Funny things

Aynslee just told me "you're hairyarious Mom" :) She also was singing Let It Go, so I started to video her and she ended up falling right on her face. Thankfully she was ok. It is such a funny video though!

Baylor has started saying many words. For example: Why? Candy, puppy & thank you. He is getting to be so funny. He has grown taller lately, which makes me sad.

Tyrik is reading pretty good since the break. We started practicing everyday and it has helped a lot.

Wylie, Ryland & Kaylese all did really well on their grades for 2nd quarter. Ryland & I are starting to work on History Fair. The boys started Jr. Jazz Basketball and both did well at their first games. Ryland's Game was tied and he made the winning points for his team  (4). He was so happy! :) Kaylese is getting faster everyday with her times tables.

Always wait too long

Well, Thanksgiving was delicious and great with The Cook family this year. Wylie and Ryland had quite a few accelerated games in December. They played well. The kids had their annual school Christmas performance. This was Tyriks first year. He was singing SO LOUD that everyone was cracking up! Love that wild boy! He did know the words really well though ;). Wylie had his first band concert, he did well. It was fun to watch what he has learned. He is doing well in school still and made quite a few friends now. We enjoyed seeing my Slade family a couple of times at Christmas parties. We love our little family party now. It's a lot of fun! We had the Cook party last weekend which was fun. We went to the live Nativity here that night and it was so great! Spencer has been working a lot, so he can pay for Christmas. The kids got spoiled this year. Not necessarily a ton of gifts, just things that cost more than usual. So for Christmas we headed up to the cabin at Miller's Flat this year. It was Spencers idea. I was very nervous, but it turned out to be the best Christmas we have had. Christmas eve we snowmobiled in and it was perfect and beautiful. I was organized with packing so that helped it go well. Matthew, and Winston helped Spencer take everything up to the cabin the day before we went which made it so much easier. Christmas day the kids were so happy Santa found us. :) It was snowing and blowing most of that day, but they did get to play outside in the snow that morning. Wylie got a 270 gun, Ryland and Tyrik an x-box 1 with games, Kaylese got a doll and a big horse for her doll that she really wanted, Aynslee got Anna and Elsa dolls, and Baylor got a bball hoop, with a small set of balls to go with it. They were all very happy. The next morning it was clear and sunny again so we could snowmobile out. The kids slept pretty good, the fire kept us nice and toasty. I even planned some pretty good food for only having a stove to cook on. All in all I don't think we will ever forget it.
The day before our suburban had to be fixed for the 2nd time within a month. We have had to put quite a bit of $$ into it which has been hard. I am grateful though. I feel like Heavenly Father has really helped things to work out for us lately. He has really blessed us in many ways.
So I found out that my Grandma Larson(Donette's Mom) passed away while we were at the cabin on Christmas day. She was 81. I feel sad, but happy for her because she had many health problems for many years. What a relief that must be to not feel pain anymore. We will be going to her funeral Wednesday.
We actually left the gifts for the kids from us wrapped under the tree for when we came home. The kids were surprised. They were mainly underwear, socks, and exciting things like that. But Ryland did get a Bionicle guy to build and Tyrik a lego set. Kaylese and plastic girly looking Bow, with some arrows, and Aynslee got a bike we found for cheap. She was very excited!
Anyhow, I am sad because I am done teaching Wylie's Sunday school class. I have only taught for two months, but because they will move onto the next teacher next week, I feel really bummed. I have already learned to love each kid and have high hopes for all of them. We will see what this new class brings. Also I am sad that Aynslee moves onto sunbeams. It's just sad and amazing at the same time how slow time seems to go when you have your first child, then when it's your 4th on, it just speeds by. I can't believe I only have 1 babe left in nursery. Speaking of that babe. He is starting to talk a lot. He now says, "hot toto", "I love you", "I see you", and other cute things. He is quite a funny little boy. So here are a couple of good Tyrik quotes. His teacher in Primary asked him how old he was " I'm five, how old are you?" The teacher told him 66. Tyrik asked " And you're still alive?" Ya, that made them laugh quite a bit. The other was when a guy in our ward who was walking out of church was teasing Tyrik about having to sit on him in Primary because he will be his new teacher, Tyrik gets mad and yells "My Dad is fatter than you!" The guy laughs and says no I think I am bigger than him. Tyrik again yells " No, he's way fatter than you!" The guy was laughing, I was laughing and so was his wife. Spencer got a kick out of that story too. Aynslee has quite the personality coming out. She is starting to be so funny. Today when she saw an ambulance she said "the aliens are coming!" Her teacher said she was the Mother hen of the nursery, she would keep them all in line, and yesterday during her visit to primary, she saw Tyrik being irreverent and stomped over there and said, "Tyrik knock it off!" Tyriks teacher said he couldn't believe someone so little and quiet would do that. Ya, she's got most people fooled. :)
Today was an exciting day, Chavonne had her baby!! A boy!! I guessed it :) I am so happy for her! #6, now she is caught up to me. Well, I can't believe another year has passed. It's been full of change, full of blessings, full of fun. I am so grateful for my family. I couldn't ask for better parents, husband and kids. I love them all so much. My siblings too. I wish my kids knew just how much I care and love them, even though I nag them to do so much. I feel so blessed and know that God knows me and helps me. Until next time.

A great Sunday

Wow, it's almost the end of November. I can't believe it!
Halloween was good this year. The kids had a lot of fun. We took them to some houses around here and then to Moroni to see cousins and Marian & Tracy. Wylie just went as a cowboy, Ryland was Wolverine, Kaylese was a pirate, Tyrik was very excited to be Captain America, Aynslee was Rapunzel or Tangled, and Baylor was a minion.
With Ryland playing football this year and then starting accelerated bball before it ended, it about did me in. He played every night one week and then Wylie played Saturday that week. It was too much!  I survived though. Wylie & Ryland's coaches on accelerated Basketball have not played them that much until this Saturday. Spencer talked to Wylie's coach & I talked to Ryland's. Thankfully they listened. Ryland played some and for the first time, Wylie got to play most of the game. He played very well. I was happy for him and proud of him. I have been very proud of Ryland's attitude since basketball started. He cheers his teammates on, is happy and positive even though he doesn't get played as much as others. That makes me happy and proud of him. I really enjoy watching both of them play.
So last Sunday was Wylie's birthday. Yes, I am sad to say I have a teenager :( I can't belive he has grown up so fast. He really is such a great kid. He has been more forgiving and patient with me than I could ask for. I have to say I have already started to see some changes in him. I wish he would just stay little. SIGH... He got to go ride motorbikes with his cousins for two days in a row, then we had a party for him Sunday. Then he went to Mom & Dad Slades for the night lastnight. He got two pair of boots (one for farm & one for riding) Then he got a hoodie and $$ and goggles and even a chest plate for riding his motorbike. He is very happy and grateful. The kids had their primary program on that day too. It was such a great program.
Today was probably the most I have felt the Spirit in one day for a long time. It was so great. The talks were on the atonement and on marriage. I felt like I gave a descent lesson, and then in Relief Society we talked about why we have a church and different women talked about why they come. It was great. I am so grateful for the Spirit.
I am very grateful for my sweet family. I love my Heavenly Father so much. Until next time. :)

October

Well, as usual there is much to write about. If only I would do this daily, then it wouldn't be so hard to remember it all. I don't know if I already mentioned that Baylor can walk. He started in September and he is now going fast every where and he learned how to climb within a week of walking. He climbs all the way up to the counter with the sink and has soaked the counter and floor a couple of times. He loves his new found fun, obviously it isn't so fun for me because he is making messes and getting hurt all of the time, but he is the same as the others have been at this age. I am very grateful He is healthy and happy. Aynslee is a funny little girl. She is definitely trying out her 3 yr old "say no to everything" and "I can do it all by myself" stuff. She is still a pretty mellow 3yr old compared to how the rest have been. Wylie is so happy because he made the accelerated Basketball team and got straight A's on his 1st quarter report card. It wasn't easy, but he did it! Ryland also got straight A's and made basketball. I have mixed feelings about them making it, just because it has already made my life that much busier but I am happy for them. Kaylese did really well with all A's & 1 B+. She started learning her dance for competition and she loves it & is excited! She had her 9th birthday last weekend. She had a sleepover with Rianna. They watched the new Cinderella. Spencer borrowed Josephs pony again so they could ride it around. She had a horse cake and got plenty of gifts. She went to stay with Mom & Dad Slade this weekend and got even more things. She had a lot of fun! I can't believe she is 9. So much has changed but it has flown by. Tyrik is starting to read a lot better. It is amazing the things
that can happen when you just give a little time & attention to a child that they didn't have before. He is very excited for Halloween!
So let's see. We went through the temple with Clancy at the beginning of this month. What a neat experience that was. It was at the Payson one.
We went down to Nevada for the Copes sons viewing. It was very sad, but it was so great to see all of their family and other friends. I even got to see my brother Colby and his family and my aunt Gretchen. I am glad went down. We had another Stake conference yesterday. I believe the visiting authorities name was Elder Robbins. It was a great conference. They emphasized keeping the Sabbath Day Holy again and talked about living within our means, forgiving others, and paying our tithing and fast offerings. Also about being happy. He also talked about not taking serious things too casually.
It has cooled off enough this last week that Chavonne & I couldn't walk like we have been every morning. It makes me sad, but I do know we need a good winter, so we will see. Spencer heard back from Weber on getting back into school and finishing his bachelor's degree. Things are looking good. We hope he can start soon. It only looks like he needs a couple of classes. He is still trying to get a farm going. I hope that can happen,  but only if the Lord wants it to and it is meant to be for our family. Ryland has been playing football. He is a fast runner and enjoys it.
I am so blessed and feel very grateful to have my family. My parents, Grandparents, My husband and especially my children. There is nothing better. I do feel as though I fail as a Mother everyday, but I pray for help constantly and I am hoping that they will remember the good more than the bad. I wish so badly I was a calm, patient mother....Maybe someday. I believe that God is aware of us and our situations and what we need. We just need to have Faith in Him and His plan. Oh, I almost forgot if I didn't mention it. I got a calling. I am Wylie's new Sunday School teacher. I already feel a lot for this class. I hope I can instill in them a desire to know for themselves that the gospel is true. Until next time.

Conference Weekend

I have to be honest and say, I always love General Conference, but this time I felt The Spirit so strong and felt so well taught and uplifted, it was amazing. Even through all the crying, screaming, and playing of the kids.
So many spoke of keeping the Sabbath day Holy, also about receiving personal inspiration by being worthy of The Spirit constantly. There were three new apostles called because of the passing of Elder Perry, Pres. Packer, and recently Elder Scott. The new ones called were Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, & Elder Renlund. They all spoke and we're deeply humbled by the call. I assumed they would have known for a while now, but it was not so. They were all called this week. No wonder they were feeling intimidated and shocked. They all have beautiful testimonies though and we welcomed sweetly by the others. President Monson spoke only once and by the end of his talk, he was out of breath, and looked as though he were slowly falling. His two counselors grabbed him as soon as he was done. Oh how I love him and feel badly that his health is failing him. I hope he can last longer, he is such a great leader and such a wonderful example of service. So Mom & Dad Masters were able to get 4 tickets to Sunday morning conference. They came Saturday and got up early Sunday and took Wylie & Ryland with them. The boys both said they loved it. Ryland was so excited to see the Prophet speak and see him "in person", as he said. I am so grateful they got to go. We took the others for a drive after the first session up Nebo loop and found a beautiful lookout point on a dirt road. The kids even got out and hiked a little. We all were back to watch the second session. I am so grateful for the technology that makes it possible to watch conference in my own home. It is such a blessing. It was also nice to spend another Sunday with Spencer. Tyrik had a soccer game last week and loves playing now. He is even doing better with reading his words and writing his name. Ryland started football. He is actually really good, but he is so competitive that he gets upset quite easy...I hope he can learn to calm down and enjoy it more. We shall see. I am helping with the wards Super Saturday this year, so I went up Friday and got a bunch of stuff for it. I am excited for make them Chelsea Sloan is the one in charge and then Amy Oliver is helping.  We shall see how it turns out. So Friday I found out two sad things. Russell Allred from here in Fountain Green passed away from cancer. He has three young girls and his wife left behind.  Then Matthew Gifford, Mike & Kim Copes oldest son passed away also. They lost their son Zack to drugs two years and now Matthew to the same thing. I feel so sad for them. I can't imagine going through that as a parent. I also can't imagine losing my husband that young. Some people have such hard trials. I just pray that I can somehow help comfort them. Well, this week is looking like a busy one. May the Lord be with us. I am going to try harder to keep the Spirit with me, and listen to His promptings. I am grateful for my life and my many blessings.
Last weekend was Clanceys farewell. I can't believe he leaves so soon, but I am so proud of him. Until next time :)

So Much in Just One Month

Well, today being September 11th, the day we remember the terrorists attacks of September 11th, 2001, has helped me to reflect on my life and how grateful I am for the basic things in life. I am so thankful to God my beautiful home, for my yard, for our vehicles, for food and food storage, for health, for a beautiful sunshiny day, for the beautiful blue sky, for my beautiful family, & my knowledge of the gospel.
I know that these are all blessings from God and that He is aware of us.
So the kids started school a couple of weeks ago. It has actually been an easier transition than I thought, but I am sad without them & Aynslee really doesn't know what to do with herself without Kaylese to play with. I about bawled the first morning Wylie got on the bus to go to middle school. He seems to like it and has adjusted fine, but it's just hard for me to be ok with the fact that he is growing up. He has changed and grown a lot. He looks older.. so sad. I am very proud of him though. He is a good boy and I am so grateful He is so good. Tyrik starting kindergarten has been hard. He doesn't know as much as my other kids did going in, so I have really had to make myself take the time to work with him and help him. I feel so guilty because he really hasn't been taught and worked with like the others were because of things going on with the older kids and having to give so much attention to two more babies. I know that he is very smart and he is already catching on fast. I just feel bad because he doesn't love school because of that aspect. I hope it gets better. Kaylese and Ryland both seem to like their teachers and classes. Kaylese started dance and tumbling and is already doing her backhandspring unassisted in class. She was very excited! They started piano this week. I hope it's a fun thing for them this year, we will see. Last weekend we went to Elko to visit Jeffrey & Anna because they moved there and they blessed their baby Samuel William on Sunday. He is a doll. It was so nice to visit with them and see their kids. Mom & Dad Masters actually paid for our hotel room which was a blessing. We got to visit them and see Mom & Dad Slade, Devin, Skyler & Emily Sunday too. The drive wasn't the greatest because the kids thought it was "so far" and Baylor and I both ended up with colds so he didn't sleep at all at the hotel, but it was still a great time. I am so grateful we were able to go. Monday was Labor Day so we spent it on the mountain at Miller's Flat (Cook Family Cabin). It was a beautiful day.
We went to Lake Powell for a couple of days the week that the kids started school. The kids had a great time. Wylie wake boarded, Ryland tried, and Kaylese learned how to knee board. Tyrik loved swimming, sliding down the slide on the house boat, & playing on the beach. I could tell by the time we left My Mom, Dad & Devin were pretty done and bugged by the kids, so that's actually why I decided to leave Tuesday instead of Wednesday. We left Aynslee & Baylor at home with Marian, which was nice.
Aynslee's birthday was a lot of fun. She is a big 3 year old now. She is even potty trained just in the last month, but she does have accidents if I don't remind her. She got a bunny (it's adorable), a princess Elsa dress, & some clothes and shoes, so she was in heaven. Spencer borrowed his cousins pony so she and Kaylese could ride her that week. She is actually a minature horse. Aynslee & Kaylese loved it! Let's see, Spencer just took me on a date tonight up to the Cheesecake Factory (my favorite place to eat) and then took me to visit my Gr. & Gr. Slade. Oh how I love those people! It was such a nice break and much needed time with him. Wylie had a scout camp up at Miller's Flat lastnight, so Spencer went & took  Ryland and stayed On The Mountain in his Dads camp. It is so beautiful and has cooled off a ton already. Fall has definitely arrived. I love it, but am already dreading what is following...I know, I just need to be grateful.
The run for President has begun again. There are many candidates running just for the Republican party vote. We watched a debate the other night. It was interesting to watch. Donald Trump, a billionaire celebrity is in the race. He really doesn't know policies or how to deal with real issues in my opinion. Dr. Ben Carson a retired pediatric neurosurgeon is running. I really like him. I wish so badly he could get in. I have read several of his books. He is an intelligent, kind, God Fearing Man. We will see what happens as it gets closer. 
I had a really hard time saying goodbye to summer. It sounds dumb, but I love everything about it. It is the warm sunshine, the time with my children, the flowers, family fun, all of it. I just love it.

Way too Long!

Well, it's been too long. I told myself I wouldn't let it go this long. It's been such a fun filled past month though. Lots to tell. Let's see how many details I can remember. So the 4th of July celebration was so fun as always. Loris family stayed for a few weeks, which was great! Her kids have grown up so much! Our kids loved having them here. Baylor was excited about the fireworks until it got a little dark and up over our heads, then he was so scared! So I ended up sitting in Jamie's house, but that was ok with me because I will no longer have a baby next year, which makes me sad. I am so grateful for this wonderful country we live in, and the celebration we have every year with the Cook family. The kids have so much fun with cousins and we love to spend time with Spencers family. So the weeks following were filled with walking lambs, practicing judging, etc... The kids had their Lamb Show the day before Lamb Day and it went well. None of them placed, but they have improved so much this year and learned so much! It really surprised me. Their sale went better than expected the next day too. They should each end up with $500.00 in their pockets (savings) this year after costs are paid. Lb Day itself was great! Spencer, Wylie & I all ran in the 5K & Lamb scram that morning. We all beat our times, so that was good. We headed down to the parade start because Tracy put together the small sheep camps again. He pointed out that all of the grandchildren being together might not happen again for years to come because Clancy is hoping to be on a mission by next Lamb Day, so he had a lady come take pictures. It was neat to have them all there. They all rode in the parade, even Clancy and Baylor. We had lunch after in Tracy & Marian's building. My Mom & Dad Masters were here, which just made it funner. The kids played at some of the games at the park, we watched some of the softball games and then watched the fireworks, which was awesome because we were right under them. It was a fun, great Lamb Day again. I am so grateful for this great community I live in. So my Dad left Sunday, but my Mom stayed because Spencer & I went on Trek in Wyoming with the Ward for Youth Conference. What a surprisingly wonderful experience. The youth in our group were Catherine Lund, Aubry Madsen, Bailee Hansen, Alan Oldroyd, Wyatt Farnsworth, and Kaden Allred. What a great group of kids! Loved getting to know them! The Trek was so different than I imagined. There were missionaries at each spot, telling History and stories of the pioneers. There was even a spot we got to go see that they told us was Hallowed ground because The Savior himself had walked there. It was a grave site for 11 pioneers. There was fun line dancing. I loved getting to know the other leaders and adults that I didn't know so well in the ward. Diane and Kim Johnson were in charge of it all and she was not in good health and wasn't supposed to come, so I am so grateful for all they did to put it together. We had a special fast last Sunday for her health. We also got to see a slide show of a bunch of pictures. It was very fun to watch. So that was a busy couple of weeks. Let's see, since then, we started another round of swimming lessons. Wylie got a new motorbike(100). He has been to the farm a lot and riding and hiking for scouts and doing his family history calling. He was just called as the Deacons quorum President and had such a neat blessing from Bishop last week for it. You could feel the Spirit very strong. I am so grateful for Him. He is an excellent Young Man, in all the ways he should be. I am scared to send him to Middle School because I fear his innocence will not last, but I just pray that He will stand up for what he knows to be right, even when others won't. I couldn't ask for a better son. I feel that all my boys are so strong and will be such great leaders someday, I just need to get them in the right direction. I try so hard everyday to teach my children things that are right and what is most important in this life. It's been so nice because Kaylese has spent so much time with me at home this summer. She is such a great help and big sister. I have really enjoyed it!  Ryland has now taken over Wylie's other motorbike, and is enjoying it. He has helped me a lot at home this summer too. He has played with Tyrik a lot, which Tyrik has loved! It's been great. We got to have a one on one with him the other night. He chose to go bowling and watch the movie- Pixels. It was fun to spend that time with him :) The next night we took Kaylese. Her & I got pedicures first. Ya, she loved it. Then we took her to help us pick some bunnies out for Aynslee's birthday present. Ya, I know, weird. We finally gave into the idea of pets again. I hope I don't regret it soon. So we picked those out. We then went out to eat and even grocery shopped. Now we have two more to go before school starts. It was one of my goals, to do a one on one with each of the four going to school before they went. Oh, so Jeff & Anna had their baby boy Samuel in July. I can't wait to hold him. He looks adorable!! They also moved to Elko because Jeffrey got a new job as assistant District Attorney there. Colby just graduated from lineman school in Idaho. I hope he gets a job soon. Rianna was baptized last Saturday, that was great to go to. We also went to the Cook family reunion that day, which was a lot of fun. Devin graduated officially from Nursing School and got a job in an ICU, at a hospital in Murray. We have had some really big rainstorms, which have been a great blessing. Oh, Elder Packer died of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles. Only less than a month after Elder Perry. It was such a nice funeral (watched it on tv). Sad to see those two go. What amazing men!  Now to see who the next two apostles are. Elder Nelson was called now to the President of the the Twelve Apostles. I am just hoping to really enjoy this last week a half with my kids before school starts. :( I love summer and have loved spending time with them. We even got school shopping and going through all their clothes all done already, which is a huge job. I just wish they could stay my babies. Oh how I love them! Aynslee talks so well now. Baylor can pull himself up to anything now and even does a weird type of crawl. He is starting to get a little temper though...I hope it's just the age. He is still the cutest thing ever though :) I love my family more than anything! I have enjoyed time this summer with my husband, kids, and extended family so much! There is nothing better. I hope I didn't forget anything. Oh, one funny. So our Bishop was teaching sharing time in Primary and said " Jesus Loves Everyone of You". Tyrik stands up and says loudly, while pointing to his teacher-"Not Him, because He's Old!" Ya, he said they all laughed pretty hard. That kid, he is something else! Love him. :) Until next time, which is hopefully soon.