The Merkley Six

Oktoberfest 2011

2011-11-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, this is way behind, but this semester has been INSANE and my new phone isn't the easiest thing to get pictures off of. Just for anyone's personal edification--stick with the IPhone, all other smartphones SUCK, especially Samsung. Okay, it's fine as a phone, but if you want something that is easy to download pictures and doesn't freeze every time you use the camera, stick with an IPhone.

Anyway. Back in October we headed up to Sundance for Oktoberfest. The kids had so much fun they wanted to go back every day until it was over. However, since I haven't learned how to magically produce money, we only went the once. While it was a blast, it was expensive.

Hyrum jumped on the big bungee trampoline. He LOVED it.

We hung out while the little boys jumped on the big bouncy house. Sorry no pictures of that. Joe took them while we sat and waited.

My cute Porter boy.

Emma, Porter, and Dan had their face painted. They loved it, and it turned out so cute. Emma's was a rainbow. Porter had a shark.

Dan had a spider web with a cute little spider.

Definitely going again next year. Yummy food, fun times, and great music.

Good Mom

2011-09-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

I saw this on a friend's blog and just thought, "oh my, maybe I'm not a bad mom afterall." Sorry for not posting, it has been so crazy with the kids starting new schools and starting my semester. Hopefully things will settle soon, and I'll actually get around to posting.

U2

2011-05-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Joe and I went to the U2 concert in Salt Lake this past week. It was fun to be there with Joe, although I admit the experience didn't make me want to go to another concert right away. I mean, I'd go if Joe wanted to but there is just too much standing, too many people being rude, and then the bass line drills your heartbeat for you. I don't know, it's just not my thing, but it was fun to be there with my hubby and we were really close so that was pretty cool!

The Fray opened for U2.

Bono

Bono and the Edge

Bono

The Edge.

Pretty cool show and I know Joe had an absolute blast.

Porter's Graduation

2011-05-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

My little man graduated from preschool. His favorite thing this year was Centers (specifically the Castles). When he grows up, he wants to be an astronaut.

Styling those glasses.

Ms. Jamee really is the bestest teacher in the whole world!! Dan sure can't wait to be in her preschool next year!

These are only a few of the videos I took that day, but this was all that would fit and they were the ones that were Porter's favorites. I wanted Crazy Color Monsters too but that one was way too long. Happy Graduation Little Joe!! Mom and Dad are so very proud of you.

Emma's Celebration of Learning

2011-05-25T11:09:00.004-07:00

The K-2 pod's expedition this semester was World Cultures. Each class focused on one particular country or group of countries. There was Africa (specifically the Maori people--so sorry if I spelled that wrong), Polynesian Islands/Hawaii, Japan, and India. Emma's class did India. Their Celebration was quite spectacular!!

Showing off her travel journal and suitcase. The journal had various postcards she designed from the different places she visited, along with a biography of her mom (which was the person she chose) and an autobiography. It was really cool!

Her travel suitcase.

My little Indian. They made each little girl a Sari, placed "Henna" tattoos on their arms and of course she has her bead on her forehead. She was beautiful! They all were beautiful and the boys were so cute in their Punjabi suits.

I filmed alot of the other classes too, so I'll put what I have here. They were just so adorable!!

Aren't they adorable!!??

Hyrum's Celebration of Learning

2011-05-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hyrum's class's expedition was the Water Cycle--specifically focusing on the Ogden River Watershed. I hope to be able to scan the book the class created and place it on here as well but for now you get his explanation of the page he did.

I apologize for it being sideways.

Being goofy before it started.

Hyrum's page was about the Sewer cycle:

Mother's Day Tea Party

2011-05-25T09:33:00.004-07:00

I know, I'm really bad about updating this blog but life is busy and sometimes things get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. So here goes the blog dump for today.

For starters--the middle of May, Porter's preschool had a special tea party for their Mom/Grandma/Aunt or whoever. It was so cute and their little songs were adorable. I messed up taping one, so I preapologize but they are cute.

I wanted him to wear something nice, since that's what we were told to do, but Porter is beyond obsessed with the color green, so this is the shirt he had to wear.

At least I got him to wear pants instead of the running shorts that actually go with his green shirt! Kids with their flowers getting ready to sing! Such a cute little flower (we got home and the stupid cat ate mine!! I really hate that cat!!)

Hope you enjoy these sweet little voices as much as I do. He's had such a great year in preschool and made so many new little friends. The class really is great!!

Joe's Birthday

2011-05-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

For Joe's Birthday we all headed out to the Farmington Bird Refuge. Just wanted to be outside in relatively nice weather and go walking.

Emma was excited to go hiking and see birds. She was not excited about the amount of mosquitoes that decided we were all very yummy.

Dan can't pass water without throwing stuff in. The challenge was convincing him to move on to another puddle.

Porter was being very goofy. He liked throwing things in puddles too and holding Mom's hand.

Hyrum just wanted to walk. And of course, pick up pill bugs.

Me and my handsome husband.

Me and my beautiful kids. Hyrum was literally sitting on my back. It was not comfortable.

Dan did not want to stop and have his picture with Dad but the rest were willing.

Getting the energy out. They all had a race.

Playing in the puddle before turning around because Mom had to go potty. Yup, I know you wanted that information. ;)

It was cold and windy but it was nice to be out and about. I only wish we could have stayed longer. Dan got grumpy because he was tired and I had to leave. Then headed out of the refuge to go to a park, the van decided to get a flat. Yes, we needed new tires anyway, but I was really putting it off due to straining finances. Of course, we live in Utah, which totally sucks for many reasons but it is particularly crappy when you get a flat on a Sunday. Wal*Mart I know love, because they were the only place open and we were able to get the tires replaced. By the time we got home we were thoroughly exhausted. But of course, we stayed up and listened as our President announced Osama Bin Laden was dead!! Talk about one heck of a birthday. . .

10 Years

2011-04-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

On our wedding day--28 April 2001--Manti, UT.

Less than a year later, I was very pregnant. Damn doctors don't know anything!! I still swear there should be a way to sue doctors that tell you it will be difficult to get pregnant only to find yourself knocked up by the end of your honeymoon. . . ;)

Us now.

10 years and 4 kids later.

And I love the man more now than I did on our wedding day!! Thanks for putting up with crazy for 10 years!

Happy Birthday Nonny Bug

2011-02-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

Emma got to have a late over with her girlfriends, and unlike Hyrum's, Emma had all her girls come. Here they are eating their pizza and drinking pop and watching Ferngully.

Emma being goofy.

More eating.

Getting ready to open presents, the girls needed to get those sillies out.

More sillies.

Blow out the candle.

This is what boys are for!

Emma is having a blast. The girls are still out of control but having a blast. They are all sugared up and almost ready to go home. They've declared this the best birthday party ever, so I guess that must mean it's been fun.

Happy Birthday my little Nonny Bug!! Welcome to the big number 7!

Hyrum's Birthday Party

2011-01-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

In just 4 days, Hyrum will be 9 years old!!! Geez, this kid makes me feel old. We allowed him to have a friend party this time, a lateover. All I can say is unless he drastically grows up this next year, he won't be able to do this again next year!!

Hyrum and his friends--(Left to right) Ethan, Hyrum, Zaydon, Jaxxon.

Blowing out the candle. Dan did it for him the first time, so we had to relight.

Zaydon showed them all the joys of smearing cake all over you. Needless to say, Mom was not happy but it did lead to some good picture taking opportunities.

Dan's face.

Hyrum's. This was mainly done by his friends.

Well, he's having fun, but Mom is not too happy. He was suppose to watch a movie with them all, but has mainly spent his time in his room kicking out his siblings and geeking out on the DS. Seriously!!! That is so being taken away for a MONTH!!

Oh well. Happy Birthday my little Mern Bear!!

Emma's Celebration of Learning

2011-01-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

Emma's expedition for the last term has been on the Human Body. For her Celebration of Learning, she was part of a Living Museum to showcase all the parts of the body. Emma was the muscles. Sorry if you can't here the video very well, she's too quiet. Unfortunately, Mom had class and had to miss it, but Daddy took Dan and went with her and took pictures for Mom to enjoy when they got home. Mom was very disappointed she couldn't be there, especially since it sounded like it was freaking AWESOME!!

The three pictures above are body sculptures, these are the kids. They were taped and measured to make them.

Emma as the muscles. The red dot on her shoulder was her push button. You pushed it and she told you about the muscles.

Emma's muscle sketch and sculpture.

Dan hanging with Dad. Porter and Hyrum are old enough that they played computer games while Mom had class.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve is spent at Grandma and Grandpa Merkley's house. It was a lot of fun to have the cousins all together and see everyone. Dan is totally enthralled with Mark the Mouse, which is what he's playing with up above. Over and over again until an adult has to remove it from the kids' reach.

Emma being all cute waiting for everyone to arrive.

Uncle Nate and Aunt Naomi even came up from St. George.

Aunt Jenny stopped by and of course had to snuggle with Izzy (she's Naomi and Nate's new addition to the Buys (Merkley) clan.

Aunt Melinda and Uncle Rod and cousin Reid got to meet Izzy for the first time as well.

Dan liked holding his newest little cousin. She was actually quite okay with him holding her.

Hyrum had to get in on that action. My kids LOVE babies!!

Me with Izzy and Hyrum and Emma.

Emma holding Izzy.

Hyrum getting to hold her.

All the cousins except Josh. Josh and his mom and dad were quite late and we had to occupy the time.

Porter had a major accident. He smashed into the wall into a star nightlight and hurt his nose and split both his lips. Lots of tears, lots of blood, and one very inconsolable Porter. The only way he would agree to a picture with all his cousins was if Dad joined him. With Dad there, we had to include all the dads with their kids. So you have Joe with Dan and Porter, Rodney with Reid (Hyrum next to him for sake of room), Emma had to squeeze onto her Uncle Geoff's lap with Josh, and lastly Nate with little Izzy. It was a great picture. If everyone hadn't been so annoyed, perhaps we could have done all the moms. As a result of Porter's catastrophe, I wasn't able to take pictures of the insanity that was opening presents. But they all walked away with stuff they loved. It was a good day of family and friends.

Gift Time

2010-12-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

We are doing dinner on the night of the solstice this year, but figured we would do presents on the weekend and they could have all of break to play them to death.

Me and my boys.

Me and all the kids.

Daddy with his kids. Porter didn't really want to be there, so he agreed to sit only if he didn't have to sit near anyone.

Dan opening the movie from Oma and Opa. He got "Despicable Me."

Porter opening his book.

Emma opening movie from Oma and Opa; she opened "The Guardians of Gah'Hoole"

Hyrum ripping into "Fantasia" from Oma and Opa. Porter had opened "Shrek: The Whole Story (Blu-ray)".

They thoroughly enjoyed their gifts. Each got a stuffed critter from the world of Dr. Suess, a book, a movie, and a Wii or DS game. They were very happy with it all, and it was a lot of fun.

Our Christmas Tree

2010-12-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

I know that I am not like most people. When the commercial comes on that says Christmas is the happiest day for kids and thereby parents happiest day, and all I feel is depressed. Christmas has become a time were everyone everywhere gets the serious case of the "gimmes." Me, I'm a minimalist. I love the tree smell. I love the colors. And I believe that you get what you need from "Santa" and then maybe one other gift. That's it. So this year, we don't really have any room for a big tree, so I opted for a small LIVE tree. The candle fills our entire house with the smell of pine trees. I absolutely love it.

Emma wants to "decorate" it. I don't know. I think it's beautiful in all its simplicity.

Festival of Trees

2010-12-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Some of our favorite trees. However, between the crowds and a few grouchy kids, taking pictures wasn't the easiest task.

Hyrum was complaining they were in the way, and Dan and Porter kept trying to look at the tree instead of me.

Them big pots was scary!!

Emma and the Mern waiting for us to get sat at the Mayan.

Porter was scared of the big pottery so he was content to read his book.

We took the train there and back so Hyrum and Porter occupied the time with the DS.

Emma was so good on the way down, on the way back she turned into a serious Demon!! I was in near tears.

Dan hanging with the Dad. The trees were beautiful, but the day was Exhausting!!

Dan's Birthday Party

2010-12-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

I know this is so late, but I kept forgetting to get the pictures off the camera. Dan turned three on the 21st of November. We kept it small.

Blowing out his candle.

My four babies!!! So cute. I sure do love them!

Happy Birthday Dan Paul

2010-11-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

Today my baby is 3!! Little Dan Paul!! He is so wonderful. Although I swear, lately, is mainly just possessed. Then he starts to laugh and you spend a few splendid minutes forgetting what it is he just did that made you want to pull all your hair out and run very far away!! I love this little boy so very much. Happy Birthday my little crazy man!!

Air Force Museum Field Trip

2010-11-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday we went on a field trip to the Hill Air Force Base Museum for Porter's preschool. Mom was sick, Dan kept running away from me, and Porter wouldn't stop hanging on me. Yup, good times.

Dan flew a plane.

Porter refused but at least smiled at me.

He finally quit pouting and played dress up for a bit.

Then they both got to fly in the flight simulator.

They didn't want to leave but by the time noon rolled around, Mom had had it and they were really ornery.

A Note From Teacher

2010-11-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Emma came home with a note from her Math Teacher today.

Ruth and Joseph,

I thought you should know how well Emma is doing in Math. She is fantastic! A regular mathematician! She is one of the top students!! Emma listens well, understands the concepts, and is kind and helpful to others! We love having her in class!

Thanks, Ms. Rosalie

Can I say--I am so very proud of my daughter!!!

Silly Kids

2010-11-07T14:20:00.001-07:00

They spent most of their time making and jumping into the pile. When they started arguing over who got to go next, they moved the pile. They had fun.

Happy Halloween/Sanhiem

2010-10-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween 2010!! Or Happy Sanhiem. Whichever you choose (Day of the Dead, Devil's Night, etc. . .) Porter chose to be Harry Potter for his preschool Halloween Party. He did have Harry Potter glasses but got these "silly" glasses at school and had to sport those for a couple of days.

This year we chose to blend traditions, and honor our dead. This may seem weird to some of you, but I've always found a pull to old traditions and this was one I felt strongly about trying to incorporate. Thankfully we don't have too many to remember. We tried to stick with Joe and mine grandparents, parents, or aunts/uncles. I sure hope I didn't forget anyone. The kids really thought this was cool!!

All four ready for the trunk or treat. Porter changed costumes and wanted to be Spiderman for the night.

Dan was a cute little red eyed tree frog again.

Hyrum was some dude from the Clone Wars. He could tell you exactly.

Emma is a fairy. She got to have a Girl Scout Halloween Party last weekend so she got a good use of her costume.

Porter as Spiderman, and I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating it was trying to get him out of that tonight.

I didn't get any pictures at the trunk or treat, because I was the one handing out candy and it started to downpour just as it was starting, so no pictures from Joe either. We had a nice time anyway and the kids walked away with quite a bit of candy. We thank Camp Williams for giving our little Army Brats a great time!!

Pumpkinaze

2010-10-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

Porter's second school field trip was to Pumpkinaze. It was fun for them.

They were big time posers.

Dan wanted to ride the "cow." No, Dan it's a horse. "Oh, oh yeah, Horse."

They dug in the big corn pit to find candy.

Then we ran around the maze and Mom nearly broke her ankle, but it was ALOT of fun.

Meow.

Then we ate our candy.

Then tonight we got hair cuts!!

Yup they are Mine!

2010-10-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

Porter. . . Yup they are definitely mine!!

Up Logan Canyon

2010-10-14T09:50:00.003-07:00

Joe needed to get up to the mountains. And so that's what we did. As you can see, my weekends have been very filled lately, which is why it's taken me so long to play catch up here (seeings as I still have a ton of homework), but family always comes first.

We went up Logan canyon to walk around the Lake which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Mom forgot her jacket at home so she froze but it was still a total blast.
I wanted one with all my kids but Porter wasn't too interested in stopping. Moving kept him relatively warm. Dan had fun finding rocks so that he could chuck them in the water.
Porter gracing me with a pic.
Kiddos under the pine tree.
Hyrum is my photographer. I mainly wanted me and Joe but Emma and Dan had to hedge in on that action.
Even though he was cold and didn't want to stop walking, Porter had so much fun!!
Such a belle girl.
Hyrum had a blast too.
And Dan as cheerful as ever.
All four with the Lake. As you can tell, Porter not so interested in picture taking.

We had so much fun. We definitely have to go back, but this time, I think I'll bring my jacket!!

My Little Girl Scouts

2010-10-14T09:45:00.002-07:00

Emma has been attending a special Girl Scouts orientation for the last couple of months and then on the 6th of October she had her investiture ceremony.

She was pinned an official Girl Scout. My little Daisy.
She was so nervous and it was so cute!!! She had her first activity last night with her troop. They went to Black Island Farms and then had a weenie roast. She had so much fun and made a bunch of new little friends. She also brought home a pumpkin that was bigger than her. She's so excited to be starting on this new activity.

St. George

2010-10-14T09:29:00.004-07:00

Here's me playing catch up. Good golly I've gotten busy!!! So, let's see. The end of September we went down to St. George again for Isabel's baby blessing. We wanted to go for the blessing as well as getting to see Grandpa George since we couldn't afford to head up to Washington for his 80th birthday bash :(

Between check out time from the hotel and the actual blessing, we had a major time gap. So we took the kids to the park. Dan got to swing like mad, which is his favorite thing in the world to do.
Porter actually went down the slide.
Hyrum wandered and complained that it was too hot. Eventually Joe took him and Emma for a walk while I attempted to do homework (big shocker, I didn't actually get anything done!)
Emma got her first journal and boy was she very proud and very prolific.
Great Grandpa George with his great grandchildren.
Cousins!! Emma is so very happy to have a little girl cousin. She loves them boys, but it sure makes a difference when a girl comes to town!!

Cabin

2010-10-14T09:27:00.002-07:00

October 2nd we headed up to the cabin for a family get together, and to celebrate Porter's birthday!
Now there's a moose in there somewhere. There were three just sitting by the driveway as we pulled up. They even wandered through the back while we were inside.
Birds the kids love to try to feed.
Hyrum was trying to build the Parthenon, I believe. He said it was a Greek place he had learned about in school.

September 2010 Reads

2010-10-01T13:33:00.002-07:00

So alot read this month--some for me, others for a class on Children's Literature (obviously those are rather short and therefore plentiful). I have to say that there was nothing I read that I didn't enjoy one way or another. However, for the sake of time, I'm not going into much detail. If there is every any question, just let me know. I am happy to answer any questions or field any comments that you may have.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix 870
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 652
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 759
Author: JK Rowling

A Child's Calendar 30
Author: John Updike
Illust.: Trina Schart Hyman

A Brother's War: Civil War Voices in Verse 31
Author: J. Patrick Lewis

Max's Dragon 32
Author: Kate Banks
Illust: Boris Kulikov

Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture 222
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Journey 242
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Rescue 194
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Siege 198
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Shattering 172
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Burning 207
Author: Kathryn Lasky

Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Story from China 31
Author: Ed Young

The Egyptian Cinderella 30
Author: Shirley Climo
Illust.: Ruth Heller

Yen Shen: A Cinderella Story from China 29
Author: Ai-Ling Louie
Illust.: Ed Young

Little Red Riding Hood 35
Author: Jerry Pinkney

Glass Slipper, Gold Cinderella: A Worldwide 30
Cinderella
Author: Paul Fleischman
Illust.: Julie Paschkis

My School in the Rain Forest: How Children 31
Attend School Around the World
Author: Margriet Ruurs

The Civil War: 1840s-1890s 79
Author: Roger E. Hernandez

Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex 357
Author: Eoin Coifer

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes 38
Author: Mem Fox
Illust: Helen Oxenbury

Big Wolf and Little Wolf 32
Author: Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illust.: Olivier Tallec

Princess Pig 32
Author: Eileen Spinelli
Illust.: Tim Bowers

Can You Make a Scary Face? 36
Author: Jan Thomas

The Hello, Goodbye Window 30
Author: Norton Jester
Illust.: Chris Raschka

The House in the Night 38
Author: Susan Marie Swanson
Illust.: Beth Krommes

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers 39
Author: Mordicai Gerstein

Total for September 2010: 4,476
Total for 2010: 36,085

Know all these books range in age from Kindergarten on up, and some of them were simply outstanding. Out of all the kids' books, I would have to say that my kids' favorite was "Can You Make a Scary Face?" It's an AWESOME book to read aloud (I'd say from ages 2-6). It's very interactive. All of them were great and if your interested for your own kids just give me a shout out. Happy Reading!!

Happy 5th Birthday Porter

2010-09-30T20:34:00.003-07:00

Yes, 5 years ago today, Porter Joseph was born. He came literally spinning out and a lot faster than the nurse thought possible. So much so that she screamed at me to stop pushing so the doctor could finish getting ready to catch him. He was a big ole fatty when he was born--weighing in at 8 lbs 8 ozs. (my biggest baby and easiest birth!)
From the moment he was born, Porter was different. He was the first baby that I had, that actually wanted me!! The others wanted me, but they definitely preferred their dad--it was seriously depressing as a mom. But Porter came along, and flipped my world all around. He brought a light heart and a massive smile (along with those cute nose tags) right into our family. He was my only non-planned child, and he was truly something special (well, they all are).
Today he is 5!! And he is still a big ole Momma's boy!! He is so drastically different from his siblings, that sometimes he throws me through a loop. He brings such joy to us all. I am so happy and proud of my PD. Even if he and Dan can't stop beating the crap out of each other. . .

Porter's First Field Trip

2010-09-27T12:10:00.003-07:00

I am totally behind on blogging, but let me say that the last couple of weeks has been CRAZY!! It also doesn't seem to be slowing, but rather speeding up so I was determined to catch up, whether I had the actually time to do it or not!!

Porter's Preschool (Kidz Under Construction) went on their first field trip to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden last Tuesday (21st). They had so much fun.
Well, here is almost everyone and then some. Parents come so younger siblings do as well and they like to be included (some of the class didn't want to be in the picture--this is all four of the classes too). All in their new Preschool t-shirts. Porter refused to take his off for two days; I had to pry it off him to wash it!!
Listening to the lady talk about dinosaurs. Porter even told her which was the triceratops (that would be his favorite dinosaur). They then made stegosaurus crafts, and yes, Dan participated with his brother.
Then we hit the park.
They played all over that for quite a while.
Then we walked around. They wanted their pictures taken everywhere, but Mom has gotten very limited lately. There's only so many times I want to rip out the camera. Other than Dan being obnoxious and throwing sand in one girl's eye, it was a great day. Porter had a blast and that's all that really matters.

Porter's First Day of Preschool

2010-09-07T15:41:00.002-07:00

I didn't bring the camera in because Dan was throwing a hissy fit that he didn't get to go to school. Porter had so much fun today!! He loved every moment of preschool.
This was his take home paper today. I think he did very well coloring inside the lines.
All ready and so excited. He never wanted to take that backpack off. He hung it up and sat down so well as soon as we got there. And his smile was a mile wide when I went to pick him up. He cannot wait until Thursday.

St. George

2010-09-06T17:07:00.003-07:00

Well, we went and visited with Joe's sister, her husband, and our newest niece (our only niece), and the kids were so darn ornery, I didn't get any pictures.

However, the next day we went hiking in Zions's National Park, which was uber crazy and it was super hot so we wore the kids out GOOD!!

Joe and me and at least some of them. This was Weeping Rock and Dan was busy putting stones in all the puddles.
Daddy carried him up, he walked down.
Mom and three. At this point Dan refused to get out of the backpack.
All four. Emma saw a rock and wanted a picture. The annoying part--every big rock, she wanted another one. Mom refused. I've started to become a minimalist when it comes to pictures.

It was a fun but exhausting weekend. Happy Labor Day!!

August Books 2010

2010-08-31T07:43:00.002-07:00

1. Choke 327

Author: Obert Skye. Second book in the Pillage series. Irresponsible teenagers. Dragons. Need I say more?? I really like Obert Skye books.

2. Shiver 392
3. Linger 362

Author: Maggie Stiefvater. Love. Werewolves. The struggle to stay together against all odds. Yup, I loved this one too. I had to reread the first in the series to remember how it had ended, the second made me cry. Of course, it doesn't take me much to cry over a book.

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 309
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 341
6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 435
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 734

Author: J.K. Rowling. So I decided to reread Harry since the final movie is coming out soon. I can't pick up just one book in a series, somehow it doesn't feel like I actually read the whole book that way, so I always have to start from the beginning. To me, a series is one whole living organism. Take it all or don't take it at all. I enjoy these books every time I read them.

8. A Thousand Never Evers 301

Author: Shana Burg. This is a book I had to read for my Children's Library Materials class. You'll start seeing more and more of these on here. I won't include my textbooks and the massive amount of article reading in my count, but I will write up any fiction or nonfiction books I have to read. This book deals with the social injustices in Mississippi during the time of the Civil Rights Movement. The heroine is a twelve year old, African-American girl. It was a really wonderful book. When I read books like this, it really hits home to me, just how little has changed. Perhaps not for color, but our attitudes in this country haven't really changed, we just direct our hate elsewhere. Not that there aren't still people who have prejudices against those of color, but I think I see it most nowadays with Religion. The hate that spreads like wildfire over someones personal beliefs is mind boggling to me. This country indeed has Freedom OF religion, I wonder if and when we will ever have the right to have Freedom FROM religion if that is our choice?

9. Mockingjay 390

Author: Suzanne Collins. Dystopian novel. If you don't know the Hunger Games series, I don't know if I can help you. This one, I balled the entire book. I cried at the end of both the others, but this one tore me apart on practically every page. I wonder, are we really that far away from that world? I really don't think we are. Even now I struggle with the idea that I brought children into this world. There is good, but mostly we are surrounded by hate and prejudices and war. I can only hope to prepare them for what they will have to deal with in their lives, protect them without sheltering them. In the end, I have hope. . .

Total for August 2010 -- 3591
Total for 2010 -- 35,326

As always I welcome questions. If you want to know more about any book, just ask. Happy Reading!!

The First Week of School

2010-08-26T12:46:00.002-07:00

I tell you the first week of school is always interesting but when you add in that mom started Graduate School two days before the kids actually went back to school, let's just say it's been INTERESTING!! We've really had some challenges. When I applied to the program at the University of Missouri the graduate department really led me to believe that the program was online. Well, yes all classes use the internet, but not all of them are online. Joe and I had discussed it and we didn't see any other option so I chose to stick with it. Then some babysitting issues arose with a few of my weekends that I would have to drive all the way out to Omaha for class and so I had to completely rearrange my schedule. I was able to get into three classes that are completely online this semester. The problem is that to continue with this program means driving to Omaha ALOT. I racked my brains with what to do. This is my dream, and I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. So finally I went to the ALA website and did a search. Well wouldn't you know it a couple more schools have moved to online programming. One in particular is entirely online, and even when there is "class", it's digital. I was so excited, even more so when I inspected their program and saw they had everything I was hoping for and in state tuition for online students!!! So with the start of school, I also had to scramble around and get my application together for another school. I had to notify everyone that had given me a recommendation and ask them to help me again (and since they are such wonderful women, they of course were willing to help). Now I sit back and try to get down to work, all the while stressing and hoping that I get into this other program so that I can continue with my education.

Now the kids, they've had a great couple of days. Actually they only started yesterday, but if they come home even half as happy as they were yesterday, it will be wonderful. I ran from morning to night yesterday, but it's so worth it to see those big smiles on their faces.

Emma all ready for school. My little first grader.
Together. Dan was so mad because Emma's backpack was blocking him.
And my big third grader.

I totally forgot my camera yesterday, largely in part because I was so worried about making it on time. The stupid city thought it would be intelligent to rip up the entire road that their school was on right before school started. We have to sit anywhere from 5-10 minutes waiting for our turn just to turn into the school parking lot, because the road becomes a one lane road. I really feel bad for the masses of school buses who are trying to get to another elementary school only a block away. I mean it will be wonderful when it's done, but you would think they could have removed their heads from their backsides and done it as soon as school got out last school year instead of right before it started up again. Here's hoping it doesn't take several years to finish. And here's to surviving the rest of the year!!

Porter's Surgery

2010-08-21T21:23:00.002-07:00

I know I have been out of commission lately. My computer chose to up and die on me and I lost EVERYTHING!!! Including every picture I've ever taken of my kids. Alot of which hadn't been back up recently. (So, if you have any pictures of me or my kids, I would love you to send those along).

However, today I was blessed with my new computer's arrival and as a result, can attempt to catch up with things that have happened recently.

Our most recent adventure was that Porter had to go on up to Primary Children's Hospital and have his tonsils and adenoids removed. He was suffering from sleep apnea. Surgery was quick, and he did wonderfully!! Seriously, while we were in the hospital, he never even cried. Ate his root beer slushy quickly, kept it down and we were out of there. He was very tired the first day, and slept through most of it and then all night long.
To get him more comfortable with surgery he got to draw up his own friend, Bob. Then he got to play doctor!!
Oh my goodness!! He LOVED this!!! He was in heaven playing doctor with real doctor toys. And on a side note, he really loved those "jammies." They were super comfy apparently.
Can you tell how much he's smiling??

Seriously, he's really been doing wonderfully. Last couple of days he's had some bad moments of grumpies, but I think that is primarily because he really hates taking his pain medication. We really force it on him in the morning and at night, but even if he's hurting during the day, he will not take it. But he's really been amazing. He wants to eat everything he really shouldn't but today he upgraded to getting a corndog, which put him in hog heaven!!

July 2010 Reading List

2010-08-07T11:10:00.002-07:00

I know this is really late, but I've been having SERIOUS computer problems. Lost everything on the laptop and still can't get it to hook up to the internet. The main house computer won't let me fix the wireless, so I've pretty much had it with computers!!

Anyway. . .July I didn't get to read as much as I would have liked, largely in part because of the big projects I undertook to make my house more me.

But this is what I was able to accomplish. . .

Silvertongue 464

Charlie Fletcher. This was the third book in the Ironhand Trilogy. It really was a great ending to the series.

Hush, Hush 391

Becca Fitzpatrick. Fallen angles, gardian angels, and what happens when love gets in the way. This really was a great book.

The Palace of Impossible Dreams 461

Jennifer Fallon. Third book in the Tide Lord series. I love Jennifer Fallon so this was a fun book. The only frustrating thing is that it is a series in progress, so I totally cannot wait until the next book comes out--and that won't be for a couple of years probably. Oh well. Fallon is an excellent story teller. She really pulls you in.

The Abhoresen Chronicles 1224

Garth Nix. I read the other books by him and was told these were worth the read. They most definitely are. Nix is a GREAT storyteller. It's actually a trilogy; I just have it all contained within one volume.

Pillage 312

Obert Skye. I love this author, and the second book in the series finally came out, so since it had been a while since I read the first book, I needed to reread it to remember how it ended. Quick read, and always fun.

**As always, this log is mainly for me. I don't offer much so that a book isn't "spoiled" for anyone. However, if you have any questions, just ask!!!

Total for July 2852
Total for 2010 31,735

A Week's Work

2010-07-27T20:32:00.003-07:00

Okay so it's been over a week and I'm still not a hundred percent done, but I needed proof that I wasn't slacking. I know some of you have no idea what my house looked like before so maybe you won't, but those who do may appreciate these. I tried really hard to take pictures around the mess that still is here, so you could enjoy the new colors.
Dining room. I was going to get rid of my table but decided against it. Hopefully it lasts just a bit longer.
Living room. New chairs. And I think I'm going to need another bookshelf here soon.
View into the living room from the dining room.
My kitchen. No more red!!! Okay, so the color was pretty I will give you that, but NO ONE should EVER paint anything dark red!!! Not unless this is going to be your home for the rest of your lives. It's just cruel!!
Hyrum and Porter's room. They'll have a tent in there too when they get back from Oma and Opa's, at least until we can afford to buy a new bed. The blackboards aren't completely done yet either, but another coat should do it.
Another view of Porter and Hyrum's room.
Emma and Dan's room.
Another shot. The yellow didn't want to take very well in the kids' rooms so I did have to give up. I guess it didn't turn out too badly.
Upstairs bathroom.
Downstairs bathroom. I love this room now!! It always felt so tiny before. (It was kind of a dark green color)

Anyway, now it's all cleaning and organizing and doing everything I've ignored all week long like laundry-- so that I can pack and get out to Illinois for a few days. Let's hope that I can take at least a day off too before I go.

A New Playground

2010-07-09T08:57:00.005-07:00

Well we have lived in this complex for about 3 years now, and even before hand they were promising a new playground. Finally it is here. I have to say, the kids love it because it's new, but I am severely disappointed in the appropriation of HOA funds. This is by far a sad cry from what they could have gotten for probably less than they paid for it. Seriously, our HOA is completely incompetent, but I digress.

The kids had a blast. And all I can say is that it's a good thing Dan is so brave or he wouldn't even be able to use the thing. There are no stairs to get up, just ladders.

Dan loved everything though. And at least it has swings now.

Porter still prefers to dig into the dirt. He also has issues with the no stairs thing. He gets up but doesn't particularly like slides and going down ladders is still scary for him, so he just gets stuck up top. He loves the new see saw though.

Hyrum had fun posing for pictures more than anything.

Ignore my shadow. Emma loves the new set up too. Especially the swings!!! That is the end all beat all for her.

I'm glad they had fun. Now if only it was a better playground and came with new neighbors. Then maybe they could play on it more often and not just at 8 in the morning :(

ENT

2010-07-08T17:03:00.002-07:00

Well Porter gets to have a tonsillectomy!! Yippey!! Actually for me it was an easy decision. The child has tonsils that are a 3 plus in size, and he has sleep apnea. So it's between my child not breathing and surgery. Very easy decision. The only problem is that the doctor noticed a murmur, which his PCM has never said anything about. As a result, he has to have his surgery at Primary Children's Hospital in case of any complications. August 17th we go in, and I am truly hoping for a very uneventful day!! And then, a child who gets proper sleep, and perhaps eats a bit more, so that he doesn't blow away in the wind.

Splash Pad

2010-07-06T15:40:00.002-07:00

So today we got together with our playgroup and went to the Splash Pad in Riverdale (I'm a total bum and put away the camera once friends got there, and neglected to take pictures then).
But before they got there the kids went mad around the pad, even Dan!!!! And I tell you what, that shocked the crap out of me. Every other time we've gone to a Splash Pad he categorically refuses to go in, and this time, he got royally soaked!! I was so proud.
It was a bit cold though!! That is so sad considering this is Utah and it's July. I personally LOVE this weather but it does make playing in water a bit on the cold side. Porter kept coming and going. He wanted to play but he was so cold.
Emma did the same thing. The girl was covered in goose pimples. But she did have a blast.
Hyrum was purple and still at it. He never wanted to leave. Especially, once their friends arrived. We were suppose to be there until 2:30 and we didn't get out of there until closer to 3:30. And, they would have stayed even longer if I'd let them.

Now hopefully I can remember to have the camera out longer on Thursday!

June 2010 Books

2010-07-01T12:19:00.002-07:00

The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid 516

New series by Rick Riordan--you know the dude who wrote the Percy Jackson series!! Okay, so I loved Percy Jackson, big shocker considering I'm a sucker for any book that deals with the supernatural--well, at least usually. I'm sure there are some out there I would never read, but generally, I've always been fascinated by myths and legends and this new series doesn't fail me there. Instead of ancient Greek myths, we are talking Egyptian, which are equally fascinating. The only problem being that it's the first book and so I will be waiting forever to really "finish" this series. However, Riordan sure has a gift for creating a compelling story.

The Necromancer: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel 389

Author Michael Scott. This is the fourth book in the series, and this is another, that if you are as impatient as me, may need to wait until the series is over. I tell you though, he sure knows how to weave a story that makes you anxious for more. I started this book and it was over way too quickly. His books mainly deal with Irish/Norse mythology. And I can't wait for the next one. . .

The Keys to the Kingdom:
Mister Monday 361
Grim Tuesday 321
Drowned Wednesday 389
Sir Thursday 344
Lady Friday 303
Superior Saturday 278
Lord Sunday 317

Author Garth Nix. The nice thing here is that this is a complete series. They are very interesting books, dealing with the tools of making or the keys by which "heaven and earth" were created and what happens when those that are suppose to care for both go very wrong. Then a mortal boy of "no consequence" is randomly chosen to fix it all, and the path he must take to fulfill the will of the architect. It was a fun series with an unexpected end.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner 178

Author Stephanie Meyer. Okay, I admit I love Twilight. I'm not going to argue with you about it's merits one way or another. I'm sick and tired of hearing how lame people who love Twilight are!!! Totally, completely sick of it!! So if you don't like it, that's your business, but don't insult me!! Okay, that's my rant!!! Sorry, I really am tired of it. There are many things in this world that people like and others don't; I just don't get why people who don't like or understand something feel the need to condemn or make fun of those who do, especially when it comes to what people choose to read. At least they are reading. . . To me, it's the act itself.

Anyway, this novella wasn't very well written but it was an interesting insight into the previous books. You definitely feel for Bree even more than you do from what you get in Elipse. It was a quick read, and if you are a Twilight fan, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

The Book of Ruth 328

Author Jane Hamilton. This is apparently one of those Oprah Book Club books. Me, I saw it on Savers used book shelves and decided to get it. I'd heard it was good and plus, it's the book of me!!! ;) It was a rather an intense book, and very sad, but it was very well written, and a compelling book. If you grew up in a small town, you will really get this book!!

Stoneheart 450
Ironhand 386

Author Charlie Fletcher. This is a trilogy. (I actually finished the third book earlier today, but since it's technically July, that will be included next month) Really a fun series. The books are set in London, and deal with the supernatural as well. I love most books set in the UK, largely because I would LOVE to live there. I love the family aspect to these books. They were alot of fun.

Total for June 2010: 4560
Total for 2010: 28,883

Well, as always, if you have a question give me a holler!! I can't really tell you if you will love a book because we are all different, but I would be happy to answer any questions about anything I read.

Proof She's My Daughter After All

2010-06-29T09:58:00.003-07:00

Emma is the little girl I never knew I wanted until she came. She's definitely a handful. She talks incessantly!!!! I'm the kind of person who loves silence. She's a whiner and that is the one thing a person can do that is sure to drive me straight up a wall and hope that it's high enough for me to jump and go splat!!! But through it all, I love my little girl. However, she is indeed a GIRL!! I don't ever remember really being all that girly. Sure, I played with barbies, but that was about the extent of it. I almost don't know what on earth to do with Emma. I try to be supportive and all that, but I just never really wanted to run around in dresses all day long--I still hate them!! But this year with Kindergarten under her belt, Emma has become a great little reader. I bought her some chapter books to really challenge herself this summer and she's plowed through one and almost done with the second (and I only bought them a couple of weeks ago!!) I'm immensely proud of her!! Of course, they are the Tinkerbell Fairy Series of books, and she just loves them. She spends most of the night reading now and this is an almost daily sight.
She usually falls asleep right in the middle of reading. Yup, my daughter indeed!!!

Vernal

2010-06-22T10:24:00.006-07:00

Sunday we decided to go on out to Vernal so that we could go to the Dinosaur Museum and also so that Joe could visit with his Grandma before he heads down to Texas for the next several of months.
Dan was beyond excited to go to see the "Dinosaur Zoo!!" That's what he called it!! And when we went out into the garden, he wanted to ride on the stegosaurus. He was so cute. He didn't want to sit still for a second so to get him for pictures, I told him to stay standing on the turtle, which is exactly what he did.
Emma and Dan hamming it up, and Porter in the background, categorically refusing to be photographed.
This was the on the fly. He looked up at me and I took his picture because he didn't want his taken.
Emma is such a ham.
Hyrum poses with the big dinosaur.
Emma roaring like a dinosaur through the caves.
Dan running in circles.
Hyrum trying to sneak out.
Porter digging for the bones.
They wanted their picture with the "big elephant." That would be the mammoth behind them. And I tell you, this is the BEST picture I've ever taken of all four together!!!
Joe is officially fired after this shot. I look stoned and Porter's head is cut off.
They wanted a picture with the T-Rex. I'm shouting "look at me," in a high squeaky voice for their entertainment and to get them to look at the camera, and Dan is shouting "STOP!!" at me. Silly kids.
Then we went out to Flaming Gorge. Joe got his job back, because this picture didn't turn out so bad. But I tell you, it took every ounce of courage for me to pose for this picture, especially as the kids pushed me back into the fencing and I felt it push back. I am absolutely petrified of heights, especially heights over water, so I was beyond terrified sitting there.
Porter refused to be in the picture with Dad, but at least everyone else was willing.

Happy little trip!! Joe leaves in about two weeks and will be gone for about two and a half months. During that time, I get to bring the kids to Illinois to spend a couple of weeks at Oma and Opa's, then go out myself to get them back, visit my new nephew (who will hopefully be born on time), visit Mizzou and meet with my adviser, kids go back to school, I start my Graduate program (including three trips out to Omaha, before he gets back), and we go visit our niece (who will also be born before he gets back). All in all, a VERY busy next couple of months and that's just the beginning of a two year roller coaster ride!!

Splash Park

2010-06-22T10:18:00.004-07:00

The park up at Hill Air Force Base is always a winner for my kids!! They have slides, playhouses, swings (both regular and tire!!) I mean, seriously, what more could a kid want!!!??? Oh, yeah, they've added a SPLASH PARK!!! It was so great to take them there.
Emma riding out the tire swing.
Porter and Dan aren't the biggest fans of water (especially Dan), so they quickly went from the splash park to hanging at the playground. They loved the little playhouse.
Emma kept getting cold and running over to me and getting me all wet.
Hyrum had fun splashing himself and everyone else.
Balance. . .
Porter ran through for a bit, and Dan stared at it. I ran Dan through the waterfall and that was all he was willing to do.

Porter is sporting his new swimsuit. I actually had to go buy him a 3T in hopes that it wouldn't fall down to his ankles while running about (I still have to fold it!!) The kid is way too thin!!

All in all a great day. . .

Park Time

2010-06-19T10:38:00.003-07:00

So I have a group of four or five parks that I love to take the kids to, depending on what kind of day it is. This one Dan loves so much!! It's the only one that he will willingly go down all the slides on. Even Porter will go down them, and believe me that's saying something!!
Hyrum climbing one of the rock walls. He spent most of this day crying because he and Emma wouldn't stop fighting, and he ended up needing a time out. But I finally got him to calm down enough to play and get his picture taken.
Porter climbs all around and in everything.
Dan had a BLAST on the see saw with his sister. He was laughing and giggling the whole time.
Emma loves this thing!!
There they go. Oh, was he ever MAD when he had to get off and let someone else have a turn!!
So this is nothing to do with the park, but are just some cute pictures. Porter is really into hats lately (especially his Dad's hats!!) He's constantly stealing them, but at least with this one, Dad doesn't worry about it getting ruined.
Brother time. Dan loves to "help" Hyrum play the DS!! Gotta love Star Wars and all them "lifesavers."

Gateway Fountain

2010-06-14T16:00:00.005-07:00

Since it was the first nice day in like a week (although it was still only 70 degrees out), the kids just had to go to Gateway and get to play in the fountain. I love this place!!! They just need one at the Junction so that I didn't have to drive all the way to Salt Lake just so the kids can run around in a big fountain!!
That's as close as Hyrum would come. He was so upset we had to leave, even though he was turning purple.
Emma loves the steam jets, and just running around all crazy like.
Porter runs through the whole fountain with it going off constantly, all the while holding his pants up (which is freaking hilarious by the way.) and somehow he doesn't get soaked to the bone like his brother and sister.
Dan is a bit scared of the fountain. He spent the time by mom and dad, checking out all the people's footprints.
Can you find the kids??
It was a good day, and I am so happy the sun has decided to join us for a little bit. I really hope it's here to stay for a while!!!

Pineview

2010-06-08T13:47:00.003-07:00

Sunday we were going to go up to Bear Lake and enjoy the day, but as we are heading up Logan Canyon, Emma starts screaming, "MOM! MOM! . . .I'M GONNA PUKE!!!" We race over to the side of the road and she does indeed puke all over the side of the road. So, home we went. Which was good because she spent the rest of that day screaming and vomiting. Also, I was starting to not feel so great.
So with Bear Lake in the backseat, we opted to go to Pineview on Monday. It was very cold water but it was a great day to just have fun. I was feeling pretty miserable then, but I didn't want to take the fun day away from the kids and laying in the sun does wonders for major body aches (of course, that night I had to run over to InstaCare and found out I have Strep Throat again--that's twice in the past couple of months!!!)
Emma had fun splashing in the water and digging in the sand.
Hyrum would jump in the water and get really wet and then come out and roll around until he was coated in mud. He also found this big stick (I think it was a shovel handle) and played with that. Joe said he looked like a little bushman.
Porter refused to go in the water and just dug in the sand, not that I blamed him--I tried a couple of times but just couldn't bare how cold it was.
Dan got dunked by his dad, but he was just not into that. He spent most of the time digging in the dirt.

Besides being really sick and scoring a good burn on my back, it was an absolutely perfect day!!! I can't wait for it to warm up a bit more so we can make this a regular summer pastime for us.

Cousins Are the Bestest!!

2010-06-05T18:23:00.003-07:00

Today was Reid's birthday party (my first nephew is 3!!!! and that means my BABY is almost 3!!!!)
And because it was a party, it meant playing with the cousins!!! Okay, so my kids outnumber 2 to 1 but that's okay because we still all have a blast and this summer we add a Merkley cousin and a Lindner (Taylor) cousin, so they won't be so outnumbered anymore.
I thought all in all we did good with the pictures considering there are 6 small kids we tried to rope into this!!

They are all so adorable!!!

***And on another note--RUTH GOT INTO HER GRADUATE PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI (ONLINE)--Library Science Masters Program for those of you who didn't know.

Kindergarten Graduation/Last Day of School

2010-06-04T14:19:00.005-07:00

Today was the last day of school this year!! Emma was VERY excited for her Kindergarten graduation!! Now my big boy is in 3rd grade!!! And my little girl is a 1st grader!!! Holy crap!!
Before we left, we got all dressed up and Emma and Momma got a picture together. I'm so proud of her--she got a 100% on her Kindergarten exit exam. Such smart kids I have!!!
Emma and her Kindergarten teacher-Miss Greenwell. She was the bestest teacher in the world, and Emma just loved her to pieces.

Emma all graduated.

They performed a bunch of songs and I totally screwed up and missed the beginning but this is the song they specifically learned for graduation. They learned the signs and signed and sang it for us all. "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong.

On another note, it was also Hyrum's last day, he deserves some hard earned praise too. He did wonderfully this year. He got great grades and is so excited to be heading to 3rd grade.

The first pictures were taken the first day of school. The second on the last day. Check out Hyrum's shorts and you can see how much he grew this year!!! By next year, he'll be taller than his momma.

May Reading 2010

2010-06-01T13:34:00.003-07:00

This month was another great month for reading. Though I have to say this month went by really slowly because I swear it was like forever ago that I finished the first book.

Thirst No. 2 581

Christopher Pike. I really liked the last of this series, or at least I think it's the last. . . Not sure how he would continue it if he did, but it was a good series and I had fun reading it.

Burned 323

Last installment if The House of Night series. P.C Cast and Kristine Cast. These books are so good and an emotional roller coaster for me. I can't wait until the next one comes out. They really know how to leave you hanging.

The Last Apprentice: A Coven of Witches 196

Joseph Delany. So I thought this was the next book in the series and I was wrong. They were a collection of short tales on various witches that come into the series. It was nice to get that background on characters that are seen as evil or second compared to the main characters. It was a very fast read but fun.

Septimus Heap: Queste 596
Septimus Heap: Syren 628

Angie Sage. I really enjoyed this series. I don't know if she will continue or not; I sure hope she does, there's a lot of story left to tell.

The Hunger Games 374
Catching Fire 391

So, I've been told for months that these are the books to read. Suzanne Collins. They definitely are GREAT books, but if you want to read them, wait until the end of August for the third book (it's a trilogy, and it will only annoy you not to have the conclusion). These books are a great emotional roller coaster ride, and that's why I can't wait for number three--the second book leaves you hanging at the edge and you don't know if you want to scream or cry!!! Can't wait for the conclusion.

Gregor the Overlander 309
Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane 309
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods 358
Gregor and the Marks of Secret 343
Gregor and the Code of Claw 412

Well, I enjoyed the Hunger Games books so much, I decided to check out some more of Suzanne Collins. These books are for a little younger audience then the Hunger Games, but they are also compelling. I was sad how they ended but they are definitely great books. This author really has a talent for bonding you to the main character.

His Dark Materials 933

Philip Pullman. Okay, so this trilogy has been sitting on my shelf for like forever and it just kept getting overlooked. I was told--C.S. Lewis Narnia = Christianity. Pullman Dark Materials = Atheist. All I have to say is, if that's how you break it down, then you didn't pay attention at all to what you read. Pullman may offend some Christians but I would hope it would be the bad ones it offends. These books condemn all the cruelty, judgments, and evil done in the name of God, which are definitely vast. I really enjoyed them.

The Ranger's Apprentice: The Kings of Clonmel 358

John Flanagan. I really love The Ranger's Apprentice series, and the newest one definitely didn't disappoint. It will be fun to see where it continues later this year.

Total for May: 6,111
Total for 2010: 24,323

**As always, any questions, let me know!!

Mesa Verde National Park

2010-05-31T16:10:00.003-07:00

Sunday we drove out to Mesa Verde National Park (and man was it busy!!!!) However, it was so fun. We didn't dare take Dan and Porter on any of the guided tours so we headed out to Spruce House and checked it out. It's a good hike down and an even better one coming back up but they all did it. Dan had to be carried about half way back up and Mom practically dragged Porter the same distance, but I think for such little feet they did a great job!!
My handsome boys. Dan really didn't want to get his picture taken but I got him nonetheless.
We tried several group shots once we got down and this was the best one. It was really cool to see these homes.
Can you imagine living there? So cool. Right into the mountain. Sure would have been nice in the summer time.
They had ladders down into their homes for some of them, and Hyrum and Emma ventured down into one of them. It was sure dusty in there but they thought it was pretty cool.

At this point, Porter was on Dad's back so it's just mom and the three.
Emma and Hyrum ran off with Dad once the littlest boys were kaput to take a quick look at some more ruins.
Hyrum was our photographer again. Not the best shot but at least Joe is smiling in this one.

We were so worn out by the time we were done that we just went back to the hotel and skipped Hovenweep; maybe we'll hit it up the next time we venture out.

So happy to be back (we really had a great time!!) but I'm definitely looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. I never sleep with all of us in one big room and I think they find the most uncomfortable mattress and dole them out to every hotel.

Goblin Valley State Park

2010-05-29T15:50:00.003-07:00

We left yesterday straight from school for Hyrum and stayed the night in Price. Kids drove me batty, especially Emma. That girl just doesn't understand that after mom has been stuck in traffic from hell for three hours, she does not want to be yelled and jabbered at for the rest of the evening. That girl's mouth just doesn't know how to stop!!!!

Anyway, we woke up bright and early (thanks to Dan the alarm clock going off at 5:30 with "wake up!! wake up!!"

And we headed out to Goblin Valley State Park. Think, wind and water over so many years and yippee you have a natural playground.
And play they did. We were all good and dirty after this. Dan ran all over the place, trying to go wherever big bro and sis went!
Porter took some warming up. He was terrified that snakes were going to get him but eventually he got out of the backpack and proceeded to crush up every rock he could get his hands on.
Hyrum took this shot for us. Joe's making a doofy face but that's what an 8 year old photographer will get you.
He was mad because I wouldn't let him take the pictures of everyone else. Goof. Climbed over and in everywhere.
Emma went everywhere Hyrum did just to prove she could. Then when she would fall down it was so tragic.
Silly kids with the momma.
Silly kids with the dadda.
Just some goofy kids.

I am totally tanked and the kids are wired, but it really was a great day and our hotel in Monticello is really big so the kids are driving me nuts running around like chickens with their heads cut off, but at least we aren't completely crowding one another. The only problem is that it's in Monticello--FYI there ain't not'in' in Monticello.

Mesa Verde tomorrow and hopefully Hovenweep. . .

Celebration of Learning, Part 2

2010-05-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry I had to do this in two posts, but it just wouldn't upload Emma's play. Driving me batty is what it's doing.

FOREWARNING-This one is long!!

Emma's kindergarten put on the play of "A Very Hungry Caterpillar." They were so cute. Emma kept trying to hide on me!!! She was a piece of chocolate cake that the caterpillar ate. I was so proud of her. She gets so nervous in front of groups like that, but she did wonderfully!!! The whole class did, and I just love them all. I've gotten to work with them in the Library this year, and they are all such wonderful and sweet kids.

I'll try to post some still pictures of the evening, but I am totally tanked and this video is taking forever to upload, big shocker since it's like 10 minutes long!! Oh well. At least I wore them all out today so they all went to bed without complaint and fell asleep immediately. Now I just have to go to bed!!! (Obviously this didn't upload before I crashed, but the sentiment is still there!!)

***I had to finally do this via YouTube, but I didn't want everyone being able to see it so I made it private. If you have problems seeing it, let me know, and I'll try to figure it out!!

Celebration of Learning

2010-05-26T20:03:00.004-07:00

Tonight was Hyrum and Emma's Celebration of Learning. Both my kids go to a Charter School that follows and Expeditionary Learning curriculum instead of a K-12 program, and at the end of each "expedition" they get to show off what they have done. This one being their last of the year it was a big deal. This last expedition was on insects--they both became real entomologists, and loved every minute of it. Now if only in the studying we could get Emma to stop being so terrified of everything that moves outside!!

Hyrum's class did paired poems about various insects. They were all so cute and funny, but I only taped Hyrum's poem, otherwise, I think everyone would have never made it through no matter how much you love me kiddos. His class also performed some songs with another class, he was cute, but by then, he was getting VERY tired and hungry so he wasn't so hot on the staying focused and singing. (If you really want to see those let me know, and I'll try to put them up, but they are quite long!!)

Proof that Cleaning Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

2010-05-15T18:17:00.002-07:00

The other day I'm cleaning the house, and had to move the exercise bicycle to vacuum and stubbed my toe. It hurt like a bear but not near as bad as I've done multiple times in the past. Anyway. . . Within a couple of minutes, it starts to really hurt to walk. I sit down and my toe is twice the size it should be and black. Isn't it pretty?? Proof that cleaning is indeed hazardous to your health!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

2010-05-10T09:12:00.003-07:00

We decided to enjoy the relatively nice weekend by going outside while we could. It's been way too cold around here and constantly raining so the short break we got over the weekend was grabbed onto with enthusiasm.

Saturday we went out to a bird sanctuary and walked around. The kids really enjoyed all the rocks (not so many birds as we were hoping, unless you count mosquitoes). Actually, before we could get onto the trail, Emma freaked out and ran away. Joe had Dan in the backpack and had to chase after her. I really wished I'd video taped it because it was freaking hilarious. Once we got her and got going, she had a blast and then cried when we had to leave. That girl is nuts!!
For Mother's Day, they drew me pictures, which is the best kind of present. Porter has been spelling his name on the computer for a while, but whenever he did it on paper, he would put the letters everywhere. Then Sunday, he hands me this. He did it without any prompting from me and it was so neat. Mom was seriously proud!!
We also went down to Salt Lake and enjoyed the Tracy Aviary. Dan was being a bit of a bum and didn't want his picture taken, so I had to sneak one.
It was a great weekend to be out and about. And of course now, it's cold and raining!!! I really hate this weather. Oh well.

April Books

2010-04-29T11:56:00.002-07:00

Another great month for reading. . .

Fire (A Companion to Graceling) -- 461

This book is by Kristine Cashmore. I read Graceling last month and loved it. This book is not a continuation of that book but rather about another area in her "world." It was wonderful. Such a beautiful and terrifying place all at once. Definitely would be an interesting world to walk into for real. It was also nice to learn more about on character in the first book.

Shiver 392

By Maggie Steifvater. This was really a fun book. I'm really looking to the next book in the series which comes out this summer. Werewolves, love, and trying to find a hold on humanity. It's really a beautiful book.

Fablehaven and the Keys to the Demon Prison 592

Well, I've really loved this series. Written by Brandon Mull. He claims this is the last in this series, and I both love and hate the way he ended it all. He ended it like he could continue it, but isn't that just life--even if we tell only a portion there is so much before and so much after, even if we never tell it. However, since this is a book and not real, I'm sad that it is ending. There is so much more that could be told.

The Candy Shop War 363

This book is also by Brandon Mull. This was really cute! It would definitely be fun to down some yummy candy and just be able to float away sometime.

Septimus Heap: Magyk 564
Septimus Heap: Flyte 532
Septimus Heap: Physik 544

Written by Angie Sage. These have been sitting on my shelf for like ever, and I have yet to read them. I started them years ago but never really got into them. I'm so glad that I picked them up again though. They really are a fun world to wade through. I'm looking forward to reading the next two in the series come this next month.

The 13th Reality: Blade of Shattered Hope 446

Written by James Dashner. This is book number three in this series, and wow!! He most definitely knows how to leave you dying for his next book. These books are really neat in that they allow me time in the science world, one I've never really cared for in real life, but he most definitely makes it fun and interesting.

Thirst No. 1 594

So, I needed a filler book until a big book order came in. So, I found this and the second one at Walmart. Written by Christopher Pike. I use to read all his books when I was a kid, so I was like, cool, nice big book and it's about Vampires (which for me is a sure fire way to get me to read it, I love mythical creatures!!!). It's actually three books in the one, which is fine, and it is definitely a fun read. Not much depth but it still has some fun think on me things about it. Definitely worth reading for me.

***As always, if you have any questions about anything I read, just leave a comment and I'll respond to you. Read on. . .

Total for April 4,488
Total for 2010 18,212

9 Years!!

2010-04-28T08:14:00.004-07:00

28 April 2001, I had the privilege of marrying my best friend!! Life has taken us down many different roads, some expected, most unexpected. Life hands us much we never thought to anticipate, but through it all I've had someone I love, someone who is my best friend at my side. I love Joe more today then I did nine years ago. Life, I'm sure, will continue to be one challenge after another, but at least I always know that I have someone so very wonderful to meet each and every challenge with. I love you sweetheart!! Happy Anniversary!!

March Reading 2010

2010-04-05T18:09:00.002-07:00

Sorry it took so long but Joe and I just got back from Las Vegas and we had no internet the entire time we were there, totally blowed--don't trust the internet when it says a hotel in Vegas has free WiFi, it's crap!!!

March was full of great books. This year really has been fun so far in the reading department!!

So I continued with the House of Night series. The more I read into this series, the more I like it. Cannot wait for the next one.

Chosen 307
Untamed 338
Hunted 323
Tempted 319

Then onto another Jennifer Fallon book, this is the second book in The Tide Lords Quartet. I just love Fallon and her insights into culture. She truly has a great talent.

Gods of Amyrantha 493

James Dashner is the author of this one. I've read his 13th Reality series books (at least the ones that have come out so far), and I found this one equally fascinating. It took a bit to get into but once I did, I didn't want to put it down, and the ending left you begging for the next book.

The Maze Runner 374

Carrie Jones deals with fairies. If you like Twilight you will love these books. I seriously couldn't put them down. I really need to learn to not touch a series until it's done so that I'm not like crawling for more. These books are really great though!!!

Need 306
Captivate 273

So, I had a lull in books arriving from Amazon, so I went to the shelf and grabbed. I haven't read John Grishom in like 15 years, but I really loved this one.

The Testament 533

This is book 7 in The Ranger's Apprentice series. I love the series and this one was no disappointment. It went back in time a bit from 5 and 6 but it wasn't incongruent with the story as it progressed. It was a perfect fill in.

Erak's Ransom 373

This book was recommended by Joe. I had a hard time getting into it but it really was a great book. His commentary on politics and religion are awesome!!!! I really loved this one.

Stranger in a Strange Land 525

Kristine Cashmore, author. Awesome book on power and responsibility, how our gifts don't define us but rather what we do with those gifts. Just a great book!!!

Graceling 471

Total for March 4,635
Total for 2010 13,724

February Books 2010

2010-03-01T14:06:00.002-07:00

Well, I sure had fun with my reading this month. Short month, bah!!! Studying for my GRE, bah!!! Actually, I had to chill out the last week of this month so that I really could study harder for my GRE, but the rest of the month was definitely a fun reading month.

The Castle of Llyr 174
Taran Wanderer 218
The High King 248

*So I finished The Black Cauldron series. These are generally slow going but Joe decided to read them too so he was pursuing me, and the first two books are really short, so I had him pushing me through them. Actually, I really enjoyed the whole series, but my two favorites were the last two.

The Thirteenth Tale 406

*This book is written by Diane Setterfield. I really enjoyed the whole story. It's hard to describe what it is about, it's about so many things. Ultimately it's about a story--a story of one's life, what we send out there and what "really" happened. It's really a great book.

City of Bones 485
City of Ashes 453
City of Glass 541

*So I was suppose to read The Mortal Instruments series with a couple of friends. I thought they were getting the books far sooner then they did and by the time I was all done, they hadn't even gotten the books yet. So sad :( However, the books themselves--AWESOME!!! I loved these books. Read them in three days. I wanted more. Oh well, that's the way it is with every series I love, which is many. These are definitely worth the read.

The Lovely Bones 328

*Mainly I read this because the movie came out and was directed by Peter Jackson and so I was curious. It's not a bad book, sad. It was also not what I expected at all. It mainly deals with death, and how both sides-those who are dead and those who aren't-must move on with their lives. It's a really nice story though. I really like the end the best.

The Demon King 506

*This is written by the same author as the Heir Series that I read like last month. It's the beginning of her new series and it was wonderful!!! I really love this author's ability to draw you in and begging for more. Hopefully she pops out another book quickly!!

The Immortal Prince 597

*Back to Jennifer Fallon. This is the beginning of her newest series-The Tide Lords Quartet. Another great book. I really just fall into these worlds she creates. She deals mainly with the major drawbacks of immortality. It's really a great book.

Marked 306
Betrayed 310

*So the House of Night books have been sitting on my shelves for months waiting to be gotten to, and finally have have pulled them off. They are an interesting read. Written in "teenage" language, it's more a conversational tone, which is fun. There are parts that make me shut the book and go "oh gosh, now what is going to happen!!! Please, don't let bad things happen." I love when a book gets a good rise out of me.

Total for February--4572 pages
Total for 2010--9089 pages

Happy Birthday Nonny Bug!!!

2010-02-11T17:26:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday Emma!!!!!

Today my baby girl turned 6!!! I don't know why that is harder for me to wrap my head around then Hyrum turning 8 but it so is.
She was and always will be my little princess. She was suppose to be a he and came out as quite the surprise. Her daddy was in AZ for training when she was born, and she scared the hell out of her mom during her birth (her heart rate dropped drastically during birth--her birth story is definitely an interesting one). Before Emma, I never wanted a girl, but when she was born, I was so very happy to have her.
She is our poser. She is our drama queen. She is so smart and strong. She is our princess. And quite frankly, I actually feel sorry for any boy in her future who dares to break her heart, because she has three brothers who love her.
(Ignore the fat lady) Emma blowing out her cake and Dan decided he had to help.
The 6 was trying to fall over.
Emma's cute little cake. Our goal this year has been to simplify. She picked it out and it was just the perfect size for all four kids.

Emma, thank you for joining our family. I love you with all my heart. My little nonny bug!!!

January 2010

2010-01-31T10:09:00.003-07:00

So this month was really alot of reading fun!! I continued on reading Jennifer Fallon, who I just absolutely love!!!

Medalon 488
Treason Keep 518
Harshini 489

These are the sequel trilogy to the Wolfblade series but were written before the Wolfblade series, so their are some minor discrepancies that someone like me of course noticed. But I loved them nonetheless. This woman has an extraordinary talent with writing villains. I swear, every one of her books there is at least one person that I personally want to jump into the book and strangle with my bare hands. I also love that the hero or the heroine are never perfect; they always are flawed. Her tone is more reality even though her books are fantasy.

Lion of Senet 558
Eye of the Labyrinth 512
Lord of the Shadows 569

This series is also by Jennifer Fallon, and I again absolutely LOVED it!!! It has many subjects that it covers but mainly it is about the struggle between science and fundamental religion. In order to destroy the evil that has been perpetuated by this particular religion the main hero must tear it down from the inside; he must also lie to set himself up so that he can fix so much. In discussing if it is better to follow him or the woman who originally started the society down the barbaric path, he is answered this--"They'll still be pathetic," Neris predicted. "Most people are. It's why we have gods and goddessess. The human race is so insecure and afraid, we must invent a protector or cower in the shadows, hiding from a universe full of things bigger, uglier and more powerful than we are. People want a parent figure to alleviate their pain, Dirk. To make their crops grow, to shield them from the realities of life. If we can't find a real god, then we have to make one up. Do you think that makes us a higher species or a lesser one? Every other species seems to cope just fine without the need to imagine there's a divine being out there somewhere masterminding the whole show."

I just love that quote!!! It is so true. Now, no one take offense, I'm not saying there is no God, but the reason most people seek after any God is because the world, reality itself, scares the everliving piss out of them.

The Warrior Heir 426
The Wizard Heir 458
The Dragon Heir 499

Cinda Williams Chima is the author of this trilogy. This is another one that just took me in and I so did NOT want to let go. Just a really compelling story!!!

Total for the month of January-- 4,517
Total for 2010-- 4,517

Happy Birthday Mern Bear!!!

2010-01-25T11:48:00.002-07:00

Happy 8th Birthday my "bittle bear"!!

Such an expressive kid. We always knew he was scary smart. When he was only 10 months old, I caught him by our back door with some fruit loops. He had placed them strategically in a line to gather up the ants that were crawling in through the door. He knew if he put the cereal there he could keep them right were he wanted them.
He taught himself to read when he was only 4 and now he can plow through books that take most adults days to read. I yell at him to go to sleep and he just whines, "But Mom!!! I can't stop reading!!!"
I didn't have a number 8 candle so he chose to threes and a two. He also chose a Boston Cream Cake as his birthday cake. It was uber yummy.

He loves chess. He loves to read. He loves school. And we all love him.

Thank you Hyrum for coming into our family!!! We sure love you.

The Many Faces of Sleep

2010-01-16T10:30:00.002-07:00

Our lovely children are too cute. The way they sleep is even indicative of their personalities, so I thought I would share.
Hyrum, doesn't sleep, he reads. . . Seriously, I have to yell at him most nights to go to sleep just as I'm about to do so. Even then, one never knows until he refuses to get up in the morning and is falling over tired when I take him to school.
Porter, buries himself in his blankets. Actually, it's a miracle his head is out in this picture, he usually has his whole body smothered in blankets. I don't know how he breathes that way, but it sure is cute.
Emma with her blankie and her thumb. I keep trying to break her of that habit, but I've had no luck, especially at night.
Dan is too funny. Now, it's a miracle to find him in his bed and the one above was taken after I had transferred him there from the floor.
This on the other hand is usually how we find him, square behind his door after exhausting himself with banging and yelling "mom!!!!" And that's following the "Dan you need to go to sleep."

"No, I no want to"

At least they sleep on occasion and give mom a moment to breathe.

Cats

2010-01-05T18:32:00.001-07:00

Under it all is Joe. Is it any wonder his allergies have been bugging him?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

December Books--And Thus Ends 2009

2010-01-02T08:18:00.003-07:00

At the beginning of 2009, I set a goal to read 30,000 pages within the year. I love to read, and this was a wonderful goal for me. With the beginning of 2010, I stand at the beginning of a new path. This year holds many goals for me that I am hoping to achieve. I am scheduled to take my GRE on the 28th of February, which I really pray I will achieve great results on my first try. With the GRE in hand, I will be applying for graduate school. Therefore, I don't know how well I will be able to read up to par with this past year, but since I exceeded my goal, and the whole purpose of a goal is to push oneself, my reading goal this year will be 40,000 pages.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

DECEMBER:

Romanov Prophecy -- pgs. 369

The second Steve Berry book that I have read, and I liked this one even more. Some of the action is like, "yeah that would really happen," but that's what literary license is all about. Anyway, it was a fun book.

The Hobbit -- pgs. 306

Yes, I admit it, up until now I had never read "The Hobbit," and I still have not read "The Lord of the Rings." I love the movies and I think that was always my problem. I started to read "The Fellowship of the Ring" once, but I got so annoyed, I mean serious how long can a hobbit sit around and get old. So I was really pleased with "The Hobbit" because it wasn't so boring at the beginning, allowing me time to get into the book and not want to stop. I look forward to "The Hobbit, Part 1" set for 2011. Now where would they cut that one off???

The Black Cauldron -- pgs. 180

This is out of order. I had read one book and was waiting to be able to afford the following in that series so I went back to a series I had left behind. I liked this one much better than "The Book of Three." I will definitely be going back and finishing this series.

Wolfblade -- pgs. 626
Warrior -- pgs. 562
Warlord -- pgs. 617

I discovered "Wolfblade" at Savers. It was in such good condition and sounded like a fun story and cheap, so I got it, and have discovered a wonderful new author. Well, she's been writing for a while, but she is new to me. Jennifer Fallon. I now own almost all her books. I loved this series. I became so engrossed with the characters. Fallon had a way of creating characters that I became so attached too. Not only that, but she created a character that has become my most hated fictional character ever. I tell you, it took forever for me to finish the third book because I was so angry this character hadn't died an extremely painful death. I'm not a particularly bloodthirsty person, but oh my, did I want this woman to die. Anyway. . . I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her books.

Total for December: 2660 pgs.
Total for 2009: 40,901 pgs.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

2009-12-25T10:59:00.004-07:00

These pictures are out of order but oh well.

Merry Christmas everyone.

This year we chose to open gifts on Christmas Eve. I made dinner, and Joe's parents came up to join us which the kids just LOVED. Dinner was very yummy and the kids loved everything they got.
Danny got a big floor pad and some special crayons, some new jammies and socks. He was very happy with his haul. In fact, I think he colored on almost every page last night.

Emma wasn't content with getting only one thing in the picture, she had to show off everything. She got a backpack full of art supplies, a big pack of construction paper, socks, and new undies. She has declared that when she grows up she is going to be a professional artist. This girl lives to draw, paint, whatever she can.
Porter got new socks, undies, and of course BLOCKS!!! This boy builds with legos ALL day long. I wish that was an exaggeration, but it really isn't. He popped that thing open and went to town. He was alot happier than last year.
Hyrum got an ipod (actually he got mom's old one, since mom got an iphone for Christmas this year) with itunes gift card, undies, and socks. He hasn't stopped listening to the music since. In fact, I've finally become the mom that has to yell, "turn your music down!!!" My theory is if I can hear it out your headphones when I'm in the other room, it's too freaking loud!! Dork, woke me up this morning singing along to his music in his room at 6:30 this morning. Oh well, guess that means he's pretty happy with his gifts this year.
They fought all day long, but when it comes to gift time, they love one another.
Presents under the tree. We really tried to reduce Christmas this year, and for once, I actually stayed on budget. That in and of itself was a Christmas miracle.

A few days before, the kids got to open presents from Oma and Opa. Hyrum of course got a Thomas movie, that he was VERY happy about.
Porter got Tom and Jerry, his favorite cartoon ever. I think this is the movie that has been watched the most since it was received.
Emma got the third season of Scooby-Doo, which she was very thrilled about.
Dan got "Up." We had to watch this one as soon as he opened it.
All four. Yup, Porter is building away, and Hyrum is sporting his newest obsession--chess!! I sure love these kids!!!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T09:10:00.001-07:00

Joe's Work Christmas Party

2009-12-17T13:25:00.001-07:00

Emma sure had fun. She just. keeps collecting lays. Silly goose. Yummy food, but I'm not feeling well so I can't wait to go home. At least all the kids have had fun. Danny especially loved the bouncy house.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Putting Up the Tree

2009-12-13T08:46:00.004-07:00

Well we finally put up the tree. Yes, I know, most everyone I know has had theirs up for weeks, but me, I can't stand to do it right after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is like my most favoritest holidays, and quite frankly, I really hate Christmas. I don't even enjoy that I have to endure two weeks of "DON'T TOUCH THE TREE!!!!!" All day long. I hate that everyone is determined to get the biggest and best gifts for everyone just so they can prove how much they "love" so and so. If more people truly revealed in the "spirit" of Christmas, perhaps I could get my enthusiasm back, but I digress.

This is for my kids, because they are what matter most.

Joe and I put it in the stand and the kids decorated. Can you tell?? Of course, at the rate Dan is going on breaking ornaments, it will be bare by Christmas, but oh well.
They were so proud of themselves and their tree. I love these kids. May we all revel in the spirit of Christmas just like innocent children. Merry Christmas.

The English Language

2009-12-09T19:06:00.001-07:00

Okay, I find English humor to be very funny. Afterall, I was an English major and there is nothing more ridiculous than the English language. This was posted on a friend's Facebook status, and it was just too funny not to record for posterity.

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility...

as part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k".. This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter. ... See More

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

Dan's 2 Year Well-Baby Appointment

2009-12-08T11:48:00.003-07:00

So the squirt is good and healthy, aside from a really bad case of eczema--for which he is now on four different medications. He weighs in at 27.8 lbs and is 33 inches tall. So about the 20% for height and the 50% for weight. Yup, short and fat!!! But oh so cute. He also got his H1N1 shot. He was a very good boy for all of it. He loves going to the doctor and getting all that attention.

Ogden Christmas Village

2009-12-06T18:17:00.003-07:00

Just so you know, bad idea to be outside when it is 10 degrees out and the wind is whipping up a storm, especially if you don't own a nice thick winter coat (that would be me), and let's face it, during the day in Utah, even in the winter a thick sweatshirt is fine for running to the car and going places. Generally I don't canter about outside, but the kids have been begging to go and so we went. It was really pretty and a lot of fun besides, but we will have to go back when it is a little warmer and Santa is there for them to see.
Dad and his little ones. Emma was so cold and we had to take Dan out of the stroller because it was colder in there for him then he was running around, so Porter stole his seat.
Mom freezing her butt off. Hyrum thought it appropriate to block his sister from the picture.
So you are subjected to two pictures with me in them so that you can see Emma. Can you tell I'm freezing??

November Books Read

2009-12-01T12:03:00.002-07:00

This month was great, and I got to read alot of books I really enjoyed.

I finished the Mysterious Benedict Society Series. I really enjoyed this series. No magic involved, not really. Only the power of exceptional minds. I really enjoyed as these children learned that being smart individually gave them an advantage against most, but it wasn't until they learned how to truly work together that they found their real potential. Just a really good story.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey - 440
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma - 391

Then I needed a break from new stuff and since the new movie was coming out, I reread the Twilight Series. I love this series for very personal reasons, that don't need to be put here. It's sufficient to say that when I'm really bogged down in crap, I enjoy reading these.

Twilight - 498
New Moon - 563
Eclipse - 629
Breaking Dawn - 754

It's been a long time coming, and I guess I've finally just figured I have nothing to loose anymore, but I am on a road to put into words the things that I believe. I've always inherently had a problem with religion, a problem I've never really been able to find the right words to express, not exactly anyway. The best way I can put it is to say that all "organized religions" place everything in a box and hand it out saying, "here, this is truth. It's all contained here. Put aside logic, embrace faith, listen to this or that higher power, they know more than you. Sure you can question for yourself, but if you find an answer that is contrary to what is in this box then you are merely being influenced by 'Evil.'" I believe truth is in all of us, if we just have the forthwith and the strength to seek after it, and then to not be afraid to pursue those things we know to be right. It's just easier to be told and follow, then to truly seek. Anyway, in this seeking, I've decided to learn as much about all other "religions"/belief systems that I can. I began with Wicca because it is something that I've always wanted to learn more about, so you will probably find that I read more on the subject. I really believe that much of what they believe is truth; my main problem is that pledging yourself to Wicca, you must first caste off your former religion. I find that personally offensive, because I believe that we do not have to caste off the past in order to embrace the future. No matter how much we claim to want to change our own pasts (and I don't think I know of a single person who doesn't wish they could change something), then we wouldn't be who we are today. There will always be something we wish we could change, but it is only in truly embracing who we have been, that we can be what we want to be.

Wicca 101 - 213

The next book by Steve Berry, I read because Joe had read it in Afghanistan and thought I would enjoy it. I really enjoyed the history it contained. This is a book alot like Dan Brown writes. I will give Berry that he is not arrogant in the way that he writes like Brown, but there are things about their characters that just really get on my nerves. I guess I get frustrated because of how I read. I literally place myself in whatever I read. I live it, I expound on everything--creating my own story lines from that current book. I've always read that way. I don't know how to do it any other way, so when I am irritated with a character, I get very irritated. It's like that person is truly a living, breathing, being and not just a figment of someone's imagination that does what he does because that's the way it's written. If you like Dan Brown, you'd enjoy this book, we'll leave it at that. If you kind of like Dan Brown but find him offensive, I think you would enjoy this book better.

The Templar Legacy - 480

This would be another "religious exploration" book for me. It SUCKED!! Leave it at that. (But at least it only took an hour to read)

The Sixth Book of Moses and the Seventh Book of Moses - 101

The next series by James Owen, is one that's been on my wish list for awhile. It was nice to finally get to read them, especially because I absolutely LOVED them!!! I was truly amazed at how they were put together. The skill and the knowledge base that it took this author to write this was exceptional and extraordinary. It takes famous authors, places them as caretakers of an "imaginary geography," an atlas of maps of places that apart but part of our world all the same. In this world, they find the seeds for much of what they will write throughout their lives--in essence "fictionalizing" non-fiction so that the world doesn't find out too much but needing a way to express all they have lived. The amount of authors involved is extensive, and in that I find myself wholly impressed. The fact that the book in and of itself is a really great story only makes it better.

Here, There Be Dragons - 324
The Search for the Red Dragon - 368
The Indigo King - 372
The Shadow Dragons - 414

**Now, as always if you have any questions, just ask. If I don't have your email, put it down so that I can respond to you personally. And Happy Reading!!!

Total for November - 5547 pages
Total for 2009 - 38,241 pages

Aquarium

2009-11-22T10:14:00.003-07:00

For Dan's birthday we went out to eat at the Olive Garden, where since Emma told them it was Dan's birthday, he was sung to. He thought that was pretty cool. Then we went to the "fishy place." Dan loves the frogs, so he got to sit on one and we bought him a stuffed frog for his birthday. All in all, not a bad 2nd birthday. He was sure proud of himself for turning 2. Every time someone wished him a happy birthday, he would get the biggest grin on his face. It was so cute.

Happy Birthday Dan!!!!

2009-11-21T08:43:00.002-07:00

Two years ago today, I was induced and after a very hard labor and a couple of hours of pushing, I had my third little boy. When Dan was born, he had a lot of problems breathing which put him in the NICU for four days. Scared the hell out of his mother. His chest xray was so bad, they thought he had pneumonia, but four days later the xray was fine. Thank goodness for that because there was no way I was going to be able to leave my baby in the hospital; I bow down to all who have done so.
7 lbs 10 ozs. (I have Dan looking at the picture and he says the baby has ickys all over him and needs a bath---had to include that, it was funny) I only got to hold him for a minute, and he wouldn't nurse for 18 hours after he was born, not for lack of trying on my part.

Shortly after Dan was born, Joe was deployed for a year, so Danny is my little comfort. When I first found out I was having a boy, I cried forever. I never had wanted girls but since I already had Emma, I really wanted her to have a sister, but I sure didn't want anymore than four kids (have a hard enough time with 4), so I was pretty upset--damn Merkley genes. No, I would never send Dan back. He's the sweetest child. He is so loving. He always makes his mom laugh, he never hesitates to give a hug, and he is the most playful little one we've had. He truly is a mighty blessing, and the exact child I needed at the time.

My blue eyed, (dark) blond haired boy. I prayed for a blue eyed girl, so I guess we call the glass half full because FINALLY one of them is mine!!!! He got his mom's blue eyes. Man, I love this kid.

Happy 2nd Birthday Dan Paul!!!!

Books Read in October

2009-11-01T12:03:00.003-07:00

Delved in and finished up the series. I LOVE Obert Skye. He has this great knack of making me bust out laughing whenever I read his books. Sadly, this series is at an end. Luckily he's going to continue the story of one of the main characters in the series, so I'm really excited to see how he continues.

Leven Thumps and the Whispered Secret - 396
Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want - 389
Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra - 389
Leven Thumps and The Ruins of Alder - 356

Dan Brown's latest installment of his great professor, was okay. It gave me a good list of nonfiction to read, and other than that, all I can say is "is Robert Langston just the dumbest man alive or what??" The only time the character ever gets going in the right way is once a really smart woman comes to his aid; I guess I've got to give Dan Brown his due, at least he knows men can't do a thing without a good woman at their side ;) I also find that Dan Brown has this knack of criticizing and being rude; I find that one can criticize without being rude and not take away anything from a story. Oh, well. It wasn't a horrible story, and it definitely made me more curious about the Masons and their history. I will say that Dan Brown has a knack for making me curious and that is to his credit.

Lost Symbol - 509

M. L. Forman is the author of the next book. Now, I read this book mainly because Joe is friends with the author's brother (I should be too, seeing as we are suppose to be in a writing club, but I am so horrible and haven't really gotten involved yet. I really need to get over myself and be more involved!!! Oh well, hopefully I can get my act together.) Anyway, to the book. I LOVED it and can't wait for the next. It's so fun to read a book by someone I sort of know; it makes it all more tangible. I use to want to write when I was young and had so much to write. I could never get past fear to really figure out how to publish, plus, I don't deal with criticism very well. When I write, I put so much of myself into it, it's like someone is standing over my child and abusing them. It's cool to see someone successfully achieve their dreams of writing a story that is not only good but worth publishing. This story is alot like Lord of the Rings without all the sitting around and eating and drinking until they are 100. Sorry, I love Lord of the Rings, but I've always found all the sitting and wandering around really boring. Anyway, this has gotten off topic which I guess is usual for me, especially since I can't concentrate because my kids are driving me completely and utterly FRUITY right now, but the point of this all is, this is a book worth reading!!

Adventurer's Wanted Slathbog's Gold - 382

Mitch Horowitz--this is a nonfiction book. Now, not as many people may be completely and utterly fascinated by the "occult" as I am, now if you don't know what that word really is referring to, find a dictionary. Not to be rude, but I've become irritated with people who assume something just because others have taken a long time to condemn it. Hence the word occult meaning some wacky people who think that drinking poison takes them on a wild ride to the cosmos, when in fact it means "hidden." The book even discusses the development of "Mormonism" because at the time it fit into the category of an occult. Anyway, I am completely obsessed right now with learning about religion--ALL religion!! But most especially, ancient religions and paganism. So this book was great in gathering a massive list of MUST READS for me, and also for some really fascinating facts about how occultism helped to shape our nation's history.

Occult America - 258

New series for me to tackle. Written by Trenton Lee Stewart. This is so far a fun series of the power children have. I love that it's a fun adventure that shows me just how becoming an adult can take things away from us. We can learn so much from children. I'm looking forward to reading the two others that I have in this series.

The Mysterious Benedict Society - 485

Total for October -- 3164
Total for 2009 --32, 694

Well, I've met my goal for the year!!! 30,000 for the year. I guess I can stop now ;) Okay, so that's not likely to happen, so it will be fun to see how many pages I will actually read this year. As, always, if you have a question about a book I've read, I will be happy to answer anything you want to know.

Boo At The Zoo

2009-10-24T17:47:00.003-07:00

Today we ventured to the Boo at the Zoo. I had to go alone because Joe had drill, which by the way--totally SUCKS!!!! I will never go alone again. It's just too busy to corral four kids by yourself. However, the kids had a blast.
All decked out. This was the best one, with the most kids looking at me.
The baby elephant made her debut this past week and so we got to see her. Isn't she SOOOOO cute. They named her Zuri, which was the name I had hoped for.
Hyrum the vampire.
Emma, my good witch.
Porter Potter, aka, Harry Potter.
I just thought this was so cute!!!
Dan my little frog, or as he says, he's an "yibbit."

They are all too cute.

Jackson Family Trip

2009-10-04T13:33:00.007-07:00

***You are forewarned. . .this is a VERY LONG post!!!
Since the kids had UEA break, we headed to Jackson, WY, so that we could enjoy Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. There's nothing we like more then getting away from it all, and I can tell you, I absolutely fell in love with Jackson. I could have stayed there forever.
Watch Old Faithful blow. Porter was so scared, but I finally got him to sit down and watch it and then it started "raining" on us, and he just thought that was so cool.
Dan eating a sucker and watching TV in the bedroom.
Emma posing on her bed, which she shared with Dan.
Porter and Hyrum going nuts on their bed.

Joe and I slept on the pull out couch in our living area, so that we didn't have to sleep in the same room with the kids. They drive us nuts!!!
This is the cabin was stayed it. It was so nice.
Walking around the geysers. Dan was so mad, he wanted to walk but he was being naughty so I had him on my shoulders for a little while.
Dad trying to get Dan to stop for a picture.
Emma had to get in on this one and Porter wouldn't let me go. In fact, when we were walking and all the steam started coming across the walkway, he wigged out and made me carry him, but once he realized that it wasn't anything to be scared of, he walked through it on the way back, but he sure made sure he had my hand tight.
Hiking in the Grand Tetons. Porter and Dan actually were in the backpacks but at the end we let them walk a bit which they LOVED.
Hyrum hiking.
Emma hiking, she always has to pose.
Porter riding in the backpack with Dad.
And mom sported Danny. We had so much fun. I would stop and let him feel the trees which he loved so much he wanted me to stop for every single one.
Emma and Mom in the museum.
Hyrum and Porter at the Grand Teton Museum.
Emma, Dad, and Dan at the Museum. That first day was really nippy, but at least it was sunny.
The Grand Tetons.

This was just a great trip. It would be so nice to live somewhere like that. I loved it so much, I didn't want to leave.

On a side note, we sure thought this was funny. We were playing the capitals game and Joe asked Hyrum what the capital of Montana was. Hyrum thought about it and declares "I know it's HANNAH!!" I laughed so hard I cried.

Happy Birthday Porter!!!

2009-10-01T07:45:00.003-07:00

I meant to post this yesterday. So sorry.

Porter Joseph Merkley
Born 30 September 2005
That was then. . .
This is now (well actually this was taken almost a year ago, but it's such a good show of his little personality). My big boy is 4 years old!!!

He's finally potty trained, completely. He's such a laid back little one. However, he can definitely let his anger be known as in when he pulls his sister's hair because she won't stop bossing him around or hitting his brother when he gets a knock on the head from him as well. Oh and the screaming contests that he and his little brother have been into has made for a wonderful prelude to 4. No, really, he is a great kid and his mom and daddy love him so much. I am so thankful to have had Porter. He was my first mommy's boy and I love that he loves to give his mom snuggles. I love watching him play all his pretend games--he's got quite the imagination on him. He's just a wonderful and sweet addition to our family, and I am so thankful for that.

Books Read in September

2009-09-30T16:55:00.003-07:00

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets- pgs. 341
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - pgs. 436
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - pgs. 734
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - pgs. 870
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - pgs 652
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - pgs. 759

*** So I know I've read the Harry Potter series so many times, but when I want to completely zone out and am stressed, I always turn to my series that I love, and no matter how many times I read these I still love them.

The Last Apprentice: Clash of the Demons - pgs. 404

***I absolutely LOVE this series. I was so shocked by certain revelations in this book and so happy that certain things were finally explained. I'm only sad because it would seem that this may be the last in this series.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw - pgs. 293

***I also really enjoy this series and watching these characters as they grow up. They really are such likable characters.

The Book of Three - pgs. 190

***So I go the Black Cauldron series because I was told they were awesome. I enjoyed it but it didn't hold my attention as much as I expected. I figure I will get back to the rest of the series but right now I have another project in mind.

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo - pgs. 359

***So finally "The Ruins of Alder" are out and so I must start from the beginning again. I always take the time to reread the ones that come before, before tackling the new book in a series; it helps me to keep the cohesion of the story, plus, it's just fun to reread a great series, and this one definitely qualifies. I don't think there is an author out there like Obert Skye who can make me laugh so hard I have to be careful not to eat or drink anything while I am reading. I just absolutely love this series and can't wait to see where Leven Thumps' fate takes him next.

Total for September: 5038 pgs.
Total for 2009: 29, 530 pgs.

**Oh yes, and if you ever have any questions about any of the books I read, just let me know.

Our Newest Additions

2009-09-13T12:28:00.003-07:00

Yup, I'm a total sucker. Went down to "possibly" adopt a kitten and ended up with two. Oh, well, they are too cute.
Meet Seamus, this one has been through a bunch of names already, but I think we finally have settled. He's only 9 weeks old, but he is one big kitty.
This is Dexter, he's 7 weeks. He's about half Seamus's size. He's really playful.

They are both so adorable. We are really looking forward to seeing them get use to their new home. We just got back and right now they are a bit skittish. Seamus especially with loud noises, and anyone who's been around here knows how loud my kids can get. Dan is pretty possessive of Dexter, and unfortunately all the other kids want to get ahold of him too. Well here's hoping we made a good decision this time around.

That's Something To Be Proud Of

2009-09-11T11:19:00.005-07:00

There's a story that my daddy tells religiously
Like clockwork every time he sees an opening
In a conversation about the way things used to be
Well I'd just roll my eyes and make a bee-line for the door
But I'd always END up starry-eyed, cross-legged on the floor
Hanging on to every word
Man, the things I heard

It was harder times and longer days
Five miles to school, uphill both ways
We were cane switch raised, and dirt floor poor
'Course that was back before the war
Yeah, your uncle and I made quite a pair
Flying F-15's through hostile air
He went down but they missed me by a hair
He'd always stop right there and say...

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin'
Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of

So I'm graduatin' college, that was mama's dream
But I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned 18
Cuz when you gotta fast car you think you've got everything
I learned quick those GTO's don't run on faith
I ended up broken down in some town north of L.A.
Working maximum hours for minimum wage
Well, I fell in love, next thing I know
The babies came, the car got slow
I sure do miss that old hot rod
But you sure save gas in them foreign jobs
Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down
If you're ashamed how I turned out
Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow
Said, lemme tell ya right now

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million
Just be thankful to be workin'
You can do with what your able
And putting food there on the table
And providing for the family that you love
That's something to be proud of

And if all you ever really do is the best you can
Well, you did it man

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin'
Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Yeah, that's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Now that's something to be proud of

***Song is by Montgomery Gentry***

Remember

2009-09-11T06:19:00.006-07:00

Here's to the memory of all those who lost their lives on that day. . .
9/11. I still remember the horror of watching those towers fall to the ground on TV. I was walking to class at BYU with Joe that morning. I was pregnant with Hyrum. My mom was driving to Connecticut to bury my grandmother, and I knew that at about the time the attack occurred was about the time she should have been driving into New York. I was so sad, so scared. I waited hours to hear that my mom was okay. They had been on the Tapenzee (sp?) bridge when all the signs started up with "New York CLOSED" and they saw the smoke. It was truly a sad day in our nations history.

Here's to all those who have died since. . .
This is Joe's favorite flag, and so in honor of all those who have died as a result of 9/11, a moment of silence and honor for you. And to all those who are left behind. . . (this was written for a wife, but I think husband can be substituted)

The Silent Ranks

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens,
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders.
Salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one that does,
this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon,
who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.

My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man
and the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed
to keep this country free.
My husband makes this sacrifice,
but so do our kids and me.

I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks
Known as the military wife.

August Books Read

2009-08-31T12:25:00.002-07:00

Well, I didn't read as much as I would like, but I still didn't do so bad this month.

Ranger's Apprentice Series, by: John Flanagan. I liked this series. The author likes to mix modern and past a bit that was annoying at first, but once into the series, I just let the story go, which made it more fun.

The Ruins of Gorlan - pgs. 249
The Burning Bridge - pgs 262
The Icebound Land - pgs 266
The Battle for Skandia - pgs 294
The Sorcerer of the North - pgs 295

***I'm still waiting for the next book to come it the mail.

Bradbury Short Stories - pgs 33

**I started reading some of Bradbury's short stories because I LOVE his books, but this collection was hard for me to get very far because it is a collection of all his stories, good or not.

The 13th Reality Series, by: James Dashner

The Journal of Curious Letters - pgs 428
The Hunt for Dark Infinity - pgs 446

**These are more science based fantasy, and I really liked them. It's really such a fascinating concept really.

Buried Fire, by Jonathan Stroud - pgs. 332

**I really enjoy this particular author. The Bartimeaus Trilogy is by far one of my favorites. This particular story was very compelling.

Well, and since I am currently waiting for some shipments of books to continue with some of the series's I've been reading, I opted to fill my time with something I've already read before.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - pgs 309

Total for August: 2914 pgs.
Total for 2009: 24,492 pgs.

Potty Training

2009-08-28T08:31:00.003-07:00

Well I didn't want to toot my horn on facebook and gross a bunch of people out, but PORTER IS FINALLY POTTY TRAINING!!!!! He went all day yesterday without an accident and today he is running around in his new underwear and going all on his own. For those of you who know us well, you know what a struggle I've had with Porter. He turns four at the end of September, and I was really worried. The exciting thing for him--if he manages a whole week without accidents, he gets to go to preschool!!!! He wants to go so bad!! I'm so excited for my big boy!!!

Back to School

2009-08-26T11:13:00.006-07:00

Well today was Hyrum and Emma's first day of school for this year. Hyrum is going into 2nd grade and Emma is my Kindergartner. They attend Venture Academy, which is a charter school. The nice thing is that there is only one kindergarten, so it keeps them small, and 1st and 2nd grade are in the same class, so Hyrum has the same teacher that he had last year, which is so nice.

Anyway, they finally got the new building done, and so the kids were very excited to be at their brand new school. It's so nice!!
We arrived early and there was quite the crowd, but they didn't want to let everyone in until about 10 minutes before school started, so we took a picture.
They had a whole hoard of stuff to bring in the first day. Emma's is acutally at her feet. Hyrum was set on carrying it all himself. I finally had to force his backpack away from him because with so many people trying to get in at once, people kept knocking it off his shoulder.
My two scholars. Yup, they wear a uniform to school.
Mern; he had a hard morning. He swore he wasn't scared or anxious, but was crying all morning because he couldn't find his shoe, and said he was tired. I told him what I always tell him, "you have to go to sleep earlier." "But mom, I like to read in bed," was the response I got. I love that kid!!! He has such a hard time shutting down at night.
Porter and Dan wanted to go to. Porter wants so much to go to preschool, but I refuse to let him until he lets me get him potty trained all the way. Everytime he goes to the bathroom, he says, "okay, let's go to preschool." I sure wish he would get it!! Oh well, hopefully it will be just the push he needs. What's funny is that Dan wants to go on the big boy potty too, maybe I'll get two done!! Now that would be great!!
Emma and her pink backpack. It was so heavy this morning, so mom had to carry it to school.
Such a cutie. We cut and straightened her hair for school; she loved it.

Emma had such a WONDERFUL day at school; she just absolutely LOVED it and totally can't wait to go back tomorrow. I only wish she had all day school, because she is totally ready for it. She loved playing with the tannegrams and coloring. She's so excited for the rest of the week. I really expected her to struggle with being without mom, so Joe stayed home today so that I could actually take her into school. Well, she broke my heart just like Hyrum did, when she didn't even look back as I dropped her off. It was like, "whatever mom, see ya." I've been telling her all week that I was going to miss her so much and she always tells me, "oh mom, I'll come back." I'm so happy she is happy to be in school.
Hyrum also had a great day!!! However, I guess gym class got a little rambunctious, and a little first grader clawed him during a game of tag. He loved getting to eat at school. It was an all out great day for him.

They are both excited to head back out tomorrow.

Paradise Bakery

2009-08-21T17:24:00.003-07:00

So today, I got to spend a couple of hours with my best friend. Now when your best friend lives two hours away, has a kid of her own, has a husband who is deployed, and is trying to go to nursing school, getting to see one another is a really great treat!! Well, and it's even better because she happens to be my sis-in-law. It's so nice to be around someone (other then your spouse) who never judges you, who you can talk about anything with and know they will accept you. I just wished we lived closer so we could hang out more often and so that I could help with my little nephew, especially this year. Well, anyway. The next best thing is getting to go eat at a GREAT place. Thanks to another sis-in-law, we went to Paradise Bakery in SLC which is the best food. I loved it and I totally can't wait to go back again. Man, I wish we lived in Salt Lake. Oh well. If wishes and dreams were nickles and dimes, I would be a freaking millionaire. Anyway, the whole point of this was to recommend a great place to eat, and also, to say thank you for a GREAT day.

Las Vegas

2009-08-18T09:01:00.006-07:00

We all needed a vacation, and we wanted to take the kids somewhere fun for a back to school hurray. So we decided to head on down to Las Vegas. I've never been there before so this was a whole new experience for most of us. I can tell you, I will not go back during the summer, although it was a total BLAST, it was like walking the ninth circle of hell. It was really hot and it made us all even more exhausted. Well, the walking around ALOT helped too, but it wouldn't have been as bad if it had been about 30 degrees cooler. Oh well, we had so much fun anyway.

I totally forgot to take a picture of where we stayed, but we stayed at Circus Circus.

**Disclaimer, this is a LONG post, and also not in chronologic order so bear with me.

Before we left town we went to M&M World. The kids were disappointed it wasn't a factory so that they could see how they make M&M's, but they sure enjoyed the spoils.
Joe got Dan the mini M&M's and as soon as he had the bag, he was trying to get at them. He was so upset that he had to wait for me to pay and for us to find a good spot to eat them up.
Porter downing them M&M's.
Emma and Hyrum enjoying there's.
M&M World.
Posing with the M&M. Porter wouldn't get any closer, and Dan wouldn't turn around. Emma thought he was funny.
Pay already!!!!!
The M&M wall. Yummy!! Actually I was good and we only got the kids candy.
Hyrum wanted so much to go and ride the rides at the Adventurdome. I went with him, and because I was riding most of the rides with him, the camera stayed upstairs, so I only got the one with my camera because this was one of the ones I couldn't go on. The only thing that sucked was that Hyrum had me go on the Pirate ship that just swings back and forth. It made me so sick, I couldn't go on the Inverter with him, which I really wanted to go on, but didn't feel like throwing up all over my son. It was fun anyway.
We also went out to the Hoover Dam. I figured we were so close and I had never been there. This is a bridge they are building over the river. I about died looking at it, you couldn't pay me enough to build that thing. They said they were building it so high in the hopes that people would crash so much looking at the dam. You going over a bridge that big, you had better be paying attention to where you are driving or you be dead fast!!
The dam.
Hyrum kept hoping from one side to the other, going "Now I'm in Arizona, now I'm in Nevada." It was so funny.
I just love astrology so this was cool.
Colorado River.
These are so cool, especially since I just read "The Last Olympian" Series. They come "alive" in the book, because they are "really robots." It was just cool seeing something I had read about.
They were so excited to be there.
We also went to the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef. Emma doing her typically pose.
Danny was enjoying the fish, but I guess at this moment Mom as more facinating.
Hyrum trying to listen to the information and Porter just having fun.

The sunken ship here was totally cool, but Porter had a hard time with the walking on glass thing, and Joe had to carry him. He was so afraid that if he walked on it, it would break.

Anyway, it was a GREAT trip. Joe and I were completely and utterly exhausted by it all but it was so much fun. Can't wait to go back. Actually, next time Joe and I may go alone, because there are other things to do that we would love to do, that are just way too expensive with four extra peoples. But it sure was fun!!!!

Aquarium

2009-08-18T08:58:00.002-07:00

We haven't been down to the Aquarium for a while, and so decided to hit it up. There's a whole new section where they have all the animals of the amazon. It was so cool!!! The kids loved it. I loved it.

Park Adventures

2009-08-18T08:52:00.003-07:00

Thank you to a friend, we found a great park up in Huntsville for the kids to play on and with all the shade, I can actually stand to be there for a while.
Hyrum trying to get the swings to twist.
Porter ran all around and finally settled on digging in the dirt under the swings.
Emma just wanted to go higher but oh not too high.
Dan would have spent all day in the swing if I had been willing. This swing was so perfect for him.

It was great to take them and let them run about and wear themselves out. We hope to hit up the park again soon.

July Reading

2009-07-31T17:00:00.002-07:00

Okay so I was a complete and total slacker last month, of course between redoing the kids' rooms and all the traveling, I guess I can allow myself a bit of a break, but I figured I had better get to it this month.

So I finished up The Last Apprentice Series, but cannot wait for the new one that is coming out next month.

The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer - pgs. 498
The Last Apprentice: Attack of the Fiend - pgs. 543
The Last Apprentice: The Wrath of the Bloodeye - pgs. 516

**I absolutely LOVED this series!!! It was so much fun to read and just got better as I went along, I can't wait to see how the story continues to develop.

Then I hit a series I had heard alot about and I can tell you I LOVED it too!!! I LOVE mythology so this whole new upsurge of juvenile literature that pulls from it has just been an absolute feast for me!!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians--
The Lightening Thief - pgs. 376
The Sea of Monsters - pgs. 279
The Titan's Curse - pgs. 312
The Battle of the Labyrinth - pgs. 361
The Last Olympian - pgs. 381

Then I hit up a series I fell in love with a while back, and figured I would re-read it.

Inkheart - pgs 534
Inkspell - pgs. 635
Inkdeath - pgs. 663

If you consume books the way that I do, you can't help but love this series. I so know what it feels like to want so much to become a part of the story I am reading, no matter what that life may bring. Anyway, I just love everything I got to read this month, and I can't wait to see what I can dig up for this next month.

Total for July: 5098 pgs.
Total for 2009: 21,578 pgs.

The Merkley Family

2009-07-20T11:14:00.002-07:00

Took this picture on the 4th of July and I just love it.

Washington

2009-07-19T12:44:00.004-07:00

This is from our trip like two weeks ago. I know, it's been a while and I'm just getting to it. Honestly this is hard for me to blog about because I didn't have the best of times. I felt very left out on this trip but it is such a beautiful place that deep down I loved it anyway.
Proof that I actually went on the trip. This is the only picture I really made it into, and it was actually on our way home. We stopped at Shoshone Falls on our way back. Dan loved the "fish" as he now wants to call all water in the hopes that it has some.
We went to the Zoo/Aquarium in Tacoma. Danny LOVED it. He has a real thing for animals but he really loved the fish. He was jumping up and down and banging on the glass at the big tank. The sharks would come really close to the glass and he would get so excited (my other kids still don't like it when they get really close).
Dan thought Great Grandpa was real interesting.
And of course Dad slept. No, actually Joe was just resting for like a couple of minutes, but Dan's grin added to daddy resting was too cute.
At one point, Dan became pretty quite. Now Danny isn't always being naughty when he's quite, but Joe and Grandpa were watching him and wondered where he had gone. Well, this is what they found. He decided to ride the deer.
We went to this Bavarian village which was so much fun for me. We walked all over and Danny found the swings.
And the puddles. . .

The other kids were having fun in Illinois while we were up there so Danny was the star of all our pictures. Next time we go they will definitely be there and then I think it will be a lot more fun for me.

A New Nephew

2009-07-19T12:41:00.003-07:00

We would like to welcome Joshua Douglas Cotti to the family!!! Way to go Morgan!! (and Geoff too)
Born the 17 July 2009. 8 lbs 13.5 oz, 20.5 inches long. One big boy.
We love you all!!

Dan Sure Makes Us Laugh

2009-07-07T09:23:00.005-07:00

This fourth of July there were only two little kids to run around Grandma and Grandpa's, Dan and Reid. They had a lot of fun together. Dan did everything Reid did, which wasn't always a good thing but at least they were having fun. The best was when they got up on the couch and decided that it made a much better trampoline than a couch. They were so cute.

Then, this is just for laughs. Please ignore me in the video. I told Joe to make sure I wasn't in it because I looked horrible, but he didn't listen.

Dan learned "cut the pickle". He's so funny with it, especially when he does it himself. He usually says it too but I don't think we got that lucky with the video. However, he's pretty funny when he does it and then tickles himself instead of you.

All my kids can make me laugh, which gets me through most days. I am so thankful for laughter.

A "Friends" Moment

2009-07-06T09:31:00.002-07:00

For the 4th of July we headed over to Joe's parents' house for dinner. It was mainly a farewell dinner for Joe's brother Rod who is off to Iraq for a while. For dessert we had cheesecake. All of us sitting there eating and talking. Joe was eating while standing, and one moment he was happily enjoying his cheesecake, the next it was on the ground. Blueberry cheesecake on carpet. My pictures weren't the best because I was laughing so hard.
Especially when he started eating the cheesecake off the floor.
We all had major flashbacks to the episode of "Friends" when Rachel and Chandler have all the cheesecakes and knock the one on the floor and proceed to eat it, and Joey joins the group with fork in hand. It was just too funny!!

The Bedroom Project

2009-07-04T06:34:00.004-07:00

Well since the three oldest children are gone, I decided to undertake a project that I wasn't going to get to until the new year. It's so nice that it's done. Joe's a little apprehensive about them all sleeping in the same room, but I can't stand the whining of them all wanting to have a "sleep over" and sleep in each others' room anymore. This will cut that out because they will already be together. At least for the next 2 or 3 years, hopefully.
I converted Hyrum and Porter's old room in to their new playroom. Now they can go crazy and hopefully KEEP IT OUT OF MY LIVING ROOM!!!!! Sorry I really hate mess, so the new rule, you bring it down, it better go back up quickly or else mom is throwing it away!!

Here's a close up of Emma and Hyrum's new bunkbed. You can also sort of see the new color I painted the room. Had to repaint the pale blue, because Hyrum had decorated the whole room in drawings of the states and continents. Now although that was cute, it was a mess.
The closet. Hyrum has the dresser, all the rest are in the plastic drawers. I love those things. They have more room in them then most dressers!!! Also, I took the doors off the closet so that the kids wouldn't be able to play with them. They would always bang them against the wall and the wall was chipping.
Here's the bed arrangement. I really like the way it turned out. I just hope that the kids do too. Oh, and I'm hopefully going to go get Porter a new bedset so that he can be special and have a whole set for himself. We'll see.