Another catch up

Our leak proof roof!

FHE

Ashley's pilgrim people and turkey

Kaitlyn's turkey
Ashley's attendance certificate

Sunrises from the deck

YUM!

Well it has been another busy week around here. This weekend Kyle managed to put up the cricket(?) on the roof, no more leaks!!! We also had an awesome FHE making Christmas ornaments. Yes, Christmas! I was listening to the radio on the way home one night and found a station with just Christmas music on it. I thought "wasn't it just Halloween". I have yet to wrap myself around the idea that November is almost over and Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I think I am still stuck in August or September. Anyway, Ashely brought home her pilgrim people today along with a turkey. That prompted Kaitlyn to want one and well... thank goodness Ashley had two. She also came home with a certificate yesterday. Ashley had perfect attendance this past quarter in school. We enjoyed parent/teacher conferences recently and her teacher had nothing but good things to say. She loves having Ashley in class, I think it is in their contract to say that, and Ashley loves school! How could I leave out Kami. She loves her people food. She can eat and boy is she messy! She literally shoves handfuls in her mouth. I have to watch her carefully and not give her too much at a time, don't think I haven't gone in there before either! You would think we never feed her! I think she is going through a growth spurt, because she has also decided to wake up at 4 and 6am to eat. UGH! I have adjusted to sleeping through the night again. In the mean time I did discover that she has popped another tooth, that makes five. I know that there is at least one more making it's way down, and possibly three more. Will it ever stop!! I had to pull out more PJ's the other night because she is growing so fast. So between everything, and this is not the half of it, we have been busy around here. I have also been gathering up birthday stuff and presents for Kaitlyn, my baby is turning 4. I think I have just over a week left. I also realized the baby blessing is sooner than I thought and then Christmas will sneak up on me! We have a ton of stuff planned for this next month including an awesome surprise for someone. I think the year will be over and gone before I realize it. So, Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and good luck to all those crazy black Friday shoppers. I will be in bed!!!

Catching up

I absolutely love that my girls play so well together. I really thought Kaitlyn would have a hard time with Ashley in school, but she has done pretty well. She stills asks "when is Ashley coming home" usually at the end of the day. Her and Kami play very well together. Kaitlyn can be rough sometimes, but loves her sister so much. She is so proud to be a big sister. How did I get blessed with such wonderful girls?

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Okay, so I need to catch up on my tags.
HUSBAND TAG
1. Where did you meet?
We first met at a Youth Conference dance- I did not like him! But ultimately the credit has to go to Audra. She was first writing Kyle's brother on his mission and then Kyle. Well she bugged and bugged me to write to him until I said "if I write him one letter will you leave me alone!!!" That is all it took.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
We dated for six months after he got home, but wrote for 20 months.

3. How long have you been married?
We have been married 10 years, 11 in March- WOW!

4. What is your favorite feature of his?
My favorite feature is his gorgeous blue eyes. I guess I have a thing for blue eyes, I have only dated guys with them- unknowingly.

5. What is your favorite quality of his?
Kyle is very selfless and will do anything for anyone. I love that about him.

6. Does he have a nickname for you?
He calls me "beautiful" no matter what I look like.

7. What is his favorite color?
He thinks it is blue, but he always picks everything in black.

8. What is his favorite food?
He is a steak and potatoes man! He could eat them everyday.

9. What is his favorite sport?
He is a Packers fan (football), but doesn't watch religiously. He would rather spend time with us! His favorite sport is actually fly fishing, with snowmobiling a close second. I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier.

10. When and where was your first kiss?
On Audra's couch during a movie, sorry Audra.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We love to spend time together hanging out and just talking. We can still stay up and talk until 2am.

12. Do you have any kids?
Three girls- Ashley, Kaitlyn, and Kamryne.

13. Does he have a hidden talent?
Kyle plays the piano, as many people know. But he also loves to write music too, not many people know that. I think he currently is working on two songs and already has one other one done.

14. How old is he?
He is 32, but I tease him about being 40.

15. Who said "I love you" first?
He did in one of his letters. But he also said it first too.

16. What is his favorite type of music?
He listens to pretty much everything, except rap.

17. What do you admire most about him?
I love how he is with the girls. The girls love him so much. He is so good with them. He plays with them and reads to them. Every night they scream "daddy's home" when they see his truck. I think it is awesome that he puts his family first. Everyone tells him "you need a boy" but Kyle says he is happy with his girls. I love him so much!

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NAME 6 QUIRKS

1. I am a neat freak. Although, I have had to alter a bit with kids. I am learning to live with the mess.

2. I can bowl left-handed, sometimes better than right-handed. This is due to having stitches in my right shoulder the first time I ever bowled.

3. When I am explaining something I will explain it in two or three different ways.

4. I always want a taco from Taco Bell when we are in town. I think it is in my blood from working there so long ago.

5. If I start a book I have to finish it, even if it is terrible. I have read some really bad books too.

6. I am a major night owl. Even if I am dead tired I can't go to bed before midnight. I am often up past one, and I don't even know what I am doing! It is my downtime.

Now I tag: Missy, Audra, and Cindy do one or both you pick.

Grandma Olsen

picture courtesy of Missy

Saturday was Kyle's grandma's funeral. She was 89 and passed away last Tuesday. It was a very lovely service. Pam had a horse drawn hearse take her to the cemetery. The day couldn't have been more beautiful. His mom gave the life sketch and it was so neat to hear all the stories about her. The girls did very well, even better than I thought they would. Although, when it was over Ashley wanted to know when we were going to have our scoops of ice cream. The luncheon went well and it was nice to visit with everyone. Gene and Devin made it up for the service, plus tons of other family from Utah. Overall, I think the everything went perfectly, it was a nice day.

7 months old

Kami is seven months old today. I love the first picture and had to post the second. I was trying to get a good photo and she just kept walking towards me. I couldn't take the photo fast enough! Kami loves her walker. She just cruises around the house and has discovered she can get into things. She loves to help me "unload" the dishwasher! She has slept through the night every night since we moved her into the girls' room!!! She still only wants mom to put her to sleep, but hey if she sleeps all night... She loves her baby food and loves to eat off mom's plate. She is still in 9 month clothes. We pulled out the big car seat and now she enjoys looking out the back window when we are driving. She still doesn't like to be on the floor much. She may actually walk before she crawls (the doctor's prediction). She is such a happy baby and is loving being mobile! She also has four teeth now and started waving this past week. Kaitlyn can get her laughing so hard, it is so cute! She is such a joy to have around.
Happy Birthday George!

Boatin in the snow?

WOW! I feel like we have been running a hundred miles an hour these past couple of days. Friday night after the primary program practice we went scouting for wood in the snow! On Saturday Chris, Chantelle, and Vic came up to help Kyle get more wood (he has a week left to get it). Me and Chantelle went to the relief society super saturday and made crafts. I underestimated how long it would take me and we were there all day. They even had enough that Chantelle was able to make one. I have some Christmas done! The girls stayed down at the barn with my parents, because that night we were celebrating George's 20th Birthday! He came home from Utah state on the perfect weekend. We had fun playing some games and hanging out. Then on Sunday all the Baldwins came up and we celebrated Mahon's 25th Birthday before church with a yummy lunch and cake! Top that off with the primary program that went very well. The girls sang so good and spoke very clearly during their speaking parts. This was Kaitlyn's first program and I was worried she wouldn't say a thing. They both did awesome and thanks to all those who made the trip up to see them. Then Monday happened...

picture courtesy of Ashley

We FINALLY hooked the boat up to take back to Island Park. Poor Kaitlyn was so disappointed to find out we were not going boating! It was very foggy when we left and when we got to the cabin it was raining, this made fun slush. Thank goodness the girls were so well behaved! What should have taken us a half hour took more like two hours. Because of the slush the truck kept going off the side of the road and the boat would not go up the little embankment of the driveway. The truck was fishtailing everywhere and the boat wouldn't move, at one point I thought not only is the boat stuck where it is, but can we get out! Kyle finally drove around and hooked the boat up from behind with a chain and pulled it backwards (I should have had a pic of that). Thankfully, this did the trick, we were able to hook back up to the boat, but then because of the slush he still couldn't get it to back up where he wanted it! When we finally got it in the garage we had about half an inch to spare on one side. I think next year we should take it up in October! What a trip! The snow was so wet that by the time we got home I was soaked through. Then, our night keeps going, we ate dinner and stacked the girls' bunk beds! We still need to finish painting them white, maybe next summer. We got them stacked and Kyle built the ladder and rails. Then pulled the crib down and moved Kami in! Yes, she is almost seven months old and the crib finally came out, and out of our room she went! She slept all night in there and it was wonderful! You would have thought it was Christmas around here the way the girls were reacting. They LOVE the bunk beds! We still have a huge mess in the room, which we will tackle today, fun. So, back to our routine, I think! And somewhere this weekend I made; cinnamon rolls, bread, cake , and dinner rolls- from scratch. And we were in bed just after midnight!

Spuds

This made me laugh! During the girl's primary practice some of us snuck away and went to the Frost Top and this is what I found. I had to get a picture. While we were there I talked to a forest ranger who had a foot of snow on his truck. He said he picked it up in the Cave Falls area and that there was at least 12 inches on the ground and still snowing!!! I guess winter is really here.

Achievement

Ashley received her white ribbon in gymnastics yesterday! She has been working on it since the beginning of summer. Each class level has different skills they pass off. After completing a set of skills they receive a ribbon. For the white ribbon she had to: glide swing onto the bars, bridge up on floor, forward roll (no hands), and straight jump onto the vault. They have pretty strict requirements, so everything needs to be done perfectly every time to pass it off. She is now working on her yellow ribbon and already has two things passed off! Way to go Ashley!!!

What a day!

Well we did it. We went and voted today. It was a lot more pleasant here than in Pocatello, shorter lines! We have also been staying up watching the results. I am somewhat shocked. I thought the race would be a lot closer and honestly didn't expect results tonight. McCain gave a graceful conceding speech and well Obama... I guess it doesn't matter too much which one is in there they have a ton of work to do. I have been very interested in California's prop. and as of now it looks good. We will see more in the morning.
This is what it looks like out our front door now. I guess Ashley needs snow boots sooner than I thought! I did take one with the flash off, but I think you can see the flakes better with it on. I am not ready for snow yet! I would love to be on the beach somewhere sitting in the sun. At least our stove is working great and it actually gets hot in here. Another busy couple of days, but for now off to bed.

Halloween!

We had a fun couple of days. Thursday night we went to the school carnival. The girls had a blast. It was so hot in there, I am glad I was not in a costume! We had fun playing games and seeing all of our friends. We also enjoyed some shaved ice and cotton candy. Then we got up Friday morning and had "pumpkin" pancakes. Isn't it amazing what you can do with food coloring and pancake batter! Then we sent Ashley off to school. They had a party in class and had pizza and goblin punch. They also got to put on their costumes and parade around the school. I was still feeling a little under the weather and did not go. When she got home we headed to Rexburg. We went over to the office building and trick or treated for awhile. After that we hit the trunk or treat in my parents' ward. We have done this the past three years and it still amazes me how much candy they can get in 15 minutes! Then the girls enjoyed answering the door at my family's. And Marianne was even nice enough to take them to a few of the neighbors' houses. We topped the evening off by going and visiting Cindy (Mahon was working) and Chantelle and Chris. We had a nice visit with Cindy. Ashley finally got to find out who's pumpkin won, she was dying all day to know. We then headed over to play with Chris and Chantelle's puppy. He loved Kaitlyn's costume! She loved having him chase her around! Chris and Chantelle were even sporty enough to dress up and hand out creepy body parts candy! The girls had a ton of fun and were asleep before we got home. Ashley is already planning next years costume!
Yes, I did make Ashley's clown costume. We already had the dinosaur and tigger in the closet.