My Dogs Stink!

Elle with Bandit in Utah.

Tanner loved monkeys as a child so I couldn't resist getting him one last monkey bag.

Emma's all time favorite snack...Cheez-It she can't get enough of them!

Caiden getting tired at the end of a long night.

Caiden was enjoying the girls counting all their money in the the buff. I think Emma has whopping $11 in change thanks to a few pennies from her rich younger sister!

Caiden loves to explore the kitchen...who can blame him?

Heather and Kelly enjoyed FHE.

Scott had to stop himself from falling over onto Caiden.

We all felt our muscles in our legs stretch as we did Tanners object lesson on choosing right from wrong.

Tanner didn't stretch very far.

Emma did a great job of being on both sides of right and wrong...

How do you like the title of the blog? I am not actually going to write anything about my dogs because the title says it all! I do wish they would stop playing by me and trying to bite each other because when they do that their breath becomes unbearably stinky and they are like two little kids that won't stop horse playing.

Well life is going great and I am starting to get excited for this summer. I think more because of the change of weather and being able to go outside with out suffering from a major case of frost bite then because of any great family trip we have planned because we don't. This is the summer of saving money...between getting both girls into braces with is costing thousands of dollars up front and sending Tanner to a far away tropical place in the fall we are buckling down and saving. I guess it is a good thing that Tanner is graduating and that means that family will be coming to us this summer instead of feeling the pressure to go to them.

We had our FHE last night and as usually we had a great time. I have included some pictures from our adventures hope you enjoy them....talk to you all later have a great week!

Spring Break!

Grandpa with sweet Ava. This is one cousin we don't know very well :(

Grandma was bossing someone around, probably Grandpa!

Me and my little sissy! I hope Kate never got sick!!

Elle's beautiful tips turned blond after she told her Grandpa they would be purple!

Our favorite little person was Talon! He just loved Emma!

Waiting at the airport was a great place to do some people watching!

Well hello everyone! I am finally feeling better and inspired to write a little bit in my blog. The girls and I were off to Utah for spring break. Tanner felt like he had better things to do then spend another week in Utah with all those little cousins jumping all over him. I understand and frankly am surprised it took him this long to say no to another Utah trip. So it was the girls and I that got up at 4:30 am so we could make the shuttle to the airport in time to get on a plane as standby passengers! This is the first time we have flown that way which was interesting. I am so grateful that my cousin was able to give us a few buddy passes to allow us to fly so much more cheaply but as it is cheap to fly that way it is also a gamble if you will actually get on the flight you want let alone any flight at all! I wasn't feeling the best that morning and not sure if it was just stress or if I was actually sick I took a chance and the girls and I ended up not getting on the flight we were booked on. We ended up waiting until a 1:00 pm flight and barely got on that one we took the last available seat! After spending 7 hours at the airport we finally were taking off! We got into Utah later in the afternoon and soon found ourselves in Grandma's brand new beautiful home in Granstville. It seemed very strange to us not to drive up to Oakley. I still felt pretty yucky but I was pressing forward trying to do my best. The next day I was able to visit with Katie and see the baby (cute as can be) all day. But by the end of that day I was feeling worse. The next day I did the girls hair Elle was very happy to finally get her tips done. I took a trip into SLC with my Mom and Dad to get some things at the distribution center and Deseret Book but by the end of the night I was not feeling well at all. I wasn't able to hold off the flu any longer and my body and mind finally succumbed. I was flat out sick and miserable for the next four days I stayed in my jammies and either laid in bed or on the couch with my mom and dad taking care of me. I didn't even get to see Allison (soooo sad ) and that cute little pooch of hers. I guess if I look at the bright side of things I was with those that love me and took very good care of me. Whenever I am here and am sick all I do is whine and cry that I want my dad well this time I got my wish!! It was a bummer that I was sick and it wasn't the best break for the girls but at least I was sick at mom and dads!

Well it looks like Tanner has decided upon BYU Hawaii!! I am going to have to start saving my money to go to Hawaii for Christmas next year! He was a little disappointed that he didn't get into George Washington or George Town but I think he is excited to see more of the world and have an experience like no other. He will be done with school in 2 months and I just can't believe it! Where has all the time gone? Emma will be 15 in another month and I can't believe she is so grown up and responsible! I have even seen a difference in her attitude about school lately she is just growing into a beautiful young lady inside and out. Elle on the other hand is just as bubbly and crazy as ever and keeps me on my toes! She is always laughing at something usually at other people's pain! If only she would put as much energy into cleaning her room as she does talking to her friends on line!

While I was in Utah my mom found out that she had a stroke a couple of years ago (it is a long story)and so the dr. ordered some tests...she has since been told that she is very fortunate that she has not had a more major stroke at an earlier age because she has a hole in her heart that has been their since birth. She is going into the hospital tomorrow to have a procedure to close the hole in her heart and hopefully she will be fine after this. You never know when it is your time to go and I feel very blessed to have had the chance to see my mom last week and give her a hug and tell her I love her in person. I think we take our lives and just living for granted and it shouldn't take a medical emergency to realize how fragile life is but most the time this is what it takes to bring us to a realization that we are only here for a short time and we should make the most out of every single day by giving the ones we love the best of ourselves and not letting the small stuff get in the way of living and loving unconditionally. I love both my mom and dad so much and feel very blessed to have had them for parents.

Well I am going to go finish some of my deep cleaning....it feels so good to de-clutter and throw things out after all they are just things! So Scott don't worry if you can't find that lamp that has been in storage for 3 years someone else is getting good use of it!

Curfew Time!

I just got my hair colored and cut! This is as brown as I have ever been!

I think I am getting pretty good at writing once a week!!

Scott and I haven't felt a need in the past to give our kids a curfew but today we had to lay down the law! I don't think I have the energy to be a mom of teenagers! I don't have the stamina to stay awake all night waiting for them to return home. Both Emma and Tanner had different activities to attend last night. I thought Emma would be home around 10:30 but around 11:30 when she hadn't showed up I told Scott to call her and just then she actually called us. I heard Scott say no you can come home now and I could hear her trying to argue the point with Scott but he held firm and soon afterward she showed up. I had told Tanner earlier in the day that I wanted him home by 11:30 but as soon as Emma showed up I feel sound asleep and woke up in the morning and asked Scott if he knew if his son got home last night? He had the same answer that I did...we didn't know! I went into the kitchen and saw his shoes in the middle of the floor and therefore knew that he indeed had made it home but at what time??? When I talked to Tanner this morning about it he said he got home some time after midnight but didn't know what time for sure.

I remember thinking that when I was growing up that my mom and dad where dumb for giving me a curfew my dad use to tell me I had to be home by midnight, I use to beg and plead with him to let me stay out later and all he would say is there is nothing good that goes on after midnight therefore Krys you have to be home before that. I felt it so unfair because of course they allowed Gary Jr. to stay out much later. I still don't understand why Gary was allowed to stay out later when nothing good happens after midnight but now I understand that nothing good happens after midnight!!! Especially when the parents can't keep their eyes open after 11:30!

The weather has been so beautiful here in Minnesota!! For the last couple of days it has been close to 60 degrees! I am looking forward to a little sunshine...my mom thinks Elle and I are lacking in vitamin D I am not sure why I just remember she said so. I think the whole state of MN could use a little more D myself! We will probably get to Utah this week and then the weather will be terrible there and wonderful here :) Oh well we will feel like sunshine in our souls!

Fun Times As a MOM!!

I am working on Emmy Kate's baby quilt!


Well...I went to Tanner's last parent teacher conference a couple of nights ago. I definitely will not miss going to them!! He usually always gets very good reports from the teachers but once in a while a teacher will not like him because he knows what to much for his own good (that means he knows more then the teacher or will disagree with a teacher and they don't like that!). We have always tried to teach Tanner that if he doesn't agree with a teacher or has a different opinion then he needs to be respectful in expressing those feelings but once in a while I think a teacher can become very offended by his opinions because he has a very strong way of swaying others to take his side....that is why he loved debate so much! Oh well now his college professors will have to deal with that wonderful personality trait of his I wish them luck!



Emma on the other hand notified me last week that she had absolutely no desire to graduate from high school! I am not quite sure how to deal with her lack of caring about school except to just love her. I hope that this is a stage (although she seems to have been stuck in this stage for 3 years now) that she will out grow very quickly. My only leverage I feel I have is her desire to get her drivers license. I told her I would not pay for drivers ed unless she brings her grades up because I will not pay for insurance unless she can get the good student discount!! Emma always has a different COW (crush of the week) which is fun to hear her talk about which boy she is finding interesting at the moment. Emma and Edna go down to the subway downtown every week to do homework (which I am sure is not done at all) to watch a couple of cute peanut butter and jelly boys (their code for hot guys) who work in the Karols Korn stand. They come home and report each week what was said and each week they get a little bit more bold and the conversations seem to get longer and longer with these two guys. I wonder what the boys are thinking about these two crazy girls who have taken an interest in them. Isn't it fun to be a teenager! I love Emma!!!!



Elle is doing great she too is absolutely boy crazy!! I don't think the boys she is eyeing are even aware of girls at this point but that doesn't stop her from going goo goo gaga over them. She is almost as tall as me and Emma. Another inch and she will have us beat. She seems to be controlling her roller coaster emotions a little bit better lately but she is still known to have great outbursts of anger and annoyance with Tanner and at times me. I just keep trying to teach her how to express her feelings without blowing up at any little thing and she seems to be doing a bit better with it. I have another 7 wonderful years with her and I am sure it will be pure joy!!!



I sent off Katies special gift I made her!!! Finally I can talk about it. I made my first quilt!! It was so much fun to make and I have started a new hobby!! I love the fabrics and designs that you can create with quilting. It is so relaxing to just sew and create something so beautiful. I love it! I have my next 4 quilts already planned out in my mind. My problem is finding the time to dedicate to it. I wish I could work on it daily but that is just not possible with everything going on in my life. The girls and I are going to Utah over spring break to see the new baby and attend the blessing. We are very excited to see our brand new niece!!! And to see everyone else too.

March Madness

My great D.I. Team!!

Hello everyone out there in blogger land! I have had a crazy week and am so thankful it is over. I have been helping with the D.I. (Destination Imagination) program in Elle's school as a team coach. When I signed up for this position in Oct. I thought it was a one day 2 hours a week deal but as we have gotten closer and closer to the tournament date March 7th it has started to consume all my "extra" time (if there is such thing) since January we have been practicing 4 days a week 2 hours each day. I am burned out!! But it is finally over Hurray!!! As a team we did terrific. It was an interesting journey working with 7 very strong and different personalities but they were all able to learn how to compromise and come together in the end and it was a very positive experience.



I am done with Katie's baby gift!! I will be putting it in the mail tomorrow. I can't yet revile what it is because it is a surprise and I don't want her reading this and finding out before she actually gets it. Next week I will post pictures of what I did. Just know that I found a new hobby and loved making it!!! I am going to start making another one tomorrow that is how much I enjoyed doing it. I love this new hobby.



We are almost to spring...if someone would just tell the weather man to quit sending snow and cold our way I would be most happy! We had a beautiful week last week with highs at 50 degrees! But today it snowed :( at least at this point in the year we know that the snow will melt instead of be on the ground for another 5 months :)



I hope to have news next week about Tanner and school acceptance or rejections (we hope it is the first) I will be making a trip out west to good'ole Utah the last week of March for spring break. I think I will be taking the girls with me. I can't wait to see my new beautiful baby niece Emmy Kate!!! Well I must run...until next time :)

A Night of Fun and Family and Friends!

Emma Kate took a few minutes out from reading one of her MANY vampire novels to enjoy FHE

Elle and Caiden hanging out during Family Home Evening.

Heather, Krystine and Caiden sharing fun times!

Bali, Elle's friend is writing down goals during FHE.

Tanner's object lesson involved tying Elle up with sins.

Elle had a great time trying to do things while all tied up!

early morning seminary and snow daze!

This is my 5 maybe 6 or 7 loads of clean clothes waiting for me to fold and put away! I should get off the computer and do that instead of blogging but blogging is so much more fun!!

Oh my gosh!! I finally have a minute to sit down and write! My life has been on over-drive for the last few weeks. I need a vacation!

I wanted to share a story about Tanner and Elle. They both make me laugh very hard (Emma does to but mostly in a quite way). Okay so the kids (Tanner and Emma) get up around 5:15 every morning to attend seminary (youth church class, for those who aren't familiar with it) so they can leave at 6 am and pick other kids up and make it on time 6:10 until 7:o5. So Tanner came bursting into my bedroom yelling at me first thing this morning dripping wet and wearing only his towel. "Mom, Mom! Where are my clean under ware and an undershirt???? (I have been so busy that I only wash clothes, forget about folding and putting away...besides my kids are very capable of doing their own laundry if it gets bad enough!!)...anyways I did have a load of clean whites sitting in a basket on my floor waiting for me to get to (it is still on the floor as I write but I would rather write). I thought he was using a urgent voice and seemed very annoyed. I told him to calm down and where he could find his clean undies on his way out of the room I heard him bang on Emma's bedroom door she moaned from the other side and he let out a sigh of exasperation that I am sure the whole house could hear. As I lay there I thought it felt very early- probably too early! I glanced at my clock and it was only 4:50 in the morning! well even for Tanners standards that is just way to early to get up and ready for seminary. I walked down stairs to his room and said through the door, "Tanner do you realize what time it is?? " He replied "Yes mom why do you think I am freaking out? It is almost time to leave" "No Tanner it is not...it is only 4:50 in the morning you are freaking out for no reason!" Are you sure mom?" "Yes, Tanner" "No are you sure?" "Yes, tanner" then a huge long sigh rolled out of his mouth much for relief that he wasn't going to be late and the other because he realized that he was CRAZY!! I went and got back into bed (I had another hour before I got up to go walking) but sadly Tanner had ruined mine and Emma's peaceful sleep and slumber neither one of us was able to fall back to sleep! Thanks for the laugh Tanner!!! the more I think about his rushed, annoyed, and impatient morning the funnier it becomes to me!

Last week we had a snow day except that it didn't start snowing until about 1:00 pm. The school district thought that the snow storm was going to begin much earlier so they cancelled school for the day. The two older kids got up to go to seminary that morning but Emma (the great detective she is) found out school and seminary had been cancelled due to the snow storm that hadn't even arrived....I told the two kids to go back to bed. Elle had slept through this whole conversation (she doesn't get up until 7:30). Well I sleep in as did Tanner and Emma (they always close their bedroom doors so Elle didn't see them sleeping). Well Elle woke up around 9:00 (school starts at 9) and she quietly went about her business of playing on the computer. Around Oreo (the dog) started running down the hall to my bedroom it was 9;30 by this time I had gotten up and started walking down the hall as oreo and Elle both approached me she was running as fast as she could on her tippy toes to try to stop Oreo. She was very startled to see me coming down the hall and ran into my arms and said "Hi Mommy!" I asked her what she was doing because she was acting very strange. She said nothing and tried to act normal. She followed me out to the kitchen and we started talking and then she quietly asked me if she could miss school all day. I told her school was cancelled because it was a snow day (there was absolutely no snow falling at this time) and she didn't believe me. I told her again and she still didn't believe me. She asked me why the other kids had gone to school I told her if she went and checked on them she would find both of them fast asleep in their beds. finally she confessed to me that she woke up and thought that I was just sleeping in and if she kept quite enough that she would get to stay home because she would miss the bus and then it would be much to late for me to take her to school! She was trying to run after Oreo so she wouldn't lick me and wake me up! Elle makes me laugh so hard!

volunteer overload!

Hello everyone who follows my very interesting and exciting blog!! I wish more of you would make comments on my blog. I decided to write because it has been a while. I don't really have a lot to say although my mind seems be racing quit a bit lately. We are getting closer to doing foster care! Finally my background check came back, clean I might add!! I didn't have any worries I realized that it was taking a very long time for them to do the check...like 4 months long. We still don't have Scotts back yet but at least they are allowing us to go forward with home inspection! It has been a very long time since I had to child proof our home and this is the part I am not looking forward to. It has been kind of nice not to worry if one of my kids was going to die from ingesting some sort of cleaner! Oh well I guess it goes with the territory and I am the one asking to be a "mommy" again. I am getting really excited to do this as is everyone else in the family especially the girls. I hope it will be a great experience for us all as we learn to love those little ones that are in need of some stability, love and hope in their lives.

Tanner got another reply he was accepted into BYU Provo!! His seminary teacher was late in sending in his part of the application so it has effected his approval by pushing him back a semester he won't be allowed to attend until Winter 2010 that is just 4 months later then he would have liked to go but we will see if he even accepts their offer...we still need to hear back from 3 other schools! We should now in another two weeks for sure and then he will have to make a quick decision because some of the schools require you to reserve housing quickly.

I have felt a bit overwhelmed with all my obligations lately....I have gotten myself in over my head with something I volunteered for at Elle's school. I only have another week left of it and I will be soooooo happy when it is over. I am a team manager for her destination imagination group and it is soooo time consuming! Next week is the tournament and then it will be all over!!! I am sorry to say this but I really hope they don't win because I just don't want to continue on with doing it!

Well I need to run...I have a dinner group coming over to my house tonight and I haven't cleaned any of my bathrooms, vacuumed, dusted, or started cooking anything! Bye for now!

Pictures from January and February

Emma Kate getting her hair done
Tanner with Katie night of "Heart Throb"

Quilting Group: our stake humanitarian project

Krystine and Emma getting hair colored.

Elle and our favorite little friend Caiden taking a nap!

Catching Up!

Well it has been quite a while since I have posted anything. I have been so busy with life that I have neglected my blog. I wanted to write about a couple of things though so I have finally found some time to sit down and write.

Tanner is starting to get his responses back from the colleges that he applied to. He has been accepted into BYU Hawaii. Hopefully he will hear soon from the other 4 schools that he applied to. It seems so weird to see him prepare to leave home to strike out on his own. I hope I have prepared him for what is to come but until you actually leave and start living on your own I guess that is when he will find out if he is ready for what life has to throw at him. I keep saying this in all my blogs but I am going to miss him so much. I try not to think about it often because it really does make me sad. I know he needs to live his life but I think I am just sad because I know in my heart that he won't be very close to home anymore. I am very glad that he wants to go explore the world and do great things but I will always miss him. Maybe I am starting to understand how my parents feel about me living so far from them. It doesn't seem to bother me to much to live in Minnesota and be so far away from the happenings of my family but I am sure it bothers my mom and dad.

Emma just got over a pretty harsh bout of the flu. She is the only one in the family that asked me if she could get the flu shot last fall. I didn't think it would be a problem....I feel pretty badly about that. She is now on the mend and very far behind in school now. She ended up missing 6 days of school. We are just at the beginning of the new semester and so now it will probably be a up hill battle to recover with her grades. I will be happy when Emma finishes school! Not because I want her to leave home or anything but because she just hates school and seems to just do enough to get by and then even that isn't enough.

Elle is going up way to fast for her own good. She is just 11 but is going on 16 (with Emma). I can't believe how boy crazy she is!!! Her mood swings are just out of control!!!! I told Tanner the other day I didn't know if I could make it through the next 8 years with her!! And I am not kidding!!!! He feels very sorry for me and I am sure a bit relieved to know he won't be around to see the fall out from all the fights and power struggles that will be taking place in this house in the next few years.

Well Katie just had her baby and she is soooo cute! I think they are going to end up naming her Emmy Kate! I am not sure if it is really after Emma Kate or if they just really like the name and want it to be a little different then Emma's name, although we call our Emma Emmy all the time. Emma is thrilled with the idea that her cousin is going to have the same name as her so that is great. I really wish I could have had 5 kids like Katie!