Happy Holidays

I decided this year with as busy as we are here at the Lamb house that I was going to do Christmas Cards via email and blogs. This way I could do it one night, have it done instead of waiting for Costco to print them out, then spend hours addressing them and not to mention making sure I had the right address's and stamps. So Oviously we spend every weekend at the lake, I really think we need to move somewhere where we can boat more than 4 months out of the year. This has to be our favorite family activity. We lost our family pet Ginger after 10 years. We are all struggling this time of year because she would usually be in the house, since it is so cold outside. There isn't anyone snuggling with us on the floor anymore. The kids are trying to convince me that we need another dog. UM NO!!! We spent a week in California having a wonderful time at Disneyland, San Francisco shopping and hanging out at the beach. Mike and I participated in a Triathlon, (sorry no pics). The girls each took swim lessons, Addie and Brianna we on the swim team and did amazingly well, I think all of my kids were fish in their earlier life. Between work, school and kids we are staying really busy over here. We are very thankful to have each other as a family, we are very blessed with the job we have, everyone is healthy but most of all, to have to gospel in our lives. We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Twilight saga "New Moon"

Yes I did it!! I was one of the first to see the movie before it actually came out. I have read most of the books, and I think they are good but I am not one that is obsessed with them. Cascade Collision, a company we do business with was having a "Customer Appreciation Day" at the theater just for the showing, they were kind enough to give me 4 tickets. So of course we had to have a girls night out. We went to dinner then we got to the theater at 6:15 for the 8:30 showing. What a mad house. People were wearing shirts about New Moon, one guy was even dressed like Edward, (ya wasn't doing it for me) people going around selling jewelry. CRAZY. We had a great time. The movie was amazing and I must way that I am now a fan of Team Jacob. Thanks girls for a fun evening.

Amazing Day

Saturday was an amazing day. We attended a baptism, did all the yard work for the winter, washed the cars. Then that evening we had our adult session of Stake Conference, we had the pleasure of having Elder Wilkenson an area 70 along with Elder Robert D Hales. It has been 20 years since we have had an Apostle come to talk to us. Both of their talks were amazing. It was nice to see them in a more casual setting, Elder Hales was so funny. He opened up the evening to Questions and Answers, which was a little different, but good. After the meeting Mike went to visit with some people, and Myself, Tami and Cathy were visiting with others, when all of a sudden Mike whistled for me and as I turned around there was Elder Hales standing right next to me talking to Baby Ava. He said "You must be the center of attention" he then touched her hand and said to her "I just touched your hand and you just touched mine so when you get older you can tell everyone that." I touched his shoulder and told him how much I appreciated his talk. What an amazing man. WOW!!! What an experience.

Bah Hum Bug

OK! so most of you know that I love this time of year. I love watching the leaves change, the smells of cider and pumpkin pie. But you also know that I really really do not like Halloween. There I said it out loud. I have been called all sorts of things for this. I even tried to bribe my kids with anything that they wanted on Halloween night, except for Trick or Treating. The movies, dinner, bowling whatever. Nope it didn't work, so I bit the bullet and went out to find costumes today. Not a good idea the day before Halloween. I told the kids they could each have $5.00 to pick something out, now mind you we went to Savers. Well, who was I kidding $5.00 really, you cant even get out of 7-11 for less than $5.00. Well I spend more than I would on a small Costco run. So I guess what I am really getting at, is that I am the COOLEST mom ever. My kids are going to be decked out for their parties tomorrow. Watch for pic's to come. Happy Halloween!!!

Rachael

September 24, 2002 OK I am getting old. My baby turned 7 last month. I am not old enough to have kids these ages. Wow! How I remember her birth just like it was yesterday. My other girls had come 2 weeks early and I though for sure this would follow the same way. Rachael had a different plan. Mike was traveling at the time she was due and I was really worried that he would be out of town, and not make it for the birth. He gave me a blessing several months before she was due and said she would come on her due date. Of course I didn't like that, it meant 2 weeks longer in the pregnancy that I wanted. My body produces 3 times the water it should. So the doctors give me several stress test until I deliver. I had a doctors appointment on the 23rd of September and when I went he checked me and said that I was at a big fat "0", you can imagine how frustrated I was, and how done I was at that point. I had another stress test scheduled later that afternoon. After talking with my mom she said if the stress test comes back normal go over to Rite Aid and get some Castro Oil and a Root beer. You should have seen the looks that I got from everyone in the store. Yes I was going to do it. So at 3:00 I took it, it was the worst stuff I have ever had in my life. Then I waited. About 7:30 I was talking to a sister-in-law on the phone and started feeling a little sick to my stomach, I took a bath. Then I walked around the house for a while. Finally about 10:00 I had Mike take me to the hospital I just new it had to be time. I got all checked in and hooked up, I was having some pretty strong contractions. The nurse checked me and said you are at a 3 and 80% effaced. I new it, that stuff really works. (I recommend it to everyone)Now all I needed was someone to break my water...but wait. They don't call the doctor in late at night to do that, they said your water will break on its own. No way no how!!! If I carry 3 times the water, not a chance it is going to break on its own. I waited the whole night until 8:30 am when the doctor was doing his rounds. He broke my water, then he went and gave the nurse an earful. 2 hours later out she came. 9 lbs 2oz 20 inches. My biggest baby yet, but by far the easiest delivery. She has been my best sleeper out of all the girls. Rach was sleeping through the night at 4 weeks. Now look at her, all grown up, well maybe a little. She is our tom boy, but don't tell her I said that she doesn't like being called that. She has no desire to wear girl clothes, dresses are only for 3 hours on Sundays. She would rather be in the mud or helping Mike with things than baking or playing dolls. She is almost the boy we will never have. We love you Rach!!!

15 years

September 10,1994
Place Salt Lake Temple. What an amazing day this was. Mike and I were getting married, I had everything I needed, my recommend, my dress, make up, everything. My mom and I were at the temple bright and early 5:30 AM early. The wedding was planned for 7:10 AM (not to self never do this with my girls)we were waiting for Mike and his parents to arrive with the all the things that he would need, including the MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE!!!! We had left it in my car so we wouldn't loose it, we had just moved everything into our apartment and I was worried about it getting lost. Mike took my car to his house the night before the wedding so I was sure he would remember to bring it. NOPE!!!! He rode to the temple with his parents in their car. As soon as he got there what do you think the first question out of mine and my mothers mouth? You guessed it. "Do you have the certificate?" no he replied and non of us believed him, Mike loves to joke around. Well, he actually did forget it and so we sent his friend Cameron back to his parents house to get it. This is all before 7:00 am. The ceremony was beautiful, the weather was perfect. Couldn't have asked for a better day. We did have a few rain scares, in fact I have a picture of someone holding an umbrella over my cake so it wouldn't get wet. Mike's grandparents went to a lot of trouble to make sure the yard was in tip top shape.
Here we are 15 years later. What a journey we have had, there have been the lows, but there have definitely been the highs. We are in love more today than we were 15 years ago. I can truly say Mike is my best friend. We enjoy doing just about anything together. Boating, watching movies, mini golf or bowling, plays...the list goes on and on. I couldn't have asked for a better husband, friend or father for my children. The lord new what he was doing when he hooked the two of us up. I love you Mike, thank you for 15 wonderful years
(if I can get the wedding pic's to scan I will add those but for now this is us 15 year later with 3 girls)

Where have I been??

I have decided that my life is way to busy for this blogging stuff. I have been trying to find the time to update and just cant seem to find it. As far as I am concerned time has run away and is never coming back. There need to be more hours in the day, but then I dont know that, that would even help me. As a friend always tells me you can always find time. I am beginning to think they are the crazy one, not me. So I apologize in advance, it has been a while and there have been so many things go on that I have neglected to post. The school carnival that I put together, my 15 year anniversary, my babies 7th birthday. Many, many more things. So bare with me as I catch up on the lost days.

First Day of School

Yeah so it has been over a week since the girls started school, but my gosh have we been busy. So Addie started Junior High, YIKES!!! Am I really old enough to have a Junior High student. Yep and there is nothing I can do about it. Addie's biggest fear was getting lost, well she has managed to give into that fear, even still 2 weeks later is still gets lost. A little benefit of the doubt, the school is one big square and all the halls looks the same. She is having a great time, she has adjusted great and really enjoys it. While we were getting ready for school, the clothes, supplies etc... she kept telling me "I cant have that or I cant wear that it just isnt cool for Junior High", WHAT!!! oh the joys of a tween and not to mention that your mom doesnt drop you off at school and kiss you at the door. That was a little weird this year.
Brianna and Rachael on the other hand, thought all the clothes I picked out were cute, they loved me doing their hair and dropping them off at school, oh and the kiss at the door. Both of them have amazing teachers this year and I couldnt be more excited. I just cant believe how fast summer went, now we are back to homwework and going to bed early.

Family Vacation

CALIFORNIA

So we ventured to California for a family vacation. We went with a good friend of ours, Cameron Hodge and his 3 kids. We drove from here to San Francisco, and stayed there for a few days. We took the kids to the Pier's and the Wharf. We had fun watching the seals, and opening oysters to get pearls. The girls all ate clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, OK all except for Brianna, she doesn't do any type of fish or sea food. So she had Chili. We rode the cable cars, took Lombard Street, and went into China Town. San Francisco was beautiful but freezing cold, the high was only 62, very cold for California especially in August. Then we headed to Anaheim to do Disneyland and California Adventure. This was the first time we were all tall enough to ride all the rides. Rachael is my little dare devil, she will do anything and everything. There wasn't a ride that she didn't like, Addie on the other hand, not so lucky. We rode the Tower of Terror, in California Adventure. She did pretty good, so we went again, well right before the worker was going to shut the door she rose her hand and asked if she could get off. The ride was just way to much for her. Sorry Addie it was the best. Then it was off to Santa Clarita, Valencia area. Here we went to the beach, we went to downtown LA to the Jewelry District, yes I have started another project, of making bracelets and watches (pictures to come)so that was fun for me, not so much for 6 kids and 2 men. The boys and Rachael went deep sea fishing, Rachael was the only one to catch anything, and she caught 5, Cameron was getting a little frustrated. Then all the boys went to a Dodgers Game, ya I would rather shop, so the girls shopped and swam. We had such a wonderful time. So worth going. Thanks Hodges for inviting us.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

We had the opportunity to go through the open house to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We went we a couple really good friends and had the most amazing time. We are so lucy to leave here in Utah were we have several temple that we can get to with in minutes. One of the little boys that was with us named Noah, who is only 2 was soaking everything up. He kept asking questions and pointing to pictures of Christ. He even asked after we left and we were driving home, he would see a church and said "That is my temple and I love the temple" how close they still are the veil is so thin for these little ones. The other day we found a flier of the temple and he asked where the picture of Jesus was on the flier, he just seemed to remember. He also remembers what the swimming pool was for. We have taken our kids to two of the open houses, and Rachael kept asking me where her room was, I said what are you talking about "Your room" what she wanted was the Sealing room that has the mirrors so she can see herself forever. It is amazing the things they remember. What an amazing experience. Thank you to the Gillmans and the Rodriguez's families for going with us

Monday Night Mud Fight

Summers are so busy around our house. So therefore things don't always get taken care of. For example our garden, we have an amazing garden this year, but we also have amazing weeds. We cant stay on top of them for some reason. Well, maybe it is because we are gone every weekend and just don't find the time to get out and care for the garden. Also, weeding and yard work are my least favorite thing to do. So I decided that for family night we were all going to go out and pick the weeds and get our garden looking they way it should. Our dirt is awful so I told the girls to go turn the water on so it would get things a little soft, I also told them not to worry about wearing shoes because they would just get muddy. They were a huge help, but every once in a while someone would splash some mud. So Mike and I took one look at each other and new that this would be the perfect time for a mud fight. Addie and Brianna were talking when I took a handful of mud and threw it at both of them. That was the beginning of the end. We had the biggest mud fight ever. There wasn't a spot on us that wasn't covered. What fun we had, and yes the girls were SHOCKED that mom actually started it.

Final Swim Meet

We had our final swim meet on Saturday. I am so proud of my girls they did so good this year. They usually sign up for the Freestyle and the Backstroke. Brianna decided this time she wanted to try something new. She did the freestyle and took 7 seconds off of her swim. Then she did the breast stroke and she came in first for her heat. She was so excited, I think she may have found her sport. She has come a long way this summer, she wouldn't swim without plugging her nose and now she is swimming laps. Addie did the freestyle and backstroke and did amazingly well. The girls each participated in a relay race and both of their teams came in second. Way to go girls.

Rachael's 1st Tooth

Rachael has been trying for months to get a loose tooth. She would wiggle it every day to make it loose. All of her friends had lost teeth and she was feeling a little left out. So finally on Saturday it was really loose, she would wiggle it and it would bleed then she would cry. Loosing teeth is pretty painful. She was really worried that she would loose it at the lake while she was on the tube. It took us a while and a little reassurance from Aunt Jessica that it wouldn't fall out in the lake. Well by Saturday night it was looser, so her and Addie went into the bathroom and Addie pulled it out. Rachael couldn't be happier, and the tooth fairy came and left her a gold dollar.

Kids

This is what happens when the kids get really bored in the summer time.

Brianna's 10th Birthday

I can't believe Brianna is already 10. Time is going way to fast for me. We love having Brianna in our family. Here are the top 10
*Very loving
*Beautiful Smile
*Contagious Laugh
*Big helper
*Loves children/babies
*Great Swimmer
*Loves to learn
*Loves doing service for others
*Has a beautiful singing voice
*Daddy's Girl
We love you Brianna. Happy Birthday

Water Baby

Rachael has been taking swimming lessons and is loving it. She has learned so many things this year that I just cant get her to slow down. She is our "Water Baby" we cant keep her out of it. She loves going boating, she is always the first one in the water. She loves jumping off the back of the boat. She learned how to water ski this year and is having fun with that. So glad she isn't afraid of the water
(I think)

Stewart Falls

Sunday we took a family hike along with some good friends of our up to Stewart Falls. What a beautiful hike, there were wild flowers all over, beautiful greenery, and a little rain. The kids all did great. The hike start to finish is about 3 miles. We hiked into the waterfall and had a picnic dinner.

While we were there, there was another group of people and Mike turned to me and said isn't she an actress? After a closer look sure enough it was. Now I don't know her real name but she is the actress/doctor Carrie from the show ER the doctor with the cane. We were trying to bribe Addie with $5.00 if she went up and talked to her. Addie didn't dare so I just walked right up to her and said " I know that you are on vacation but I wanted you to know that I was a big fan of your show" She then gave me a hug and told me thank you, told me she was enjoying the mountains in Utah. Then off she went to finish her hike. Very nice lady, it isn't every day you see a star from ER.

GINGER

We have had quite a few sad days at out house. Last Friday Addie had a friend over to play. They decided to go in the backyard and say hi to Ginger. Ginger some how got spooked and bit Addie's friend on the lip, she needed about 5 stitches. There were other scrapes on her face as well. After talking to several Veterinarians, they decided (along with us) that due to her health, and age it would be better to have Ginger put to sleep. Because it was a bit the authorities had to get involved. We had a police officer come and pick Ginger up from the house and take her to the local Animal Shelter. Well as of today, Ginger is no longer with us. This has been very devastating on the all of us, especially Mike.

Almost 10 years ago Addie asked for a brown down with a brown dog house for Christmas. Lady and the Tramp had just come out and that is all that she would watch and that is all that she wanted for Christmas, no matter how hard we tried to talk her into something else. It is amazing how she just became one of us. We are going to miss her deeply. We did have a little session talking about the wonderful things she did and that we remember.
*she would always wait by the gate when you were coming or going.
*when we would BBQ she always new she was getting some of the drippings.
*she loved to go on walks
*she loved chasing the KITTIES (she couldn't ever catch them)
*she would always with Mike to tuck Addie in, she would snuggle up in her arm
*every night before we would go to bed and even in the mornings she new she was getting a treat.
There are many more wonderful things that she brought into our lives and we are going to miss her dearly.

Swim Team

Addie and Brianna are participating in Swim Team again this year. They are doing great. They had their first meet last week and did fantastic. Brianna has come a long way this year, she had a little fear of the water but is now a lot more comfortable. Way to go girls!!!

A little R&R

Mike and I went to Las Vegas for a short business meeting. What a great time we had, seeing fellow AmFam agents and their spouses. We had the pleasure of hanging out with Ryan, Brooke and Cooper Heath. While the guys were in meetings Brooke, Cooper and I headed to the pool. Cooper who is only 5 months old was sporting the cutes swim suit and sunglasses to match. He loved the water even though it was a little cold. We also walked the strip saw the water show at the Bellagio, ate an amazing meal at the Cheesecake Factory, not to mention the dessert. Mike and I also went to see the Blue Man Group, what an amazing show. I didn't know you can make music with so many different things. What a great way to start out my birthday weekend. On Friday we headed to St. George, we meet up with Tami who brought 3 of her kids and my three girls for the weekend. We took the kids to the lake and what a blast they had. They loved jumping off the back of the boat the most. Mike and I participated in another Triathlon on Saturday, and we just about killed ourselves. We were both successful in finishing, but our times weren't all that great. Maybe had we trained it would have been a little easier. We enjoyed relaxing, shopping and a nice meal with Mikes parent and Tami and Ava. Thank you everyone for a wonderful birthday weekend.

End of year party

Addie is my social butterfly, and she thinks that she needs to have a party for everything. Which I love to party but when it came to having 23 12 year olds at my house for 3 hours I was a little nervous. Addie and her friend put together this Hawaiian themed party. They had bobbing for apples, Limbo, water balloon fight which actually turned into a full on water fight. Food lots of Food. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Is this what it is going to be like having teenagers???

FIELD DAY

Of course it is that time of year again, and that always brings Field Day. The kids always look forward to this and have such a great time. Rachael took 2nd place in the 50 yard dash against all the girls in the kindergarten. Her teacher said that she can beat most of the 6th graders (good now she can run from all the boys). Brianna did great also, her team was great in beating the boys at Tug of War.

Medieval Fair

Every year Cherryhill puts on a Medieval fair. All of the kids have to come up with a product to sell that has to do with that time period. Addie and couple of her friends had a Stained Glass store, which they sold Rock Candy, (it looked like colored Stained glass) they sold every bit of what they had (after we all had to sample everything) they were very creative. The school also had World Professional Jousters come and put on a show. Wow!!! They were amazing.

OBSESSION

Some of you already know of my obsession. But this is actually a good obsession. I have started shopping with coupons and sales. I just cant get enough, but when you are getting boxes of cereal for .50 cents a box, how do you now stock up? My kids told me they are grounding me from buying cereal, we did have 70 boxes at one time. I know I know a little crazy. I was talking to my parents about a TV that my dad had purchased and I asked if I could buy his old one. Rachael pipes up and asked me if I had a coupon for that. Yes, I even have my kids programed that if there arent any coupons then we dont buy anything. So here are some of the pictures of my obsession, now some of you may not thing that it is a ton, but for us it is. I will share the secret with anyone who is interested.

Addie

Addie has so many things going on she could keep our blog busy just on her own. I have been horrible about posting things, but Addie just turned 12 yes the big "12" I am not to sure how I feel about all of this. She thinks now she is old enough to wear make up, have a cell phone that she likes to talk on for hours, go shopping when she wants and the list goes on. I am starting to feel really old, and I am not that old YET!!! Addie will be going to girls camp this year YIKES!!!. But I must say she is an amazing child, beautiful, friendly, smart, wonderful helper. I just don't know what I would do without her. This year for her birthday we had a Mary Kay party, a friend of mine is a consultant and she came and put on a party (thanks Aunt Kim for the suggestion) the girls had a blast. Then we made a bunch of fun finger foods and did manicures. Everyone had a wonderful time. Addie of course has been involved in many school productions. This year for their "Images of Greatness" she was Coco Chanel, she had a fun time learning many fun facts and stories of Coco Chanel. Addie was also involved with the play this year. She was the sound crew, the production was Disney's Mulan Jr. unfortunately she didn't make it into the play, but she learned that next time she tries out for something she needs to try harder.. Addie also got to bring home the class pet that is a Bearded Dragon and her name is Junior. Now as you can imagine I didn't care for this at all. But after 10 days we actually started to enjoy having her around (except for Ginger) I have a friend who's little 2 year old that she was the coolest thing ever.