10 years
10 years ago
Amberli is 4
Friday, November 14, 2008
Amberli is such an amazing 4 year old. Yesterday she came into Matt's office while Matt and I were talking. She asked "Mom what's for lunch? I was thinking eggs." What a riot... Matt and I laughed all day.Meeow
She put up with all the shenanigans. She probably thought we were weird - painting her face to look like a cats.
The whold crew
Halloween was fun. Ethan was a mummy (his wrappings kept falling off). Amberli was a Loin (thanks for the costume Daelen). Katie was a mer fairy (mermaid with wings) and Samantha was a cat. We did a little trick or treating (Saw Evan and Dixie and Grandma Excells), Stopped by one neighborhood party, and made cookies at Grandma Halls. The kids had a really fun night.
Family photo
This picture was fun to do, All of us were sitting on Daddy in one way or another. He's a good sport.
Smiles
We are so blessed to have such wonderful children. Some day's they are a headache, but they are so sweet and thoughtful most of the time. And they have beautiful smiles.
Family Picture
Since we were at the photographers anyways we got some family pictures done. The last one we did was when Amberli was 1.
Amberli turns 4
We take the kids to get their pictures taken when it's their birthday (or around the birthdays). Amberli got some good ones taken - she is a cutie.
Blowing out the candle
Lots to catch up on. Amberli's birthday was on Oct. 28th. We decided not to have a big party, just a family dinner. She requested Pizza, so we took some pita bread and used them as crusts and laid out a table full of toppings. I made her a cake, and we invited the grandparents over. I think everyone had a good time.
Halloween Cruise
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
While we were up there, we went on the Halloween cruse on the Provo river. It was a flat bottom boat, with about 40 people on it. They pulled us by hand up and down the river while the guide told the legend of sleepy hollow, a pirate rowed his canoe out and gave us all a tootsy roll. It was going great, Ethan was nervous at first (to the amusement of the other passengers) There were Jac-o-lanterns lining the bank and lights strung over the river so that pumpkins and ghosts hovered above our heads. We were passing under some pumpkins when Amberli out of the blue yells "These Pumpkins Suck!" Later She told me she said that because they were "sparkly" (Those pumpkins were flickering). It was a bit embarrassing - but it could have been worse, she was sitting next to Bryan and Crystal, not me.Rhino Ride
The kids are sitting on the Rhino Statue. Amberli and Katie are held on by the horns (Amberli did walk gingerly after she got off), Mom Took this picture, Sam is taking one too. Bryan is the other arm you can see.
Zoo Oct '08
The kids liked the Giraffe house. It had signs all over it that the animals were frightened by loud noise, so pleas be quiet. (I almost didn't let Ethan in)
Zoo Oct '08
We spent some time in Lehi with Crystal and Bryan and Sam and Andria, Sam and Andria sprang for everyone to go to the Zoo. We all had a blast. Samantha even had a good time looking at the animals.
A Year Ago
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Lat year (10-13-07) We Hiked Zion, Emerald Pools Trail. We only went to the middle pool. It was a lot of fun and we took lots of pictures (view them on my flicker account). It is neat to see how much the kids have grown, and how different our family is now. Amberli has grown the most I think. She has had a lot of growth this year. Matt has a different job (several of them actually) We have a new member of our family. Crystal and Bryan live in Lehi now. Its exciting to think of all the wonderful things that are headed our way in the year to come.We are headed to visit with Sam and Andria, et all, and Crystal and Bryan, et all - this weekend. (Our van is problematic right now so hopefully our visit wont be to adventurous) We are planning to do a Halloween boat ride down the Provo River Friday night, and then go to the Zoo on Saturday. We have to be home on Sunday they put me in the Primary Presidency last week (and we don't have any Nursery leaders yet - guess where I'll be).
Ready to cheer
Monday, October 13, 2008
Katie Cheered at the football game on Friday. She was really good this year. She had a blast, She looks forward to the cheer clinic every year. (we won the football game 55 to 3)Taste testing for hot
We made Salsa on the 5th Sam and Andria provided lots of produce and we made salsa and green tomato relish to our hearts contents, and our minds lost sanity.
Samantha likes the animals
We all had a good time. We arrived at about 5:30 and figured we would let the kids run until they ran out. We gave up shortly after 9 and told them we were leaving anyways. They ran and played and slid and swung, and did the chicken dance - yes the chicken dance. Birthday people are honored with the chicken dance and Ethan spilled the beans that it was Mom's birthday so up I was called and the chicken dancing began. (I made Ethan be my partner.)
Maybe this one
We picked pumpkins there in Stahli's pumpkin patch. Ethan ran though the patch 3 or 4 times before he settled on one. Katie was after the Great Pumpkin. We finally told her that she had to Easily! carry her pumpkin (not staggering under the weight) Somebody had to help her back on the tractor trailer ride because she couldn't lift it into the trailer for the ride back to the cars. Amberli was happy with the first likely one she ran across. Mom and Dad just counted themselves lucky to get one.
Serious Jungle
You can see why Ethan ran through this yelling at the top of his lungs about how he isn't scared of a little jungle. (seriously he did - I think everyone in the Washington fields could hear him).
climb on
Amberli climbs on Mom to try and get away from the weeds. Mom is not tall enough to accomplish this, but she likes the ride anyways.
The Jungle Maze
We went to Stahli Family Farm Last for my birthday. We did the corn maze which isn't really corn. I guess they can't get corn to grow on the east side of the street and Washington city won't let them transport people across the street anymore so they grew really big weeds. Ethan Loved! it he ran through the jungle like a mini Tarzan. Katie hated! it. "I keep getting wapped in the face" (whine whine). Samantha didn't care one way or another and Amberli hitched a ride on mom.
Aunt Debbie and Samantha
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Its been a while since one of hers fit in a sink. She said she wasn't baby hungry. She loves her 5, and 5 is a great number.Traveling
Samantha Traveled really well. The flight attendants all loved her and most of the passengers never knew she was on board. Northwest gave her a first flight certificate (even though technically it wasn't her very first airplane ride).
Birthday party
I look kind of psycho, but its all in fun. Gayle and Fred threw Debbie, Barry, Brice and I a birthday party on Sunday. It was so nice. (Brice had to work :( )
Museum of Battleground
This is where William Henry Harrison, (Tippecanoe and Tyler too) fought the Native Americans in Prophets town. They have a Museum there and have turned the camp that Harrison set up into a memorial park. Xander, Matt, Samantha, and I went through the museum on Sunday, while Debbie and the rest of the kids played out in the park.
Deer Creek
Deer Creek is just 3 blocks from Debbie's house. It has a park on the other side of it that is just beautiful. We Came on Sunday to look for fresh water clam shells. We found some (but I forgot them in Indiana) Looking for them was a lot of fun. After we found some the kids played on the playground equipment and had a ball.
Ladies and Gentelmen
They figured on tens of thousands of people to come to the Feast this year. These are some of the reenactors in costume. There were a lot of people in costume (and lots of costumes to buy$$$).
Indiana
We spent last weekend in Indiana (Matt, Samantha and I). We got back on Monday. I thought I'd post some Highlights. This is Debbie and me at the Feast of the Hunters Moon. We went on Saturday. Mom Hall made these costumes for us to wear. It is a reenactment of the settling of the area in colonial times. There are lots of cool costumes, and lots of different vender's.
At the Circus
The day before we left for Indiana the Circus came to town (the fair grounds). Matt happed to be out of town that day so Grandma Hall came with us. She should have stayed at home to sew birthday presents but she decided to play hooky with me (I am so glad). They were over an hour late getting started. Talk about frustrating, we all had to get up early the next day. They did do the Elephant rides before it started though so we did that. Matt was disappointed it was his year to ride the Elephant and he was out of town. We had to leave at intermission because it was 9:00.
Beautiful in Blue
This is a dress that Angie wore when she was a baby. It was made for her by her Mom and Grandma Jukes. It has a embroidered roses on the bonnet and on the front of the dress.
Samantha's First Smile
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Daddy was playing with Samantha on evening and she smiled (it was not gas), We got the Camera Quick. She is a very happy baby. This weekend we demonstrated for a dutch oven cooking class. She hung out in her sling for several hours while we did the cooking - she was good as gold. Everyone commented on how good she was.Reflections
Friday, September 12, 2008
Katie is in the Relief Society birthday dinner program - Daughter of a King. It was put on by our ward for our ward. They needed an 8 yr. old girl. Since there are only 2 in our ward Katie got the part. Uncle Kendell was helping with the music so he got an advanced copy of the script. He was looking at it in Sacrament one day. I glanced at it - it had the cast listed, and there was my daughters name. I had no idea what this was, no one had talked to us about a production. It was probably a month before anyone called and asked if she could do the part. What a riot. (I didn't tell them I had already seen the script - it would have embarrassed them.)Name Sake
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Grandma Great (Helen) Holds Samantha Helen. Samantha is one day old.Andira, Sam, Sam, and Sam
Aunt Andria holds Samantha, Sam holds Samuel Seth. This is a fun picture from Samantha's blessing day. Lets just say Sam is a family name.
Hard at work
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Canning this way is not so bad. Dad, and Mom Hall were there leading us onward to victory. Matt and I canned and Sam and Andria Canned, Jeanette was there in spirit and by phone. We talked of old times in the sweltering kitchen of the House on State Street. We listen to Ethan sing Queen (then put on the CD) and watched the wild life. We made applesauce and canned peaches (for the first time with Agave - haven't tried it yet, but it should be good )Daddy keeps Sam happy
Getting ready for church. Grandma Hall does Katie and Amberli's hair. We stop and pick them up on the way and get a family photo before we go. Thanks to Sam and Andria for taking them.
Family photo
Out side of the Church after blessing Samantha. Great Grandma Excell, Grandma and Grandpa Sweetheart join us for a photo.
Amberli - lizard catcher extraordinaire
If there is a lizard in the house Amberli can catch it. Ethan and Katie tried to take this one away from her and it got away. I made them leave her alone and sure enough Amberli caught it again.
Samantha is on the go.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
We have had a busy week. We went in search of Cave Valley in ZNP. I think we found the valley but not the cave we were looking for. We found a Cave but not the one with the rock art. We will have to try again another weekendSleeping Beauty
Samantha Helen Excell will be blessed on August 31st at11:00am at the Hurricane West Stake Center.
The First Day of School and More
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
This month is full of first. Katerina has started third grade (Grandma Hall is her teacher). Katie is so excited for this year. She is determined that she is going to learn it all as fast as possible.
Ethan has started first grade. We'll see if he likes going all day. He has a really good teacher this year too. We are expecting a great year.
Amberli has started preschool. (She is going to Ethan's old preschool.) She loves her teacher! She has her very own back pack with a lunch box (she tries to talk me into making her a lunch to take). Amberli has also started ballet. She has been waiting a year to start (the teacher won't take them before they are 3). She ran up to her teacher and gave her a big hug (it was like she was saying Finally Here!)
Samantha is sleeping through it all (at least the daylight hours). We will celebrate when she sleeps through the night.
