Trained Professionals?

Layne and I are halfway through our CERT (community emergency response team) training course.  We did some pretty cool looking bandages last night as you can see.  I wonder if he has a head injury or is getting ready to do saturday cleaning?

We are learning some good things but the meetings are long and some people in our class really like to ask a thousand questions!!  I entertain myself by writing notes to them to "Shut IT!" and then spend the rest of the time daring myself to pass it to them (which I never have done, YET!)

Let's just hope this big earthquake still waits a few hundred years!!! If not, don't worry, you're all in good hands!!

jam session

Don't be surprised when these guys are famous.  Just remember it all started in the living room.  They may need suggestions for a band name....

"It really Sucks!"

I think the dream was sparked over 10 years ago when we bought a house with a central vacuum system that didn't work.  Layne was determined that someday he too would live the "good life" of being able to vacuum to his hearts content.  Of course I like to put the brakes on his dreams sometimes, but I guess I never defused it completely.  He found a "great deal" (which he refuses to tell me the price)  and now is in process of tearing our house up to put it in the walls.  "Oh I'm going to love it"  he tells me with a dreamy look in his eye.  How can I resist such yearning?  I will admit that I do love the boys getting in on his projects.  Kyler spent a good part of his Saturday working with dad and Zach really liked going in the attic.  I don't know anyone else like Layne, he does make me laugh with all his quirky dreams.  I hope he vacuums 'til the cows come home!!!

The Cabin

New year's day at the cabin!  Becky, Mike and boys came up for the day and the kids had fun sledding!

Jace and Paige making angels! 

Does this look safe to anyone else?  The big 10 year old with the huge helmet on his little stick of a brother?  This was the last ride in this position! 

My mom and dad stayed the night with me since Layne had to work and I guess I'm not big enough to sleep alone.  They definately did make it so much easier and fun!  My dad kept the cabin toasty and helped so much and my mom gave the kids a great snowball fight and me the biggest laugh when she went sledding!  Oh!  She looked so funny and screamed so loud!  I'm laughing thinking about it now!  Thanks again!  Here's to 2009!!

Kidnapped!

During Christmas break, I wanted to run away from the video games, movies, and the mess.  I kidnapped my kids for the whole day and it turned out so great.  We hopped onto trax and rode downtown SL right to temple square.  (We did see some intereting people while riding the train.)  We were there with 10 minutes to spare to see the joseph smith movie which I hadn't seen.  It was really wonderful!   

Next we ate at the cafe in the Joseph Smith building.  Really cheap kids meal prices but all you really need is some big fat cinnamon rolls!

We walked all over temple square and the kids did so well!

Kyler saw a sister missionary with a flag from Brazil on her tag and impressed her with all his Portugese words he's learned from uncle Justin.

We had a tour of the conference center and my kids were the guides helpers.  It was cool all the things we learned!  Then we went to the church history museum and finished up before riding home!  A great day was spent by all.  

ps, we missed our daddy, maybe next time!  (I sure do love that Layne Liston boy!!)

Jenn's Gift

My sis Jenn gave us a great present.  She made a disc for our family from her camera of any pictures we were in.  Here are some of my top 5 fav's!!!  

The photographer nerds!

Zach really stressing baby Kenzie out!

Riding with a road hog!

The tooth pulling nazi!  Why does Kenz looks so scared?

And my fav, the baby snuggly!

(rated pg-13) hee-hee!

Princess Paige and Queen Joleen!

Every Christmas night after all the fun and excitement, I lay in bed and instead of thinking, "I can't believe it's all over" I think, "I still have tomorrow!"  My birthday has always been the day after Christmas, as I've never known anything else, I love it!  My very best present will always be Paige born 4 years ago.  I'm so happy we get to celebrate together!  I was taken to breakfast by my fun friends and it started the day off just right!  I like to pack everything in, so we tried our best!  Paige had a fun princess party with all her little friends and loved the cake aunt Becky made!  
The girls danced, made wands, colored, painted their nails and did make-up.  It was kinda crazy but she's been talking about a party for a year!   
This is Paige and I getting our own pedicures later in the afternoon, then we rushed to a movie.
Thanks Layne!
My mom made dinner and had gifts but the best was she was taking my kids the next day so I could have a day off.  They left at 10 and were gone until 6.  Layne and I had a lunch date and I went shopping and then took a nap!!!  I had the best birthday ever!!!