Bucking Bulls

What can I say Sam is OBSESSED with being a cowboy! He wears his boots and hat and gloves every day. Never misses an opportunity to go to the feed store, or to the Hannah's ranch. He is always helping Sean take care of our ponies and the chickens. Saturday there was bull riding in town...so you can guess where Dad and Sam were. Right in the middle of things! Sam got to pet a bull in the chute and was told he could get on it if he wanted!!! Lucky the answer was no! They spent the afternoon having a blast helping and watching. He can't wait for the next time! I might have to go to keep them away from the chutes!
P.S. If you mute the music when you play the video below, you can hear Sam and Sean (they are on the fence right next to the chutes! Oh the kid was okay no broken bones)

quiet dinner

Sean and I have been trying to find time to spend together. Sometimes date night isn't a possibility because of minor setbacks, no sitter, no money, no time etc. You know the drill. We are trying to change that. So we put the kids to bed and had ourselves a romantic evening for two in our living room. We did fondue, which was wonderful and watched a movie. It was great! Was very nice to feel like a couple again and not just parents! Definately have to make this a habit!

7th Anniversary!

It's hard to believe it's been 7 years! It has been the hardest, most enjoyable, heartbreaking, joyful and truly the most blessed time of my life. I never knew my heart could hold this much love. Sean and I truly are best friends. It's not always easy...I don't think it's supposed to be, but I wouldn't trade a minute of our life. We struggle and grow more every day. I truly never thought I deserved anyone like him. He is so patient with me and those of you who know me know how much patience I require. We are blessed with beautiful, amazing children who keep us on our toes. I can't begin to list the blessings in my life. Today after a wonderful anniversary, he is top on my list! Eternity won't be long enough....

Traditions!

One of the things we made sure we did this year before the holidays got even more hectic was to honor some of the traditions that I grew up with. After going to Utah for Thanksgiving and watching the video that Kelly and Danielle did it made me really think and be grateful for how I was raised. I grew up in an amazing family that did things together all the time. We had our challenges like most do, but I have wonderful memories of camping, picnics, parties and being able to hang out with cousins and lots of family around. One of my favorite traditions that I have let slide (unless I'm with all the family) is the one of acting out the nativity. If we didn't go to Safford we didn't do it, the same with the birthday cake for Jesus that Grandma Laurel would do for us every year. I loved the part of the video with Josh and Daniel in front of the birthday cake with a lighter and a fork! This year we weren't able to go to Safford but I wanted these traditions for my children. We invited the Boones and a neighbor over for Home Evening and we acted out the Nativity and had birthday cake. My cake will never be as beautiful as Grandma's but it was special none the less. I'm so grateful that my children have such great examples and traditions to follow!

Christmas with the family!

Well we are finally home after being able to spend the holidays with Sean's family in Mass. Luckily we made it after the ice storm and after they got their power and water back on. What a blessing to have such a wonderful family. The kids had a blast and when it was over there were more than enough tears. We had a blast sledding, going the the aquarium in Boston, learning how to butcher deer, playing wii, and just having fun with Grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. Christmas was fun and we were very blessed. We got to talk to our missionary! I can't believe how much he's changing. I think it's been harder for me since talking to him. What a blessing he is to our family! The kids handled 2 days flying too and from Boston, they really do a great job! The hardest thing for Lia was being away from school for so long. She was sure her teacher was at school and she was missing something. We left Boston and it was minus 2 and arrived in Phx. and it was 68 and there were flowers and plants blooming all around. It was hard for Sam to realize he didn't have to have a jacket on to go outside. Anyway this time of year makes me always realize how blessed we are to have such amazing families and friends. We love you! Happy new year! I'll post a few pics and figure out how to post more later!

Christmas Party

Christmas Party

I can't believe it's around the corner. Where did November go? I truly love this time of year! The kids have had such fun getting things ready for our big trip, we are going back east to spend the holidays with Sean's family. We don't get to see them much, so it's great to have 2 weeks with them. It'll be tough to spend it without Josh but he's doing great! It was hard to get Josh's stuff ready and mailed, but he got it. It was great to start the holidays with our ward Christmas party. We had a hawaiin party! We have a couple in our ward who taught the kids to hula and do some dances. We had traditional food that was great. We even acted out the Nativity play and had a visit from Santa. This was the first year no one cried on Santa's lap! It was so much fun!

Great Memories!

Recovering

I have been down the last few weeks with a Kidney infection. I am grateful to be healthy and grateful for my sweet husband who took a bunch of time of work to take care of me. It started when I fell down my back steps taking Lia to school, I was hustling and carrying one of the babysitting kids and somehow rolled my ankle and fell down the steps and took the brunt of the fall on my tailbone. It was a pretty hard fall, when I came too Lia was sitting by me just crying and worrying about how she was going to get to school. Nice eh? Anyway I called my friend who is an emt and told her what happened. She said I would be sore for a few weeks but not to worry. Oh my it hurt! I gimped around and managed to have a birthday party for Sam, then the pain got worse and moved up my back. I finally got into the doctor and turns out I had an infection and had to have a cat scan. They told me I had internal damage that might require surgury but couldn't get in till the next week. That was pretty scary! That weekend was pretty tough..for those of you who haven't had a kidney infection- I would do labor again before I'd want another one. I have never been in so much pain. Poor Sean did his best and it got so bad he convinced my doctor to get me in somewhere sooner. Well after another round of tests turns out there was no internal damage just a serious infection. Whew! So I'm on antibiotics for a month and then I'll be as good as new, well good as I was. People were so good to me, I had meals brought in and people calling or coming by checking on me and taking care of my kids. What a great place to live, and what a great family to be a part of! Now we are just getting ready to go to Utah for my Grandma's birthday and Thanksgiving. We just got to get everyone else healthy for the trip. Lia and Sam are so excited to see Shona and her kids! especially to meet Boston! I've had a change in babysitting, what a interesting job to have. Sometimes it's kind of scary what our kids have to deal with. You think they are safe, especially in your own home. I am even amazed at some of the stuff Lia comes home from kindergarten with. She's already had a boyfriend and been dumped. When I told her we don't have boyfriends she had a fit and argued with me (not a good sign for the future) but when I told her the prophet said we don't have boyfriends she said ok....hmmmm what am I? Anyway that's our update for the last few weeks. Hope everyone else is happy and healthy and going to enjoy a great Thanksgiving!
Cindy

Halloween 2008!

We had fun for Halloween. Lia was Cinderella and Sam was a fireman! We had to find him and axe, and the only one I could find was this nasty skull and bone one. He had to have something to chop down doors and save the people. Plus I hoped that having something might help him feel braver. Last year some scary looking guy grabbed him and scared him. Lia loved getting to wear make-up and I can't believe how different she looks when she has it on. They are growing up fast!