Summer Sights around our house

It has sure been fun having some chickens. We bought some little chicks a couple of months ago, and they are growing pretty fast but last week Wayne brought home four fully grown chickens. So we have been having fun collecting eggs. Building our chicken coop has been a pretty big project too, but it has turned out really nice. The kids love to watch and feed them in their little "outside room" When we first completed it Anna and Megan were excited to go see it and ended up on the inside with the chickens. It was funny because Wayne only built a little tiny door for the chickens to use, but Anna and Megan thought it worked just fine for them too!

 

 

We have also had a lot of fun picking "wildflowers". Anna remembered this adventure from last year and started asking to go pick some about a month ago. We have been every week since. Right now they are all in full bloom. It is so wonderful to live where we do and have some land to go explore.

 

Wayne surprised me with some roses last week. We were "racing" home from his parents house because we both had a car out there and of course Anna and I beat Wayne and Megan by a long time. After waiting for about 10-15 mins though we started to get worried. Then my sweet husband showed up at the door with a surprise hiding behind his back. The girls were excited and asked lots of questions... "Why did Daddy give you Roses?" "Do other Daddy's give their wives Roses?"

 

We bought a little pool last weekend. We were worried the water would be too cold, and it was pretty cold when we were filling it up. It has been very hot the last few days though and it has gotten a lot warmer. Anna and Megan are sure enjoying it! Yesterday they were in and out of their swimming suits 3 times, and Mom and Dad are having fun too. David doesn't like it too much though... too scary!

 

 

 

We also are enjoying a couple of cute kittens. Anna claimed the black and white one she named her "Rose". She packs her around and watches here play. Megan's kitten is all black and named "Cherry"... good thing they are both girls. They also enjoyed riding Grandpa's old kid horse "Cookie" last night. Anna was so proud to be riding her "all by herself with no help."

 

Happy Anniverasry

Today we are celebrating 9 years of marriage, I can't believe it! It has gone by so quickly, it hasn't felt like that long at all. We have both learned so much from each other, and are happier than ever! I love you Wayne, here is a look back at some memories...
Our Cruise to the Bahamas just two weeks ago it was so nice.

 

Okay this is incriminating! 1997 (13 years ago!) We started dating and falling in love. We really didn't know what that was back then, but it was sure fun to hang out and become best friends.

 

Our Wedding Day May 30, 2001 Salt Lake Temple. What a special day but it was a whirlwind! We were excited and nervous. We enjoyed a honeymoon at Zions National Park, where we had our fist challenge. Our car battery died on the top of Kolob Mtn. Thats one of the things that made it memorable though.

 

The next years are already hard to remember (what was it like without kids?? what did we do all the time?)
2001: We lived in a little apartment in Roosevelt then moved into Scott and Jolene Risers house while they were in China. Wayne worked for Schwans and Neilsen's furniture, I finished my last year of school.
2002: We moved into our house, Wayne started working for Pinnacle, I taught my first year of school.
2003: I graduated from USU, and started my 2nd year of teaching school.
2004: Our lives changed forever, we became parents just before our 3rd Anniversary. This picture was later that year.

 

2006: Another addition to our family

 

2007: Our first big vacation! A whole week on an Eastern Carribean cruise, we had a blast.

 

2008: A little trip up to Logan for our Anniversary

 

2009: Our family kept growing. We had a fun trip to Kentucky to visit family there.

 

Here are some more highlights:
Places we've been together: Lagoon, on the Green River, Lake Powell, Zions, Flaming Gorge, Moab, Arches, Colorado, Bahamas, Carribean, Kentucky, Logan, St. George, Idaho. More places we want to visit: Hawaii, California, England, Alaska...
Trials we've helped each other through: having babies, knee surgery, hospitalization, loosing jobs, boutiques, loosing grandparents, and lots more.
Important things we have learned/are learning: paitence, being selfless, communication, team work, saying sorry, forgiving, love.

 

Here's to lots more memories and years together!

Preschool Graduation

So this week was the last of our little Mom and Me preschool group. It's been a great year, thanks to all who participated! I love getting to know all the Moms and kids. They are a lot of fun. Its also fun to get back into teacher mode every once in a while. Today we met at the park and the kids made little graduation hats and played. It was beautiful weather.

 

 

Chicken Coop

It was all Wayne's idea. I didn't really care for the chickens we had growing up. But my good friend Debra's chickens softened my heart a little, and the little baby chicks were so adorable, so I gave in. It will be an adventure, and our kids have enjoyed it. Anna was so excited when we got our chicks last friday she almost forgot about her upcoming birthday party, almost. Wayne did a wonderful job building this little coop/garden shed. He had a great idea of using some clear plastic panels for light and possibly a greenhouse. He's going to add on a wire enclosed outside for the chickens to come out of a little door. He also needs to finish a wall inside to seperate the garden shed part.

 

The kids "check on the chicks" everyday. David gets a little too excited and tries to get in with them. Wayne had to finish up a little on Friday and we had them inside for a couple of hours. They started out in this tub on the floor but were quickly moved up on to the kitchen table after David dumped the feed all over the floor. He is so busy!

 

They are already getting bigger and 'sprouting' feathered wings... not cute for too long I guess.

 

The girls like to 'pet' them, but are way to scared to actually hold them. That's probablly a good thing, but I do like the way Debra's are so calm and tame. They are full grown, but the kids pick them right up and pack them around. That was impressive to me.