Confused? Is it Christmas or Halloween? I just had to post my cute pics. and then back to Christmas.

ooooh scary

They found the make up AGAIN!

Halloween Past

HOW MANY MORMONS DOES IT TAKE TO LAY SOD?

BEFORE
Our eyes were bigger than our muscles. We rented a sod cutter on Friday so that we could cut out our dead lawn before we brought home the free sod from North Park. Danny(1) had to work all day so we only got half of it cut and then the grass was so dead that it just crumbled when we tried to move it and so that was becoming a nuisance, but never the less we worked until it was dark that evening. We woke up very early the next morning to go and cut the sod from the park expecting to haul it away by taking the seats out of our cars and laying down tarps but when Danny called me(2) from the park and measured out what we would need and saw people with much less than we needed using multiple huge trailers we knew that we could not do this alone. Danny's dad(3) and brother(4) were already there that morning but it was obvious that we needed more man power. So I called our neighbors the Black's to see if we could use their trailer and if their son would be able to help us for the day. They agreed and I hooked up the trailer and headed for the park. Just as we started loading the strips of sod into the trailer the Black's arrived but not just the one boy we planned on but his dad and brother as well plus their daughter offered to tend the kids that day. They have a large family and they all got involved(5-14). We were relieved to say the least but it was still an all day adventure to haul that sod back to our place. It took5 loads with their big trailer and luckily we saw a friend of ours(Ken 15) down at the park who was helping his neighbor and he saw we needed help and took one load for us in his truck. Once we had all the sod at our house it was time to figure out how we were going to get all the dead grass off the lawn. We borrowed to wheel barrows from neighbors(16,17) but we couldn't fill them very much because of the weight. It was going to take forever to get all that grass out. Our neighbors the Norris'(18,19) down the street were also putting sod in their yard and used a bobcat to scrape their lawn out. So they let us use it for ours too. We spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how to drive that thing and scrape off the grass without digging huge holes in the process or breaking any sprinkler heads(we broke about 8 by the way). Well that took the rest of the day and we had to quit to clean up and make it up to Danny's sister's house for the Hacienda Heights Ward Reunion. Sunday we rested and all day I was really feeling stressed out about Danny leaving in the morning and trying to get the yard done alone so I prayed that I would get some help with this project. Monday morning we woke up early to get kids off to school and when we walked outside there was Danny's Dad trying to level out the dirt so we could start laying sod. Danny was leaving to go to St. George for 3 days and it was going to be up to me get this sod laid out before it was dead. So after the kids were gone Dick and I started leveling out the dirt. We heard that some of the young men from the ward would be showing up at 3:00 that afternoon to help finish. This was arranged by Jerry Black the young man that helped us on Saturday. Well we kept on working hoping to have it level so the boys could help lay the sod but of course we only got about halfway done. While we were working I saw a friend from our ward drive by several times and finally she stopped to talk and informed me that her family would be over as soon as her husband got home from work along with 3 other families. This was an answer to my prayers. We had 10 boys(20-30) there ready to work at 3:00. We got the first half leveled and the sod laid. Dick was exhausted so Dorothy(31) came out to get him and drive him home and decided to take Aida home with her. That was a big help as well. Anyway, just as we were starting on the other side our extra help started to arrive. The Allen's(32-36), Popes(37-41) Parkinson's(42-48), Irwin's(49-52). We had some experts on sprinklers among us who noticed that everything was broken and that we were not hooked up the irrigation line which was costing us a pretty penny using the culinary water. So they jumped right in and started fixing that as well. We had other neighbors walk by and stop to help as well(Lee's53-58), (Coon's 59-65) and (Soward's 66). Sister Black brought over dinner as I obviously had forgotten to feed my family. As you can see we had a lot of kids there as well and instead of destroying the house they cleaned it and by 9:00 that night we had the sod in and pulled weeds from the flower beds, pruned some trees, fixed the sprinkler hook ups (the broken heads we'll do when Danny gets home), cleaned my house and all of the outside. Every one not only served but went the extra mile and lived their religion that day. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I found myself crying several times.

So in the end we found out that it takes about 66 Mormons to Sod a lawn.
I am truly grateful to my Heavenly Father for hearing and answering my prayer and to these 66 Mormons(that includes you too Sarah, I know you wanted to be there) who truly live as they believe and for listening to the spirit that day. It really is amazing what we accomplished together.

AFTER

MILK BUBBLES

We enjoyed our long holiday weekend and are just starting off the week great with some fun from the girls. Their little bubble contest this morning was adorable. I was sick all weekend. It finally caught me, but I am feeling fine now. So I don't know how many of you know this but we let our lawn go completely dead this summer. It had a fungus that we couldn't fix and the lawn was dying and our sprinklers were busted anyway so it just didn't seem like it was worth saving. Of course it looks terrible and I am sick of it. We haven't been sure about how we would get it back since it is out of our budget to re-landscape. Well in the City Newsletter we learned they are tearing out a huge park this week and that the sod is up for grabs. It is beautifully perfect grass and so for the cost of renting a sod cutter we are going to get a new lawn. I didn't think we would get to do this until next year but, WOW, I am really excited. So I will be pretty busy prepping the lawn to take the sod. It will be a lot of work but well worth it. I look forward to having a beautiful lawn again and surely all my neighbor's comments should come to an end.

I Chose This? I Choose This.

Some days I wonder, Is this really what I signed up for? Before I got married I new it wouldn't be easy but I really had no clue. I don't think that anybody ever really does. Sometimes I'll ask myself "I chose this?" What was I thinking? I chose to get married at 19 before I finished college or started a career or traveled or served a mission? I chose to start a family while Danny and I were still in college. I chose to have a second baby and get pregnant with the third before graduation? I chose to have 5 kids before I turned 30? Yes, I did!

These pictures reminded me of a resolution I made years ago when I came across a mother who scrap booked a picture of her toddler in the messiest goop I had ever seen. While admiring her craftiness it occurred to me that she couldn't possibly stop to take a picture if she lost her cool, punished the child and then cleaned up the mess in a huff. Instead she obviously had to go get the camera and take the time to get the perfect picture of the lovely mess. I remembered thinking that it takes a really patient mom to do that. So through the years I have tried to be that patient mom. I don't always stop and take pictures. Sometimes I just loose it, but I love these kinds of pictures they help me realize that even though life gets rough and makes me wonder why I chose this, that there isn't anything else I'd rather be doing.

I did choose this and everyday I continue to choose this life!

Thank goodness for public schools

The kids are back in school today and I am singing praises.
The house is actually somewhat quiet, except for Audrie's tantrum at the moment. She doesn't officially begin Kindergarten until next week but she wanted to go so badly that we used today as a dress rehearsal. She got all ready to go this morning and of course we took a picture. She did get to go to the school this morning and take her assessment test. She is so excited. As much as I love sending kids to school, sending a kindergartner is a little bitter sweet. I am glad to see her go but of course I do have a little bit of worry that maybe I didn't prepare her well enough to go out into the big big world. I wonder if this is just a glimpse of what it will be like when I send her off to college.

Reed and Paige looked adorable in their new school outfits. They have grown up so much and I can't believe how smart they are getting. Not to mention the very grownup attitudes and personalities that are emerging. They really are fun. I only wish my camera worked so I could get a better picture(I need a new one badly, Ashley I know you research these things so let me know if you find a good deal) They really looked sharp.

Today I am thankful for sick babies(I think) and a husband that doesn't have to leave early in the morning. Aida started throwing up at 5 this morning and did it all morning long. So I was trying to help her and get kids ready for school. Danny was a big help but Aida sure slowed us down. She gives me an excuse for having the kids start their first day of school a little late instead of the real reason(Paige wanted her hair curled and I took too long). It also means I get to sit and hold her all day instead of cleaning the house.
I just love her sad sweet face.

YUMMY!

I am not sure they are really awake yet but they loved our back to school banner and their favorite breakfast (French Toast).

Well things are pretty quiet now that the morning is over. Maybe if Aida will sleep a little later I will attempt some small sewing projects that I have been putting off forever.

Meridee Sleeps

Thank goodness the toilet was clean

A Few More Favorites

Pioneer Day Children's Parade

O So Sad

Our One Day Trip To Yellowstone Last Summer

First Day of School!
Reed-1st Grade Paige-3rd Grade
I can' believe a whole year has gone by.
Now I will have a 4th grader, 2nd grader and kindergartener.

Better late than never

Well I haven't been very good at sending out pictures to family and friends so here are a few oldies but goodies. Hopefully you'll get a good idea of what we have been up to the last couple of years.

Enjoy!


Aida joins the Family

Meridee gets busier

Reed participates in crazy hair day at kindergarten

Aida's first Halloween

Aida's Blessing Day

Is It Over Yet?

I often hear other moms talk about how they love the summer because they get more time to influence their kids and they often wish it would never end because they want more time to spend with them. Well call me a bad mom if you want but I am actually looking forward to school starting. We had a full summer and I am ready for a change in our routine. Oh I forgot! What routine? We have been pretty lazy lately. The kids go to bed late but sleep in and then they spend the day just being kids. Riding their bikes through the neighborhood, playing with friends all day. Over all just having fun. The Girls participated in a two week art festival where they took dance classes and learned a new routine to perform for the community. We missed the performance to go on our trip with Grandpa but the girls didn't mind. They were very excited to go on a trip. We toured the entire state of Idaho plus some side trips into Montana and Washington with Grandpa Passey, Aunt Jill, Aunt Robin, and Uncle Dave. It was ten days of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and a road trip we will never forget. The kids held up pretty well. I only wish we could say the same for Grandpa, Aunt Jill, Aunt Robin and Uncle Dave. It may not have been a relaxing vaction for them but we do appreciate them letting us tag along and for all their help with the kids. After this trip we spent a lot of time swimming. The kids all took swimming lessons and we went to the pool with our good friends the Lubeans as often as possible. I also spent a lot of time helping to plan the Nordstrom Family Reunion. Danny and I were on the committee so we stayed busy putting all of our plans into action and organizing all of our camping gear and getting ready to go. We just got back last night from the reunion at Jackson Meadows in the Tahoe area and after a week of camping we are happy to be home were there is running water, showers, and flush toilets. We had a great time but are ready to clean up all the dirt and get ready to go back to school. And Yes! I will miss my kids a little but I look forward to the routine and watching them grow and learn everyday.