Jared Loves Goats

Anders B-day, Flood and Other Stuff

2012-02-06T14:22:00.001-08:00

The Dragon Cake!!!

Devaney helping mom make the cake!

The water that was pouring into our yard. You can't really see it very well - but it was a raging river.

Here I am trying to dig a trench to get the water to drain faster into the back pasture.

Devaney giving Jack a kiss.

The twins - Jack and Devaney switched pj's!!

Natalie, Jack, Harriet, Devaney and Ruth

Jack and Natalie, Devaney and Ruth

Anders in his Viking costume he got for his birthday!

Devaney wearing some of Anders viking costtume.

Anders with his night fury and hiccup.

Blowing out the candle.

Anders with his dragon cake.

Anders b-day cake!

Christmas

2012-02-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

Better late than never - here are all the kids in chirstmas pj's and their pillow pets they got from Santa Claus.

More Christmas PJ's and pillow pets.

Devaney riding her new princess four wheeler and holding her new baby doll.

Myles is a little excited we got a new laptop!

All the kids on their new scooters Santa brought.

Kiersten and her new tangled doll, dress and hair!

Devaney taking a break from opening presents to drink a bottle while holding her new baby doll.

Christmas Eve PJ'S!!!

I love Devaney's PJ's they are so cute!

Jared and Megan

2012-01-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

My sister Kayli took this picture of jared and I in AZ when we were bowling New Year's Eve - I love it.

ARIZONA!!!!

2012-01-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

What Jared made for me

2011-12-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

I have been bugging Jared for several years to make me a stable for a Christmas display outside and this year HE DID!!! He made me this awesome stable!!! I love it!!! Thanks honey - I love you tons!!!!!

Christmas Parties and Activities

2011-12-22T22:19:00.000-08:00

Barney Christmas Party and Nativity- Lynnaea was Mary and Anders was Joseph - Devaney kept stealing baby Jesus from the manager.

Looking at the lights in Ogden.

Devaney seemed content despite the fact that it was FREEZING cold!

Danica and Devaney riding the train downtown Ogden. My camera didnot like taking pictures in the dark so none of the ones of the other kids turned out.

Christmas Lights in Ogden.

Ballet West Nutcracker at the Browning
Center at Weber State with Tim and Miriam.

Devaney coloring all over herself and the table and the floor.

Dad's hairstyle for Devaney.

Cute Devaney!

Eating lunch at the Rasmussen Christmas Party.

Devaney trying out Ruth's chair.

Ruth in her chair.

Playing bball.

Coloring and other crafts.

Grandma teaching the girls how to tie a quilt.

Grandpa teaching the boys how to play bball. (Actually he helped quilt too and Myles quilted two rows as well.)

Lindsay nursing her baby.

My kids singing at the nursing home.

Dada nd Tim watching the singing at the nursing home.

Singing at the nursing home.

Anders with the glowing Rudolph nose while we sang Rudolph at the nursing home.

Danica's Hawaiian 13year B-day Bash

2011-12-21T19:14:00.000-08:00

Danica - 13years old - crazy to think I have a teenager - seems just yesterday Jared and I were driving in fog and snow rushing to Grand Forks to have her. She is smart, good piano player, great soccer player and fun to be with. Happy Birthday Danica!

Making a sand craft. They also played a whole bunch of games like limbo, toss the kiwi, hula hoop with a grass skirt and coconut bra relay but I was busy getting stuff going for the next thing and didn't get any pictures.

Kids at her party - Danica, Regan, Kazarie, McKinlee, Megan, Ana and Brittany.

Danica with her hula girl cupcake.

Eating dinner.

The food table.

The hula girl cupcakes.

The chips and salsa.

The food table again.

Danica opening presents at her family party.

Devaney eating a krispy creme.

Danica with grandma's present.

Danica with her krispy kreme cupcake.

Danica's favorites krispy kreme doughnuts.

Halloween and YW Activities

2011-12-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

Kate Blazzard eating a squid the night we did Fear Factor - it was a super fun activity - it was all centered around a talk by President Hinckley called "Fear Not, Only Believe". Great idea for anyone in YW's looking for an activity.

Drinking blender Happy Meal! Yum - yum!

Blending a Happy Meal!

Blind folded obstacle course still part of our Fear Factor night.

Wind in the Willows Trust challenge.

Danica's room for Evening of Excellence her store was a beauty salon for Divine Nature - we all are beautiful with a divine nature!

Danica getting ready for Evening of Excellence.

The Zion's Place Mall Evening of Excellence.

Danica's display.

Devaney fell back into the tub after her bath!

The Barney kids Halloween costumes - Kiersten - wicked witch - Danica - tutu wearing football player, Lynnaea - Herimone, Anders -the Hulk, Devaney - a witch, Myles a warlock.

Danica and her friends at her Halloween party.

Myles and his friends at his Halloween Party.

McKinlee eating a squid.

Kiersten's Halloween B-day Party. We were in Hawaii for her birthday so she shared a party with Lynnaea.

Lynnaea' s birthday cake.

Playing the mummy wrap game.

Spider dip, pumpkin and bat jello jigglers.

Muumy hot dogs.

All the kids at the party.

Three little witches.

Devaney cute little witch.

Hawaii Part Two

2011-11-24T19:39:00.001-08:00

Moray eel swimming by me. :) They open their mouths and look like they are hissing at you under water.

The raft we went on around Lanai island - we went in the sea caves and explored the sea cliffs. Really fun.

Look at all the different kind of fish. I especially like the Moorish idol. the yellow and black with long fin on top.

Dolphins we saw on the way to Lanai. THe were so fast! There was a baby too and it was so cute!

Jared swimming with turtle.

Me snorkeling. I love the ocean.

Honu.

Eel hissing at me in the water - this one scared me some because the water was so murky right there I didn't see him until I was almost touching him.

Puffer fish. I like puffer fish - they look like little boxes floating around.

Trumpet fish.

Jared on the sailboat on the way back from Lanai.

REsort on Lanai.

On the boat to Lania

Jared dancing on dinner cruise - the cruise had an open bar - and we were probably the only sober people there - but we were the ones dancing and goofing around having a blast.

Dinner Cruise

My dinner on the dinner cruise - it was soooo good!!

Banyan Tree - they are soo cool.

Sugar cane fields.
Someone told us - Sugar cane was king and pineapple queen but now they are both made and produced cheaper elsewhere and not making a profit in Hawaii anymore.

Pineapple fields.

Bird of paradise flower. I think they are cool looking.

The area we rode our bikes down is farming/ranching fun to see all the cowboy stuff.

Getting ready to bike down the mountain - it was cold and rainy hence the nice attire. We had a blast and it warmed up and quit raining right away so it was really nice.

We were above the clouds.

I seriously think it looks like you are on a different planet.

At Haleakala Crater.

Top of Haleakala looking in the crater. It looks like Mars.

Hawaiian Dancer.

Bryan, Amber, Jared and I before the show started.

Jared and I at the Luau.

Lava rock fields - looking up to the top of the moutain.

Trying to pass someone was very scary!!!!

The west maui drive - it's like a half a lane road - not even a single lane road - and most of it had steep sea cliff drop offs on one side and the mountain on the other.

Jared so handsome!

Beautiful views on West Maui drive.

One of the great snorkel spots on Maui.

More of the jungle.

Hiking through jungle to get to a great snorkel spot.

Jared and I on the beach at sunset.

More sunset.

Sunset - so beautiful and tranquil.

Jared and Byran golfing at Dunes Golf Course.

Jared - nice swing.

Jared and Byran golfing.

HAWAII Part 1

2011-11-24T11:08:00.001-08:00

Beautiful Waterfall on the road to hana

Jared golfing at the Dunes golfcourse.

Jared and Megan swimming in pool under waterfall. Not as romantic as they make it look in movies -the water hurts it is pounding down so hard.

Views along the road to hana

Bridges along the road to hana

Vehicle we rented in Maui.

Beautiful Hibsicus Flower

Cool trees!

We stopped at every fresh fruit stand and ate pineapple, lillikoi (Chad and Cindy got us started on that - it is passionfruit), mangoes, and banana bread, and mango bread.

Pearl Harbor - Bryan and Amber and Jared

Looking away from the temple.

Jared and Megan at the temple.

Future BYU Athletics Department

2011-09-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Devaney in her BYU clothes on the way to BYU soccer game.

Devaney thinks Anders is so funny!

Anders pretending to fall when Devaney would push him.

Anders and Devaney played this game where she pushes him and he pretends to fall over and she loved it. She thought is was so funny to see Anders fall down.

Cosmo at the BYU game.

BYU scored a goal!! YEAH!!

The future BYU athletics deparment!! GO COUGARS!!

L-R Sebastian, Devaney, Harriet, Jack and Ruth

Devaney, Harriet and Ruth

Five of Seven -

Ruth, Devaney, Harriet, Jack and Sebastian

The twins. Devaney adn Jack.

First Day of School

2011-09-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Devaney eating an M&M and wearing Myles baseball helmet.

Anders saying goodbye to me - it was so sad!!! I miss him!

Anders the runt - trying to climb into the bus.

Anders walking out to the bus.

Anders waiting for the bus.

Anders first day of school.

Lynnaea and Kiersten first day of school.

Kiersten so pretty!

Lynnaea - she wanted her hair kinky and Danica did the beads. We have since cut her hair - I'll have to post some pictures. It is really cute.

Danica in grade 7 - all grown up!!!

Myles in grade 6 what a handsome dude!

Danica and Myles on the way to the bus first day of school.

First Birthday

2011-09-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

Devaney with her new clothes she got for her birthday.

Jack thinks Devaney is really funny. I love his face.

Myles riding amigo.

Look at these three cute babies - they were having so much fun watching all the horse action.

Myles riding Casper.

Hailey and Kiersten on Maggie.

Me, Anders, and Devaney on Smokey.

Wyatt adn Myles doing a poop scooping dance.

Danica on Rio the bucking bronco that bucked dad off.

Jared on Casper.

Devaney thinks her cupcake tastes better with boogers.

Jack and Devaney blowing out candles?

Devaney would not keep her cute hat on so she would match Jack - I was not pleased.

The noise makers worked really, really well.

More fun with noise makers.

Devaney and her cupcakes.

Happy Birthday Devaney.

Flaming Gorge and Willards Peak

2011-09-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

So, this is the trip we had planned on all summer - to ride our ATV's to Willard's Peak and then hike to Ben Lomond Peak. Jared made arrangements to get a Saturday off so we could go with his family - but instead we got a flat tire on our trailer on the side of the freeway and spent two hours getting that fixed. We still went on the ride to the top of Willard Peak or Inspiration Point and then hiked around but we did not make it to the top of Ben Lomond. No time. I was very sad - we had been looking forward to it for a long time. This first picture is actually on the way back down - it's danica, jared adn myles on motorcycles. Lynnaea was with me for awhile in the ranger.

View from the top of willards peak.

Mountain goats we encountered.

Watching the mountain goats - they wre quite close.

Cute kids - great view of ogden and willard.

The top!!

yeah - we are at the top!

Lynnaea riding her motorcycle up.

Lynnaea on her motorcycle.

Danica and Myles on their motorcycles.

Anders, Kiersten and Devaney in the ranger.

View of our campsite at Browne Lake in Flaming Gorge Recreational area.

Devaney in camping trailer. I didn't take very many still shots of our camping trip - mostly video of the kids fishing and riding and stuff. But that is sad - cause I can't show anyone.

Driving to Browne Lake.

Everyone stuffed into the back seat of the truck - driving to Browne Lake.

Backseat of truck on way to Browne Lake.

July 4th and Bear Lake 2011

2011-07-11T19:51:00.001-07:00

Jared holding the new baby goat. He is a cutie. Already sold.

The kids riding the train at Bear Lake KOA. Devaney was a big hit because she waved all the people as they drove by. .

Riding the KOA train.

Tired from all the fun - dad and Devaney take a nap.

Poor Kiersten was told not to go in the trailer so teh baby could sleep adn so she fell asleep in her camp chair with her head on her knees.

More cute pictures of dad and devaney sleeping.

This was in the morning before we left for the beach - dad is trying to wake up and Devaney is so happy!! Mom is making breakfast.

The kids all got banana bikes. They had sooo much fun!! Anders and Kiersten it took them a minute but they figured it out and had a blast.

More banana bikes.

Dad and Danica at the beach.

Myles.

Lynnaea

Ana and Danica

Kiersten

Anders

Devaney eating sand - that was her favorite part of the beach.

Anders

Ana and Myles and other people

Lynnaea

Kiersten

The scales and tails show at the Morgan 4th of July celebration -the host guy was hilarious!! We all loved the show.

Wathcing the show.

Waiting for the parade.

I didn't get a picture at the beginning of the race - so this is after the race and breakfast and we are waiting for the parade - it is impossible to get any cooperation with nice, normal smiles.

Jared riding Smokey

Dad on Rio

Jared and Kiersten on Fahs Elle

Myles and Kiersten at the top of the tower ride with Smokey. Dad took us on a ride Thrusday. It was awesome.

Camp, Trek, Bees Game and Tee Ball and more

2011-06-25T12:04:00.001-07:00

Danica winning an award the end of school. She is standing by one of her good friends, McKinlee.
At the Salt Lake Bees Game - Myles got cheap tickets to a Bees game since he is playing baseball and we thought it would be fun to take the kids to a baseball game. We had all the kids bring a gatorade or water so we wouldn't have to buy drinks but I figured I would get them a hotdog at the game. Don't ever do that!!! First of all, you can't take drinks into the game. We had to throw away all our drinks. So, the bottle of water you see in the picture - I paid $3.50 for!!! A hot dog (nothing else - cheap, little hot dog) was $3.25!!!! IT was outrageous!!!

At the Bees Game.

Anders and Kiersten in the outfield. They played on the same tball team this year.

Anders running to first base.

Anders hitting the ball.

Kiersten running to first base.

Kiersten hitting the ball.

Kiersten up to bat.

Me going on the swing at camp. It made me so nauseous!

Danica- it was easy - she said!

Danica swinging.

Danica way up at the top.

Danica going up.

Danica and her friend Kazarie on the value hike.

Listening to stake leader about values on the value hike.

Rashel Blazzard nice hairdo!

Stoddard Ward Girls Camp

Girls camp.

Anders and Devaney at a store in Steamboat Springs.

Devaney at Trek. SHe was the star of trek!!!

My camera died so I don't have any pictures of us pulling the handcarts (I forgot to charge it after girls camp) so this is just when we first got there in the morning.

Starting out on trek.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado and other pictures

2011-06-25T10:03:00.001-07:00

All Devaney wants to do now is stand up and try walking - she is getting so big!!!!

My little flower girl! She is so adorable.

Hiking to a waterfall - still snow on the side of the trail. The river was very full and scary - didn't want to be one of those parents whose kids drowned.

Hking to the waterfall lookout point.

Danica and Devaney. SO sweet.

This is Rabbit Ear pass (can you see on the top of the mountain the two rock formations they call rabbit ears?) - they still had tons of snow.

Flooding in the town of Steamboat Springs. Jared of course had to drive through some of the deepest parts and I thought we were going to stall out.

Daddy and Devaney.

Lunch at Steamboat Lake. IT was FREEZING. We were told the snow just cleared the week before and it felt like it.!

THe drive to Steamboat Lake.

Anders driving Devaney around town.

She loves it!

Black eye!

Cool goat.

Goat Family.

I like how Jared is laughing with Devaney.

Steamboat Springs Colorado

2011-06-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

Picutres will have to follow in the next post, as I am at work today - but I will write a little about our trip. We went on our family vacation to Steamboat Springs, CO from June 5th- June 9th, 2011. It was wonderful. We stayed at a condo - and they were really nice condos - no camping this time. Monday morning Jared took Danica and Myles golfing. He said Danica and Myles did really well and they had a good time. I stayed home and took the other kids swimming in the pool at the condo. It was a supposedly "heated" pool but it was freezing. We ate lunch when Jared and the other kids got back and then we went and swam in the pool some more. We showered and stuff and then went to the downtown and walked around checking stuff out. We walked around this boardwalk by the Yampa river - the river was flooding there (parts of the road by the river closed and one hotel and gas station were flooded out). When we were getting out of our Suburan and starting to head onto the boardwalk - this man walked up to us and asked us if we were from Utah and was all excited because he had moved here from Utah 12 years ago. But Jared was very offended that he assumed we were from Utah based on the fact that we have 6 kids. Anyway, we ate dinner and came home. Tuesday we went for a drive up to Steamboat Lake to look at the countryside, spotted some elk - and then ate lunch at the Lake. It was very cold up at Steamboat Lake (9000ft) - they said the ice had just finished melting the last week and we were in swimsuits and FREEZING. But then we went back to town and went swimming at the BEST pool ever. It is heated by a hot spring and so the water was really WARM (but no yucky smells like some hot springs pools)- and landscaped really nice - with three different hot pools of varying degrees, a rounded pool with like three circles kind of put together with a bridge over top -the water ran over some rocks to flow into the pool very pretty. It had two slides - Jared and the kids said they were really scary because they were dark inside- a rock climbing wall that you jumped back into the water from - diving boards and then Anders' favorite part - a large pool area with only 2 feet of water. Anders played and played and played in there. I sat in there with Devaney - but it was perfect for him - he was swimming like a fish - and diving for his dive toy and so WARM. Unfortunately, it ruined him for the rest of the trip because he was too cold to swim any more days in the condo pool. We spent about 4-5 hours there. Wednesday morning Jared took Lynnaea and Kiersten golfing and then we went on another drive to see Rabbit Ear pass and all the snow still left up in the mountains. People were still snowmobiling. Then we went on some hikes to a waterfall and ate lunch. Then the kids swam at the pool for a little bit but mostly we sat in the hot tub because the pool was cold. Jared and I listened to a time share presentation in the morning so we could get $100 free dinner Wednesday night and the Italian place we ate at was delicious! The kids were excited because we said they could get whatever they wanted since we had that gift certificate. Devaney was a hit with the waitress and two other couples waiting for their food because she can wave now and she kept waving at them. Thursday, Jared took Anders golfing and then we packed everything up and drove home. It was a really fun and mostly a relaxing trip. The baby did pretty good driving. It's a hard age to drive 6 hours straight but she did good.

Since I got home I have been working, spent a couple days at girls camp (which was fun because I got to go with Danica this year) and working lots more. This week and next week are not good weeks. Hopefully, my family and I survive.

Spring Break April 2011

2011-04-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

We went to Zion's for Spring Break this year - we had planned on leaving at 0600 Wednesday so we would have most of Wed to do stuff but since I spent all Tuesday working on the Easter Celebration we did not leave until 1130am. The bunk beds were broken when we got there so we spent 1 1/2 hours fixing them and so Wednesday we didn't do much of anything. But Thursday we went ATVing. Kiersten holding Devaney.

The view from the trails we were riding on.

So, we don't seem able to go on a vacation without some kind of misfortunate - this time was the broken bunk beds and a flat tire on the Ranger. This is after we had gotten the tire off we left it up on the jack to take the tire to town to fix but it had fallen off when we got back.

The flat tire. It took 4 hours to get it fixed and back to camp.

Myles, Lynnaea and Danica on their motorcycles.

Myles riding his motorcycle.

Danica on her motorcycle.

Lunch break.

Heading out.

Devaney eating a bite of mom's sandwich.

Resting after climbing up to the weeping rock. Lynnaea, Ana, Myles, Danica, Kiersten adn Anders.

On the trail to Weeping rock.

Leo and sleeping Isabelle and Jared.

At Weeping Rock.

Zion.

Hiking along Riverside walk.

Waterfall in Zion.

Start of the trail - Riverside walk.

Elena and Anders holding hands headed to the shuttle bus.

Sebastian and Devaney swinging together.

Kami and Sebastian

Jared feeding Devaney by campfire.

ANders giving Sebastian a ride.

Anders giving Elena a ride.

Kiersten and Devaney.

Easter Celebration - April 19th, 2011

2011-04-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

These are the pictures from the Easter Celebration activity the Young Women and Young Men put on for the primary. It turned out awesome-- the scencery was the best. My second counsellor heard a ward in Porterville had done pretty much the same thing we were doing so she asked if we could borrow some of their scencery and it made things look really authentic. This is the Last Supper room and Lynnaea is answering a question.

This is Station 4 when the kids went on an Easter Egg Hunt.

Station 4 with the Easter Bunny on the Easter Egg hunt.

More of the Easter Bunny.

Sation 3 - "Jesus gives us New Life"- they talked about what resurrection means and who is resurrected and things like that and then the kids were able to decorate a flower pot with resurrection stickers and plant a flower.

The flower pots.

Station 2 - Triumphal Entry/Palm Sunday. The kids listened to a little lesson about the Triumphal Entry and then they made palm leaves with Hosanna on it to take home.

Making Palm Leaves.

Station 1 was seven rooms that the kids went through that depicted some of the events of the Last Week of Jesus's life. This was the Last Supper room - the priest talked about what the Last Supper meant and why we still take the sacrament today. The YW talked about Jesus washing the apostles feet and that we should serve others too.

The Last SUpper room.

The Garden of Gethsemane room. They talked about the atonement in this room. Notice my Carl Bloch picture from when we went to the exhibit.

The Betrayal room. Talking about Judas betraying Jesus.

The trial room - they showed a clip from Lamb of God in this room - the kids are watcing it.

The trial room.

The crucifixion room. The YM is reading about Jesus being put on the cross.

The crucifixion room - the cross was railroad ties adn they had big stakes in them to show the kids.

The tomb room. We did put white linens on the cot - I took a picture before we got them on.

The angel coming from behind the tomb telling the kids He is Risen!

The Resurrection room - the kids got to color a fuzzy poster that says "He Lives" on it. This was my room - I decorated how Kami said - only it would have been better is she had been there I am sure.

The Resurrection room.

It turned out pretty good- I was happy anyway. We did not have a great number of youth - lots of conflicts but the primary told us to plan on 40-45 primary kids so we did 48 of everything and had 46 kids. So, that was good.

Catch Up Pictures

2011-04-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

At Harriet's blessing - four of six cousins all within a year or so of each other. Harriet, Jack, Devaney and Sebastian.

More of the four cousins!

OUt to dinner with Bryan and Amber Bertagnole and my very handsome hubby.

We are making the former toy room into Danica's room - and I don't know why anyone would wallpaper a room - it is a HUGE paina to try to take it off. I was hoping to have it all done by the end of April so I could start outdoor projects in May, but I don't think it will happen. More wallpaper pulling off fun.

Lynnaea at her Friendship Concert Jared, Devaney and I were able to watch her. She did great. Myles checkerboard birthday cake that I made for him.

Ana and Myles blowing out the candles on the soccer cake Aunt Kami made for them. Visiting the BYU Bean Museum.

Visiting the rest of the BYU art exhibit. I took my kids to the BYU Carl Bloch exhibit. I thought it was fantastic.

Devaney in her Harley Davidson outfit from my boss and his wife. Visiting East Canyon Dam on a Sunday afternoon drive.

My precious baby. Myles and Jared at the father son cake decorating contest.

Myles Arrow of Light award and all the scout badges he earned. Myles taking the boy scout oath.

Myles crossing the bridge from cub scouts to boy scouts.

New Beginnings - Seeking For Treasure

2011-02-11T15:23:00.000-08:00

Stoddard Ward Young Women -
Danica is on the far right on her friend's back. I was not in the picture and I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Danica and me together in our pirate costumes!!!!

The YW doing their awesome skit (that I wrote!) - they did a good job.

The treasure chest we put all of our jewels in (faith, divine nature, etc) adn on the table you can see the little treasure chests with the WE Believe necklaces we gave the YW. We also gave them a plaque with the 13th article of Faith. You can't see them very well on the table.

The decorations.

The PORT OF VALUES.

More decorations.

The pirate New Beginnings. It was really fun and I think the YW enjoyed it. My talk went okay -I think- and we sang "Walk by Faith". The YW had never heard it before - it was one of my favorites when I was in YW's. And best of all - it is done and over!!! YEah - that is what i spent most of my week doing.

Life in Pictures

2011-01-28T15:19:00.001-08:00

Funny Kids

2011-01-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

We took the kids to see Tangled on Monday - a FHE activity and nice to spend the day with dad after he was gone for two weeks to Oklahoma City - anyway, it is superb!! Great movie. All the kids and even Jared loved it. As soon as we left the movie, Anders said - " I am BlueJean." And he was running around being a brave hero - and we laughed and laughed because he meant "Eugene" the hero of the movie. Tuesday, he was helping me make bread and he said " I have a really hard decision. I want to stay home with you but I want to go to school." I told him he could stay home with me (save me a trip and getting the baby up and in the car seat) and then he said "I know!!! You can come to school with me!" It was so sweet! He is so funny. He came up in the middle of the night while Jared was gone and told me "my voice hurts." That was really funny too.
Devaney has two teeth and she is a sweetheart. I love to cuddle her and she gives the best hugs. She squirms all over and loves to watch Anders running around jumping and fighting. Jared is finally home and I survived the two weeks of being a single mom. It was rough. Just trying to get kids everywhere they had to be was hard. And my house is finally clean. Sorry mom and Lindsay who had to stay at my house when it was disgusting. So, things are pretty good here.

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

Pictures

2010-12-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

Visiting Santa Claus
Christmas Show at Abravanle Hall in Salt Lake City.

Waiting for the show to start.

My Christmas Tree.

Asleep in the high chair.

Danica's Birthday.

She wanted cookies not a cake.

Devaney looking soo big!!

Anders finger.

Myles babysitting.

Anders and Devaney Sword Fighting

2010-12-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago, Anders found some straws and was playing with them. I had put Devaney in her swing so I could do some batches of laundry. When I came back into the family room, Anders had put one of the straws in her hand and he had a straw in his hand and he was "sword" fighting with her. It was hilarious! She was smiling and him and seemed to think sword fighting was great fun too. I have the cutest kids ever!

Catch Up

2010-12-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

I am at work so I can't post pictures - I will have to do that later - but I thought I would try to catch up on all the happenings.
The weekend before Thanksgiving we got LOTS of snow. Monday(after the weekend of blizzarding) I measured the snow in the front yard and it was 16 1/2 inches!!!! Tuesday the weatherman predicted another big storm and so school was let out early but we only got another 2 inches. But Saturday, in the blizzard, I had to drive down the canyon to take Anders to the emergency room - he slammed his finger in the door and it degloved the whole tip of his finger. I called Jared and he met us at the hospital. He got five stitches. Then Sunday I worked and so I stayed at the hospital since the roads were so bad- the nurses helped me put my Christmas presents for my YW together so it was still productive. Monday I got to drive down to the doctor again and once again it was blizzarding. Myles had strep throat- he got a shot in the behind. Poor kids.

Thanksgiving was wonderful!!! I didn't have to work Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, or Sun so the kids and I had a great weekend. Wednesday Jared took Danica, Myles and Lynnaea in the morning to the shooting range to practice shooting their 22 gun. They all took hunter safety in november and all failed because they couldn't hit the target 50% of the time (they all aced the written part). Then that night Jared took the five oldest kids to a Jazz game (he found tickets the day of for $3.33 each). They were pretty excited. Thursday morning we watched Toy Story 3 together and then that afternoon we went to the Barney Thanksgiving dinner in Pleasant View. Friday my entire family (in the Utah area) plus my Aunt Laverle and Uncle Larry from Canada came to my house for a second Thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious and much fun. The kids had a great time playing and the adults visiting. That evening the adults played some games - Jared and I went to bed at 1:00am but my crazy siblings stayed up till 2:00am playing Settlers of Catan. Then Saturday, all my kids and Ana went sledding for 2 1/2 hours - they had a great time. After I made my kids clean the house spotless after all the company and then we went to see the play A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse. It was really good. I was nervous how my kids would do especially Devaney and Jared was at work so he wasn't there to help but they did soo good! They really enjoyed the play too. They are still talking about the ghost Jacob Marley. I had to go nurse Devaney for about 15 minutes of the play but before and after that she was super. It really was a fun holiday.

This Friday, Dec 3rd - the kids and I went to see the Weber State Institute Christmas Show. Lindsay came with us - and she sat in the middle with four of my kids while I sat by the aisle with Anders and Devaney. I was worried I might have to take Devaney out - she did get fussy but I just nursed her under a blanket. It was really fun. It had a hilarious song called Yingle Bells - reminded me of the song Derek and Brooke sang at Lindsay's wedding. Thanks Lindsay for helping me out with my kids!!!

Danica turned 12 on November 29th. I am in shock. I remember so well myself being 12 that it seems unreal to have a daughter that age. The YW in the ward went to do baptisms for the dead at the SLC temple on Saturday and Danica was old enought to come with us. It was really neat to be in the temple with Danica - plus my cousin Allan Walburger had sent us family names to do the baptisms for and so it was extra special to be doing our ancestors work. We walked around to see the lights on temple square after and I received a text from my mom saying my sister Kayli had a baby boy!!! No one knew she was pregnant!!! She was keeping it a surprise. Very easy to do since she lives in Switzerland so no one has seen her for the last year. But how exciting!! Devaney is surrounded by boy cousins - Sebastian, Jack and now Orrin. But now Brooke and Andrea are having girls in February so they can gang up on the boys. Plus, Lindsay is due in Aug so we will see what she is having.

Anyway, I think that is all. I will be sure to post pictures soon.

Cute Baby Devaney

2010-11-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

Birthdays and Baptismand Evening of Excellence

2010-11-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

Last week was extremely hectic. I worked a 24hr shift Monday and then spent Tues and Wed getting ready for the YW Evening og Excellence. It turned out phenomenal. We did a fairy tale theme based on Pres Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After". You can watch the clip I played at the beginning of the program (thanks to my brother-in-law Tim) here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr_cZPnbdO4
We have a guy in our ward who sang in the tabernacle choir and he sang daughter of a king - it was awesome. A coulple of speakers who did great, then all th YW sang I Know my Redeemer Lives, then our guest speaker who was Miss Teen Utah - she was terrific. Then all the girls walked through the arch and were handed a rose and a your happily ever after book by one of the priests and walked down the aisle and then for the closing song all the yw leaders sang Walk Tall. It was great but lots of work.

Anders dressing up as dad again. Funny boy.

Kiersten's bday was this week. I can't believe she is six! That means we have been back in Utah for seven years - time flies.

She wanted a turkey cake.

What a sweetheart!

This is after Lynnaea's baptism - we sang happy b-day to her. It is a graveyard cake made by Aunt Andrea. I had the YW Evening of Excellence wed then sat morning, of Lynnaea's baptism, myself and two other leaders went and kidnapped a new beehive and took her out for breakfast and then all the yw met to clean the church. so, i was a little stressed about the baptism and food since I was gone all morning and the baptism was at 3pm.

New scriptures!

At the baptism waiting for dad to get dressed.

Lynnaea and dad.

SUPER KIDS!!!

2010-10-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

My Super Kids!!!

Iron Girl AKA Danica

Wolverine AKA Myles

Spidergirl AKA Lynnaea

Flash AKA Anders

Supergirl AKA Kiersten

Batgirl AKA Devaney

The food at our halloween party - cat and bat homemade chips, pumpkin jiggler adn mummy on a stick.

Spider dip!

Lynnaea at Build a bear for her 8th birthday

One of my favorite outfits - look at her cute smile!

So cute!

Her shirt says batty for daddy - so cute!

Lynnaea at Tepankayi for her 8th birthday.

Sweet Babies

2010-10-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

Devaney is so cute!!! She is smiling at me and cooing and her eyes light up when you talk to her. When I was nursing her yesterday, I was talking to her and she would stop eating and smile at me and milk would run down her chin. It was so sweet! She has been so happy too. She has to be the most kissed baby there is - all her siblings kiss her and love her and I have to kiss her 100 times a day she is just so adorable, and snuggly and lovable.

Anders was so sweet yesterday too. I dropped him off for preschool and he jumped out of the car and I said "bye, I love you" and he said "love you mom!" and then he was running to the door - he got about half way there and stopped and came back and said he needed to give me a hug and so I gave him a hug and he started running again and then he stopped and looked sad and walked back and said he wanted me to go to preschool with him. I said I couldn't but I would be back in just 2 hours to get him and so he gave me a kiss and slowly walked toward the door and then he stopped about almost there and waved to me - it was so sweet- that yes I was crying - love that boy!!!

The Primary program was last Sunday, grandma barney and grandpa and grandma rasmussen came to watch. Danica, Myles, Lynnaea and Kiersten played a primary song for the prelude adn they did a great job - I was so impressed they all got up there up in front of the whole church adn played their songs. Danica was the narrator and she did a super job (other than she needed to smile more), and Myles, Lynnaea, Kiersten and Anders all had their parts memorized and did a super job. They sang so well too- Kiersten knew all the words and sang so loud. I was very proud of all of them. Grandma and grandpa rasmussen came for dinner and then stayed to play horseopoly with us. It was a very nice day.

Chubby Cheeks!

2010-10-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

Anders loves to play dressup. Today he is dad.

Devaney is smiling all the time now!! SO cute!

Sunset.

Blowing Bubbles

Grandpa babysitting Jack and Devaney.

Cutest Chubby Cheeks Ever!

Thank You, Kiersten!

2010-10-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

Devaney is not a good sleeper. She catnaps- a little here and a little there but no really good long naps so I can get stuff done. My kitchen has needed to be cleaned for months now - really cleaned (like wash the fronts of the cupboards, wash the walls, etc) and I thought I would do it while I was on maternity leave - but not with Devaney around. Except for Kiersten. She is the best babysitter. She is willing to sit and hold her and to keep putting the soother in her mouth to keep her happy. That is how I got my kitchen cleaned yesterday. (Except for mopping which I did at 12:30am when I finally got Devaney to sleep for the night - and then I took a bath at 1:00am because the baby was FINALLY sleeping!) And I excerised for 30 minutes today while Kiersten was home to hold her and got the laundry going (it was flowing out of the laundry room and down the hall). But sadly, Kiersten goes to afternoon kindergarten so here I am typing this with one hand and jiggling the baby with the other when I really need to be digging up my potatoes and pulling up the garden. And YES, I know you are suppose to enjoy your babies - and I am - but eventually the house has to be cleaned and my potatoes dug up before they are ruined. She does have the cutest chubbiest cheeks though. Sweet baby.

San Fransico and other California Pictures

2010-09-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

San Fransico and the Golden Gate Bridge.

You think I would have learned from last time but I did not and so the pictures are in reverse order again. Sorry.

Here is Kiersten when we got home in her dress from China Town.

Danica and Lynnaea on the top of the train at the Dennis the Menace playground. One of the coolest playgrounds I have ever seen. Kids had a blast. (It is actually in Monterey not SanFran).

Leaving Alcatraz - on the ferry back to SanFran - Danica took this pic.

Alcatraz. It is very run down. They sure don't reinvest the money they make from the tours back into Alcatraz. Or maybe they think it is cooler looking falling apart.

In one of the cells. We were all listening to the audio tour - which was very good- and they talked about bank ROBBERS being locked up. Anders caught that part and he has been dressing up and playing that he is a "ROBIN" ever since!!!

View of the Golden Gate bridge from Alcatraz.

View of SanFran from Alcatraz. It was so hot - the ranger said "welcome to Alcatraz and the hottest day of all of 2010". Yeah - it was scorching.

Inside Alcatraz.

View of the Bay Bridge from the ferry over to Alcatraz. We drove across that bridge on the way home. IT is LONG - the picture only shows half of it.

On the ferry to Alcatraz.

Playing on the beach.

Beautiful scencery on the coast - this is in Caramel on our way to Big Sur.

This is also in Caramel.

Jared and the kids playing in a tide pool. They found crabs, seastars, and other treasures.

Climbing down to the tide pools - this picture does not accurately show how steep it was - I stayed at the top with the baby because it was so steep.

On our whale watching tour that was a disaster. This is the last 1/2 hour when it was finally calm and you could sit outside. Funny story - when we got on the boat Myles wanted to know about putting on lifejackets (the lady bought the tickets from said all kids had to be in lifejackets - but then when we got on the boat they didn't say anything about putting them on) - he wanted to wear one in case we sunk like the Titanic. Jared told him not to worry about it and- "all those swimming lessons I have been paying for will finally pay off" HAHAA - I laughed so hard.

Krill we caught on the whale watching tour. We found lots of krill but no whales eating the krill.

This is where we spent the first 2.5 hours of the whale watching tour. The ocean was extremely rough and you couldn't sit outside without getting drenched from the waves - and it was windy and cold and wet and people were getting seasick and throwing up. Danica felt a little sick and so did Lynnaea - but she fell asleep and so did Kiersten and Anders. All that and NO WHALES!!!

Standing at the top of the steepest hill in SanFran. It may be the steepest but there were ALOT of steep hills. It looked like the cars parked on the hill could roll right down like dominoes!

The curviest road in SanFran. It was crazy to drive down.

Turtle bread loaf at Boudin's in SanFran.

Jared's favorite place in SanFran - the boudin bakery. We got lots of yummy bread and cookies and brownies.

China Town where we were the tourist attraction with our six kids. Seriously - MULTIPLE Asian woman asked me if these were all my kids and kept counting them.

China Town.

Part way across the Golden Gate Bridge. Myles looks so happy because he was worried about there being an earthquake while we were on the bridge.

View walking along the bridge.

On the Golden Gate Bridge. You can see Alcatraz in the background.

Monterey Bay Family Vacation

2010-09-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

You need to read this blog from the bottom up as these pics are in reverse order. Sorry! This picture Jared took for me as I was holding Devaney - I wanted a picture of the kids under the Bubba Gump Shrimp sign on Cannery Row in Monterey but he cut off the sign and just got the kids. All well. Monterey, California is where the condo time share was and where we spent the majority of our time. It was awesome!! As Jared said "one of the best family vacations we have been on". Very laid back for the most part - the kids swam in the heated pool in the condo at the end of each day, played at the beach, drove around seeing the beautiful coast scencery and we just had a good time.

Cool jellyfish at the aquarium. We actually saw a lot of jellyfish floating in the ocean when we were walking along the wharf.

Kiersten looking so BIG and cute at the aquarium.

Danica also looking so grownup and cute at the aquarium.

Myles getting even smarter because
he reads all the exhibits. Funny story about his BYU shirt -when we were in SF parking to go to Fisherman's Wharf some people drove by and started honking and yelling "go BYU"- they were BYU grads and all excited to see fellow BYU fans. (although it is hard to be a fan this year).

Lynnaea playing at the aquarium learning center.

This is the Splash ZOne - the kids were able to touch starfish, crabs, seacucumbers, manta rays, and sea kelp. It was a really awesome aquarium. We had a small mishap - the splash zone has a revolving door entrance and Jared had gone ahead with some of the other kids so it was just Kiersten, Anders and I. Anders walked to the revolving door and stuck his hand out like he was going to try to stop the door and YES I WAS THERE to pull him back but the little old lady volunteer and this other older couple walking by all gasped and were all upset and watched me very closely as I then maneuvered ANders, Kiersten, myself with Devaney in the baby carrier through the revolving door without mishap. (I am sure they thought he was going to be crushed).

Sunset from our condo.

Jared and kids playing at the beach by our condo.

What a good looking guy! This is on the 17 mile drive - it goes by Pebble Beach Golf Course (some fancy course they have big tournaments at) and by rich peoples mansions. (I didn't think to take any pictures of the mansions) You have to PAY to drive this area of the coast and see the fancy houses (the rich get richer as we pay to see their houses!) The beach area was cool and we saw black tail deer (two bucks and a does) on one of the golf courses along the drive. Jared thought that was cool.

California Sea lions.

On the dock at Cannery ROw.

Checking out the sea lions.

We took a detour on the way to Monterey to go to Big Tree State Park. A friend told us about it - it is redwood groves. He said just as good as "the Redwoods" - I don't know I haven't been to "the Redwoods" but these trees were beautiful and HUGE!

Danica by redwood tree.

Driving through the Sierra Nevada mountains on our detour to see the redwoods. The road was a little side road and it was crazy steep, curvy and narrow. Very much like the road we went on in Oregan that said "you could die driving this road". Lynnaea and I were both feeling carsick because the mountains never seemed to end. It was pretty spectacular scencery though.

We left Saturday the 18th at 6pm because we waited for Danica and Myles to finish their soccer and football games.

Various Pictures

2010-09-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

Anders holding Devaney. I am not sure she is grateful to have so many older siblings who love her dearly and want to hold her and kiss her and love her to peices. But rest assured, she will be the most spoiled child in the universe with all those older siblings who love to hold her, kiss, her and love her to peices.

These did not come out in order - so random order will have to do. This is Lynnaea on the first day of school - she is in grade 2 this year!! Someone please tell me how to SLOW down time!!! She loves school and was named student of the week last week!!

This is Myles first day of school picture. He is in grade 5 this year - and acing everything as usual. He is also liking football a little bit more so that is good (he hated it for awhile). He is a good kid.

Here is Danica on the first day of grade 6 which is in the middle school - so she goes to school earlier than the other kids and has a locker (we had to practice opening it before school started) and she looks so grown up!! Sniff Sniff. She scored two goals in her comp soccer game on Wednesday. She is doing really good and loves soccer.

This is Devaney in her blessing dress on her blessing day. She is so sweet!

MOre of Devaney on her blessing day.

ANders on the first day of preschool. Look how big he is!! He loves school and his teacher thinks he is so cute.

Here is Kiersten on the first day of Kindergarten. She is so beautiful and so kind. She really does not like for other people to be sad and will go out of her way to make her siblings happy. ONe day, Lynnaea was in trouble for being mean to Kiersten and so she was sent to her room and Kiersten was so upset about Lynnaea being sent to her room that she told me it was okay and could she go get Lynnaea so she wouldn't be sad.

Here is Jack and Devaney all dressed up!!

Jack, Devaney and Sebastian - cute cousins!

Grandpa, Grandma Rasmussen and Devaney on her blessing day.

Jared, his mom and Devaney on her blessing day.

Cousins

2010-09-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Grandpa holding Devaney. Isn't she so beautiful??

Jack and Devaney telling secrets.

Grandma holding Devaney.

Jack Lloyd Rasmussen born 8-21 at 3pm and Devaney Marcielle Barney born 8-21 at 6:31am. Cute Cousins!!!!

Grandpa holding grandkids number 30 and 31.

2010-08-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

My handsome husband and beautiful kids hiking at Snowbasin August 15th, 2010. It is really pretty up there.

Here she is!!!

Devaney Marcielle Barney

August 21, 2010

6:31 am

9lbs and 21 inches

She is so beautiful and perfect!

Danica loving her new baby sister.

All six kids!!! Crazy!!

All my girls!

Proof she weighed 9lbs!

Morgan County Parade

2010-07-31T21:55:00.001-07:00

Danica and Lynnaea wanted to ride in the parade this year. They dressed up in their cowgirl gear and off they went!!! A HUGE THANK YOU to Uncle Wyatt who came down and did ALL the work. THANK YOU WYATT! I wish I would remember to use my camera more - he had all the kids out washing and shampooing Fahs Elle and brushed her and got her all fancied up. He loaded her in the trailer and took her into Morgan (Jared was at work and there is no way I am up for that right now.) Danica and Fahs Elle did good the whole parade but at the end when all the parade participants are milling around at the fairgrounds - the wind started howling and thunder and lightning and the motorcross bikes were revving their engines and anyway - Fahs Elle got a little nervous and Danica and Lynnaea did not know what to do - so luckily some guy was there and held Fahs Elle for them until I got there and then Wyatt shortly after.

They look cute!

Myles wanted to be in the parade as well - so he rode his motorcycle. We didn't do anything creative - we came up with a whole bunch of ideas for next year. Myles had fun though!!

Kiersten, Cassidy, Hailey and Anders watching the parade and cashing in on TONS of candy!

Bear Lake Trip with mostly PICTURES!

2010-07-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

Anders and Kiersten ready for fun at Bear Lake! Playing on the jet ski.

Jared and Megan at KOA campground. Just for you Kayli so you can see how BIG I am!! 3 more weeks!

Jared jet skiing with one of the kids. They all took turns and had a blast with their dad!!!

Playing in the lake.

Burying Ana!

This is a picture of a very poor and VERY C-O-S-T-L-Y decision. The kids were watching from the beach and they started flipping out and yelling "The tire fell off!!! The new tire fell off!!" No, no, that tire is still there just buried in sand and water.

Playing in the lake!!

Playing in the stream. Spot we stopped to eat lunch and wait for our turn for the Minnetonka Cave tour. Unfortunately, a shoe was lost in the river and so we had to cancel the cave part - they were very nice and gave us a refund.

The sad incident of Ana losing her shoe thanks to Uncle Jared encouraging all the kids to cross the stream. Riding bikes at the KOA the last night we were there.

Baby Goats

2010-07-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

We decided to try raising some turkeys this year. We have two toms and two hens. They are pretty cool to look at and it is amazing how fast they grow big - when we got them as chicks they were about the same size as the baby chickens. All of my kids holding baby kids. We have lots of baby goats this year - but it has been good for my kids. They were able to see several of them being born.

Lynnaea holding a baby goat.

Myles holding a baby goat.

Hoop Lake Camping Trip

2010-07-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

I forgot my camera!!! Isn't that sad? Pictures would be much better but since I don't have any I will have to tell you about our trip. We decided to try a different spot for camping - I love Browne Lake but to get to it you have to go up a series of 8 or 9 STEEP switchbacks just past Manilla, UT. And since our Suburan is getting older and we are pulling roughly 2000lbs more than it is rated to be able to pull - Jared was worried about making it to the top. So, we went to Hoop Lake (elevation 9000ft). To get to Hoop Lake we still have to make it over the Three Sisters (three incredibly steep hills) outside of Evanston, WY and that was stressful enough, so I guess I am glad we didn't try to make it to Browne Lake (but Browne is still my favorite). However, to get to Hoop Lake you have 12 miles of rough dirt road to traverse to get to the campground. Consequently, upon arriving at the campground we discovered we had a flat tire on the trailer. We found a campsite and Jared had to pull in and fix the flat - we didn't have a jack that worked and the wrench that came with the trailer didn't fit the lugnuts on the tires. Luckily, there was a family camping a few sites down and the grandpa with them had every tool imaginable with him including a nice big jack. That was Thursday- changing flats, setting up camp, eating yummy tinfoil dinners. Jared and the kids did go fishing that night and they caught a few fish. Anders even caught one with his batman fishing pole so he was really excited about that!! I don't know how much fun Jared had as he spent most of his time untangling fishing line for five kids but the kids had a blast.
Friday we went on a little ATV ride but mostly played at the camp waiting for our friends to arrive (Lance and Reeni Crowther and their seven kids). The arrived about 1pm and then set up their camp and then about 3pm we went on a ride. I SOOO wish I had my camera to take a picture of us pulling out of camp. Jared was in the lead on his 4 wheeler with Anders, then Danica, Myles, Cade, Natalie, Lynnaea and Saige all on motorcycles. Then me on a 4 wheeler with Kiersten, then Reeni and Lance and their four youngest in a Ranger. A LONG Line of kids on motorcycles with a few 4 wheelers thrown in there. Unfortunately, the trail was NOT kid friendly. It was a more advanced trail -steep, big rocks, loose rocks, etc. Saige didn't want to ride anymore - Lynnaea wiped out twice (she was fine - she had elbow pads, shin guards and gloves) and didn't want to ride anymore so we ended up turning around and going back.

Saturday Lance and Reeni took us out on their boat on Flaming Gorge Dam. I love boating there. It is so beautiful. The red rock canyons lined with green trees - we saw a big rock outcropping that had an osprey nest and a mom feeding her babies. Thursday and Friday had been 90 degrees but then Saturday was overcast, cooler and rained on us several times but the kids still had a great time. The Crowthers have a big tube that fits three adults so we piled all the kids in and they took turns riding in the tube. I didn't think Anders would get in because the whole way there he kept saying he was NOT getting in the lake (last year we had a traumatic moment when mom made everyone get in a swim and Danica and Myles were freaking out and crying about "fish biting" them so then all the kids were crying and screaming to get out and Anders apparantly had not forgotten that). But when his friend Rylan climbed in - he climbed in too and then turned into the biggest show off ever!!! He was standing up on the tube putting his hands out like he was surfing and then he was doing headstands on the tube - it was hilarious. Jared tried it once too but I did not get in the water this time. I was the designated flag holder. ANyway, it was a super fun. However, on the way back to the campground we got a flat on the Suburan!!! That dirt road really was awful - it was harder on me than 4 wheeling - all the bumps and rocks and bouncing up and down. So, fun for Jared he got to change another flat. Really - I am not much help these days since I can barely manage to walk.

Sunday we went on a ride in the morning with the Crowthers again before they had to leave. This trail was sooo much better. The kids did great. Lynnaea was excited she didn't wipe out - and it was by a river that was really pretty plus we saw a big herd of antelope. It was fun. Nice ride except I got kinda dehydrated and was contracting like crazy but good times had by all. The Crowthers left Sunday afternoon so we had FHE and then watched a movie with the kids (actually I think Jared and I slept and the kids watched the movie) and then Jared and the kids went fishing again while I made dinner.

Monday we decided to drive to Vernal to get both flats fixed so we weren't stranded without spares. It was further than we thought - about a 2 hour drive - but we ate lunch and actually bought four new tires for the suburan and had the trailer tire fixed and then took the kids to the Dinosaur museum. Vernal was HOT - 100 degrees but very pretty - the whole main street is lined with hanging flower pots and big flower pots on the sidewalk. The museum was fun but HOT. Then we drove back to camp - Jared and the kids went fishing for a little while and then we decided to go home because we were out of water. So, we packed up and drove home. And I don't know how people drive at night with kids (I have several friends who have told me that is the best time to drive). Our kids (all five) were fighting and bawling and whining and it was a miserable drive home. But we arrived alive - scrubbed the kids up in the tub and fell exhausted into our own heavenly bed with no mosquitos. Fun, fun.

Yesterday I took the kids to Fort Buenaventura for the pioneer day festival. Once again I forgot my camera. But it was pretty fun. The kids made a coaster out of sheep wool, a candle, milked a pretend cow and made butter, watched a sheep get sheared, did some wood carving and then we went on a canoe ride. Danica and Myles paddled the whole time and they did great. I just sat up front and directed. It was very hot though so when we got home we made smoothies. Yummy. And now here I am at work. Not so fun. All well. Hope you have a good day.Megan

Timpangos Cave Hike

2010-06-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

Anders dressed in dad's clothes!! What a goof!

Here we are at the start of the trail - all smiles and happy because we didnot know what awaited us. Kami and Leo and their kids, my mom and dad, and me and my kids all went.

Still fairly early on so still all smiles. Beautiful views along the way.

Trudging up the trail - the whole 1.5 miles was like this - STRAIGHT UP SWITCH BACKS!!! I didn't think I was going to make it - much harder than the Delicate Arch hike we did a couple of weeks ago. Plus it was hot. My kids did great - I carried Anders about 10 minutes on the way up and maybe 15 minutes on the way down. Everyone else walked the entire way. Danica carried our backpack too. Olivia carried Sebastian.

Yeah we made it to the top!!!! It says elevation 6730 feet. The cave tour is 50 minutes and you drop way back down. It is cold inside and beautiful.

Inside the cave.

The heart of Timpangos.

Cave coral - my favorite.

The kids getting their Junior Park Ranger Badges. Their third this year.

Eating lunch after. It was a fun day!!!

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

It is Memorial Day and I am at work. In fact, I worked 64 hours last week. I was scheduled 68 hours but I got off early on Thursday. Which was good because then we planted our garden - or most of it (we planted onions, green beans, carrots, radishes, potatoes, sphaghetti squash, zuccini squash, tomotoes) and we planted it in the rain. It was cold and blowing but this week is SUPPOSE to be beautiful - I hope so. I want sunshine but NOT too hot. I still need to plant some peppers and cilantro and then the kids pumpkin plants plus Jared and I are going to try sweet potatoes this year. They are supposedly healthier than regular potatoes and Jared is on a big kick of liking them. However, since we eat them with brown sugar and marshmellows - I don't know how much healthier they will be. Anyway, Wednesday I did 4 -5 hours of yard work in my yard and it finally looks pretty good. Hopefully, I can just maintain it for the rest of the summer with no major jobs required because I don't know that I will be able to muster any more energy or bending over power to do it. Thanks to Lindsay for helping me get my last row of raspberries pruned. I never would have accomplished it without you!! (all the rest of my sisters that promised to help and didn't - no raspberries for you!) HHAHAAAA - Wednesday night was young women's and we did a service project and pulled weeds and planted flowers for an elderly couple in the ward. 6+ hours of yard work in one day was not a good idea. My back was killing me!!!
The young women's camp breakfast is over. YEAH!!!!! YAHOO!!!!! It was a big success although we ran out of food and had to make three trips to Jubilee for more food. That is one big thing off my list. Plus, Danica and Lynnaea danced at Lagoon that day and so we had discounted tickets to Lagoon. That day was cool and overcast and so we weren't going to go at first but then decided to chance the weather and it was great- hardly any lines! Jared and the three older kids went on all the big rides about 10 times each (like Wicked and Rocket) and the two little ones went on their rides a whole bunch of times as well. We stayed till 1000pm so everyone was very worn out. Fun times.
Now, the dreaded month of June has arrived - I have planned and manipulated and worked on my schedule for weeks but no matter what I do - it is UGLY!! I will either be working or at young women's activities. I have temple bound that is two nights and three days, youth conference that is two days and one night and girls camp that is 5 days and four nights but I am only going for half of it. One of my co-workers is being deployed to Afghanastain and since I am the part time person I get to work full-time to help cover his shifts. Plus, Danica has two soccer camps (three now as her coach just emailed me today and said they are doing one this week that is required for the team), Myles has a baseball camp at the UofU and the kids are all doing swimming lessons. Really I need to clone myself for this month. July there is nothing (other than I will still be working full-time) and we are going on our annual camping trip to Browning Lake up in Flaming Gorge Recreational Area. I can't wait!!! Everyone keep your fingers and toes crossed that my family and I survive June.
That is all - I must go do some work now. Have a happy Memorial Day all!!!

2010-05-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hiking in Canyonlands. Yes, they are sitting by a cliff edge!

Canyonlands National Park.

Hiking in Arches National Park.
Hiking down from Delicate Arch.

My family standing under the Delicate Arch.

Standing under the Delicate Arch.

Spring

2010-04-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

Spring is a long time coming. It warmed up the end of March - but then mother nature played a cruel April Fools joke and it snowed 8 inches. Then it snowed some more and it was cold! Monday I was driving my kids home from piano lessons in Ogden and I thought we were going to die in the canyon. There was 4 inches of snow on the ground, no snow plows, and snowing so hard you couldn't see 2 inches in front of the car. Yesterday though the sun was finally shining and once again there was hope that maybe winter will end. I love the sun!!!

Spring break ended and my kids are back in school. I am a terrible mother because I did not take any pictures of my kids dyeing easter eggs, finding their baskets, or anything else we did over the break. What good is a camera if you never use it? But I did do some activities with my kids so I guess that is what is important. We went swimming one day with Jared and then we took the kids out for dinner (my boss had given me a gift certificate for Christmas to Texas roadhouse) . I did decorate easter eggs with the kids and I took them to see the movie How to Train your Dragon. It was really good. I recommed it. Plus, the kids all got their teeth cleaned by Aunt Lindsay.

Over spring break we also bought a new motorcycle for Danica. It is 125cc with a clutch. Jared has been working with her the last couple of days to learn how shift and release the clutch and everything so she is ready for our trip to Moab. She has done great. Much easier than we thought. Yesterday he also started teaching Lynnaea how to ride the 90cc motorcycle. I video taped it but don't have any snapshots to post. It was pretty funny. Jared really overemphasized letting go of the gas (danica and myles's crashes were both a result of getting scared and then gunning the gas instead of stopping) so now when she wants to stop she completely lets go of the gas AND the handle. But she did really well too for her first time. Much better than her Aunt Kayli. I am really excited to go camping in Moab. The weather had better cooperate!!!

Soccer starts back up tomorrow. We have five games tomorrow. Plus Jared is coaching one and I am coaching one of those. Danica is on a comp team now. So, she has her regular AYSO game and then a comp game. Myles is starting baseball this week too. He has his first practice tonight. Life just never slows down.

I had a doctors appt Wednesday with an ultrasound. Everything looked great and the baby was measuring a week bigger than my original due date so the doctor said I could move my due date up. yeah!! I know I will be DYING by the end of August with the heat and being huge and pregnant so even just one week earlier is happy news.

That is all. I am at work and it is slow so I am going to read the last Fablehaven book. Myles finished it already. He really likes the series. I am okay with it but not my favorite series that I have read with my kids.

Christmas

2009-12-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

We had our Christmas early this year - Dec 22nd was our Christmas Eve and Dec 23rd was our Christmas Day. Jared worked evening shift on the 24th and I worked 24hrs on the 25th. But Santa Claus is a very nice guy and he agreed to come early to our house. The 22nd we actually went with all the cousins to sing at two nursing homes. The kids did a great job - I was very proud of them. The second place we did especially well and then the kids all shook the residents hands afterwards and wished them a merry christmas. Then we went to Andrea's church and had a big cousin party with games, crafts adn pizza. ALso lots of fun. Then we went to Costco and bought crab legs. Then we went home and ate crab legs - YUMMY!!!!!! We had nice evening - we ate our yummy dinner with chocolate sauce bananas, fresh pineapple and all the yummy stuff. Then we read/acted out the nativity and sang some songs. Christmas morning - the 23rd- we got up around 6:30 and opened presents. DId I mention Jared's mom was here? That was really nice. Everyone was so excited and happy and then we just relaxed adn played together alll day - no interruptions. Sigh. I love Christmas.

The real Christmas Eve we went to my mom's house and ate the traditional hoagie dinners and played with cousins. Lots of fun.

Can I just say that Saturday was horrible?? First of all everyone decided to have a baby Christmas night so I only got about three hours of sleep (two c-sections in the middle of the night) and Jared said that he only got about three hours too because Kiersten woke up about 2 am and started throwing up and threw up every hour after that. When I got home at 7 am Lynnaea and Anders were feeling sick too - so I laid on the living room floor sleeping until one of them (they were all laying on the couches) said they were going to throw up and then I jumped up and held the bucket and then washed their faces and dumped and washed the bucket and then passed out on the floor till the next one started throwing up. It was great fun. By midmorning they were doing better and they slept on the couch while Danica, Myles and I cleaned the whole house and I did all the laundry. My stomach was feeling queasy but I never threw up luckily. But then we had to go clean the church because no one signed up this week - and since that is my husbands new calling when went and cleaned the entire church. I have a blister from vacuuming. The kids were a great help though - I wouldn't have finished without them. Then SUnday's are just crazy now I had ward council in the am but I only let the kids go to Sacrament meeting - I figured they couldn't breathe on to many people in Sacrament meeting. So, anyway that was my great weekend. I hope you all had a better one!!

Uncle Ethan Saves the Day!

2009-05-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

So, the Kindergarten had a "pop's" party for the kindergarten kids and their dads. Unfortunately Lynnaea's dad was scheduled a mandatory OT shift that he could not get out of on the night of the party. She did not want me at all - it was for MEN. Grandpa was in Washington getting a horse so I asked Uncle Ethan if he would take Lynnaea on a date. ANd he did!!! - He drove down, ate dinner with her in the cafeteria, listened to the singing and played games with her. He's my hero - what a great uncle!!!! Thanks Ethan!

2009-05-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

This is Lynnaea's Cute dance outfit - her team is called the Tennesse Gals and she was very excited about that since she was born in Tennessee. The other picture is of Kiersten and her wearing her medal.

Danica's dance group. I need a telephoto lens - you can't see very well.

Danica's dance team - she is front and center.

Danica's dance team.

Danica the prettiest of all!!!

Myles at his scout pinewood derby.

Easter dresses (from Amy)!!

Soo pretty!!!

Dance Competitions

2009-05-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

So, I am at work so I will have to post pictures later but the last two weekends have been busy busy. Two weekends ago Danica danced at her Springfest Clogging Competition in Salt Lake City. Her team did awesome - they took 1st place and best overall. Before we left for SLC though we had 3 soccer games. Danica scored 2 goals in her game and she was so excited!! She wants to play comp soccer next year - but I don't know if I am up for that kind of committment - but she really has done well this year in soccer. Myles also had a soccer game and he scored a goal as well - he did great! He is funny - he likes to be a defender better than offensive - reverse of most kids but he is doing great. Lynnaea also had a soccer game and she is learning - she doesn't want to get in anyone's way so she sort of runs to the side of the ball and we will be yelling - "kick the ball Lynnaea" - she did manage to score a goal though and was very excited about that.

This past weekend was the same thing except it was POURING RAIN - I thought Utah was a desert but not last Saturday- it was the rain forest in terms of the amount of rain we got. So, 9:00am I ran my three oldest down for soccer pictures under the bowery and the photography group was trying to brush rain out to keep it away from the equipment. Lynnaea and Danica's soccer games were cancelled due to rain and Myles had a bye and I am very glad because Lynnaea had to be to Lagoon at 10:00am for her first ever dance competition. She was sooo excited. We stopped at Smith's grocery to buy some umbrellas but by the time we walked from the car to the stage she was to perform on everyone was sopping wet. I was trying to help her get her dance shoes on and I was literally wringing water from her socks. She did great though. her team took Best overall out of 38 novice teams. Danica didn't dance until 3:00pm and luckily by then the rain had stopped and a little sun was even shining. Much more pleasant. She did great but we haven't heard her team results yet because we left right after her dance. Jared actually had a Saturday off and so we went on a date together.
We went to a restuarant called Flemings - it is a "nice" steak house. I had a gift certificate my boss gave me. Jared and I decided we are not the ritzy type. I would rather go some where and be comfortable not worried about how I am dressed, which fork I am suppose to using, etc - and I thought my steak was okay but nothing I would pay that much for with my own money. Jared said his was excellent though. Then we went and watched Wolverine - I really liked it - but I like action flicks and I liked the first two X man movies. Anyway, it was fun.
Sunday a big storm blew in and the wind was blowing like a tornado and it lifted the kids play house up off the ground and right into one of my chokecherry trees and snapped it!! AHHH - I need my chokecherries for chokecherry syrup!!

SO, today is Monday and I am here at work. It is very slow for a MOnday as you can tell since I am typing on here. I guess I should go though. Adious.

2009-03-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

My sister Kami and Amy have posted some old photos and it was fun so I am going to post some of my own. The first one is Danica riding Silver Belle in June 2000 in North Dakota. We have now raised a filly from that baby she is sitting on and we are riding her!!!

The second one is Derek holding Katelyn and Jared holding Myles on March 10, 2000. What proud daddies.

This is the Rasmussen family plus the first in-law, Jared, at Cameron Falls Waterton in 1997. Look at how little Ethan and Lindsay are!!! (I believe Derek was on his mission and I think Amy was here but just not in this picture.)

And this is priceless - Ethan holding Myles and Lindsay holding Danica!!!! Time just flies by!!!!

Success

2009-03-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very successful day. I cleaned my ENTIRE house - even my mom would be proud. I washed all the cupboards in my kitchen, cleaned out my fridge, washed the shoe shelves that were covered in dirt and mud, mopped the kitchen floor, cleaned four bathrooms, vacuumed the entire house and sort of dusted. It felt good and since I worked up a sweat I figured it counted for my exercising for the day since that is one thing I did not fit into the day.

That night I was in charge of YW's personal progress. I think that was a success as well. I had personally taken invites to all the YW because we have quite a few inactives and there was a good turnout of girls. We did the new virtue value experience #2. It is about how virtuous living entitles you to the constant compansionship of the Holy Ghost. So, for my introduction to the topic I asked for two volunteers to come up and put on some socks for me. Two girls came up and I got out my ice cream bucket with muddy, dog poop covered socks. They wouldn't put them on. So then we looked up some scriptures about how the Holy Ghost will not dwell in unclean tabernacles (Hel 4:24). Then I did the object lesson where you have an empty jar and that represents your spirit - and when you shake a quarter around in the jar that is like hearing the promptings of the Holy Ghost. when you add sin (scoops of dirt) you can't hear the Holy Ghost (or the quarter shaking in the jar) anymore. Then we made a list on the board of things that make your tabernacle unclean. Then we read a list of scriptures that talk about the blessings that come from having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and made a list of those blessings. In the middle of making the last list I told everyone that I had a headache and did anyone have something for a headache. One of the other leaders handed me a bottle of ibuprofen so I took one out and taped it to my forehead and went on reading the scriptures and making our blessing list on the board and I was very proud of myself because I didn't crack a smile - I was very serious about it. Then, I bore my testimony about the Holy Ghost and we finished up the virtue #2 experience. I then asked two of the girls to come up and to crush empty pop cans which of course they did easily. Then I asked them to crush a full can of pop which they couldn't. Which I then said is similar to us - when we are full of the spirit Satan can't crush us but when we are empty he easily crushes us. Then I said that my head still hurt and did anyone know why my headache had not left and the girls were looking at me like I was crazy and one finally said because you didn't sallow it. Then I tied that in to the new virtue value project of reading the Book of Mormon and that the scriptures have the remedy for any spiritual ailment and we just need to take them into our lives by reading them so they can be of use to us. We finished by reading some cool quotes. The virtue value project is to read the entire Book of Mormon. So I gave each girl one of those color in the box for each chapter sheets and said that we were all going to read the Book of Mormon this year together and at the end of the year I am going to make and give a cerificate to our bishop and stake president with the girls name on their color in the box sheet stating that We the Stoddard Young Women have read the Book of Mormon together to fulfill our virtue value project. Also, at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and finished I am going to give them a treat. Does that sound like good motivation to read the Book of Mormon?? I hope so - I tried to think of something big to motivate them. Also at the end of the night each of them got a can of pop with the don't be crushed stay full of the spirit taped on it.
Anyway, it was a long day.
Today I am at work. It has been long too - but hopefully, soon I can go lay down for a minute till this other lady decides she wants her epidural. Tomorrow Myles is having a pokemon birthday party and I need to do the laundry so I have clean clothes to pack and I need to run up to the school to get all the kids homework for while we are gone and then I need to pack everything and get ready and AHHHAHAHHAAA!!! It will be another crazy day. BUT THEN we are leaving for LAS VEGAS!!!! YEAH!!! I am so excited for our trip!! And since my mom is coming with us - Jared and I actually get to do something adult - we are going to a show in Las Vegas - the Danny Gans show. He is a singer, dancer, impressionist, entertainer - anyway, my boss said his show is awesome. So, we are calling that our anniversary since Monday the 16th our real anniversary we will be chasing five kids around Disneyland.
Well, that is all. I am off to see if I can get a few hours of sleep. buenos noches.

She changed her mind.

2009-01-29T19:56:00.002-08:00

She changed her mind- I put in an epidural.