The Host

Okay, I have to say this is the weirdest book I've ever read! Well, I haven't read it yet, but I am and it's gripping, really! I've heard some people just could not get into this book while others couldn't put it down. It is definitely different from her famous "Twilight" series and is very much a Science Fiction Novel but it is really good! I'm only barely into this book but haven't been able to put it down. I have to say that I have no imagination and I really like people who do all the imagining for me and this is one of those books. Who thinks like this? Where the heck did she get this idea from? It sort of boggles my mind to read it but it is very intriguing as well. I can't give away the ending or even really tell you how or what this story is all about because, for your benefit, I haven't read it..haha. Well, go read this or if you've read it already, tell me what you think?!

Markswomen!

Dan has been looking forward to taking Hailey and Abby out shooting all week! He bought a little .22 rifle just the perfect size for our girls. 8 is the magic age to begin to teach the children about guns and gun safety. Well, actually, he's been teaching the kids about gun safety for awhile now, to which I am very grateful. He has Joe programmed to tell him if he ever see's a gun. I know this is a very controversial issue out there...you know kids and guns but I firmly believe in teaching kids about them rather than locking them up and they just come across it one day and think it's a toy. We do keep them locked up, one of the big conditions to us having guns in our home, but teaching our children about them is also a big thing. Well, this is a whole other discussion! Today, Dan took the girls out and taught them how to use this little .22, and about safety while others are shooting. They did great! I was excited to hear about how much fun they had. I remember my dad teaching me about guns but I never really had a chance to use them until I was much older and I'd wish I'd learned younger. Here are a couple of pics of the girls :)

Hailey shot the target 8 times!
Abby came dang close!

A Must See Blog...

This Blog is a something you must check out! I happened upon it about a year ago and always get a good laugh. My favorite post is called Donkey. Check it out, you'll enjoy the chuckle ;) He just recently had a post card give away and I was lucky enough to get a personalized message from him! It was super rad!

Abby's Baptism

Abby made the choice yesterday to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was very excited for this special day and there were so many friends and family that came to support her. She looked so beautiful and fresh after her baptism in her beautiful dress. Thank you to all of you who helped us and were there with us! We love you!

Happy Birthday Hailey!

Her Birthday Hair do ;)

Hailey's new bike!

Dinner at IHOP

Blowing out the candles!Hailey's new MP3 Player


My first baby turned 10 yesterday! She is now in the double digits, people. That is just crazy! She has been so excited for her birthday! She woke up that morning and all 4 kids came into my room and started singing for Hailey. It's tradition to sing Happy Birthday all day long...my mom did it to me and I'm doing it to my kids. I love to see them just smile as we sing Happy Birthday, yet again...lol. She wanted to make French Toast for the family (she loves to cook, all by herself, with no help). It was super yummy. Grandma Jeanie (my mom) then took her out birthday shopping...she made out like a bandit! Grandma's spoil kids wayyyy to much. Hailey was most excited about her new earrings. Joe loves playing with Hailey and all afternoon, the two of them played together, it was cute. He must have said "happy birthday, Hailey" a billion times to her yesterday. That evening we met Dan's dad for dinner at IHOP. We usually give the kids the choice of going out to dinner or to a movie or anything else they may be interested in doing with the family for their birthday and Hailey was super excited about IHOP and getting an adult meal. She ordered this huge omelet and it came with 3 pancakes! It was funny to see her eyes as that meal was placed before her. She ate about half of it and was very excited to save the rest for today. We then came home and sang to her and we told her the story of how she came into this world (the kids always like to hear their story). We sang and ate cake (sugar overload, by this time!). She and Abby stayed up and watched movies. She is so beautiful and every day turning into more of a young woman and though that scares me to death, it is also exciting to see. She is such a wonderful girl and I'm so blessed to have her!

Joe's First Day of Preschool!

Joe started preschool today with Miss Shelley. She is a wonderful lady that lives around the corner from me. Joe has been so sad as all of his sisters leave for school and he is the only one home alone with me. Every day he asks, "am I four yet?". He's still not 4 yet, but started school today. He chose what he was going to wear and had his backpack on since 7:30 a.m. He was so excited when he came home and can't wait to go back on Thursday. I know tomorrow he will be sad that he can't go for one more day. He is so flippin cute!

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...

Okay, I must admit, I watched a Christmas movie last night. Yes, you read it right ;) Dan and I refinished our room (yes, I will post pictures soon), and installed a fireplace! This weather really puts you in the mood for food, fires and Christmas! Okay, I will refrain from using that word for at least another month or two...but secretly I will think it. I LOVE this weather! I'm sure it will be back up in the high 80's and 90's but yesterday and today were a HUGE treat!