Hadley's 5th Birthday

Back in October, sweet Hadley Jean Noelle turned the big 5!!! Ok, so I turned 35 as well but I'm not really wanting to post about me. When we arrived at Hadley's house for her party, she was sitting on the front porch with her little table and chair waiting for us to arrive. We all had to "sign-in" for her party. It was THE cutest thing!!!

Hadley is in preschool now and her teacher made her this little mini birthday cake just for her!

She REALLY wanted the Michael Jackson DVD for her birthday so that's what I decided to give her. She was SO excited!

It was a fun birthday and I'm so glad that I get to share it with Had!!

Home Makeover

This is the house where Clay grew up out in Smithfield. Ever since his dad has been in Sunshine Terrace it has been in need of repair. Luckily, I was able to call in one of my connections through work and we transformed this.....

Before

Into this...

After

I'm so happy with the way it turned out! The outside was all insulated before the new siding was installed, so that should help keep Mary warm! Thanks to Maughan Construction for a job well done! Since these photos were taken we have recarpeted the living room and put vinyl flooring in the kitchen! Happy home makeover!!!

Change

It's been a really long time since I have blogged so I will try and catch up. First of all, Wes, Ashley and Lilly moved in with us back in October. It's fun to have a baby in the house and to be able to get to know them all better. We have all had to make adjustments and are enjoying having them with us. Lilly is growing like a weed and is now 3 months old! The time goes by so fast!


Secondly, on November 19th I lost my job. Nothing could have prepared me for this change. I was told that because of the economy they were having to let me go. I worked there for 5 years and dedicated many, many hours to them. My position changed quite a bit during those years and I had wore just about every hat in the company. I really enjoyed my job and miss my coworkers, homeowners and subcontrators. It was heartbreaking and is still hard to talk about. I had a strange insecure feeling during that week but tried to shrug it off. I have never felt so worthless and yet in desperate search of my next career path. This was the worst possible time to be job hunting and with the holidays right around the corner I had to move fast. After many tears, I updated my reseme and dropped it off to a local company. I had also changed my status on Facebook that I was looking for a new job. Luckily, one of my sweet friends read it and informed me that her position was available and that I should send her my reseme. I was given the opportunity to interview with both companies that had received my reseme and was actually offered both jobs! I accepted the position at Raymond Construction and felt this decision was best for my family. Luckily, I was only out of work for 6 days!! What a blessing! I started at Raymond Construction on December 1st and am loving it so far. Commercial construction is a lot different from residential, but I am grateful for my previous experience so it's not too foreign. My new coworkers are so nice and fun to work with. I just wish I would have been able to enjoy the little bit of time off I had instead of being so stressed out and worried about employment.

Change is good, it forces us to be stronger, learn from the past and move forward to the future. The following quote has stuck with me through all of the "changes" throughout my life and it definately rings true.

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit." -Emmanuel Teney

Andes Mint Cookies

Andes Mint Cookies

3/4 cup Butter

1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar

2 tablespoons water

Melt in saucepan over medium heat until melted and add:

2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, stiring until completely melted.

Cool for 10 minutes. Pour into a mixing bowl and beat in 2 Eggs.

Add: 2 1/2 cups Flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

Mix together and chill for about 45 minutes. Roll into balls (1-1 1/2"), flatten slightly and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes... out of the oven place an unwrapped Andes Mint on cookie, allow to melt, swirl chocolate like icing. Let cool.

The End of Summer

The weekend of September 17-19th was the official end of summer. :( Our last camping trip. I hate seeing our weekends away come to an end. I enjoy every second of the escape to the mountains of Blacksmith Fork. This particular weekend was a little more memorable than most because for starters I pulled the trailer up with the pickup ALL by myself! Clay was working and I could stay home and be miserable or buck up and do it myself. So, of course I chose the latter of the two. Hooked it up and here we are!!! I was a nervous wreck, but it really wasn't that bad. My dad helped back it into our spot and we were set! Proud of myself, heck yes I am! And I think I'm entitled. ;)

Clay didn't end up arriving until the wee hours of the morning on Saturday because his little grand daughter, Lilly was born at 12:03 am. I'm glad he was able to be there with Wes and Ashley, I will post more about this...

The leaves are just starting to change colors, love this view of our campground!!

We snipped green beans and mom bottled them while Clay and I ran to the hospital so I could meet the little Lilly Bean.

We had dutch oven bbq chicken, vegetables and apple cobbler! DEEEELISH!!! Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

So sad that the summer is over and Fall is in the air. I am so grateful for the time that we get to spend together as a family and make memories. There is no place I'd rather be.

My Hair Girls

Ever since school started, Hadley comes to my house in the mornings three days a week so I can fix her hair cute for preschool. Breck has to be to work at 6:30am, which makes a very early morning for Hadley. Usually, Hadley always wants her hair fixed "like Court" so most mornings they sport identical hairdo's. What some cute girls?!?!

Announcing...

The sweet arrival of

Lilly Annelynn DeMille

September 18, 2010

12:03 a.m.

5 lbs. 14 oz.

18 1/2 inches

Proud parents, Ashley and Wes

Proud Papa

It's official! I'm a grandma! Yikes!! Ok, ok, so I'm just a step grandma but still happy about it! Lilly is so teeny, tiny and we love her so much!

Happy First Birthday Jensyn!!

Little Yensy is one!! It seems just like yesterday he was born! Where does the time go? Keesha had his party up at the pavillion at the square. We all had a great time! Opening presents

Jensyn is testing his little cake that he could play in...

He did NOT like it AT ALL!!! Cried and cried the whole time! What a kid?
Pirate cake
Happy Birthday cute boy!

More Camping...

Just some random pictures of one of our camping trips this last summer.

Conner, Presley, Courtney and Tallen

We had corn on the cob for dinner and decided this was a redneck corn cob. :)

Clay and his buddy Jensyn (aka: Bert)

Jensyn thought he was pretty cool riding Graysen's bike.

Clay and Pepper in the trailer....grrrrr!!! No dogs in my trailer!!

The girls making bracelets...

One injury this particular weekend. The kids were playing on the ramp of Grandpa's enclosed trailer and Hadley stepped on a HUGE sliver and had to go to Instacare to have it cut out. Ouchie!!!

Hadley's sliver

The kids will spend hours playing in the gravel! Good thing they have shovels and buckets.
Lots of 4 wheeler rides given by Conner. What a stud?

Kenzlie and Graysen, ahhh, look they're holding hands. So sweet!

Kohler snacking on a Cheeto.

Fishing with sticks... hummmmm?? Conner said they were fishing for halibut, good luck bud!

Another great weekend with family and friends! So glad the Voth's and Nielsen's were able to join us!!! I'm already wishing it was summer again...

First Day of School 2010-2011

I was so dreading the start of school, but it came quickly anyway. Where on earth did the summer go?? I was happy for the routine that school brings but not looking forward to the homework that comes with it. Not fun when you have a 7th grader!!!

I was good this year and didn't follow Conner into school with my camera in tow and embarrass the poor kid! This was hard for this picture taking mom!! I'm hoping for a fantastic year, sweet boy!

Courtney, on the other hand, is still young enough and doesn't mind the camera. Thank goodness! Before I know it she will be in middle school, uggg, don't EVEN want to think about that! Anyway, Court started 2nd grade this year and was SO excited to head to school.

Courtney & Mrs. Kenyon

What a cute 2nd grader! You are going to do great baby girl!