April 24th

This date has a lot of meaning for me. And not because it is "Administrative Professional's Day" (didn't it just used to be "Secretary Day"?).

So, I looked back in some of my journals (I ought to go further back) and this is what I discovered:

 2003-- I was engaged to marry Evan and said that sometimes I was "ornery" and I just wanted to get married! Patient, aren't I?

2004--(This is a big one). I graduated this day from BYU-Idaho; we got our family dog, Chuck; and I found out I was expecting Jeb.

2005-- So not exactly this day, but about this week, Dad had signed papers to sell the farm in Dayton and buy the farm in Malta. We hadn't realized we would be moving here as well within the month! It was about 4 months after we had lost Jeb and things were just starting to brighten (with the season and with my life).

2006-- We were getting ready to move to the Malta 1st ward and getting ready for JC & Sara's wedding. I was in full bloom with Hyrum! :)

2007--We were in our new home and Julie Nannenga's kindergarten job had just opened up. I was going back and forth about staying at home with the kids or taking the job. Heavenly Father was letting us choose, but in order to make it, our home became somewhere else (Nevada).

2008--I was spending time in Malta before we officially moved back to Nevada. I was worried about it and knew I would miss a lot of things about Malta, but I remember how much our boss, Brandon, was doing to help with the transition.

2009--I was REALLY in bloom with Miss Riley!

2010--I was busy, busy with Young Women's in the branch; Grandpa Spencer was trying to say his good-byes, things were good on the ranch.

2011--It was Easter Sunday and it had been a nice day at church. A sheepherder got bucked off a horse that day and Ev spent it in the emergency room trying to help that guy. That day was a HUGE turning point with the new manager and after that, we knew we had to leave the ranch.

2012--We moved back to Malta. After living in the apartment, I couldn't get over how BIG the house was. Lindsay was only 5 weeks old and it was a hard move but a happy move.

2013--I just count my blessings every day how much we love being back in Malta; I LOVE being closer to MOST family (we still haven't convinced Bernie & Vicki to move closer and we miss them); the health and happiness of my kids and how LUCKY they are to live here; and how lucky I am as well.

10 years! It is a special date in our lives and it feels like so many important things are decided around this time!

Kittens!

Lindsay has learned to stand. However, she hasn't realized that she can move her feet. She stands up, flaps her little arms, then falls and laughs.

 Mama cat blessed us with another litter of kittens. I think she has used about 7 lives, but she is an amazing mouser. She has an annoying meow and she leaves little doo-doos in the garage when she sneaks in, but other than that, she's a decent cat.

We LOVE the kittens. Riley is partial to the orange twins. I don't think they are partial to her.

 Lindsay has actually been really soft with the kittens. She even gives them "loves" (seen in the bottom left picture).

We are taking pre-orders. You better get your request in soon. These "puppies" are gonna go fast!

Cousin Fun

We LOVE having Logan and Elliott come spend time with us.  I'm not quite sure how they feel about it....

Lindsay "adoring" Logan. Logan having serious doubts.

 And on THIS day, I somehow conned the kids into brushing my hair. If people will brush my hair, they can get away with ANYTHING!

"Aunt Jen, can we play mermaids and sharks in the bathroom sink?" Sure.

"Mom, can I have some more marshmallows instead of eating my carrots?" Okay.

"Mom, Riley is running around outside without her clothes on." Great. Can you brush on this side?

Does anyone hire to do daily head massages for really cheap? Say, PBJ's for lunch?

Do Mormons have horns?

Yes.

 Early morning babysitting crew.

Funny Lines

(Last Christmas)
Ev: Riley, are you excited to get a Christmas tree?
Ri: No!
Ev: Why?
Ri: B/c you took me away from my Grandma!

Riley on our way to Arizona:
"I'm excited to see Gma Vicki. And Poppa Bernie's mustache!"

Hy & Ri were playing a game where they charged straight at Grandpa Jeff's legs and would duck through & under. Poppa protected his "huevos" and Hy said, "I hope I don't break your little marbles!"

Riley called Lindsay's walker toy a lawn mower. She then told me, "Mom, I've got to 'lawn' my grass!"

Lindsay's pigtails

Chores on the "farm"

For the purpose of family journaling and so all y'all could see what we do on a regular basis, I decided to take the camera up to the corrals.

 

The kids like to play on the loading chute. This is good, in case we ever need to load them on a semi-trailer.

 Some of the our hens. They are Sexlink chickens. I don't know why they call them that. I think a man must have thought of that name. Grandpa Israelsen always liked this kind of hen.

 Hyrum sticking his head in the barrel to get the eggs.

 Ev working "Pirate" the white dog on the steers. Herbie, my corgi, is "helping."

Jasper and Kelly Bear

 Lindsay is studying to be supervisor (name that movie).

 Riley watching her dad. Notice the Rapunzel dress? That thing is getting worn out!

 Hyrum roping the little Billy Goat

 Lindsay petting the little goat I caught for her.

 "This is how it's done, son."

 Hy caught him!!!



Rainy Days and Mondays

Pretty little girl with her purple "ubber-ella".

 Pretty little girl with her....uh....plunger?

And this is, weird, but I buy the expensive toilet paper for our bathroom. Why? Is it because my hiney is more important than the childrens'? Well maybe. But really, it is because the Kirkland Signature brand does not fit in that nifty toilet paper holder. And which toilet paper does Lindsay like to unravel? That's right. My expensive Cottonelle t.p.