The Nutcracker with Aunt Shyla

Aunt Shyla had a great idea to take Teila to The Nutcracker playing at the Mesa Arts Center this holiday season. It was REALLY cool. Teila used to dance and so she really enjoyed it. Shyla said it was catered to kids with their brightly colored costumes, etc. It was great and Teila LOVED going with Aunt Shyla. And who wouldn't be happy with going to El Charro first! Thank you Aunt Shyla.

Mom and I loved it too!!

We saw one of Shy's old roommates. Josie and Shy look so cute, I couldn't resist putting this up!

like mother like daughter

This little habit of mine (I'm on the left) puts my good friend in a stupor. She doesn't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for me. Probably some of both. Then to have Annie (on the right) walk in to her house today!! She was speechless. The funny thing is Annie did it herself!! (I'm so proud)

All I can say is I like to wear socks, but not shoes, most the day when it's chilly. I think this method is practical and convenient. And like my sister in law says "don't knock it till you try it."

How will potty training go?

Is it just me or will potty training a bit of a challenge? She seems kinda attached...

(again with her shirt off? I really don't know why this is.)

what's new

So my big news is that I am expecting!! Another baby that is. I am about 12 weeks right now. I've been feeling pretty good. Another reason I haven't done hardly any posts (not that I do that much anyway) is that I was in charge of the FALL FESTIVAL at Johnny's school. This is their only fundraiser and I decided last year I would take it over. Why? I don't know. No one else was volunteering. This is what happens when you start to attend PTO meetings just to get to know the school better and find out what is going on. Highly over rated!! As much as work as the FF was, It wasn't as bad as I thought. And in all truthfulness, I'm kinda glad to have had something that made me get up and get out most days. I actually think it made me feel a little better this pregnancy. So I will be due in June. Eddie and I are fighting about names, which we have never done before. Really, we almost have to not talk about it. But it will all be fine I'm sure. We are excited to have another one.

Baby blankets

These are some baby blankets that my mom has made. We picked out the fabric and I LOVE them. She was going to sell one at our Franklin Fall Festival but didn't think another teacher really liked it and so decided that it must not be that cute and so she didn't want to put it in the basket. It's the pink one, which is my favorite. She had me take these pictures so she could send them to her sister, my Aunt Kathy. So I decided to put them on my blog because I think they are so stinkin cute!! So I am sharing how wonderful my mom is and what skills she has in the baby blanket area, with my assistance of course.

Halloween costumes.

This was a first. I didn't have to make my kids stand there and smile. Annie was happy, the boys were happy, Teila is always happy. I took the pictures; it was a small miracle.

I told them to pose and this was the result, I love it!!

I'm so lucky to have these kids!!

Halloween!!

I know I have posted in a while. I will explain why after Nov. 14th, so check back then. I usually post when I am 'persuaded' too, usually by a loving sibling, anxious to see more pictures. So, Karen, these are for you.


CARVING!!
First you remove the guts!






Then Uncle Will helps draw the picture...



Then you carve, CARVE, CARVE till you can't stand it anymore. At least that's what I hear. I've never actually done it.

John worked so hard carving this little pumpkin for Joseph. And he did a great job all by himself!
Joseph loved that pumpkin.

Auntie Lydia helping Teila and 'Uncle' Steven

Mom Jarman and Steven


John carving his own pumpkin.


Our pumpkin carving party was fun at Will and Anja's. What a great FHE idea Anja had. The kids had fun and Grandma and Grandpa Woodrome came. (at least mom j and grandma look cute)


This is the outcome. Teila's (that Eddie did), John's and Joseph's


This is Lydia's pumpkin. Will drew it, and it was awesome!! But Lydia did the hard work.

GO WESTWOOD!!!


Will can always make it better. I think he was 'advising' Hannah on what to do. But Johnny for one won't hear of any 'advice' from any one else. Uncle Will knows...

blast from the past

I have decided to post some pictures of my good friend Chris. She was my best friend all through Jr. High and High School. I have wanted to make a scrapbook for her with some of these old pictures and memories I have of her and finally did!! I went to shutterfly.com and did this online scrapbook. It was so cool. Beth needs the credit, she did one for Teila and I stole the idea. Even though we talk less now, WAY less, we are still good friends and love each other. I feel like she was a blessing in my life at that time. She has so much strength about her to do what's right. I love, respect and admire her for everything her young self has been through. She has a severe kidney disease that started our senior year. She has been on dialysis and off and on since then and has had 2 kidney transplants. She has dealt with it realistically. Which is so her. She is really amazing.

This is from a hike we did for YW probably in 9th grade.


YW in Excellence probably- Chris and I in 9th grade


I think we were probably in 8th grade for this one.


We were senior's for this girls camp when we went commando

I think this was the same year. Seniors. Tegan, Me and Chris. Oh to be that cool again...


Our trip to Utah for conference. We didn't see any sessions, but we loved seeing all the sites and museums. Kelly Payne, Chris and Me. This was the spring before Iris and I got married.


This was for my 30th birthday last Jan.

Tegan

Some of you, alright only one request, have asked to see pictures of Tegan. I don't know why we didn't get any of us while she was here. We all know how much I like to take my own photo. Maybe next time she is down I will ask Eddie's sister Beth to take some of us. Some cute little twin pictures. And we can give them as Christmas gifts!!! Oh yea, that is a great idea. Anyway, these are some pictures I snapped last year, while in Nebraska for Brennan's baptism. I got to go because my mom had a tumor on her kidney HOORAY..., (that I got to go, not that my mom was sick) She looks the same, so I feel these are adequate. Same cute perfect Tegan.
Tegan, Brennan, Nathan

Tegan and her wonderful Mother in Law, Bobbi, who is like a
2nd mother in law to me. I just love her.

Fun with cousins Trinity and Eliana Nunez

We went to Taylor this past weekend because Eddie was helping my brother in law on his cabin in Forest Lakes. So we went to stay with my sister Karen. The kids LOVE going to visit Aunt Karen. The other 2 girls in these pictures are my niece, Angela's girls. So that makes them first cousins once removed? Well cousins none the less. Trinity and Joseph are close in age and so are Eliana and Annie-just 4 weeks. We call them Trin and Ellie for short. And Annie who doesn't talk much, would say "Ellie". And Teila and Trinity got on great. She is a sweet girl and Ellie is adorable. If only you all could see their pictures and hear their stories, they are hilarious. Two girls with LOTS of personality. Trin's smile is infectious and these pictures don't do her justice.

Annie, Teila holding Eliana and Trinity - Teila hugging on Trin who is hugging on Karen

Eliana humored me with taking these photos. She is looking at her mom, and yet still looks gorgeous!!

Annie who is "reserved" played so well with sweet Eliana. It was so cute!!!

Here they are watching a movie on the stairs. Annie kept moving up which would cause Ellie to move up. They were totally engrossed. I'm glad Annie likes someone that well.

Trin and Teila spent time coloring...

And making this awesome fort. They were very proud. Teila was the mom and Trin the child. They had a good time together.

When we cleaned up they were satisfied to just lay next to one anther on the ottoman. Totally CUTE!!!

How thankful we are for wonderful cousins that are sweet and open to meeting new people. And anyone genuinely kind to Teila goes straight to heaven in my opinion. We love you guys!!

Camping Camping CAMPING!!!

So I lied to the primary children. Shocking I know, but it's true. I just got called to be 2nd Counselor in our Primary Pres. First time in Primary for me, so it's kinda new. Anyway, the president called me and the other new counselor up to spot light us, like they do the children. What does this have to do with camping? Well one of the questions was what do you like to do, the other lady said anything with her family and in my desperate attempt to try to be more original, I said CAMPING!! Everybody knows I don't really like it. I'm always the one who is ready to leave first. And even though I enjoy smores for Breakfast, Lunch, Snack and Dinner, it's not my first choice. The kids are nasty, it can be windy and dirty, cold and a bit uncomfortable in general. So there is my confession. Now here are the pictures from a recent camping trip to Black Canyon with the Jarman's (Like my mom is going to go!!)

The Jarman's camp the best way. Esp. when Uncle Dan comes. With comfort but still enjoying nature. The boys get this enormous tarp, I think this is William's actually and they strap it to the trees. Some camp sites are easier than others to put this up. But it provides shade, protection from rain and makes camping VERY nice.


Some help more than others... This is Robert.

And others make up for those who are lacking.



But isn't it SWEET!! I love those boys who work so hard to make it nice for the rest of us who "love" to camp.

Opal, Teila, Annie in Uncle Dan's ranger. The kids all love this thing. Including the teenagers.

Opal, Annie and Grandma Jarman