11/11/11

................was the date when I took these photos. Just thought that was cool :)

In light of Thanksgiving fiercely approaching, I would just like to say how thankful I am for our garden. We are still enjoying our rooted fresh veggies; (and mom's if you count her potatoes!)
The deer are enjoying them too as they ate most of the greens off the tops. But, with the help of Isaac - we pulled out a large bundle of superfood! We left some carrots in the ground and covered them with straw.

The best thing about them is that last a l.o.n.g time in the refridgerator! Now, I have to think of ideas for meals using them...........

Here's to boiled beets and carrot cake! Yummers!

Isaac was happy to show the scale of our harvest ;)
When Bryan and I were in Walmart last week - we noticed that a single large beet ran just under $2.00. Crazy!

I finished up Ava's photo album that I've been working on uh-hum, for a while now........
I'm going to start on Isaac's as soon as I get the prints delivered via snail mail this week. I love progress!

Bryan, Jon, and Ava have been duck-hunting fools this weekend...... Ha ha (I'll post a few photos next blog).

Junkyard Fun

Using your imagination while visiting a junkyard can transform trash into treasure. Just a short walk through the sagebrush from my house there sits an old rusty truck. Ava and Isaac like to "drive" it and play around. Granted, we have to watch out for broken glass and rusted cans - but, it's still pretty fun. My goal, which is no secret, is to get my kids out of the house for a little while; weather permitting. So, by the time we walk to this mini junkyard and play around for a little while - I successfully wear them out.

I lie.

lol

It's really hard to wear my kids out. They should both be the real maskots for energizer battery. Seriously. They could both fatigue that energizer bunny!

I actually found this circular piece of metal and installed a steering wheel.
lol

The next couple of months I'll continue to work on my CEU's for my national

certification renewal (coming up in 2012.) On my free time I've been working on finishing up Ava's (birth - 12 month) photo album. Then, I'll start Isaac's. After I'm done with his then I'm going to have shutterfly and blogger make my albums. Ha ha. I'm just to busy to do photo albums anymore. It's taken me 4 1/2 years to do Ava's first year album! Hopefully Isaac's won't take that long...... I'll try to plug away with it on these long winter days/evenings. Bryan is busy with work & school. In between, he's been enjoying playing guitar, basketball, and hunting.

Isaac is still working on the last tooth. It's taking a while to push through. When it does, I'll schedule Isaac for an appointment with Dr. Morales. He'll determine if Isaac needs further surgery.

Isaac has gone potty 4-5 times (no pressure) all by himself this week. I've been making sure to ask him if he needs to go potty periodically. He'll either nod or shake his head. When he nods - he actually goes! Sometimes he'll even walk up to me and tug at the front of his pants to tell me that he wants to go! He always gets praise & a treat when he's done :)
I don't know how long this will last or if he'll keep it up but - we'll see........ if he's ready ;)

I'm going to roll with it.......but I'm not going to get my hopes up at this point.

Ava knows how to use reverse psychology on Isaac. She manipulates him to do what she wants. It does work most of the time. Yep, she's figured out a system and she's going to use it.

lol :D

Blog; for my Dad

This month (November 6th) marks 4 years since dad's death. It still feels raw. I think about him everyday. I miss him so much. I know that God called him home because he has an important job in heaven. Thinking of that helps with the grief. Still, I wish that I could have one more moment with him. Even if was just having a cup of coffee. I remember the last memory of him. We waved goodbye to him as we backed out of his driveway, on our way to Provo. He was wearing his white paint-stained slacks and getting ready to do a job somewhere. He gave me a smile and waved back.

He was there one day ~ then he was gone.

From this experience, I've learned how fragile life is and that your life could shift in a moment. Besides God, family is the most precious thing to me.

I want you, my friends & family, to know how much I appreciate you and love you. I'm blessed to have each one of you in my life.

Dad is a hero, role model, and miracle man. Even though he has departed, his amazing story will remain. Here are a few of my favorite photos of my dad......................

"Where there is great love; there are always miracles"

I miss you, Daddy

This is a video I made last year in tribute of my dad:
(Turn the volume up to hear the music)

Duck Hunting

With Bryan's busy work & school schedule, it's been a few years since Bryan has been duck hunting. So, now (at the tail end of 2011) he's been able to get back into the sport again! Our friend Jon is a hunting fanatic. Bryan once told Ava "You better not wear your tiger hat or Jon might shoot you."
lol

Bryan and Jon have been going to Garrison Lake where they've been pretty successful. Ava is even taking an interest in duck hunting. These photos were taken Sunday night when it was snowing......

"Good job guys!"

Here's a random photo that I found on my little pocket camera.
It was taken at this years Wheel-a-thon, I think back in September. Ava ended up riding 7 miles that day! Woo Hoo!

Halloween: Baker Town Hayride

By the third Halloween event, Bryan and I didn't care to dress ourselves up too much besides wearing a hat. Trick-or-treating is all about the kids anyway. Ava's tiger paint got a little more elaborate each time. Isaac was transformed into a wild animal like his sister: a bear.

Anyway, we took some photos at the house and went to meet the other kids in costumes to join them on a Halloween hayride! There were a lot of kids! Everyone had a great time. The weather was the best we've had in years for the end of October. It was a (almost) warm & cloudless - but starry night!

Trick or Treat!

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that it's already November. The holiday season is here. Most of the trees in our yard have been stripped of their leaves and the wind as been more present than not these past few days. I know it's that time of year and we've been given a nice grace period the last month - but I'm not ready for the mud or ice. I don't mind the snow as long as we can play in it :)

Ava is now riding her bike without training wheels so when it's nice outside, we go bike riding almost everyday.

Bryan has been able to duck hunt a few times with a friend at Garrison Reservoire (a.k.a. Pruess Lake).

We just got back from the big city last night. We've been cooped up inside today. A storm is brewing and may hang out the next couple of days.................... *Sigh*