Chelsey's Bridals

My little sister Chelsey is getting married January 15. I had the privilege of taking her bridal photos today. Here are a few of my favorite. Isn't she beautiful?

Christmas at Jarvie's Ranch

Brown's Hole is a 1 1/2 hour drive from Vernal and is located next to the Green River. I went there once with Tyler when we were first married. I fell in love with this little ranch that has been restored by the BLM office. It is called Jarvie's Ranch.

Each Christmas season, the BLM office turns the ranch into a country Christmas extravaganza that promises the appearance of Santa Claus, old-time activities and horse-drawn wagon rides. It is always the first Saturday in December. I've always wanted to go, but we just never made it happen. But this year, Tyler took the day off so we could go. We invited some family friends, the McConkies, and took off for the long drive. Yes, the children whined during the drive. They complained of hunger and boredom, but I promised that they were about to have such a grand time that they would forget their pains.

And yes, my promise came true. We stayed all afternoon enjoying the wonderful activities. I was very impressed at the efforts the BLM employees put into the activities. Santa handed a wrapped present from the dollar store to EACH child. The activities included candle making, rope making, leather tooling, kite making, shooting rubber band guns and a bake sale. We also watched a blacksmith make a small cowboy hat out of metal. He burned coal for fuel and I enjoyed showing my children the coal since they had never seen any. Now the threat of getting coal for Christmas is a very real thing. They were not impressed.

Our favorite thing was riding in the horse-drawn wagon. I'm sure it is a childhood memory my children will never forget. We also really enjoyed Santa, he arrived and departed on a river boat which was ever-so-enchanting. An image that I'll always remember.

We had a wonderful time. It is a great activity to do with friends. And although it was a little chilly, it was so nice to be out in the fresh air. I highly recommend this activity to all of you. It really adds Christmas charm to the season.

Spencer has Lost his Very First Tooth

Spencer has been patiently waiting for his teeth to become wiggly enough to be pulled. Almost all of his friends have already lost several teeth. Two months ago, I noticed that his teeth were starting to separate, making room for bigger teeth. I knew the time was getting closer. His front bottom tooth started getting wiggly 2 weeks ago. Last night, he asked me when his tooth was going to come out. I asked him to let me feel it. I could tell right away that it was ready. So, much to his surprise, I yanked real hard real fast and it came halfway out. Then he started crying because it was bloody and painful. I should have warned him that losing teeth wasn't all about money and tooth fairies. He actually summed up enough bravery to pull the tooth out on his own. He was one proud turkey. We put it in our special tooth box and then put it under his pillow. Spencer woke the next mornign to find $4 under his pillow. And yes, tomorrow, we are going to the dollar store!

Hot Tub Time

Tyler has always begged for a hot tub. He has been a constant surfer of the KSL classifieds, dreaming of buying one of the hot tubs on there. For his birthday, we finally bought one, and yes, it was off of KSL. He has enjoyed it, the kids have enjoyed it, and I've dreamed of having the time to enjoy it. Honestly, it has been a great investment because during the weekend, when I need some quiet time for studying, I shoo the kids out to the hot tub and it becomes magically quiet. It's wonderful!

A New Smile

Next time you see Brayden, he is going to look different to you. He got his braces on Monday and unfortunately learned the pain that humans endure for a beautiful smile. Suddenly, I have a pre-teen in the home. Our dinner conversation has quickly turned toward the subject of 'what color of bands should I get next?' Things are changing here...if only I could slow down time....I certainly would.

Random Thoughts

We have been super, super busy at this house this past week. I'm enrolled in six classes (17 credits) for my teaching degree, and the homework is outrageous. Tyler jokes that he hopes our marriage will survive during the next two years...but it truly is a sacrifice on everyone's part. I appreciate them all so much. They really are very supportive.

I start my practicum on Monday. I am very, very fortunate because it is at my children's school. I get to do Spencer's class for three weeks. I love his teacher, Mrs. Schoenfeld and look forward to observing and learning from her. I am so LUCKY. I also get to observe another teacher that I admire GREATLY, Mrs. Gorum, for another three weeks. And although I am worried about managing it all (especially the homework) I am very excited.

Spencer and at least six of his classmates have strep throat. When I took him to the pediatrician (Dr. Kwak, the funniest doctor on earth) he told us that he predicts this winter to be a very bad sick season. He hasn't seen a dip in sicknesses all year long. So this means that everyone needs to get a flu shot. The flu shots this years cover the flu, the swine flu and the new version of the swine flu, which is supposed to be horrible. So there you go, you have all been fore-warned.

Tyler and Brayden are up in Wyoming this weekend for some 'man vs. coyote' time. The kids and I went to Whiterocks Canyon for an afternoon picnic with my mom and sisters. The leaves are starting to turn and everything is gorgeous. Chelsey is home from Logan for a wedding and it was so fun to see her. We really miss having her close by. But my favorite thing has been holding baby Eliza. I had forgotten the sweet smell of a baby.....mmmm.

Eliza

My sister Camille just had her baby today. Her name is Eliza. She is 7 lbs 11 oz and 22 inches long. She has hardly any hair but does have some chub. Her eyes were wide open and so bright. We loved seeing her and can't wait to hold her again.

Garden Creatures

Tonight is Naples Elementary school carnival....and I will be in class, sniff, sniff. But Tyler is being an awesome dad (very helpful) and he let me sign him up to help with one of the games. The children were asked to create a creature from something in the garden. Spencer of course went for the biggest zucchini he could find. They had a ton of fun building there vegetable man. But this morning when they went to leave for school, Spencer couldn't carry his out the door....too heavy. So we all had to make a trip into the school so the mom could carry it.

Brayden's Birthday

Brayden turns 11 today. We had his party last night since I have a college class tonight. We met with a few family members and friends at Naples park for pizza and presents. He was so glad to have his good friend Stephanie McConkie there. He made sure that she was in all the photos with him. Makes me chuckle.

He was spoiled...and I know he loved every moment of it. His dad and I decided to get him a shotgun, since they have raised all those pheasants and chuckers and will have plenty of bird hunting in the next couple of months. He was so, so happy to get it. He loves being on the older end of childhood.

He also had a massive orthodontist appointment yesterday which included the consultation and impressions. He will have braces in four weeks, and yes, he is very excited about it. If he only knew!, which he soon will.

A New School Year

The first day of school is always an exciting day at our house. The kids woke up early, and so did I! I even had enough time to bake german pancakes for breakfast. Then we made everyone beautiful which was easy to do with all the new clothes and shoes. Then we posed for photos in the yard for the annual first-day picture. After that we hopped in the car and drove to the school to join the other hundreds of moms and kids at Naples Elementary. My kids are so great to allow me to take a photo of them with their teacher....and I know that some day they will cherish those photos.

Brayden is in the 5th grade. This is his last year in elementary school....and this thought makes my stomach sink. His teacher is Mrs. Robbins, who is new at Naples so I don't know much about her other than I heard she know how to juggle, which is very important to 5th graders.

Madison is in the 3rd grade and has Mrs. Garner. Most of her friends happen to be in her class, which makes her a happy girl. I know she is going to have a great year.

Spencer is now a 1st grader. He has Mrs. Schoenfeld, who was Madison's teacher last year for 2nd Grade. I LOVE her! Our school is doing a new looping program where the 1st graders will also have the same teacher next year for 2nd grade. So I am very thankful that he got a teacher we admire so greatly. He also has quite a few buddies in his class.

I hope they have a great day....and a great year.

Our Last Hoorah

This past week we traveled out to SLC to play around one last time before the summer weather is gone. We school shopped at the Park City outlets and then went to Raging Waters. The kids loved playing on all the slides there. But surprisingly, their favorite thing was the rope swing. Spencer must have done it seven times.

We also went camping one last time. Our good friends, Mark and Leah Stewart came with us. We had a ball on the four-wheelers and our kids really played along so well. Good friends are priceless.

The mountains are showing signs of summer ending...and it put a horrible feeling in my stomach thinking of the cold and dark days ahead. If only these late August days could be endless. I love this time of year!

The End of Cub Scouts

Brayden is nearing the ripe old age of 11, and with that closes the chapter on Cub Scouts as he prepares to enter the Boy Scouts. Last Tuesday, we went to his last pack meeting where he received his Webelo and Arrow of Light. He has learned perseverance, dedication and I'm happy to say....appreciation through the course of it all. After we got home from the event, he hugged me and said "thanks, not only for tonight but for all the years of help, mom." Yeah, I melted....Scouts really is worth all the hassle.

I know that Brayden will be a better man some day because of the values he has learned these past three years. He has learned the motto well, "Do you best," and I remind him of it daily.

The Official Word

As you know, I've been working very hard on the many requirements, since last spring, to get into the USU Elementary Ed program. Well, yesterday I got the official letter stating my entrance into the program. YIPEEE! Classes start on August 30, and I know I'm a nerd for admitting this, but I am so excited. I get to buy a laptop, and notebooks and pencils and all those things that I've always loved. But most of all, some day soon, I'll be a teacher at a elementary school and will be able to go school shopping every fall for the next 25 years. Oblivion.

Summer

We have a new puppy and new neighbors, and between those two things, my children have really enjoyed the summer so far. Our new puppy is a collie and is name Sophie. She is adorable and loves the kids almost as much as they love her. And our new neighbors are evenly matched to my own children, three of them, three of us and their ages and interests almost completely match. It's gotten to the point that my children don't know what to do without them and so I hope they plan on staying for a long time.

Another Wedding

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We had a fantastic time at my brother Brett's wedding. He married a girl from Holladay, Jessica Johnson. The wedding was at the Draper temple. It was beautiful. June really is the ideal time to marry, everything was in bloom, the temperatures were nice and everything went perfect. The reception was the best one I've ever been to. Her parents are very generous and kind people. The reception was in their beautiful back yard and was decorated to the nines. I wish I had pictures of it, but they are all on my mom's camera. I'll have to add them later...because believe me, you'll want to see them.

It was wonderful to have my whole family there. I met my new little niece, Leona Ella. She is the daughter of Riley and Crystal and is only one week old. She is so tiny! All of us Brinkerhoffs stayed at the same hotel for two nights and had a blast together. We swam and relaxed and purely enjoyed one another. Family really is the very best thing on earth.

Spencer Turns Six

My baby is six! I officially no longer have little kids, and it sort of breaks my heart. But he was more excited for this birthday than any other, especially since he knew he was getting a new bike. Tyler and I bought it on Spencer's last day of school and surprised him with it when he walked home from the bus stop. He was elated...and now we have a very happy kid.

Maddie's Baptism

Madison was baptized this past Saturday. It was a perfect day, a really happy memory. Aunt Chelsey and Grandpa David gave the talks. The program was sweet and short and the baptism went perfectly. Her Grandma Brinkerhoff made her beautiful white dress. We had a luncheon afterwards in the primary room of the stake center...and it was so nice. I am so grateful to all of our family and friends. Your support was enormous and made us, but especially her, feel so loved.

It's Great to be Eight

Madison has been anticipating this birthday so much. Monday the 26th wast her special day. It was her day to be the VIP at school, so we brought in goody bags and cute photos of her to show off to her classmates. Then that night, we had fun picking out a new bike for her together at Wal-Mart. Later, we had pizza with her Coon cousins and then her dad surprised her with a pink pellet gun. She was delighted!

Today was her friend birthday party. We had a medieval theme, where we stormed a castle, crossed a mote and jousted some birthday balloons. We ended the party by slaying the dragon cake. I think the kids certainly enjoyed themselves.

Tomorrow is her baptism. My mother made her a beautiful white dress for her to wear after her baptism. She worked so hard on it and spent way too many hours on it, but I know Madison and will cherish it for the rest of her life.

It has been a grand week, one I hope she never forgets. It's great to be eight!