tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86207751528182952992023-11-16T07:43:53.586-08:00Butikofer FamilyA little peek into the world with four girls!!!Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-16243009935713070862011-08-08T12:15:00.000-07:002011-08-08T13:20:55.289-07:00Great to be 8!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1fJ8mLJFFg2QJYlsz7kaszvHomIBZxd-u9SwpYRgYfpYKtQKy13jcmvFF7N8DzN__Jau906WUW80D88izGvCVUZ9pM1CDaufLvSUcfKnZE_57TzuWkM7nxAd85S7ljOmo1gb_RaYUyUH/s1600/Summer+2011+063.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638578568439891362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1fJ8mLJFFg2QJYlsz7kaszvHomIBZxd-u9SwpYRgYfpYKtQKy13jcmvFF7N8DzN__Jau906WUW80D88izGvCVUZ9pM1CDaufLvSUcfKnZE_57TzuWkM7nxAd85S7ljOmo1gb_RaYUyUH/s320/Summer+2011+063.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div>The statement holds true... It really is great to be 8! My precious Tess Abigail Butikofer was baptized this past Saturday. She had been anticipating this day for quite some time. July seemed to come and go in a complete flash and before I knew it she was turning eight and getting baptized all in the same week. Since Tess is quiet by nature, she normally doesn't get overly excited about things BUT she had the countdown going from the time we got back from Bear Lake and was completely going crazy by the time Friday got here and her "Grandma by the Temple" and Idaho cousins and Aunt showed up.</div>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBJelVdVN7AvxC4oU8Wu3sDJwUMkvrDqZvw8PKFMx9ntdV_vram1PYZJNQjZGGRFbfhFP5EKo8HckA3dMStUzN6Jsxig1-kccpmUCylIvdokeaZGe9SCTydiFScvOSfWnuDoIn3rBbg5z/s1600/Summer+2011+058.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638578566649394674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBJelVdVN7AvxC4oU8Wu3sDJwUMkvrDqZvw8PKFMx9ntdV_vram1PYZJNQjZGGRFbfhFP5EKo8HckA3dMStUzN6Jsxig1-kccpmUCylIvdokeaZGe9SCTydiFScvOSfWnuDoIn3rBbg5z/s320/Summer+2011+058.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div>It was such a wonderful experience to see her all in white with her glowing skin and charming smile. There were two other kids from our ward who were getting baptized as well. When we went back to the font and Brother Spencer told the order which they would go, Tess was the first. Her little hands started to tremble and she told me she needed to use the bathroom. Once we got that over with a she proceeded through the doors into the font, a peaceful calm took over as her daddy reached for her hand. Once she came out of the water, the smile on her face spoke volumes about what she was feeling. With so many loving Uncles, her Grandpa Earl, Brother Spencer, and Tim placing their hands on her head to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost my heart was pounding out of my chest knowing how lucky she is to have that much love and priesthood support. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55gI2mQAKV3mG1GPTc6N0uBPfQdfPwTc9gx1AyNebRtLJRPlnVtG9HxRbCKppD8lMk6sFOxujMIE0DVKMxqmKJAJG2Psn8b_m3XrrxCLdYFYOAw3GzTZpN5VP2VOucSxqOrFwnHojFhVp/s1600/Summer+2011+056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638578585914079506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55gI2mQAKV3mG1GPTc6N0uBPfQdfPwTc9gx1AyNebRtLJRPlnVtG9HxRbCKppD8lMk6sFOxujMIE0DVKMxqmKJAJG2Psn8b_m3XrrxCLdYFYOAw3GzTZpN5VP2VOucSxqOrFwnHojFhVp/s320/Summer+2011+056.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div>There are times in your life that you can reflect on and see the "bigger" picture. I know this was one of those days; surrounded by family... witnessing the beginning of a young and beautiful girl's future!
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdtU81r42Jo2teFXxtDmDeVDKl715F_gXfUpABFXlaxQjBymdbbf5QnrL8jWm437LR5fx_6OHdqaeDF66jFyd0bxN7B0ReVNqooAtCr0wuZVOqGYr_k0dckaH2NBZvx-fR7o86IalNWFh/s1600/Summer+2011+061.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638578578032645090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdtU81r42Jo2teFXxtDmDeVDKl715F_gXfUpABFXlaxQjBymdbbf5QnrL8jWm437LR5fx_6OHdqaeDF66jFyd0bxN7B0ReVNqooAtCr0wuZVOqGYr_k0dckaH2NBZvx-fR7o86IalNWFh/s320/Summer+2011+061.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ny6LvzPqYpTMhVk27FgP309gAv9XkiOvTRGGGQM6eZN4nuBU59GQYUghxFWOa2HuJlYagpCaYfGC7UwkXPgAZXFr0UW2gMdtN-wxjxYwMC67QDeiX6azJlsrZ9StKurt1j7nWsfFrfRh/s1600/Summer+2011+059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638578583108574930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ny6LvzPqYpTMhVk27FgP309gAv9XkiOvTRGGGQM6eZN4nuBU59GQYUghxFWOa2HuJlYagpCaYfGC7UwkXPgAZXFr0UW2gMdtN-wxjxYwMC67QDeiX6azJlsrZ9StKurt1j7nWsfFrfRh/s320/Summer+2011+059.JPG" /></a>
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<br />Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-18139079873484694142011-06-01T21:58:00.001-07:002011-06-01T21:58:40.194-07:00Short Sassy Six<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21JLP0CaCp4_NZNAxpVuu02bgAm2o1cQYxWTdeO5oJd1KhPvldbsx9Xs8HzpcU_57LxxyGbGQ-OO5AFuxj2drGQQc8bp7CaMFbQ0dlzBma4waxkE7EjM9akXEpSR3l5DqbshHCG9Qa84/s1600/Spring+2011+082.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613476871109708962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21JLP0CaCp4_NZNAxpVuu02bgAm2o1cQYxWTdeO5oJd1KhPvldbsx9Xs8HzpcU_57LxxyGbGQ-OO5AFuxj2drGQQc8bp7CaMFbQ0dlzBma4waxkE7EjM9akXEpSR3l5DqbshHCG9Qa84/s320/Spring+2011+082.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Little Miss Mia Louise turned six years old this week. She has been such a blessing in our lives and was the baby for almost six years. From the get go this kid has done things her own way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aFnzgvj_f324CmzPo899qsTBjytvudFTT_Z7Ygvl9i5hc7sFWCeiCNi-F4jGkHntR9U2HxGgIiwZnwKbCP0jiFsMK_c1cxv8DfGPqnBlKpaAPGb17SNOLgYSMROe0YGzrfVRTZQAfyo/s1600/Spring+2011+083.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613480560658497698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aFnzgvj_f324CmzPo899qsTBjytvudFTT_Z7Ygvl9i5hc7sFWCeiCNi-F4jGkHntR9U2HxGgIiwZnwKbCP0jiFsMK_c1cxv8DfGPqnBlKpaAPGb17SNOLgYSMROe0YGzrfVRTZQAfyo/s320/Spring+2011+083.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I was scheduled to be induced with Mia on June 2nd. After supervising an all night graduation party and a long week of festivities back in 2005, I came home to "rest." My body was so uncomfortable and really resting was out of the question. We went down to my mom's for a memorial day bbq. After eating lunch I carried my plate into the kitchen to wash it and put it in the dishwasher. As I bent over I felt an excruciating pain and couldn't stand back up. Tim immediately told me to get in the car so we could go to the hospital. His biggest fear has always been that I would have a baby in the car. So, we headed to SL. We got as far as Mt. Dell Golf course and I told him to turn around that I was embarrassed to call the doctor in on a holiday. He ignored me and continued down the canyon to the hospital. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeSttbBlUT31dg-n1NQCYQJOK53oF6qo6mkXo5JVQmsWIl6LX0u_DB8fMrIPS1uLz4xFBu8rE65zXhPyAeNVgo3PrLvnMI7-AoGnEIojoe8rZfG4TSWjxjd233RpmobFRk9GRCORPL7o/s1600/Spring+2011+055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613476875627649234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeSttbBlUT31dg-n1NQCYQJOK53oF6qo6mkXo5JVQmsWIl6LX0u_DB8fMrIPS1uLz4xFBu8rE65zXhPyAeNVgo3PrLvnMI7-AoGnEIojoe8rZfG4TSWjxjd233RpmobFRk9GRCORPL7o/s320/Spring+2011+055.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>When I checked in I told them "my husband thinks I am in labor." Once I was checked by the nurse she confirmed that I was indeed in labor and needed to get the epidural before it was too late. We left Ellie and Tess with everyone back home. When we called to tell them what was going on they were all halfway to the hospital. Good thing everyone was ready to meet Mia because she arrived one hour after we got to the hospital.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao3jtk2VjDdfJPxcF2HVD_j0ZnPq8GFSKC9qsXSJmvqUAi5vrEnryZ4ZobxQEW_pepwTtYiYNCC8qMdo3U5NetGK2Zv1LLqfQq8SDc85k5E_pA58rghwODgB2HJWuQTc69R40PMQQFfk/s1600/hallowee+and+piano+recital+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613476886738185122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao3jtk2VjDdfJPxcF2HVD_j0ZnPq8GFSKC9qsXSJmvqUAi5vrEnryZ4ZobxQEW_pepwTtYiYNCC8qMdo3U5NetGK2Zv1LLqfQq8SDc85k5E_pA58rghwODgB2HJWuQTc69R40PMQQFfk/s320/hallowee+and+piano+recital+004.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>She hasn't stopped surprising me since that day. This year of kindergarten proved to be no different. Between the shoe incident and the love notes from her "boy" that is a friend she has kept me on my toes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-LZ9iO1OESPZA8lgtze9od0Ll0nIFeVvyn9TjsSpvynJ4UGnqwC0lRpe_798WkFqR6Z6aNSTxQ4ZB1jBp5QtmhM2e1w8bhdPnl5lq9ROCLLgDYS8-1xkM_RiVpA0ZyPSJqyWi5f4szI/s1600/Spring+2011+068.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613476896567842594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-LZ9iO1OESPZA8lgtze9od0Ll0nIFeVvyn9TjsSpvynJ4UGnqwC0lRpe_798WkFqR6Z6aNSTxQ4ZB1jBp5QtmhM2e1w8bhdPnl5lq9ROCLLgDYS8-1xkM_RiVpA0ZyPSJqyWi5f4szI/s320/Spring+2011+068.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I was worried how she would react to the baby since she had been our "baby" for so long, but again she has surprised me. She loves Evie and wants to help all the time. She loves reading, playing the violin, and is quite the ballroom diva. We love our Mia Lousie and know she will go far in her life! I am so proud to be her mother.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmMPl-D7pTDYOdplY_FDxcp3ND5fmKU3fdSWk96At6ZqSDlqZpv_IiP2Z0P_ObF1cjhR3oov_OZogO0HtuwOgT5b6rjFIpHFR_UhSW-rxkApzQAIwFTZabSryxH2jECCBfPGyPQgi1zA/s1600/Evie+and+Family+%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613476880569972914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmMPl-D7pTDYOdplY_FDxcp3ND5fmKU3fdSWk96At6ZqSDlqZpv_IiP2Z0P_ObF1cjhR3oov_OZogO0HtuwOgT5b6rjFIpHFR_UhSW-rxkApzQAIwFTZabSryxH2jECCBfPGyPQgi1zA/s320/Evie+and+Family+%25286%2529.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-52323153637288370902011-04-11T15:59:00.000-07:002011-04-11T19:19:34.812-07:00Sunrise Sunset<div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">CLICK ON THE PICTURES, Obviously I am not technologically savvy!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Is this the littel girl I carried?... When did she get to be a beauty? ...Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?... (I have been in song mode for over a week) I also have been dieing in anticipation of these pictures. We had them taken while in St. George. I think it was way worth the wait. What do you think? <a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/?action=view&current=EvieandFamily42-web.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/EvieandFamily42-web.jpg" /></a> Then there are the rest of my girls, we couldn't stop with just Evie! <a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/?action=view&current=EvieandFamily19-web.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/EvieandFamily19-web.jpg" /></a> Hard for me to believe this was <em>my baby</em> once upon a time. I am so amazed and impressed with her. I will say that her outer beauty is stunning BUT her inner beauty will take your breath away! <a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/?action=view&current=EvieandFamily14-web.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/EvieandFamily14-web.jpg" /></a> When she was <em>my baby</em>, the world seemed just right. She was an adorable baby, her older sister loved her, and I was in a good place. Now she is preparing for baptism and entering that next phase of life. Her gorgeous looks are paired with her scholastic abilities and endless talents. It is a blessing to be her mother. <a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/?action=view&current=EvieandFamily8-web.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/EvieandFamily8-web.jpg" /></a> There are many words I could use to describe my world when Mia was <em>my baby</em>. We were building a house, Tess was only 20 months old, I had three kids in day care. It was a nightmare! But everytime I would hold <em>my</em> sweet little <em>baby</em>, she would snuggle up in my arms and everything seemed right. Her looks will steal your heart; along with the 15 kindergarten boys who write her love notes and bring her flowers from their moms yard! She was <em>my sweet baby</em> for almost six years and I loved every minute of it. And then when you think your heart can't possibly love anything more..... this happens. <a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/?action=view&current=EvieandFamily29-web.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/EvieandFamily29-web.jpg" /></a>> I couldn't love my life and <em>my babies</em> anymore. Since this IS <em>my baby</em> for life, my cup runneth over with love! Thank you Tim for giving me four beautiful babies! You complete me! (I know cliche but true)<a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/?action=view&current=EvieandFamily38-web.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/valeriebhart/Evie%20and%20Family/EvieandFamily38-web.jpg" /></a> Sunrise, sunset quickly fly the years..one season following another, laden with happiness and tears.</div><br /><div align="center">Click <a href="http://valeriehartphotography.blogspot.com/">here</a> if you want to see more amazing pictures of the session, Valerie was amazing.</div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-74640035986553617722011-03-01T17:45:00.000-08:002011-03-02T08:29:01.863-08:00Evie's Pictures<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZz6WYtpA3XtoXmhCNmOCZZhXYznuGI9W46VZWx0wHrANgMizH1ZuarVIjUIzqlLlE6EX4Y5ejI4jWAtkFeD8Np2J-oCCDEEsX-WEURq0241Wjr7js8vXXteILqWunZTORlEp3l3jNHrd/s1600/mom+camera+369.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579293835069184834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZz6WYtpA3XtoXmhCNmOCZZhXYznuGI9W46VZWx0wHrANgMizH1ZuarVIjUIzqlLlE6EX4Y5ejI4jWAtkFeD8Np2J-oCCDEEsX-WEURq0241Wjr7js8vXXteILqWunZTORlEp3l3jNHrd/s320/mom+camera+369.JPG" /></a><br />About 1 minute after entering the big bright world! </div><div align="center">BTW: Evie had the pinkest skin from the time she came out. </div><div align="center">Her score was 9.9= OVER ACHIEVER!!!!!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdI7XbOJgRM-Ia-JIie6Btf4fcxf99ZHVRAEqm0zVnY8QkO4TAyi54USbtl_-W4Gv90nrzb-Ow4YC3YllNs77M8uHwHBNs5lJuejYnYTm2M1LDHvsFjRMqOrCliEvejvjYwbfj88Q-Rmq/s1600/mom+camera+370.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579293838060095410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdI7XbOJgRM-Ia-JIie6Btf4fcxf99ZHVRAEqm0zVnY8QkO4TAyi54USbtl_-W4Gv90nrzb-Ow4YC3YllNs77M8uHwHBNs5lJuejYnYTm2M1LDHvsFjRMqOrCliEvejvjYwbfj88Q-Rmq/s320/mom+camera+370.JPG" /></a> The three sisters waiting to see the result. Nothing but cheers and smiles.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4XuwpWegNG6ew6DCoQjt2hxNsLrj1KaVjnpwyPdkEfK5EZsGB15m_S7Ie69JXZHqtZVpNOI5TuSbMk9DPBW8qSMFc6e1gYkRbVtTQ1uG2W4qUmmVtXtx_U5hzDnQWI8GCfCv62K3_jJA/s1600/mom+camera+371.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579293848786990786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4XuwpWegNG6ew6DCoQjt2hxNsLrj1KaVjnpwyPdkEfK5EZsGB15m_S7Ie69JXZHqtZVpNOI5TuSbMk9DPBW8qSMFc6e1gYkRbVtTQ1uG2W4qUmmVtXtx_U5hzDnQWI8GCfCv62K3_jJA/s320/mom+camera+371.JPG" /></a><br />Official weigh in 6lbs 130z<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVNRpGIgSh-VoPloZtp79Q4r_CAnFUnrm30ZefPspslPpDOqQeUa5kOYflyIRoi7NjkcleWDHDmS6TOOzcoh7NuUhhBkzc-eAmNyirvLXQpZBZjw_Ejs8L-6cdGYboLOKmjOzl89LaJDU/s1600/mom+camera+372.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579293850776964642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVNRpGIgSh-VoPloZtp79Q4r_CAnFUnrm30ZefPspslPpDOqQeUa5kOYflyIRoi7NjkcleWDHDmS6TOOzcoh7NuUhhBkzc-eAmNyirvLXQpZBZjw_Ejs8L-6cdGYboLOKmjOzl89LaJDU/s320/mom+camera+372.JPG" /></a> Ready to be big sisters!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUmK9SLg6qhI0HPj80pKWCDrZN17S6VFyNUzdIEmIWbL6hPC__eW7RzfjalbqVpjXEpVNdOpzaxmddbQVYekrG7VOjMBgJcMvr2Hh46dn9shQeab1u_6-EWqV3VgYpFh3DkILWpDeWt3a/s1600/mom+camera+374.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579293856517186898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUmK9SLg6qhI0HPj80pKWCDrZN17S6VFyNUzdIEmIWbL6hPC__eW7RzfjalbqVpjXEpVNdOpzaxmddbQVYekrG7VOjMBgJcMvr2Hh46dn9shQeab1u_6-EWqV3VgYpFh3DkILWpDeWt3a/s320/mom+camera+374.JPG" /></a>I thought she looked chubby but she is my typical little bird!</div><div align="center">Thanks to all who came to see us and who have made wonderful meals. We are so blessed to have you all close and part of our family. </div><div align="center">Love, Tim & Billie Jo and the 4 girls!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-76585174612581494762011-02-24T05:53:00.000-08:002011-02-24T06:21:00.766-08:00It's A...........GIRL! Evie Fae Butikofer made her arrival on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 2:06 pm. We could not be more excited and pleased that we are now parents to FOUR beautiful daughters.<br /><br /> With all the anticipation and anxiety that I have been going through the last little while I was beyond ready to meet our baby. I had been saying the entire time that I truly hoped we had a girl. Most people tried to tell me that it was a boy and he had been waiting for 12 years to join our family. While I would have been happy to welcome a baby boy, I am OVERJOYED to be the mother of 4 girls. I know many people who have four girls and my grandmother Louise started out with four girls. There is something about girls that I just love! So yes more pink, more hormones, more dancing, and more joy at the Butikofer home!<br />In case you are wondering about her name, I will offer some explanation. I am very into names that have meaning to both Tim and I. This name evolved from both of our grandmothers'. Eva is Tim's grandmother Burtenshaw's name and also his mom's middle name. Fae is my grandmother McNeil's name. We feel like Evie has spent time with both wonderful woman while waiting to join our family. By giving her a part of these legendary women, it will define who she is and how strong she will be. Her potential is limitless!<br />Thanks to everyone who called, text, and came to support us. We love you all and can't wait to be back home with all of our daughter's living the good life on Country Lane.<br />Picture will come soon!!!Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-78408383436001391352010-12-31T16:33:00.000-08:002010-12-31T18:12:26.143-08:00Farewell 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNaEY1ivYvOL_oeEGahtVNnW7UboihmU-ykRf9C1wqKOIaLKYU4UPlE1LiMr4XTBTAaeMNZ4FuTu9eWkZNBNNkBm-M0ggcIOVa1Uh7xEQU5raWN23gTk-gUoxgYs_M9FG7lt3Qf6ARlSh/s1600/SCL_6087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557027684202100114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNaEY1ivYvOL_oeEGahtVNnW7UboihmU-ykRf9C1wqKOIaLKYU4UPlE1LiMr4XTBTAaeMNZ4FuTu9eWkZNBNNkBm-M0ggcIOVa1Uh7xEQU5raWN23gTk-gUoxgYs_M9FG7lt3Qf6ARlSh/s400/SCL_6087.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I know it sounds cliche but where did this year go? The last few days I have thought a lot about the year 2010. It certainly had its highs and most definitely had some lows. All I know is that this year has been a season of change all around. Let's start with my kids.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt4YalqzNgdZUZr5sa7LDL513dUktt5RUK8-cIgzCOOGSmyGiHbv-TXEWA7D5kSlEoCMKHCUwWyqR2y7kHhtproQqA5N6MijQAkAQJvTNCxP09g7mj7WnLE94lF-JkgpLcJF-qMTlqdQK/s1600/SCL_6121.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557027670325455250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt4YalqzNgdZUZr5sa7LDL513dUktt5RUK8-cIgzCOOGSmyGiHbv-TXEWA7D5kSlEoCMKHCUwWyqR2y7kHhtproQqA5N6MijQAkAQJvTNCxP09g7mj7WnLE94lF-JkgpLcJF-qMTlqdQK/s400/SCL_6121.JPG" /></a><br /><div>As you all know little Miss Mia started school this year. While I was a little worried about how she would act (following Tess cannot always be easy) I will say I am not at all surprised! Yes even the phone call from the teacher, NOT SURPRISING!!! She has many friends but seems to have a love/hate relationship with one special friend named Hunter. Again, no surprise! I didn't feel like I had spent as much time preparing Mia for kindergarten like I had the other two. I have mixed emotions about Kindergarten. On one hand if you teach them everything and have them "reading" before kindergarten, they are somewhat bored and feel like school is just a social avenue. The other hand being you have some pride knowing your child is one of the top kids when you go to parent teacher conference and they already have everything marked off. So as usual with this kid I just let the card fall as they may. I have been so surprised to see how things have turned out. She reads better than either of the other two did at this point and she is constantly surprising me with how "grown up" she has become. I will admit she might have a set back come February and I stop carrying her around like my "little" baby. For now, I will get as much cuddle time as I can. Mia also started violin when school started this fall. Batting a thousand, she has shocked me with how well she is doing. I absolutely LOVE to hear Mia and Tess play duets, even if it is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. So to sum up the year for Mia I would say, Little Miss Attitude Rocks the Kindergarten World!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeagnlA0Yul5g4dw8I8ijmkOysC5hrQLlPFav4KcAKC0_hnNryb5WvJPRLEkl7wfghFnd2i4cjMmC7iUOG30aL31L9b8QsB1WU8cxsWB9QqaOUqkgmDmrzcZgrDd2L4Ki85e3zTgKPDNb/s1600/SCL_6109.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557027681473349698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeagnlA0Yul5g4dw8I8ijmkOysC5hrQLlPFav4KcAKC0_hnNryb5WvJPRLEkl7wfghFnd2i4cjMmC7iUOG30aL31L9b8QsB1WU8cxsWB9QqaOUqkgmDmrzcZgrDd2L4Ki85e3zTgKPDNb/s400/SCL_6109.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Moving on to the middle child. Tess has had a wonderful 2010. She started playing the violin in February and took off like a rocket. Her teacher would tell me what a perfect student she was and how pleased she was with Tess each time she came to lessons. This is how Tess goes through life. She finished out first grade winning her class spelling bee (they don't go any further in first grade) and when she left her first grade teacher we ALL three (myself, Tess, and her teacher)shed many tears. Mrs. Flinders set Tess on the educational track like I have never seen an educator do. I was so worried about how second grade would then go down. Fortunately, she continues to thrive. She also finally has her good "friends" in her class. They have lots of fun and Tess has found more joy in school than ever before. She also started ballroom this fall with the return on Aunt Giselle. As a result she is constantly engaged in performing. Serious ballerina, showy Jazz dancer, dynamic acrobat, and now social butterfly ballroomer! She and Luke did a great job at the Christmas show and this upcoming year will be bigger than ever for Tess. She is moving to level 2 on violin, getting a new sibling, as well as preparing for baptism. To sum up the year for Tess, the shy quiet child is blossoming into a beautiful outgoing belle of the ball.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIFKwuiwWYObBIlcItAejFxcpWhWLkr6g2w-fUCqfZEsu3Encj-tMwp7e4zM1-PW9wtKiq8BQ6sAUxCZ8zPoAH2AsxUn_UGRVVHkKeX1BNXy8FDNukdfCx5oZoy8Ufe5hNlAdTHv3r-x2/s1600/SCL_6095.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557027675256710322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIFKwuiwWYObBIlcItAejFxcpWhWLkr6g2w-fUCqfZEsu3Encj-tMwp7e4zM1-PW9wtKiq8BQ6sAUxCZ8zPoAH2AsxUn_UGRVVHkKeX1BNXy8FDNukdfCx5oZoy8Ufe5hNlAdTHv3r-x2/s400/SCL_6095.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Talk about growing pains! Ellie had quite the 2010. Ellie began playing the guitar in February. This proved to be the perfect match for Ellie and her personality. I have no idea how to play the guitar or anything that goes with it. I can figure out violin fingering and music but guitar is way out of my league. Ellie listens to songs and figures out the cording and plays has a great ear. Ellie also participated in her first year of comp team. None of us even knew what a show stopper Ellie could be until she starts into her hip hop mode. Watch out! She gives new meaning to "attitude." She did her first solo and was amazing! She also finished up elementary school and moved onto middle school. SERIOUSLY, I have a middle school student. Her bus comes at 7:05 in the morning and she is always ready and going. She has matured so much this year and it scares me to think she will be entering Young Women's this year! She got an ipod (touch) for Christmas and acts like your typical teenager. To sum up her year I would say, winds of change. (Oh some of the greatest music came from my high school days!)</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wB6dINpyhAHlhBWtNFHx9ftvFWSaJnH3gLROAFQg_zFpSZvAqMfxzmqiAV6RmpEO-1LZwIraJoGqqmjv-DcC23nQncg5INRvPbRtIRsffhsuI9ZgHJ8JAn8QkRbzixQBMyH6Ez1KOlI6/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557029883418609682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wB6dINpyhAHlhBWtNFHx9ftvFWSaJnH3gLROAFQg_zFpSZvAqMfxzmqiAV6RmpEO-1LZwIraJoGqqmjv-DcC23nQncg5INRvPbRtIRsffhsuI9ZgHJ8JAn8QkRbzixQBMyH6Ez1KOlI6/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+055.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKcaaVNfF6pM4MHnNtZa0ga4_-bMLu5QwnwbRm2HOgKYilnPAIgFBkNlCeJrJnEIWOVPXWdoFHF156S8XKTRZ2RuOqdC6jTAdwQuGKmeqd2oXD_z78a-9kfduJ_vN9eaYUaH0xGV3FguQ/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557029877527607074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKcaaVNfF6pM4MHnNtZa0ga4_-bMLu5QwnwbRm2HOgKYilnPAIgFBkNlCeJrJnEIWOVPXWdoFHF156S8XKTRZ2RuOqdC6jTAdwQuGKmeqd2oXD_z78a-9kfduJ_vN9eaYUaH0xGV3FguQ/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+056.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Tim and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary. Neither of us can believe that at this time in our life we are adding our 4th child. There was a time when we both thought that 3 children was our lot in life. 2010 seemed to change my mind! Between life, death, and the pursuit of eternal salvation... I realized we needed to expand our family. This was not an easy decision given how crazy our life schedule is. However knowing we are weeks away from meeting the final member of our family brings me great joy and complete satisfaction. Since we never found out the sex of our other children I could not let my track record fall. We all have our days thinking it is a boy or a girl and for various reasons but whatever this child is it will complete our family. Tim and I also were called to go on the Stake Trek this year. I will say that of the things that took place in 2010, this had to be one of my highlights. Not only did I grow an obscene appreciation for my pioneer ancestors, I also developed a stronger love and testimony of my Savior, and more importantly a deeper and more amazing love for my eternal companion. It was on the trek that I realized I was pregnant and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful man for the father of my children. We still have so much learning to do but hopefully together we can make it. Our careers are both doing wonderful, (thank heavens Giselle returned to me this year) and Tim has never been so busy/successful with work. I think a highlight for Tim this year was the addition of the tower to the boat. He not only loves wake boarding but spending time with family and friends on the water. I think he wishes the season were a little longer around here. I just remind him all the snow means full reservoirs this summer. To sum up our year.... BLESSED!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXEWIEGedXxsFgJ3Mlwb99Izujh0qfjx1TQ0P0VfjGS9JEAMRxS3i8ArhlMylzuH3dHwFq8y8LDYeXblRTU-FLd9-Yc8ewZvuG2haXpK_f3HNWPo0IvnGMuphbYp9Wm3MrbIe_CsPouGH/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557029866212189586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXEWIEGedXxsFgJ3Mlwb99Izujh0qfjx1TQ0P0VfjGS9JEAMRxS3i8ArhlMylzuH3dHwFq8y8LDYeXblRTU-FLd9-Yc8ewZvuG2haXpK_f3HNWPo0IvnGMuphbYp9Wm3MrbIe_CsPouGH/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+014.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeTR3KJsNzZTMau7kd5RVAvbRNkVG2sJf9Gezc6L2qA_5njsgVIBbY23ZhTkasMDKMYUG4gOQpYNI7skczF9HrarcFtn4jwJYfyiyBOKfAiSHzU-_PS5ZS4-18tf7fQGV2-XRfRrAldO8/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557029862895120258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeTR3KJsNzZTMau7kd5RVAvbRNkVG2sJf9Gezc6L2qA_5njsgVIBbY23ZhTkasMDKMYUG4gOQpYNI7skczF9HrarcFtn4jwJYfyiyBOKfAiSHzU-_PS5ZS4-18tf7fQGV2-XRfRrAldO8/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+030.JPG" /></a><br /><div>We have so many things to be grateful for this year. Good bye 2010, thanks for the good times, the bad times, and our times with each other!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNtm7pjSv_bWZjA9t8AkkJ6qZSfkEhzPGsH2kXQyWQfVrSs0UDpum0qFQr2L-E22-Iuke8UrdUlW_-fwKLvL3LJFyzRVhyphenhyphenZCqu8rcLDjfA0DWefhAXTqGONVOrxHtBrnO_gpkDz7fKCPZ/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557029870035300258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNtm7pjSv_bWZjA9t8AkkJ6qZSfkEhzPGsH2kXQyWQfVrSs0UDpum0qFQr2L-E22-Iuke8UrdUlW_-fwKLvL3LJFyzRVhyphenhyphenZCqu8rcLDjfA0DWefhAXTqGONVOrxHtBrnO_gpkDz7fKCPZ/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+043.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-73677012505378559312010-09-13T08:01:00.000-07:002010-09-13T09:05:15.539-07:00Tales from Kindergarten, Mia Style
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<br />And so it begins! Probably need to document these things right now so some day in the future I can laugh about it... someday!
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqIx14uqLqTP1_hKgzrm03Hs2yKph6mTssavZTXbJvHEvZel4BwhdRDWEI573Bpqh9f-Tzd69XTbdyKYLBjjH7Jr0PKrAf7dFzmq-8ih6PQH74gpNQTuqHle1BvZLtvVSxjkX1-xBE0HG/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+066.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516424976231528722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqIx14uqLqTP1_hKgzrm03Hs2yKph6mTssavZTXbJvHEvZel4BwhdRDWEI573Bpqh9f-Tzd69XTbdyKYLBjjH7Jr0PKrAf7dFzmq-8ih6PQH74gpNQTuqHle1BvZLtvVSxjkX1-xBE0HG/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+066.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a></p>Her "natural" pose!-Kindergarten 2010
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<br />I have been so blessed to have all my girls in school this year! We run a tight ship around this place and between the 7:05 AM bus time for Ellie, violin and guitar, and piano lessons in the morning, and then 7:58 AM bus time for Tess and Mia we get up early. Not a problem in the past. My two older girls are morning kids, they jump up and get going. Not so much with my third. She has been a different story from the get go. Call it head strong, call it stubborn, call it moody, just call it MIA! Each morning she has a different "drama." Many times it goes like this.
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<br /><em>Mom no one will play with me on the playground. They think I am four because I am so little.</em> My reply, logical of course- <em>Well you can explain to them that your birthday is May 30th and you are five. There is another cute girl in your class named Kaylie who is about your size. Try to play with her.</em>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ56uUYS7OOgYewY322Fi7v1zTzzQz_0Wf-SWHu2w9J3mqI0qI8tvkzJCy2gdAXflrv29n5Z2ql_AR-YafuLOw3xotPg5PaBUcZaQvH7Nt_ekQryhz0oQpsVtRCt8S-09mXy2TkhGOaeGh/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516424992597913330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ56uUYS7OOgYewY322Fi7v1zTzzQz_0Wf-SWHu2w9J3mqI0qI8tvkzJCy2gdAXflrv29n5Z2ql_AR-YafuLOw3xotPg5PaBUcZaQvH7Nt_ekQryhz0oQpsVtRCt8S-09mXy2TkhGOaeGh/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+075.JPG" /></a
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<br /><div align="center">The next morning</div>
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<br /><div align="center"><em>Mom how do you spell KC. </em>My reply: <em>K-C. </em>Tess the spelling bee champion and family nark chimes in.<em> It's probably C-A-S-E-Y. She is writing a note to her boyfriend mom and wants to spell his name. </em>Again my logical reply,<em> Mia we don't write notes to boys and your only boyfriend is your dad. (Has she not learned anything from the Jamison episode in preschool!)</em> Later in the day while doing laundry, I find a post it in her pocket reading </div>
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<br /><div align="center">KC + Mia</div>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zDRK2pF03hs_nNuOP5hqr9dmr8gBaDaXU8d6zOOIsQ6MYaRvztnpJJo4JL_4OCkpPXgA3YFhM9kEGfzNBIUGa-3IRMIVUEuYGVk7AZf5x6AL2tdA6lC17hMw7C6hQK9aLTroB9Fqqbke/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516424981568432450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zDRK2pF03hs_nNuOP5hqr9dmr8gBaDaXU8d6zOOIsQ6MYaRvztnpJJo4JL_4OCkpPXgA3YFhM9kEGfzNBIUGa-3IRMIVUEuYGVk7AZf5x6AL2tdA6lC17hMw7C6hQK9aLTroB9Fqqbke/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+070.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div align="left">One day as I walk up to greet Mia at the end of the Country Lane bus stop, she gets off holding one sandal in her hand and one on her foot. When I inquire she tells me (one hand on hip and a smile) <em>Kaleby ripped my shoe off and broke it on the bus. </em>My inquiring mind wants to know-<em>Mia what is your shoe doing in Kaleby's face? </em>No reply!</div>
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<br /><div align="left">Then this morning. Seemed to be starting off great, in fact she got dressed before Tess and had eaten three raspberry muffins before 7:00! Moving on with the routine, we went in her bedroom to make her bed ad get her shoes and socks on. LET THE GAMES BEGIN. She balked and cried and whined because she does not like wearing brown shoes to school. Last week she didn't like her mary janes because they showed her socks. Today it was the brown shoes didn't match her blue pants. I gave her the speech and we proceeded to doing hair. The fireworks continued and as a result she was spanked and sent back to bed. 20 minutes later it seemed the tantrum was over and we advanced to finish up mode. I took both she an Tess to school knowing there wouldn't be much time for mommy to help with homework tonight so we did reading before school and left at 8:30 AM. Dropped them off at school and headed back home-flash forward 20 minutes and the phone rings. Caller ID indicates -South Summit Elementary. <em>"Hello Billie Jo, this is Mrs. Blazzard. Mia didn't have ANY shoes on when she came to school today! She told me she left them on the bus accidentally, so I called the bus garage and they radioed her bus driver. He said Mia didn't ride the bus. I then told Mia the bus driver said you didn't ride the bus today, and she replied; oh yeah I came in my mom's car. I must have left them there. Are her shoes in your car?"</em> Running down the stairs to check my car, I tell Mrs. Blazzard. <em>"I could guarantee they are in her book bag but let me check real quick."</em> Surprise NO SHOES IN MY CAR. And to think I have 13 more years of this!!!!!!! <strong>Can you say boarding school.
<br />In other new, Tess and Ellie are loving school, loving life, and loving wearing their shoes!
<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz6y9sxSZc55zeBkgHN0yWpkSqDWhn88IGMHiTaIkYKR7e1ywWjILUukG5KoDPVxsfj1hut0kUkz7gQxo2wD0u7sbIHsRGcpbBgTxZZoVcBbsYt0cEwJNaBgLWX6WPq7CxsHd1eWEU6M8/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516424995141150498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz6y9sxSZc55zeBkgHN0yWpkSqDWhn88IGMHiTaIkYKR7e1ywWjILUukG5KoDPVxsfj1hut0kUkz7gQxo2wD0u7sbIHsRGcpbBgTxZZoVcBbsYt0cEwJNaBgLWX6WPq7CxsHd1eWEU6M8/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+062.JPG" /></a> Tess, 2nd Grade
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<br /></STRON<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qoHnTZkCcDYil7LflICiqD43qnXVAyfoeLbGzM8NSrDyzkjqrSBKXn4Gsqd6abeRqP9GdZaHmss2xlLoiTBL8_PfPaYbgROc_hWdEIyvWhXnbaUvONaMcwgoyBTjocYcjpm8gvCzf0Cl/s1600/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516425004179029666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qoHnTZkCcDYil7LflICiqD43qnXVAyfoeLbGzM8NSrDyzkjqrSBKXn4Gsqd6abeRqP9GdZaHmss2xlLoiTBL8_PfPaYbgROc_hWdEIyvWhXnbaUvONaMcwgoyBTjocYcjpm8gvCzf0Cl/s400/Summer+and+1st+School+2010+060.JPG" /></a></div></div></strong>
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<br />Ellie, Middle School 5th Grade
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<br />Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-77055811425829802152010-08-03T14:05:00.000-07:002010-08-03T14:44:20.488-07:00Seven Years of Joy<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKqsqpqTakNEm78vdRhyB-5NuWquGO8TJWn6KLAEK2sarc1cd20yrKPm5Cn9cWZrgIvfP7d3JaKqUy3JEn1eCN72GGV1-Ndw7x7L6WWJBPpkV7dV_4TR051Oi1MuL2lB1lb0xqWri_rxY/s1600/scan0004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501300639423455202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKqsqpqTakNEm78vdRhyB-5NuWquGO8TJWn6KLAEK2sarc1cd20yrKPm5Cn9cWZrgIvfP7d3JaKqUy3JEn1eCN72GGV1-Ndw7x7L6WWJBPpkV7dV_4TR051Oi1MuL2lB1lb0xqWri_rxY/s400/scan0004.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzOe6YR1u1ndfS_29Hs-vGoTdLgecTNZc44NsLahzEFNOY2MlWcJN9FGohGqjfsyxLT4vDZuYCO2edEUzZvZVtuUT8MyQGPsl9c5VpWlo1uZHRBF3T5SiL_DsdKXzg18liEXBxWjrZaIh/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501298721875546514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzOe6YR1u1ndfS_29Hs-vGoTdLgecTNZc44NsLahzEFNOY2MlWcJN9FGohGqjfsyxLT4vDZuYCO2edEUzZvZVtuUT8MyQGPsl9c5VpWlo1uZHRBF3T5SiL_DsdKXzg18liEXBxWjrZaIh/s400/scan0001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Today my middle child turned 7! I can hardly believe that in those seven years so much joy has been given to me just by being this child's mother. It actually took Tim a while to talk me into having another child after Ellie. I was busy with my career, he was busy working and going to school, and we had a beautiful little girl. Seemed like our life was complete. Ellie had her fourth birthday and I decided it maybe was time to get going. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNY2MhR_T3isSJ8YLc-VSSUVKmfEbSTAWjQkcGn1BwYx6X8BsZKHCsVEqsi-oQg3mV9Qky_uVrSOCqQYMt0q01W8eBHxh4Q4GixDy4sx738WtiiBE9YH2HbHTPHdTjzhhOTPPNd60w_l6h/s1600/scan0002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501298730285394354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNY2MhR_T3isSJ8YLc-VSSUVKmfEbSTAWjQkcGn1BwYx6X8BsZKHCsVEqsi-oQg3mV9Qky_uVrSOCqQYMt0q01W8eBHxh4Q4GixDy4sx738WtiiBE9YH2HbHTPHdTjzhhOTPPNd60w_l6h/s400/scan0002.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The entire nine months I was pregnant with Tess I had to be on medication to prevent me from throwing up all the time. It also was the hottest summer on the record books and we had NO air conditioning. Needless to say, I could not wait for this little child to get here. It was a very peaceful Sunday morning when I went to the hospital to have her. As usual, the ENTIRE room was full of people waiting for the arrival. (See how much fun it is not to know if you are having a boy or a girl, everyone comes to the hospital to find out!) The doctor even joked about setting up some stadium seating for the many spectators. From the start everything was easy with Tess. I think I pushed twice, about as hard as blowing up a ballon and out she came. A teeny, tiny, hairy little girl. She had so much black hair we could put a barrette in from the start. Even though Tess started out at 6 lbs 4 oz. she chubbed right up and put the gerber baby to shame. She always had the biggest cheeks and a soft little smile. Tess is very shy but stubborn. She decided when she was ready to be potty trained, she decided when she would talk, and she decided that it was fine to be a big sister at 21 months old!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByem2aJtfc299FFFjROM4IXvjJDmwwS67Aa5o5UC8IBP8JyjHubqnPKsyyopHW-SCRL29hASg72nRZMc6jSyC_CtmnwQoR2EH8jJnxLa46Xw8j8CaPKEJiqFAwj_RgNNJNr1xant0DBY2/s1600/SCL_4597.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501298743829338194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByem2aJtfc299FFFjROM4IXvjJDmwwS67Aa5o5UC8IBP8JyjHubqnPKsyyopHW-SCRL29hASg72nRZMc6jSyC_CtmnwQoR2EH8jJnxLa46Xw8j8CaPKEJiqFAwj_RgNNJNr1xant0DBY2/s400/SCL_4597.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I don't think I need to recount the day we went in for her kindergarten test and she kicked me out of the evaulation. Just proving to me that she can do everything by herself. She started reading early, she started playing the piano at 5, and picked up the violin at 6. Her music teachers tell me she is gifted with a great ear. (Of course look at her "superior genetics".) Tess also was the star speller in her class this year and completely won her teachers heart. It was a very teary day when she left first grade. </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fF-dht05u23wKVmJr2x2ERzviBSZTdTMrL6-ITVTU6TsnFdSpikH5BoYzyNb5uhdOeeMkrxz3P4VoBBn4h6mT7IeDjZWaPglTGz7LYlOA4l4wgqgrTedjMBHju6gQ1bNMN7b-QE-G6mk/s1600/Spring+2010+062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501300628200995298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fF-dht05u23wKVmJr2x2ERzviBSZTdTMrL6-ITVTU6TsnFdSpikH5BoYzyNb5uhdOeeMkrxz3P4VoBBn4h6mT7IeDjZWaPglTGz7LYlOA4l4wgqgrTedjMBHju6gQ1bNMN7b-QE-G6mk/s400/Spring+2010+062.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO7DW0uZImy5E-DHb0tuniYHq1leZ_VYJTJ3I30QS1t6VadNF0iKoNAGYmZ2DYYjyXyL5mH70YKYLEfXh_TUpWu-o77XrAv7Tti8ZGfE3u1YbCqi0mM3Ca5PZUH0hAqHMfjUIOtkDmAix/s1600/Back+to+school+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501298748413586322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO7DW0uZImy5E-DHb0tuniYHq1leZ_VYJTJ3I30QS1t6VadNF0iKoNAGYmZ2DYYjyXyL5mH70YKYLEfXh_TUpWu-o77XrAv7Tti8ZGfE3u1YbCqi0mM3Ca5PZUH0hAqHMfjUIOtkDmAix/s400/Back+to+school+002.JPG" /><br /></a><br /><br /><div><br />Tess is also a wonderful caring sister. She loves Mia and Ellie and can spend all day playing with them. What a joy she had been for these seven years. I am so lucky to be the mother of this child of God. Happy Birthday Tess- my cup of Joy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xAbG4uLdOqq-4osIToA6r5Y_3JCyV8dRtzga-NVgOn2DXWW2vVCto9sFNXj4gaCcH3HaEXp5-FMWMFkOBbnZRHJNQMvVkMtG7PvdV9RZrK2-pAYV3bOB-ZMRpYcoxGD4awjNYAMmrr_V/s1600/Grandchildren+7-2010+161%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501301989638105890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xAbG4uLdOqq-4osIToA6r5Y_3JCyV8dRtzga-NVgOn2DXWW2vVCto9sFNXj4gaCcH3HaEXp5-FMWMFkOBbnZRHJNQMvVkMtG7PvdV9RZrK2-pAYV3bOB-ZMRpYcoxGD4awjNYAMmrr_V/s400/Grandchildren+7-2010+161%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-84247733748206954822010-06-11T13:24:00.000-07:002010-06-11T14:39:39.245-07:00And I say to myself....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPrrvSbpyC_ub9DYDl3hvP3OE80JWih7A9_Xu3_AwTqa2usas7LtuQrXZJq_LHjHX5XDzQrPh6KtmcKo-mYezWkYavGC9EUMPY4lcLk2Y1TlDuj1SwKGdHHwyfPLRPz7N3rOn2_bOYJnS/s1600/Spring+2010+064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481630853266078946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPrrvSbpyC_ub9DYDl3hvP3OE80JWih7A9_Xu3_AwTqa2usas7LtuQrXZJq_LHjHX5XDzQrPh6KtmcKo-mYezWkYavGC9EUMPY4lcLk2Y1TlDuj1SwKGdHHwyfPLRPz7N3rOn2_bOYJnS/s400/Spring+2010+064.JPG" /></a>
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<br />Well mother nature has once again shown us who is boss (like every good woman). Just when I thought I could enjoy summer and work in my yard, BAM 49 degrees. So instead of cleaning inside, I sat down at my computer to check on a few friends. I should warn you now, I am already crying so prepare yourself!
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<br />I have a dear friend, Becky, from college, I hadn't seen or heard from her in over 13 years. One evening I got a call from our other mutual friend letting me know that Becky had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Immediately my thoughts turned to her husband and children. How can some one so young (my age) have something so devastating happen. Through the power of the Internet I have been able to keep close tabs on how she is doing. We also attended a fundraiser event in her honor back in April. I just have to tell you, she has absolutely taken the high road with this. She has allowed it, the cancer, to bring her closer to her Heavenly Father, her family, and her friends. When I just checked on her this morning, she had just reported on her mastectomy procedure. And again, I say to myself...... to young! Go <a href="http://www.beckyandjustinanderson.blogspot.com/">here</a> to see what an amazing person she is!
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<br />Over the last few months I have been able to spend a little more time with my sweet ten year old. She had a big year in school this year. When I say big, I mean BIG! Through it all we discovered that she may need a little help moving forward in her education. Some how the stars aligned and we found a wonderful program to help us out. It requires a lot of time and training on her part and mine. But as we take each step and level I can see what a wonderful talented daughter I have been blessed with. She is changing right before my eyes both mentally and physically. And I say to myself... pre-teen what?
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<br />She has also discovered a love for the guitar. Her guitar teacher tells me she is the most talented guitar student she has. Ellie surprised me the other day when she heard a song and went to her guitar and figured out the cording so she could play it. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqLR1HutcJf_2UfsLVeUejhnPMcwgaL-ImX_BMVlUyEi8hH1TcnZRb_rmROpoZp2xqFIO3AiL6D3VqN7lkuvP5VcPbxTJ8BToBF-sWMGaVXd17lSYo-q_uTeaj_WlNM05mZjS1NDdQQ12/s1600/Spring+2010+044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481624960774558354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqLR1HutcJf_2UfsLVeUejhnPMcwgaL-ImX_BMVlUyEi8hH1TcnZRb_rmROpoZp2xqFIO3AiL6D3VqN7lkuvP5VcPbxTJ8BToBF-sWMGaVXd17lSYo-q_uTeaj_WlNM05mZjS1NDdQQ12/s400/Spring+2010+044.JPG" /></a>
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<br />I am sure many of you have heard, mostly heard me complaining, Tim and I are going on the Stake Trek. We were called as Ma's and Pa's. It really is a calling! So for six months we have been going to meetings and training and somehow the time is at our back door. In the meantime, I have been trying to prepare myself spiritually for this Trek. I have such an appreciation for the Pioneers and my ancestors. I am beginning to feel excited for the experience. Instead of complaining about my "summer vacation" being spent in sagebrush-ville Wyoming, I have realized it is going to be a perfect week for me. NO CELL PHONE, no computer, no tv, no distractions. Just my sweet loving and gorgeous husband and I spending all day everyday together! (Minus the ten children pushing the handcart) but still. And I say to myself.... Charles Ingles!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHNWWsRqHO06r7KEWTNe95uafD165GszQMsBSmjUIrffdUgvVEGV2nkTP_rzrGX_vfEQQ3mXXlAil3ctgbKayl5Dvoly94XU0-ecWdRgoqn_yphp55_VJa1lys7cDc_0l8-mjIrCSi8SM/s1600/Spring+2010+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481627026968616610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHNWWsRqHO06r7KEWTNe95uafD165GszQMsBSmjUIrffdUgvVEGV2nkTP_rzrGX_vfEQQ3mXXlAil3ctgbKayl5Dvoly94XU0-ecWdRgoqn_yphp55_VJa1lys7cDc_0l8-mjIrCSi8SM/s400/Spring+2010+008.JPG" /></a>
<br />Last but not least, you may know if you are a face book freak. I AM NOT! But, if you are friends with my sister Giselle you know that she and Noah are moving back to Utah!!!!!!! I have been begging, pleading, crying, screaming, more begging, and praying that Giselle would return to me. Just when I had given up, the heavens opened up and brought her back. I can not wait for fall, BMDC has been growing and I have been killing myself trying to keep up with it. NOW the dynamic duo will take on the world. And I say to myself.... worth the wait!
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<br />These are just a few of my random thoughts while "enjoying" today's weather. And here are a few pictures of my adorable children because after all that is what I have been doing, being the mom! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCKs7Jt2eL-bddZ8FB-nytM6WtjXXOtzbgQzCSVOFJAVOugIeHdM5otc-LYHn8BTIK4lhTABYS1jpcwHmUrpoXQwG8PIeh1d-SgDopAo7YHfhFcyPSctiATLMbrOhLcgiM7XEKrLbr6ZJ/s1600/Spring+2010+070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481624935782060962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCKs7Jt2eL-bddZ8FB-nytM6WtjXXOtzbgQzCSVOFJAVOugIeHdM5otc-LYHn8BTIK4lhTABYS1jpcwHmUrpoXQwG8PIeh1d-SgDopAo7YHfhFcyPSctiATLMbrOhLcgiM7XEKrLbr6ZJ/s400/Spring+2010+070.JPG" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgkhT3Ju6wQMOfd6djiVD0Ta1XP-Q-qvX0XJ442QfN2KHzwpqPwLAwmjgZCWUaFopejIVOHqslHv-Rg-saij8rVvPuVJbEbjjhoEc89OFAicO8ygt9-RIcUe8pbZ6umUlfJUCc0umaDmV/s1600/Spring+2010+029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481624923409731346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgkhT3Ju6wQMOfd6djiVD0Ta1XP-Q-qvX0XJ442QfN2KHzwpqPwLAwmjgZCWUaFopejIVOHqslHv-Rg-saij8rVvPuVJbEbjjhoEc89OFAicO8ygt9-RIcUe8pbZ6umUlfJUCc0umaDmV/s400/Spring+2010+029.JPG" />
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7So_fy4WW8BIAhZAuERr0EVUE9ayEn_V_F5agw3HUZ3JKQihyphenhyphenNS7VcdMJ7i3hxvVGfaQJeA2f1AUmQ48oZlk-B4HHlFINX8H3wajUMhf3btVsBzqQT6EH8MGJNUsJ1LQ4jW4Z6_5JXdo1/s1600/Spring+2010+038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481624944857291730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7So_fy4WW8BIAhZAuERr0EVUE9ayEn_V_F5agw3HUZ3JKQihyphenhyphenNS7VcdMJ7i3hxvVGfaQJeA2f1AUmQ48oZlk-B4HHlFINX8H3wajUMhf3btVsBzqQT6EH8MGJNUsJ1LQ4jW4Z6_5JXdo1/s400/Spring+2010+038.JPG" /></div></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7So_fy4WW8BIAhZAuERr0EVUE9ayEn_V_F5agw3HUZ3JKQihyphenhyphenNS7VcdMJ7i3hxvVGfaQJeA2f1AUmQ48oZlk-B4HHlFINX8H3wajUMhf3btVsBzqQT6EH8MGJNUsJ1LQ4jW4Z6_5JXdo1/s1600/Spring+2010+038.JPG"></a>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7So_fy4WW8BIAhZAuERr0EVUE9ayEn_V_F5agw3HUZ3JKQihyphenhyphenNS7VcdMJ7i3hxvVGfaQJeA2f1AUmQ48oZlk-B4HHlFINX8H3wajUMhf3btVsBzqQT6EH8MGJNUsJ1LQ4jW4Z6_5JXdo1/s1600/Spring+2010+038.JPG"></a>
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<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeypTnpSa47AkmI-tjmAeYdWN6EA5HAA6FjeYUER9tbOpstdqT91lsGOOBUZOYiMrmPee8a6sj9d1DGIzIgB4-oYUfMoLQjc8O2nZhcZDQwmf5muAJrenpEk49uuC0PkRCPXEAiMvKtH8/s1600/Spring+2010+062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481624953587794578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeypTnpSa47AkmI-tjmAeYdWN6EA5HAA6FjeYUER9tbOpstdqT91lsGOOBUZOYiMrmPee8a6sj9d1DGIzIgB4-oYUfMoLQjc8O2nZhcZDQwmf5muAJrenpEk49uuC0PkRCPXEAiMvKtH8/s400/Spring+2010+062.JPG" /></a> AND I SAY TO MYSELF..... WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!</div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-22924312187177784022010-03-15T17:40:00.000-07:002010-03-15T18:42:24.121-07:00Beauty Mark???? and the Price of BeautyEvery since I can recall, I have had a "beauty" mark on my right cheek. With age, and a whole lot of sun loving, I had more and more "beauty" marks pop up. About four years ago I had a few moles scrapped off. It was NOT a lot of fun! On a scale of one to ten of thing I would never want to experience... it would be a 10. In fact I think I would rather give birth to all three of my kids again, with of course the help of modern medicine.<br />Over time the "big beauty" on my lip has resurfaced and I had to face the decision weather or not to have it scrapped off again or let it take over my face. (I can just imagine all my cute little boy nephews squirming as their old and smelly Aunt Jo Jo comes over to kiss them with her big ugly mole.) So in order to save myself some emotional pain, I decided to take on the physical pain once again.<br /><br />This morning my stomach started spinning as I remembered the feel of the needle injecting numbing agent into my upper lid. It was by far the worst part the last time around. Since the mole and now scar tissue have grown into my lip. The Dr. made the decision to cut into my lip and remove it entirely instead of just scrapping off the top. I made sure Tim was around this time to drive me to an fro. If you can imagine the intense pain you experience when you accidentally bite your lip, just imagine the feeling of the tip of a needle going into it three times. (Again, wishing they made epidurals for your face!) My eyes did water up again and my toes managed to slice through the leather covered surgical chair. Tim choose not to watch the procedure, probably best for both of us! There was a point and time when the nurse asked him if he was doing ok. Even though I was numb I could feel the tug on my lip while the sutures were being put in. 45 minutes later I walked out of the office looking like a mummy. Hope the price of this "beauty" was worth it. Thanks to all of you for prayers, meals, and calls of well wishes. We will post an after picture in the next few weeks once the stitches come out! Right now this should give you a good laugh.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGoIgX05e0sLTrzyU_nXE9kJTf6b1OWet9S3Rjsv3GlXqFT0OrjlxfZLyDo4A_FThlvDaz99QS-expODnBTsll9l2douNhgm_qtR7LWAUjP2AmMcpp8nY3HUJQbAzRQtmYQRBQpCqlqz5/s1600-h/Billie+Jo+Mole.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449036596595209490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGoIgX05e0sLTrzyU_nXE9kJTf6b1OWet9S3Rjsv3GlXqFT0OrjlxfZLyDo4A_FThlvDaz99QS-expODnBTsll9l2douNhgm_qtR7LWAUjP2AmMcpp8nY3HUJQbAzRQtmYQRBQpCqlqz5/s400/Billie+Jo+Mole.jpeg" /></a>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-80306840049238637412010-02-20T06:20:00.000-08:002010-02-20T08:10:13.041-08:00Happy Birthday Mr. Idaho<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlzZtm8zNNMhQz_aYX_Q1-XfGskatfcl-HQezIvqHVNbKUzoEpNTJ5Ohnwpx6RTg6huhcI-1H29eF1ch0V-vb3x9z202zKicRjo6er_mzowj2D_n0jAp1EBm3vL1hmzFjBDJpgcxXwOrD/s1600-h/SCL_6094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440343677640819090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlzZtm8zNNMhQz_aYX_Q1-XfGskatfcl-HQezIvqHVNbKUzoEpNTJ5Ohnwpx6RTg6huhcI-1H29eF1ch0V-vb3x9z202zKicRjo6er_mzowj2D_n0jAp1EBm3vL1hmzFjBDJpgcxXwOrD/s400/SCL_6094.JPG" /></a> I thought this looked like a model pose!<br /><br />Another year has come and still I wonder who this young strong hot guy is that I wake up next to. With each passing year my love for him deepens. (I usually am not a fan of the list, but this post would go on and on so I had to LIMIT it to 35 things I love about Tim!)<br /><br />1. Just watching him with the girls, especially when he smells their clean hair. He loves it and he truely loves them!<br />2. His desire to give me whatever I want. (except the TV in the bedroom)<br />3. His STRONG work ethic.<br />4. His desire for clean things and his ability to clean.<br />5. His dedication to any calling he has.<br />6. His bowed legs!<br />7. The way he loves my cooking and tells me what a good cook I am.<br />8. How he walks into our bedroom or runs up the stairs not to flatten the carpet.<br />9. The way he eats HUGE scoops of peanut butter out of the jar. (and still stays trim)<br />10. The way he takes a drink and gives a refreshing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">AAAHHH</span> at the end.<br />11. His bright smile.<br />12. His singing, even though he doesn't do it publicly.<br />13. The way he can spend hours fixing something til it is fixed the right way.<br />14. How he smells when he kisses me good-bye in the morning. The smell lingers for a while and I LOVE it. I smell that on his pillow on the nights he is gone.<br />15. His support to endless hours of dancing!<br />16. His trust in me. (Like leaving the new boat in my care for a week while he was gone!)<br />17. His priesthood abilities anytime we need them.<br />18. The way he plays with the girls when they want some attention.<br />19. His sensitive side when we watch movies or hear a cute story.<br />20. How he worries about his mommy.<br />21. How he is willing to incorporate some of my silly traditions in our family.<br />22. Filling up my car when I have let it drop below a quarter tank.<br />23. How he loves Lady <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">GaGa</span> songs!<br />24. His ability to make everything perfect!<br />25. Calling me ten times a day while he is gone to check on me.<br />26. How he takes care of others. (even a pregnant waitress)<br />27. The image I still have of his Wrangler back side.<br />28. His thick hair. Thanks heavens he has passed on those great genes to my girls!<br />29. Which leads me to the tolerance he has, or has to have, with the amount of hair on the couch, floor, bathroom cupboard, clothes, etc.<br />30. The crepes he make for his girls!<br />31. His passion about things he believes in.<br />32. The way he loves smelly things. (Must be a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Butikofer</span> trait)<br />33. How hard he works to provide for our family.<br />34. Snuggling with me (even though it is forced!)<br />35. Just trying to be my everything!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tF8IIOqX_nCYx8DZyA9SBsHpeqBrC2bM2vhToY9kwDaVElvHmXMXchxWcLiO3K913iFXEa_YlfErC6N6SARJ77khXzCR_YqdjEakcCZJqjoNRcbpbHxlDz03zvSlS0dehenmZLqCaVhO/s1600-h/SCL_6091.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440343669801081170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tF8IIOqX_nCYx8DZyA9SBsHpeqBrC2bM2vhToY9kwDaVElvHmXMXchxWcLiO3K913iFXEa_YlfErC6N6SARJ77khXzCR_YqdjEakcCZJqjoNRcbpbHxlDz03zvSlS0dehenmZLqCaVhO/s400/SCL_6091.JPG" /></a><br />Again I could go on and on. Happy Birthday Tim, you are the best husband, father, partner I could ask for. You complete me! </div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-76241695610039033212010-02-15T09:06:00.000-08:002010-02-15T09:37:09.121-08:00This is how we do it......<div>I hope you are all singing that tune right now. (I know you are Chelsea) </div><br /><div>Valentine's this year was perfect. I had a huge week (surprise) and it all came to a conclusion with the thing I love most... time with my family. Tim surprised me Saturday when he called to tell me "get ready and be in Park City by 3:00 for a massage at Massage Envy!" (Trumpets, playing dadadadah!!!!!) He got me a 3 month membership. Best present EVER! He then brought the girls over and we all headed to Olive Garden. This seems to be the girls favorite place to eat. We came back home and stopped at Cold Stone in Park City for dessert. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFR81MkUXyfIfO8SvRxd1NZwzrZ-FBTLEYUZ_kbCUKiyO5mpmCeV-1r-OKskK_gyxuMw7O3wA74svC1dI0wbP51qZ12F9p1TFcq_GWbEOOGyjP5HjtiLh1rG9q_BLYpuazU6o2Vd5QY3j/s1600-h/Valentine's+2010+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438522111082698466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFR81MkUXyfIfO8SvRxd1NZwzrZ-FBTLEYUZ_kbCUKiyO5mpmCeV-1r-OKskK_gyxuMw7O3wA74svC1dI0wbP51qZ12F9p1TFcq_GWbEOOGyjP5HjtiLh1rG9q_BLYpuazU6o2Vd5QY3j/s400/Valentine's+2010+001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Sunday morning I made heart shaped pancakes and eggs. (I promised myself I would use the molds if I bought them!!!) It seemed to make the pancakes more delicious. I wouldn't normally blog about silly heart shaped food but the end of the day brought a funny little event which I thought was blog worthy.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVwTp8c7wgdIZ5eVznc4QI2O8Bnkdr7EAwZ_E1AusCefYh9uI78xhObiKPz-hAHLocftKmGy6F4uTthzhB6LHzncEJVUm9ggqD5hA3BujmCMxbUIycp4FelkMTRxH-TCTCuxRGdYIE7tv/s1600-h/Valentine's+2010+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438522120172828530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVwTp8c7wgdIZ5eVznc4QI2O8Bnkdr7EAwZ_E1AusCefYh9uI78xhObiKPz-hAHLocftKmGy6F4uTthzhB6LHzncEJVUm9ggqD5hA3BujmCMxbUIycp4FelkMTRxH-TCTCuxRGdYIE7tv/s400/Valentine's+2010+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The girls had called their Grandma Butikofer to wish her lots of LOVE. She and I were talking after and Tim brought a chair right next to me on the couch. (Background story: Tim has been asking me for a week if I thought I could stand on his shoulders and change a light bulb on the vaulted ceiling) Next thing I know he had Ellie on his shoulders. While I explained to Janis what was going on she QUICKLY prompts me to get off the phone and get them down. What do I do... Grab the camera! They still weren't tall enough so Tim found my old antique shipping crate and boosted them up enough to get the job done. Maybe Tim will be getting a ladder for his birthday this week??????<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8y23tKt7sqN2JaLqMvGTKZ3FXfAxZL5pZi2PvQaAiBUM4yYj7vWRf9h0OX-i8U7-foLTwP5BasDVxwXMZXiSg1U5GH-ITjSp1I0Kn6yq2JdBGB7JVm6z_cOMopqfPhZZ4mxhtoxauiGj/s1600-h/Valentine's+2010+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438522137731452914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8y23tKt7sqN2JaLqMvGTKZ3FXfAxZL5pZi2PvQaAiBUM4yYj7vWRf9h0OX-i8U7-foLTwP5BasDVxwXMZXiSg1U5GH-ITjSp1I0Kn6yq2JdBGB7JVm6z_cOMopqfPhZZ4mxhtoxauiGj/s400/Valentine's+2010+006.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijOEZmvgLJ2r6FfmWX0m9NqgwYKnwjfyFg06cddplKgpm5tdVnG5DQairc2R0_qU9liBrePXA2yHY0OPEEEg_vvKYlYd_ttp8a_3aaSPYAPySaRYjF-fnCrjdvj0pUgog-wOOmQW8QioE/s1600-h/Valentine's+2010+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438524546773751298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijOEZmvgLJ2r6FfmWX0m9NqgwYKnwjfyFg06cddplKgpm5tdVnG5DQairc2R0_qU9liBrePXA2yHY0OPEEEg_vvKYlYd_ttp8a_3aaSPYAPySaRYjF-fnCrjdvj0pUgog-wOOmQW8QioE/s400/Valentine's+2010+005.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div><br /><div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-48562279999063322642010-02-06T09:52:00.000-08:002010-02-06T22:28:30.081-08:00Winter FunDespite most people's dismay with the snow, we found there are many ways to beat the white stuff. This Christmas and winter gave us many reasons to celebrate. Between tubing, skating, Ellie and Tim's ice fishing trip, and feeding cows with Grandpa Mac and the McNeil cousins; we find our winter fun is only part of what we are up to!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZOfZ2n9EJoUQRMdy5eJJVFn15_q11yOK-nKGCkarTEnEYa_AdXTYHRB1d8L8FPi8Mtj1k8a_a2Tt5OkvMWmrShuDunclhTT8nGBHZ4ov2SzpljGYDj0Fjzv2A3QQGSnTG766DwmdHrHP/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+072.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435383699558999378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZOfZ2n9EJoUQRMdy5eJJVFn15_q11yOK-nKGCkarTEnEYa_AdXTYHRB1d8L8FPi8Mtj1k8a_a2Tt5OkvMWmrShuDunclhTT8nGBHZ4ov2SzpljGYDj0Fjzv2A3QQGSnTG766DwmdHrHP/s400/Christmas+2009+072.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Our kids are really loving life and learning new things. We have quite the routine around here. The girls are up to their necks in all kinds of lessons: DANCE, school, DANCE, violin, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ACRO</span>, guitar, and even a little more DANCE. Since Ellie got her guitar for Christmas we had to take the next step and get her in guitar lessons. Tim and I both love the violin and have wanted to have a child who could play it. So with that in mind we found a teacher that could instruct Ellie in guitar and Tess in violin. It is really exciting to see the girls learn new things and find new talents. The routine for us however is a little grueling.><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur8WcuR_ZJ-3GVIBFsZFynmyi9bbJzUJ2xJ3tFau-JZJzkGXSrAirlieUawgQO7gK8S_5zaBJY1aYA9DJNZoNcG_AjKOaHwHP6UcRaDgJ8du3VDj595qC8Xr5HE0sqgMfIj4p0O5pRJ0c/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435379844242804466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur8WcuR_ZJ-3GVIBFsZFynmyi9bbJzUJ2xJ3tFau-JZJzkGXSrAirlieUawgQO7gK8S_5zaBJY1aYA9DJNZoNcG_AjKOaHwHP6UcRaDgJ8du3VDj595qC8Xr5HE0sqgMfIj4p0O5pRJ0c/s400/Christmas+2009+055.JPG" /></a><br />With all the girls taking every dance class available to them (and why NOT) our after school schedule is jammed. So we do piano, guitar, and violin before school! They do not complain at all and even beat me out of bed on some mornings. As long as I have Tess' clothes laid out for her the night before we are all good to go. So what about Mia you might ask??? Well this little socialite has a pretty full schedule herself. She attends two different preschools. She does jazz and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">acro</span> and shops at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamas</span> Food Town! She also gets <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">playdates</span> every Wednesday with Reece.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33gkwUroYT0bIlZ4nURGGgCJ5ch1etqSBHLjEXd_8VLjb9rrGt2Ar0MGtvoPhXXKaLnSMBtzv88PS5EQZvhlU22yVBt7DWe-LPxkoSlnVf_PNx8tL_8keN3V9X2oJWWmpos-IBtAxbsPd/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+066.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435379837100696898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33gkwUroYT0bIlZ4nURGGgCJ5ch1etqSBHLjEXd_8VLjb9rrGt2Ar0MGtvoPhXXKaLnSMBtzv88PS5EQZvhlU22yVBt7DWe-LPxkoSlnVf_PNx8tL_8keN3V9X2oJWWmpos-IBtAxbsPd/s400/Christmas+2009+066.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Even if it is freezing cold outside and we are longing for the days to pull out the boat, the weeks pass quickly with this kind of crazy schedule! Here is a peek at some other things we have been doing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B4IpKDnmsAFBRSg9_N6p1ultDMgLfgtS6l64MiHZA9rfRZqCSlltvVKxNPZpx3W1GjA5M0dzf4gXHSu4LbnwpTLpz-OaeMCVIYvw7YkLTFcCpOlBKD_wx8QhKg26JQhBIu97HRdnzvgi/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435379853877106802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B4IpKDnmsAFBRSg9_N6p1ultDMgLfgtS6l64MiHZA9rfRZqCSlltvVKxNPZpx3W1GjA5M0dzf4gXHSu4LbnwpTLpz-OaeMCVIYvw7YkLTFcCpOlBKD_wx8QhKg26JQhBIu97HRdnzvgi/s400/Christmas+2009+059.JPG" /></a><br /><div>< </div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-82339332928436522812009-12-06T22:41:00.000-08:002009-12-06T22:46:07.492-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPZQ9Kby2Xgetj8clzEC5JYDLKiML1ZdYlo5jiqQ9l9s7Ay-dJ358EbLe4gr1LZx2d6l6-79_6gienZfqbpcu_CDVXuFpjdgkK6SuVWzlIfGKkfImOiWsXkmiIH-D4TkeZJFLg2BR_fSz/s1600-h/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412381223030223506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPZQ9Kby2Xgetj8clzEC5JYDLKiML1ZdYlo5jiqQ9l9s7Ay-dJ358EbLe4gr1LZx2d6l6-79_6gienZfqbpcu_CDVXuFpjdgkK6SuVWzlIfGKkfImOiWsXkmiIH-D4TkeZJFLg2BR_fSz/s400/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+036.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">The greatest place on earth with the greatest people on earth!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Keep reading below, my computer went crazy!</span></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-35464144374832351852009-11-17T11:10:00.000-08:002009-12-06T22:37:22.403-08:00Where did my babies go?We recently had our family pictures done and all I could think about when I looked at them was; Where did my babies go? It seems like the girls have grown up over night. Especially Ellie! If you look at the picture at the top of the blog and compare it to one year previous, it blows my mind.<br /><br /><br />For my own record I needed to document the lives and time of these three girls.<br /><br /><br /><br />This year in school Ellie has had a tremendous teacher who appreciates her nature. It was a blessing for me. Ellie is very artistic and can often focus more on the outside of the box rather than the content inside of it. Her teacher has told me several times that Ellie is a brilliant child with lots of potential. Many days I see the potential and encourage it... other days I am just the mom who nags at her to pick up her room and get her homework done without getting off track. Ellie is in a phase of peace sign and hoodies. She loves wearing hoodies and tries everyday to tie one into her attire. I have tried to embrace this fashion statement and find as many different and hopefully dressy hoodies as I can. She is on comp team this year and loves every minute of it. I can honestly say she is really good at hip hop and has the swagger that it takes! Yeah! She is still in piano and is getting much better at reading music. If her Christmas wish comes true she will start adding a little guitar music in her life. Again, when did I get old enough to have a kid who wants to play guitar?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA0fkid0zDt8F-_oO41mUVPwqMo3d-rhiWlTthUuGzQw5JYXCd-GgR5tubXitM8IvgK34EeCl8gsau6osQ8k8w6rwRgo-hj9wZiNgP95FeOmBpoIHqbV44vmiYeo0Lg8_QL2PVclY4Cll/s1600-h/IMG1017+(2).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412378387716458258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA0fkid0zDt8F-_oO41mUVPwqMo3d-rhiWlTthUuGzQw5JYXCd-GgR5tubXitM8IvgK34EeCl8gsau6osQ8k8w6rwRgo-hj9wZiNgP95FeOmBpoIHqbV44vmiYeo0Lg8_QL2PVclY4Cll/s400/IMG1017+(2).jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Ellie at Stadium of Fire<br /><br /></p>Moving on to my big girl Tess. First grade phenom. We were also really blessed when Tess was placed in her first grade class. Tess' teacher is the most positive and kind person I have ever met. She loves her students and really does all that she can for them. Tess is my quiet thinker. She doesn't often say things out loud but she definitely lets you know how she feels about things. Last year I wasn't allowed to help in Tess' classroom because she would never talk if I entered the room and then she would cry when I left. So when her first grade teacher asked me to be the room mother this year, I told her I would have to check with Tess first! She agreed it would be ok and has been very excited when I show up. Her teacher has had a hard time finding things to give Tess that are a challenge to her. She does her assignments and asks what is next. I completely understand. When I give Tess a list of chores/work at home, I can guarantee it is done and she usually comes down stairs and asks me what else she should do. Tess is also doing really well in piano. She keeps right up with Ellie and plays more by ear. She can read the notes but once she has heard the tune she really excels. If all works out she will start violin after the New Year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0BcTBm1PiEd-MMZE1AMqmmCY8d28Opj3r_1bLMVKalPonL06UKJRscHb-WM2Ncb68AUFC1Y6Rag5D51ZkIZTXpOQ2KVw0frDYSQaCYvyqidSu7ePQ-NMYs4knhv1SYYZw9SzCd8ysj4g/s1600-h/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+009+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412378367506151938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0BcTBm1PiEd-MMZE1AMqmmCY8d28Opj3r_1bLMVKalPonL06UKJRscHb-WM2Ncb68AUFC1Y6Rag5D51ZkIZTXpOQ2KVw0frDYSQaCYvyqidSu7ePQ-NMYs4knhv1SYYZw9SzCd8ysj4g/s400/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+009+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fZmUvxfXR_T4qQ8Z19UYlGt3qKfpTNhnrj5-R1Wns0WOCf2ZxXMZndGyO8i40hr-jeqkS3V3_77MfUVUI4EwIHU7d_GWZHqFkGQ23-L2ML2jt0_U7Sit2N1pq60i_IUBBLM4LJCx7xoO/s1600-h/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412378360832884290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fZmUvxfXR_T4qQ8Z19UYlGt3qKfpTNhnrj5-R1Wns0WOCf2ZxXMZndGyO8i40hr-jeqkS3V3_77MfUVUI4EwIHU7d_GWZHqFkGQ23-L2ML2jt0_U7Sit2N1pq60i_IUBBLM4LJCx7xoO/s400/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+002.JPG" /></a><br />Tess losing her first tooth.<br /><br /><br /><div>Last but certainly not least...MIA. She has grown up and even moved into 4T clothing. This kid cracks me up everyday. She goes to two different preschools to keep her occupied and cries if it is a day when she has no where to go. She also told me the other day that her favorite store is Kamas Food Town. When I asked her why she simply stated- "well I get a slushie when I go there." Whatever makes her happy while her sisters are at school. She has really taken a liking to acrobatics. Dancing is good but I think this one likes the wild adventure she gets in acro whereas in dance she actually has to listen to me and do what I say! She can do a cartwheel and land on her feet. This may sound like nothing big but some 4 year old can't do a forward roll. She still like to snuggle and she and I could sleep in til 8 if anyone ever let us. I have to also throw in that she is the best colorer (is that a word) She stays in the lines better than the 6 year old and she is always drawing and coloring me a picture.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KQlEDjIDXZvic2F11jU7Y2JKkySxc43qhOkS0Nx0QFNMDofXeL1w2UjZIUO0Y8t8uWW3BVEUOfg0zagbDh7bTqEdy81anOhYok5Wj0OlkMZhQcce5f9AgEKJEl4nQ1psgRmF4gSsLoRU/s1600-h/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+010+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412378376894088658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KQlEDjIDXZvic2F11jU7Y2JKkySxc43qhOkS0Nx0QFNMDofXeL1w2UjZIUO0Y8t8uWW3BVEUOfg0zagbDh7bTqEdy81anOhYok5Wj0OlkMZhQcce5f9AgEKJEl4nQ1psgRmF4gSsLoRU/s400/ELLIE+JO%27S+CAMERA+010+(2).JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>My preschool doll!</div><div> </div><div>So even though there had been no update of a while, we are alive and I am just trying to keep up with my growing babies! Life in good on Country Lane!</div><br /><br /><div>A few other occurrences in our lives: From my previous post you know that we lost out 23 month old nephew. I need everyone to know that we understand the "plan" and we all are still working on accepting it. His parents are valiant and the rest of us are encouraged by their strength. Three days after losing Luke, my grandfather pasted away.</div><br /><div>From the time I can remember things I have always had my grandfather in my life. We moved next door to them when I was only 4 years old. I watched him work the cows and the crops. Sometime he would even let us go along for the adventure. He was a very hardworking man and expected anyone that worked with him to work just as hard. I think that could be where I got some of it. He also loved my grandma VERY much. They always had a smooch for each other and sat hand in hand. After my grandma died you could tell a part of him died too. He loved her so much and had such a desire to be with her. The Monday before he pasted I was able to spend the afternoon with him. I always felt like it was a blessing to spend time with him and when I left that day I honestly knew it was probably the last opportunity I would get. I told Tim that night about how I felt and really cried for what I knew was to come. </div><div>His funeral was such a testimony to all that he was. His big family and the legacy that he left made me realize how important the "plan" really is. I felt the veil was very thin on that day and both he and my grandma where sitting there by their children as proud as they could be. </div><br /><div>Between losing Luke and my grandpa so close, I saw the gospel in its fullness. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. So while my "babies" are growing and changing the one thing that will never change is the importance they are in my "plan."</div></div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-18733919276980008532009-11-03T21:01:00.000-08:002009-11-03T22:12:33.017-08:00Perspective<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEVhyphenhyphenPUfz5IgjsBiIoBtPQBdQ9zA4imzntkYcjWmjIzh9Uq4YLG7rojJm555oEaG3EkloTuwsfpziPFIK-dY0-oKOZ__QAjTbq1_xYBhckMhf2BPZ6Wh98r2_KkFPYpfTCciW2IqeTAOX/s1600-h/IMGP2492%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400118414454389906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEVhyphenhyphenPUfz5IgjsBiIoBtPQBdQ9zA4imzntkYcjWmjIzh9Uq4YLG7rojJm555oEaG3EkloTuwsfpziPFIK-dY0-oKOZ__QAjTbq1_xYBhckMhf2BPZ6Wh98r2_KkFPYpfTCciW2IqeTAOX/s400/IMGP2492%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a><br /><div>There comes a time when things get thrown at you and you have a different perspective. This evening our family unfortunately experienced one of those moments. Our sweet nephew LUKE TAYLOR returned home to our Heavenly Father. At 23 months old I can honestly say this child fulfilled his calling on earth. Luke was the center of the Taylor family. His spirit brought joy to their home. His wonderful father and adoring mother gave love without limits when it came to this kid. His brothers Josh and Mike would do anything and everything for Luke. This is an amazing family!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I know the plan our Father has for us. I love the peace that I get from it. I try to share my testimony of it whenever I can. I want my children to know this. I want my friends and neighbors to understand it. There is only one way to find comfort in any of this. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I want to bottle up the feeling I have in my soul right now to open up and use later down the road when my perspective may not be so clear and my eyes may be out of focus. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Please pray for this family! Keep them in your thoughts. Do all that you can to ensure you will be with your family again.</div><br /><div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-89043800305346342362009-04-12T20:55:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:52:20.411-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-V39tZV0kH3LFOsaYqKZtOZ7IJilg8gGXbHqr8Ic0LE-CY9mfYuIFavO5Z5S0TC1zxm2YV11PJiwp1wqWlqdy4b4wltJC-5sy8aB1UnRHtKILdU9PrHupHFhu98s9ctXqfEsp2hvaho4/s1600-h/Spring+2009+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324031852981454306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-V39tZV0kH3LFOsaYqKZtOZ7IJilg8gGXbHqr8Ic0LE-CY9mfYuIFavO5Z5S0TC1zxm2YV11PJiwp1wqWlqdy4b4wltJC-5sy8aB1UnRHtKILdU9PrHupHFhu98s9ctXqfEsp2hvaho4/s320/Spring+2009+024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghApM9BXvzz6ipb8AgWjS4kfAhZyLdl2hncJsuvvs-b8yTphQdRvM_JUtm8DrXaaHfGKXT24YHOE-A5vSkFwtJQCvlNklZiZmwiNsxiZgPESRpXBlBvA4gDvzkAl_Vt7_wkFApG_Nm1ggP/s1600-h/Spring+2009+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324031848531821922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghApM9BXvzz6ipb8AgWjS4kfAhZyLdl2hncJsuvvs-b8yTphQdRvM_JUtm8DrXaaHfGKXT24YHOE-A5vSkFwtJQCvlNklZiZmwiNsxiZgPESRpXBlBvA4gDvzkAl_Vt7_wkFApG_Nm1ggP/s320/Spring+2009+021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO_eq0V7VCbKL7EMg_8QyYJHsdjY0LcEY2qpreB7YVpawxJ9MoSpbf_JAsW7nUAFwtpBbimM9Few3AtjtKijsZYa2sGpXW_bi50ErknSW4VBpY5NOnUFytFSBnRVuAvgMMRC-fjz3rbex/s1600-h/Spring+2009+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324031844398466978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO_eq0V7VCbKL7EMg_8QyYJHsdjY0LcEY2qpreB7YVpawxJ9MoSpbf_JAsW7nUAFwtpBbimM9Few3AtjtKijsZYa2sGpXW_bi50ErknSW4VBpY5NOnUFytFSBnRVuAvgMMRC-fjz3rbex/s320/Spring+2009+023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxV7l5hsl6aIFNAe-ug2Tcnhg5tDHDAvU4gX4cZYFhJKeaA8zpXv_Knogp4nKt6HP13GVpHQG5SXZghtLKV3c96monfQr7seWIR_aKhi74VO5ns3cAVL5yzEo56b7QXEemVxQX8kyyHlL/s1600-h/Spring+2009+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324031841192064274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxV7l5hsl6aIFNAe-ug2Tcnhg5tDHDAvU4gX4cZYFhJKeaA8zpXv_Knogp4nKt6HP13GVpHQG5SXZghtLKV3c96monfQr7seWIR_aKhi74VO5ns3cAVL5yzEo56b7QXEemVxQX8kyyHlL/s320/Spring+2009+022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>April Fools... it is still April isn't it?!? I have lost track of time. It seems these days that the days run into weeks and the weeks have pasted to months. I have been super busy but NEVER take pictures. Even on this trip I had to force myself to remember to break out the camera. To sum up our vac-kay MUCH NEEDED. We started off our R & R in St. George with the Gunners and Johnsons. We were fortunate enough have Rob and Dad accompany us on our journey. I had a driving partner and the girls were on their best behavior (if that is possible) for Uncle Rob. It really helped to have a total of 3 dvd players going. (Thanks Erica!) The girls rode bikes and played in the sand while the adults listened to conference and had wonderful food. I am not sure there is ever an event with us that doesn't involve food. Sunday we watched the first session of conference ate AGAIN and then jumped in the car to head to Pheonix. I had told Dad that I wasn't sure the Vegas route was the best. Tim and I had been that way over 9 years ago and I remember thinking it would never end. But dad insisted he had measured it out with string on the map it we should give it a try. All went well UNTIL Hoover Dam. All I will say is 4 miles=55 minutes. Got a great view of the suspension bridge being built over the dam, IMPRESSIVE! Dad did suffer from a touch of road rage:) Eight and a half hours later we made it to see our adorable little Rajko. He was definitely worth the wait!</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawnXF7HUYbL1WXTaayPhjj4iwYwGIQ3qqRjsEFU0xjl6whyphenhyphenQXbVcHHCDes6QttWzZN-Wmtf-06y7GhiU4FSz417Ey8w3yeQYg_jOFBOlnpWV5bn7UO7WvGCNX4gJvsIkq1CVwG7WfSxJ0/s1600-h/Spring+2009+016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324029912960792914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawnXF7HUYbL1WXTaayPhjj4iwYwGIQ3qqRjsEFU0xjl6whyphenhyphenQXbVcHHCDes6QttWzZN-Wmtf-06y7GhiU4FSz417Ey8w3yeQYg_jOFBOlnpWV5bn7UO7WvGCNX4gJvsIkq1CVwG7WfSxJ0/s320/Spring+2009+016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY019nuQT_UxzFLfjKmoPyvdnBsC82MP5Cd4E_U4bs13ICjkII9NHM11PSgStSl1SLuwLNsGZVMLoYgrBC6VQB9RDNUuPv5fcfFOOrUcGlB33BuHkTCuKsQUL1fVHMDrWZofqavCH6Sfts/s1600-h/Spring+2009+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324027372172619826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY019nuQT_UxzFLfjKmoPyvdnBsC82MP5Cd4E_U4bs13ICjkII9NHM11PSgStSl1SLuwLNsGZVMLoYgrBC6VQB9RDNUuPv5fcfFOOrUcGlB33BuHkTCuKsQUL1fVHMDrWZofqavCH6Sfts/s320/Spring+2009+015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7JoAOw1EgymMOVFlN0yM0_GaOFr6yjEVjA36plvd3Q5QKFUkWOtogvpbeYrx8UQWEyJgtC6M8NPd9EqyNv5f5Jy0iqd3TvNL6oiDKx8pdRNUjuBLKMbX2-KAK7A-KufOLZI_TOYrWd71/s1600-h/Spring+2009+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324027365397848754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7JoAOw1EgymMOVFlN0yM0_GaOFr6yjEVjA36plvd3Q5QKFUkWOtogvpbeYrx8UQWEyJgtC6M8NPd9EqyNv5f5Jy0iqd3TvNL6oiDKx8pdRNUjuBLKMbX2-KAK7A-KufOLZI_TOYrWd71/s320/Spring+2009+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Dad and Rob actually stayed with Giselle and Noah while I stayed with Sharee and Matt. They also have three kids and a kid friendly back yard. The warm Phoenix air made my kids believe it was summer. (80's the entire week.) While in Phoenix we did everything we could to keep those kids entertained from indoor Amusement Parks to Bowling. The thing my kids wanted to do more than anything was SWIM in the pool. However, one of the highlights was the Hannah Montant Movie as well. I will just go on record saying I LOVED IT!!! Sharee and Matt were great host and Giselle and Rajko were our event planners. Thanks to everyone who we spent time with. I may need a week or two to catch up on all the sleep I missed but Sharee and I got caught up on our lives. Dad and I made a joint decision to leave on Friday and drive in the night to St. George. We didn't get out until 9pm Arizona time and I pulled into Chelsea and Max's at 4:20 AM. However the girls slept the ENTIRE time and it went by faster that way. We made it home for Easter and it looks like we are in for a week of storms. So great to be back.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDujoxUKg7Y-dSUcPwgl8r5w3ISroG4lvvgu3hKm4YXma64npa831uu7hozQTNsQjmJ9FQunGyIETOUN6rkrkO_VYYSvFoba3mTz3bgMJ9Q2-EK99zTQDduZ7g163iSk5k7NK0VEQwjvJC/s1600-h/Spring+2009+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324029931804998050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDujoxUKg7Y-dSUcPwgl8r5w3ISroG4lvvgu3hKm4YXma64npa831uu7hozQTNsQjmJ9FQunGyIETOUN6rkrkO_VYYSvFoba3mTz3bgMJ9Q2-EK99zTQDduZ7g163iSk5k7NK0VEQwjvJC/s320/Spring+2009+020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5ZfYm3dDzDD-utpQ8ruY1wc9Sir8IJ3oEQfjTj23ei9O0xszHXNFFuIAB_BXNp1OJfaNSV5bLZTeN9GasLEr04G54NhFdGKHWv_Ro1DHU6cJsL_O9OZPGNXJhut38sk5otZ5v-Td4bFR/s1600-h/Spring+2009+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324029925956461010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5ZfYm3dDzDD-utpQ8ruY1wc9Sir8IJ3oEQfjTj23ei9O0xszHXNFFuIAB_BXNp1OJfaNSV5bLZTeN9GasLEr04G54NhFdGKHWv_Ro1DHU6cJsL_O9OZPGNXJhut38sk5otZ5v-Td4bFR/s320/Spring+2009+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI61rHwIb99lp_BVE7yBg80FwM6BqQ1VA-Lrd-MlC68Cxaajud6_i7FkUKhxWchlS7pXHVIKWuv2tXR5NBuLy9FXtXwiyTjNCPsUVRTtmOh84WOv3R7Wf3Pnygq5IXS-n3SxSp1EXXKS8a/s1600-h/Spring+2009+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324029923277246962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI61rHwIb99lp_BVE7yBg80FwM6BqQ1VA-Lrd-MlC68Cxaajud6_i7FkUKhxWchlS7pXHVIKWuv2tXR5NBuLy9FXtXwiyTjNCPsUVRTtmOh84WOv3R7Wf3Pnygq5IXS-n3SxSp1EXXKS8a/s320/Spring+2009+018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPPCvd2OIek_bvaoTkSGs4_Av5g6enHrvLgdcpKBzokEE9rSecxGusNpBEBTo8jJurV1x1BvH69EEGymkyPESG8xzSdzJFqkji26QvMkqiCv3HHns-XIpNHrgwHk-udtHZzAwIy_f5lg_/s1600-h/Spring+2009+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324029919072831842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPPCvd2OIek_bvaoTkSGs4_Av5g6enHrvLgdcpKBzokEE9rSecxGusNpBEBTo8jJurV1x1BvH69EEGymkyPESG8xzSdzJFqkji26QvMkqiCv3HHns-XIpNHrgwHk-udtHZzAwIy_f5lg_/s320/Spring+2009+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />BTW: This is not a resort pool, this is Sharee's back yard! LOVE IT!<br /><br /><div>Since I uploaded pictures from my camera I did find two events that I hadn't blogged about.<br /><br /></div><div>Mia had to dress silly and crazy for April Fools. She loved it and was extra pleased to wear make-up to school.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF-Y9NhVnDXIhfvvQJ0G-8D7xbxfS-3ZENq3-CB6LaiwnRbs6XJ1ThZil_LoxQryrbeQQKXM-W0lN8IBTPpgBYGvIc9EusGAiSf-fffZ2TZFo4jdmJIfm0HNBHqPi7fLcJjM2G52Hw61G/s1600-h/Spring+2009+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324027352072147874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF-Y9NhVnDXIhfvvQJ0G-8D7xbxfS-3ZENq3-CB6LaiwnRbs6XJ1ThZil_LoxQryrbeQQKXM-W0lN8IBTPpgBYGvIc9EusGAiSf-fffZ2TZFo4jdmJIfm0HNBHqPi7fLcJjM2G52Hw61G/s320/Spring+2009+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Tess had the kindergarten piggy opera. She had been excited for the big day! I think I could hear her singing...? <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTNGbOwhNQ1QZIC_hwGEgyJ4eEBJ2zKPLc3hZ3Ur2XrkkniajyFBNKDInoNQqK7lb5DUzTrh8EN0uexuvQt5BtnXvGopDnm7Gvb51xRvZhj6lJMrvajp11Rwa9NTSGAM60vrBLyBzgnTV/s1600-h/Spring+2009+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324027363469567314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTNGbOwhNQ1QZIC_hwGEgyJ4eEBJ2zKPLc3hZ3Ur2XrkkniajyFBNKDInoNQqK7lb5DUzTrh8EN0uexuvQt5BtnXvGopDnm7Gvb51xRvZhj6lJMrvajp11Rwa9NTSGAM60vrBLyBzgnTV/s320/Spring+2009+013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4trgHS0BsEwlFaZyeWJIJVCgH3Pvd1S8mJnJV7p9Cy7bsYBXK8F170PhxIEPZPqOQl3XO6nOBSP2SV1XSquHJYA07xpyFMjC4cwyQOC6U33VVwvtcyHT1VVlUQwh6_3H8EgeW6ZP9X71w/s1600-h/Spring+2009+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324027356686293090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4trgHS0BsEwlFaZyeWJIJVCgH3Pvd1S8mJnJV7p9Cy7bsYBXK8F170PhxIEPZPqOQl3XO6nOBSP2SV1XSquHJYA07xpyFMjC4cwyQOC6U33VVwvtcyHT1VVlUQwh6_3H8EgeW6ZP9X71w/s320/Spring+2009+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />But definately the cutest piggy-EVER!!! Come and see us soon Rajko and Scheerhorns.</div></div></div></div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-29769813434966753122009-02-05T11:40:00.000-08:002009-02-05T12:38:41.459-08:00Heartbreak and.... you can't make this up!So this post will be a two part update. I have to document both stories just so one day I can look back and laugh since all I want to do is cry (but I am way to tired for it.)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">HEARTBREAK</span><br /></span>My little Mia has such a big heart accompanied with serious crushes on boys of ALL ages. There is however a little boy in her preschool class that she calls her "boyfriend." His name is Jameson and she like him because he has the same color hair as her dad. I will admit that he is probably the cutest boy in the class and I think that his mom is a sweetheart so I play along with the scenario. Today she drew a picture and told me she was taking it to preschool to give to Jameson. I just smiled inside and thought of all the trouble that I am going to have to deal with when she is 16 and having all these mad crushes.....I did not know I would have to deal with <span style="color:#ff6666;">HEARTBREAK</span> at 3! She came home from school crying because she gave Jameson the picture and he threw it on the ground and walked away. I tried to assure her that he still likes her and that it was a nice gesture to have done that. In the back of my mind I wanted to call up his mother and tell her what a rude thing her son had done to my sweet little baby. Oh boy I think home school may be the ticket for the both of us!<br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Who could resist this face?!?!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlYz6_vYYI_jBaFaDNWU5MvbkV__M0Fn2ARAjOuAZpIZxMXzPQ24u29aHMGeCQGDPmuASejJs8Tu-DaZH4yyfnkDqFL6nI0S7eT-Fo-1qBbk-PMpVSLoeIxHrVNXGZzcmHJpLp2TNSunu/s1600-h/Mia+004.JPG"></div><p></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299412153177584402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlYz6_vYYI_jBaFaDNWU5MvbkV__M0Fn2ARAjOuAZpIZxMXzPQ24u29aHMGeCQGDPmuASejJs8Tu-DaZH4yyfnkDqFL6nI0S7eT-Fo-1qBbk-PMpVSLoeIxHrVNXGZzcmHJpLp2TNSunu/s320/Mia+004.JPG" border="0" />On to the second part... You can't make this up!<br /><br />It all started two Sundays ago. Mia had been acting whinny and sick like. I decided to stay home from church with her since neither of us had gotten a whole lot of sleep. We napped took medicine and watched some TV. Then around 5:00 she started screaming that her ear hurt. Of course, it is Sunday and it is after hours why shouldn't it start hurting NOW! So Tim and I took her to Urgent care in PC. Sure enough raging ear infection. Now it is 7:30 on Sunday night and all the pharmacies are closed. They gave us some antibiotics to get through the night and the next day.</p><p> Jump ahead two days. Tuesday Ellie comes home from school and tells me she doesn't feel well. I give her some Tylenol and cold medicine and send her to bed. Next morning we go to piano and I drop her off at school with a box of Kleenex and take Tess to the doctor because she didn't sleep, nor did I, through the night because the stye on her eye has gotten huge. I tried many home remedies but obviously we need a prescription to overcome this ailment. We got her prescription and instructions to hot pack it three times a day and apply the antibiotic ointment. I run Tess back to school and head home to get ready for my "long" day at the studio. By 3pm Ellie is home and bawling and throwing all kinds of fits. (Hit the pause button for a minute) Remember in my last post I told you she is the worst sick patient EVER. Add to the fact that Wednesday is my long night at the studio and the night Tim is in St. George. So now it is 8 PM and I am trying to help her finish her homework that she and the babysitter did not get done!!! To her credit her nose was BRIGHT red and she could not go longer than 21 seconds without wiping it. As she was spiting out all the medicine that I could give her we decided to call it a night and not send her to school the next day. Instead she and I both went to doctor on Thursday. My ears were plugged and it sounded like I was talking into a tin can. Two prescriptions later and a few shots of steroid mist up the nose and we were good to go! Hang in there were are almost through the week!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />I decided in the middle of all this to have a surprise birthday party for my mom on Saturday night. We invited about 25 of her friends and family and had a great time. She was completely surprised as she showed up in her sweats and no make-up.<br /><br /><br /><br />At 5:30 Sunday morning, Ellie woke up screaming and crying. She had a fever of 105 and was shaking all over. So you got it ONE more trip to the urgent care!!!! Again Sunday morning and no pharmacy open til ten. We decided to sleep in the parking lot for an hour and wait it out. This is a true story, I am not embellishing one thing. Good thing I got those antibiotics in her because there was no way I was having any sick kids at home this week. Oh wait, did I say that! Today, Thursday, is Tess' second day home with the runny nose and ear aches. Good thing I have ALL the medicine I need to get her over this. President's Day can not come fast enough!!!</p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-556352848159372752009-01-26T20:19:00.000-08:002009-01-26T21:20:24.028-08:00What a month!I have had the ongoing talk with Olivia on the lack of blogging. I have two sides to blogging NOT at ALL and VERY LITTLE. It is not that we don't have things going on, it is that we have many things going on. Here is a recap of January to this point.<br /><br /><br />To start my January off, I was in Idaho visiting the in-laws when I received a very disturbing phone call. My sweet Jenica's mother, Teresa, has past away in the night. I have know Jenica since she was my little girl's age. I have watched her grow and I have taught her a lot of dance and hopefully some other things along the way. I spend three days a week with her work at the stuido and tending. My kids adore her and love her. This was a huge shock to her and all of us. I spent that first week just sick and wondering how I was going to help Jenica through all of this. It has been a good experience for me and I have had time to reflect on my own relationship with my girls. I am happy to report that Jenica is as amazing as she is talented and seems to be pulling through this. She and her brother JT were unbelievable at the funeral. Seriously one of the best funerals I have ever been to.<br /><br /><br /><br />On to a more fun topic...PARTIES. We have hosted many parties the last little while. We started of the year with a party and it seems like it has had a snowball effect! New Year's Eve we hosted a fondu party. It was a lot of fun and the fondu was FAB. There were two of the cutest boys at the party. I will let you be the judge!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XXIAZS6QLSWMCn4gJ1ab8Q16MnZgnuK03YItDBdZRDuRr8qa70eLmJQpcJHgisjIPGK4WnMF356E2veK1wMP5dekIuIVl7xZgDObICirEc2WcpJXoed2b0guHLopBSPzJMurNP0g-KgQ/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295831213911706130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XXIAZS6QLSWMCn4gJ1ab8Q16MnZgnuK03YItDBdZRDuRr8qa70eLmJQpcJHgisjIPGK4WnMF356E2veK1wMP5dekIuIVl7xZgDObICirEc2WcpJXoed2b0guHLopBSPzJMurNP0g-KgQ/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now that's what I'm talking about!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkHs7B40MbexY5wJYwXzBnO1N7dEMj7CsIV9EH0MbYSa5lBQDrlHiGlYRdw4b4k4b0Q78Bx_doGsZ8rqJHK62qwMIW39f8YcU5ZXRzofQJqqomVKUeYucDsn_3ofTTttdJjhmUFqYhZNa/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295833492074562354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkHs7B40MbexY5wJYwXzBnO1N7dEMj7CsIV9EH0MbYSa5lBQDrlHiGlYRdw4b4k4b0Q78Bx_doGsZ8rqJHK62qwMIW39f8YcU5ZXRzofQJqqomVKUeYucDsn_3ofTTttdJjhmUFqYhZNa/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmArZtN8SM1ciskNotVcMKE4RzOXSMvTn_apCV0xKezryWZgxE8AkI1WhuPVGvZ4hk1QvXPiOAfJAA64oBRAndVbMRJEYDXsej0Afi5Ugr5SJ2NeAhyphenhyphenVU3dyvNZHPlPq76U2UG8D5B8QI/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295831221131742562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmArZtN8SM1ciskNotVcMKE4RzOXSMvTn_apCV0xKezryWZgxE8AkI1WhuPVGvZ4hk1QvXPiOAfJAA64oBRAndVbMRJEYDXsej0Afi5Ugr5SJ2NeAhyphenhyphenVU3dyvNZHPlPq76U2UG8D5B8QI/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+025.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Next was the baby shower. It was great to have Giselle in town. We held it at our house. There were so many people from high school to college, ballroom, family and even a few drop ins from dance students. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of baby Rajko. (We hope to be spending our Spring Break in Phoenix!) </div><br /><div>The next day we had a birthday party for MAX. (Good thing I am not as old as he is!!!) It was great to see the Logan Johnson's as well. Max has a twin sister and the rest of the family came as well. Then four days later I hosted bunco group at my house. Yes I am a sinner in a bunco group, but I have had the chance to meet some great people that I would never have otherwise know. </div><br /><br /><div>In between the parties I have had the same syndrome as everyone else. The mother-with-sick-kid-syndrome that is. It started with Mia and the stomach bug! It seemed like we all were in the clear and then five days later Ellie got it. She has a hard time being sick and actually missed three days of school. After that I completely DETOXED the house. Washed the walls, ripped the covers off the couches and washed them. Cleaned beds and bedspreads. You name it, if is was washable it got washed. then once week later Mia started with a head cold and we ended up in the Urgent Care on Sunday with a flaming ear infection! LOVE IT! I plan to head South over Presidents weekends and hopefully our spirits will be lifted! So there you go-now you know why there have been NO updates. Hope the rest of you are finding more healthy days in January.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>A typical day involves me fighting Mia over if I get to do her hair or not. This is her favorite hair do-water slick back. She was so proud of how smooth she got it. Good thing they see her on other days at Kamas Food Town since that is our hot spot!</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAAhjZyWorPKlUiEhjOjGPi_MMJ-PQ0LEbS-pPM0rg_FTbRWPUITl3-nCmck1C2O1W-iP2K1YDHLxI-BxHIbcxr7pn3-lAJiu05Y-FnSqJuesrNRJC_6D49IbnprVAEVJiS4iBLWwf5Q9/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295833501186594914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAAhjZyWorPKlUiEhjOjGPi_MMJ-PQ0LEbS-pPM0rg_FTbRWPUITl3-nCmck1C2O1W-iP2K1YDHLxI-BxHIbcxr7pn3-lAJiu05Y-FnSqJuesrNRJC_6D49IbnprVAEVJiS4iBLWwf5Q9/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+029.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t_wcggGDFuomQuRgMTfHsoG0tkj3z248KjerYKVcylllwY7D0oa694hfcTQVUAbgNxOQoWsb7yUkLfvwVbYIGtZak9F6IOWbGJsI2Egb6TxI_Hm3bfVHUMjd7EkfzeQ5DgFAIyAtS0dw/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295833502063157634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t_wcggGDFuomQuRgMTfHsoG0tkj3z248KjerYKVcylllwY7D0oa694hfcTQVUAbgNxOQoWsb7yUkLfvwVbYIGtZak9F6IOWbGJsI2Egb6TxI_Hm3bfVHUMjd7EkfzeQ5DgFAIyAtS0dw/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Here and there we did some sledding. This is one of the reasons I live here!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxhGx61cFJ34SCG_y-wqAMxYDC8FUvAEne0We1PAkk5Oxp7NwloZvzU1sgYevDwb8ww5n0ov4PCJOHvLTXptsqn1WaPQz6V0VZ3b-sdFf9DOYbyuki-lxEHI2miKLZHdVKcAo5NXvilvT/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295831228994267122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxhGx61cFJ34SCG_y-wqAMxYDC8FUvAEne0We1PAkk5Oxp7NwloZvzU1sgYevDwb8ww5n0ov4PCJOHvLTXptsqn1WaPQz6V0VZ3b-sdFf9DOYbyuki-lxEHI2miKLZHdVKcAo5NXvilvT/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tess and her friend.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Hhs3mxCdFfhca3VGO1f6gmHci9stQe1osZkDCqM1Z4l7uCgXWC6gmE5C0qbUjQev8DDBNUsqwARSbniN1dnxXzO1F10gtVrpTYmLw8jeZLoVxNnrD_Cx0ypF3h2yrem82-zs3Aj8g5L/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295833492302841346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Hhs3mxCdFfhca3VGO1f6gmHci9stQe1osZkDCqM1Z4l7uCgXWC6gmE5C0qbUjQev8DDBNUsqwARSbniN1dnxXzO1F10gtVrpTYmLw8jeZLoVxNnrD_Cx0ypF3h2yrem82-zs3Aj8g5L/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ellie the leader of the pack.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNuH0gPhWvnV82tpn8O0yRIcp9IfLbdqwBIU3wtocUBMZqu3FSonJaimH8aaO1rWzToFFFb3-_Ms-uI4vVxq1qVRc5GO9aDqlKsIxi12gbEi6qXJoe0vQ07QP_LtYcOl7MEG5RlidDCW7/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295834831175318162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNuH0gPhWvnV82tpn8O0yRIcp9IfLbdqwBIU3wtocUBMZqu3FSonJaimH8aaO1rWzToFFFb3-_Ms-uI4vVxq1qVRc5GO9aDqlKsIxi12gbEi6qXJoe0vQ07QP_LtYcOl7MEG5RlidDCW7/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Noah and Mia gave up on the tubes and went down without!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnimXDe9TfHgxY6vLwa7KqIdl8BopzY0At_coBiLHcT_Pfv4PEML5YGeD0mCc2pkIPPE_hKO5cn781d0_1v-IFLbZ6kPQj4P3IyXi3UKX0TSCdfMYT0O40YqahqoGSu6SwyJjcEozDqOS/s1600-h/Sledding+and+New+Years+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295833495468960114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnimXDe9TfHgxY6vLwa7KqIdl8BopzY0At_coBiLHcT_Pfv4PEML5YGeD0mCc2pkIPPE_hKO5cn781d0_1v-IFLbZ6kPQj4P3IyXi3UKX0TSCdfMYT0O40YqahqoGSu6SwyJjcEozDqOS/s320/Sledding+and+New+Years+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ohh too cute!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-58807684940671416042008-12-28T15:46:00.000-08:002008-12-28T18:39:48.041-08:00We Did ItWe have successfully made it through the holiday season. It seems like it went so fast yet on the other hand we had endless celebrating. I am so blessed at this time to have a week off and the girls and I have some big plans. It seems strange to think that 2008 is just about to close. We have had a great year and I continue to marvel at how big the girls are getting. Christmas morning brought that to my attention in so many ways.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRdmOsYyk7O6Y6CmzDZWYwOWn0ylL9ggHdsk1md_yhz6TtXrdfWCjyLVb-pGq96N4_gdQop0fFKlD1pEv7_Aev5mGD4rlpEHofwED28m4JffyQdS3nkV6xAaq3TBB18C_c0SCdXuBmkKN/s1600-h/December+2008+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285028774388632882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRdmOsYyk7O6Y6CmzDZWYwOWn0ylL9ggHdsk1md_yhz6TtXrdfWCjyLVb-pGq96N4_gdQop0fFKlD1pEv7_Aev5mGD4rlpEHofwED28m4JffyQdS3nkV6xAaq3TBB18C_c0SCdXuBmkKN/s320/December+2008+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ellie was completely excited all day on Christmas Eve. She encouraged the other two to join in the anticipation. There was so much going on and we were able to have Giselle and Noah here with us which brought its own excitement. We all joined up at my mom and dad's for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. (Going back a few years) We always have a Christmas Eve program and each person is encouraged to participate. When I was somewhere around Ellie's age I remember singing, with the old LP (that is a record) Amy's Grants Tennessee Christmas. Not sure why I chose that song but for some reason I did. This year my girls decided to start singing a new Amy Grant song,<em> I need a Silent Night</em>, that I found while looking for Christmas music for the Christmas show. They each took their turn belting it out on the karaoke machine. Then they turned it into quiet the trio performance. I just couldn't believe that these were my children and they were participating in the same type of traditions that I so fondly remember. There was an empty space at the table this year without my sweet Grandmother. I still have these little flashes now and again or something that makes me well up with those stinking tears. I just remember the previous year with her all dolled up in her Christmas outfit. We miss her a lot and I am just so gad that my children were old enough to have the chance to meet her and know her. The hardest part now is watching my grandpa. He misses her so much and longs to reunite with her. I realize how grateful I am for the plan and how much I want to be with my husband and children forever. (Wow I am not sure how I got off on that path but I have now regained my composure and can move on. Sorry Mom!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVNTxhd7Lhtb9vdhpFMQti6WVoiVU6Su__XIVHvOcxgs-4CBvxuneqHoDSEtUqlS-Qhy3kFgzUdb-hZN_iUe53W3WFougw9OMrbgfmOmCrftAWsp_WyjMyBjcxOw3DMXRp8ZY1Bd9C-08/s1600-h/December+2008+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285035879980755762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVNTxhd7Lhtb9vdhpFMQti6WVoiVU6Su__XIVHvOcxgs-4CBvxuneqHoDSEtUqlS-Qhy3kFgzUdb-hZN_iUe53W3WFougw9OMrbgfmOmCrftAWsp_WyjMyBjcxOw3DMXRp8ZY1Bd9C-08/s320/December+2008+028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Once we got home form the Christmas Eve celebration all of the kids in their matching pjs went to bed. We all sleep out in the bonus room and so we can wake up together. Ellie however decided that 2:30 was an appropriate time to check and see if Santa had arrived. It took me the next three hours to keep her from jumping out of her skin. By 6:00 we were up brushing our teeth and ripping apart wrapping paper as fast as we could. Ellie got her own digital camera and I have officially let her take over the photography. She is doing quiet well and manages to remember to take more photos then I. I was completely surprised at with my Christmas present. It was all set up and decorated as I walked into the room. I will let you judge for yourself!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjroGJh0TjoszE53qCajSzjYEBoE4liOCEIovCfmT38wEhKlb0mrMAy0lq1GneO5IT5WFgiLKQrb8cYvjgKTvTbfUhEAMMe6Oc9XxaYKVqoJiJMIVMsAjmL6HHG4FeYUsFooEVsfR5tRnd/s1600-h/December+2008+049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285028785250101458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjroGJh0TjoszE53qCajSzjYEBoE4liOCEIovCfmT38wEhKlb0mrMAy0lq1GneO5IT5WFgiLKQrb8cYvjgKTvTbfUhEAMMe6Oc9XxaYKVqoJiJMIVMsAjmL6HHG4FeYUsFooEVsfR5tRnd/s320/December+2008+049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The snow decided to bring Christmas joy to us and we had trouble making the two mile trip to my parent's Christmas morning. As we took a the second path we also saw the three elk that have reappeared from last year. Ellie again capture the moment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRsDU7WCRa5cG5Hayt8vjkTREvzU6pdros3MUZqVxeCjrhMFIJSPqH-qkLQtAyTt_Cal-bEq4qYyA8PYBHzb6SBRjxKvNUKJzoCF7tsrKvAZIHPPy3lpJ11l5LI5h5xc7NIJOckaQZr6i/s1600-h/Ellie's+December+2008+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285028786203306322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRsDU7WCRa5cG5Hayt8vjkTREvzU6pdros3MUZqVxeCjrhMFIJSPqH-qkLQtAyTt_Cal-bEq4qYyA8PYBHzb6SBRjxKvNUKJzoCF7tsrKvAZIHPPy3lpJ11l5LI5h5xc7NIJOckaQZr6i/s320/Ellie's+December+2008+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>On Saturday we headed to the Bisel party. We are normally in Idaho for that weekend. It was great fun to participate in the Sleigh Ride, tubing, cemetery visit to Grandma and the unbelievable buffet.</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrBjFQC_T-jnXCSpTygMfw5CDTmj-3RTUZ3VA5T1WD97b6P6OIzS565wU3AmUdjQcQS4E9XVbwIYcXId44_rIYenVXR-fMPHMxG8wME8PYgAFA-pUtanQ-3iy7RpQrRAvE03VBJttDaeW/s1600-h/December+2008+045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285028789619196962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrBjFQC_T-jnXCSpTygMfw5CDTmj-3RTUZ3VA5T1WD97b6P6OIzS565wU3AmUdjQcQS4E9XVbwIYcXId44_rIYenVXR-fMPHMxG8wME8PYgAFA-pUtanQ-3iy7RpQrRAvE03VBJttDaeW/s320/December+2008+045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh the memories that we have made this month. Here's to a new year of happiness and family time.Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-37626354043565544902008-12-07T07:29:00.000-08:002008-12-07T08:30:47.342-08:00Long Time Coming<div>We're here! We really are alive and kicking it just seems that there is so much going on and I put blogging on the bottom of my list. If I have an extra minute I try to do something productive. Prime example, make cookies with Tess and Mia. They love it and it teaches me patience. We had a wonderful November and were very thankful to spend time with many of our family. Other things that happened in November:</div>
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<br /><div>Ellie had her first piano recital. Both of the girls started piano this fall and are doing great. They have different teachers (long story) and we are grateful that they enjoy it (for the time being). Ellie had practiced and practiced til everyone in the family could play her songs. That morning she was getting a little nervous. By time we got to the church where the recital was I am not sure who was shaking more, Tim or Ellie. He gets so nervous for the girls. Ellie was about to cry when she was introducing her pieces her voice was shaking so severely but she sat down and played like a pro. We were so proud of her and pleased that we got to share the moment with Grandpa and Grandma McNeil, and Allen and Patrice and Evan. Thanks guys!</div>
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<br /><div>We made a long trip to Boise for Thanksgiving. We have never actually been to Brain and Jan's house so we were looking forward to seeing them and the rest of our Butikofer family. I had been some what worried about the length of the trip so I prepared an entertainment box for the girls. What would we do without technology, seriously. Between the dvd players and the leapsters (Thanks Averett girls) the girls never made a peep. I however didn't do so well. Tim and I have different travel philosophies. Mine= get in the car and drive as fast as possible ONLY to stop if it is a dire emergency. Did I mention FAST! Tim is more of a sight-seer. He absolutely loves road trips and stops along the way to stretch out his legs and get a refill. And of course he would never eat in the car=too much of a mess!!!! I have decided Tim's way could be more enjoyable if we did it more expeditiously!!! We had a great time in Boise and I would love to show you pictures of it but I never took my camera out of the case. AND no one took it out of the case while I was in the pool with the kids doing cartwheels off the side and throwing Ellie and Lexie in the air off my shoulders. (My dad would be so proud) To Tim's defense he had hurt his back at work BUT while he sat on the side he could have snapped some actions shots. </div>
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<br /><div>I missed out on the Black Friday madness which really took a toll BUT I had my own little on-line Thanksgiving day madness when I was showing Sondi some online deals. It is possible that I could turn into a cyber shopper junkie!!! But I just missed Allen and the snowmobile-suit man!</div>
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<br /><div>We headed aback from Boise a day earlier than we originally planned and got to see some of my family on Sunday as my mom hosted a Sunday Thanksgiving dinner. Yes Thanksgiving is really a wonderful holiday with food and family.</div>
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<br /><div>To start off December I vowed I would make some fun times with the girls. So far we have managed to put up five Christmas trees and last night we went to Temple Square with the Gunners. I love the lights and the spirit that goes with it on Temple Square. It was a pretty mild night as far as the temperature goes BUT with kids they get cold fast. So we headed to Sizzler, a family friendly restaurant. Can I tell you it was so worth it. I love Sizzler salad bar and apparently it had rubbed off on my kids. Ellie was thrilled that she could go back as many times as she wanted. Tess was just happy she got to sit by Luke and Mia well you see, one of Mia's favorite food is watermelon and cantaloupe. She never stopped with the Watermelon and she eats it right down to the rind! Maybe a gift card in the stocking for all of them would be a great idea. Again, just the little things I need to remind myself, make them happy. </div>
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<br /><div>We cannot wait for Christmas to get here but more than that the girls are so excited to see their second mommy, Giselle. I think if I wrap her up and put her under the tree Christmas morning will be complete!</div></div></div></div></div>
<br />Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-14941267297932052172008-11-02T06:59:00.000-08:002008-11-02T08:39:00.411-08:00Happy Halloween and MoreWe had a huge more like gynormous week. It all started last Saturday with Ellie's birthday party. We took Ellie and eight of her friends to see High School Musical 3. It was fantastic, more singing and dancing than the previous two. I LOVED IT and so did the other kids. We had two boys attend the party, Luke and Jackson. Luke tried to be all shy and not even come to the pre-movie cake and ice cream bash, however on the way over it was reported he was crooning for the girls and they were loving his opera style. Thanks to Olivia for helping me transport the tribe. Sunday we had our Primary Program. It is a lot of work for the chorister ,me, and I was also stressed about Tess not saying her part.(She wouldn't in any of the practices.) Well she came through like a champ and it was an extreme dose of reality as I looked around and saw that Ellie is the 4th oldest girl in our primary!!!! Moving on in the week.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0z13MEcxWjvDhfCuOtf3cbdAYtgMm8Ghm2AD_Yv-rU0Lzz2mumfsS3QwF9HnH6JQedhp0Og_afTZmqwPLQQNPxDDJzWG-uH0P_HmvlYnOzR8fBjohfJKAQWnrsxWads_TvTo3CQvvXN_/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264086607470343346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0z13MEcxWjvDhfCuOtf3cbdAYtgMm8Ghm2AD_Yv-rU0Lzz2mumfsS3QwF9HnH6JQedhp0Og_afTZmqwPLQQNPxDDJzWG-uH0P_HmvlYnOzR8fBjohfJKAQWnrsxWads_TvTo3CQvvXN_/s320/Halloween+2008+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Tuesday was our official birthday. Knowing what was in store with dress rehearsal after school til who knows when, we opened presents at 6:30 am. Mia kept telling me "Mom it is night outside."</div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AlMJdY0WqR3ZxyK-Uf1XTv2UQti4gmFSLB553EqCbhtEHImtIPNKS1HjN9PHJlN7iNs5B6TA-_536flFld8rfRMpiYogf6F1ZQzQnhPrHsszUJVftHfi-Rj9tiBb_ugUorOoZel98QLv/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264086615194983730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AlMJdY0WqR3ZxyK-Uf1XTv2UQti4gmFSLB553EqCbhtEHImtIPNKS1HjN9PHJlN7iNs5B6TA-_536flFld8rfRMpiYogf6F1ZQzQnhPrHsszUJVftHfi-Rj9tiBb_ugUorOoZel98QLv/s320/Halloween+2008+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ellie got her heelys that she has wanted for two years and I got a treadmill that I have been begging for a long time. (It just goes to prove my theory, when we get rid of things we end up having to replace it AGAIN!) </div><div>By then fifth hour of dress rehearsal, I got a great birthday present from one of the little ballerinas. She threw up all over the stage and her tutu to boot. Needless to say it was a distraction that had to be taken care of. </div><div> </div><div>Wednesday, the BIG PERFORMANCE! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja4dUom24S4O6FMb7vHJj4YiszBys-dTCRp_AsSs9vYulSvRAycnZEKiLLxPg5WFVGRjFXBMdFM5QCEDNuLxq_0tQf6Vp0FERA7sAdu9LVDYJN72al_QMFLyncWjAJ9LQ9K2az-4dlFu0/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264086626367360194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja4dUom24S4O6FMb7vHJj4YiszBys-dTCRp_AsSs9vYulSvRAycnZEKiLLxPg5WFVGRjFXBMdFM5QCEDNuLxq_0tQf6Vp0FERA7sAdu9LVDYJN72al_QMFLyncWjAJ9LQ9K2az-4dlFu0/s320/Halloween+2008+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the first time all three girls were in the show. I ran and ran and ran around that day. Tess kept me right in line with her asking every 2 minutes if it was time to get her costume on and she had the other two's outfits laid out and tights and shoes put in her bag. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI3mN58ukhWsRZYep3FzfSXKgRgkaF63DjV5PW9EUukhgd7tyhjwRZub4tn5ShQx-h5GoeTvfymKgSm30ng1ShKJ-CMvcpz5QPdqTXkfbYH-58yONjMVLDdRRN-GQY2_aKon-76hAVa7-/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264086622646449698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI3mN58ukhWsRZYep3FzfSXKgRgkaF63DjV5PW9EUukhgd7tyhjwRZub4tn5ShQx-h5GoeTvfymKgSm30ng1ShKJ-CMvcpz5QPdqTXkfbYH-58yONjMVLDdRRN-GQY2_aKon-76hAVa7-/s320/Halloween+2008+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuoesEILWajHkVPidDUNJnXbSKwh74w359J24R3_tpb523MAjeDnm8_zcQuJ4St7a7E9daP2FVCV_w8CLhWrvgo-v1V5esCPVaI4BtU0kgnUe9OqLp0WfoXskUxnU_bUVaSigVt1ZKWwF/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264089813177992098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuoesEILWajHkVPidDUNJnXbSKwh74w359J24R3_tpb523MAjeDnm8_zcQuJ4St7a7E9daP2FVCV_w8CLhWrvgo-v1V5esCPVaI4BtU0kgnUe9OqLp0WfoXskUxnU_bUVaSigVt1ZKWwF/s320/Halloween+2008+015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We had two shows in one night to accommodate all the audience members. ALL the girls did great and I felt very relieved after it was all over! BTW-Mia walked away with the Shirley Temple award for the night!</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoHstX-RzYAmqmNTjChQzBs8N5La6A_tBvwZ6k41S4-58EOgPhS6AnqHll5roztMwJiLr2pxXKWnV69bWS6T3qh2r4iUtg2vFiS9r-0rdM6Punsqdnkxkmz3wFLmqTlVf4ynpkDseAI-q/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264086617963429778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoHstX-RzYAmqmNTjChQzBs8N5La6A_tBvwZ6k41S4-58EOgPhS6AnqHll5roztMwJiLr2pxXKWnV69bWS6T3qh2r4iUtg2vFiS9r-0rdM6Punsqdnkxkmz3wFLmqTlVf4ynpkDseAI-q/s320/Halloween+2008+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Thursday brought Mia's preschool snack and Tess' class party. I know what you are thinking. Preschool snack is not that hard Billlie Jo. Well two factors you might not know about. 1-They have to bring a snack that begins with same sound as their name. 2-I try to do some extremely wonderful homemade award-winning Martha Stewart version of a snack. When Mia brought home the paper at the beginning of the month I told her we would send MMMmuffins and MMMmilk. (They go at ten in the morning and I thought this would be wonderful.) I hadn't been to the store ALL week and had no eggs to make the MMMmufins. So off to KFT. I decided to buy some MMMMuffins and that would have to do. I flet like such a slacker mother coming in with my store bought MMMmuffins. Apparently the kids didn't mind and they gobbled them all down. On to Tess' class party. I AM NOT the room mother or room mother helper for this class, however I know the room mother and she asked me to come help with the party. Since I still have not gone through my "Just say NO intervention" I went in for my duty. Tess seriously was the cutest clown I have ever seen. The only face painting she would allow me to do was a small dot of red on her nose! It didn't matter she still won my heart! </div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k0uC7HDrmkUW9O5H2c1FWrmm2QdrLQ0VCxdMpVQH_5s0oYrOwQFWCoADaQVEWLAzw9wPRgEmkw_s_nvsgrtiSemgSBaGYrTCNTRja8nZuesprTUctkPz5byZIKEHAwrw_r8gN1imZzc6/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264089819111153122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k0uC7HDrmkUW9O5H2c1FWrmm2QdrLQ0VCxdMpVQH_5s0oYrOwQFWCoADaQVEWLAzw9wPRgEmkw_s_nvsgrtiSemgSBaGYrTCNTRja8nZuesprTUctkPz5byZIKEHAwrw_r8gN1imZzc6/s320/Halloween+2008+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Friday brought us the real Halloween celebrations. I AM a room mother helper in Ellie's class. However when I woke up Friday I really had no desire to get out of bed. This put a damper on me preparing all the gooly goodies for her party.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTznO-eiOWWWlB9DCaSDYvy_IZDHWAY6oJoNtkkOlusmpgqEXdPmxct7pDYRy6wcI8tJegu-8Dt6Ep_rZgXJp1MKOJRzZXgKJwejU66o46ILH0RDIm2T_ADr3Yhqs7ej9DoYp3s1fpA6eD/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264089823036741266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTznO-eiOWWWlB9DCaSDYvy_IZDHWAY6oJoNtkkOlusmpgqEXdPmxct7pDYRy6wcI8tJegu-8Dt6Ep_rZgXJp1MKOJRzZXgKJwejU66o46ILH0RDIm2T_ADr3Yhqs7ej9DoYp3s1fpA6eD/s320/Halloween+2008+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The room mother had put together this fun Halloween story with Science experiments and cool sounds. She wanted the food to relate to the theme. I looked and serached the entire night before on the Internet for great party food. This is what I came up with. A snake that had slime coming out of it and flying creatures stuck in a pumpkin. (Sorry no picture BUT it was dar!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlgZ_QL7atg3f8J4A0e3XOVwRetgEetUy50GQRfC7qLUaYMmiD5vqyi1WCqi4aTBX9If9Pw5DyW2I948TgYrTv3CaAqOpgQGgfPdQvuXWf969hr7Mly_XKP-3xK8ffluTlI8RN1vR0W9x/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264089826459077938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlgZ_QL7atg3f8J4A0e3XOVwRetgEetUy50GQRfC7qLUaYMmiD5vqyi1WCqi4aTBX9If9Pw5DyW2I948TgYrTv3CaAqOpgQGgfPdQvuXWf969hr7Mly_XKP-3xK8ffluTlI8RN1vR0W9x/s320/Halloween+2008+021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I bit off more than I could chew and called in some reinforcements (Robbin-Thanks) The food was an absolute hit and I even had enough left over to take to the neighborhood Halloween party we were invited to. We went with some neighbors and had a pre trick or treating party and then loaded all the kids on the wagon and went around their neighborhood.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJHz1SaJ_lABMNL6RjVE1opZTjRJuk9Gp4mnebwnLRu_5uaAdhoczEDw18diCdTi8GTC8E7Zonyn2rtYCjYHma0HNgwBHWfECggCExSekTdK3P02fB6uvmqnNQ72pX5lY0GNodRkWRJJl/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264089832340783666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJHz1SaJ_lABMNL6RjVE1opZTjRJuk9Gp4mnebwnLRu_5uaAdhoczEDw18diCdTi8GTC8E7Zonyn2rtYCjYHma0HNgwBHWfECggCExSekTdK3P02fB6uvmqnNQ72pX5lY0GNodRkWRJJl/s320/Halloween+2008+024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We bailed after about an hour to go visit great-grandpa and our biggest requested stop... the FRANCIS FUDGE FAIRY. This is the only Halloween necessity for Tim.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxeuDS2a0kFN-J1s0JjpzNW5RK2RL-9i17Y3r9cpzpU0FEeAwSuns0v9iW8Yy5JB91rYFPuRGW2MeG4aUWCnytO0ddQ5MqiJaKPzWlGby6etFL_5VxcE2TGrnCjt0IARiBg4L-40gYnld/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264092794924778130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxeuDS2a0kFN-J1s0JjpzNW5RK2RL-9i17Y3r9cpzpU0FEeAwSuns0v9iW8Yy5JB91rYFPuRGW2MeG4aUWCnytO0ddQ5MqiJaKPzWlGby6etFL_5VxcE2TGrnCjt0IARiBg4L-40gYnld/s320/Halloween+2008+029.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />The weather was perfect and we got loads of candy. (DR. Moffits dream I am sure!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWJ_pxCKB4AYa2aGrfNdyLkclDPNM-CXTw_0lsDIo77t6MDaF8X7R2CYuPirPtYOJjlqVJhIQb0R4lixUYSQmAKTjETAUVeipdzPJGvj7H8LVMwf-rY1cMDcKPIwqmbo_ztHJ_pzU6Nku/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264092808321926162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWJ_pxCKB4AYa2aGrfNdyLkclDPNM-CXTw_0lsDIo77t6MDaF8X7R2CYuPirPtYOJjlqVJhIQb0R4lixUYSQmAKTjETAUVeipdzPJGvj7H8LVMwf-rY1cMDcKPIwqmbo_ztHJ_pzU6Nku/s320/Halloween+2008+031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday would have been a great day to relax and chill from the big week HOWEVER I had signed up a month ago for a scrap book marathon. Tim was the best husband/father once again and took care of the girls, the laundry, and even put my birthday present together. AHHH thank heaven for day light saving...I got the extra hour of sleep I really needed. Hope we can get back to normal! Although I am not sure what the defintion of normal is at this home:)</div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMK06FguYz9Zk8CubcUEIqxP2eoaTG-Ksi5yhaqrLbzSiEazR1AWQmrQJcpx-Frf6Gw3nobUEUiYZGqs-j5JBvnzv9sYYN-vTXEoDfKFefZMQnpT8JB9s4hG1JsKq9svxI8KvyBPa4aZr/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264092791194696482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMK06FguYz9Zk8CubcUEIqxP2eoaTG-Ksi5yhaqrLbzSiEazR1AWQmrQJcpx-Frf6Gw3nobUEUiYZGqs-j5JBvnzv9sYYN-vTXEoDfKFefZMQnpT8JB9s4hG1JsKq9svxI8KvyBPa4aZr/s320/Halloween+2008+025.JPG" border="0" /></a>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-86869104830349003472008-10-28T03:58:00.000-07:002008-10-28T05:51:11.272-07:009 Years Old<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYn0DkFwfAKXGLjENE9PvXNbtyE4HXh2zQ7-i26FjqODkUxVAAKyQhhli9QPKb_nwW5matK0LviW7lfkOexmV2JhBe2hRFNNAWM7jPnFhlLUpiRvaI7KZBuupXN2rQRKStxlReGbdzH1A/s1600-h/IMG_1006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262179336768077794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYn0DkFwfAKXGLjENE9PvXNbtyE4HXh2zQ7-i26FjqODkUxVAAKyQhhli9QPKb_nwW5matK0LviW7lfkOexmV2JhBe2hRFNNAWM7jPnFhlLUpiRvaI7KZBuupXN2rQRKStxlReGbdzH1A/s320/IMG_1006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br />Yes it is official. Nine years ago this day I received the best birthday present ever, my sweet little Ellie Jo Butikofer. I have learned so much over the past nine years and I would not trade one day of it. When you have kids I think you realize who you are and you see a part of you manifested in someone else. Each day I sincerely pray for this kid. She has such a big heart and I know that she is going to do great things. My only concern is- have I done all that I can to let her know how much she means to me. Here are nine qualities that I enjoy in Ellie.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUSGUiHecXQ3Ah9pkDRzbl0Oa4_GGKowsScXmJ6pJz4npUEjxgoFecYbE1TqGp444kR3cINI8peFXizf_LMZgr54JHg2FO4hEU2uhmG9GKGtwckNyLmg1nc9gQxrbWbDvSFd0jpLZoiXC/s1600-h/Ellie+7th+Birthday.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262175328773541890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUSGUiHecXQ3Ah9pkDRzbl0Oa4_GGKowsScXmJ6pJz4npUEjxgoFecYbE1TqGp444kR3cINI8peFXizf_LMZgr54JHg2FO4hEU2uhmG9GKGtwckNyLmg1nc9gQxrbWbDvSFd0jpLZoiXC/s320/Ellie+7th+Birthday.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />1. From the moment she came into this world she was the life of the party! Being the first grandchild on the McNeil side meant that she got A LOT of attention!!! There was never a moment she didn't have someones attention. Since at the time I was knee deep in drill team and my teaching career, she was drug to every football, basketball,volleyball and dance competition around. She attended her first football game when she was 2 weeks old. I remember thinking "having kids doesn't slow you down!" Well as a result of my naivety (is that even a word) Ellie also got RSV when she was four months old. I think that was the first moment that I realized how precious her life was. I would lay in the recliner at night with her on my chest hooked up to oxygen and just watch her breathe. I held my breath the entire first night and prayed that I would be the best mom I could to this child. To this day she is always the center of attention for better or for worse.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioktmcs7XY8mt1lULWTp2xwN6Od246G7qO_smcsgDT6jXN3A-6D40tm5CBLfrjaUD7tTwuJoZnrieNRGWA91ocdNiuIhGz3rT52dW012J93PRSCr0HyAqHkribG8kGm0wfv4jykReyHeKx/s1600-h/Ellie+Swup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262177386635729538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioktmcs7XY8mt1lULWTp2xwN6Od246G7qO_smcsgDT6jXN3A-6D40tm5CBLfrjaUD7tTwuJoZnrieNRGWA91ocdNiuIhGz3rT52dW012J93PRSCr0HyAqHkribG8kGm0wfv4jykReyHeKx/s320/Ellie+Swup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />2. Ellie finds joy in small things. I guess this is the proper and nice way of explaining that she is a hoarder. I am sure in the next twenty years you will see her on on of those reality show where she has to get some type of help because her junk collecting has taken over her life! She saves everything and wants other people to save things. I think she has Luke convinced that there is a reason to save pop can tops??? Just the other day I went through her desk and started to purge things. When she found the ONE inch pencils in the garbage she asked me why I threw them away. I said, "you can't even write with them why do you have them and why would you keep them." Her reply was simple, "I wanted to see how small I could get them with the sharpener and they look cool."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqjdfUiKmRjfYXVgbMBEXsNqYY85B17nbTqAf6MX6IeFGrm6BoxrGCo_H9Ik3_1d6kWVzTrByisMFmOFqJPs-zBbWn-NlzElLNoIujv-i3vvxgM8xYz0pdATJ5XCaHUL1C_AON1ls215I/s1600-h/Ellie+Ballet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262175332444209554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqjdfUiKmRjfYXVgbMBEXsNqYY85B17nbTqAf6MX6IeFGrm6BoxrGCo_H9Ik3_1d6kWVzTrByisMFmOFqJPs-zBbWn-NlzElLNoIujv-i3vvxgM8xYz0pdATJ5XCaHUL1C_AON1ls215I/s320/Ellie+Ballet.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />3. Ellie has very intriguing knees. She is a ballet teacher's worst night mare. She has very interesting knees. They are not bowed and she is not knocked kneed but it is some strange cross between the two. Giselle says that it is a ballroom dancers dream. Good things she looks cute in the leotard so that people have something else to watch!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfP1GxgxDsWXRaP1mlmQkQPwyE61GMvdbjuIG9sxBMxz04dxGCtPZTBVuKWY6tAxM7OxXugrp3gaqetU7_Gyolf2qichgxAneRV2ToDTWwYVc2yqurzrKQSJPggddl0owAHOa0FVTj3nV/s1600-h/Ellie+and+Jack.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262177367206114290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfP1GxgxDsWXRaP1mlmQkQPwyE61GMvdbjuIG9sxBMxz04dxGCtPZTBVuKWY6tAxM7OxXugrp3gaqetU7_Gyolf2qichgxAneRV2ToDTWwYVc2yqurzrKQSJPggddl0owAHOa0FVTj3nV/s320/Ellie+and+Jack.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. Like I said before Ellie has a big heart. She loves everyone! When she was very little and we lived in Kamas she stole the heart of an elderly man in our ward, Grandpa Padfield as she called him. One day he showed up at our house with this cute wooden rocking chair that he built for her. This was also Ellie's first exposure to understanding death. When Grandpa Padfield died, I am not sure who cried more Ellie or me? She also hates it when people are sad or hurt. For instance when I put Mia in time out or she gets in trouble, Ellie comes to her rescue.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1_0ALk-GTLxSjOjkOkAKmXCh8kWtBVu_MfHMPA_Cbqe9sSyFUZFH7ow72vYKp_1Z2-FkPZMSBc8rX_tgM9H2pnR6pwvhPJ3mCJdU-ALSBIMI_ErR2zcivCjv-vanH35cLjioSjvzUUrd/s1600-h/Ellie+Dress.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262177364439783218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1_0ALk-GTLxSjOjkOkAKmXCh8kWtBVu_MfHMPA_Cbqe9sSyFUZFH7ow72vYKp_1Z2-FkPZMSBc8rX_tgM9H2pnR6pwvhPJ3mCJdU-ALSBIMI_ErR2zcivCjv-vanH35cLjioSjvzUUrd/s320/Ellie+Dress.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5. Ellie has also channeled Giselle's act for injuries. The ace bandages have found a great home and every time we are at mom and dad's she finds the crutches. She always has an injury and the other day it came to a for front. She had this bump on her finger and she kept showing it to me. At first I thought she got a sliver and it may have gotten infected. However she wouldn't actually let me touch it or examine it. After about a month and the swelling getting worse, I made an appointment for the first day she had off of school. Turns out had a big pocket of infection and it had to be lanced out. THAT WAS FUN! But she loves the facts that she has to soak it in Epsom salt baths twice a day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnlxEgK_IMTkksQPMuc896-UjG_xoqv2Zk8WkdLzx4mGUyIn2FPhQ5bxn2UjYFUmw4fk8Hs2dXJAF9tq9vlyVGqNNKcxp7HOMiITH8PYgS1Ff29tIIiyme5OBni8sebRBnDToNvj8-SM6/s1600-h/Ellie+River.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262180312846476562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnlxEgK_IMTkksQPMuc896-UjG_xoqv2Zk8WkdLzx4mGUyIn2FPhQ5bxn2UjYFUmw4fk8Hs2dXJAF9tq9vlyVGqNNKcxp7HOMiITH8PYgS1Ff29tIIiyme5OBni8sebRBnDToNvj8-SM6/s320/Ellie+River.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />6. She never gives up! Ellie will try and try and try something until she gets it. I mentioned the other day that she got her back handspring in acro. Somethings come sooner and quicker than others but overall she keeps trying. She may not have learned to ride the two wheel bike until she was 7 (thanks Uncle B) but at least she never quit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhe2gKA9ptAbtSFpEHjrBxuGc7MV2mGEPKx_D7NnHSxZQNon8MEUGzw9Mfd8dgGPmu7mbr1TcYdVvu0Q2BjPjGXmqTzQSy30YE0E0AIjZ-IE2h_8lXBsZUZ0FpZESBFgETn2GiBGG3Rw2/s1600-h/DSCF2215.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262175324444022850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhe2gKA9ptAbtSFpEHjrBxuGc7MV2mGEPKx_D7NnHSxZQNon8MEUGzw9Mfd8dgGPmu7mbr1TcYdVvu0Q2BjPjGXmqTzQSy30YE0E0AIjZ-IE2h_8lXBsZUZ0FpZESBFgETn2GiBGG3Rw2/s320/DSCF2215.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />7. American Idol watch out! Ellie loves to sing. She can and will memorize the words to any song. (Not so much into memorizing math facts but song are a must!) I think when she was only two years old she had all the drill team songs memorized and even those of other teams. (Giselle..."this is how my drummer drums!") She has also passed her love of singing on to Tess and Mia. Any given day you can hear quite the concert going on inside, outside, or in the shower. Hannah Montanna has nothing on this girl.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuUCtcB1F45V4Bn_-iIRVnrmvY_1_4lROFOTHMpsPD3-_x8v1VIfc_QX6R86axCN8V5zh1et7tiNuo8noM9lmT4drZoy0RXEXxN3C7pdSaQRKXZDBeAmTA5u4uujcJ5h5C_52t0TIEDWE/s1600-h/August+2008+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262179330652672226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuUCtcB1F45V4Bn_-iIRVnrmvY_1_4lROFOTHMpsPD3-_x8v1VIfc_QX6R86axCN8V5zh1et7tiNuo8noM9lmT4drZoy0RXEXxN3C7pdSaQRKXZDBeAmTA5u4uujcJ5h5C_52t0TIEDWE/s320/August+2008+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />8. Ellie is a great example and big sister to Tess and Mia. It has been so fun to watch Ellie and Tess do the whole school thing this year. Ellie gives Tess a lot of advice as to what to wear, how to wait for the bus, and when and where to play. She reads to them, teaches them, and runs the show as far as what they are playing. She is the head choreographer when they are making up dances and also the fashion consultant. But she also teaches them spiritual things too. They have to also take a "scripture bag" like Ellie to church and Ellie sets up the whole pulpit and routine for family home eveningtalks as well. Being the oldest sister myself I know how she feels and how you want to control everything. I hope that she continues loving them follow her footsteps.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MjxFii2dRvoLGlpHLOaguepgObTY5cgQtEf9UIfqFj1D-BoCNrs-OKfThRMlWqQ-uqElaKP0_6PRpRO0r_PG2U-2mcZnmfxHdnhx2ZWzslGr8GiN4DNU8vKSBjX6qQY6erPiptZfjFO3/s1600-h/SCL_4579.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262175315548922722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MjxFii2dRvoLGlpHLOaguepgObTY5cgQtEf9UIfqFj1D-BoCNrs-OKfThRMlWqQ-uqElaKP0_6PRpRO0r_PG2U-2mcZnmfxHdnhx2ZWzslGr8GiN4DNU8vKSBjX6qQY6erPiptZfjFO3/s320/SCL_4579.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />9. Her smile says it all. She has a cheesy smile when she is getting her picture taken but on the lighter and more natural side of life it melts my heart when she walks in the door and I see her smile. I am sure it won't be long before that smile melts someone elses heart... but for now she is all mine! Happy Birthday to my nine year old baby! I hope the next nine years are just as wonderful. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkNCKPBgFXsznVThKs0ac9N2bXa9UnRZhDjWvaFRvTJx_-22bBhnREkzAxAcrCVqWIHcshyULUkd9_ClGbzFtxwUR_GorhUZbe1fwfbmqJEaBohURUW8yofRh7HbmcVLJzsThst_PATIO/s1600-h/girls1+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262180296745970402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkNCKPBgFXsznVThKs0ac9N2bXa9UnRZhDjWvaFRvTJx_-22bBhnREkzAxAcrCVqWIHcshyULUkd9_ClGbzFtxwUR_GorhUZbe1fwfbmqJEaBohURUW8yofRh7HbmcVLJzsThst_PATIO/s320/girls1+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-76934943544301270052008-10-24T08:01:00.000-07:002008-10-24T08:49:29.270-07:00Grape Nuts = Growing Up
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<br /><div>I just had to hurry and post this funny story. I haven't done much in the line of keeping up with Mia's baby/scrapbook so I thought I should document this little occasion.
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<br /><div>Mia likes to eat cereal EVERY morning. I offer her good warm things to eat and she just chooses to eat cereal. Not just any cereal she is very specific. She wants Rice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crispies</span>! I buy the big bulk bag to use for Rice Crispy Treats so I never thought that this would end up being Mia's personal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fav</span>. She does like me to put one teaspoon of sugar on them however. Well moving on... She told me "Mom I am hungry." I then replied in the most loving voice "What would you like to eat my little darling?" She opens up the pantry and says, "Mom, I <em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">growed</span></span></em> up so I need some of Dad's cereal." Referring to the grape nuts. Well knowing how they taste, I try to tell her that I am sure she won't like them. (A mother always knows.) In her attempt to reiterate to me how grown up she is, she gets the box herself. I poor the smallest amount in her bowl and add the milk. One crunchy bite later...."Mom, I'm still a little kid. Can I have my own cereal?" I just smiled and poured the grape nuts down the garbage disposal and got out the Rice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Crispies</span>!</div>
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<br /><div>While I am updating, I had these pictures to throw in. We didn't get to go anywhere for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">UEA</span> for many reasons, so we braved the CROWDS of people at Gardner Village and then went with the Gunners to Chuck E. Cheese for Noah's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre</span>-celebration. I stood in the face painting line for 45 minutes while the kids went to the petting zoo. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ok</span> let's just say, the kids could go to Great-Grandpa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bisel's</span> and pet as many animals as they did there and I could pull out the face painting kit and do the butterflies myself BUT it was the time together that counts RIGHT. The things we do for our kids. NEXT year Disneyland MARK MY WORDS!!!!</ <div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDduZ8uQDAmeO0ehQ1Zh7kWnAGLCxVKWK6gTHll8QlyL4iQC5ZKOKunXHIgC10QYVca638owV278Kh6k4B-TZU3bUbZfp-DbPeFphp5cMQwvdL01MgyWs8d2U74PMSxZban0hxMYyao4tT/s1600-h/October+2008+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260744117126265570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDduZ8uQDAmeO0ehQ1Zh7kWnAGLCxVKWK6gTHll8QlyL4iQC5ZKOKunXHIgC10QYVca638owV278Kh6k4B-TZU3bUbZfp-DbPeFphp5cMQwvdL01MgyWs8d2U74PMSxZban0hxMYyao4tT/s320/October+2008+020.JPG" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620775152818295299.post-64066364253379095412008-10-21T04:01:00.000-07:002008-10-21T04:22:39.495-07:00Just for Aunt Giselle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe7oVciO_WFsuHlfCvA-ktYjOexmMd95ZbSZgFLOz9p4dMuDpvVe7df5-BZPF3eFrFji-CgzXopx34S2LNnh6tYuE4Z-co9PRFc4OjW2DsGSuITFVQIPKsRVfYq9ZiBlrenBM9TejeA8H/s1600-h/Girls+Favorite.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259562658465379746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe7oVciO_WFsuHlfCvA-ktYjOexmMd95ZbSZgFLOz9p4dMuDpvVe7df5-BZPF3eFrFji-CgzXopx34S2LNnh6tYuE4Z-co9PRFc4OjW2DsGSuITFVQIPKsRVfYq9ZiBlrenBM9TejeA8H/s320/Girls+Favorite.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>So to say we all have had a hard time with Aunt Giselle moving would be a slight understatement. Mia seems to have it the worst. I think the reason maybe that Giselle has brain-washed her to believing that she is her mother. Don't get me wrong, I love that they want their Aunt Giselle to be such a part of their lives. We send video footage and pictures on the cell phone bi-weekly to her. (I am so grateful for technology.) Last week Ellie got her back handspring down. First person we call...Giselle. Plus the cell phone video of it. Every morning Mia tells me "I can't wait til Christmas. Then I can see Giselle." Apparently I just need to wrap Giselle up and put her under the tree. So these pictures are for Giselle. I hope that the rest of you enjoy them and please note the time. 4:05 AM! That is the only time I have to blog. I couldn't sleep so I started some laundry and now I have one second for an update.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOimjuYNH_2-emrdBg3b5lexTMOnhKakDOLp8kOjm2u2vTakNRq5gy0Kt7l4qMTdmd35SxDLXo6swhQgV9PkwmVFY5WWlUEMYVjrwQqV-ileLvGun20e2IeQXxBaaEcEnGb5eaq52xU0P/s1600-h/Ellie+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259562666529260898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOimjuYNH_2-emrdBg3b5lexTMOnhKakDOLp8kOjm2u2vTakNRq5gy0Kt7l4qMTdmd35SxDLXo6swhQgV9PkwmVFY5WWlUEMYVjrwQqV-ileLvGun20e2IeQXxBaaEcEnGb5eaq52xU0P/s320/Ellie+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA5pcuNmNU_kUoQMmJug8Zn-IR9xjuFQJoQeDvG8Zs8S91mWREHqcYLeEvQzbLuJeZSxO7pBp6gAFu7QcOwREfv77kbUSTc4EU8xnejElqCYYa7YRXlzmAyZjz_RxHHakqt9m7LrSRLMn/s1600-h/Mia+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259564256032344450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA5pcuNmNU_kUoQMmJug8Zn-IR9xjuFQJoQeDvG8Zs8S91mWREHqcYLeEvQzbLuJeZSxO7pBp6gAFu7QcOwREfv77kbUSTc4EU8xnejElqCYYa7YRXlzmAyZjz_RxHHakqt9m7LrSRLMn/s320/Mia+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbYopxjgwHm9KGILiGXGib4-tZDPDfIVYlqtJGhga9js-qVsDbtclW5Rjr5CDequXX28Nv_k3p7vNmjFJbzSBdyboPazWaEWp21xrSoNX_kkqUoMdOWD_Mfij2Vx5kPK8FHVcySH2ktAZ/s1600-h/SCL_4588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259564266911917554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbYopxjgwHm9KGILiGXGib4-tZDPDfIVYlqtJGhga9js-qVsDbtclW5Rjr5CDequXX28Nv_k3p7vNmjFJbzSBdyboPazWaEWp21xrSoNX_kkqUoMdOWD_Mfij2Vx5kPK8FHVcySH2ktAZ/s320/SCL_4588.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Where on earth does the time go? My big girl will be 9 in just one week. I am seriously freaked out with the notion. You know me the leader of the drama queens! Needles to say they keep me on the move! Gotta go...time to put in the next batch of clothes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcL_ylnO2M0iwfnHNLNh7lTmuksSNaG1dkS33nlnIaQJRkVlGhNYE6Mac32qLz-BnFk65m3CoCXHM_oAhlAqiFooJZ3VgwhOx8O1X16Uvi8611P2YAG-aF9_Z0Yo-dMzbQqXJeEnqHAhmo/s1600-h/girls+standing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259564273958014898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcL_ylnO2M0iwfnHNLNh7lTmuksSNaG1dkS33nlnIaQJRkVlGhNYE6Mac32qLz-BnFk65m3CoCXHM_oAhlAqiFooJZ3VgwhOx8O1X16Uvi8611P2YAG-aF9_Z0Yo-dMzbQqXJeEnqHAhmo/s320/girls+standing.jpg" border="0" /></a>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08318702922574424584noreply@blogger.com13