photography

So i love to take pictures. I am not very good but hope to become so one day. Rob got me a dslr camera last year for my birthday and i have had a lot of fun playing and learning with it. i like to hang pictures in my home that we have taken ourselves. It seems to make them mean more. So i have 2 displays i want to put up. one is a 4 canvas prints of the seasons. and the others is different temples around a picture of Christ stepping out of the tomb (i cant remember the name of the picture.) maybe when the displays are done i will get a picture up of the final product.

we also took our own family pictures this year. some turned out alright.
It will be nice to learn photoshop so i can adjust it to make it better.
It has been almost 2 Years since i last updated this thing. That is crazy. The only real change to our family is that Zac was born almost a year ago. We are doing well and look forward to 2013. Dodge and Kayles are doing great in school and Tay loves preschool. I love being able to teach her and help her learn. Life has been good to us. I have an incredible man in my life and great kids to go along with him. Life is always busy. This last year was harder because of Zac coming to our family. It seemed so hard to get  back to any sort of routine. I feel like i am now just starting to get things back together and do things that i like....like crafts, photography. relearn piano, and other little things I want to get done. This will be a good year for that i believe. Hopefully the house work gets done too. Life is good and I am blessed.

Wow it has been a long time.

Well there were a few things that were notable over the past few months that i can think of right now.

We went to California for Roberts home coming. He got home from his mission on February 23. We drove down there that day and met up with them when he went to the stake center. It was great to see him. We went to Liz's house to have dinner and visit. It was great to see him. The next day we went to Disneyland. It was pretty busy but the kids loved it. We all had fun. Kaylee was able to see a Princess too. Ethan was a lot more willing to go on the rides than i thought he would have been. Tay loved it too. It was great. On friday it rained ALL day. It was terrible. We were glad that we decided to go to Disneyland the day before. We drove to St. George on Saturday and had snow and rain throughout much of the drive. Even in much of California. We made it safely. We Played in the pools lots which made the kids loved. It was a good trip.

In March it was a little more eventful. Adam and Kelli were Sealed. We were able to go and it was wonderful. We were able to help serve some loved ones which made me so happy. It is a touch of heaven to serve someone. We encountered a few medical issues and Strep for me was among that. That really knocked me down. My face felt like it was going to explode. I felt like a wimp needing to go to the dr. I thought it was a sinus problem, but it was all caused by strep. Rob went to Puerto Rico, and there was some other medical issues that came up. (nothing serious just stressful). Then we had Robs birthday. We sent him on a scavenger hunt for his gifts which was fun and i surprised him. Then we went out to dinner.

In April so far we have been good. General conference was great. One talk that left an imression on me was Elder Johnsons. He talked about challenges and how they are some times laser guided specifically for us to our weakness and in ways to help us grow. This is so true. My weakness that is constantly put to the test is that in the role of mother. I need to build patience and to be a calmer better teacher. The most exciting thing this month is that i had Laser Eye Surgery (the PRK proceedure) It is wonderful. It takes a lot longer to heal but it is nice to not have glasses and contacts. My eyes are not perfect yet but each day it gets better. I had surgery the 8th of April. That day was tough. It scared me that they prescribed percocet for me but i was able to make it through with just the numbing drops. The first day my eyes were sore and hard to open. The next day was better, then the vision got worse, (thats normal while the epithelium grows back) and over the past few days it just keeps improving. Still not great but good. I look forward to when my vision is great. It is such a blessing.

and lastly for the month we have 5 extra boys staying with us for 10 days. Today had great and not so great moments. There were great moments of playing nicely, and helping out without beeing asked, playing at the park (which is an awesome park) adn so on. Then there were moments like this: we were out side playing (all 8 kids and myself) i was with the 2 two year olds and the others were playing kickball. Screaming and fighting erupts on the field. i go over there to see whats wrong. then the babies start fighting. so i rush down to them. while i am taking care of them there is an eruption on the field again. so i run up there. They are banned from kickball. the babies are attacking eachother again. I run down there. The others begin painting the sidewalk with water. for a minute it is great. Then more fights (all the fights involve physical action) i get after them only to hear the babies screaming. I run down there to break it up only to have the others start back at it. I put an end to the water painting and the babies are fighting. I felt like a chicken with its head cut off running around. All the while my neighbors are sitting on their porch laughing at me. So embarrassing. Finally that all ended and they played so nicely the rest of the evening. Its like a rollar coaster. Hopefully we have a good rest of the week.

this is the cool park we went to

Sorry if these 3 posts are confusing. Picasa was only allowing me to do 4 pictures at a time. These pictures are from Puerto Rico. It was so nice. Our first day there we went to Old San Juan. We toured the fort that has been there for hundreds of years. It was amazing. this first picture is

taken from inside the fort to the little part at the tip of the peninsula. There were some great views from the fort. This other picture is also of San Juan from the fort aswell just on the other side. Pretty amazing.

this one is of Rob and I in the fort.

This is a picture of our hotel (the Hilton Caribe) from the hotels beach.

We were able to enjoy old san juan and we went to Robs favorite place in Puerto Rico. The Chirasco Factory. It was pretty tastey if i do say so myself. We snorkeled in teh little bay by the hotel. I lounged on the beach, in chairs and hammocks, swam in nice warm water, and read my book. It was so very relaxing. Before we left we were able to go to the rain forest to hike some. It was awesome.

This is our cute kids the Sunday before Christmas. They are so cute.

this was a cool picture from our trip to see the lights.

This is what you see coming out of the hotel lobby toward the ocean.

This is a picture of our hotel in PR looking ourside our window.

Wow it is 2011!!! and I can't believe it. Where does the time go? Well Rob and I had a great trip to Puerto Rico.

Sorry these few posts are a little crazy. Oh well. We decided not to go to Texas for thanksgiving. We were out of town the week before, the weather was supposed to be pretty bad. We were supposed to have blizzard weather. We didnt even get an inch of snow but the winds were bad. So we enjoyed dinner with Heather and Paul. It was nice. Hopefully we will make it to texas in the summer.
Then Rob had to leave to PR on the 5th (a sunday to friday) got home late friday and then had to leave again monday morning and got home late friday night. The first week was alright but the second week was crazy for me. I had to teach joy school and we were supposed to go to an old folks home to do the nativity. So i called and they had a lot of sick people so i set us up to carol to some of the elderly in the ward. Ethan was home sick from school tuesday. He had been running a fever since he got home monday from school. He was quarantined in my room. So we went out caroling and made it through the first house who gave the kids a treat, the second house was a no show and the third we caught her as she was leaving. so much for calling ahead. we stopped at one more home in our ward randomly because we had time and a gift to give. We made it back and practiced for the program we were supposed to do the next day at the party for our parents. That was crazy. After joy school ended, i took Ethans temperature under his arm and the Thermometer read 104.0. That is pretty much 105 and i panicked, called and set up an appointment with the dr. and called my sister in law for advice and called my husband. We had never had a temperature that high in our home before. I was a little scared. we went to the dr. and found out Ethan had strep. We went and got his medicine and i went home and had to make calls to cancel the Joy School Christmas Party and Joyschool for the next day. I also had errands to run through the week, Christmas things to do, an extra whiney baby. Joy School things to get to different places adn get some things done for the next person to use. There was also some family drama this week that i apparently caused. Had to make phone calls about that and get it cleared up. I found out my sister was pregnant and getting married on the 18 in las Vegas i had to get ready for that. There were some bad storms passing through that prevented us from making the wedding. And taylor threw up in her bed. There just seemed to be so much that i had on my mind that before Rob got home i had a little break down and cried. Then i felt much better. Robs flight was delayed a few hours and he didnt get home until 1 am and we were up at 6 to go to the wedding (which we didnt end up going to). It was just crazy but we are great now. Christmas went well. the kids had fun. We were able to do our tradional nativity and dinner at Heathers. Robs mom and Brent were there and it was nice. Christmas day my dad was able to come visit and have dinner with us it was just a lovely Christmas weekend. Rob has had this week off of work and we have loved having him home. For new years we went to heathers but didnt make it quite to midnight. Just after 11 both girls started to have melt downs. Surprisingly Taylar made it awake that long. Ethan could have stayed for hours longer. So we went home to say our happy new year. We are looking forward to this year. I guess that catches us up for now.
renee

this is christmas morning

This was all the snow that we got a few days before Christmas. It fell on Tuesday and was pretty much gone before christmas came on saturday. The kids had a fun time playing in 8 in of snow though. I think that they ate about half of it.


This is the family. We went to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square the day after Thanksgiving. It was freezing cold but we survived. Rob had the day off and finally at like 515pm he said lets go. I was surprised because he hates the cold more than anyone. I tried to convince him to go the next night when we could leave earlier and get better parking. He said lets go now because I may not feel the same tomorrow. So we went. The kids were all bundled and we loved it. Taylor wanted to walk around and would not keep her gloves on. She would grab the snow any chance she got. We loved it though.

The Bishop family had a Christmas party on the 19th of December and look who showed up. The kids loved the big guy and Ethan ran and gave him a hug just before he left.

this is Tay on one of her christmas presents. She always steals the nighbors so we figured it was about time for her to have one of her own.

Ethan got a new bigger bike for christmas. He loves to be out doors. Its a good thing that all the snow had melted from earlier in the week. It was a rather warm christmas but new years has been bitter cold.

Kaylee on her present. She has wanted a scooter like the big kids for a long time. Her 3 wheeled pink one just wouldnt cut it anymore.

Taylor also got a slide for Christmas. It definately has been a favorite of all the kids. I think the flashlights were a big hit too.

Wow, October has flown by. I cant believe it. I dont remember a whole lot of what went on in October. We were able to go on a drive up the canyon. We tried to go conference weekend but there was a huge line so we turned around and went a week or so later. It was beautiful. So colorful. sorry the pictures are out of order. Halloween was fun. Kaylee had a little party with Joy School and sang some songs for us. it was so cute. Ethan did the Halloween parade at school. I forgot the camera. He was totally in character of the emporer...face: scouled, Arms: folded. He looked like he was on a mission on the death star. Then we had our beautiful snow whites. The weather wasnt so good. It rained until 6:15ish then we went for it while there was a break in the storm. We took Taylor around to 2 circles and brought her home. Needless to say she loves candy and was happy to go eat her treats. I took the others out for some more trick or treating. Luckily it wasnt too bad and they got plenty of treats.

We went up to Big Springs park and hiked for a little bit. This swing was mounted on a tree so the kids took it for a spin. They loved it. It was such a beautiful day. It has been a very mild fall so far and for that i am grateful.

So what else went on in October? We were able to visit some old friends from Simi. It was a nice evening. Ethan was the only boy there and most of the girls were all dressed up in princess stuff. He survived though. It was a nice evening. fun to reminice. My dad also came up this month. He went hunting with my brothers and then stayed for a visit. My kids were very glad to see grandpa and tell him all about school and everythig else. Rob went elk hunting with my brothers. It was cold but he had fun. Ethan is still doing well in school. His reading is improving and it is harder to say something to rob i dont want the kids to know about. I cant just spell it out because Ethan will start sounding it out and then asking for us to spell it out again so he can figure it out. I am glad though that he is trying. I was able to help out in his class. It was fun. Kaylee has like joy school. I had fun teaching. I was supposed to teach to day but Taylor has been sick. She is currently sleeping. The kids are young with very small attention spans but we make it through.

I am so excited !!! i get to go to Puerto Rico!! Finally!!! Robs project is winding up so it is one of his last times to go and i get to tag along. I am happy. Mary of course will have my kids. I hope they are ok. At least it is only 4 days this time.

As the holidays approach this year i am going to try to be more grateful this year. I want to focus on gratitude and express it to those who have inspired me over the years. Hopefully i remeber to do this. I look forward to the holidays and the happiness they bring. I want to do the 12 days of christmas this year and have fun with it. With the attitude of grattitude i will begin with this: I am grateful for the little moments that make life wonderful. Taylor has been sick the past few days and i have had the opportunity to rock her to sleep a few times. This doesnt happen too often anymore and the peace and love i felt for her cuddling with her and holding this precious child made me so grateful to be a mother. There are many days things are just hard. We cant overlook the simple ness of love and joy we have in life. there are always trials and we cant let them get in the way of seeing and feeling love in our families. Kids grow up. Ethan never wants to just sit with me and i miss that. i need to stop and smell the roses more often instead of trying to go with the flow of the hustle and bustle of life. I need to savor the little moments.

Well here it is in a nut shell what has gone on..

Ethan has loved having Gel in his hair. He probably fixes his hair 2-3 times a day sometimes. it is funny. He gets mad if you touch it and mess it up. It is cute though. He got a hold of Tays head and this is what it ended up like.

we went to Costco for dessert one night. Taylor was determined to have her own ice cream bar. She screamed each time it was taken from her...even to wipe the stream down her hand. She did a pretty good job eating it.

We decided to go for a hike near pleasant grove called Battle Creek Falls. It was a nice little hike and had a great waterfall. Kaylee was afraid of the noise.

Kaylee started Joy School. There are 6 kids in the group. 2 of which are her cousins. She is still adjusting to the change but she loves her school. She missed one day due to sickness, and everyday since then she tells me that her tummy doesnt hurt because she wants to go even if it is a no school day. I was able to teach this last week. it was fun. The Joy of our Bodies. We were able to do lots of exercise and eat lots of healty food. I sometimes forget that their attention span is not that long. but we made it and survived. We are all easily distracted sometimes i guess.

Something we are doing with the kids to encourage good behavior is obedience jars. Kaylee and Ethan have their own jars and then we have a larger family one. If they fill their own jar they get to do something fun and then the jar is dumped into the family jar and they start agian. When the family jar is filled we get to do something fun as a family. So we went to St. George over labor day. We had a lot of fun. It was very hot...over 100. but we had fun. We went to the sand dunes and played king of the mountain, the kids absolutely loved the pool... we boutght life vests and they had a blast...Taylor didnt seem to like it as much. We played at one of the splash parks...

which they loved and did some hiking in the hills above the city. We went down through the "crack" which you have to go through sideways to fit, this picture is of our family after we came out. Rob went first with Ethan and Kaylee adn then i took those two down too. It would have been to hard for Taylor. it was fun though.

this is Ethan and his teacher Miss Robbins after his first day.

This is Ethan on his first day of Kindergarten. September 1, 2010. He loved it. He was so excited. He wanted to go to bed early the night before because he wanted the day to come faster. We put gel in his hair and he was very proud of it. No one was allowed near the hair. He said his favorite part of the day was recess but it wasnt very long. They read a raccoon story and made puppets of raccoons, did their name in rainbow writing, they learned a funny song which at first he couldnt remember but later told me it was "german the worman." He said he made a new friend Jackson, whom he sits next to and he met a boy Zack but they werent friends yet. When the bell rang he was the 2nd in line and never looked back as he went in. I thought he would be a little more hesitant but he sure showed me. Since school has started he has been a lot less resistent when i tell him it is time to read or practice writing, or do work books. It used to be constant fights but now he often reminds me it is time for work. He is so grown up. Since the first day he is now friends with Zack and liked doing the color monsters. He was telling Rob what one of the monsters saying was and this is what he said "brown, brown, your pants fell off" it was so funny. It is really brown, brown, your jeans fell down. and other colors like pink pink sat in a sink and so on. They also did this ginger bread hunt. The parents were to decorate a cut out to represent thier child. Rob was in charge and Ethans was transformed in to Yoda. It was pretty awesome if i do say so myself. Each day they get a stamp on thier had if they behave. I am proud to say Ethan has not missed a day yet. I get to start helping i the class this month. I am excited. He is such a good boy.

We had a few nice rain storms come through. Taylor and Will loved the puddles in the middle of the road.