The 4th with the Fam.....

This past Tuesday, my older sister and her two boy, came to visit and see our new place. We all were joined by my mom and younger sister, who came later. Fun was had by all, and though I have a lot of pictures, I still don't have pictures for everything we did this week. We swam and had a blast and the fireworks on the 4th were awesome, but I didn't get any pictures of those things....so this is just a gist of the good times had by all.The Boys! Reading and enjoying each others' company.I just liked this picture. Taken after a huge water fight ensued.

The water fight. Grandma and Katie were willing enough to get out there and get soaked! (I was pooped and and opted for the "observer" role.

A beautiful view of the St. G temple! LOVE IT!!!The boys posing during our little hike to the"DIXIE".

Pretty cool, and a fun quick hike...not too much for the kids or us old folks. After this picture we continued up the back and onto the top of the "Dixie". The view was beautiful.
A train ride with grandma at the park.
Cousin Gavin trying to win the contest.
All in all, this past week was a lot of fun. I loved having my family up visit and Ben and Kade always enjoy playing with cousins. (Especially the older boy cousins.)

A Bunch of Pictures!

It has been forever since I posted the cute little face of Ben and Kade. So, here are a few from as far back as Easter till now. Flying kites outside the "Enoch house". (Aw, sniffle sniffle. Love that house.)Kade holding fast to his kite with grandma. I can't get enough of that smile!

Kite flyin' with Dad...it got up there higher than that even. It was a Buzz Lightyear one of course.
Easter hunts -always a good idea. Ben's just like me. I close my eyes in almost every other picture.

I just loved this one 'cause Joe and Ben were both walking in sync.(Cute is as cute does.)

Kader-bum just about to dump his basket. He found alot.

My "silly Billy", one of Ben's many nicknames. He's wearing a BYU wig.

The big Jumping Jacks place here in St. G. This was only a quater of the room.....it was awesome! THe boys went crazy, had a blast, and wore them selves out!! LOVE THIS PLACE.

You can get the gist of just how fast Ben was movin' down this HUGE slide!

Kade -ever so chill. Love this little guy!
Cousin Ashton taking Ben for a ride on his real motorcycle. The first of MANY rides!!

Kade cruisin'! Kade loved it! (It was not fast and just one the side walk, plus Ashton is an incredibly great kid ,who I trusted.

Horse rides after cousin Stan's baptism! First time for Ben and Kade! The ever reliable Ashton helpin' me out so my little one could go. Thanks Ash!



Big boy! He could go by himself.

More to come. Just had to post something, sicne it's been so long.

Speaking and a Calling.

Today Joe and I had to speak in church. We were able to pick any article from the conference Ensign. I spoke on attending the temple. Love it! I really like our new ward. Great bishopric and very friendly people. Even the young man who spoke before me, told me good job when I sat down. We were both told A LOT that we did really well.....and that's always nice to hear. At least we've gotten the speaking out of the way and were able to make a good first impression.

The bishop had wanted to see us before we spoke, I thought "He's wanting to meet us and get to know us a little." Wrong! Out of nowhere, he states that the Relief Society has been needing a new teacher and would I be willing to except the call to teach once a month. Whoa -we've only been here three weeks! But, I absolutely excepted and started trying to absorb the idea.
I have taught in the R.S. many times before -I've served in the R.S. presidency even, but this is a whole new venture -it will be the first time I will be teaching to women older and wiser than myself -women who have more life experience etc.

I know the Lord gives us callings to stretch us, and I do like teaching, so I am excited for the call. My goal is to let the Spirit teach my lessons. If I can do that I will be successful.

Amazing Preschool!!

I just registered Ben for Preschool. I can not believe it! He is really old enough to be in preschool.

I am very excited about the preschool I have found for him! It is an "academic and preforming arts" preschool. They will teach NOT ONLY the ABC's and 123's, reading, writing and sign language, but also Dance (creative movement, tap, ballet, jazz, and yoga), Sports, Tumbling, Violin (when he's four), "Kindermusik" (which is movement and music), and Musical Theater!!!!! They will also have a big preformance at the end of each year with costumes and such!! I am so excited! And, it is about $15 more (a month) than the other preschools I looked up in the area!

I checked it out and met the teacher and she showed me around. I was impressed. The BEST part to the whole thing -the thing that SOLD me on this preschool versus any others, was the fact that they have a place for parents to go and sit and observe the class on three TVs, away from the class. Neither the kids or the teachers will know if you're out there watching. You could be there early or stay after you've dropped the kid off and observe. To me, that shows confidence in the teaching and class management. I love that their open and will let you "see for yourself".

He starts in September. Crazy! He'll be in preschool for two years and then off to kindergarten. Time just goes toooooo fast!

I'M BACK!! Finally!

We moved in about three weeks ago. I went out of town for a few days- right after we moved in- and then Joe has been in Seattle for the past two weeks -and because of that I haven't had the Internet to catch up with everybody.

So, Now I am back. I don't have house pics ready to post, but I'll get some soon!!

So far we have been really enjoying the move. The library is great; they have three story time hours a day on three different days. We have scored some great books! -and, the library is right next door to the "water park", which we go to a few times a week. Sooooo FUN!! (We go early before its really hot. Perfect.)

We also go to regular parks around town too. Really fun too -just hotter.

I have only been to the temple once since we've been here. (Joe was gone, and two noisy round boys wouldn't make for a very peaceful temple experience. ;D )

Here are my "St. George Goals"!!!!! I am very excited about this new chapter in my life, and want to grow!

1. Attend the temple, at least once, every week!!!! And, take my boys there once a week. (Around the grounds and visitor center. They like it.)

2.Work out and get out MORE! (NOT be a home-body!)

3.Date my husband a TON more!

4.Give blood every two months. (I did this in high school and every chance I could in college -It always made me feel like really good that I could do this easy thing that could help somebody.There's a Red Cross here!!!)

5. Start back at Institute in the Fall.

6. Be a mad awesome coupon user and save a ton of money that way!

7. Be overall more organized and more efficient.

Anyway, so far so good. I am so grateful for this new home and new change of pace...For more options, and more to do with and for the boys. I am glad Joe no longer has to commute and that family time will be consistent and plentiful. I am thankful to our Heavenly Father for His hand in my life and for this exciting move. I feel very blessed.

I will be catching up with you all as fast as I can.

Movers!!!!

So, the movers are scheduled for MONDAY!!! Less than a week. Also, our realtor says we should completely close on Monday as well. AAAAAHHHHH! So fast. Can't wait, but so nervous. Excited for a change, not so for the unpacking and deep cleaning stage that comes with a move.

MONDAY PEOPLE! I can't even believe it.

It's Just Been Too Long!

So, I had to post something...it's been awhile since i have. It's been even longer since I've blog surfed too. But, I will catch up with all of you hopefully soon.

As of today, our little family only has 12 days left in our home. I am getting more and more sad about leaving my norm, my familiar and comfort zone. I am so excited for change, but.....oh, the thought of leaving the home where everything began is just starting to get to me.

Joe proposed in the backyard. It has been the place of our first holidays and where our baby boys both came home to, and did their first EVERY THINGS.

We are in the "due diligence" process part of closing. (Getting the inspection etc etc.) Hopefully it will all hurry along and hopefully the day we have to be out of here is the day we can move in the new house. (Sooner would be great though; I'd rather clean before we move in.) Anyway, I'll catch up to you all soon and post more soon enough. The finish line is near.

The House To Come!

Here's the future house. There is a lot of stuff we'd like to do to "fix it up" to be more our taste, but the bones are great the location is awesome and we're excited.There are two huge trees in front, also, a few other shrubs and palm trees. It's a nice front yard. Low maintenance. (Just needs some love and pruning and de-leafing.)

The front room. Off to the left side are french door that lead out to the deck.The one "weird" thing to the house -this filled in doorway, that they didn't take the door frame down before they dry walled. Good thing we have a lot of family members with "skills" to take care of this for me.

The kitchen. It is an open floor plan, which we like. (Ignore the window treatments.They're not staying.)

The back yard. Some of it is cut. It extends a little more to the right.
A view from the deck to the other side of the backyard.More trees and shrubs and baby palm trees. Me likey.

So,we have haven't signed papers yet. We are waiting for one more set of papers from the realtor and then we can hopefully get our stuff done. But, upon request from family and friends we took a few pics to post. More to come later.

I Just Can't Wait!

Lately, I have been feeling soooooooo anxious to move. I am not liking the waiting......and waiting.

I've been in the mood to just "go go go!" and DO stuff -stuff that's fun for the boys and me. But, there's not a lot to do in Cedar this time of year. Most days are pretty cold -and Kade's has an ear infection, so parks aren't an option yet. I've taken the boys to the one local museum, and we go to the library a few times a week for story time and just to get new books. We all LOVE this time out of the house.

I was dying to get out of the house this morning. It wasn't even 8am yet, but I had to go somewhere. The news was on, and the high for St. George was 70 degrees!!!! I heard a chorus of angels.

I had looked up "things to do in St. George" last week, just to know all that was awaiting me, and I found this awesome park.

So, to make an already long story short-er. I took the boys to St. G, and we had a blast -for two hours, at this awesome park. (the water features weren't on -but it was still a fantastic!) It was wonderful, we ate lunch, we played, and I am so glad I got out of the house and the cold. (I'm just sorry I didn't have my camera.)(I know St. G is hot in the summer, and I am not looking forward to the heat per-se, but there are a lot of parks with water features, so that helps, also there are tons of museums, indoor pools/recreation centers, a library etc -so I'm prepared. Plus, the temple is ever calling my name!)

I just can't wait!!! St. George is what I'm craving. I want to get active in a lot of different ways and St. G offers so much. I'm ready for a new phase! I want to progress and grow. I've always been a home-body, but no more! Now, I want to DO things! Now that we know we're moving, I just want to move!

Kade's ONE!!!!

I can not believe Kade is already ONE! I am amazed more and more at how quickly time flies once you have a child. I remember his birth day so vividly, it's as if it happened yesterday -but nope...it was an entire YEAR ago.

Kade is a cute boy and is so expressive and dramatic. He is mischievous, and silly. He is happy and sweet and gives the best hugs! Kade is just amazing and so fun; I am just thrilled to be his mother. I wasn't quite sure how parents really do love all their kids the same until Kade came along and showed me the oodles of love I had reserved and waiting for him alone. He accessed a whole other part of our hearts and has lit us up in ways only our Kader-bum could! We love him.

Here's a million pics from his first year.