Texas

Oh my gosh!  We had such a fun time visiting everyone!  The one sad thing is is that I forgot to take pictures!  I can't believe it.   It is very sad. 

Elaine and Joe have an awesome woodshop out back (which we are so jealous of).  They were kind enough to let us use it and build some stuff.  I made this and James made this (click on the this' and it will take you to the link).  I still need to sand and paint mine and James just need to paint both of his (he made two). 

James and I had fun going on our evening walks with Elaine.  The weather was so beautiful.   The kids had fun in the bouncy house and the blow up slide!   I think that we are jealous of those too, but I think that they might blow away at our house. 

We went to the park and fed the ducks.  Uncle Joe was so cool to catch a turtle for the kids to hold and pet.  He has very fast reflexes!  James had fun playing disc golf and even Ethan won one round!  We stayed up way too late just about every night playing games.  It was definately fun!  I love playing games and can I just say that I did pretty darn good.  I usually stink at games.  I know that Elaine is probably rolling her eyes at me, but you can ask your mom,  I usually don't do very well. 

James and I already miss your good cookin' Elaine.  Mmmm good cookin'.  Elaine makes the yummiest food ever!   I also miss Taco Bueno.  Mmmm Taco Bueno.  And Joe, don't worry James did leave you a little bit of cheesecake!

The kids had fun visiting their other 'Texas Cousins' too.  We had fun with Andrea's kids and can I say how bummed Eva was to discover that they had dress up clothes like 5 minutes before we left.  She was not a happy camper.  Drezdyn was the most cuddliest child I have ever met.  Just adorable!  Taegen was a bouncy ball of fire!  She is so funny and Eva had a ball playing with her.  Ethan and Jacob had fun with Keaton and his drums!  I don't know how Andrea lives with drums in her house. Heaven bless her.

We miss you all and can't wait to see you all again!   Love You!

Gimme a T!

Woo Hoo!  For those of you who don't already know. . . we are going to Texas for spring break.  This is our first time going (James has been before, but that's all).  We are all very very excited.  We will be visiting James' sister Elaine and her fam.  Then we will visit my sister Ann and her familia.  Good times!
Even though this is our first time we are going to try to be ambitious and drive straight through.  We will see how that goes.  It is supposed to be a 17 hour drive.  Yes, we ARE crazy! 

Fieldtrip Excitment

Ethan has a fieldtrip today.  His class is going to The Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  He is very excited because he gets to bring a plant home.  We will have to take a picture of it later for tommorow. 

I don't have a camera to take pictures anymore.  We have had the worst luck with camera's I tell ya!  Our current one decided that it is pooped and is on strike.  Now all my pic.'s will be coming from my phone. 

I hope everyone had a fun Valentines day!

Talking

It has been so strange to think that Dan is gone.  We still cannot believe it.  However, it has given us several opportunities to talk to our children about death and the Plan of Salvation.  How lucky we are to know that we will be able to be reunited with our family after death.  We have been weighed down by our grief, but how much harder would it be if we didn't have the knowledge that we do.  I am so greatful to have the fullness of the gospel, and because of James, that we are able to have the priesthood in our home. 

Our kids still have questions that they keep asking, but I am glad that we have answers for them.  This difficult time has really brought our family closer and that we appreciate each other more.  Even though I wish that Dan did not pass away, I am greatful for the good that it has brought into our lives.

Grandpa Harmon

This week has been one filled with heartache, love, and support.  James' father passed away 6 days after his 64th birthday (this last Sunday).  It was a peaceful passing.  He died in his sleep and he truly looked at peace.  We love him so much.  He was the best grandpa ever to our kids.  They love him so much and have always looked forward to time spent with their grandpa.  James was very close to his dad and loves him very much. He was lucky enough to have the opportunity to have worked with him at the begining of James' career and has much love and respect for this great man.  Even though I never called my in-laws dad or mom, I still think of them as parents.  He was a wonderful father figure to me I will miss him dearly.  I am so glad that I have had the blessed opportunity to have known him and have him be apart of my life.  We are so very greatful to our family and friends for their love and support during this difficult time.  Especially my mom and Stephanie for taking the time to watch our children for us when needed and for letting us stay with them so that we could be in town to spend more time with James' family. 

Christmas

Okay, I was planning on having a simple Christmas with not a ton of gifts.  James ended up getting a bonus that he was hoping for, but not really expecting to get.  So, of course, he splurged and instead of buying himself an X-Box w/ Kinect (which he wants really bad, because well he's a guy) he was generous and got extra gifts for the kiddo's.

I got tents for all of the kids which they absolutely love (we gave to them on Christmas Eve).  Then I got baking sets, a t-ball set (for the boys), and a new tea party set (for Eva).  James got them pillow pets and an electric ride on tractor for them all to share.  Can I say score for them and they love everything that they got. 

We had fun visiting with everyone over the weekend!  Thanks for helping our Christmas to be fun and memorable.

Sting Like a Bee!

Okay, I was driving home from picking Ethan up from school today.  It was nice outside so I had the windows down with my hand hanging out windsurfing down the road.  I felt a bug hit my fingers, it was soft and kind of big feeling.  I thought that it was a moth or something, but it wasn't.  It was a bee and it stung me!  Owwwie!  I smashed that bug right off of me! 

If you guys don't know already. . . I have never, ever been stung by a bee before.  Ever. Until today.  It hurt.  Plus, I was for sure that the only reason that I had never ever been stung before is because I just must be allergic to them and the good Lord knew it and didn't want me to die a puffy, swollen death.  Hey, it's been 15 minutes and I'm still alive!  Yay!  My finger does still hurt though.  I am going to have to have Eva kiss it better for me (after I put a band-aid on it of course).  She gives cold kisses and that should help the swelling to go back down.

The boys kept asking me if the bee's bum was still stuck in my finger, but I let them know that I smashed the heck out of it when it stung me and that there was nothing left of it.  After we got home I did find the stinger and bum on my pants and showed it to them.  They were very impressed!f