Summer 2009

I have fallen so far behind in blogging that it has now taken me two days to catch up. With these last few random pictures of Claire being "a bucket head" and Reese loving my homemade salsa you can now view in several blogs the events of our summer. I am still missing two videos that I must share with you from the Gifford Family Reunion, but I am still trying to edit them. So please take the time to read the next 10 or so blogs if you wish. I have to remind myself that I really do this for myself and my family, the rest of you can humor me if you wish.

I love to see the Temple 8/9/2009

I must share this with all of you out there. This month's theme in Primary is on the Blessings of the Temple. That being said I borrowed this from a friend of mine who made it for his wife who took it to girls camp. The Temple stands about 6ft at the Angel Moroni and it made out of Styrofoam. It is put together in pieces and is lite from within. The workmanship is amazing to say the least. The Children loved it. It brought a reverence to the room. I used it as a backdrop while I took the JR. Primary on a "open house" of the temple, and while I discussed with the SR. Primary the importance of preparing now to go to the Temple. It was a very affective tool. Many thanks to the very talented Peter Jensen. Where would we be with out you and the vision of your wife Marisa.

Skateboarding Lessons 8/4/2009

Despite anything I might have to say about it Lance and our neighbor, Shannon cooked up a 30 minute skateboard lesson. The first I heard about it was when Lance came upstairs and announced that Shannon was going to teach him how to skateboard. I had no idea he even knew what a skateboard was. Shannon did a good job of letting him get the feel of the board by first sitting on it, pushing himself around the sidewalk and down the driveway. Of course once Reese saw this she had to be a part of the fun too. By the end Lance was able to stand up on the board for a few seconds at least. Pushing the board forward on his own is a lesson for another day.

Happy Birthday Alicia 7/30/2009

What would life be like without good friends. Something that I have rediscovered the last few years is the joy that having true friends can bring to ones life. I had great friends growing up (they are still my great friends), but for a while it seemed like life just didn't permit the time for such things. But a few years ago I learned that inviting people into your life has it rewards. Alicia is one of those people. She is always saying "Some people just get it" and she is correct. She get it, and she gets me. Thanks Alicia for being such a wonderful friend and thanks for sharing this time in our lives with me. I hope that this years is a wonderful one. Happy Birthday.

Getting so Big 7/26/2009

Reese is growing up so fast. She can now do somersaults and jump off the ground with both feet. She is getting even more teeth and loves to get into everything. She knows if you try and give her only half of a cookie or a piece of candy, and if she doesn't like what you give her to eat she looks at you with a funny face and says "No". Her favorite thing to say is "I don't know". She loves to dance and twirl and is getting more fun to have around. However she can throw a fit that rivals those of Claire's. Temper or not we still love her to bits.

Michelle and Diana's baby shower 7/23/2009

Two of my good friends are expecting baby girls in August. Their due dates are one day apart. Both of them are having girls and so a group of us got together and threw them a combined baby shower. It was real fun. Lots of gifts, lots of ladies, lots of good food, and lots of fun of course.

Alica always decorates so cute.

Michelle Jensen 8 plus months pregnant

Diana Sidwell 8 plus months pregnant

What a fun present

Michelle and one of her presents

Diana and one of her gifts.
Good luck ladies my the last nine months of your life
bring you an eternity of joy.

First Fruits 7/12/2009

When we came home from Idaho I found ripe tomatoes on my plants. Alicia (my neighbor who was caring for my plants) was kind enough to let me pick them myself. They probably should have been picked a few days before. I can't tell you how excited I was and how good they tasted.

Reese's First Photo Shoot 4/5/2009

While we were at mom and dad's we thought that we would take advantage of their beautiful yard and shoot some pictures of Reese. We were hoping to find one worthy of hanging on the wall. There are a few that made the cut but have not yet made it to the wall. Why am I so bad at that.

Lance's Photo Shoot 4/5/2009

Of course Lance wanted his picture taken too!! The difference here is that I gave my camera to my niece and Lance choose the spots and the poses. I think when my children see a camera they get all cheesy and play it up.

Before I forget!!! week of Aug 9th 2009

Kids say the funniest things. Here are a few random things that have been said around this house.

Lance: "Mom when I become a grown up I won't yell at kids."

Claire: "I am going to go to grandma's house to plant flowers on my mission."

Claire: " I don't want to go to heaven, I want to stay home."

Claire: "Mom!! my pooh is to busy to come out, maybe tomorrow."

Claire: "Mom will you make me chocolate chip cookies" ......"I will watch you while you make them, while you put them on the sheets I will lick the spoon, while they are baking I will smell them, and when they are done cooking, I will eat them." (maybe she is a little obsessed with food)

Claire: "I have three dreams but I can't share them with you because they are a secret."

Claire: "Mom did you keep they secret I told you?" yes "I want it back now."

Lance: "I want to be together with my dad, and mom, and Claire, and Reese FOREVER."

Lance: in an attempt to stay up later, "Mom you look lonely. Don't worry I'll keep you company."

4th of July 2009

We had a great 4th of July in Idaho this year. Of course as I posted earlier we started off the day by doing a 5k with my some of my family. Afterwards we went to the Rexburg parade. The kids loved the parade because of all the candy that they get thrown at them by the passing floats and other parade entries. After the parade Lance learned to ride a real four wheeler, much like his father he was a natural. That evening my Nephew Kaden received his Eagle at a Court of Honor held... well in his honor. We also got a chance to adore my sisters Shaunna's new grand baby; Boston. He is such an adorable baby. He was blessed the next day by his father Justin.

Block Party 6/27/2009

Every year we have a neighborhood block party. They close off the street leading into the development and set up a giant water slide. There is great food, fun, and snow cones. Lance loved the slide and could not be bothered with the food. Reese went down the slide a few times with the neighbor girl, but mostly her and Claire hung out near dad and ate their snow cones while I went around and caught up with neighbors. We are really lucky to live in such a great neighborhood.