Brigham's New Girlfriend

Here is Brigham's new puppy "Eva". He is very proud of her and loves her very much. She is great company for him. Her sweet face allows her to get away with naughty things (like peeing on the floor and chewing on everything she can reach including dad's pant leg). He is busy training her to sit and also to stand on her hind legs. Pretty high tech for a puppy?. We will keep you updated on how she does. Maybe before long we will put her in the circus where she do her tricks!

Can you believe that Kennedy is nearly three? In just a few weeks my baby will be three! I still can't get over it. Time has just gone by so fast. Today she started Pre-school. Tammy Farnsworth has a class that Kennedy attends. Now, for those of you who know Tammy who better to entrust your child with! I knew she would be in good hands and I wanted her to have the opportunity to spend time with other kids her age since she is an only child. I thought she may cry but as soon as we got there and they lined up she turned to me and said "bye mom" it actually made me sad. Driving home I thought I have no baby or other children to tend to at home what will I do? Well, to be honest I found plenty but I did miss her.
When it came time to be picked up the door opened and out came eight little preschoolers with their papers and crowns they had made. It was the cutest thing ever. She told me all about how she loved school. She did ask me to bring Paige today when I went to drop her off so of course Paige got to be a part of Kennedy's first day.

Kimby

If you didn't already know I LOVE my Kimby! She cracks me up and I love to do an impression of how she runs so fast and the top portion of her body is leaning forward while her little arms swing back and forth.
Kobie was here in the valley last weekend and called to say she was at Kohl's and Kimber was being naughty. She asked if she could bring her over to my house for a while. Of course I said yes. When Kobie came over she ended up taking Kennedy and I took Kimber with me to the grocery store. She was hilarious. I put her in one of the carts that looks like a car and she immediately put both of her feet up on the steering wheels and pretended to drive with her feet.
Of course a trip to the store wouldn't be the same without a cookie so I let her have the one she wanted. Can you tell she loved it.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!! One year older and wiser too? Well, now that you have a degree from ASU this year you are spreading the wiser to your first grade class. We love you and appreciate all you do for our family. Hope your birthday is a special one. Here are a few reasons why we love you.
You love a good laugh, it cracks me up that you nearly cry when you laugh so hard.
You always support us kids in our decisions no matter how small they may be.
You are a good sounding board and friend when it comes to talking.
My personal favorite, you taught your girls the meaning of natural childbirth and it's importance.
Wow, you gave birth 10 times with NO pain medication.
You make a mean spaghetti and meatballs.
You are a very organized person, everything has it's place.
You do what's right when its right and you are not afraid to stand up for the truth.
When you make up your mind to do something you go for it all the way.
You love your family and that is what matters most.
Happy Birthday Mom!!

Star Light Star Bright

When Doug and I went to Home Depot a few weekends ago to buy paint for Kennedy's playroom it somehow turned into lets paint Kennedy's bedroom. Doug is a master at painting and likes to be the color coordinator. I was happy to comply. I loved the color choice as well as the theme. Stars!!
I love the curtains they are so cute and go with the room so well. We did buy her bedroom furniture but returned it and are again on the hunt for a new set. In the mean time she sleeps in her crib. I know she is almost three but hey.
Doug did so good with the stars he painted, the are perfect. I need to finish the accent wall with the shelves and add photos to the frames but it still looks cute as a work in progress.
My friend in my ward does vinyl lettering and printed the I am like a star shining brightly as well as the Kennedy lettering for her wall. Its the perfect touch. The photos don't do the room justice seeing it in person is all the better. But, I do have to say I just love it.

PUTT GOLFER PUTT!!!!!!

heres last p-day! we went golfing for my last time. haha

Why We Love Raven Drive

When Doug and I decided to move a year and a half ago all I prayed for was to have good neighbors that we could be friends with. I couldn't have asked for better!! How lucky am I that both my neighbors are in my ward AND we all have little girls with in months of age to each other. Its so nice to call and ask a favor what ever it is. Its fun when we all get together with our husbands and go to dinner or get ice cream. We love to all go riding together with the kids too! Its been such a blessing to have them live so close and Kennedy couldn't ask for better friends to play with. Aren't these gals cute!

The Magic Bus

Here we go! This bus is used for hauling hay around. I thought that Dad would like this. It is prime for Rez hunts. Pile a bunch of indians in the back and you are good to go!

What an engine!!!

Here is the stop. This is one of the BIG locomotives!!! We need 16 cylinders for the REZ hunts!

You know we are #1

Oh man I couldnt resist. We had to represent and let everyone know we are number one.

Ready, Set, Go...Learning is Fun!

Well after many, many hours of preparation my classroom is ready to go! Just a little explaination about the pictures. The first pic shows a large flower. That is my own creation and I am very proud of it! I was very happy with the result. The next picture displays our classroom theme "Bugs" and also the birthday wall.

I couldn't resist the picture of Annie at my desk...she is a natural. Maybe someday she will walk in my footsteps.

The last picture is a view from my door. 25 little desks for 25 little 1st graders! There you have it, what is going on at Ranch Elementary in room 403. Stop by sometime and I will give you the grand tour! Mrs. R.

Best Buds

This is Elder Gwynn and I in action. We are too much alike. Eek everyone better stear clear!

Tornado???!!!

This video is for Annie. She said she wanted to hear what a tornado siren sounded like. Well in my opinion it sounds a little errie. As if I should expect alien ships to be seen on the horizon like war of the worlds!

Birthday

Hey now! Its my birthday!

The 1st two are pictures from Sister Chapmans package. I got that tie in there, Ilove it.

This weekend while Addie and Kennedy were playing together Addie decided they should trade sandals. Addie's sandals were a bit big on her and she wanted to wear Kennedy's which were a bit small on her. They traded and it so happened Addie's sandals fit Kennedy better and vice-versa. Kobie and I laughed at how funny it was that Kennedy had such big feet and Addie's were so much smaller. Doug and I thought it would be a good idea to buy Kennedy a pair shoes that fit her feet. On the way he told Kennedy she had ski's for feet. Kennedy thought it was great, she had no idea what he meant.
Well, were were in a hurry and decided to stop at Wal-Mart. They had nothing!! It was slim pickins. I happened to find one pair of flip flops that were semi decent and decided for a few bucks they were fine. We headed out and on the way Kennedy spotted some Barbie shoes. Holy smokes they were hideous!! She wanted them so bad. I being a sucker let her have them. When Doug saw them he about died. I laugh because who cares, they are hideous but she loves them. When I woke up this morning and saw them I laughed, they are ugly!!

Some Fun In Nebraska

That darn CAT!

This cat is a little pest. It hates its owners but it loves me. I was helping a man in the branch with his house and during a little break, the cat jumped up on my lap and started to rub its head against mine and purr really loud. It must have known who I was. I think I should send it home in a box for the princess.

Wellsville Balloon Festival

This was a really fun week. Every year, people come from all around to see all of the hot air balloons that launch off here. I saw some pretty neat ones. The Energizer Bunny balloon is taller than the Statue of Liberty!

Not much to see...YET!

I realize that there isn't much to see in my classroom yet...but give me a few days and I am going to transform Room 403 into a place that will be the envy of all 1st grade. Please be sure to check back in a few days after I have untangle the desks and chairs, create bulletin boards, and added some special touches!

And the award goes to...

Paige has to be the most tolerant dog I know. Ever since Kennedy was born she has loved her beyond comprehension. She is always so patient and lets Kennedy sometimes get a little too rough and never snaps, growls or bites.
Yesterday I went into check on her as she was watching her morning cartoons and discovered she decided to "doll up Paige" with some hair clips.
Now mind you there are SIX clips, not all can be seen. Paige didn't even move. They were piercing her ears and bending them in ways that had to hurt.
Even if Paige runs away at every opportunity I have to say she really is a good family dog!

More & More Drywall

Where ever I go I end up doing some drywalling. It's just crazy! No one knew how to fix it so I signed up. Me and Elder Elder Pinchack pached it up. We didn't have enough drywall. If you zoom up to the finished picture there is a 2 nich gap at the bottom! They didn't give us enough drywall! So, the tim covered the gap and life goes on.

Meet the Kaizers

Here they are! Isn't it a small world? I thought Jordy would like this one. So, I now know Jordans MTC companions' parents. They only have one picture of Jordan. Come to find out...it's the back of his head. They all lined up for a picture and he turns around! Thats my

brother.

Junk Trailer!

Remember the guy I told you about that had the redneck wedding? Well he is moving. It seems inevitable but I cannot get away from big blue trailers and junk. He has tons of junk! So I had to load that baby down and tie it up! I thought Dad would appreciate this!

Houston we have contact!

The most important thing I have learned being a parent is that every child learns differently and at different times.

I said a lot of "I'll never" before Kennedy was born and have had to eat my hat on more than one occasion.

But, I have found with trial and error comes reward. Today was one of those days.

After a long bought with attempted potty training and no success I all but gave up. I tried all the things people suggested but as I said all children learn different and what works for one may not work for another.

For the past couple days Doug and I have told Kennedy if she went on the big potty we would take her to get pizza and buy her a big girl bed. Finally today she decided to take us serious. She went into the bathroom got on her potty and let go! Holy smokes she did it. She filled that thing up. Doug and I couldn't believe it, finally. Then Doug turns to me and says "I think we are out a couple hundred bucks now." We even thought it was a fluke until an hour later when she decided to go again.

I guess a posting about potty isn't a big deal to you but it was momentous to Doug and I.

Happy 4th of July!

I hope that everyone had a great 4th of July. Here are a few of the pictures from our party...

Now is this a tailgate party or what!?
And a Happy Engagement Anniversary to Heather and Doug!

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do a little 4th of July post. Yes, I am proud to be an American and live in a free country where I have the right to make my own choices and live as I wish. But, the 4th of July holds another special meaning for me. July 4th is the anniversary of Doug and I's engagement. It has been our tradition every year since to celebrate the 4th watching fireworks put on by Central Christian in Mesa where our original engagement took place. However, sadly this was the first year since our engagement that they chose not to hold this event. I was sad but honestly its always fun to spend time with Doug on the 4th no matter where it is. We laugh about where we were 8 years ago and how far we have come. We have so much to be thankful for and have been blessed beyond measure.We had a great evening, thanks to Ben and Briana who had us over to their house for a BBQ and fireworks at Brianas parents, who live only a stones throw from Shnepf's Farms where the fireworks for Queen Creek were held this year. It was lots of fun!