School Year 2010-11

Bayli and Braxton's spring school year photos. They are so CUTE!!!

Our Missionary Jordon

Me and Keylee

PRICELESS and PRECIOUS!

Life never slows down...

There are very few things in this life that I totally understand, but one thing I do now for sure is that my life never slows down. I suppose that is a good thing though; I am not sure how else I would spend my time, unless Jared moved me to a beach house and then I would just sit all day enjoying the waves and soaking up the sun. Living in Rexburg I might as well be busy. As a family we had a great Christmas season. First off, Jocey came home for the month and we really enjoyed her company. Mason turned sixteen and on his birthday he went on his first official dance and date. Bayli and Braxton spent the time off playing in the snow and just hanging out at the house. The best news of the holiday happened on Christmas Day, Jordon was able to Skype home! He looked so wonderful and it was awesome to visit with him. For Christmas, Jared bought me a Yorkie dog, her name is Keylee Shay and she is cute but a lot of WORK! I love my family so much and I am glad that I am able to spend time with them whenever and wherever that is.

College Volleyball

Top photos at Nationals, Bottom photos at Regionals Jocey's college team won Regionals at Glendive, Montana and then took 3rd at the Nationals college volleyball tournament held in West Plains, Missouri. Way to go Mustangs!

Hunting and Fishing

The season of fall for us seems like the busiest time of year. Ball games, staring another school year, yard works.....our never ending leaves! And as if we can't stay busy enough hunting and fishing season. These are photos of Mason first dear. Way to go Mas!

Kiora

About four years ago Jordon decided he needed a dog. He looked for the perfect brown lab and the moment he laid eyes on Kiora, she was the one. Those of you that are familiar with Kiora understand how much work she has really been. Caring for her in the winter is a true act of kindness, when she was pregnant and I had to help deliver her babies, that was an experience I wish to not ever repeat, and then there is the infamous male dogs (even though she is fixed) won't leave her alone and the truck accident that almost killed her. Kiora prefers human food; bread being her favorite. She sleeps in Jared's storage room or on our step by the garage. She is always trying to get into the house, not that she wants to be in the house but she knows she will get a treat so we can get her out. The funniest and perhaps saddest part of Kiora is guns. When she sees a gun even a child's gun she will run into the house and hide in the shoe room almost as if she is putting her paws over her eyes to not see it anymore. We haven't ever taken her hunting and don't understand why she is so afraid of guns but she is. Kiora is part of our family, acting afraid, being picky, wanting to stay warm and just being a little unpredictable like the rest of us. We love our KIORA KATELY!

Fall

Jared and I have been on the road traveling a lot, to watch Jocey's college volleyball team. I have often joked with people lately that even though she is receiving free college for playing; I will need a new car before this is over. We spend a lot of nights in a hotel and this last trip to Wyoming she was able to spend a few days with me and Bayli shopping, getting our hair cut and an evening on the king size bed with Bayli, Jocey, me and Jared watching "Say yes to the dress". Dumb as it sounds we had a lot of fun just hanging out. I miss her a GREAT deal. Our Missionary Jordon is doing well and you can tell just by reading his emails he has such a strong testimony and want us not to just be a member of the church but actually LIVE IT. The photo of Bayli andBraxton and Jordon's dog Kiora was taken one Sunday afternoon. Kiora is literally licking off the left over food on Braxton's face. Yuck but they thought it was hilarious. Thanks to Uncle Eric, Mason was able to work a few hours in the potatoes this year. He is almost sixteen and until we drove him out to the potato pit he really thought kids had to dig them by hand and then pick them up. He now says he will work in the spuds and that it was a lot of fun, students shouldn't complain about just picking them off a machine. Fall has treated our family really well this year and we are grateful for all we have and the time we get to spend with each other. I often find myself looking back over the last twenty years and wish it hadn't gone by so quickly so I am trying to enjoy every moment of each day. In case my family doesn't know this I love each of you a great deal. I love Jared, Jordon, Jocelyn, Mason, Bayli and Braxton and thank my Heavenly Father each night that you are all mine.

NFL Game

Jocey had her first college volleyball tournament in Lamar, Co the same weekend the Steelers played the Broncos. Jared was a little excited to say the least and lucky for us we found tickets, happened to be going back home through Denver, Jocey was still with us and my teaching partner Sha'Nell said she would teach for me that following Monday so we could stay and attend the game. Fun experience that was for sure but that experience meant for a LONG driving night. Jocey had to be back at Rock Springs for 7:00 weights Monday morning. We left Denver Sunday night around 10:00 and arrived in Rock Springs at 4:30 in the morning.... We also spent a day in Denver shopping at the 16th Street Mall (piano photo) and traveled into Kansas. It was a fun-filled five days.

First Day of School for four of us.

All of us, including me started school on the same day. More ironic than that is Jocey started college classes that same day and Jordon entered his new first mission area that day too. Lots of new starts!

Our Modeling Jocey

Spelling Fun

A new school year which always means nightly homework. I realize that I am a teacher but as a parent I think it stinks and takes to much of family time, but it has to be done. Braxton reminded me that he needed to study for his spelling test and we had already spent an hour doing his other homework so studying wasn't what he wanted to do. I decided to take out some shaving cream and make it fun...it worked he loved it and we went over his spelling words three times. Bayli also wanted to join in so she worked on spelling with us. This activity actually made our "studying" fun and not a fight before they went to bed. Not to mention they looked cute writing their words.

Mustang Volleyball

Jocey and her new crew!

Jocey's New Home

I feel like I have been one of the luckiest mothers in the world. Jocey has been such a blessing in our lives over the last 18 years and now that she is gone, I have realized this even greater then ever before. She is now an official Wyoming Mustang and she is living in Rock Springs. She has wonderful people there with her, and such a bright future ahead; all she needs to do is remember that, and live by the saying on her bear made my Uncle Eric. Do WORK ! Jocey we love you and you will do great.

Saturday afternoon at Rigby Lake

An afternoon with the McFarland Family

Sunday afternoon, we went an watched the Blue Angels, played games and fed "our" ducks with the McFarlands. It was a wonderful day full of good food, great company and loads of memories.