Fall Festival #1

This past weekend the school held their annual Fall Festival. We suited the children up in their gear (Navie cheerleader, Blakely Snow White, Jag Boxer & Greer chicken) and headed out. We spent a wonderful evening at the school with friends and family. They had bounce houses and a haunted house. Music was playing and cake walks with goodies to win. There was a parade and prizes along with food and candy galore! The kids had such a great evening and they really enjoy seeing their school buddies. Once Halloween comes we are hoping that Jag grows fonder of his costume. There is a suit that you put on him that has muscles and a champions belt hooked to it. While I was trying to get Jag dressed he looked at me and said "Mom I don't want boobies!" I spent forever trying to convince him that they were muscles and not "boobies" however he still opted to not wear the main part of the costume and only put on the robe and gloves! I don't know what got into him a lot of people would die for those kind of "muscles" or "boobies!"

A night under the STARS!

Ryan recently told the girls how he used to sleep outside as a kid on his trampoline. Of course after the story was told the kids wanted nothing more than to do the same. Now Mommy said "No WAY!" There is a definite reason that I was born when the luxuries of beds and feather pillows were around. I do enjoy camping if it involves fishing, or the best when it involves a cabin. I just don't think I was up to the camp out that evening. It has been getting chilly at nights around here so with the girls (including Hailey and Lauren) all bundled up and Jag and Ryan armed with their flashlights we set up the tramp. I got out every heavy blanket and also soaked the kids in some bug spray for precautionary reasons. The children were so excited they could not stop talking about their special camp out. Ryan scoring some major points pulled the car around back and hooked up the TV DVD player and they watched a movie and ate snacks as well. Around 1 am I woke up to my little girls climbing in bed with me and Jag had somehow already come inside and was already asleep in my bed. I guess waking up outside wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Props to Hailey Lauren and Dad that pulled it together and stayed outside all evening long. Overall it was a great memory and I am so happy that the children are getting to create memories with us. Although I am not planning another night time sleep out, the laundry lasted me for days!!!

Suns Game!

Ryan got ahold of some tickets to the Suns preseason game and thought it would be a great way to spend some quality "boys time!" Since Tanners birthday was the day before the extra ticket went to him. They had great seats and Tanner even made the big screen as the "Best FANS ever!" Ryan said that Jag hardly blinked the whole game he was so excited. He taught him to say "go suns," he also came home and told me that he "BOOed!" I guess you do need to know them both for games. They got popcorn, cotton candy, and stomach aches to go with the entertainment! Afterwards they hung around and got to shoot some free throws and take pictures on the floor. Overall the boys had a great time and would love to visit the Suns again. As well as the rest of the family!!! Go SUNS!

Dress- Up

The other day I had turned my back for a moment and heard some laughter that seemed like it needed some acknowledgement so I turned to see these two goofing around. Lately Jag has gotten a little rough with Greer and we have to keep reminding him that she is just a baby! But this day they were actually getting along and having a swell time. Jag was dressing up Greer in his ball caps. She actually kept them on her head and laughed and laughed about it. I got some quick shots of it before Greer could reach me. She instantly crawls to any camera that is down at her level!!! Love you kiddos...

Night at the Dodge!

Thanks to our fabulous neighbors the Bogans we had an incredible night at the Dodge theatre, I might add in a private suite. They invited us and a few of our friends to the Frank Caliendo show that evening. Since they are good friends with Frank we got the added bonus of meeting him before the show and taking some pictures and mingling. We also got to meet his opening act (which the name eludes me at the moment) but he was a hilarious man as well. Overall it was a great evening filled with laughter and good friends. I must give the award for most entertaining to Ben Stapley due to his contagious roar and excitement. There is nothing like being around pure entertainment and constant humor. I love to laugh and boy it sure makes your worries disappear and your cares float away. I think we could all use some extra laughter now a days and I got my fill for sure on Saturday evening! Thanks Bogans we owe you big time!

Welcome

Tylee Afton Jardine

Sept. 29th 4:08 pm

7 pounds 6 ounces

19.5 inches long

Proud Parents Jonathan & Jaimie

plus baby brother Creed

Reflecting

I sit here this evening sorrowed by yet some more sad news. Some friends of ours just lost their 28 year old sister in law to cancer and she leaves behind a husband with four very young children. It has been a whirlwind this past month to say the least. We have watched a close family struggle after losing their 6 month old son to a heart defect, a close family friend close to death after a severe heart attack, a father with brain cancer and an unknown future, a political un-justice brought against someone we cherish, families that have lost their homes, family members troubled by lifes' journey, many good people looking for jobs to try to help support families, divorces, a friend whos' son just had his eye removed due to cancer, a great woman and mother in our ward that starts her chemo very soon for breast cancer. I am shocked at how much seems to be taking place that can be classified as "unfair" or "why me" experiences. No doubt there are times in my life where I feel that I am being "punished" so to say, but as I look at all that is taking place around me lately I can't help but to say to myself "Why not me!" I feel so overwhelmingly blessed and fortunate. I can't express to my Heavenly Father enough how grateful I am to have been spared some challenges that I feel so many others are having to endure. It does not mean that I do not suffer with these souls that are suffering. I have done a lot of crying and a lot more praying. I have felt pain, sadness and despair with family and friends that are swallowed up in tragedy. I mourn with those that mourn and grieve along side others. I am fully aware that my time will come to be tested and tried to be thrown into the refiners fire. I feel that we are all given our individual challenges in order to try to perfect our beings. We must pass through the sorrow to see the blessings. I have not experienced much yet in my life but I can tell you that what I have been through has taught me one very monumental lesson. I am not alone! There have been times in my short life that I have truly felt surrounded by angels and the presence of a spiritual calmness. I try daily to see blessings through sadness and happiness through pain. I am not even near perfect but I feel that I am trying hard to be positive with lifes' challenges. A very special person once told me that only "You can make you happy!" I am praying for everyone that has been afflicted by sorrow and want you all to know that there are reasons for the pain some that we wont find out for a very long time but everything will eventually be answered. Love to all!