The First Day of School
The amount of tears I’ve shed in the past six weeks knowing this day was coming is unreal. Also, yesterday I told Olivia I was going to follow her to school and video her getting...
The Rest of the StoryAdventures
Soccer 2023
Everett opted to do soccer instead of baseball this spring. I was worried. I wondered if he’d really like it. I worried he’d trade a fun thing like baseball for a boring thing like soccer....
The Rest of the Story
Week in Review — April 10 – 16
The week of ‘Rona. On Monday night I went out with the Everett, but I really kinda felt weird. On Tuesday I went garden shopping. But I just didn’t feel great. That afternoon I finally...
The Rest of the Story
Week In Review — March 26-April 1
Starting on Sunday – After learning that aunt Leslee had some baby kitties, the kids tried to convince Dad we needed another cat. Monday – Nate showed up his older sibs with his latest award....
The Rest of the Story
Week in Review – March 19th-25th
On Monday when the Sun is Hot -. I cleaned the house and worked out and took a nap. On Tuesday when it Hails & Snows- I took Nate-O-Potato to lunch. Because a lunch date...
The Rest of the Story
The Mice Will Play
While mommy and dad are out of town to see Bruce for an epic weekend in Denver . . . The kids had all sorts of fun! The word on the street is that Everett...
The Rest of the Story
Basketbaaaaaaallllllll
We have a lot of basketball happening around here. Nate is on a J.Jazz team with games every Monday night. Roo is on a J.Jazz team with the same neighborhood boys as forever, with games...
The Rest of the Story
Weekend Update
Roo graduates from DARE! Corner Canyon loses in the state championship football game to Skyridge, 7-17. A&W went to the Jazz game with the Lakers Roo went to Winnie’s birthday party. We DIDN’T do a...
The Rest of the Story
The Week of Everett
Everett had a mighty big week this week! 1- He tried out for and had call backs for the school play! Last year he was in the play “Suessical” as part of the ensemble. This...
The Rest of the Story
Happy Birthday Everett!
Oh my heart is squishy and full. I love this kid just so. so. so. much. He’s in the throes of middle school, with all the horrible-ness that that is, and my heart regularly bleeds...
The Rest of the Story
Back to School 2022
Another summer has come and gone. I’m never ever ready for school to begin again. I love the days when all of le bebes are home with me (in theory if not in practice). But...
The Rest of the Story
The Kids Rodeo
It’s one of those weird things where the whole time I’m thinking: “This is BAAAAD parenting.” But still . . . they had some good fun (and plenty of traumatic tears). Everett, Roo and Nate...
The Rest of the Story
Everett Graduates from Elementary School
Everett had a wonderful finish to his Elementary school career. He graduated on May 21, 2021. I’m so proud of him! On to bigger things! (Middle school, blech.)
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Baptism Pictures
For Everett’s baptism pictures we went up to the Draper Temple, which is a short 3 minute drive from our house. It’s neat to live so close to the temple, it blesses our lives! Look...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Baptism
The most special event of all of 2017 was watching Everett get baptized. It’s a monumental occasion to see my children making sacred covenants. We tried to make it a special day for him! So...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Birthday
2017 is a big year for our family! And one of the highlights of the year was that Everett would turn 8! (It’s a big deal!) We sure love our Everett. He has the kindest...
The Rest of the Story
Football Season
This year Calvin and Everett played football. I think they had a lot of fun and learned a lot on their respective teams. We enjoyed spending the evenings at the park watching them play.
The Rest of the Story
Back to School for Cal and Ejo
Calvin and Everett started school. Here are their cute back to school pictures. Haha!
The Rest of the Story
Everett Get’s Baptized
Everett was baptized on October 15th, 2017. He was baptized by his dad, and we had lots of friends and family come to support him and us. I do so love this boy with all...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s 8th Birthday
Everett’s birthday fell on a Sunday. Still, we woke up and opened presents first thing (always presents first thing!). Then we went to church, and then we came home and continued to celebrate our special,...
The Rest of the Story
Everett at the New Theater
Wyatt and I took Everett on a date to the new Hale Center Theater to see “Forever Plaid.” It was so much fun, and Everett even got a sombrero as part of the play. It...
The Rest of the Story
Spring Sports
This spring we had Olivia playing softball in the Sandy/Draper league – Calvin playing baseball in Little League- Everett and Andrew in Draper fishing club – And Roo playing soccer for the Draper league. We’ve...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Baptism Preview
This year Everett will be baptized. In the old neighborhood every child had their own baptism (part of having very few children and two fonts in the stake). Here we have stake baptisms where all...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s 7th Birthday
Today is Everett’s 7th Birthday! I can’t believe he’s only seven. I really don’t remember life without that sweet boy. Observations about Ev: I really feel like he has the most gigantic soul of anyone...
The Rest of the Story
You MAKE US Play Outside
One afternoon I needed some stuff that was at the cabin. I didn’t have all day, so we just ran a quick errand to get it. When we got there we had just a half...
The Rest of the Story
Cabin with Cousins
Heidi and Alea and Weston came up to the cabin to play one day. We played at the river, had a seriously yummy bbq and otherwise spent the day playing and relaxing. We even went down to...
The Rest of the Story
The River
An exciting thing has happened at the cabin this week – On Monday we were there, playing at the river by the entrance into our HOA. The river frontage is owned by the HOA,...
The Rest of the Story
Repentance
Last night when everyone else was in bed, Everett came in to talk to us. He told us he was worried because he still didn’t know how to repent. Two weeks ago he confessed to...
The Rest of the Story
Softball, Baseball, and T-Ball
This year we decided to play spring ball rather than summer ball – we’re trying to have less busyness in the summer. Olivia is playing softball in a draper league. Her games are Monday’s and...
The Rest of the Story
Cute, Funny, Adorable Kids
Here’s some recent stories about my kid-o’s. A Boy Has a Crush on Olivia: We were at the pinewood derby the other night and Tyler Pierson, and little neighborhood boy in Olivia’s grade, was there....
The Rest of the Story
Everett is the Star Student of the Month
Everett won yet another award (the third this year, by my count) and is the student of the month. This month’s focus is Safety and Everett was described by his teacher as a student who...
The Rest of the Story
Buff Boys
My kids like to exercise every once in a while. I tell them kids exercise by playing and climbing and being outside. But sometimes they want to exercise like their dad.
The Rest of the Story
Hi-Ya!
Everett broke a board in Tae Kwon Do! He’s super proud of himself, I would be too if I were him!
The Rest of the Story
Everett Starts Tae Kwon Do
It’s been a while since I’ve had the thought that martial arts could be especially well suited to Everett. He is my most sensitive and sweet child, and I thought some form of martial arts...
The Rest of the Story
Everett, Obviously.
One day this week Everett came bounding off the bus with a giant grin on his face. He won an award. Not to be all braggy and stuff, but . . . obviously. He received...
The Rest of the Story
Good Boys
Everett and Calvin both got gift certificates for good behavior that earned them a desert at a local restaurant. I’m so glad my boys were caught being good! 😉
The Rest of the Story
Happy Halloween!
I love taking the babies to Gardener Village to take picture of them in their cute Halloween Costumes. This year I decided just to take the kiddos that aren’t in school (at least, at school...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Birthday!
Happy Happy Birthday, Cutie Cutie EJO! We love you, oh yes we do!
The Rest of the Story
Everett Graduates from Preschool
Everett finished preschool on May 22nd. He had his preschool program and we said good bye to his friends. At the end of the summer, he knows, he will go to kindergarten; ride the bus...
The Rest of the Story
A Story About Ejo
This one should never be forgotten. I think I had it written down years ago. It may be one that was lost in a site-failure. And then I remembered it, and searched my site, but can’t...
The Rest of the Story
Pioneer Stories While We Hiked Timp
Last summer we took the kids on a hike up to Timp Cave. The hike itself went incredibly smoothly considering we were taking 4 young children while I was seven months pregnant. But towards the...
The Rest of the StoryEverett’s Fortune
One morning I stood at the sink washing the dishes. I overheard Olivia, making a paper folding fortune game for Everett. She asked him, “what fortune do you want here?” So Everett answered without hesitation:...
The Rest of the Story
Happy Spring!
I remember learning this poem in 8th grade. I still think of it every time I see the spring blossoms, and wonder how many more springtime’s I will see. Loveliest of Trees Loveliest of trees,...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Teepee – Christmas Projects 2014
I didn’t do too many home-made Christmas projects this year . . . but I did do a few 😉 The grandest one of all was Everett’s teepee. He was quite pleased to have a...
The Rest of the StoryI Got This
Today was the primary program. Olivia had a piano solo, a group singing solo and two parts. (It’s the Olivia Show I told her when she told me of her participation. She only smiled.) And...
The Rest of the Story
Something I learned from my children this Halloween
The weekend after Halloween was a sugary hangover of bliss. Candy and wrappers were everywhere, and everyone was jovial. But one thing that struck me was the generosity of my children. “Mom, have this!” they...
The Rest of the Story
Everett Turns Five
We kick off October with the celebration of Everett’s birthday. He was so excited, after patiently (or not so patiently) watching all of his brothers have their birthdays for the year. Now it was his...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Birthday Party
Part of the pain of watching his brothers have their birthdays was enduring their birthday parties! (Their friends, their games, their presents . . . it was almost too much to bear!) So when Everett’s...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s Birthday
We kick off October with the celebration of Everett’s birthday. He was so excited, after patiently (or not so patiently) watching all of his brothers have their birthdays for the year. Now it was his...
The Rest of the StoryEverett’s First Day of Preschool
Wednesday was (kinda) Everett’s first day of preschool. It was more of an open-house where you came, parents stayed, and you left when ever you decided you were done. It was more to get to...
The Rest of the Story
Consistency Is Key
I started working on back to school dinner a couple weeks ago – I started with our theme painting. I spent several hours over a couple days working on this painting – but it never...
The Rest of the Story
Summer: Day 1
The Rest of the StoryKellie Gets Stitches
On Wednesday (the last day of school/first day of summer) our friend Stephanie invited all the neighborhood kids to her house for a school’s out ice cream party. Olivia was sick, but I thought once...
The Rest of the Story
I Want to Ride My Bicycle!
Everett has been begging since last fall for his training wheels to be taken off and for us to teach him to ride the bike . . . we finally did it. In just a...
The Rest of the Story
Stories about the Little Lovelies
There have been a few really great stories about the kid-a-roos these days . . . Olivia: She came home the other afternoon to see the new Ensign and Friend sitting unopened on the counter...
The Rest of the Story
Everett, It’s Your Birthday!
This was the year Everett really seemed to grasp the concept of “Birthday.” Man, oh man, he was excited. As soon as the Sunday before his birthday hit, he announced to all that he was...
The Rest of the Story
This is Halloween
This month I’ve felt like a chicken running around with my head cut off – I’ve been to busy that Halloween really snuck up on me! Last week I finally made the kids nail down...
The Rest of the Story
Summer Fun at the Hollywood Connection – The Summer Chronicles
One fun afternoon we went with our friends, Jill, Drake, Ila and Harvey to Hollywood Connection. H.C. is one of those places with dizzying rides that spin you up, down, in, out, and...
The Rest of the Story
Be Your Best Self – Back to School Dinner, 2013
One of our family traditions is having a back to school dinner for the little lovelies. This is a time to celebrate the kids, acknowledge their accomplishments, and look forward to all they have ahead...
The Rest of the Story
The Little Lovelies
Little Roo-Bee He is such a tease. This morning he took Everett’s blanket on purpose, and just held it, ready to run, looking at Everett, and laughing! He giggles constantly. He is my little yellow...
The Rest of the StoryIt’s Time to PAAAAR-TAY!
It’s the weekend before Halloween, so really, what do I expect?! Friday Calvin and his preschool class went on a field trip to Gardiner Village to see the witches. What fun! Friday afternoon we went...
The Rest of the Story
Little Boy Big Boy
Little Everett turned 3. I can hardly believe it – that he’s only 3. I don’t remember life before Everett. He is such a sweet boy. He loves and feels things deeply. He’s sensitive and...
The Rest of the StoryEverett Loves to Play The Fishy Game
It is his very favorite.
The Rest of the Story
The Boy and His Brother
Everett loves Calvin. Theirs is a love/brother relationship. Full of cuddles and fighting and “battles” and make-believe. They have so much fun together. Everyone has a place in Everett’s universe, and everyone is important in...
The Rest of the Story
Everett in Training
Everett began potty training this week. He has done really amazingly well. He pooped and urinated in the toilet in the first two hours after we started. I think he’s been ready for a while...
The Rest of the Story
Conversations
Samples of conversations I had today: Calvin: Mom, you should get me some video games. Me: Why? Calvin: Because big kids like video games and I’m trying to act like a big kid. Everett: How...
The Rest of the Story
Angels Among Us
This story was told to me tonight by Wyatt after the fact: Wyatt had had a bad day, and while I was at the store, he came in to change for Bishopric, and Everett was...
The Rest of the Story
Nice
Last week we went to the splash park. The kids were all so excited to go, but somehow the thrill wore off for Everett as soon as we got out of the car. He...
The Rest of the StoryFirst Fishing
We went fishing the other night – our first trip of the year. We just went to a local pond. We had no luck. But the kids admired the fish of others, and had fun...
The Rest of the StoryWe were cuddling
And he put his blankie over my legs, then turned and grabbed my hands, putting my two fingers into my own mouth, before turning back and and resting in satisfaction against my shoulder. He just...
The Rest of the Story
Will You Be My Valentine?
“You forgot the question mark” was the first thing he said when he saw it. “No I didn’t. It’s more of a statement than a question.” On Monday they spent the afternoon preparing our valentines...
The Rest of the Story
Don’t Ever Laugh
as a herse goes by . . . Because, well, you know.
The Rest of the Story
Dear Everett, now you are two
Sweet boy . . . I have this panicked desire to record who you are at age one/two. I want to remember how your legs are so chubby, and your hands are always sticky. I...
The Rest of the StoryReality Check Part II
Calvin: Mommy, it takes a long time for you tummy to get small. As long as it takes for a new baby to get here. Me: You’re right. But my tummy is already a little...
The Rest of the StoryGoodbye August
As a final hurrah we went to the Dinosaur Museum one last time. It was, as always, tons of fun. Afterward we got ice cream played in a kid water feature that I never knew...
The Rest of the StoryThe Day Everett Was Due {From the Lost Posts}
I went {a little} crazy at the end of my pregnancy with Everett. I was so excited but had some severe nesting issues (my next post will be about how I decided to repaint the...
The Rest of the Story
The Story of Everett {Part Two}{From the Lost Posts}
When the nurse finally said I could start pushing, I asked Wyatt to hand me my camera. I had already been instructing him on some pictures I wanted – you know, where to stand,...
The Rest of the StoryThe Story Of Everett {Part One}{From the Lost Posts}
Everett was due October 1st, 2009. I was greatly anticipating his arrival, and was – perhaps – the most antsy I’ve ever been with the anticipation of a birth. Olivia had come right on her...
The Rest of the StoryToday is the . . .
Calvin started swimming lessons today. Olivia would have too, but you know, impetigo. Anyhow, he did great – blowing bubbles, floating on his back, smiling for his mamma when she wanted a picture. Mmm ....
The Rest of the Story
Yes, it is.
On Monday; when the sun is hotI wonder to myself a lot:“Now is it true, or is it not,“That what is which and which is what?” On Tuesday, when it hails and snows,The feeling on...
The Rest of the StoryRejection and Return
This is boy, Everett. He is: well, he’s a lot of things. He can kill you with his withering scowls. He can warm you with his mischievious grin. He has the most frustrating sense of...
The Rest of the StoryCamping in the Living Room
If you have a hankerin’ for S’mores And bedtime stories by the fire And the company of a trusty ol’ pal And a brother If you want to sleep in a bag right on the...
The Rest of the Story
Zoo Day And A Parental Reality Check
Friday was Zoo Day for Olivia’s preschool. She was very excited. She got to wear a special zoo day shirt (to help teachers keep track of kids) and bring her own lunch (a Lunchable, no...
The Rest of the Story
Sojourn to the disneyLAND
TRAVELOGUE – very boring, unless you’re me and want to remember these details forever. AND EVER. Sometime back in February I think, I made a vague mention that maybe we would go to Disneyland ....
The Rest of the Story
Happiness
Look closely at this pile of laundry. Happiness is a baby boy who sucks on his fingers. Happiness is stopping by the store to find Christmas gifts on a great sale! Happiness is having Carrie...
The Rest of the StoryStories of Days
The Rest of the Story
SMASH the Cake
The Rest of the Story
Little eJo Turns One
Baby Everett had his first birthday. Mmm . . . baby yum. For his birthday I made him two cakes – one for eating, and one for SMASHING! We had a little party for him,...
The Rest of the StoryDear Wyatt
DearEST, Today Olivia learned about dinosaurs at pre-school. She came home with a pill that “grew” into a dinosaur in water. She brought one home for Calvin too. That’s just like her to think of...
The Rest of the StoryFirst Steps
Ah, little Everett, I LOVE YOU! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNSQbPaNvrU&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6]
The Rest of the StoryLabor Day Weekend 2010
Thursday night was spent pacing the floors with little Ejo, who was regurgitating regularly. There was no fever, nor any other symptom of blech, but the vomit was convincing. Friday morning came bright and early....
The Rest of the Story
Labor Day Weekend
Thursday night Carrie and I sat up talking, when suddenly we heard Everett crying from his room. Not just crying – screaming in a panicked sort of way. We jumped up to go to him....
The Rest of the StoryEverett, darling . . .
Dear, and sweet Everett, You are so close to walking. So close! You stand in the middle of the room, no crutch of support near you. You don’t even notice. When something is out of...
The Rest of the Story
Everett’s First Rodeo
It was the day! First, four wheeling up at Beaver Springs. Then, dinner at the diner. Then, drumroll please . . . Everett’s first Rodeo! It was a lovely evening. *Sigh.* Leslee & Jason, Jared,...
The Rest of the StoryThis Little Piggy
Calvin playing with Everett: This little piggy played inside This little piggy had time out This little piggy played outside AND THIS LITTLE PIGGY RIDES FOUR WHEELERS!!!!!!!!
The Rest of the StoryWednesday
This was me: 6:22 am . . . really? REALLY? REALLY? Walk in from working out. Come around the corner to catch Cal doing this. Kissy kissy bye bye hubby. Baby Sunshine comes down, wild...
The Rest of the StoryHike to the Waterfall
We went on an evening hike with our friends, the Fletchers & Sparks. I’ve never heard of this waterfall before, but it was a mo’ easy hike: short not steep short Awesome Afterwards: Snow Cones...
The Rest of the Story
Dear Manti
The Rest of the StoryFirst Food
Everett was given the green light for solid foods at his checkup last week. It’s a good thing too. Whenever I am eating something, he flails his arms and body, wanting so deperatley to pull...
The Rest of the StoryBattle: Bottle
This was the week. I felt it. It had to be this week. There were pressing issues. It started on Monday and didn’t go well. Tuesday and Wednessday didn’t fare any better. When I awoke...
The Rest of the StoryBaby becomes a big boy
Everett sprouted two teeth. TWO TEETH. 3 months is a little young. He just grabbed my finger and pulled it to his mouth . . . I was mostly asleep when he did it. But...
The Rest of the StoryHomemade Gifts 2009: Everett’s Sock Monkey
This year I tackled quite a few home-made gifts. Every couple years I do a lot of home-made stuff, and then I remember not to do it again! While the projects are fun, it’s hard...
The Rest of the StoryHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas let your heart be light From now on our troubles will be out of sight Through the years we all will be together if the fates allow Hang a...
The Rest of the StoryPhotoshop and An Idea
Today I was walking up the stairs after changing the laundry (HATE LAUNDRY) and I looked across the room at the stockings. “We should take a picture of Everett in a stocking” I said aloud....
The Rest of the StoryIt is our life . . .
This morning Wyatt finally came up to our room after sleeping on the couch all night. “What is that?” he asked? I didn’t even open my eyes. “Spit up.” I told him. “Go get a...
The Rest of the Story
Weekend In Review
We made cookies with our friend Braydon. Awesome. We took rides on the four wheeler. We discovered our phone camera and used it to take lots of random fun pictures when we were out playing...
The Rest of the Story
Bambinos
“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love...
The Rest of the StoryBibs and Burp Rags
I made these a few weeks ago (actually started them two nights before Everett was born). They are just little bibs and burp rags. I made the front out of fun blue and brown flannel...
The Rest of the Story