Belle

December 28, 2008. We had a family tragedy this Sunday. Belle, our dog, was hit by a truck. A very nice couple stopped to tell us that they had seen a truck hit our dog and that she was laying out in the road. Jared carried her into the garage. Belle wasn't dead but we knew that she wouldn't last very long. It was heart wrenching to watch her. We had all the kids come and pet her one last time and tell her goodbye. Poor Taylor. He had claimed Belle as his since she was just a pup. It broke his little heart. Belle didn't make it much longer. Jared pretends to all tough but he is pretty tenderhearted. It was hard to watch the kids. We love you Belle.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was so much fun.

Taylor was so excited. He came in our room at 5 AM saying he couldn't sleep. He had already scoped out the tree and had determined that Santa had eaten the cookies. We held him off until 6:30 when we allowed him to wake up the red heads.

Abby wandered out half asleep. It didn't take them very long to get into the spirit of it. Taylor got a Didj and a toy puppy that responds to your voice and does tricks. Abby got a beautiful doll that looks just like her complete with a suitcase and clothes. Dallin got a tool set so he can be just like Dad.

That morning we invited all of the Grandparents over for Breakfast. It became an adventure for my parents who were traveling from Ogden to join us. It was a blizzard and snowed the entire day.

By that night the drifts in the road were pretty big and the power kept flickering. Taylor was getting a little nervous, so we reminded him that we had a fireplace to keep us warm, the pantry was full of food and we had each other. What else did we need? That became the slogan of the night and was repeated every time the power would go out. It really was a Christmas that we will remember.

Christmas Activities

The kids helped put up the
tree.

All of the kids had fun Christmas Activities at school. Taylor's class put on a Christmas play. Taylor was the narrator.

The kids were out of school three days before Christmas so we made Gingerbread houses.

And we made Sugar
Cookies.

We put on the Nativity at Grandma Slater's house. Taylor was Joseph, Abby was Mary and Dallin was a lamb.

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

I know I am a little slow catching up on the blog but I didn't want to let Thanksgiving go by without mentioning it. This year we were able to celebrate the holiday with both families. The food is always great and it is nice to get together with the everyone. My family is almost too big to fit into a house when we are all together. So we met at the church the Saturday before the real day. I made three batches of rolls and a pumpkin pie. On Thanksgiving day, we celebrated at Jared's Grandma Donna's house. We had an enjoyable time.

We also had a Thanksgiving Family Home Evening at the Nursing Home. Our family was asked to do the program the Monday before Thanksgiving. I was so proud of the kids. They spoke up and didn't act nervous. They talked and shook hands with eveyone. It was fun to see them praying and leading the music. We made a Thankful tree and talked about how "bare" our lives are without gratitude. Then we dressed up the tree by adding leaves that listed the things that we were grateful for. Being at the nursing home really helped us to put things into perspective. The things that were listed over and over were family, health and the gospel.

We have so much to be Thankful for this season. With the economy being so unstable, I have been very nervous. But Jared has been blessed with a great job. I am still able to work from home part time. We are all healthy and happy. We have a nice home in a great community. The kids all love school and are doing well in that regard. We have a good family and great friends. I enjoy working with the Young Women at church. We really can't complain. So I decided I needed to turn the news off and enjoy the present. Worrying over the future really won't change much.

Halloween

We had a really good time for Halloween this year. It isn't Jared's favorite Holiday but the kids love to dress up. This year I really didn't want to spend much money on trying to find costumes for the kids. Taylor decided to dress up as a Football player-thanks to Grandma Sherry. She saved Cody's old uniform. Abby decided to a rodeo queen. I was thrilled because I had been trying to talk her out of being a princess again. (Go figure, I spent days trying to find her a crown to wear on her hat.) Dallin was Bulleye, the horse from the movie ToyStory.

We went trick or treating with Tiffany and her girls. We went to the Grandma's and neighbors. It was so much fun this year because everywhere we went instead of just getting candy the kids got load of attention and love. Everyone made a big deal about how cute the kids were. We made some fun memories. We ended the night at Grandma Sherry's for Soup Bowls. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful night. It is nights like this that make me grateful to live in a small community close to family and so many good people.

Crazy Hair Day

For Red Ribbon Week at school the kids dressed up. Every day was something new, like wearing your PJ's or a hat to school. On this day the kids had crazy hair. The kids were so excited about it but there is only so much you can do with hair that is less than an inch long. I had bought so glitter glue for Abby's Halloween costume and it seemed to come off pretty good so we decided to try it in their hair. Of course if Taylor and Abby had their hair done, Dallin was not to be left out.

Note for the future:

The glitter stayed in amazingly well (I really thought that it would start flaking off). The trick to getting it out of the hair was to simply let it soak in the bath tub. Abby's hair was a little tricky to get ponytails out that were glittered together. Next time we'll do one or the other.

Garden

Jared is determined to be a farmer. We had a garden but it was average size. Now we have three times the garden. One that will help us and the rest of the ward be self sufficient. As much as I tease Jared, I love it. I always wanted a garden and really missed having one when we lived in Plain City. I love making dinner from our own produce. It is satisfying to eat something that you grew. We hope that it will help the kids learn to work and be responsible and that it can be a whole family project.

Dallin's sandbox

This is were Dallin used to play. He would drive his tractors up and down the driveway. He would dig holes where holes just shouldn't be and just for the fun add water.

Jared has been in the process of making a sandbox for our little digger and it is finally done. The kids love it and Dallin is one happy road builder. The sand does make a mess but at least he has a place to play and be a boy. Thanks Daddy.

Boo at the Zoo

I love Willow Park. Sherry took us to see Boo at the Zoo at Willow Park in Logan. They were celebrating Halloween and had a ton of fun activities for the kids. We did everything from face painting, craft projects, a dive in the leaves for toys and even went trick or treating at different stations.

We went with Tiffany and her girls and had a lot of fun. Dallin's favorite thing at Willow Park is to feed the ducks. He sits and talks to them and feeds them one pellet at a time. By the time I could drag him away his hand was brown from the pellets and the other kids were on the other side of the park.

Abby loved getting her face painted and to fill her bag. She loves hanging out with Brinley and playing Mom to poor little Brooklyn. Taylor is really a little scientist at heart. He loves to study the animals and tell us all the amazing facts that he can remember about them. He is pretty good about being patient with all the little kids and helping me keep an eye on Dallin.

Sherry is such a wonderful Grandma to the kids. She helps me realize that the kids are only little once and not to miss each moment.

UEA weekend

The kids and I had a really nice UEA weekend. September felt crazy for us all. Jared had been working so hard trying to get the yard in before winter hit. Taylor was playing soccer three days out of the week. I had been stressed about my school work and trying to please a new boss. Dallin was in withdrawals at seeing the other kids leave for school. (If he thinks this year is bad--just wait until Abby goes to school all day long! Poor kid)

I decided that we needed a break and UEA was perfect timing. We started the weekend by painting pumpkins. We had so much fun. We might not have a lot of talent as artists but we tried. Taylor really wanted to carve one but I felt a little intimidated with three little kids and knifes.

On Friday, I took the kids down to Ogden and we went hiking. My sister Adria and I took 7 little kids and tried to hike up Lewis Peek. The weather was perfect for hiking but we did not count on the mud. It had snowed up there the week before and it hadn't all melted. What did melt was then mud. Dallin tried to be so careful but by the time we made it back to the van everyone had to strip to even get in the vehicle. We ate a sack lunches at one of the look out points. I would love to do this every year and see if we can't make it a little farther every year. I was really impressed with the kids. They got along really well and we made it pretty far. I love being in the mountains. It seems to put things in perspective for me.

As if we hadn't had enough exercise for the day, that afternoon we took the kids swimming. We the pool all to ourselves. By the time we made it home we were all exhausted. It was fun though.

Jared's Room

Everyone need a place that is their own. Mine is the place I call a craft room. Really it is a place that I can put everything I don't know what to do with and shut the door--at least that's what Jared says. There might be a little bit of truth to this statement.

Jared's room would be the garage. He is even allowed to put the dead animals there. Luckily for me he doesn't have any. He painted the garage floor before we even moved in but some of the paint was peeling. His latest project has been to repaint the floor and to put some bling on the walls--stainless steel sheeting bent at just the right angle to become a 2 foot baseboard.

It does look nice. Maybe I should let him decorate my craft room.

Toothless Wonder

Yes, that would be Taylor. He is now missing 3 of his front teeth. He was so excited to be toothless. He wouldn't let anyone touch it even though he could rotate it 180 degrees. It was Monday night, already past bedtime. I was reading the kids stories and he wouldn't leave the tooth alone. I slyly mentioned the possibility of swallowing his tooth in the middle of the night. I was thereafter destined to pull the tooth. (GROSS) Jared was begging to do it but no it had to be Mom.

The tooth pulling wasn't that bad. I didn't even have to yank. The problem was the Tooth Fairy. The morbid Tooth Fairy has secretly been giving me Taylor's baby teeth to keep and preserve. Really I know some things just need to go in the garbage can but how do you honestly throw out the first baby tooth lost.

Anyway, Taylor wanted to take his tooth to show and tell. (Gross) When asked about the Tooth Fairy taking the tooth, he mentioned the other teeth already hidden in the secret compartment in my jewelry box. So much for hiding things from kids!

After that he was nervous that the Tooth Fairy would take his tooth. He even prayed about it. He was up all night checking on his tooth. At 5:45 the next morning he came running to our room. The tooth was still there with a gold dollar. (The poor Tooth Fairy is going to be broke.)

So he got to take the tooth to show and tell.

Tuesday night he lost another tooth. You'll never guess what he took to show and tell today. I think I will find something else to collect.

Family Pictures

We finally decided that we needed a new family picture--one that had Dallin in it. Yeah, I know he is four. Our friends Jason and Stephenie Richardson are starting a photography business so we lined up and said "Cheese".

DALLIN

It's about time I wrote about Dallin. His birthday was a month ago but that's about how far behind I am with everything.

Dallin started preschool this fall. He loves it!!! He has two wonderful teacher. We have been so impressed. The other day I thought to myself as 10, 3 and 4 years walked out of the house as cars, that I need to start bringing my camera every time I pick him up. They had made cars out of cardboard boxes, they were colored and fixed up with headlights, taillights and customized license plates. It was so cute. It has been a great confidence boost for him. For the first time he has been able to do something all by himself and not just watch big brother or sister do it.

Dallin turned four this year. I can't believe my baby is that big. He can be so much fun and constantly reminds me how much he loves me. His personality is as vibrant as his hair. Man, I love that little boy. The other day I was reading a story to him and he was patting my arm. He looked up at me and said, "Momma, you are beautiful." No wonder I love him.

He had a fun birthday thanks to all the grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. We love you Danno.

Back to School

It's that time of year again. BACK TO SCHOOL. The kids have been so excited. Taylor is going to second grade and Abby starts Kindergarten. Dallin will start preschool this year. School is even new for me, with a new Principal and different expectation. The past week has been crazy. During the day, we tried to play and enjoy the last week of summer vacation and at night I would stay up trying to get my school work done. I have tried hard to not short change the kids because of the few hours I work. Sometimes I am better at it than others.

Sunday, while we were still dressed up, we had a short Family Home Evening. Jared gave us blessings to start the new year. It set the perfect tone to start school. We are so lucky to have a Dad that honors his Priesthood and can do that for us. Thanks Jared. That night at bedtime I read the kids the story "Let me hold you longer". It is such a cute story but the wrong one to read that night. I started bawling, Abby started to cry and even Jared got emotional. It's sad to see the kids growing up so fast. It made me more determined to be a better Mom and enjoy the kids more. I focus too much on all the stuff that needs to be done. They are growing up and soon all I will have is those sacred memories of when they were my babies. Ok, so I am bawling again.

Monday, the kids were up bright and early. Taylor looked so handsome and grown up. He got himself ready, feed the dog and had an hour to spare. Abby was a little nervous, but so cute. They both loved school and their teachers. Dallin was the one who struggled. He didn't want Abby to go. I am glad that preschool will start soon.

I think that this will be a good year for all of us.

Belle

Taylor thinks that Belle is now a family member, so I better add her to the blog. I am not sure how much I agree with that. She is a good pet. But like all good things, she requires a lot of maintance. We bought a book to teach us how to teach her. So far she can sit.

I have been proud of Taylor. He has taken good care of her. He decided to take ownership and has kept up with the responsiblity so far.

Grass!

Last summer our lives revolved around building the house. This summer every spare second that Jared has had (or hasn't had), he has been trying to get the yard in. From planning, mapping, measuring, leveling, trenching, spraying, and finally planting--we now have grass!!! We get such a thrill out of watching the grass finally grow (yeah, I know our lives are exciting).

Now for some trees...

The Rhodes Fam

I am new to blogging but I though that I would give it a try. (Any advice is welcome!) Just a little bit about us...
Jared and I met almost 11 years ago. We met at a wedding and 6 months later had one of our own. We have three beautiful children. Taylor is 7, Abby is 5 and Dallin is just a month shy of being 4. We have been so blessed with wonderful kids. The kids sometimes test our patience but I marvel at the love I have for them. Taylor is so smart and sensitive. He can read like a 5th grader. He loves to learn (and to tease). Abby is going to start Kindergarten soon. Abby is all girl. She loves pink and purple and doing her hair. She loves to try on clothes. She dramatic about everything yet a tough little chick too. Dallin is tough and rough. He loves nothing more than to just play in the dirt. One of my favorite things right now is Dallin's favorite saying. All the time--just out of the blue--he'll say "I love you Mommy."