Where are my Kids?

Last night the kids had been playing inside and outside. At about 8 at night I went to go get them in. I thought they had already come in. I yelled outside in the backyard and no answer. I went around the house and couldn't find them. I told Allen I didn't know where the kids were. He is like they have to be here somewhere. We yelled outside again and no answer. We shined a flashlight out on the tramp and could see a blanket but that was it. We thought ok let's go check outside. This is what we found. They had both fallen asleep outside on the tramp. So funny! Preston NEVER just falls asleep so this was amazing! Love my boys!!

Preston is a Deacon

Preston was ordained a deacon on November 2. We had to wait another week because Grandma Madsen had two primary programs to go to. Preston wanted to pass the sacrament so it was hard to wait. We had most of my family and Karla (we really missed Grandpa and Grandma Bergquist). Allen did a great job. Thank you to both sides of the family for all your support and love for Preston. Nice picture..Preston always has to be a goofball.

Grandma Bergquist gave Preston a priesthood book. He has been reading it. The following day, Preston wanted to prepare a family night and his lesson was on the sacrament. He did the whole thing by himself. I was very impressed! I even learned a few things that I had forgotten and didn't know. Grandma you would have been proud!!

Halloween

We love the tradition of carving pumpkins and have done it for a while now. We decided to do easier ones this year. Preston is the scary hand one. He just freehanded the design. When we were cutting out the letters it was supposed to say BOO but we messed up and it became MOO. We fixed it the best we could. It looks pretty good in this picture. We all had a good laugh!

I only took one picture of Zach for Halloween. We got busy with all of the stuff we were doing that night. We went to a few trunk or treats and then headed to Grandma and Grandpas for more trick or treating with cousins and then sloppy joes after. Most of the kids didn't trick or treat as much as they usually do. They said it was cold which it was not. The weather was perfect that night! We did have lots of fun though!

Preston's Birthday

Preston turned 12 on October 22. We checked him out of school and took him to his favorite place to eat "Wingers". We opened presents that night with him. He wanted scriptures, which he got, socks, which he was so excited about ( ha ha) and lots of money for him to choose what he wanted. The next week we had a family party. Lots of fun and presents for Preston. I love how much Preston has grown into such a great young man.

My Baby is Gone!!

With much thinking over the past while, I decided I needed to give our dog, Eevee away. It was one of the hardest decision I have made. We got her as a puppy and had raised her so she was like family. I felt she just needed more room to run, more behavior training and I just didn't have it in me. She has been gone for a month. I found owners that were just too good to be true. We just hope she is happy. Not a day goes by that we don't think of her. Preston really misses her when he comes home from school. He would run outside and she would chase him and he would jump on the tramp at the last minute and she would bark, her playful bark. He is searching for another dog that will be just as fun as her. Goodbye Eevee! We love you!

Number 98. The honing of a juggernaut

Preston played tackle football again this year. This year he really excelled and grew as a player, both as a team member and as a individual. He made some great friends and toned up, I might add. Their season record was 6-3. He was really proud of that. Of course it always feels better to win, however the team soon learned that you don't always win and they lost their first playoff game. It was 7-0 on a pick interception for a touchdown. It was real emotional for Preston as well as the other teammates. Regardless, we are very proud of the determination and sportsmanship that Preston displayed.

Zach's 6th Birthday

Zach turned 6 on September 19. We decided to do a soccer party for him with friends. We had soccer games, soccer obstacle course, soccer cupcakes, soccer gift bags.. the whole works and it was a hit!

We also had a family party with a BBQ. I only have one picture with Zach with the birthday hat.

He has grown up to be such a fun-loving, sweet boy. We love you so much!

Soccer Boy

Zach played on his first soccer team this past September. This is his first sport he has played and he was so fun to watch. With how quiet Zach is, much different than his brother, I wasn't expecting him to be as aggressive as he was. He was so entertaining to watch. Way to go, Zach!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

We were able to get tickets to the open house of the Oquirrh Mountain temple. We went with my immediate family minus Stacy and her brood(we missed you). It is such a humbling experience when you go through with your family and the kids and feel such peace. It is a very beautiful temple.. course aren't they all?

Our summer so far.......

busy and amazing. We have been camping, fishing, BBQs, swimming, birthday parties, playing with cousins and friends, reunions, boating, swimming lessons, four wheeling, late nights, Preston even made it to a week long Washington trip with his favorite cousin Karrie... the list could go on and on. I love it!!

This Moon Lake back in June. We went with friends and had a great time. It only rained two out of the three days. Ha Ha!! Karla and Erin even made it up for the day ! Love this picture of the boys fishing looking at each other.

Even a little horseback riding

All the cute kiddlelids

Our family

Here we are boating. We headed to Pineview(which I love!) and went boating with Karrie on her new boat! I didn't even take pictures of it or Karrie for that matter(ok i have two but she will kill me if I put those on here. They aren't very good. We had such a fun time! Thanks for the condo and the food, Karla. We always have fun with you guys. My kids are insane in the water. Zach decided he wanted to "surf" instead.




I was proud of Preston for even trying to wakeboard. Harder than it looks. He couldn't quite get up so stuck to tubing. Karrie made it look so easy. (Can click on pictures to view bigger, don't know why I made them so small.)

Playing in the rain. June was such a rainy month!

Fourth of July. This is the only picture I took. How lame! Zach with cousins (he is one the far left). Allen starting fireworks a little early. This is his favorite holiday. He is such a pyromanic!

Playing with cousins on the big slide and below chicken fights in the pool. Preston is holding BreAnne on his shoulders. She is 22!

Swim lessons

I will be sad when summer ends, although I am looking forward to lower temperatures. Enjoy the summer while it lasts!

Somebody call 911

Last week was a rough week for us. I was sick (still have a little bit of a cough) with brochitis. I don't know how I got sick during the summer but it was miserable all of last week. I finally went to the doctor and got meds which didn't help a heck of a lot. Then to top it off at the end of the week, on a Friday night, Zach got stung by a wasp on right by his eye. He was screaming (those wasp stings really hurt). Allen got some ice and I came upstairs to look and I screamed because he was puffing up. It continued to get progressively worse. I had my sister call her nurse and the nurse said that she had just got stung by a wasp recently and he might have had a allergic reaction and to watch it and give him ibruproven and benadryl. Saturday wasn't too bad, (he even went swimming that day) and then Sunday it was worse. His eye was swollen shut. I got on the phone with the nurse again and she said to give him an extra dose of benadryl and to watch. If not better, we would have to bring him to the emergency room. The benadryl immediately helped. So with a lot of rest, drugs, nurses calls and prayers, Zach is feeling like himself again. So glad that week is over.

This was Sunday.

Happy Anniversay

Our anniversary was on June 1. Allen planned a great weekend. It wasn't nearly as long as I would have wished but it was so nice. We first had dinner here. I have eaten there once before and loved it as well. I got the bleu cheese topped rib eye steak and Allen got the crab cake asparagus topped filet. Both were so good! Allen didn't like the bleu cheese as well but I love bleu cheese! We went to the store to grab some goodies and headed back to our hotel room. Our room had a great view to the pool. It was awesome!

Honey, thanks for all the wonderful years together. I love you with all of my heart!

Silver Medalist

The second to the last day of school there was an awards ceremony at Preston's school. He forgot to tell me about it until I picked him up from school and he showed me a medal. He was very excited to tell me that at the Hershey track meet he had a couple of weeks ago, at which all Nebo school district fifth graders participated, he placed SECOND OVERALL in the long jump. Such an accomplishment for someone who didn't really want to participate in the first place! I knew he placed third in the 100 meter and in the second heat took fifth place but did not go on to the finals. Preston, way to go!!!!

Dare Graduation

Preston had his Dare graduation the first part in May. They all performed a song and the officer went through all of what the students had to do in order to graduate. They had a workbook to do and also write an essay. Dare stands for drug, abuse, resistance education. A program to educate the kids the importance of standing up and saying no to drugs and abuse. My baby boy is growing up. I miss him being little but am so proud of the young man is he becoming!! I love you, Preston!!