The Joe Lewis Family

pictures from phone

2011-09-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ahhh!

2011-05-03T08:59:00.001-07:00

I've messed up my blog and I can't fix it. Grrrr.

I LOVE Devrie

2011-05-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite pics she took.

Totally Random

2011-03-10T15:59:00.000-08:00

Miriam's 4th Birthday.

Lydia and Corbin starting at their new school.

Jane's purple birthday party.

Cutie pie Miriam

Corbin playin soccer.

Our First 5k

2010-07-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

Yes - we finally ran a 5k and I don't mean Joe and I. (In fact Joe has already run one but did not participate in this one with us.) I mean all four of my kids and I ran our first 5k. It was a very last minute decision to run and no one knew we were doing it. To top it off I couldn't find my camera. Such is my life.

The run down of the race.... I set my alarm for the morning of thinking maybe we would go but knowing Joe had to work and I would be alone with my kids. (Not that that has ever stopped me before. just trying to find an excuse.) When my alarm went off I was freezing and had not slept very well but didn't want to disappoint Lydia since it was her that was asking to do it. So I meandered down to her bed and laid with her and asked her if she really wanted to because we didn't have to. She immediately jumped up and said "Yes, yes, I want to. Please can we?" I said "Alright." Then we woke the rest of the kids up hurried and got ready, had a very poor breakfast since I was out of several grocery items. Then we went to register.

Once we got there I noticed that other parents with kids had wagons and backpack carriers for their children and I thought, "Shoot I should have brought our stroller." Oh well, too late for that. I attempted to call my Mom Lori to see if she was up and wanted to come watch. If she could I was going to ask her to stop by my house and bring my stroller but as it was she was up but not ready and would not be able to make it over in time (10 min.) so I did not ask her to grab my stroller. And then the race was starting.

We ran down to the start line. That was exciting and our second best performance throughout the whole race. :) I had us stand in the back of everyone so that we weren't in the way of anyone. (Probably would do that different next time.) When everyone started to fill through the big arch way I urged my kids on. As soon as it was our turn to go through the arches Miriam started to cry. What a good start! We had to run past the registration tables and I was questioning whether we should really do this or not but I guess my pride kept us in. I told Miriam "Do you see that sign up there at the end of the road? I will carry you after we get to that." She said ok and away we went. Jane also cried right at the beginning that she was thirsty. Which in my haste of the morning I had forgotten to grab drinks. But luckily for us a guy at the registration table had some and ran it over to us.

Lydia and Corbin had taken off on their own but returned worried that I wanted them right by me. I assured them it was fine and they could run up ahead. So they ran up again and then Corbin ran back to us again and stayed with us the rest of the time. So already he was going to run more than a 5k, but he did this running up a ways and then coming back one more time during the race. Which it was great to have him with us because he helped me carry the waters and energy packs they had given us when I needed him to. When I tried to put them in my pocket my pants would start to fall down. I struggled with keeping my pants up the whole race.

Well the start of the race was pretty well how the whole thing went. Miriam and Jane took turns crying and I would convince them to walk to a sign then I would carry them a little ways. Corbin kind of be bopped around us helping me when I asked. And I never saw Lydia after we left the start line till we were done. Throughout the race I tried to keep my children's minds off of the walk. I would tell them things like "Should we have ice cream when we are done? What is your favorite kind? Look at that boat, do you like that boat. Those are pretty flowers. Oh, watch that plane do you see it?" I don't know if it helped for sure but I think it did.

Honestly the truck that follows the last people was always right behind us. One time we passed the two ladies in front of us but it didn't take them long to pass us again and they moved way far in front of us. So we were the last ones and the last ones by ALOT!

When we got to the last stretch Corbin ran way up ahead of us and stopped at the finishing arch and waited for us. The sweet kid could've finished without us but he waited. Once the arch got close enough the girls ran their little hearts out. Since everyone had finished we had quite the crowd to cheer us in and these two little girls had the biggest grins on their faces. Again regretting that I could not find my camera!!! We went over to the shade and yes I did feel like crying. looking at my little kids and knowing that they had done it. The pride I felt for my kids was immense but I held in the tears.

We found Lydia over next to the awards table as they were drawing for prizes. She did get a long sleeve shirt that was big enough for her Dad. She was super excited. A lady offered her a backpack instead but she wanted what she had won. Adorable! Maybe when I find my camera I can post a picture of her in it.

They separated the winners into age groups. Jane got the third place award for her age. When they announced her name I could not spot her so I had to take the price to her. She was so excited she won and everywhere we went all weekend she had to tell everyone.

In the Post Register today they news about the race came out and in the article it said, "Three-year old Miriam Lewis of Idaho Falls was the youngest to complete the entire 5k course on her own." How fun to have her in the paper!

Again, I just have to say I am so proud of all my kids! And they are very proud of themselves.

The times got all messed up so they are not posted right. They say Lydia's time is 42:21 and Corbin's is 42:22. (I don't know how they finished together) The girls and I don't have a time we are just listed as "Finisher". (I guess you can't see just how bad we did.)

But WE DID IT!

Corbin's Goal

2010-05-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Corbin is number 3. This is one of his goals. I love to watch him play. I will try to catch a goal on video but I think he only has one more game.

What can I say I am one proud mama!?

Planting Our Garden

2010-05-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

I guess with all this hard work we'd better put one in.

Hailey and Lydia's photo shoot

2010-05-23T18:51:00.001-07:00

These adorable girls snuck my camera and took some pictures. I am glad they did. Their pictures turned out so cute! These are just a couple of the many they took. Oh and they snuck Grandma's flowers too! Silly gills!

Gym Days at the Apple

2010-05-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

As part of our school we go twice a month to the Apple Athletic Club for gym days or P.E. We have played many games, had special visitors come or instruction (this week we will have a boogaloo instructor come), and we have also taken part in a presidential fitness program complete with awards.

I was able to get some pictures when Mr. Dance of 2007 (I think that was the year) came. He was fun and tried to teach the kids a neat dance routine but the Apple's sound was not working which made it a little hard. However we still had fun. I was not able to get pictures of the awards ceremony because my batteries were dead. :( Maybe I can get a fellow homeschooling mom to forward me some.

Here are some I got...

To all the sweet women I know!

2010-04-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.

Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

SOMEDAY

2010-04-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

Changes

2010-04-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

I am not usually one to post a lot of writing on my blog but I just had some thoughts I wanted to get off my head. I have never really had a problem with change. Going from single to married to married with kids was no problem. I enjoyed moving from place to place and I especially loved changing personal things, like my hair, my decorations, etc. It has only been recently I have grown to not like change. When I spend time thinking about old memories I begin to long for those times and I feel that it is change that has made those times not exist any more.

I love to think about all the time growing up that I got to spend with my family. The special intimate times that I hold so dear. Like staying up late talking/bugging my parents. Times I got to spend one on one with a brother. Vacation memories. Holiday memories. I love to think about these and then I realize I will never get to experience these again I ache to have them back.

Sure I can look on the bright side and be grateful that at least I have these memories and there are many more to be made. I just know that change is what has stopped them and change is coming and is going to make these particular moments fewer and more difficult to come by. When my brother Kyle returns from his mission I am afraid things will be so completely different from 2 years prior. And I don't like the change.

Part of the change I feel coming is that we are now in the next stage of life. We have no babies no diapers. All of our children are talking walking independent children. Pretty close to ending the toddler stage too. In a year and they will all be in school. Maybe it sounds to some like perhaps we are not done having babies but with how the spirit is communicating to us it feels better to be done than to think of having more. My point of bringing it up is that I just feel like this is part of a major changing period in our life considering it was about this time of year that our baby would have been born thus extending the baby phase.

I have always been close to my family and I feel everyone should be close to their families. Now, though, with this great change I feel I am having to cut the strings even more and I don't want to. I want to through a ginormous toddler fit and stomp my feet and scream "NO!"

At this point I turn to Joe and think 'with him I can get through because he is really who I chose'. I love him and I love my children. I love having this family I have. And may all this change make us a stronger closer family. I have been telling myself it is time to grow up and realize I am a grown woman (that sounds so weird, I'm sure I am just a young lady still) with growing children a loving family to whom I am Mother over.
To the point, my family is splitting up (no pun intended). My brothers and their wives are planning on moving and that is understandable but it still sucks. One set of parents is for sure moving although not to drastic a move and the other threats on moving somewhere warmer and I hate it. And who knows where Kyle and perhaps a wife will go? Probably Rexburg at first.

I always found myself lucky to live in a family where we all lived in the same town. The support and closeness we share I felt was how it should always be. I have always felt bad that Joe's family was so separated and found it very interesting that one sibling preferred it that way. No offense. I just really like having my family close where getting together can happen so easily.

I blame the uncertainty on the economy. I do really understand that whatever the future holds is for the best but right now I am sad. I love my family and I hate the thought of it breaking up. Blackfoot and Poky are far enough.

With all that griping said I will finish with a favorite quote, "If there were no CHANGE, there would be no butterflies."

Getting together when our special guests come to town.

Gathering for birthday parties

Playing outside together.

Lydia's baptism

2010-03-19T15:52:00.001-07:00

All about Joe

2010-03-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

This is what my husband looks like when the house is a mess. How 'bout yours?

Yet another one....

2010-03-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

$39.23 bought us...
81 boxes of cereal
2 gallons of milk
4 boxes of mac n' cheese
1 bag of baby carrots
3 boxes of gold fish
2 butters
2 syrups
1 gatorade
5 Gillette shampoo

Total savings.....

$327.07
88%

$10 for...

2010-03-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

OK so I don't mean to only blog about couponing but I think I had my best deal last night. I was looking through my normal couponing blogs at 10:00 p.m. and realized there was a sale that was only good yesterday so after much debate I ran to the store and this is what I got for $10.38...

10 boxes of kellogg's cereal
1 gallon of milk
1 package of orbit gum
10 orchards juices
and $10 to spend on my next trip.

Total savings $59.50 or 83%

This is so fun for me. I get so excited doing this wouldn't you?

Couponing

2010-03-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

What I have learned so far:

While I have only been couponing for a little over two weeks I feel like I have learned a lot. I never new there was so much to learn. I have learned the lingo and what all the acronimns stand for. I have learned what a catalina was and how to use it. I have learned what a doubler was. I have found many wonder couponing blogs that know the really great deals. Most important I have learned how to combine deals and coupons to get lots of free stuff.

I love this and just wish I had known how to do it sooner.

My most recent savings include 8 orchard juices and 2 boxes of bagel bites for $7.30 while getting back $10 to spend on my next shopping trip. So I kindof made $2.70. :)

I bought a lot that day. I went to Walgreens and bought 6 boxes kleenex, 4 kotex boxes, 3 aluminum foil, 3 landry detergents all for $20.59 plus I still have 5 more dollars to spend next time I go in. according to them my savings was $28.38

At Target I got a bag of Halls and 2 things of cereal for $0.39 That was fun!

At Albertsons I bought 15 boxes of fruit snacks, 2 muffin mix, 2 macroni grill pastas, 2 wanchai box dinners, 1 box of cereal all for $21.75 according to them I saved $52.23 (Not my best and as of today the fruit snacks are on sale and combined with coupons and deals you could get them for $0.10 a box and I paid $1.8 a box. That frustrated me but oh well.

Lydia is 8

2010-02-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

My dear sweet Lydia is 8. I can't believe it. I feel so grateful to have her in my life. She is a wonderful blessing. She is beautiful, caring, fun, caring, creative, smart, and athletic. She makes a wonderful oldest child. She is super helpful to me. She takes such good care of her siblings. I cannot express how much I love her in words. I hope that I can be the mom that she needs and deserves.

Love ya Lydia - Mom

Math Literacy Fair/Carnival

2010-02-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

We just went to our annual math literacy fair and had a great time. I volunteered to run a booth and I graciously told Joe he had to me too. We did have a great time though. We played a Spiderman game where players picked a character and rolled some dice. They had to add or multiply the numbers together to move up the building to rescue Mary Jane. Corbin absolutely loved this game.

They had other games there such as bingo, bean bag toss, arcade basketball, and many more. We also had an author come and talk to the kids. DARE officer, Love and Logic reps., and many more. The door prizes consisted of and ipod shuffle and $10 gift certificates. Lydia won a gift certificate. (And I had everyone sing to her.) All in all it was a very great time.

Oh yeah and we had pizza!

Out of the mouth of Jane

2010-02-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

Jane points to a bottle of zicam nasal spray and says
"What is that?"

Mom says, "It is cold medicine."

Jane gets a peculiar look on her face for a moment then says,

"Let me feel it."

She proceeds to touch it and informs me,
"No it's not, You are teasing me."

The Spelling Bee

2010-02-18T13:02:00.000-08:00

Our kids participated in a spelling bee on February 5th. It was so fun. They did really well and I was so proud of them. I was afraid that they would be so unhappy if they did not win and I was impressed that not only were they happy with their selves once they were done but they were talking about how excited they were to do it again next year. Lydia says she wants to win next year. I cannot explain in words the amount of pride I had for my kids. It was the best birthday ever.

Honestly our kids were getting kind of nervous before hand and they were pretty much wanting to back out and not do it. I told them that for my birthday I would really like for them to try to spell just one word and that would make me so happy. I said that I wouldn't just be happy if they won but that I would be happy if they just tried. This gave them some confidence and I think they did better than they thought they would. The best part of it all was that they were proud of themselves. And they should be. It looked scary getting up there and yet they did it and smiled when they were done.

Corbin outlasted quite a few in his group. And Lydia lasted 5 rounds and longer than half of her group.

They received a certificate for participation and they got to pick a prize.

Corbin looks so short in this picture next to the other Kindergardeners and First graders.

Doesn't she look adorable!

My Activity Day Girls

2010-02-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

These are my sweet activity day girls. I just love them. They are so fun. This is just after we went sledding. We had a really great time.

Chirstmas morning at our house.

2010-02-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas. I believe Christmas is so much funner when you have kids. I really love to watch them as they experience the magic of Christmas. I love my kids!

Okay nevermind

2010-02-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

So I miss blogging on this blog so I think I will stick with this one. I have a right to change my mind however many times I want right!?

These are photos of my birthday. We had a super fun time. We each got to decorate our own cakes.

New Blog

2009-12-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

I have quit blogging on this blog and started one that is mostly about our homeschooling if any of you would like to see that one you are welcome to. I might continue this one every once in a while but until then I will be blogging on the other one if you wanted to know. It is

lewishomeschool.blogspot.com

Miriam's art work

2009-07-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Did you ever know mandarin oranges could be so much fun?

She was so proud of her row.

2009-07-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

4th of July parade

2009-07-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

My professional dancing

2009-07-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

Joe made me put this on.

Corbin's clothing issue

2009-06-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

As most everyone knows, Corbin has always worn his super hero costumes everyday everywhere. They really have seen better days. I don't know who took this picture but it just fit the situation perfect. Corbin found this sock, (yes only one) and wore it completely out.

We did buy him a pair of red socks which he wore everyday. We have also since retired this well-worn spiderman costume to the trash. But never fear now he wears his soccer shirt everyday everywhere. Sometimes he wears his shin gaurds with it and sometimes he wears his red socks with the shin pad stuffed inside.

Grandma we're waiting

2009-06-14T20:34:00.001-07:00

The kids all sat on our little bench out front patiently waiting for Grandma to come over. Isn't that Lydia just a doll!?

Corbin's soccer game

2009-06-14T20:26:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of Corbin playing soccer sorry my camera was not working great and I couldn't get very good photos.

dancy crazy

2009-06-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

HAIR

2009-02-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

So for valentines day I was able to do my girls hair in cute hearts.

Now.... Maybe not. I finally got up the courage to cut Jane's hair. I only cut off about 7 inches. She was not satisfied she want it as short as Lydia's but I was satisfied. I walked out with Jane and looked at Miriam's feeling content that she didn't mind her hair and I wanted to keep it long with its curl locks that were at the ends. I then proceeded to go downstairs to begin teaching school. Corbin ran upstairs to use the restroom and came back downstairs saying, "Jane is cutting Miriam's hair." I have never ran upstairs so fast. Well she not only cut most of Miriam's but also her own (another 5 inches). I cried and cried! Jane cried. I did what I could to fix their hair. Jane actually loves her hair. She has been twirling arround all day saying, "Watch my hair spin." With huge smiles on her face. When I brush it she actually doesn't cry. With how much she likes it I don't think the hair cutting is over.

Joe at his Beading

2009-01-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

Joe worked hard to complete his tickets and earn his wood badge beads. He received them last Saturday. I am so proud of him.

Joe's Wood badge song.

Bowling

2009-01-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

Let me know if you have skills as good as this.

Playing in the snow

2009-01-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

This is the last time the kids got to play with Kyle before he left. Sweet pictures.

Humongous Snowman

2009-01-18T18:10:00.000-08:00

Kyle, Lydia, Jane, and I built this snowman Christmas Day before he left. He, (the snowman) is pretty much gone now.

Christmas Parties at our house

2009-01-18T17:56:00.001-08:00

Christmas at our house

2009-01-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

snowboarding or snow skiing?

2009-01-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

We took Lydia and Corbin skiing last weekend. Well Corbin and Joe snowboarded. We had loads of fun and the kids hated it when the hill closed. And I forgot my camera again. Sorry!

IDVA Chirstmas party

2008-12-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

IDVA (Idaho Virtual Academy). We sang Christmas chorals, decorated cookies, made ornaments, candy canes, and Christmas cards.

Lydia made a ginger bread house for the display. Joe put it together, Lydia did the rest.

Foriegn exchange student

2008-12-12T15:04:00.000-08:00

Our foreign exchange student and his wife came to visit for a week. It was so awesome to see them.

How I met Joe.

2008-12-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

1.Where did you meet? Joe and I met when a friend and I were picking up two other friends to go snow boarding. Joe was one of the friends.

2.What was the first thought that went through your head when you met? Honestly, nothing much. I was pretty nervous to be going snowboarding for the first time.

3.Do you remember what he/she was wearing? Snow cloths. A blue coat. (I think.)

4.Where was the first time you kissed this person? In the car on the way home. I know crazy and stupid right! (but fun)

5.Where did you go for your first date? First we went to his Grandpa Wadsworth's house to play pool and dance to an eight track, then to Garcia's for dinner, and then back to Grandpa's house for a hot tub and movie.

6.How long did you know this person before you became a couple? That depends on what a couple is. Met Feb 3, a thing as of Feb 5. Engaged June 8.

7.How did he/she ask you out? I mentioned to my friend that I had no plans for my birthday Feb 5th and he said he was going to take me out for my b-day.

8.Has this person ever proposed to you? Yes!!

9.Do you and this person have kids together? Yea Four great ones.

10.Have you ever broken the law with this person? Not that I remember.

11.When was the first time you realized that you liked this person? A couple hours after we met. When we were riding up the chair lift together.

12.Do you trust this person? Yea.

13.Do you see her/him as your partner in your future? Oh, yea.

14.What is the best gift she/he gave you? As lame as it sounds, his love!! If any of you knew me when I met him, you know I could very well say he saved me from myself.

15.What is one thing He/She does that gets on your nerves? Depends on the day. Mostly his rush rush rush.

16.Where do you see each other 15 years from now? Almost kidless. Crazy thought.

17.What causes the most arguments? My mis-communication.

18.How long have you been together? 10 years in Feb.

19.Are you Married? Yea, last I checked.

This was fun! I needed to do this after my "Crappy Day!" You all should take a minute to do this, it's fun to think back on what brought you together, and to see where you have been!

How did you meet your significant other?Answer all the questions HONESTLY and re post as "How I met _____"

What a Crappy Day!

2008-12-11T16:51:00.000-08:00

No literally! We have decided it was time to start potty training Miriam. One of the greatest parts of being a parent. Miriam is doing pretty well I think. This whole process went a lot different with my other kids. Miriam loves to pee in the potty, but she has yet to poop in the potty and today I had to clean up two poopy accidents. What a crappy day!! At least this is my last kid.

I love the things parents talk about. It always cracks me up!

Our new home

2008-11-24T14:55:00.000-08:00

Corbin

2008-11-23T18:20:00.000-08:00

Family pics

2008-11-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

Reading

2008-10-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

Corbin is reading. I can't tell you how awesome this has been to watch. Being apart of something so very important for Corbin has felt so good to know I had a great part in it. I heard it was going to be as awesome as watching my kids learn to walk. I can't say which was better but I LOVED watching this.

The Pumpkin patch

2008-10-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

Our kids went to a pumpkins patch for one of their school outings. They listened to the farmer tell how a pumpkin grows and then they got to go out and pick their own pumpkin. They had lots of fun. There was a pretty big turn out. Lydia ended up trad her pumpkin for four little tiny ones.

They also had a fun little maze and other fun things to play on.

sleepy sleep

2008-10-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

Haircuts

2008-10-10T11:10:00.000-07:00

One of the most common questions asked of us is, "have you ever cut their hair?" (In reference to our girls.) Well, most of you know Lydia had that taken care of several times over. (I think we are past that. Knock on wood.) We have cut a quarter of an inch from Jane's hair, and non from Miriam's. Until yesterday! I actually don't know if you would really count bangs as a hair cut. (Joe is not very happy about it.) I had to do something though. These hairs of hers always ended up in her mouth with her food. YUCK! Even if we pulled her hair up, stragglers would find their way down. Frustrating as all get out.

I feel we should cut Jane's hair because she hates it. I can't bring myself to do it. In my mind we are selfish to leave her hair when she struggles so bad with it. Oh the cost of beauty.

A trip to St George

2008-10-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

We recently took a trip to St George. We had loads of fun. We spent lots of time at the many parks around. Joe was able to go golfing. And we played at the community rec center. They have one of the most awesome swimming places we have ever seen. Of course, I forgot my camera everywhere we went except one park.

Birthday party fun

2008-09-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

We went to the park for Jane's Birthday.

Happy Birthday Jane

2008-09-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

Jane is 3. Wow!

Our School

2008-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Many of you have been wondering how our schooling has been going. I will tell you, it definitely has it's good days and bad days. Today is really good today in the aspect of school because we are taking a day off. All of our kids except Corbin have been sick the last three days. One each day. I figure we need a recovery day.
I absolutely love teaching my kids. Watching them learn is just as exciting to me as watching them take their first steps. Corbin is so close to reading and it is just awesome to witness this process in him and to be able to share in his excitement as he figures it out. Of course, when he isn't figuring it out so easily it takes A TON of patience on my end. I know how to read and it seems so basic to me. I have to bite my tongue quite often. (It's getting pretty raw. Ha.)
Lydia is so funny. There is usually not a day go by that she doesn't do something or say something that makes me laugh my head off. The other day she was learning about explanatory, telling, and asking sentences. She had to take a test where she read a sentence and had to decide on the ending punctuation. One sentence read, "I see a fish is the tank" To this she put an explanation mark. I asked why she chose that and she said, "Because any kid would be excited to see a fish in a tank." (Duh- Mom!) Another sentence said, "She hit a home run" and on this one she put a period. When I asked her about this she replied, "Because baseball is boring for kids." Well tenqnically her answers were wrong, but after talking to her I decided she had the idea of what the end punctuations stood for. Which was the whole point. I do have to say, I am learning soooo much. And I was proud that she knew homerun went with baseball.
We have spent lots of time as a family. Lydia has been studying ancient Egyptians and since they have a display at our local museum we took a field trip as a family to check it out. Of course the kids liked the discovery room best. (Which had nothing to do with Pharohs or Egpytians).
Jane and Miriam have also been learning lots. Listening in on Lydia and Corbin's phonics lessons and participating in art and music lessons and lots and lots of stories. Jane knows her continents now frow singing our continents song.
Here are some pics of our trip to the museum (they wouldn't let us take pictures inside) and of some art work we worked on.

P.S. Lydia did not have a yummy drink. She has a habit of licking her lips until they look like they are going to fall off.

Corbin told me, "Take a picture of my balls." Just have to laugh at these moments.

Back to School

2008-08-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

Our first day of our new school was exciting and it just gets more and more interesting. Besides being schooled at home we have been able to go to three school outings, Hiese Hot Springs for swimming, Barnes and Noble for story telling and book fair, and to the zoo for a back to school picnic.

Hurricane Pass

2008-08-31T19:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Joe went with some friends and hiked the Alaskan Basin and Hurricane Pass a 22 mile hike. Here are a few pics he took.

Bear Lake

2008-08-31T19:11:00.000-07:00

Corbin and Kennon had so much fun together.

Bear Lake

2008-08-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Here is some pictures of the kids at Bear Lake.

Jane and Janie holding hands.

Corbin's Birthday

2008-08-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

5 Years Old!

Bear Lake

2008-08-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a week at Bear Lake. I went with the kids on Monday and Joe came up late Thursday night. We had loads of fun and came home very tired and sore, but boy was it worth it. This is a little video of Miriam chasing the seagulls on the beach. I love watching her pig tails bouncing.

Blacktail

2008-07-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Bampa Jensen took us out on his boat yesterday. We went up to windy Blacktail. We had lots and lots of fun. I was able to wake board for the first time in 5 or so years, since I actually am not pregnant or recovering from having a baby. Hurray!!! I was so excited and now I am so sore.

Cherry Hills

2008-07-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

Joe and I decided to take our kids on a little getaway last weekend. It was so fun to have a change and to play as a family. We spent much of our time over on the blue slides but since we could all play we do not have any pics of that. These pics are pretty cute though.

Bampa Tuckett's B-day

2008-07-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

For bampa's birthday this year we again went to Jensen's Grove in Blackfoot. We had so much fun even if it was a little chilly. The kids loved riding in his boat.

Our newest nephew

2008-07-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

Justin and LeAnn had this beau tiful baby boy Friday the 25th. He is just so adorable. We just love him to death. His name is said to be Maybe Luke Je nsen. The nurse let the kids all help wash him. They loved it, and they loved their blue gloves.

Been playing in the snow

2008-02-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has been so long. Life has been busy and fun. We had a great Valentines. I was in charged of Lydia's kindergarten party which was tons of fun. We celebrated my birthday with just our kids this year. We played musical chairs, duck duck goose, and limbo. My kids even sang happy birthday to me very very LOUDLY. It was awesome. Then we ate a cake or at least all the frosting off the top. My Birthdays just keep getting better.

Well it has definitely snowed a ton and we have enjoyed playing outside (if it is warm enough).

Lydia took this picture of Miriam and me. I think she is pretty dang good.

The girls enjoying a movie together.

Miriam is Walking

2007-12-18T19:35:00.000-08:00

Fun road trip

2007-12-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

On the way to our first Christmas party, we experienced some excitement.

Russ came to our rescue because our tire repair items had recently been removed from our vehicle.

Getting ready for Christmas

2007-12-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

This was our fun night of putting up the tree. We ended up having to finish the next morning, but the kids had taken care of it before we got up. We like to have a kid friendly tree so that we can relax more. Notice Jane has her cast off, Hurray!!

Jane and Daddy

2007-12-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

Some nights we like to let one kid stay up a little later then the others so we can give them some quality one on one attention. This particular night it was Jane's turn and she was very excited to play video games with her Dad. And he loved her company. What was the cutest part was that Joe handed Jane a controller and she started playing with the buttons. As soon as she realized that Daddy was back leaning against the coach she had to scoot back and sit just like him.

Thanksgiving

2007-12-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

We had a great thanksgiving at Grandma Nece's. The children all enjoyed playing with their cousin's outside and inside. It was a very FULL and relaxing and fun day.

Our Little Superhero

2007-12-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

Corbin loves superheros. Most everyone that spends just a few short minutes discovers his infatuation with them. He has always been over protective of his sisters and parents. The superhero role suits his personality perfectly.
Every morning when we get ready, he will inform me of which superhero he wants his hair to look like. This was the first day that he asked for superman and I went along with it. Now all of our kids have had a curling iron used on their hair, even our boy.

Lydia's hobby

2007-12-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

Lydia loves to do crafts. She does them day and night. We will get her all tucked in for the night and then the next time we walk past her room the door will be closed and the light on as she sneaks to do more crafts. It seems that no matter what she cannot seem to get enough.
These are little Christmas houses she made. One can tell how proud of them she is by the look on her face.

Jane's Broken Arm

2007-11-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

Our sweet little Jane has broken her arm. Well it is only a buckle fracture, so not too serious but none-the-less painful. She has been our first kid to get a cast. Corbin had the same buckle fracture when he was two but the doctor did not think it would be worth it to cast it.
Jane had been climbing onto the counter to get another cookie when her dad asked her to get down and sit on the stool. She tried to get down but fell instead. Poor girl. It breaks my heart but it is also pretty cute to see such a small cast. She will only have to wear it for 3 weeks. But to her I'm sure it will seem like forever.

our halloween

2007-11-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

Halloween this year was lots of fun. Of course all holidays are funner since we had kids that get excited about it. This year we went on a Halloween scavenger hunt, made cookies, went to two Halloween parties and two birthday parties, and of course went trick-or-treating. Lydia also got to have a Halloween party at kindergarten which I was in charge of. (I was very nervous because I had never done this or seen it done but it went great!) Lydia wanted to be batman-girl but we had a better princess costume. Corbin went between spider-man, batman, and superman. He would change his mind 5 times a day for two weeks, in fact he still is talking about what he is going to be for Halloween as if it is tomorrow. Jane was a sweet m&m. Miriam was an adorable little lamb. It was nice for us to spend Halloween with our kids because last year we were not able to as I was in the hospital because I had just had Miriam on the 30th.

at the beach

2007-11-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

WE had lots of fun at Bear Lake this year. These pictures were taken on our second day to the beach, and it was particularly windy so we mostly played in the sand and not in the water.

On this windy day it was Corbin's birthday. He turned four. For his birthday he received a sand castle building set. That is what entertained all of us for most of the time we were there. What a great way to spend a birthday!

Our first blog

2007-11-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

We are at this blog thing. Please be patient with us as we try to figure it out.