Strawberries and "Bernie" bushes

I couldn't wait for the day that Riley and I could plant strawberries together.  I was actually pleasantly surprised at how helpful and enthusiastic Riley actually was!

 The stick in the ground says "Riley's Strawberries" so we could tell them apart.

 Sadly, after a few frost, not the best soil, and wind, and maybe lack of water, the strawberries have perished.  Riley had 3 plants that almost made it, but they too have gone under. Sigh....maybe next year.


Back in Dayton, my parents had some bushes that I always liked on the side of their house.  I asked Mom the name of them and they're called "Burning Bushes" because they turn a beautiful red color.  My children thought I called them "Bernie Bushes" (my father-in-law is Bernie) and it has stuck ever since.

 Before.

Evan & Hyrum digging holes with their shovels.  Hyrum likes digging holes!

Lindsay supervising. 

We had 4 bushes and so we said that the 3 on the side of the house could be Hyrum's, Riley's and Lindsay's.    So they each chose one (well, Hyrum & Riley did and Lindsay got the one that was left over) and here they are sitting in front of them.  Yes, Riley is screaming.  Oh well, typical 3 year old.

Cousin Fun

We've been having lots of fun being close to cousins.  Evan's cousin, Andrea & her family live close by with their daughters (who Riley loves) but we don't have any pictures yet. My brother, JC & his wife live nearby with their two boys: Logan & Elliott.  We had a cousin day a few weeks ago and made a veggie dinosaur. 

Photo Shoot

I wanted to get pics of the kids.  I'm not a photographer and I don't really know of anyone who wants to take pics of my kids for free, so I just did it after church.  Hyrum wasn't really thrilled about staying in his Sunday clothes any longer.  And Riley liked taking pics but she kept pulling goofy faces.  But, here are some of them!

My Riley is "NO!"

Did you know that "NO" is an age? Anyone with a 3-year old can testify.  It goes: 1, 2, NO!!!  Here is my beautiful girl on her birthday!

 Her new princess tea set.  Basically anything pink and princess-y is a winner.

 Party animals, Daddy & Lindsay.

 Blowing out candles with her cousin-friend, Olivia. (Two peas in a pod)

 Her b-day poster

 This loverly little goat was born on her b-day!

My Riley loves to dance in the Nissan pickup when she is with her dad.  She likes to read books and play with her dolls.  She loves her grandmas and aunts.  She's as girly as Hy is manly.  She's a great big sister to Lindsay and likes to make new friends.  She loves to wear dresses and go to nursery.  I sure love my girl and  have so much fun when we have just Mommy & Riley time!

"Chin-Cheeto Land" and "Dancing with the Stars"

Hyrum came up the stairs dressed like this one day.  He said, "Some people might call me an Indian.  But others call me a 'Chin-Cheeto'."  Then he went on to explain all about "Chin-Cheeto Land".  

"Do you know what they call hamburgers in 'Chin-Cheeto Land'?  Chin-Cheeto Burgers."

Now, if he ever gets upset, he's supposed to say "Chin-Cheeto" as fast and as many times as he can.  It actually works at calming him down and making him laugh.

 I was on the computer and Riley said, "Mom, I'm dancing with the star."  I looked at her, because we don't even have tv right now, so where could she have learned about "Dancing with the Stars?"

Sure enough, she was!

Lindsay's Blessing

Lindsay Israelsen was blessed in the Malta 1st Ward by her dad.  My mom made her dress and I made her afghan.

 I forced Ev to keep his jacket on and Hy to stay dressed in order to get this picture. :)

 4 generations: Grandmummsie, Great Grandma Ilajean Spencer, Lindsay, Me

 Dad, A. Vickie, Steve, Kylie, Sara, Ann, U. Daryl

 Evan, Sara, Ben, Kylie, Ann (and Steve's foot, Dad's head, U. Daryl's knee)

 JC and Janeen in the kitchen

It was a nice day and fun to visit with family who came for the blessing!

9 Years

Yesterday marked 9 years of wedded bliss for Evan & I.  We were looking back at all of our anniversaries and this seemed to be one of the better ones.  The first year we were married was Mother's Day and we told our mothers (and fathers) we were expecting Jeb.  The second year, we placed the headstone on Jeb's grave and sang "Families Can Be Together Forever".  Our fourth anniversary, Ev brought up the subject of possibly looking for other work besides Malta (and moving) right after we had moved into our new house. I don't think that was a good subject to bring up that day :)  Our fifth anniversary, we moved "officially" to Spring Valley and we were sooooo sick.  See here.  Our sixth anniversary, I was on bed rest to keep Riley from coming too early.  Our eighth anniversary was deciding if we should move or not.

Ev promised me couches, since we have never officially owned any other than hand-me-downs.  We spent the day with Lindsay in Syracuse and Farr West, Utah, hunting down couches I had found on KSL.  (Thanks to Sara & JC for babysitting).  We had a fun day together, and I'm so excited about these couches.  So, come on over and SIT awhile :)  Love you, Ev!