OVER DUE APPRECIATION

so here is my attempt to suprise heather to publicly show how much i love and appreciate her for all she does for our little family. y'all know we just recently had our 'LITTLE' McCoy, weighing in at a wopping 5lbs 10oz he's the runt of the family, heath did a fantastic job.

when i first met heath i had no direction after spending the first 5days with her that i could that quickly turned around. i knew what i wanted in life (kind of), she was different, we often talk of what could of been or how it would've been if we never met, something im glad i don't have to go back and try to find out. because of heather i have goals in life instead of just letting it pass me by without a care in the world.

with that being said,

sweatheart, im greatful for all the challenges we've had in our short little life together and look forward to the challenges we will have in our life to come because that's what makes our love so strong for eachother. thank you for our 4 beautiful children you have given us, especially the great nature and time out you take to teach them in school and lifes lessons that's why we have such good kids.

I LOVE AND APPRECITATE YOU VERY MUCH!!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Missing: Cody(at work), Jaymi (watching Parker) & Parker (ever met him?)

Braeden's thoughts in the sealing room, "Really mom, married forever, are you sure, to the same person?"

Talan walked a fine line only occasionally going outside of the boundaries set by the temple. I have a feeling he may test more than just those boundaries.

Lexee's thoughts, "My favorite part was everything, especially that the mirrors never end."

100% Spelling Tests = Reward??

Yeah! They all got 100% on their spelling tests this week. For a reward, I took them all skating... or falling...

She did stand for a minute.
He said, "If I just stay like this and scoot, it doesn't hurt as bad!"

What? He can ride a two-wheeler and can't skate...shocking!

"Lex, if you just stay by the wall and hold on you might be able to stand up."

Ohhh Daring Lex ventures from the wall (not for long though). I promised them that if they got 100% on their spelling again next week, I would never MAKE them skate again.

You did great!

LA Dance Company presented the Spring Recital 2009 tonight and the girls did a great job. Lexee, Dani, Ashlee & Taylor have completed a full year with this dance company and have really enjoyed it. Their talents have really developed and they all plan to return next year to continue learning technique, making new friends and developing talents. Lexee was invited to join the Junior Specialty Prep Team for next year which is a team that prepares dancers for competition. We are so proud of this accomplishment. The girls are excited for a little break this summer and anxious to start again.

Nice Shoes

Happy 9th Birthday Tay!

Love Bowling shoes! Talan was obsessed in making sure the velcro was done up. He stopped those who were next to specifically "do" their shoes.

It's pretty sad when bowling shoes are so ugly you can't even tell that these are on the WRONG feet!

"What! I can't keep these?"

What does it take to get a duck to take the bread?

Here's where the fights begin. There was a white goose who attacked another duck refusing to share and so we put him in time out and REFUSED to give him the yummy, stale, hard rolls!

"Come back I am GOING to FEED you whether you want it or NOT!", said Dani.

"Dang, why are you giving the "good" bread away?" said Parker.

"Seriously DUCK take the hard stale snack I have to offer!" said Talan.

"You are not going to leave until you have cleaned your plate." said Ashlee.

Wheeler Farm

Mom, Popcorn and Nursery

Just as a PS for my mother's day post, my mom graciously agreed to sub in the nursery today. I thought it would be fun to pop popcorn for the kids. I took the popper Cody used just last night and gave her explicit instructions. Just as I was beginning to conduct our Senior Primary, Alli came in to say they needed me in the Nursery for just a sec...

The next thing you know the hallway has a little smoke in it and the Nursery Room is SMOKING. With windows opened, and critically avoiding the fire alarm I had a little meeting with my substitutes asking them to just tell me they didn't WANT the calling, they didn't need to go to such extremes. I don't really know how the fire started, nor do I know how long it burnt but I do know everyone got out unharmed :)

Our Moms

I realize I am a tad late at posting this. I kept waiting for the perfect time to take an award winning photo of both our moms. Instead I really want to to get this posted so that they both will know how much we love them before they forget who we are...Cody is a great reader of our blog but not much of a writer of our blog. So I asked him to be a part of this blog and write about his mom. I have specific expectations, so it will be a question and answer.
The best memory I have as a child of my mom is: She made holidays awesome, even St. Patricks Day. If my mom could give me any advice it would be: To be a good husband and father to my family.I love my mom the most because: She has always told us that she loved us, no matter what we did and we DID a lot. She always kissed and hugged us telling us that she loved us EVERY night before bed. I love you MUM!


The best memory of my mom is: As a teenager my mom was a pretty cool mom and when I started dating she really enjoyed getting to know the boys who came to pick me up. One specific boy (Co) gave her flowers when he picked me up. The look on her face was awesome.
The funniest thing about my mom is: She came home from a date with my dad and walked in with her nylons in her hand (not on). Of course I didn't know what this meant, but I did find it odd. She also went to work with two bras on and she has been known to forget them from time to time such as going to church! If my mom could give me any advice it would be: I would have to say she would tell me to let my children be children. I love my mom the most because: she loves me unconditionally, never lets me believe I am anything but perfect and is ALWAYS willing to be my mom, a shoulder to cry on and the best support any daughter could ask for. I love you mom!

I married my Prom Date!

Not long after we met, my mom awoke me to a surprise outside. I had been toilet papered. It was about to rain and I was not very happy to have to clean up such a mess. Accompanying the toilet paper mess was a large poster with the words, "All of my hopes and dreams will be flushed, if you don't go to Senior Ball with me." Though I was irritated as the Spring rain started, I accepted the invitation to go with Cody to Senior Ball. I was a Senior Class Officer and this meant that I was involved with the planning of the event. So now Cody was very involved as well. We woke the morning of Senior Ball and headed to the University of Utah, where the dance was going to be held and started with the balloon arch. Cody, blistered but happy was a huge help. He tied hundreds of balloons (I would have, but my nails...) Later that afternoon we went home to get ready. He picked me up with his friends and their dates in a large van. The van was decorated like a Hawaiian Luau, equipped with a volcano in the back made of butcher paper. He and his friends had made leis they gave to us. We went to a friends house for a home cooked meal by our dates. Then off the dance. I had been to many high school dances, but none like this. I was with someone who was different, someone, I knew meant a lot to me already. The theme was Dreams to Remember and this night really was a dream to remember. We had a wonderful time and ended the night with out first kiss! Just for fun, go back to the 90's for a minute...Yep that's babies breath I had shoved into my hair that was in a diamond banana clip, with curly whisps framing my face. My dress had a bow on the back at the waste with sheer stuff hanging from it flowing, and Cody had long hair on top but around his head which was shaved. I was wearing "flats", though that may have been that I didn't want to tower over Co, not necessarily just the style. Ohh the good 'ole days of Kearns High School Senior Ball May 13, 1995.

Relishing in Savings

Since I have stayed at home, I have found myself constantly looking for ways to save money. I came across an opportunity to make this easier. I went to a SIMPLY BLISS BOUTIQUE and advertised there was a service called www.myfoodstoragedeals.com
Before this service I would look at the ads but find myself questioning if something was really that great of a deal, now there is someone telling me what is and what I need to stock up! For the first few months, I took 2-3 hours and went from store to store getting the great deals.

Until I got brave enough to take the ads in to Walmart and they price matched everything. The pictures shown are of todays shopping trip of which I spent about $85.00 on. You will see 8 boxes of cereal (the real stuff, not the off brand), ground beef (4 pounds) 6 loaves of whole wheat bread, brownie mixes, grapes, apples, cucumbers, limes...

Tortillas, PB and jam, Sunny Delight ($1.00), chicken, steamed veggies, oranges (8lbs) , banana's, ketchup, TP (24 double rolls=48 reg rolls for $5.99) I can't even list everything I got on sale! I get such a rush from saving money. I totalled up what I would have spent and saved $94.00!!!

I have to give credit where credit is due. Check out this website: www.dealstomeals.com I signed up for $4.95 and they give a great guide to adding to your food storage a week at a time, also giving you recipes to use with the sale items...It's a great investment!

Consequences of thinking your 20

Talan is showing his dad how to really use the crutches...
It's just a sprain said the Urgent Care Doctor...

But he will need to ICE (Ice, compression & Elevate) the sprained ankle. After slam dunking a basketball Cody came to the harsh realization that he is no longer in his 20's and needs to take special care and play with the older generation where dunking is not allowed and the pace is slowed way down. Apparently Brae and Tal are just too much skill for him :)

Season's First Rides

Co broke out the motorcycle this weekend and we couldn't keep the kids off of it. Lexee and Talan both learned how to ride a two wheeler without training wheels.

Brae says it again...

A car had stalled across the street and someone made a comment, "Is that a man or a woman?" Braeden out of nowhere says, "A Christian!"

We are the Champions with the help of a few experts

We are the champions (or at least we know a few) and have now crossed the finish line. With a couple of months to spare, we had "no time for losers" We can't thank everyone enough for their help in finishing our basement. This is leading down the stairs to our "reading room". This is a perfect space for some bean bags and a book shelf for silent reading.

Braeden moved his stuff quickly to his room. He makes his bed every morning now and has requested no blinds or curtains saying, he likes to "watch the trees move"??? Talan has also spent the night here with Brae...Aww he misses his buddy.

Thanks to mom and dad for helping out with the $$$ and broken water pipe, Kenny for too much to list (electrical, heating, framing, insulation, mud, doors & molding), Justin for spending countless hours "bonding" with Cody as he sheetrocked & textured, Alyssa for the paint (LOVE the color) Richard and Dad for framing, Steph for letting us use her sprayer and telling me to have Cody do it and for everyone and their encouraging comments as we tried our hardest to learn from others as we go. For those of you who know Cody and I really understand what a huge feat this was for us. We do not ever claim to be handy (just ask Cody about the Christmas lights, shelf in the garage and dog run...) Anyone missing any tools please check with us as we didn't have more than a hammer before beginning and have aquired a few things that we really don't know what to do with :) Co and I will keep on fighting to the end :)

Easter

The Easter Bunny visited and left a "romikle" or motorcycle for Talan. He thought it would be perfect since Talan is OBSESSED with Cody's motorcycle. I guess McCoy will get more use out of it. Of course the Easter Bunny purchased it before realizing he could now ride a "two-wheelo wif no training wheels".

Ang planned a fun Easter afternoon equipped with cupcakes and all the fun stuff to decorate them with and everyone helped provide a delicious meal. It was nice to get together with little to no stress.

Baseball season arrives in FULL SWING

Ready to steal 3rd base!

Hits a double

He's ready to SMACK it!

Playing 3rd base Brae catches a fly ball...2nd out

Catches a grounder and tags the runner...3rd out in a row. The coach told our coach he wanted to see Brae's birth certificate :) Great job for your first game Brae!

Nearing the Finish Line with Doors!

They are up and they open and close!

Little Bunny Foo Foo arrives early

Nana & Grampa have to work on Easter, so we celebrated a little early. Because of the weather our party started out at Nana's house to decorate Easter baskets. There was $5 prize. To our surprise everyone WON!

Then we moved to our house and played "Don't eat PETE!" It's a great game that is entertaining for both big kids and toddlers!


Then we traveled a while (across the street) to Steph's for the Easter Egg hunt!

Out of the mouth of Brae...AGAIN

Talan learned how to ride his bike without training wheels TODAY. Yep in one day. So I mentioned to Brae how I bet he can't wait to teach McCoy how to do stuff. He replied, "Yep I am gonna teach HIM(with emphasis) how to do the work. Before you GOT PREGNANT (more emphasis) YOU (the most emphasis) used to load the dishwasher!"