the post said... " we will now have the closing prayer" It was soooooo GOOD!!! I can't believe how strong the spirit was AND I had never been able to get through a lesson without chitter chatter so that was pleasant too :)

Ok so after church we came home, hung out, hung out some more, and then tried to decide what to do for dinner. We usually go to Mom and Dad Innes for a scrumptious Easter feast...

This is the 2nd year in a row that Mom and Dad Innes have visited other family on Easter. Last year was sort of an Emergency as we were told the Sat. night before Easter our West.  I quickly shopped, and put together a dinner for us and the 2 sisters. 

THIS YEAR we knew they were gonna be gone. We planned to have the sisters and Ross and Ang but baby Ali was ill so it was just us. I didn't want to cook a big ham dinner just for us, and we had the week before... so this was our Easter Dinner...

Dino-Chicken Nuggets 

Fries w/ pink sauce

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwhiches!

Great HUH? Hey there is ham in there somewhere right?

It REALLY was great! 

We watch the movie "The City of Ember"  which was very good and kid friendly.

Then we played a little Wii and put our tired Ryker in bed. 

SINCE we didn't dye eggs out West we decided we couldn't just not so JO and JIM and I all dyed eggs till late. It was soo fun! Jo was really creative and particular about her egg dying. JIM was a perfectionist and the photograph of course. He was annoyed the RED was Pink for his stars ans stripes egg :) I just dyed away, using all the techniques I learned from 4-H. It was an "eggxtra" fun time.

  

                                    

                                                                                      

                                

We hope you had a great Easter, we look forward to next years!

Our staycation

We didn't get to go to St George for our annual April Fools Fun Fly because everything just kept going wrong and we just weren't meant to go.  Maybe next year?  JO was very, very sad, she was looking forward to seeing Sadie and Bizzy and swimming at the hotel pool. PLUS we were bringing along 2 cousins too. 

We decided to do a little "staycation" here with the kids. On Friday we ventured over to Cabellas to look at the animals, fish, play a round in the shooting gallery, and eat some lunch. The kids enjoyed feeding the fish and Ryker wanted to get into an old truck that was a target in the shooting gallery or the plane that was hanging from the ceiling near the restaurant... SO funny! He just loves anything with wheels, skids, and/or wings!

RYKER Went from this to this in about 10 mins!

This reflection at the top of the aquarium was funny because JO said.. "Look mom that fish is swimming upside down!"

We enjoyed a very expensive lunch but it was good. I had my first bison burger and it was delicious! We also got some really good fudge from the county store in Cabellas it was sooooo good. With all the choices to choose from like orange, mint, raspberry, toffee, and so forth I went with "Heavenly Hash" which tasted like a snickers bar and Jim ... well he picked CHOCOLATE. I thought that was so funny b/c of all the choices he had. It was delicious and I have decided to make it a tradition to have yummy fudge while watching conference.

 

  

We then ventured over to the new Lehi Smiths! WOW what a store and with 2 kids exceptionally tired what an experience.. Yup won't be doing that again any time soon.

Saturday we enjoyed a day of being inspired, loved, uplifted and edified by our prophet, apostles, and many other general authorities. The kids were pretty good during it we had lots to color and of course SUGAR to eat. 

On Sunday it was time for more conference. When Jo learned we didn't have to go to church too.. She started singing and dancing around her room..."yeah no church! Weahoo no boring church." After laughing at her and then trying to "talk her into" liking church, the afternoon session started. I kept thing.. oh dear my 5 year old doesn't want to go to church? I can only imagine what the future holds??? :\

Conference was wonderful, most of the talks really hit home. Why does it always make me soo tired though I always feel exhausted after? I asked Jim he said something like well you are staring at a guy in a dark suit for hours, sitting on a couch, wrestling kids to stay quiet,... I thought. I then asked a friend why it was so hard to stay awake and she said... maybe because it is so spiritually exhausting... for the good. I can't agree more! 

Anyway.. so we had dinner at the Innes'. It was great to see the family and we enjoyed our first for many BBQs of the year! Thanks Ma and Pa it was great!

Monday we decided to extend out staycation with a day out for the kids. We went to the Mall and played on the playground, then to lunch at Goodwood, that is always rough for Ryker as he can't sit still, and then to the park. It was a pleasant and well spent afternoon.

Egg-xtra Excitement!

Tis Time for a Post!!!

The ever changing Utah Spring weather has brought a bit of sickness to our home. :( We have had runny noses, allergies, sinus infections and more but all is well. We have been trying to enjoy the sunny weather by playing outside, and with picnics at the park.

We are in the 6th week of clubs at school which in turn means my job will shortly come to an end. This will be the first summer that I will not work with 4-H. I am excited, scared, happy and sad all at the same time.  Sad to not being able to work with my students doing the job I love. Scared for the lack of cash and a tighter budget we will have to live on. Happy to be home spending time with my family. I don't have to go anywhere if I don't want to. And excited to do some house and crafty projects that I just don't have time to do!  AND  This summer comes some fun adventures! Girls Camp, Lehi Round Up, Jims Scout Camp, Lava Hot Springs, Lake Mead, Youth Conference and The Trasmundi Reuion in San Diego!!! 

If I stick to my couponing and shopping at Buy Low Market for my produce things will be ok! I know if we pay our tithing and limit our extras we will be fine. 

LOOK at all this awesome produce I got for only $36.00!!!

 Speaking of Excitement!

After being at UVU for almost 8 years Jim finally got his own office. It is very VERY small but he is still very VERY grateful to have a place of his own. Yeah for feeling special!

More EGG-citement!!!

One of the classes I took at LEADERMETE, the very fun work conference I went to in Brigham City, was egg dying. I got to die eggs with onion skins, tape, rubber bands, oil, & wash cloths! 

We have been trying to do FHE everyweek.  We are following the new nursery manuel and adapting it to our family. It is working great! 

A few weeks ago we talked about how we have a spirit and a body and how here on earth they are together. We made spoon puppets with a spoon being the spirit and then we added the clothes or body. JO had a BLAST playing with these! She even played with them the next day.

The other night we had a messy house. We decided to clean the house! Later that night Jo reminded us that we didn't have a "good" Family Night we "needed to talk." SO Jim  being as AWESOME as he is then related our cleaning the house to the gospel. He did an excellent job! We talked about how we want our houses to be clean like temples and churched and how everyone is more happy when their houses are clean. I CAN't ARGUE WITH THAT! We then told her that we want our house to be ready for Jesus to come at anytime.. that got her excited! 

Then we had to have an activity, JO said we had to. We got out the doodle pros and had

Drawing time! It was a fun event. We drew pictures of all sorts anywhere from the Characters on the CARS movie (of course) to Jo's masterpiece of our little eternal family. 

NOTICE the girls are wearing crowns and check out that LONG hair! 

 

!!!COOTIES!!! A new game for the kids we have been saving for a rainy day came to life this last week!  JO and Ryker have been enjoying playing with their "bugs." Jim built a stage for them and they put on a show tonight it was cute!

St. Pattys Day 2009

WE  had a good St. Pattys Day and hope you all did too.

Reasons why I like St. Patricks Day, in no particular order.

1- It's not OVER commercialized yet?

2- I am a March baby so it's in my blood.

3- I like to wear the color green.

4- I don't have to worry about buying presents for... anyone

5- I work for 4-H and that is our color and logo and I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

6- You can get really really creative with this holiday, green food, hair dying, green tutus

7- I Love Rainbows, GOLD, one of my favorite cereal is Lucky charms.

SO today started off with a healthy breakfast of Cheesy Eggs and Lucky Charms... :) NO green eggs and ham for us, as JO had them at school on Mar 2nd and wouldn't touch them.

We all decked out in green. JO was green from head to toe and she did it all by herself. Ryker didn't want to. He wanted to wear a RED monkey shirt and did but after a milk spilling accident and wanting to match JO he budged.

JO and I made some sugar cookies with my 4 Leaf Clover cookie cutter from 4-H. Then after school she and Jim frosted them and had fu! They turned out cute, see for yourself. Thanks to Gma Innes' recipes.

Well that about wraps it up.

Today JO said something so funny though. This conversation was about her not wanting to go to school because she was tired. I told her...

 "well then maybe you should go to bed at a decent hour." She said "when  I am big and have my own kids, they aren't going to school." I said "what about when they grow up?" She said.. "they won't they will stay zero" I laughed. Then later when I told her that we all have birthdays and we have to get older she said "okay they can be 4 and that is it!"

Silly girl!

An Embarrassing Moment

Today I did a silly thing...

Setting: The Chapel @ Church, and My home

Time 2-3:30 PM NAPTIME!!

After taking tired lil Ryker out of the chapel during the sacrament and then trying NOT to let him have too much fun being in the foyer I was done. He was just soo uncontrollable either place sooo I decided to leave church  because I didn't have to teach. 

Not minutes before  I had left my friend Kari had also left home with her girl to get something.

So I came home with a crying Ryker. He was crying "I want to go to church, I want to play with kids.." soo cute.. but I was not giving in.  At home I immediately tossed him in his bed and with secs he was out. Poor Lil Guy :)

Then it dawned on me. I hadn't told Jim I was going home. (I wasn't thinking about it after Ryker had kicked me in the nose while throwing a fit.)  HE can BE such A Crazy Monster when he is tired.

So I decided maybe Kari was still home and tried her by phone. Well no answer so I thought oh well Jim will figure it out.

Minutes later my phone rang. It was Kari. I said "Are you going back to church?" She said "I am at church." Surprised I said..."Oh no you take your cell/home phone too church I am sooo sorry." Apparently she hadn't silenced it and I am sure it went off in the chapel and I most likely embarrassed her in sacrament."  I felt soo bad and just couldn't apologize more. She was sooo sweet though and was just wondering if I was ok. :) I have some great friends in this ward. 

Thanks Kari  for not being mad and for getting JIM the message and sorry again!

Ryker and Joisms.

Ryker is growin up here is some things I want to remember about him.

Ryker is in to saying lately.. "_insert name here_, you are in twouble, you go to time out NOooooooooW!"  or "go back to bed now" or he told his dad to go back to work now today SAT. :)

He is getting quite fiesty. He also today was looking at Target ad and was saying this to the boy in the add who had his cars and "wouldn't give em back" now how do you explain to a 2.5 year old that the boy in the picture is just that picture...:)

He also says "good job" when you do something cute and it is soo cute

He is growing up so fast. He will be 3 in May. He wears size 5 and is so smart. I am just latching on and suck all this in right now as he is my baby. HE does cute things like after he gets out of the tub, he wants "UP" and then he wants to sleep on my shoulder or have me lay with him on his bed for a second.. Ahhh so sweet! Definitely helps with my baby hunger lately. That sounds wierd like I want to eat a baby Why do we say that then? Ewww...

Yesterday I asked him for a kiss and he said "yes" and proceeded to give me a kiss. Then I gave Jim a kiss and big hug and Ryker said "MOm I want a hug, a big hug I wuv it!" It was to die for. That is his new phrase as of last night. WE were at the store and he would say I want this.. we would say no not today and he would say "but I WUv it"

JO today said something sad but understandable

This morning she said "Mom I have decided I don't want to be a mom anymore when I grow up." My heart about hit the floor. Then I asked why and she said "Because I don't want to work. I won't be able to play with Izzi and Ali and Shelby." We then had a talk about how I like to work and how not all moms have to work and how I still have friends and get together with them too.. It was kind of a bittersweet moment. Here I thought she missed me while I was at work but NO it was just because she didn't think she would have time to play with friends.

Funny story about JO

The other day we had a first FHE! It went well. We are using the Behold Your Little One Nursery Manuel and just adapting it. It works great! We colored all about me books. Jo did great. Ryker made us color about 20 cars on the page of his likes.. go figure. We made a file folder with family members and talked about how everyone is a child of god even people who make bad choices.

So we were talking about Moses.  Jim was telling the story of the his people and the 7 ? curses, because he is so good at telling the stories. He talked about how Moses said if you don't let my people go ..._insert curses here... then of course it happened and JO would say "yes" like Napolean Dynomite sp? With the hand fist gesture and everything. We tried to explain to her that it was really sad but couldn't help but laughing at her pleasure in knowing the people were going to be punished.  Awful I know but you are laughing as you picture this right?

Birthdays are for the birds or are they?

Thanks to my awesome family and friends turning 27 wasn't bad at all. I had a fabulous birthday. It was great! To me... my birthday is just another day but to my hubby tis not soo. I always get really spoiled and I am so grateful for him and the rest of my family.

His bday most of the time gets put off,  and/or combined with JOs and the Superbowl. One of these years I am gonna knock him off his feet with the best birthday ever. He definitely deserves it!!!

So it all started with my lil JO telling me happy birthday in the morning and rushing to make a cute card.

Then Jim brought me some CAFE RIO for lunch and a Granny B's pink cookies.. calories don't count on your birthday right? 

AND I my mom stopped by on her lunch break to say hi! She let a gift and balloons upstairs quietly. It was fun to see what she got me as I went upstairs to head off to work. I got an awesome waffle maker that has a timer and you flip it over! I have been wanting one since they first started putting them in hotels. Jim also showered me with a night out, and some gift cards to Bath and Body works and Old Navy. Yeah for more smelly stuff and new clothes!

Then I logged on to see Jim has posted that sweet birthday wish post for me and all my friends wishes on facebook WOW!!! What a day! I feel so loved!

After work, which went well b/c I didn't have to deal with the rowdy boys in the soccer club, I cam home. The YW presidency made a quick visit with a darling homemade card and some treats. Then off to Lehi... 

On the way.. JO says "I want to be a cowgirl, doctor and  a mom when I grow up" that was cute and original don't you think.

The kids went to Gma and Gpa Innes' for the night. While we went out.

Feeling a little sick to my tummy, and full from lunch I wanted a light meal. We went to JCW's in AF.. SOOO GooD!  I got a kids meal..hehehe! It was great. Then we went to the movie "PUSH" which was good too. I asked if I could finish the night off  right with a $1 Hot Fudge Sundae at McDs and that we did.

When we arrived to get the kids. They were so excited to see me. Jo and Aunt Angela and Baby Ali had made sugar cookies for my birthday. They were delicious and such a sweet thing to do. Jo loves to be with Auntie Ang and Uncle Ross and then add Baby Ali to it and life is really good.

So funny story about these cookies...

" AS we were leaving Lehi we pulled out of moms culdesac and heard a big thump. I said what was that... Jim was like.. "UH OH I put something on the roof because I was trying to get Ryker in the car." Well Ang... your hard work down the drain or road I could say.  We found lots of pieces some off the roof, some off the road and some in the dirt. WE picked up all we could, checked em out, made sure there were edible and then scarfed them all down!" Hee Hee. 10 sec rule right? well probably 30 sec when we found them all.

Thanks for a great birthday everyone! It was awesome! I love you!

Happy Birthday Leslie!!

I just wanted to give my wonderful a wife a big Happy Birthday today!!! She is an amazing woman and such a huge blessing in my life. I am grateful for her love, influence, strength, and support. Here's to many more wonderful birthdays together my Leslie Jo :) Love ya!

Sunday Funday!

SuNdaYs are such Crazy Days for us, but usually always worth the craziness! 

They are suppose to be a day of rest but to us they are usually just Go Go Go. We have church meetings, lessons to plan, actual church, dinner with family in Lehi, card or board games, great food and more! 

Now the day may not be so crazy if church didn't start at 2pm but we all have to take our turn at late church. :)  I like late church, being able to sleep in, not having to wake up kids, having the chance to actually do JOs hair up cute and even getting a bite of real food in is nice. 

However getting out at 5PM and having to come home hurry and change, get to Lehi for dinner and then 3-4 hours later coming home again makes 2PM a time I don't like for church. Lots of parents in the ward are on the same page with me as it's usually nap time, the kids are tired and onory which make the parents tired and onory. Add in a fast and that is even harder!

Sundays are funny days in our house. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother going to sacrament as I feel like I am entertaining and reprimanding kids at all times.. BUT I go because it's important to set a good example for my kids and I am commanded to. 

I loved church today! Besides the minor fact that I felt like my head was going to explode. The kids were pretty good. The testimonies born of the Savior, the reality of living and not living the gospel, ones that professed great gratitude for the BIG family that we as church members can be a part of... these were all very inspiring to me. In Young Womens we talked about the divine roles of women and I was touched.

Today I woke up with a massive sinus infection and a little later than normal. I had a great day yesterday with my friends in the ward at an all day Sit n Chat and Finish that. We talked and worked on projects from about 2 till 11. It was sooo fun! Because of the late hour that I arrived home I just left all my crap by the front door. BIG NO NO

Nothing make me more irritated and onory, short with my kids and Jim, and stressed is when the house is a mess. I started feeling like I hate Sundays,  I want a bigger house, I even didn't want to go to church.

Soon I realized that I needed to just calm down. As I did things started to fall in place. We didn't have to fight Ryker or Jo over what to wear, hair got done, my outfit went good together, we got to eat, and all of us were ready for church in time to get a bench. 

Now getting a bench is important to me because I have bad hearing and the loudness is in the back where the overflow goes into a gym with wood floors so there is an echo too make it harder to hear and kids love to test it. :) (even mine)  PLUS today my head felt like it was going to explode so I wanted to be close. If we get a bench then it sort of traps Ryker in and he can play on the ground, or lay down,... if he wants. He is still a bit loud but my kids are just loud, like me. Jim and I sat and the kids were really good, they colored, played with toys, ate some fruit snacks and for the most part were really good. I actually got something out of the meeting for once and it was pleasant!!!

My one friend calls this stage the hall stage, because often you are out in the hall walking or disciplining kids when you are at church. We didn't have to do the hall or foyer thing today and it was great!

I don't know why I blogged about this? Maybe it will help some moms know that they are not alone if they too are in the hall stage. Maybe to make me realize a clean house won't get me to heaven, but keeping the commandments and being a good example to my kids can, or just maybe to remind me when I am having a hard time to take it easy and know that "this too shall come to pass,"and to "come what may and love it." 

Have a GREAT week!

Parent Teacher Conferences and being a MOM

There are times when I just don't want to work anymore. When I just want to either go back to school or just be at home with my kids. Today was one of those days. We had fun this morning, it wasn't a hurry up morning we played, we ate, we hung out and then we went to school.

I just got home from work. It was a crazy day as the school cancelled my clubs without me knowing (they weren't suppose to be, but hey they are the school). Then my leaders weren't informed in time and came to teach and there were no kids.  Then I sat for 2 hours at Parent Teacher Conference tallying up how much money I have spent this year for the Program and realized I wasn't as frugal as I thought.

BUT I came to realize that parent teacher conferences are a JOKE! The only people that come are the kids that are really struggling or those that are over achieving and want to gloat. I seen moms dressed to the T, checking themselves out in a mirror we have by the office. You would think they thought they were gonna pick up a mate. I saw parents acting like they were the age of their students and dressed that way too. Kids were all over the place. People had to bring their children which is understandable as we are all busy. I did see a handful of people that were just there to get in, get out, and do what they could for their kids. 

HOWEVER: with a program called Power School and the handy dandy internet and the world wide web a parent can check their kids grades and such everyday. They can email teachers and admins and see what is going on. They can see what is missing, what the test scores are and if there are any notes from the teachers and so forth. Most teachers hate this day, would rather be home with their families and such. So I think today I vow to never ever go to PTC unless I really have to. It is 4 hours long and at 2 I was tired I feel for those teachers now and again say I will NEVER be a TEACHER!

On to better stuff..

I came home from work, emptied Jos school bag and found this cute little paper. It is a hand drawn pic of JO with with 3 lil kids and a rainbow over them. It says "when I grow up I want to be a mom."

I thought "well that is good she still wants to be a mom even though at times I am a crappy one." This is her and her kids, apparently she is gonna have 3.

"GRATEFUL"

The other day Jims facebook status said this. I was like hmm I wonder why? Not that he doesn't show his utmost appreciation and gratitude for all we have but I just wondered what triggered it. Jim is having some interesting times at work lately, especially being essentially the lone male in his office area. (All you woman know how hard that could and would be at times.) He is getting his own office finally after 7 years but it is really too small and still... he is grateful for it. He has been promised by our dear Heavenly Father that if he lives his life in righteousness he will always have the things he needs. I can't tell you how important that promise is to us right now.

Now times are hard for a lot of people right now and we are very lucky to have what we have. I am so grateful for his job with great benefits, a bit of stability even though it sucks sometimes b/c  of politics.  I am thankful for a job for me that most likely won't be affected by the budget cuts and that I get to do what I love. I have all the necessities, a mother who is a great nurse, a hubby and dad who can fix about anything, and family all around me. What a supportive family I have and how grateful I am for them. They would ALL give there shirts off their back to me if we needed it. 

As summer approaches... (wishful thinking I know) I think of me having no job and how much harder life is going to get. I LOVE to travel and this summer we will have to work and save for it and the trips will be less often. I love to do projects and even though I will have time I won't have much extra money to do them. I love to go to the pool, movies, Lagoon and all those other pricey places and it probably won't all happen..... but you know what? it all doesn't matter as long as I have my family, my health, the necessities, the gospel to give me hope and such an awesome ward that surrounds me.

Anyway.... sorry about the sappy post.

I was just thinking about this  b/c in church on Sunday I got to teach about Finding Joy in the Now to the beehives, none of my mia-maids were there. I survived, it went well and as always I had more prepared than had time to teach but I think they got the message. 

When I got home I began to think about the times in my life that I wasn't happy or had Joy. I was still living the teachings of the church just not embracing it. How I didn't know then what I know now. :) Life is hard at times yes, but there are many reasons to have JOy in the NOw too. It is hard as the world is getting more wicked, and it's only going to get worse; but I know that I am a child of god who has a purpose here. I know that my heavenly father won't give me anything I can't handle. I know that my family is eternal and if we live in accordance with the gospel we will be together forever. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ has been through it all and I can always remember that the atonement is not just for saying sorry. I can turn to him even if I am having a bad day. I have a wonderful family who loves and supports me in all I do. And as President Thomas S Monson says "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey,

and share our love with friends and family."   

and that is what I am going to do.

just some pics

Here are just some pics I just ran across. Since I kind of handicapped my camera point n shoot. I don't get to capture those great moments all the time now. I have broke all 5 cameras we have had since we were married, and thats only 6 years! :(

These pics are random of all random. 

 

Even though we got Ryker some McQueen underwear he will only wear them on his head and JO is happy to join in.

He is not interested in potty training what so ever and... has to choose what diaper we put on, meaning the design on the diaper. He is ALSO worried about what he wears already and sometimes has knockdown drag out fits over his clothes... AHHHH He is worse than JO. 

They are both just growing up so fast. Jo is in size 6 for clothes and Ryker in size 5T crazy tall and skinny kids we have here in the Innes Gang.

JO loves to build lego castles and has to pose by them for a pic. This is one of many.

Here is a pic of JO at the baby shower the other day. She is entertaining a little 2 yr old named Logan that came to the shower.

Ryker wanted dad to sleep with him while watching his favorite show of all time Max and Ruby from Nick Jr. Too bad we don't have cable so it's a DVD and sadly we almost have it memorized. Who do thinks was pretending to be asleep better? :)

Ryker loves umbrellas and the color pink! :P

Tonight JO and I threw a baby shower for a friend/coworker, while Jim went to a UHA meeting and Ryker to grandma Innes'. We had appetizers and dessert. It was good. I got to try out some new recipes and new baby decoration ideas. This is her first baby and I am so excited to babysit and play with her! The shower was lots of fun, not many people could come but it was still fun. I prefer smaller crowds so you can actually keep a conversation going and such and my house is small so it all worked out. Lauren and Kolby Van Wagoner will welcome little Elisabeth soon and I was honored to be a part of that celebration.



I GOT RELEASED!!! I had my last day on Sunday as Primary Chorister :( I was sad to tell the kids goodbye. It was ward conference so the Stake was there kind of scary but I pushed on. I had to teach "How Firm a Foundation" to both ages. It was a hard song to teach but with some cool object lessons, visual aids, and review we managed to get through the first verse. I am sad to leave this calling. I LOVE primary! Learning the basics of the gospel is soo important to me and the songs of the church do it well. I love to sing and teach kids to be enthusiastic about singing I hope to return someday.



*I get to teach for the first time this Sunday in YW. I am excited, yet scared I was make it a huge stresser. I hate teaching but I KNOW that is where I am suppose to be so BRING IT!



I just have been working a lot lately just getting my program started. My principal said something nice today. I joked about a certain situation that has turned a few people against me and that if I transfered to another school not to be surprised. HE said " I will shut the program down, you are the best! I have principles call and ask about this program and I tell them if they hire good they will have the best and won't even feel it (meaning having to deal with the program)" That was very nice of him to say. I do love my job and I guess when you love what you do, it shows!


Ryker knows all but 2 of his CAPITAL letters! We love it! He says.. A B Corkny C (thats for Aunt Cortney) D Dan E F G Grandma H Grandpa Herbert I Grandpa Innes J JO K L M N O P Q R Ryker S T U V W X (sex) Y Z for Zip. WE tried to teach him A for apple, B C D for Dog but the name game worked better. He is one SMART cookie.



He also sings " I Love to See the Temple" "I am a Child of God" and several songs for his nursery class. He also sings happy birthday like this..
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday To you, Happy Birthday YOU YOU YOU then he blows out his candles.. whoo whoo and then says.. yum yum yum yum cake!" So funny. Much cuter in person I will see if I can get him to do it on tape.


JO is progressing good in school not kissing the boys and not walking home. Things are good! She is one crazy enthusiastic girl. We are glad her speech is getting better and she is amazing us everyday. She thinks that NOW she is 5 she HAS to go to kindergarten TODAY!



Funny story about JO.
The other day we were coming home in the car. Jo said her tummy hurt. I told her it's probably got one big swedish fish in it and that she needed to go potty. It ended there.. I thought.. a few minutes later she said "mom guess what? when you toot a little it makes your tummy not hurt!" I said "yeah good for you, where did you learn that?" She replies, "I just made it up!" AHH love the kids!


Jim has been busy with work, church callings, and being an awesome dad and hubby. He has been very helpful with my work, the house chores and entertaining the kids while I work. He has spent countless hours sorting Lego Robotic kits for my 4-H clubs. There are over 300 parts in each kit and they were all mixed up. It took over 60 something hours to get them all done. It has been our nightly thing, turn on Netflix, watch SliDERs and sort away all night. Thanks Babe luv ya! He deserves a vacation or at least a date night!


Story about JIM
He went flying on Sat finally good enough weather. He was flying a new heli that he has been reviewing for the magazine he writes for. He already knew it would have some problems just by building it but in mid air the blades just flew off, and his heli came crashing into the ground. Luckily know one was hurt and the snow padded the fall, which in turn pads the pocket $ wise.

WE hope you are all doing good and all is well!

Make it a great day and even a better year!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

What a great time Jim and I had last night! We were invited to a progressive Valentine dinner put on by several people in our ward. It was soo FUN!! The food was awesome and soo filling!

Progressive Dinner: Take a 7 course meal and eat different parts at different houses. The moving thing is probably because you eat sooooo much food that you need to let the food settle and make more room for the next course. 

SO..

What's on the menu????

First: Appetizers - Salsa, Chips, Cheese Crackers, BBQ Boneless Chicken Wings and Italian Soda

Then: Soup - Cheesy Bacon Potato, 

Salads - Two Awesome Green Salads one with lots of veggies and one with spinach, sugar roasted almonds, mandarin oranges w/ homemade dressings

Homemade Rolls and Bread and Jam.

Pallet Cleanser- Lime Sherbet

Last: Main Course Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes n Gravy, Green Beans

Pallet Cleanser: Fruit Cup

Dessert: Strawberry Mousse

YUMMY!!!!!

Mix this AWESOME meal, GREAT people, FUN games,GOOD conversation, and a FEW quirky moments and chalk it up for an incredible evening!!!!!

We had such a good time!!! All the people that worked soo hard to put it together we thank you! The little things weren't unrecognized promise THANKS!!!

*It was so fun. Jim took on the new art of  "pen flying" ask him about it. 

*We were in charge of making the fruit cup and the green beans. I have never cooked frozen long green beans in my life so that was a first and they were good.

*I also learned how to make killer Italian sodas THANKS KaRI!

*As we visited the 3 homes I took away with me some great new decor ideas and of course great friends. I learned what a charger really was, how to make some really cute centerpieces. and more!

*Jo and Ryker are at the Herbert household having a sleepover! I am sure they are loading up on gummi bears, licorice, sour patch kids, moms cookies, Oreos, skittles from the gumball machine, and any other sugar filled sweet thing they can talk grandma and pa into! WE are so thankful to have great family around who love, support and help us in anyway they can!

I just have to say how much I love my family... each and everyone of them but you already know this. I usually am not a huge valentines fan, it's too commercialized nowadays. However I look back and realize all the Valentines days that I can remember, it was all about good friends and family!

** When I was little, I can't remember how old, Cupid made a visit to our house. He or She doorbell ditched and left some really cool Harts sports bottles and candy on our porch. It was such a neat thing and made us feel soo special we were the only ones in the neighborhood that he/she visited!

***Valentines Dances in HS were always fun. They were girls choice and we always had great big groups. It was fun to be surrounded by awesome friends all the time.

****

IN college I belong to a group... SAVD.. Students Against Valentines Day!  As roomies I can't remember what we did, but I am sure we did something that was crazy, loud, G Rated and fun!. Mom also sent me money and/or cards they ALWAYS make me feel special.

*****Jim and I's first valentines 02-14-03. We had no money but remember Jim is such a romantic and a kid. He insisted on doing something special.  He brought me home beautiful flowers and he booked a reservation at The Tepanyaki Japanese Steakhouse and it was soooo good. It was the most tender steak and chicken I have ever had and we have been back several times. We did something else after but we don't remember and of course.... we CHARGED it ALL! Doing what we do best eh?

******2nd V-Day Jo was only about 2 weeks old. We went to dinner the night before and Mamma Innes watched Jo at our house. It was nice of her however I had eggs that morning and didn't know that JO was allergic to them so she was up walking and bouncing her the whole 2 hours :(. It was the first time we had left her though. On the actual love day...the thing I remember is Jim bringing her home this sweet cute lil pink bear and we dressed her up in this cute lil heart outfit and took pics with her. It was a sweet lil night!

*******

Well isn't that sad :(. I only remember those V day but I know they were ALL great and I LOVE my friends and family!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Make it GREAT no matter what day you celebrate!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!!!

JO's Birthday was a CRAZY but FUN day!  It started off with lots of  baking, and prep.  I am so grateful that I had Shelby here to help me out. She was awesome helping with anything and everything. She even helped run some of the games and stuff while I was prepping lunch.

Some Highlights.

**My first Barbie Cake! 

The skirt was baked with 1.5 cake mixes and on 270 degrees for 2 hours in an 8qt batter bowl. Needless to say the cake was barely done baking 10 mins before the party was to begin and I was stressed.  I had to quick cool it (freezer and Fridge yeah for modern appliance) I had to quickly frost it and then the barbie was too tall.  AHHHHHH I was warned about this but had forgot to bake the other 1/2 of the batter in a 8" pan. I made cupcakes for an emergency instead. 

Well after Jim carefully removed the legs the barbie was placed and QUICKLY frosted in a warm cake. I was crossing my fingers she would not melt. NOW ... I know how to frost cakes but sadly this one was done poorly due to the LACK of time. Jo loved it though and that is what matters right?

*Games.

 

Don't Let Lydia Get You! AKA keep the balloon in the air ~Jo wouldn't play as Lydia is the MEAN lady in the movie Barbie and the Diamond Castle.

Find the Diamond Castle AKA treasure hunt~this is how they got the favor bags and they loved running around the house to find the clues!

 

Diamond in the Bucket toss ~ran by Shelby this was a time filler while I glued flowers 

 

THANKS SHELBEY for all your help!

*Crafts

Made our own diamond castle stone heart necklaces.. love the baking clay! SO fun can't wait to make something else! The girls decorated them with buttons, jewels, brads...

Made our own flower hair clips it was fun easy and great to add to their favor bags.

**LUNCH***

 

Heart shaped PB &J Sandwiches,

Apples and Oranges

 

Chocolate Pretzels

Chocolate Pudding 

Pink Punch with heart ice cubes!

 

The girls had fun putting pudding all over their faces and then posing for pics. They were all really cute and polite girls. WE had no fights, tantrums, and everyone was included what more could you ask for with  8 girls all in the same room at the same time. All in all it was a good party worth the stress and time to see JO smiling all day long.

 

JO got some great stuff for her birthday. I have to say thanks to everyone for all she got. She is really spoiled. She has more barbies then I think alot of 5 yr old. She is up to 14 barbies, 1 ken, 3 kellys, 1 baby, 4 dogs, a lot of pet shops that she uses for pets, lots of cool furniture to go in her awesome new house Grandpa and ma Herbert built her, a pool, a dr set, and more! ANYONE wanna play BARBIES! 

Thanks everyone for all her stuff! Especially Rykers first girlfriend! AKA my size barbie pictured up top!

JIM... well he was a great sport to spend time doing stuff for me and my mom his whole day. After my work party that night, we went to Toys R US! Jim is such a kid. I left him for a minute and came back to a cart full of transformers! He got 2 really awesome transformers to play with. It amazes me the skill it takes to transform some of them.

His birthday celebration is just been postponed. It's a busy week and so we are gonna go to dinner @ Tucanos and have a real date for his birthday after he gets his Scouting Klondike over this weekend.

I just have to say....

I am so glad I have these 2 people + Ryker, in my life. They are so special to me! I can't imagine life without them. As this world gets more unstable and wicked I have to say family is what matters and that face that I get to be with mine forever brings me so much joy and peace. I have really come to focus and rely on this concept and blessing. It gives me the strength and hope to go on living my everyday life. I love my family.. each and every one!

 

Happy Birthday JIM

Thirty-two years ago today, 02-02-77, my man Jim, the love of my life, my main squeeze, my eternal companion, my partner in crime... was born in Provo, Utah to sweet, innocent, and humble parents Jo and Jim.

I am soo thankful that I became best friends with his sister in high school. (only because I liked her friend Garit, :(  ) but...WOW little did I know how great she was, what other great friends I would have b/c of her and what an impact she would make on my life. We became and are the best of friends and now it is soo much fun to have her as my sis inlaw. PLUS we only got in 1 big fight in high school, I think that would be a record for some people. hehe: )

After going to college down in Cedar City at SUU for 2 years I decided it was time to come home and get ready to serve an LDS mission. In the summer Angela Innes (his sister), Mary Braithwaite, Mandi Evans and I all moved out together and what an adventure it was! :) Jim, who I had met at another siblings wedding in April  lived close and soon became our Mr Fix It! He came over all the time to help us out with silly things and to "hang out." Finally one day Angela told him just to ask me out already. Well we went out, 1 month later we were engaged, 4 months later married, and the rest is history and obviously I didn't go on a mission, but thats for the future!

I had a hard time falling in love, giving up the thoughts of going on a mission but I knew it was meant to me. Why put off the inevitable? I learned then that when you try to plan out the game of Life, the Lord can throw in a few curve balls and if you just hang on tight you will enjoy the ride.

Jimmy works so hard for me and my kids to have what we want and need and we are so grateful. He puts up with all my crap, does my honey dos and tries to keep a smile on his face all at the same time. With his calling at church, working 2 jobs, being a dad and hubby to me life can get pretty hectic and stressful. He is good to just "go along for the ride" and try to find something funny to laugh about. He has a great sense of humor. He is an over- achiever in all he does which makes him a favorite of a lot of people, including me. There are so many traits I would like to have that he has. I love that he tries to befriend all and doesn't like contention. He doesn't "have to be right!" He doesn't have to fit in, keep up with the Jones, stoop to a low level and is just a good guy to be around.  AND he always makes us feel special.

One of the MANY things I really admire in Jim is that he is just a great big kid. He knows how to have a good time. He loves toys, surprises, and puts lots of "extras" into the grocery cart hehe! On gift giving holidays he has to have at least one toy among all the useful and functional stuff and it's fun to watch him get excited and play all day with it.

His favorite things to do, besides spending time with me... ;) is fly his remote control helicopters, watch movies, build new helicopters, be with family and friends, BS with his heli buddies, travel, transform and un-transform his 30+ transformers, build legos or k'nex sets with JO, build puzzles, go to "helicopter fun flys" and play with his kids.  (I am sure there is more but it's 3AM)

He is a great dad and our kids just love him, even though "mom" is the favorite at times, dad is MUCH more fun ALL time. Dad takes time out of his day to play while mom works on the computer all day. (I am working on this) JIMMY loves his kids and it shows. 

When his birthday comes around  he always has to share it either with Jo or the SuperBowl which he loves but still it's fun to have just your day. Even today, he is sharing his day with Jos friend BARBIE princess party and this evening a work party of mine. What a good sport promise we will make it up to you babe! 

Happy 32nd Birthday Babe!! We Luv You! 

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY JO LEE!!

HAPPY 5 BIRTHDAY JO!!!

5 Years ago today I had my lil' Jo Lee Innes. She weighed 7 lbs and was 21 inches long (all though we feel that was off as she was 22.5 when we brought her home) and she had no hair.

In delivery I was so doped on drugs. It was great and just a beautiful thing to feel no pain. After being crowned for along time waiting for my doc to come, he came in surprised and joking that I wouldn't be coming in for that stress test in a few days. I laughed and out she came. It was a great time!  However I was also soo doped up that I didn't realize that she wasn't crying when she arrived which  meant she wasn't breathing. Jo had the cord wrapped around her neck and body soo tight that the doctor couldn't even get his finger under it to cut it so he had to just snip it and hope he didn't get her skin. ANYWAY.. Thanks goodness to the UVRMC NICU  team they work hard and soon out cute lil JO was crying and screaming and still is today! :)

Funny Story About Jo

I was playing "Barbies" with Jo the other night. It was a fun time! I was the boy and she the girl. Her girl also had 2 sisters, a baby sister and a mom. Well as time went on the mom got sick and died. I asked Jo how this could happen.

She came up with this.. "well I told her to take her medicine, and she said that she didn't need to because she was feeling better, but I told her she had to take it all gone or she would get sick again and she wouldn't so she died and NOW I am the boss!" CHUCKLE .. :)

We talked about how this wasn't nice but it was kinda funny!!  She is having a hard time realizing and being told she is not the boss. She is smart lil cookie and says well then when I am older I will be the boss!" 

* What she likes to do right now. Play barbies. ponies, read book, play her Wii princess game, watch too much TV, teach Ryker his letters, numbers and build legos with her daddy! 

She has one creative imagination! We love to hear her playing barbies, reading a story, singing a song, creating with Play-Doh, drawing and so forth.

She is super tall for her age but it growing in  all ways more and more each day. We love her and we'll keep her..... most days! Happy 5th Birthday Princess JO!

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