It's about DARN time!!

So here I sit surrounded by girlfriends, taking one BIG deep breath. Grateful for the birds, creek, and wind through the leaves of the trees that have answered my SERENITY NOW cry; I am ready to blog. I'd like to take a second to catch up everyone (or anyone for that matter) of the adventures that we as a family have been experiencing.
FIRST: I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF MY HUBBY! He completed 18 credits this semester, is 6cr. shy of his degree, and is now accepted into the Education Certification Program. It's been three years that he started this school thing; filled with ups, downs, and an extremely overbearing wife but he was patient, worked hard, and has accomplished an amazing goal.
SECOND:  Easter/Spring BLISS!

 THIRD: BIRTHDAYS!! Both Kenidy and I completed another year. I had been looking back over the year and my "34 Dreams" post seems like it was just yesterday. And yet, I have had some of the most amazing experiences; well above 34 - so I feel completely blessed. I am not very excited about the fact that I am getting older, but I am trying to do it gracefully... fighting every gray hair that pops up. My cute new phone though is really making life fun!  I'd post a picture, but BLOGGER is buggin' out right now. In any case it's the Droid Aris, and I custom made a skin that's all cute 'n stuff - hehe ;D

Now that we are all caught up (well enough to get a move on) I'd like to showcase my latest endeavor: crochet and knitting! I don't have my knitting done, but look how DARN TOOTIN' CUTE the blankets are that I did for my soon to come niece Reagan.

I know they're pretty cute. I think my mom would be completely surprised that I did this, but all in good time. Which makes me think... I better not get angry with Kenidy when she doesn't want to learn or do things when I want her to learn or do things.  

ALL IN GOOD TIME! 

 Right Keni!

Friday Night Concert

How do you like these rock and roll kids! We have been having so much fun the past couple of weeks playing with our kids on Friday nights. For Valentines I got Beatles Rock Band and absolutely LOVE IT! Kenidy and I sing our favorites Dear Prudence, Here Comes the Sun, and so many others (including from the other games) while the boys, including Aaron play the guitar and sweet rowdy Roman plays the "Elmo drums" - It is a ton of fun, and we end up just smiling from ear to ear as our kids TOTALLY GET INTO IT (as you can see from the photos). This Friday I decided to take some pictures and video. SO - if you have a couple of minutes please enjoy the Miller Family Friday Night Concert! Believe me it gets better as it goes. I'm also posting this picture of Keni - because well,  

SHE IS FABULOUS DARLING!

 

THANKSGIVING!

This year we had a great time at the Millers. It is an exciting time as we are in great anticipation for Aaron's brother Benjamin to come home December 19th from his mission. I do need to say that the first picture and the last picture are two heros for me this year. My dear cousin Trudi and her girls stayed up all night and was able to get Zhu Zhu pets for my kids... yes THREE ZHU ZHU PETS + their home, a car, and slides that will just be fantastic for the kids. THANK YOU TRUDI and girls!!! Also, this year Aaron came with me to doorbust WALMART! WHAT.... yea you heard me - WALMART! It wasn't too bad as we were not getting a ton of stuff as this year we are taking the kids to a special place. Yea - I'm not even writing it out for fear that they may for some reason see the name and find out. In any case - I'm excited for the season of joy and happiness!

BRING ON CHRISTMAS!!!

new fun...

So during my lunch break today I started going through my FABULOUS browser sites listed below and click - click - click I came across this fun new site, Photovisi, that will do my collages for me FOR FREE!!

FABULOUS!
(I didn't have all of the pics "PSed" - photo shopped - which would make this even better)

I am so excited because what can normally take me hours to do took me literally (and I mean the literally that my BBFF - "blog best friend forever" - Lisa, that's Blue and Shoe under the list, speaks about. Which by the way you should totally read!) TWO MINUTES!

Don't my boys look so handsome - and Keni - well she just is GORGEOUS DARLING ;)

So this is a collage of my beautiful munchkins having fun at the Scarecrow Festival with their cousins at Thanksgiving Point. They had a ball (not literally), going on all the blow-up toys, playing little carnival games, and getting their face painted. The best was when my dear nephew Hayden exclaimed what I had wanted to say the whole time, but keeping my mouth shut as to not destroy the fun for the kids... "THESE SUCK" - so true, so true Hayden. Your mom and I could have TOTALLY done a better job at painting your cheeks - but it did go to a good cause! Next time though - I AM SOOOOO going to just ask that I paint their cheeks for them. I'll still give them the 2$ (I want my 2 dollars - had to be said) just give me the paint and brush.

Well, I can't leave today's entry with out a shout-out to all my NEW MOON FRIENDS! Can hardly wait to see the wolftastic movie tonight! I LOVE MY LIFE :D

Snowed in

This year's first 'real' snow fall came while the Keni and I were at a girls weekend up at my aunt's cabin. We had a fun time hanging out with family. The snow was beautiful, and we were glad to be up in the mountains where it was just divine. The trip started off by a fake out sighting of a moose, and ended with 8 ounces of projectile down my chest - somewhere in the middle, actually the whole middle was working with the Dish Network to get the Jazz game, too bad they lost (although it was a great game). I am very lucky to be a part of a family with so many AMAZING, FUNNY, and BEAUTIFUL women!

CLICK TO CONNECT TO MORE PICS!
Katie and Deanna also blogged about this weekend.

Scooby Doo Halloween

This year we are having a lot of fun being the Scooby Doo clan. It worked out perfect with my new hair do... I just had to let it grow out longer then I originally had planned so I am counting the days for when I can get it fixed. But all in all we look pretty close... and my costumes are re-usable as regular clothes! LOVE THAT!!

School Pictures!

So this morning we got ready for school pictures. The kids had a lot of fun picking out their clothes and getting their hair done. Well, kind of... after Keni's hair was half way curled she started to get a little anxious and wanting breakfast. So we went as quick as possible - but I started to realize her hair wasn't curling like it had been. Then it dawned on me that the flat iron was not heating up. UGH! So she ate a little breakfast while the old school curling iron heated up. They both ended up looking too cute for words. Rhett came home and said he had a couple 5th & 6th grade girls call him 'cutie.' Because I don't buy the pics until I see them, I took a quick photo of them for the record.

Boredom in class - trouble - devistated mommy...

So yesterday after homework was done, and we were eating dinner I noticed Kenidy's hair was not looking quite right. I began to panic - and excused Kenidy from my sight. I was afraid I would either physically or mentally abuse her because of the travesty she had committed to her hair. I didn't know that I would respond quite as drastic as I did because I would have guessed due to my mother's experience with loosing hair to chemo that hair wouldn't be that big of a deal. But when I had my Keni, and she had her beautiful long hair I made a decision to do everything possible to keep it long, healthy and beautiful. It became her trademark, AND NOW - she had made cuts shoulder high that would not be easy to fix. I also am ashamed that I let it affect me so -

It all happened at school. She was bored, couldn't find paper to cut while the other kids were finishing their craft project, and thus - snip, snip. My first response is to beat down her teacher for not watching her more closely, then I realize that is not the solution. So I would love to hear from anyone reading what you think, if anything, I should do.

In the mean time, here are the pictures of what my FABULOUS hair dresser was forced to do to make things as best as they can be. THANKS COURTNEY!! You were so understanding of my devastation, and hopefully Keni will listen to you.

practice with photoshop...

So as some of you know I have been having fun with photoshop and photography. Now I am still waiting to get a really good camera, not just my point and shoot. But I don't have the money right now, and really it is just for fun with my scrap booking. None the less, I thought I'd share some of the pictures I've been taking and doodling around with -

First (actually second) Day of School...

The first day of school is a tough one when every single member of the family is starting classes, including mom and dad. However, after getting through that day we were able to get the swing of it and pictures were taken, well of the kids. Aren't they sooo cute! It's also been a lot of fun to hear of their adventures everyday. Some good, some not so good, and some just down right hilarious. Roman is dealing with 'kissy girls', Keni is a star reader, and Rhett is just as talkative as a kid could be. I am trying to remember to not wish any day a way - some are easier then others.

I wanna be in a PARADE!

On July 24th, as the family watched the Utah Pioneer Parade on television, my sweet Keni said, "Mom, I want to be in a parade!" I explained that the parade season was coming to an end and that there was not much I could do this year, but maybe next year. Kenidy is a very smart girl, and decided to take her desire to the only person she knew could help - the Lord. I heard her pray that night that she could 'make it in someones parade.' What faith she has because that next week I recieved an email from my cousin Katie that said Maddie (a neice on Roy's Cheerleading squad) was wondering if Keni and Skyler would like to do a Cheer camp and then 'perform' at Roy's parade. WELL, faith of children is great! And so my little sweet heart got her prayers answered and was able to participate in the Roy City Parade.

BY THE WAY...
Keni's father is an alumnae of ROY HIGH SCHOOL
however, it's her mother's arch nemesis
(as high schools go any way - GO CHS).

Dino & Clinton Firework Fun!

We had a lot of fun this weekend. First we went and saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince as a family, then met up with Tag & Thesha who were watching the Bodily boys at Dinosaur Park. We laughed hard when the boys started getting into the water fountain. And the kids loved seeing all the dinosaurs. After we went to Arctic Circle for dinner, where Tag had an 'accident.' Who would have thought. Finally, on Saturday we ended it with a bang watching Clinton's fireworks with everyone! We had a lot of fun, and we are very lucky to have such fun families!! This is one of my favorite things about summers!

I am just having so much fun with my new photography passion!! Do you love this OR WHAT! Thanks to all those who give me such inspiration. A lot of the sites that I go to for ideas are listed below in my 'Let's browse - FABULOUS' section. This was taken at the 'OAKS' up the canyon. I love these photos and am excited to continue with this photography/publisher stuff! I am holding my breath for when I can purchase Photoshop!

Let's Fish!

July 10th = Tommy Lasorda Day in Ogden!

To hear more about why Ogden has a 'Tommy Lasorda Day' click me! In any case it was a nice surprise to see him the day we decided to go to the game. We love going to sporting events as a family and this was a great night!

Ready for another summer Tuesday -

This summer I have my work set up so that I can spend all day Tuesday with my kids. I usually try to get to bed early so I can wake up and make them a fabulous breakfast, get the chores started and some of them done, and then plan for a fun activity for the afternoon. Aaron has a full day of classes and work so we don't see him until dinner time, which is usually around 7:30 during the summer. So it's me and the kids. I will admit that sometimes I have to talk myself into that day being special, but usually if I plan well it goes great!

A couple of weeks ago My kids and I were able to spend an afternoon reading, listening to music, and swimming. We also did a little Karaoke, and Rock band. Below is Kenidy singing one of her favorite songs - love you sis! I love having these special days with my kids. I hope they will remember them as much as I will cherish them. I am listing this post as one of my 34 dreams because it has always been a dream to have fabulous kids and be able to spend time with them having fun! They are each others best friends and I am a very lucky mom.

"Give me liberty or give me death"...

This year for the fourth we awoke to our sweet Kenidy throwing up with a stomach ache. Knowing her like I do I knew I was either going to be sitting at home with her crying her eyes out and sick or trying her best to be happy at the events and sick. So the mommy that I am (I don't know if this is good or not) I brought her along for the fun.
She was exhausted by mid afternoon and took a nap with her cousin Hayden who had strep. (sp?)
My favorite picture though is of the two boys going up for candy at the parade. They all got lots of treats, and we had fun at Grandma & Grandpa Millers that night where Heather and Ryan treated us all to a
Southern Shrimp and Lobster Boil!! YUMMY!!
Oh and fireworks, Yea! Roman this year was not liking the fireworks and told Uncle Ryan after shooting off the first one, "OK, I'm done."

Cousins Visit from North Carolina!

Starting off the summer...

I love that we went to Burger Bar! Aaron and I would go here when we were kids, and have fond memories of this place with our families. It's fun to bring our kids here now. Who knows their spouse could have been in the car right next to ours.... yikes, I think there were some crazies next to us. Oh no, that's probablly what Aaron's family would have said too! I better be careful what I say - right!?!

How much fun can four girls have...

Well we definitely had a blast at the concerts. And I don't have any pictures of Aaron and I at No Doubt, but we were awefully close and had the times of our lives.
I am barely getting my voice back.
As for Kenidy, Skyler, Katie and I - well, really it was one of the most memorable moments as a mom of the cutest girl in the world!
I would HIGHLY recommend attendingTaylor Swift with your daughters... especially after I saw the interview Gayle King did of her on Sunday (see below).

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