Father Daughter Campout Sept. 25-26

After a long awaited year, the girls got to go on our ward's annual Father Daughter Campout at Sharps Creek Campground, just east of Payson, AZ. The girls were most excited to sleep in the back of the truck, eat s'mores and play with friends. Each dream was well acheived. The girls had so much fun and already can't wait until next year!

A Good Day

I had a wonderful day yesterday and just wanted to write down some of the simple things that made it so great!

I got my songs back...last time we downloaded songs to our Ipod, only about 1/8th of them stayed on the Ipod. It was about 2 months ago. Why we didn't fix it then is a question we won't answer. Finally, Tuesday night Vern sat down with me and his computer and showed my how to get the songs back on. So yesterday afternoon I was finally able to hear all of my music instead of a select few. It was so good to hear them again. Now if only I would download the songs off of my high school tapes I would be thrilled!
The weather is changing for the better...my kids asked for jackets as they went out in the morning to jump on the trampoline...it was 72 degrees. The change in weather really boosts my spirits. I am sure it is how those in the winter zones must feel in the spring. I love everything about fall and it sure feels great outside.
The kids playing outside...Because the weather is getting nice, the kids are outside enjoying themselves and running off so much of the energy that has been building over the summer.
Growing children...Each of my children are amazing in my eye as they work hard at each thing they are working on. Elena is doing so many things on her own and loving Activity Days and playing soccer. Natalie is creating new things to do each day and enjoys being the oldest on the soccer team, hopefully it will help with confidence. Meghan loves her preschool and went on a field trip (she called it a vacation) yesterday with our friends without me and is acting quite grown up at times. Little Vern is talking so well and helping out when he can. He sure is an active boy. And finally Benjamin is thinking about walking on his own. He will now walk between me and the couch or someone else. He sure is a fun kid.
Young Women teach me so much...last night Hannah taught us how to draw a cartoon bird. It was so much fun and I am actually happy with my end results. I think I am going to teach my girls over Fall Break. The YW are awesome and very accepting of each other and us new leaders. I hope I can somehow help them.
A good mother-in-law. On her birthday she was willing to babysit my kids while I went to mutual and Vern had a school board meeting. She saved us, once again.

I am grateful for so much. I am also working on my 100% challenge from the YW and I love it!

Natalie Turns 6

Natalie was so excited to turn 6 on September 15th, and have a fun time with her friends from church and school. We had a Penny birthday party after school on the 14th. It was based on a thing I read in Family Fun...gotta love them. We played fun games with pennies and ate good food. Natalie has great friends and I am so glad to see that.

We love our Natalie! She is very creative and tries hard to please and help others. We are so glad she is part of our family!

Happy 6th birthday Natalie!

Flower Clips for the Girls

Elena got the cutest flower clip at an Activity Day at church so I wanted to make her a white one for her baptism. After the baptism, the cousins went crazy and thanks to Tanna they all made cute flower clips to adorn their hair!

Princess Meghan Turns 4

Meghan is our resident Princess...more specifically Sleeping Beauty, so for her 4th Birthday Party on September 9th she had a princess party. We decorated crowns. wands, searched for Cinderella's shoe, danced at a Ball and played put the Crown on the princess. We had fun and so did all the cute little princess that came!


Happy 4th Birthday Meghan! We love you!

What colors is that?

My parents were visiting for Elena's baptism and we had a great time. I wanted to show my parents how smart my little Vern was so I asked him a question about colors. He had just put on his PJs that he can zip up (he's very proud of that fact) and he was showing them off to grandpa Sherwood. I said, "Vern what color are your jammies?" He responded with a literal spring in his step..."Monkey" as he monkey jumped onto the couch! It was so funny. So all the girls had to get a chance to be monkeys as well. So here are their monkey shots.

Elena's Baptism

On September 5th Elena was baptised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. It was a wonderful day and filled with wonderful family and friends.

Uncle Aaron and cousin Abigail Elledge

Elena with cousin Olivia Elledge

Uncle Ammon, Aunt Emilee and Brittney

While waiting for a key to open the building we got rain before the baptism. Very exciting!

Elena was so excited for this day. Our ward had done some amazing things to get her ready. We have an awesome primary! Thanks.

Lots of family members and friends came to Elena's baptism. We are so grateful for all those that came. Especially two of Elena's school teachers; Mrs. Wade and Ms. Fulmer. Also the family that I babysit their kids came, the Roestenbergs. We hope they enjoyed the baptism and felt the wonderful spirit that was present.

Vern was able to baptise and confirm Elena that day. It was very neat to watch and hear. She has quite a handful of uncles and her grandfathers helped to make her confirmation circle large. She looked well protected with those men around her.

Dad and Elena before the baptism

Elena and mom before the baptism

After the baptism we returned to our home, where my sister, Kim and Kari and mom worked hard to feed a little crowd.

A rare photo of my mom and dad!

Thanks again to everyone that made the day so special for Elena and our family. It means the world to us.