Field Day

It's the end of the school year so the kids are cramming in all the fun activities. All the classes competed in games like tug of war, potato sack races, and Frisbee throwing. The families were invited to come and have lunch with their kids.

The kiddos and I.

This is Rachel and her best friend.

Rachel and her teacher.

Jared giving putting a try.

Ellie got to have some fun too.
Rachel trying to make the sponge go throw the hula hoop.
David & Sonja came to see the kids.

Pirates from Grammar Island

Rachel's 3rd grade play was a super cute. Rachel played the role of imperative and Queen's servant. I was in the middle of recording her little solo when the video camera had a disc error and I missed her part. But it went like this:
Clean up your room.
Finish your food.
Sit up straight and don't be rude.
Stand over there.
Pick up your clothes.
Don't put carrots in your nose.

Rachel had so much fun, it was the only thing she talked about for a couple of weeks. It turned out great.

Happy Birthday Jared!

Jared turned 7 today!!

Jared filled out a paper with all of his favorite things, today he read it to his class.

Then he got to share some pictures with the class.

His class sang him the happy birthday, cha cha song.

Jared shared cupcakes with his 1st grade class.

This is Jared's cake I made him. He LOVES sharks, so I surprised him with this cake.

Jared couldn't resist.

Make a wish!

His Uncle Kyle & Aunt Alysa got him this movie poster. Kyle had saved this from when he worked at a movie theater and decided to give it to Jared. Eragon is one of Jared's favorite movies.

Grandma & Grandpa Mayfield sent him up a SF Giants shirt and Jersey. Now we just have to try and figure out how to get to a game this season.

Jared got a new scooter for his birthday. (Another amazing deal I found!)

I asked Jared what he wanted to do for his birthday. Have a party with friends, go bowling, go to a movie. He chose to go fishing...so, this Saturday, if the weather cooperates (snow is in the forecast) We take him fishing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JARED!!

1st Tooth

Two day before his 7th birthday, Jared FINALLY lost his first tooth!

Brad Paisley - Little Moments

Unexpected Visitor

Had such a good weekend...My sister called Thursday night and said she was taking a last minute trip to Idaho. (Her boyfriend's cousin was getting married) I almost went to California this weekend and I was pretty bummed I couldn't go, my kids had too much going on. So, I was happy to be able to spend time with her, even if it was a super short trip. The kids had a Primary Activity Sat. morning & then a birthday party in the afternoon. We almost bought a Moped that someone from Bill's work wanted to sell us for a crazy deal but we decided we didn't "NEED" it. So, long story short I ended up buying a bike, that we found on sale. So, now everyone in the family has a bike and we can cruise around town this summer. Sunday, I invited ourselves over to my brother's & Sis in laws house to see his new baby ( a 50" plasma TV) and he made dinner. It was yummy Jambalaya and Red beans & Rice. We rode our bikes over, it was a fun family outing. I can't believe all my kids are big enough to ride on their own. Although, little Ellie is VERY SLOW compared to her brother and sister. So, we are thinking of getting a bike trailer for our longer excursions. So, this weekend didn't turn out the way I was expecting but it ended up being a great one. I can't believe I didn't take a single picture though...

Ouch

I took Ellie to her 4 year old wellness check up today. She was smiling and having fun up to the part that they said she needed 6 different immunizations. Ellie tried to be brave but after the 2nd shot the corners of her mouth turned down and tears started streaming. Before it was over, she was full blown crying. It didn't take her long to stop crying and she got a sticker for her pain. haha When we got into the car she said, "I don't like shots, they are ugly."

My Mother's Day

I didn't get breakfast in bed but I did get to sleep in. Which was wonderful! Rachel gave me her present as soon as I woke up, it was a little pin she made at school. I wore it to church today.

Jared couldn't wait and gave me his card he made me on Friday. It was a card that he had to fill in the sentence.

My favorite thing about my mother is...she cleans my room.

If I could give my mother something special just from me it would be...a vacation to California.

The funniest this I can remember about my mom...is when she sat on me.My parents sent me these beautiful roses with a card that made me cry.

Sonja & David got me a single red rose and left a card for me. So sweet & thoughtful.

Bill made breakfast, stayed home with the sick kids, did the dishes twice, and made some yummy lasagna that was done when I walked in the door from church. He also made chocolate covered strawberries. Which I already devoured. So, lucky to have an amazing husband.

And then to finish the night Kyle and Alysa made banana cream pie to make us feel better after the Cowboys came in 2nd on the Amazing Race.

The Remarkable Women of God

"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. . . . She who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters. . . deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God

President David O. McKay

There is no greater joy than being a mother. There is no greater reward than the love of your children. I just feel so blessed this Mother's Day. My heart is just so full. I have been blessed with 3 amazing gifts from my Heavenly Father. They push me to be better and forgive me when I fall short. They never run out of hugs or love for me. They make me laugh & sometimes make me cry. They make me want to sing & sometimes want to scream. They make me want to dance & sometimes collapse with exhaustion. Rachel, Jared, & Ellie have been entrusted to me. I can't think of anything that makes me happier.

There are so many women in my life that have been amazing examples to me and my children. I love my mom, I don't think I could love her any more. I am so grateful for the relationship we have. For her listening ear, for her advice, and mostly just her gentle encouragement to strive to be better. I am thankful for the love and influence of my Grandmothers, Mother-in-law, Aunts, Cousins, Friends, & Sisters.

Happy Mother's Day.

A "Buzzing" Good Time

Rachel and I went to a mommy/daughter activity for church. Rachel has been so excited all week to spend a morning together.

The theme was based on President Hinckley's talk on the 6 b's.
We had yummy cinnamon rolls that had yellow frosting with a bees face with black licorice as antenna's and had a little lesson while we ate.

Then we got to make some crafts. Rachel making her 'B' magnet. I think she chose to write 'be grateful' on it.

We made some bath salts, a prayer rock, and some handmade cards. We had a lot of fun making crafts and being reminded of the things we can do to be closer with our Heavenly Father & Savior. I just love the time I get to have with my children or should I say my little young lady.



I realized before we left that I hadn't taken a picture of us together...not the best but a day I will remember.

Cinco De Mayo

How did we spend the 5th of May?

We went shooting. Wasn't that the obvious answer?

David and his baby.

Daddy helping Rachel.


Jared wanted a turn with Uncle David's gun. Jared actually had pretty good aim. David was just trying to steady it because it was pretty heavy.

Don't mess with Sonja!



The girls...we stopped by the Dollar Tree before we headed out to pick up cheap junk to shoot, we found these cute bandannas and we all wore one.

Ellie trying to stay warm. I didn't let Ellie shoot anything. But she had fun being a bystander.



Jared just watching his dad & uncle shoot.

David & Bill shooting clay pigeons. I tried to throw but my hands were so cold it slipped right out of my hands. Oops.

Then we headed back to the house for some smoothies and Mexican food.

David wanted little umbrellas in his drinks, I found some at the Dollar Tree for 50 cents. Yep, even the dollar store has clearance items.

First Day of Preschool

Ellie started preschool this week. She was so excited. She couldn't stop talking about it. When I dropped her off at the BYU-I preschool, the teachers were waiting outside to take the students in. So, I didn't really get a chance to take her picture before the whisked her away. I saw her face start to well up with tears but she held them back as we said good-bye. I went to the library to work on homework & study while she was experiencing new friends, new teachers, new routines, and learning new things. I watched the clock and couldn't wait to pick her up to hear about her day.
It finally came time to go get her, she had the biggest smile on her face and couldn't to tell me wait to begin to tell me all about preschool. Ellie thought she was something special, it took us 30 minutes to walk home and it was non-stop talking. I asked "What did you learn?" Ellie said, "Lots of stuff, mom"
I'll keep you posted on Ellie & her preschool adventure.

Shoppers High

I LOVE to bargain shop! There is nothing better than finding a great a deal. It doesn't matter what it is: clothes, hotels, furniture... Now that I'm in Rexburg, it makes it harder to bargain shop, there are less stores and more people looking for a great deal. But it still doesn't stop me from finding those hidden treasures, those items you almost feel guilty for getting it so cheap. Here are just a couple of my most recent finds.

We don't have an outside grill, we had to leave it behind when we moved up here, just not enough room to bring it up. This is the next best thing to an outside grill, a jumbo size George Foreman grill. We have been looking at getting one but they retail around $60 and we can do a lot of other things with $60. I was at KMART (My only other choice in Rexburg is Walmart and I avoid going there at almost all cost.) picking up some random stuff we needed. When I came across the George Foreman grill we had been looking at, it was on clearance for $22. I grabbed one. When I went to pay for it, it came up to $15. Nice...

Saturday, we headed to Idaho Falls and went to Target. Can I just say, I LOVE Target. I wish there was one closer. It's probably a good thing there isn't. I went with my brother David, his wife Sonja, & Sister in-law Alysa. We found a ton of their furniture on sale. They found a $250 entertainment center for $60. And then we found this 44" Glass top desk that was normally $130 for $30. We have been using a TV stand for a make shift desk, so once again...super excited!

Nothing like a successful day of shopping! Happy bargain shopping!

Lights out

I was in one of my classes today. A couple people were falling asleep and my professor hates when people sleep during his lectures. So, he cranked the air conditioning down...(it was more of a joke) 5 minutes later the power went out. A lot of people in class harassed our teacher and blamed him for blowing a fuse. Of course, class was not canceled, we just all pulled out our cell phones to create enough light to continue with class. Some of the students used their bright cell phone lights to create a spot light for our teacher. When he made the comment "Now, I know how Obama feels...maybe I should get a pedestal" Then one of the students yelled "...and a teleprompter"
It was great to laugh and such a random moment.
This is a picture I took inside my classroom. The lights came back on almost 40 minutes later.

My 8 year old made me do it!

I can't believe after all these years, Rachel, got me to start reading Harry Potter. I just finished the first book. I don't know exactly why I have never read them. Mostly, because EVERYBODY was reading the books and I didn't want to jump on the band wagon. I thought they were written for younger readers and I didn't really want to be reading the same books my brother was reading who is 9 years younger than me. Then the movies started coming out...I enjoyed the movies but I got annoyed by the people who had read the books and analyzed the movie for hours on end.
Rachel loves to read and wanted to started reading Harry Potter, so we went to the library, they didn't have any that weren't checked out (still popular books), we ended up borrowing Harry Potter an the Sorcerer's Stone from my brother. Rachel wanted me to read the books with her, so we could talk about it. How can I resist that? So, I let down my pride and opened the book...
I have to say, a lot of questions I had about the movies & the characters have now been answered. I am excited about the characters that were never introduced in the movies, or had a small part in the movies, I am looking forward to reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and most of all, I am excited to share the books with Rachel.