The Rest of our Family Pics

Okay, here is the link to the rest of our family pictures.

I love the way they turned out! Love the colors.

Your input would be appreciated! Which family picture do you like the best? Sitting or standing?
Thanks again, Shelly

Finally- some pictures from Disneyland

Here are just a few of our pictures from our trip to Disneyland. My sister has the majority of them and I'm waiting on the disc. But-here's a small sample of how much fun we had!

10 for Tuesday-Random throughts

I can't believe it's another week already.

1- Time really does seem to pass by more quickly now than ever. I remember growing up I would say, "I can't wait until I'm 8 or 12 or 16". My mom would tell me not to wish my life away. And just this morning Parker said, "In a few months, I'll be 7! Then a few more 8! Then a few more.." I told her the same thing my mom told me. "Don't wish your life away!" It's really hard for me to watch my kids grow up! I love it-but it's hard.

2- I need a new camera. Scott and I have been talking about this for months. What I'd really love is a really nice Canon digital that would fit the two lenses I already own for our really nice outdated film version Canon that we bought. Sigh... I guess Christmas is coming up. Maybe then?

3- I love watching my girls dance! Both Parker and Pacie are both taking dance again this year and I am the secretary at their studio. I love it there. It helps that the owner is one of my best friends-but they promote such great things in my girls. Modesty, self confidence...it's just fun to watch them improve.

4- Landon is turning into a naughty boy. HELP! He is so sweet and cute and funny but he is also starting to throw these major tantrums! He's never done it before until the last couple of weeks. Will he grow out of it? (No comment, Lisha! :)

5- I really think about food storage all of the time. I know what we have would not sustain us, should we need it to! We try to do a little here a little there, but I still feel very under prepared. Any great suggestions on that one?

6- I am SO not ready for winter. The snowstorm we had last weekend was the worst. (And yes, it stuck on the ground overnight. SERIOUSLY?) It's only the second week of October. So so sad. Sometimes I think I live in the wrong state.

7- I love fall TV. Yes, I am a little of a "show" junkie. What I did before the days of the DVR I'll never know. (yes, I used to use our VCR to record as much as I could and try to set the timer on that!) Ah, thank you dish for letting me waste time watching shows that I love. (Fringe being our new favorite, Heroes, ANTM, Survivor, CSI, and sadly, the last ER season ever. I know I'm a minority with that one, but I've been a faithful viewer from the start.) There may be a couple more, but I'm not going to admit them. Okay, we watch The Hills.

8- Our daughters are going to be wonderful mommies someday. I watch them with Landon and especially Presley and am so impressed with they way they are with her. Very sweet and already so nurturing. I so appreciate their help.

9- Scott is such a jack of many trades. He always impresses me with his knowledge of how to do random things. Like on our trip to Disney he fixed my sunglasses with a paper clip, some pliers, and some type of metal snipping device. He's really MacGyver. And I mean that in a good way!

10- I am baking Amish friendship bread right now and it smells really good. If you live nearby and would like a start sometime, just let me know! I'd be happy to pass one along.
Have a good week!

Sneak Peek at our Family Pics

I'm still working on the Disneyland photos....
But I do have a sneak peek of our family pictures that were taken a few weeks ago by an amazing girl. (Thanks again, Shelly!)
I can't wait to see the rest of our pictures!

To sneak a peek...click here!

8 Years...."Has it been that long?"

Yes, that was the comment that I got from Scott the morning of our anniversary. :)

This is a couple of days late, but I feel bad not posting and saying something about my amazing husband on our day. So, here it is, a few days late. (I figure since we're celebrating today-I could post today!) Here is a little of our history-in a nutshell.

Scott and I met at the Outback Steakhouse July 7th, 2000. He came in with his dad and a friend for dinner and I was working there. I was not his server-just working on the same side of the restaurant that he was dining in. Right when I saw him, there was some connection. I kept kind of watching him as I was working on my tables. At that time my sister Rachel and a bunch of our friends were also working with us. I had a parade of girls go by to check him out and get their opinion. His server was also keeping me updated on their progress. Well, when she announced that it was time for the desserts and that they were requesting their check, I had to take action. I know it sounds silly to say that I was prompted to go and talk to him, but I seriously was overcome by something that I needed to go and talk to him....NOW. Being the chicken that I was (I've never been that girl to go up and introduce myself to a guy...) I made my sister go for me! She asked him the important info: Age. 28. Married? No. And then said that there was someone that she wanted to set him up with. He replied that "if it was the girl in the red, I am interested." Well, I was the only lady in red that night. I went and talked to him.

For those of you who may not know, Scott is into Motocross. It is his passion. He's been riding since age seven and racing since age eleven. He was in Idaho Falls for a race the next day. I took my mom with me to go watch him and we made plans to meet at Lagoon the following week.

Well, we talked about getting married July 24th, he officially asked me on August 4th and we were married in the Salt Lake temple on October 6th, 2000. Almost 3 months to the day that we met.

Even though it was super quick-no one was concerned that we were making a huge mistake. I was 25, Scott was 29 and I guess we'd both lived enough to know that when it's right, it's right and there's no use trying to delay or deny it! We both knew that we had finally met "the one".

Now, 8 years and 4 kids later- I can say that I am more in love with Scott than ever. He is such an amazing hands on father. Our kids just adore him. He is a great husband who is always looking for ways to make my life easier. He never assumes that it is my "job" to do things, such as housework. He always does as much around the house (he'll say he does more) than I do.

So, Scott. Just to let you know. Even though you don't believe in Soul Mates...you are mine. I know that we were meant to be together. Things just don't work out like they did for us unless it's right. And I'm thankful that you didn't listen to your dad that fateful July evening and that you left the other restaurant you were at to come to mine so that we could meet. Don't know where I'd be without you-and I'm glad I don't have to think about it.

Love you. Happy 8 years together. I know it's just the beginning of a life yet to be lived.

Lucky, indeed.

10 For Tuesday-Disney Edition

Okay, so not only was I out of town for a week, but our Internet has been down for two. Makes me appreciate having it at all!

Disneyland was simply amazing. We had such a great time, and yes I will post pictures when I get them downloaded! Haven't had time to do that yet-things have been c-r-a-z-y with preschool and just catching up since we got back. But here is my 10 for Tuesday-Disney Edition.

Favorite Moments
1- The parade! Watching my kids in utter amazement at all of their favorite characters. Yelling and waving along with them like a maniac! And looking over at my sister and coming to the realization that I wasn't the only one crying with joy and gratitude to my parents for providing this amazing trip for us and our little family.

2- Watching Landon see Lightning McQueen in the parade. He was literally shaking and pointing at him and screaming. So so precious. (It really was a full size race car that looked exactly like him with moving eyes and everything!)

3- Tower of Terror with my mom and dad. Laughing so hard with my brothers and sister that I was literally crying. Having Scott squeeze my hand so tightly. Seeing my dad's face on the pictures outside after we exited the ride. My cheeks hurt just thinking about it!! So So So much fun.

4- Lunch at Ariel's Grotto. We got to meet Ariel, Princess Aurora (sleeping beauty), Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle. Talk about the Jackpot! Parker was literally holding her mouth and screaming when Cinderella was introduced. Priceless. Having a husband who was willing to sit through the princess overload for the happiness of his daughters. Scott, you're an amazing dad.

5- Indiana Jones with my two of my brothers, Rachel and Parker. Listening to Rachel squeal and scream and watching Parker by Tyler, not sure whether to be scared or having fun-and feeling my stomach drop as we avoided the giant ball.....Then going on it again and having Parker and Pacie between Scott and I. So fun to see their reactions!

6- Seeing Mickey and Minnie in their darling Halloween costumes! And seeing it decked out in Fall decoration. Unreal. California Adventure was all Candy Corn. Not quite sure I've even seen anything so cute and so creative.

7- Watching my kids with their cousins. They don't live really close-so it was so much fun for them to be able to spend some real quality time together.

8- Watching my mom and dad watch the grand kids in pure heaven. And wanting to be a part of everything with them.

9- The girl's makeovers at Libby Lu's. They got to choose their hairstyle, get make up and nails done, and choose a tiara and banner to wear. They really felt pampered and to watch them "transform" was so fun. A little insight of things to come.

10- The Beach. Yes it was only 65 degrees, and the locals were looking at us like we were crazy to allow our children to be in swimming suits and to be in the Ocean, but there were no complaints and everyone had a great time-blue lips and all.

Really, we had such an amazing time.
The only thing that would've made it better would have been if Mitch, Sarah and Ari could've been there with us. We really missed them!

Thanks again, mom and dad. You made several dreams come true! Love you!

10 For Tuesday

Okay, my friend Lisha had this on her blog today-and even though it's officially Wednesday, I'm still calling this Ten for Tuesday and giving it a try. Don't know if I'll have it every week, but I'm going to give it a try today.

1. I love Fall. As much as I love summer, and hate seeing it go, I'm always a little excited when the weather starts to turn, the leaves start to change and I can smell "harvest" in the air. I guess growing up in Osgood is the main reason for that. (For those of you who don't live nearby, I grew up in a small farming community and now live right next door to where I grew up. Right next door being a couple of acres away.) I love smelling the dirt at harvest time and seeing the fields all plowed up. I love getting out my jeans and my sweaters. (Most of the time...:)

2. I recently (mid-July) stopped drinking Diet Coke. To any of you who REALLY know me, you know that is a huge feat. Do I miss it? ABSOLUTELY! Do I feel better without it? Most days. Can I now run 3 miles without stopping and feeling like I'm going to DIE? Yes. Will I never ever drink it again? I don't know. But for now, I am all pop free. A love affair ended after (literally) 20 years.

3. I am amazed by my kids. Each of them are so amazing in their own different ways. Parker is reading like I could never have even hoped at her age. When we read scriptures every night, she takes her 5 verses in stride and only needs help with words like "condescension", which I find myself even needing help with. Pacie is so so tenderhearted. She is always watching out for "the one." I am so proud of her for always being the girl to notice and to reach out. Landon is seriously talking up a storm. I love to hear him say things like, "Oh, okay!" and "Okay, I see." Adult talk from one wild little man. Presley is the sweetest little thing. That said, I don't think I've heard a more piercing scream, ever! That girl has got some lungs. I'll have to utilize it at some point.

4. I recently took up embroidery. Just getting started with it, but I am really liking it! I'm starting off with some really simple projects hoping to work up to some more difficult ones. I would really love to learn how to sew. I did make a tooth fairy pillow for Parker a few months back, but that has been the extent of my venturing. I would like to do some aprons for my girls. Encouragement or ideas anyone?

5. I love teaching. I had forgotten how much I love being with children and working with them. I am so grateful that it is one of my talents. It has been so much fun to be able to be creative again and to remember what it's like to do more than just the day to day things that we do as moms.

6. Scott is the best. What more can I say? He is really such a blessing to me and is such a great husband and dad. I know that I am not the easiest to live with all of the time. I leave lights on. I don't always pick up after myself. I am not very structured (although I feel that I am getting better) I am NOT good with finances. But despite my faults, and yes there are many, he loves me anyway and always makes me feel special. Our anniversary is next Monday. Year #8. Sometime I will post our story. Just know that we met on July 7th, were (unofficially) engaged July 24th-(officially August 4th) and married on October 6th. He really is my best friend.

7. Speaking of friends, I love my friends. I feel so fortunate to have been blessed with so many women who "get" me. I can't list them all for fear that I will miss someone. But-I hope-you know who you are! And really, we need to plan a girls night soon! I guess Twilight is coming out in a couple months....can we wait that long?

8. Reading is so my escape! I love to read. I was in the library the other day and was just thinking that maybe I missed my calling in life. I should've become a librarian. (just kidding, but I do love the library) I am in heaven in the library and could spend hours there. Call me a nerd. I know. I am a bookworm...and I love it!

9. I don't want to admit this...but I am addicted to the computer. I am compulsive about checking my e-mail, facebook and blogs that I follow. Okay. It's said. I know Scott will agree. Any suggestions on become less attached?!

10. I love my life. No, things are not perfect. I would like more money and less stress on our household each week when the bills roll in. I would like a years supply of food in my food storage so I don't start panicking when I get e-mails (maybe I shouldn't check so often) about how the prices of things are only going up and up and up. I wish I were more organized. And that I was more disciplined with my time. But ya know, despite these things-I just feel so very very blessed. My family is amazing, my marriage is holding strong-my kids are the joy of my days. What more could a girl ask for?