Merry Chirstmas!

This is our Christmas Card this year. We've grown in number and our friends have too, and it's just too expensive to mail cards. Maybe if you're really lucky you'll get a handmade card in the mail. If not, it's not because we don't love you... We just can't afford the time to make that many... Merry Christmas and enjoy...
Rebecca

Make a Smilebox greeting

Kids say the darn'dest things...

LEAH is saying, "MA MA... MA MA..." and

"NA... NA..." it sounds so much like Anna!

She is such a big talker...

FUNNY STORY:

The other day we came home and there was a huge praying mantis on the door mat. I brought Anna's attention to it and she immediately took a few steps back. (It really was huge!) We watched it for a few seconds and then quickly called daddy over to help it resume it's position on the vine close to the door. As he did Anna preceeded to say, "Thank you daddy for moving sister mantis." We started cracking up... She called it "Sister Manits" all night.

I guess if you are "praying..." you must be a "sister _____..."

It's HaLLoWEeN Time OOooooo

Anna insisted on being a "FRIENDLY" ghost.... I asked her what she wanted LEah to be and she said "a friendly ghost" too! So they both were ghosts. In fact we were all ghosts... Even Carl let me paint his face... I'm afraid we don't have a picture with all four of us... But here are the girls!

DIRT cups... Made by ANNA

Anna made the family home evening treat for us... She enjoyed it thoroughly... See for yourself!

FALL is here!!!

Now that it is NOVEMBER (the middle of...) It's finally starting to cool off... Just the right temperature to be outside and embracing the weather. Thanks to mom and dad, we have a wonderful swingset...

AND we got Leah a baby swing that she LOVES! She wasn't so sure at first but now there is no giggles held back! So fun!

LETS Can some Pears

Daddy was such a big helper! He helped us can one whole box of pears.

It made about 6 quarts and 10 pints... It should be a nice supply for the winter! We love UTAH- produce... We wish we could grow the same yummy tasting fruit but that is impossible here in the Desert... Sigh...

Leah was such a good helper, and then we looked over, and she was OUT! SHe was so tired... I layed her down, no worries, I just had to capture the moment first....

Peek A BOO!

I thought most kids grow out of this game...

But not Anna... Where is she... Can you find her???

Peek A Boo! I was hiding!

Anna thinks she is so sneaky!

(look at the bandaids on her arm... She got her shots... such a tramatic event!, for Anna and mommy!)

"Let me feed Leah MOM"

I thought Rachel would get a kick out of this! Anna insisted on feeding Leah... It got everywhere. Down her outfit and all over her chair... But Anna DID IT!

GOOD NEWS!

Carl's employer decided to keep him on through the winter... Which means they will find any little thing for him to do and not pay us anything extra... But we will remain employed! Thought I'd share the GOOD NEWS! thank you for everyones thoughts and prayers.

Carl's JOB update!

Well, do you want the good news or the bad news! Good news: Carl ranked number 2 for the DPS interview. Which means they pursue the interview process with number 1 until he fails or is hired. Carl then picks up where he left off if he fails or starts as number 1 for the next available opening... SO it's good! We are really excited. We should have the job in a year or so... So it's very hopeful.

Bad news: Carl's current employer found out he applied and wants to potentially lay him off, if he's unavailable to work next year's fire season. Yeah, crappy! So we'll see what he comes up with. Knowing the company, they will procrastinate the conversation so we still have the job and we intend on keeping it, at least till Carl is hired with DPS... We'll see and we would love it for anyone who wants to To: pray for whatever will be best!

Hope everyone is well and has the things they are in need of...

Mud Puddle jUmmPEr!!

So we had a totally Fabulous storm the other night. Anna ran and jumped in the storm, puddles and street! She loved it and had a ball! She enjoyed it for a few minutes till her pants had mud and sand and dirt all over, then she just wanted to get cleaned up. I guess she has a few characteristics from her mom! Here's a few shots from the event!

Just for you Ellee!

Ellee! Here is a picture of one of your beautiful creations! THanks so much!

Leah's First Haircut

Leah was in desperate need of a "new do!" She constantly was teased with the phrase "mullet" the "serious in the front, party in the back!" and I had enough... She was pretty good and we enjoyed the experience.

So we needed new family pictures! Leah get's this bright eyed look on her face EVERY time we try to take pictures! It's so frustrating that she won't just smile. We have a few of her smiling but we can't ever seem to get both Anna, Carl, and I all looking at the same time, I can't even imagine what it must be like with a family of ten! Sheesh... So here is the one we liked best!

I'm officially 24!!!!!!

Crazy I know but the day has arrived. I'm still not half-a-century- old yet! My dad keeps reminding me that next year I'll be exactally that. But I'm thrilled to be older! I feel good. I'm out of shape and have two kids! not to mention a wonderful husband. Life is great! I had a fun day and enjoyed the marking event! Happy Birthday to me!

This picture is one of the most recent- Rachel's Birthday... Kind of silly I know!

Coming up on Lucky Number 5

So Friday Carl and I will have been married Five Years... It's just crazy to think it's been that long. Who knows what we are going to do to celebrate, we have a little one who still wakes up around 5:30 every morning to be fed. Maybe We'll try to send one away! We'll see. Anyway, life is good and the journey is long but it's going to be worth it in the end... To a good healthy marriage, long life and healthy bodies, We celebrate these last five marvelous years!

And the Fire Season Begins...

Hello everyone... I don't know how many of you have blogs and read others, but I wanted to start one and inform everyone the status of our family.

Carl is fighting fire now and looks like will be working a 12 day on and 2 day off hitch despite all our efforts. The new pilot that was hired that was going to share the load has pretty much decided to quit before the season even starts. So I get to be alone, well pretty much, for the duration of the summer. Hopefully we will still make it to Nates Wedding in July.

Leah is getting big and Anna is talking up a storm. Everyone thinks she is three and she is just barely 2 and a half.

I started a "interest group" for Relief Society. It's been really good and I've recieved a lot of interest. I'm looking forward to really getting of the ground with it.

We're good and doing great. I hope everyone is well. Let me know how you like our family blog!

baby leah