The party that wasn't

For Brookelyn's birthday we went to Red Robin in Idaho Falls. She loved to be sang to and then handed her ice cream to Kira, who was more than willing to eat it for her. We decided not to have a party for Brookelyn becuase we are so up in the air with house stuff and everything so we got together with our friends, the Hemmings and the Hursts, at the Hemming's new house there in Idaho Falls. We had cupcakes and Brookelyn got to open the couple of presents she got. (All the pics are out of order but enjoy!) I really can't believe that my little girl is really 5. Not only that but on Sunday she went up and bore her testimony all by herself. No help no nothing and it was an amazing testimony. I was in tears!! She is growing up way to fast!!!

Here are all her presents! Thanks to the Bagshaws and the Hemmings for the presents!! Brookelyn was happy about her dress up clothes!

Kira got Brookelyn some dress up shoes so that they could both have something to wear on their feet. Tanner and Brookelyn were both pretty excited about the shoes.

Art easel thing with crafts from Aunt Brandee and Uncle Spencer.

Kira watching her sister open her presents. Her turn is next!

Opening Aunt Brandee's present.

Cameron Hurst enjoying his cupcake. (Thanks Katie for making them.)

All of us together.

Brookelyn blowing out her candles.

We love you Mo!!

Brookelyn, she looks so grown up!

We love you Brookelyn!!!

House Update

We have finally finished doing all the things that needed to be done to the house before Relocation would take over. The worst was the tank in the backyard underground that we had to dig out. We dug down 13 feet until we hit lava rock. The pic shows what it looked like. Everything is now done and we are waiting for the letter (hopefully in the mail) that says we are soil clean. They already called and told us but we need the letter. Once that is here we can move. Hopefully we can close next week sometime. Please keep your fingers crossed!!

Happy Birthday Brookelyn!!

I know I haven't posted in awhile but today is all about Brookelyn!!

Today my little girl is FIVE!!! I can't believe how big she is and how quickly time flies. She will start kindergarten this year and already knows so much. She is a great big sister and is so willing to help. She loves to be in charge and mothers all her little cousins and friends' siblings. I am so grateful for the chance to be her mom and to have her be part of my family. She really is a mini me and that scares me very much!!! She already has a firm testimony and loves to make sure that everyone is following the rules or she tells on them. (Such a help at times and other times we could probably do without it.) She is no longer my little girl but a little lady. I love her so very much!!!!

I think that she looks all grown up in this outfit!!

While we were in Boise a couple of weeks ago Brookelyn got her first ever haircut. I know five years!! She had such pretty curls I was afraid she would lose them and then her hair got so long that it came to a point in the back and just didn't look cute anymore. I took her in (I would never cut her hair) and she didn't cry or anything. She sat there and let the lady cut her hair. 6+ inches were cut off and here is what it looks like. She let me blow dry and then curl her hair today. So nice of her.

Happy Birthday Brookelyn! Your mom and dad love you very much!!!!!

You have got to be kidding ME!!!!

Kira and I stayed home from church today. Kira had a little cold that we didn't want to give all the kids and I am trying to get over this thing that attacked me last weekend. I hopefully am on the end of it. Anyways, Arik and Brookelyn went to church. They walk in the door after church and Arik says, "I am disappointed with the Saints in Soda Springs." "What happened," I asked. I look at Brookelyn and she looks like she has been crying. "Someone stole Brookelyn's backpack." In the backpack was her coloring pencils (some really nice twist ones) and her notebook where she draws all her pictures. Arik had hung it up where you hang coats after Sacrament (just like we have done every Sunday for the past two years). After church when they went to get it, it was gone. They searched the whole church. After about 30 minutes, Arik says, "Maybe someone really needed it and took it but come on!" I told Brookelyn that since it wasn't her fault that they are missing we will get her new ones. Funny thought, this morning when she put her backpack on to go to church I thought, "At least I don't need to buy her a backpack for school in the fall." Little did I know!!

It's Over!

The school year is over. Last year was my first ever year teaching and the kids just graduated from 8th grade. I am going to really miss them very much. I really got attached to some of them.

Not only is the school year over but I am no longer teaching in the classroom. I applied to many jobs this spring and got 4 calls back. I did not get three of the four and the fourth was an online teaching job. So, I will be staying home, watching my sister's kids, and subing, all while teaching online. It is a HUGE leap of faith but this is what heavenly Father wants me to be doing right now. I little scary to lose the money but this is where I am suppose to be.

We did find a house in Pocatello and are dealing with TWO relocation companies so hopefully we will be able to move around the 16th of June!! Cross your fingers.

Life is good. Kira is potty trained and Brookelyn graduated from Preschool (pics will come soon). Arik is really tired of driving back and forth so we are hoping that things really start moving!!!

Master Arik

My amazing husband survived four years of udder madness and finally graduated and recieved his masters. I a m so proud of him. My parents flew in for the commencement and Rob and Lil came too. Arik family also were able to make it. Graduation was on Friday and we had a party on Saturday. Lee and Becca and family were able to make it down for the party. Lee and rob pretty much were Arik's life lines throughout this whole process. They constantly encouraged him and helped out whenever possible. Having Graduate graduation on Friday was great! The whole thing, the commencement and hooding took only 2 hours and then we were done. We didn't have to go back the next day or anything. There were only 562 Grads to hood and it went fast. I am so very proud of Arik. The following are pics from the great day. I don't know why part of it is undeerlined and some is not. These pictures are out of order but enjoy.

Here is the sign that Mom J and Marti made for the Party. Arik's sister,Anji, also got her masters and has been waiting for Arik so that they could celebrate together. Here is all of my family. Taking pictures are so much fun.
My parents that it was great being "True Aggies" with BYU clothes on.

Arik will all the kids. Libby is behind Kira so you can't quite see her.

I just thought this picture was so cute. Brookelyn is laughing but trying to tell Kira to put her shirt down. Kira has this thing with her belly.

All the dads walking, and carrying the kids. They are great.

Arik on the "A". He is so silly and I love him.

Arik with his family. Anji and her little family were not able to make it on Friday but they came to party Saturday.

Brookelyn was so proud of her dad. She kept telling me that he won because they gave him this rectangle thing. (She saw it from the big screen in the Spectrum.)

Arik getting hooded.

One problem we have with not ever seeing my family is that when we get together no one evers sleeps much. Dad trying to catch a little sleep.
Arik's family waiting for him to go.

Arik walking in.

May 1, 2004

Arik and I have been married for six years. Yesterday Arik took me to look at houses and then to the Idaho Falls Temple to do sealings and then we walked around the mall window shopping. I was able to get a skirt and Arik got me a couple of books. He then took me to Olive Garden for dinner. It was great just spending time with him. I can't believe it has already been six years. I am so grateful to be married to my best friend and to have him help me grow as I try and overcome all my weaknesses. I love you sweetie!!!

Things we have accomplished in six years:
1. Finally graduating with a masters.
2. Getting out of diapers and pull ups (YEAH!!!)
3. Starting to raise two beautiful girls
4. Putting our first house on the market
5. Arik figured out why wild animals eat their young
6. Enjoying life and rolling with the punches!!