The White Family

Updates

2012-02-25T12:23:00.003-08:00

Rigdon got his cast off on February 13th. He was happy to have his arm working again. He giggled the whole time they were cutting it off. We even got to keep his tiny cast. It really is kind of cute. I'm sure his future wife will be so pleased to find a place for it someday. They said it could take a few weeks for him to be able to bend or straighten it all the way, he's working on it.
Mason's finger is really healing well. This is 6 weeks after his injury. He will have to have some physical therapy to get it bending again, but at least he still has his finger! Besides we heard a survey on the radio that said girls thought scars were cool. He's pretty cool.

# 3

2012-02-25T12:01:00.006-08:00

To continue with our medical theme this year I had a small benign tumor in my neck that had been growing for about 3 years. I went to an ear, nose, and throat doctor at the end of last year who did some tests and decided that it was not anything to worry about but since it was growing we might as well take it out. I agreed since I didn't want it to grow to be the size of a baseball. ( awkward)

So on February 7th I went in to have it removed. Surgery went well. It was the best nap! I felt pretty sick the rest of the day. But I have a wonderful visiting teacher, Annalee who brought dinner and Brownies!
I took some tylenol the next day but felt pretty good. I took a shower and drove myself to the doctor to get the drain taken out. I was a little concerned about it hurting, but I didn't feel a thing. The nurse then proceeded to wrap gauze around my whole neck to cover the cut... Yeah it came off as soon as I thought it was fine.

Our sweet home teachers the Ashcrofts brought dinner in the next night. I felt so loved.
It looked a tiny bit gory at first, but it healed up pretty quick.
It looks even better now! Can't hardly tell it was there.

I'm pretty sure that we have now met our deductables for the year ensuring that we will now be injury free...

HApPy LoVe DaY!

2012-02-14T16:39:00.000-08:00

pinewood derby 2012

2012-02-13T19:33:00.001-08:00

3,2,1, GO!
This year Mason was the only one participating in the pinewood derby.
HE got a respectable place. 3rd in his den.
He is the blue car heading down the track. We only wished we had realized it ran much faster backward... he did better the last two runs that way. What can you do? It's all for fun.

Good job Mason! Even with his wounded hand!

Her get rich quick plan

2012-01-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

Sienna wiggled and wiggled until this front tooth came out.

Then the next day she wiggled and wiggled again until this next tooth came out.
She is currently working on a third tooth. The other top front. She may not be able to bite into food but she sure feels wealthy.

buddies ( not for the feint of heart)

2012-01-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

These two are starting us out with a bang, or more like a crunch this year.

On January 7th Mason went with a friend to the gym to help him with a science project. They would be on treadmills and wouldn't take very long.

After they were done there was the incident where a 600 pound tractor tire crushed Mason's hand. They were trying to lift it.

It was hurt pretty bad and he got a ride to the hospital in an ambulance on account of the bone showing. (the pic is coming up, you are warned.)

The plastic surgeon Dr. Goldstein was so nice! He fixed him right up and Mason was one tough kid. He was cleaned out and stitched loosely to see how the skin was going to do.

We went back a few days later and he said it looked great! I didn't think so... He wanted to schedule a skin graft for the next week.

Mason went in for the skin graft the following Monday and was wrapped back up.

Today we got another look at it, and it's coming along.
Then Last Sunday the 15th Gunner was wrestling with Rigdon and somehow he ended up getting his arm bent the wrong way. I wasn't there so I didn't know how bad.

He cried a little then fell asleep. He seemed a little fussy but we thought maybe he strained the muscle or something. Monday he was moving it around and playing. He just didn't want you to touch it.

At preschool he got bumped in the upper arm pretty gently and was very sad so his teachers thought I should take him to get looked at. I had been thinking about it and even scheduled an appointment the day before, then cancelled because he was playing and moving it.

We went Tuesday afternoon, the Dr. sent us for x rays and at 6:15 called to say he indeed had fractured it above the elbow! I said are you serious!!??

Tomorrow he is going to get his cast put on. He still moves it and seems fine. The Dr is quite impressed. He said if he had that injury he would be in his bed moaning. Rig is a tough kid too!
Mason's arm Where they took his skin for the graft. ( sorry it is out of order.)
The injury!
Getting stitched together.
At the hospital, all done.
Wednesday After the skin graft on Monday. The pin sticking out is to keep his finger straight while it heals.

Hopefully we have paid our dues for 2012!

Different and still adorable.

2012-01-05T12:58:00.001-08:00

With the end of the year getting closer and a medical savings card about to run out... why do you lose your money if you don't use it?

Ashlynn was the lucky one who got to go see Dr. Petersen.

Andrew is a little shocked that she doesn't seem to be in the agony he was in while he had his braces.

She is still cute though. And being the nice mom that I am, I won't put up the picture of her getting them on with her lips stretched about as far as they could stretch!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Team, who put together the trampoline.
Busting through the wrapping paper!

Rigdon
Sienna and Mason
Ashlynn
Sienna
Rigdon and Ashlynn
Rigdon
Gunner
Mason with his scooter that makes sparks.

RIgdon and Gunner
At Grandma Gillespie's house. Cristal, Emilee, Shaine, Julia , Ashlynn, Adam, Sienna, Elexa, and Devin.
Ashlynn, Adam, Dusty, Rachael, Summer, Grandma, Shawn, and Gunner.
Mason, Gunner, Grandpa, Andrew, Rigdon, Ben, and Paul.

Chrismas Eve 2011

2011-12-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

I thought I would be ahead of the game and get goodie plates out early this year... Well it didn't happen until the week of Christmas. On the upside not serving a in a presidency at church made my list a little smaller this year. I only made about 25 plates of treats!

Christmas Eve the children like to open the presents they bought for each other. They draw names and get one person a gift. I try to put off the purchasing because they always tell what they got!

I should have thought to take Rigdon by himself since he came home and promptly told Ashlynn what he got her and then told Gunner what Sienna bought for him.

Rigdon gives the best hugs!

The kids also made cookies for Santa! YUM!!!

Grandpa, my brothers, and Paul's friend Trevor came over to help put together a trampoline before Christmas morning. It was a Christmas miracle and went together lickity split.

Then off to bed to wait for the morning.... They were up about every hour.... Then we had 8am church so we ate in the hall and got fancy, headed for church, then after we got home it was time to bust through the paper I had up to hide the Christmas treasures!

A good heart

2011-12-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

We have recently tried out giving the kids an allowance, as long as they did the list of things required of them during the week. Things like tidy rooms whatever other job I assigned them, homework, piano practice, good behavior at school... We went with the age of the child for the amount they could earn at the end of the week. Of course of they had a bad attitude or didn't do the required jobs for they day they would get a check and every check took away $1.00.

It's been going pretty good.

Meanwhile Andrew's parents are serving their mission in Brownsville Texas, which is basically Mexico. We asked them if there was a family that we could help out this Christmas. They found a Grandma and her daughter who has twin girls and a little boy. We talked to the kids about using some of the money we would spend on them to get things for this little family. They all agreed, and were ready to each buy something with the money that they have been earning also.

We went to Target with our list and they all had their money. Everyone picked out something, then Gunner found a big stuffed spiderman( the little boy loves spiderman) he didn't know much it would cost but he had $22.00. He was pretty sure it would cover .

We got to the register and everyone bought their stuff. They were all so generous, Gunner got to the register and they man scanned the spiderman and it rang up $20.00... He shrugged his shoulders and said, "well I still have $2.00 left" He has a good heart.

It was so fun to watch them choose things for someone else, and how happy they were to do it.

Giving it another go

2011-12-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

A while ago my good friend told me if I joined the gym with her she would go with me, even though I can only fit it in the evening.

I gave it some thought(a few months) and gave in and went to join.

They gave me the whole sign up blah blah blah.. and tried to charge me $55.00 a month, at which point I stood up crossed my arm and said that was totally not worth it! We came to an agreement of $30.00 a month and I certainly made sure I could quit at any time. I felt like I was buying a used car.

Then Rigdon's preschool teachers told me they go walking in the mornings and I could join them if I wanted. Ok I'm feeling a little motivated, why not? Well walking with them turns out to be jogging for me to keep up with the 13 minute miles they are walking! I have no idea how their legs are doing it. But I have gone and they have put up with me. I haven't even passed out yet! Although my body is in a little bit of shock. They do 4 miles. the last two times I stopped at 31/2. From nothing to 4 miles is a lot to take in!

Sarah has been going to the gym with me a few nights a week and it really makes a difference having friends to work out with. I personally feel tortured most of the time while doing it alone. After about 5 minutes I end up looking at the clock and wondering how only 5 minutes has passed and how can I possibly distract myself for another 20 minutes!? Then the thoughts start about how this is what they should do to prisoners to get them to reveal secrets, I know I would tell anything to make it stop! So far in the past two weeks my friends have made the hour at a time work outs feel like they have flown by.

I did find myself wanting to duck my head in shame seeing people from my ward leaving as we were entering. I don't want to be a gym person. And for some reason I don't want people thinking I am. I don't feel that guilt others talk of when they don't work out. It doesn't seem to make me smaller so who cares if I miss a few years...

But as for now I am in again. We don't have to talk about it, it makes me uncomfortable. But if I see you I will try to be polite and say hi.

A little shady

2011-11-28T19:11:00.000-08:00

After Family Home Evening tonight I proceeded with the showering and getting ready for bed routine.

I told Gunner to get in the shower. For some reason he is quite reluctant to shower. I have eased up and let him shower every other night.

On the way to the shower he wanted to stop and get his book, telling me he just wanted to put it in his room.

Fine. Just get in the shower after please.

A few moments later as the request sank in I went into his room to find no book on the night stand. Of course I can hear the shower running...

I go to find the little key to unlock the bathroom door, and HELLO there is my Gunner sitting fully clothed on the toilet(seat down) reading his book.

This child may be the death of me.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T17:52:00.000-08:00

We spent this year at the Whites for Thanksgiving. We used to try to do both families, but it just got too hard to bring food to two places and keep it warm and such.

These are the cute girls first.
Then the boys who seem to be turning into men...

More cute girls...
And sweet little boys.
Some sister in laws.
We ate gooood! There was smoked turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, rolls, strawberry pretzel salad, and corn. I'm sure you noticed we wasted no calories on veggies. There were many pies. Pumpkin, pecan, coconut cream, banana cream, apple, pumpkin cheesecake, and chocolate.

As the afternoon went on the men got the boys involved in a game... not sure what they called it, but they had them padded up running across the back of the yard and had to pick up a bowling ball and get to the other side before getting shot with an arrow. These are the kinds of games the white boys play.
Mom and Dad who are serving a mission in Texas were missed. We skyped them that evening.

It's always a great day at Jody Land.

Crazy Birthday Bash!

2011-11-13T14:51:00.000-08:00

I knew all week that Friday was going to be busy. There was no school but that opened the door for many other opportunities. Ashlynn was going to have her birthday party with her friends that night. Then Gunner's scout leader called and asked if I could help out from 4:30 -5:30. Sure, if i am really prepared that will work out. Ashlynn's party doesn't start till 6.

Then Kathy called to ask if we could all be at my house while Josh and Liz were down to visit. They adopted Kathy's baby and bring her down every once in a while for a visit. It is so kind of them to share Mara with us. Of course I said yes.

The morning began with breakfast with my mom at 9am to celebrate her birthday which was last week. (this is one of the few pictures I could find of my mom.)

Then at 10:00 Kathy arrived at my house. Emilee said she would help me out and get the day going smoothly. Emilee and Andee Kay.
Liz, Ella, Mara, Kathy, and Andy.
We had a great time when the Iggy's arrived. They are such a great family. Mara loved Sienna's Rapunzel castle. I was cracking up when Liz was telling about trying to explain the evil mother and Rapunzel's real mom... Evil mother stealing her from her real mother...
Kathy and Mara, who just had her 3rd birthday.
Kathy, Mara, Liz, Josh, and Ella.
It was a fabulous afternoon and before I knew it 4:30 had rolled around.

Off to scouts!

I ran back to the house with just enough time to say goodbye to the Iggy's and welcome Ashlynn's friends!
They enjoyed pizza, and the Monte Carlo movie.

Opened presents, and enjoyed pie!
There was some just dance, plenty of happy squealing, and giggling!

Happy Birthday! I now officially have a teenager! I'm kind of feeling it.

October Break 2011

2011-11-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

This October break we went to California. We thought we would try out Lego Land!
It was fine. definitely for 3 to 6 year olds... I wouldn't go again.

Some of the Lego guys were pretty cool.
The kids liked the driving school. But for the price totally not worth it. Of course this is only my opinion. Though my kids never ask when are we leaving Disney Land. just sayin.
The next day was much cheaper and a blast! The beach is never a let down.

Everyone enjoyed the waves and hunting for tiny crabs.

Later that afternoon we checked out Balboa Park. I was a little sad it was so late in the afternoon, everything was closing up. We walked around a while though and admired the buildings and such.

Posing by the fountain.

Our last day in California was spent at the San Diego Zoo. I love that zoo.
We started off the day on the bus tour, riding on top of course. On a side note, this was probably the warmest of the days we were there.

We spent a long time watching the gorillas. They were giving quite a show.

Sienna and Ashlynn

Mason and Rigdon
Rigdon's favorite part was the snakes and lizards. He was thrilled by everything!

We didn't even see 1/2 the zoo. We could have done two days there and not done Lego Land at all and been perfectly happy. With everyone all tired out we made the journey home.

Some things change while some things remain the same.

2011-10-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Most people know we have been house hunting for the past 2 years. We would really like to find the house we are just going to stay in for a very long time. While the house we a currently in is perfectly lovely and I could happily live here until I die... The desire for a home on a little bigger piece of property is there. I would also never choose to live in a home owners association again. It makes me feel sick every time I get an e mail or attend a meeting. blah!

So we look and look and look.

Last week we looked at a beautiful house, it had a basement, big yard, no HOA, quiet street, close to the new temple... All things I would love to have. We came home and went about the rest of our Saturday.

As the day progressed and turned into Sunday I wondered why we weren't talking about this house. We both liked it. What could be the problem? My desire to be free from someone telling me what I can and can't do to my own house is sometimes overwhelming.

But there has been a little nagging voice telling me it's just not time yet. Well little voice, that is just not what I want to hear!

Then last Sunday afternoon President Wilcock called to see if he could talk with Andrew and I.

While we waited we talked about how we hadn't been talking about the great house we had seen and if this could be the reason. And of course, what could be worse than high counsel?

Well Andrew was released form the high council and called to be the 2nd couselor in the bishopric.

So I guess we will be in this house for a few more years at least. OF course I really would be fine if I never moved. At least I can stop hurting my brain thinking about moving.

It will be new and different. I hear I will be a bishopric widow, we'll see how it goes.

I on the other hand am loving my calling, teaching the 10-12 year old girls in primary. This is pretty much my first time serving in primary, I don't count the 7 times I've served in the nursery. They are so fun and ready to learn each week!

I'm pretty awesome...

2011-10-22T10:02:00.001-07:00

October 7th was the last day of school before Fall break. Gunner wanted to compete in the battle of the books with some friends so we went to watch. They answered questions from four books and did a great job! I was feeling pretty proud.

After I went over to Angela's to can some chicken for the first time. I tried to eat canned chicken from the store once... I was not loving it. So I had a 40 pound box to cut up and can.
And wow a few hours later I now have 35 pint jars of chicken good for at least 3 years! I feel so awesome! And of course I never mind spending the afternoon with Angela. She was so nice to show me how to do this and let me use her canner.
Now every time I go into the food storage room I smile to myself.

Preschool Field trip

2011-10-22T09:52:00.001-07:00

Rigdon is Loving Helping Hands Preschool. His cousin Daigen is also in his class which thrills him. It is so strange to think that this is my baby!

Anyway we took a trip to the farm. We saw baby cows, donkeys, horses, chickens, turkeys...
And turtles! Yes, Albert will grow to this size.Hopefully I will get a bigger yard someday. I've got some time.

We had such a great time! I think it's so fun to watch children interact with animals and to check them out.

Gunner's Birthday

2011-10-22T09:39:00.001-07:00

Well Gunner has survived to be 11! We had a small party with cousins (my favorite kind) he is now enjoying his gift of getting to play football.

For his special day he wanted pancakes with chocolate chips for breakfast, we had banana bread with chocolate chips for after school snack, and he wanted Arby's for dinner. Fine with me, less mess. We had a giant chocolate cake for dessert! It was a great day for Gunner! And to top it all off... surprise, this new pet tortoise Albert.

Gunner is a fun kid, he has so many talents it's a little unfair. If we can just guide him in the right direction he is going to be amazing!

Gunner loves to sing, play piano,(not practice) play video games,(really he would do this all day if you let him)play with his cousins,(he idolizes his cousin Conner who is just the best example for him) hang out with Alert, read,He is loving football, he loves babies, and peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches.

Piano recital 2011

2011-10-22T09:34:00.001-07:00

In September Ashlynn and Mason performed in their annual piano recital. They both enjoy their teacher Lori Mecham. And I have to say Grandpa Gillespie would have been proud that they had their pieces memorized.

On a side note... the woes of having your daughter old enough that she won't let you fix her hair for her. It's cute, but I would have opted to see her face!

Grass head and a loaf of bread.

2011-10-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

Just a few things Rigdon has done at the best preschool in the land.

Gunner, Arrow of Light

2011-10-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

Gunner earned his arrow of light in September. He is on his was to Boy Scouts.
Andrew did a wonderful job on his face. He has such talent.
Shaking hands with Brother Egbert.

This happened on the same day that my sister Emilee went through the temple for the first time. We decided to divide and conquer I went with Emilee, and Andrew went with Gunner. It worked out well.

When you have a large family that's just the way it works out sometimes. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Somehow I missed these...

2011-10-02T19:46:00.001-07:00

I was looking over my blog and realized I never posted the kids first day of school pictures!

What a slacker!So here they are. Ashlynn's first day of junior high! She was very nervous but trying to hide it.
Gunner, Mason, and Sienna just tickled to go!
And Rigdon patiently waited for his first day of preschool.

They all love it! So far it's going great!

Finally the rest of the trip.

2011-09-18T21:45:00.001-07:00

We some stand up paddle boarding, of course you are thinking that's not standing... but you have to kneel till you get to the place to stand.
Our instructor (her name was turtle) took us down a little stream, which also had many turtles swimming around. It was beautiful and fun!
Oh look! Standing! We did it and were pretty good at it, if I do say so myself.
Sunday we went to church with the Evansons, some friends who have a house in our neighborhood but are working in Oahu for a few years. Then we went to check out the Temple. It was breathtaking.
This is the view from the front of the temple looking to the ocean.
I love these giant trees!
Andrew working our rental car.

From one temple to another. We drove around the east side of the island to check it out and found the valley of the temples. It was a cemetery and a buddhist temple.
Also very beautiful.

Then we checked out the point, a place where you can do some cliff jumping. We did not.
We randomly ran into Shauna Evanson, for the second time.
Finished off our trip with a day of snorkeling before it was time to get to the airport and back to real life.
It was wonderful to be away and free from responsibilities, but we were ready to see the children and get back to our comfortable bed.

shark encounter.

2011-09-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I braved a shark tank on Friday in Hawaii. I have to say I was more nervous about the scuba than the sharks. Strange, I know.

They used to throw stuff in to draw the sharks but have since stopped. THey said that the sharks are naturally drawn to the boat motors. they just turn on the motor and the sharks come because most boats are fishing and it's an easy meal for them.

Had I had this knowledge before we did the dolphin encounter I would have been nervous about jumping into the ocean to check out the dolphins or snorkel. Obviously that boat had a motor and we were just dropped off...

It was a little eerie to be the one in the cage while the sharks swam around and checked us out. There were three 6 foot long sand sharks circling.
I have been trying to load the video onto here but blogger doesn't seem to be cooperating. I tried facebook and it loaded right up. I'll keep working on it. It's so much more cool than just the still pictures.

By the way there is a big open window along one side of the cage that is plenty big enough for a shark to swim right in. Is that really safe?

Polynesian Cultural Center

2011-09-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

The day we chose to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center was probably the hottest most sunny day we were there. It was still awesome even though there was sweat running down my back. The hair quickly went into a clip.

Rainbows of Paradise Pageant of the long canoes. All of the Islands perform for you. It was pretty amazing.

Learning the hula.
Andrew in front of the traveler tree. They always grow North and South helping out travelers. Although some rebels have planted them to grow east and west.
The Ha Breath of Life show that night was amazing! It is incredible what they do there.

Samoa and New Zealand were our favorite shows.

Dolphins, turtles and dessert.

2011-09-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Wa already know we love tropical plants, but we just couldn't get over how cool the trees were. They all looked like giant umbrellas.

We went out on a boat for a dolphin excursion. Our captain was very cool. They first dropped us off at a place where the turtles like to hang out. Our turtle picture is not the best, but we did see many on our trip.

We found the dolphins! The captain has to try to predict which way they are going and drops you off in the ocean. Then you watch as they swim by. It was pretty cool. Sometimes they stay and check out the people, too bad they didn't that day. They do love to surf off the wake from the boat.

Then they take you out to a pretty coral reef to snorkel with tons of fish. It was pretty cool.

After that we drove over to Honolulu, It took us forever to find a place to park and after paying to park, we walked for about 10 minutes before deciding it just wasn't our scene. We ate at Ruths Chris Steak house before heading back to the north shore. they did have the most yummy dessert. We ate these beautiful cup cakes and had the creme brulee. It was divine!
I wasn't planning to go out to a nice dinner or I might have brought something to fix myself up with. Oh well.

That never happened before...

2011-09-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Hawaii vacation.

Andrew and I were blessed enough to take a trip to hawaii, and even better leave the children in the capable hands of Emilee and my Mom. So why is there a picture of a broken car?

Well we decided to upgrade the rental car to the convertable camero. A pretty sweet ride. We got in this very pretty silver one and took a few minutes to figure out how to put the top down... Next was reverse, We moved about an inch and it sounded like there was something like a soda bottle under the front. We stopped and looked at each other wondering what it could possibly be? Andrew decided to inch back a little more. There was a worker standing a little ways away as we stopped, he was frantically waving his hands at us.

Andrew hopped out and BAM! What a way to start the vacation! Whoever had parked the car previously had parked a little too far up on the curb. Thus when we tried to back out off came the front bumper.

We had to fill out an accident report. Andrew said he would, but it was not his fault it was parked where it was and we would not be paying to fix it.

Then we were off in the red one I am standing next to in the back of the picture. Police magnet for sure. Andrew was a very careful driver. We did arrive at the speed limit of 35mph in the blink of an eye.
We stayed at the Turtle Bay resort. After checking in we went down to the pool and ordered hamburgers. Pretty yummy.
Wednesday brought the scuba dive at Sharks Cove. I was nervous about it to say the least.

Andrew signing his life away. We got all of our gear on after our lesson on flooding and clearing our masks and the dreaded taking the regulator out under the water and putting it back in. Both of these things terrify me! Why would I willingly flood my mask?! Take my air out!!! Are you kidding me?!

I know, I know these are nessessary skills. I listened and understood the concept. I just didn't know if I could bring myself to do it.

So we loaded up the 50 pounds of gear onto out backs and headed down the steep trail to the beach. It was tricky sitting on the slippery rocks trying to get my flippers on. We managed, and a bit out of breath we swam to the middle of the cove.

As it got closer to the time to demonstrate the skills I was completely panicking. I felt like I couldn't get enough air, the bubbles were too close to my mask... I told Andrew I would just wait on the beach. I would be perfectly happy. I just couldn't voluntarily take my air out of my mouth.

Our very nice instructor Chase tried to calm me down and said we would go down a little ways and if I still didn't want to go I didn't have to. Fine. But still panicking. He held onto my shoulders and I held his and we sank down the 10 feet to the bottom.

Once there he had Andrew do the technics and then we started to swim(with my arm linked with his) Ah the relief! He didn't make me take out my source of life!

We dove for about 35 minutes and saw many beautiful fish and coral canyons. Then went back up the beach and got another tank and down we went again.
I made it! Of course Andrew was as cool as a cucumber the whole time. I even swam through the canyon and a little overhanging of coral. I am a little scared of small places. It was fun and amazing. My most terrifying experience is also one of my favorites.

Shut the front door, He's four!

2011-08-12T11:22:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to Rigdon!

Since school just started and we are all alone, we had very casual party with some of his cousins and his friend Dallin.
All I heard all morning was how his friends love balloons, and his friends love cupcakes. Pretty much anything he saw me getting together for his friends he just knew they were going to love!
Nine little kids came over and had a great time.

After Andrew came home we had a little family party and blew out some candles. Lemon cake because Andrew was really wanting some on his birthday two days before, but we got busy and never made it to Costco that day.

Today we went to preschool orientation. It was so fun and he is going to have the best time!

He put his Hand print on his bag, and filled his pencil boxes. Then they all made little hand cookies for their families while the parents learned how the year would go.
His cousin Daigen is in his class and he's so happy about it!
Miss Maren and Miss Miquel. I wish the picture was better but he wouldn't take another one. Miquel looks so heavenly. He told me as we left he was bored of taking pictures.
It's going to be a great year! He has an awesome class.

Rigdon loves...

Mommy

Friends

Cars

Being outside

Swimming

His Family

Snacks

and Dinosaurs.

They're off!

2011-08-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa White have spent the last two weeks at the MTC (missionary training center)

They returned home to gather the rest of their things and go on to Texas for the next 18 months. While they were here we had a dinner and family home evening together. I am going to miss them terribly!

It was wonderful to listen to them share the experiences they had at the MTC and how it was different from when dad went as a 19 year old. Mom even gave her testimony in spanish! They will be great missionaries.
These are some of the grandchildren who will miss them. Eight are missing and one is on the way. Oh and Angela's new puppy Maggie seemed to make it into all the pictures.

It's getting closer!

2011-08-08T11:36:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year when the house is filled with children having had a little too much togetherness. Sienna is counting down to the moment she goes back to school. The house is all a flutter with the news of new teachers and the shopping bags are full of pink pearl erasers and pencils.

Tonight we go to meet the teacher! I have all the supplies packed up and ready to drop in the classroom. My wallet is a little lighter.

We have been out to get a couple new shirts for all the kids. They don't need much we just freshened up the wardrobes in the spring. No need for jeans for a few more months.

Ashlynn will be meeting all of her teachers tomorrow night. A child in Jr. High!!!! What the heck?! She has practiced opening her lock till she's a pro. It will be a fun adventure. At least she doesn't look as dorky as I did at her age! Or maybe I should be trying to nerd her up a little...

Rigdon gets to meet his teachers on Friday. Three whole hours three times a week, what to do with myself?

It's been a wonderful summer, We have had much fun with friends and family. But the school schedule is calling. Maybe I will stop forgetting scouts.

I really thought we would have a baby by now, but alas it doesn't seem to be happening. So I will enjoy this newfound freedom.

If you happen to have a new baby, I hope you will share I do love them.

Smells Funny

2011-08-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

So on Saturday I was feeling pretty productive. I got my self out of bed and went right out to the pool to clean out the filters. They were due, since the last big dust storm.

It's a pretty big job, there are four filters and the come a little above my waist when on the ground. They are very heavy when filled with dirt and muck. But I succeeded in getting them out and spaying them all clean.

Next job up was to get the extra dirt and rocks that have made their way into the filter area due to water run off. It's pretty tight back there so there was some sweat involved. Then I went around the pool raking and picking up just trash in general, and spraying off the bird pooh.

By the time I was finished with the pool area It was 11:30. I had started at 8:30. Andrew did finish digging out the area where the water was causing all the rocks to run down by the filter.

Well on to the rest of the house. I took the boys in their room for a good cleaning and stripped all the beds down. Moved on to scrub the bathroom, Rigdon's room and finish up the girls room. My room wasn't too bad but also received a scrub down in the bathroom.

Can't stop yet the kitchen needed to be done. sweeping and mopping. All the while pausing to go put the sheets back on the beds once they came out. While in the boys room Ashlynn came in to offer some help.

Ashlynn: these sheets smell funny.

Me: They do?, I just washed them.

Ashlynn: Oh, were you sweating outside?

Me: Um, Yes It's hot out there.

Ashlynn: yeah, then it's probably you.

I finished up around 4:00 the house was finally finished. I took a shower to get rid of my SMELL.

Yes, I do have my children clean. This day I just wasn't in the mood to be after them all day. It is more exhausting to stay on top of helpers sometimes.

It just made cents.

2011-07-26T18:43:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday Andrew and I took Rigdon and Sienna out for new shoes. He was in need of new Sunday shoes, and she was going to have to have some tennis shoes for P.E.

We bought Rig's at Babies r Us. Then being a little lazy went down to Famous Footwear for Sienna. They were in the same shopping center, why not?

Well when the total for Sienna's shoes came to $70.00, I was taken a little back. Really?! Did we get the 1/2 off on the second pair? We did. Andrew paid and we thought well she will use them the whole year, I guess it's o.k.

That afternoon I couldn't stop thinking about them. I told her not to wear them, I wasn't sure if she would be keeping them.

Then Monday I went out to purchase shirts for Emilee's wedding. Sienna came along with me, and after we went into Payless.
After having a look around we decided on these two pairs. Together they came to $30.00.

The girl working there said she had a coupon that was good for today, buy two pairs get $5 off, buy three pairs get $10 off....

It was like a sign, I should get these cute shoes on sale and practically free! And my shoe addiction lives on.

I returned the other shoes today.

4TH OF JULY

2011-07-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

This July brought the second annual camping trip with the Gillespie side of the family.
After a last minute change of camp site, due to fires in the mountains, Dusty staked us out a beautiful place near Lake Mary Road.
Andrew and I.
We really enjoy our camping trips. This was particularly beautiful because we had a little sprinkle every afternoon to cool us off. The weather was perfect!
Mason enjoying the rain.
The kids had fun with the hammock.
Emilee and Shane Chillin.
Dusty, Rachael, and Shawn.
Gunner and Mason
Summer and Shawn giving Mason a ride on the tree swing. Always fun.
Kathy showing us some crazy!
Devin and Rigdon used the trailer ramp for a slide.

We had a blast. There were many trails to ride on, and many animals to see. We almost ran over two elk on the way up. The first one made us come to a complete stop before moving! There were lots of cows, Shawn caught a squirrel, and Gunner watched some spiders hatch. It was basically like we watch the discovery channel.

Andrew took me, Paul, Chelsea, and Devin on a wild ride that ended not too far from camp before popping a tire off the ranger. Fortunately Kathy's Andy was behind us and went back to camp to get a replacement tire.

The trip home was also exciting as a tire on the trailer blew! It was on the drivers side and there wasn't much room to pull over. I thought it was going to be nightmare. We had not put the big jack in the trailer and would have had to try to use the tiny one that came with my suburban, which I don't think would have worked.

We had only been pulled over for about 5 minutes when Andy pulled up followed by Paul and Adam. Bless them! They had the big jack and the tire was changed in about 15 minutes and we were back on the road.

After we got home we headed over to Jody and Angela's house for some swimming.

Sienna and Rig out on the playground.
Rigdon and Dax Koceja
Ashlynn
Gunner , Conner, and Mason playing water baseball.

It was a really wonderful 4th! I am so blessed to have such wonderful family.

Lost...

2011-07-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

So, As some of you know I accidentally deleted my blog.

Yes, it's one of the saddest things that have happened to me.

I created it with my hotmail several years ago, then last year or so Ashlynn wanted a gmail. Somehow her gmail address would come up as to where someone would want to send a reply. I had tried a multitude of things to get her email off. Finally after a while I decided that since my email was still listed as the second contact I would just delete her gmail and it would remove her from my blog. Boy was that a mistake! I deleted MY BLOG!!!

After many tears I have decided to get over it and start over.

I can still find a cached version if I type in the right things. There are no pictures, but at least the cute things Sienna and Rigdon have said as babies will not be lost. I can copy and paste and put them in a scrapbook.

Lesson learned, print blog into a book every year.