Johnny and Ty collecting shells

Michael and Paul visited

Here are some pictures of what we have done the last few weeks. Paul, Joe's dad came with our nephew Michael. We had a wonderful time being together. More pictures to come.

11 Years

Well these didn't load the way I wanted but they are here. This picture is taken a few months ago.

This picture was one of the first pictures Joe and I took together before we were married. We went to a cabin of Matt and Lisa parent's and we had a blast there.

This picture is of a few minutes after we came out of the temple. Joe's cousin's husband followed us around taking pictures for us. He was not the photographer we paid to come take our pictures, that man came 3 hours after our wedding.

A fun picture

We loved this picture. The tree was uprooted when the tornado came to SLC a few months later. The tree is no longer there.

This is a trip Joe and I went on with Matt and Lisa to St George. We were engaged and had a wonderful time there.

Another picture of us when we went to St George.

Eleven years have gone by so fast. I am so happy we are married. I couldn't ask for anyone that would love me more. Thank you for all you do to make our life better everyday. Thank you for making me smile and laugh everyday. Thank you for balancing me, being the one I can always come to if I need to talk and help me work my ideas and thoughts out with.

I know we have had ups and downs everyone does. I am grateful we have been able to do them together. I am glad you are happier than you have ever been. You remind me of that almost everyday. I am glad we have forever.

Thank you for our beautiful children. I sure am glad we decided to have each one of them. They bring such joy to to both of us. Thank you for being a great dad.

Many more adventures await us, and I am excited to have this life and the next to share them with you.

Happy 11th Anniversary!

movie of Ian

the kids thought this was funny and thought I should share it. I don't know if the sound will come out very well, the sound was loud in the car. its a miley syrus song.

Tyler playing on Sammi's bed with their wonder pets

Ian in the cupboard. I don't know how to spell that word. Pretty soon he will be so big, and won't easily fit in there.

Showing how tall he is in relation to the cupboard for my memories

Tyler's first horse ride. He loved it. I wanted the kids to experience both bareback and saddle.

Sammi making her birthday pizza. I don't have her pictures of her birthday party, they are on another camera. Happy 10th birthday Sam!

The kids 1st ride on horses. They took a few rounds having us lead, and then the kids took to it very well and had fun riding in the pasture. (Sam and John)

Sam and Adam having fun learning to ride by themselves.

2nd time riding for John, 1st time bare back. He loved it.

1st time riding. Obviously the horse pictures are on a different day. We went a week apart. We will be going every week, when the weather is good.

Adam didn't want me to lead him. I didn't want to get the bridles. The first time they came, I only had the oldest 3, this time I had all the kids alone and I didn't want to deal with a run away horse.

The first time for Adam. He loved riding alone.

Adam taking Johnny on a ride

Ian sitting on the horse. He tried to hug the horse a couple of times while sitting up there and would get a mouthful of mane and then sit back up. He loved the horses.

A few pictures of Johnny's 5th Birthday. Happy birthday Johnny!

We have been having tons of fun and lot of work at the same time. School is going well and all encompassing. One of our extra curricular activities is going to be the horses. learning to groom, saddle, ride, and clean up after. The kids are so excited. Of course I am too, as some of you know I lived on my horses as a kid. I would even pick up my older sister from the bus stop on our horse. I would usually have to walk home as my sister would be mad at me for bringing the horse. :) I was a slow learner to what would make her mad. hahaha. But really, I am excited to be riding again, and give the kids opportunities to learn and appreciate animals. I have been offered to have the kids even be watched so I can go riding with adults, on A REAL RIDE! so cool.

Joe and I got a sitter on Sat and had a date getting firewood. We put sides on the truck and with a few delays we finally started around 11am. We loaded the last of it around 400 and came down the mountian. With the delays we had the sitter here for 7 hrs. yuck. We definately couldn't take the van up there. 4wd only. We loaded the truck and have a beginning of a good dent of firewood for next winter. Joe strained his back, that happenes to him quite often. Maybe I should have been a chiropractor.

We have had tons of fun. School is going well. The kids are making friends slowly, because of living in the country, but have had a few places to meet people. I met a family when Adam had a pinewood derby race, and the mom told me about activities some of her friends do. They planned to have a egg hunt between sessions of General conference on Saturday.

We went and Johnny thought it was the biggest party he has ever had for his birthday. His birthday pictures will come later. Johnny had a fun birthday and thank you for the calls. He loves phone calls and loves getting mail. Five is the birthday where he definitely wants to milk the day for birthday presents. As soon as he woke up he was asking when we would give him presents. We made him wait till after lunch to give them to him. He was patient. We had fun and love the fun of Easter and birthdays.

Thank you all who have written and sent notes. It sure has made my day. The notes the ward ladies sent made me cry happy tears and I really appreciate the thought that was put into those notes. Thank you friends I miss you too.

Joe has gone in a helicopter a couple of times for work looking at the lines and has fun doing it. What an experience!

A family in the ward brought us a load of wood and we are so greatful. I know it is much warmer than in Indiana but we use only the wood to heat the house. Thank you.

Ian getting some Easter eggs

John playing

hanging out

Adam playing

Tyler playing

Sammi talking to Ian

The group of kids that went on the egg hunt

Ian so cute

Tyler showing his loot

Sam and Ty

Adam hunting for eggs

Johnny showing his loot

the kids all sang Happy Birthday to Johnny. I think he sang the loudest.
He was so excited to have so many people at his "birthday party"

One of the pirks of the job!!!!!!!