Sweet Home Alabama

Valentines Day

2012-02-16T14:43:00.001-06:00

This year for Valentines Day I didn't get as creative as I did last year. I was going to make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, but when I got up at 5:30 I had forgotten that's what I wanted to do. I thought about doing something for dinner except we now have young men's/young women's on Tuesday's (thanks to the split of the ward) and I wasn't sure if there was going to be enough time to do anything. So I ended up not doing anything fun. I did end up making the pink, heart shaped pancakes for breakfast the next morning. The kids were excited and I think they ate more then they usually do.

This year Em was the only one that needed valentines for school and she chose to give "Fun Dips" to her class mates. She ended up not having enough to give her teachers, so one day as I was browsing one of my favorite blogs (ourbestbites.com) I found a fun valentine for her teachers. I had every intention of making a fun fruity popcorn to go with the card (from their blog too) but time got the better of me and I ended up using microwave kettle corn. No, it is not nearly as good as the other but it worked.

It was fun and Em was so excited to give it to her teachers.

Em got these cute valentines from a friend. I thought they were so cute and she is already talking about making these for her friends next year.

Andrew and Clark

2012-02-13T09:18:00.000-06:00

Last night Andrew got his second wind just as we were getting ready for bed. He decided he was going to beat up Clark. It had all started when he took off my slippers and tried to get my toes. Clark then decided he was going to help Andrew get mom's toes. Clark had gotten me and Andrew is a little protective, that he quit getting my toes and started beating up Clark. His "hiya's" are hilarious. As he would hit Clark he would say "hiya" over and over again. He is so funny. Ryan eventually joined in and Andrew was having a blast going after both his brothers. Once Andrew realized I had taken a video he wanted to watch it over and over. Now that I was checking to make sure it worked with the blog he came running over to see it and is climbing on me so I can replay again, and again and again!!! That's okay it makes me laugh and he grins every time he see's it.

But of course when he realized the camera was out he had to stop, pose and then look at the picture I had just snapped. I don't know what these children would do with a camera that takes film. They are so spoiled to see the picture after it's been taken.

What we have been up to

2012-02-10T15:22:00.000-06:00

Well, I have been a slacker and haven't blogged about the boys basketball season yet. I didn't forget I just didn't get very good pictures at their games, (I have to figure out how to use my camera inside and get good action shots like I can at their soccer games). The season started back in December and ended last night. Both Clark and Ryan were on the same team (mom loved that, two practices a week and one game on Saturday). For the first little while it seemed weird not to have to be there for hours or three days a week, but soccer is starting up in the next few weeks and I am afraid my evenings will be spent up at the soccer fields. The only problem is now that our ward has split we ~~don't all meet on Wednesday's~~ meet on Tuesday's and here everything is geared for church on Wednesday nights. Well we will see what happens.

Here are a few of the best pictures I took.

Clark

Yes, the basket was good!!! He is getting so tall and will probably be able to dunk here soon.

Ryan improved so much this year. He actually was able to touch the ball in the games. He shot a few baskets and missed but some that were close. He did a great job at defending the ball. He even had a few steals that were awesome!!!

What Andrew and Emma did during the games when I couldn't keep him in stroller.

Getting some advice from the coach.

I was experimenting with my camera and I was able to get shots of Clark at the line getting ready to shoot a foul shot. Watch the ball.

Swish!!! He made it!!!

Crafty things I've had fun making!!

I had seen this done at Christmas on a wreath. I realized I don't have a whole lot of Valentine's decorations so I thought how fun would it be to make a heart wreath. I used a coat hanger and shaped it into a heart, bought some tulle (on sale for .77 cents @ Hobby Lobby) cut it into 11" by 8" strips, tied them on and the finished project. I love projects that are cheap and easy. I think I ended up getting approximately nine yards of tulle. It could use a little bit more to make it poofyer (I don't think that is a word but I'm giong to use it anyway) but I already had to go back for more and I thought I got the same color, got home and is was more rose than hot pink. It's a good thing it looks good together, you probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't of told you though.

The next two projects came from a sister in my ward who got these ideas off Pinterest made them herself and then blogged about it. I have only been on Pinterest for a couple of weeks and now just getting the hang of it. I decided to try to make them since I loved them and here are my finished projects. (I don't know how to automatically take you to the blog but this is where I found it salttree.blogspot.com/2011/08/apothecary-esk-dyi.html On top they are homemade apothecary jars that I used a tapered (glass) candlstick holder, a jar preferably with a lid and E6000 craft glue. That's all. It was so easy and when I showed them to some friends they had no idea that they didn't come that way. I have enjoyed having them. I needed something new for my mantle and wanted something (if I wanted) that a could change with the holidays. Yes, the kids have enjoyed the conversation hearts and the cinnamon hearts that I decided to use for valentines decor.

On to the next project. This one is found at watchmedaddy.blogspot.com/2011/12/felt-flower-scarf-tutorial.html It was very very simple. I really enjoyed making it, and I got a lot of compliments on it when I wore it to church. All it is is felt. Check it out. I'm not going to go into details other then it was very simple. These pictures don't do it justice but I like it.

It seems like I have been more crafty lately, or I just decided to blog about it so I can remember some of the things I did so when I look back I can be reminded of some of the fun things I did.

A trip to the Zoo!!

2012-01-31T13:46:00.000-06:00

I now have my laptop back and so I am going to take a break and finish our trip to the zoo!!! On January 16th (aka Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Robert E. Lee Day as it is known in the south) the kids and dad had the day off. Not wanting to sit at home we decided to go to the zoo. Since Andrew was older, (his last trip was when he was six months old), and we though he would enjoy seeing the animals. Well we were right, he loved seeing the animals, he even wanted to get in and play with the zebras and some of the other animals.

Andrew waving and saying "HI" to the monkeys. He is such a friendly little man and he would wave at all of the animals. He cracks me up.

Here he is looking at either a snake or a type of a frog, I can't remember, but he thought it was great. Just look at his face.

Besides the zebras he also wanted to go play with the kitties (aka cheetahs). Little does he know these kitties would have him for lunch.

Most of the family.

Aren't these birds just so majestic. Yes, they are Bald Eagles and I love looking at them. It was so funny while we were here there was a little rodent (a mouse or squirrel) digging around just outside their cage, and the eagle on the left was quite occupied with him. I wonder if he was thinking ooohhh an early dinner.

I really have no words for this. Check out Ryan's and Emma's face.

Andrew wanting to pet the elk. No, we didn't let him, he was having a blast seeing all of the animals. We decided to get a family pass for the year (since it was only seven more dollars), so now Andrew can visit the animals more often.

We came around the bend to the Gaff's as Andrew says. He was telling me they are tall and have long necks. It is so fun to hear your kids talk about the things they know, I am glad some things are sticking around in there heads.

As we went from animal to animal he was just so intrigued and was loving it. Now, one of the older kids wanted to hurry so we could get back home so he could go play soccer with some friends (I am not mentioning who but it's not the eldest). Dad had told the boys they could go play earlier that day so he was holding us to it, children...

Checking out how we compare to an elephant.

Emma

Ryan

Andrew

Clark, yes he is over six feet. Can you believe it and he is only 14 years old.

Now we can't go to the zoo without playing at the park. Andrew has learned how to climb the playground equipment to get up to the slides.

Even Clark went down them. He would supervise Andrew and then follow him on the slide.

Andrew and Ryan racing. Andrew won!!!

Emma even got her dad on a swing. Man was she excited!!

We had a great trip to the zoo. Emma has already asked if we could go back. I was mentioning it to Andrew and he was talking to me about the animals there. He is such an animal lover.

I better go and get my dishes done because they aren't going to load into the dishwasher or come clean by themselves. But if you ever hear of that happening let me know!!

Temple trip

2012-01-30T13:04:00.001-06:00

A few Saturdays ago (1/21/12) was a youth temple trip for our ward and because Carrson and myself were out of town the last time they went (we were on the cruise), we missed the opportunity of being there for Ryan's first time going. This time dad was able to go (him being in the Young Men's), I sent the camera with him in hopes of getting a picture of Ryan in front of the temple, so I could post it and so he could remember how he felt that day.

I can't believe that I am old enough to have two of my children old enough to be able to go to the temple already and feel the spirit there. I hope that they will always remember how they feel when they are there and that they will think about it often.

The Draper men

Changes

2012-01-29T18:43:00.000-06:00

I know I have not blogged for a few weeks I have good reason (well not really). Two weeks ago I was trying to put my laptop back on the table and move a book all while trying not to knock over a can of soda. Well the soda won, the cord from my laptop hit it knocked it over and some spilled on the keyboard and a few of the keys would not work after that, so needless to say no laptop and trying to work on the desk top and have a two and a half year old just do not go together. Then it gets worse we took my laptop to "Geek Squad" they called and told me the keyboard was working but the hard drive was fried and we would need to replace it. UM... it was working when I took it in and they want to fix it but they refuse to pay for it. So hopefully I will get it back tomorrow and I can really see what is going on. So in the meantime I have a few minutes to sit at the desk top and blog. I don't have any pictures to go along with it so you may really enjoy this, but beware when I get a few minutes later lots to get caught up on!!

Two weeks ago our ward here in Prattville, Alabama split. Okay let me start at the beginning. When we returned from our vacation this past summer we came back hearing the rumors that the ward was going to split. I thought how crazy, the ward isn't very big, we were averaging about three hundred to sacrament (me thinking) and I thought it wouldn't happen. Well all we heard was the ward is splitting and this is where the boundaries for months, then they postponed out Ward Conference till November (to give the First Presidency enough time to look it over, me thinking again. Ward Conference came (we ended up being out of town) and the Stake Presidency announced it was going to split and they would announce the boundaries on January 15, 2012. I was quite shocked coming from Utah where the wards are the size of the ward they wanted to split. So I now know if the Lord thinks it can be done, we better work hard to make it better. Just to think the ward seems like it did when we moved here.

Even though we stayed in the Prattville Ward we (most all of us) have new callings. No bishops, but Clark was called to be the First Counselor in the bishopric. It is funny (or I think it is), I had some of the members come up to me and ask if it is going to be an adjustment having him gone on Sunday mornings, nights and not having him sit with us. My answer was well he has been on the High Council for the last three years and for a year and a half before we moved, having him home Sunday mornings throws me off. I am grateful that Carrson is worthy enough to be able to have the calling and show his love for the gospel to our brother's and sister's in the ward. Now to me (sigh), all I wanted was a calling that put me closer to my comfort zone and not have to ask others to help with meals or visit sisters that are home bound and needing compassion. Well I got a new calling but as we know the Lord works in mysterious ways (He is going to get me out of my comfort zone one way or the other) I am now the Gospel Doctrine Teacher. Yes, the adult teacher. Three things I am going to learn here are,1: don't wish for an easier/more comfortable calling, 2: to be able to teach adults that know more than I do and 3: more about the scriptures. They are all win win situations and one day I will be grateful that I accepted the calling and the challenge to learn the scriptures. I had been wanting to get back to studying the scriptures so this way I figure Heavenly Father is providing a way for me to have time to be able to.

I had to teach today and I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. The power of prayer is wonderful!! I know Heavenly Father will only give us what we can handle and He will help us when we ask Him to.

5 years :)

2012-01-09T09:17:00.001-06:00

I was thinking last night (yes it is rare, jk) that this weekend was our five year anniversary from moving to Alabama from Utah. It seems like the time has flown by and it was just yesterday that we left, but then I get looking at pictures and my how the kids have grown and besides that I have a two and a half year old that wasn't even thought of yet. I wouldn't trade it for anything though.

Moving here has been an experience that I would never of thought I would have ever done. I had never imagined living anywhere except Utah. I thought moving to Smithfield from the Ogden area was tough ~~at least for the first little bit~~, but it was nice, family was still within and hour and we visited almost every weekend. Here we get to visit for a few weeks in the summer. I think I miss family and friends the most ~~other then the mountains and camping~~. I am glad we as a family took the plunge and moved. I am grateful for all the new friends that I have!!

Happy New Year!!!!!

2012-01-06T21:34:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!! Yes I am a little late at it and I appologize!!

We had a lot of fun on New Years Eve. We did fondue, played games, watched a movie and lit some fireworks just after midnight . I know that doesn't sound like a whole lot but we enjoy it. The kids look forward to doing fondue and they start reminding me of it weeks before. It cracks me up that they enjoy it so much. All we do is chicken, steak, fried cheese and hot dogs dipped in pancake batter and then we always have a pot of cheese to dip bread (I usually get a baguette or french bread) and some broccoli and carrots (cauliflower would be good also). You can't forget the chocolate either. The only problem is when you have fondue you don't realize how full you are getting till you are ready to pop! So we ended up finally doing the chocolate on Monday night. The kids love to dip strawberries (living in the south strawberries are starting to be in season, so I can get them without paying on arm and a leg), apples, gummy bears, angel food cake, bananas, we have even dipped marshmallows and cinnamon bears (these are my favorite, but I can't find them anywhere here ~~I don't think they like them here or maybe they just haven't tasted them, maybe that's it!~~ I will actually bring some home with me when we visit Utah, but they are usually gone before we fondue.

This is our attempt at getting the kids picture before we took the Christmas tree down. Andrew did not want to cooperate so we had to bribe him and with that not working we talked him into sitting on his couch and having the kids kneel so we could get all four of them. Like Andrews pout, he has become very good at that. He may even be better then Emma with the pouting.

Clark 14 1/2, Ryan 12 1/2, Emma 9 1/2 and Andrew (almost) 2 1/2

(yes the terrible two's are here and in full swing)

This is what the front room looks like most of the time. I just get them picked up and not more then five minutes later he has already dumped them out. He plays so good with them, but he is like his brothers when he plays, he lines them up just like both Clark and Ryan did. It is so funny to watch him play, he lays on the ground on his side and is either very quiet or he vroooms as he drives them. He was sitting here last night just minding his own business and I thought what a great photo op. Once he heard the camera he was done and just had to see the picture. So trying to get more was a chore, I kept putting the camera away and telling him to go back to the cars. Eventually he did and I was able to get more pictures, yea!!! So enjoy him while he is being good and having fun with his cars.

I swear every time the camera made a noise he had to look up to see what I was doing.

Yea!!! I got one without him looking at me.

Love those eyelashes!!

Andrew wanted me to take his picture, and come to find out I took this picture in front of some of his artwork on the wall. I am wanting to repaint the walls so I am glad that I got this picture. He has drawings on a couple of walls and a window, and other then Ryan drawing on the wall once Andrew is the only other one that has drawn on the walls and one window.

His head is looking better. We had the stitches taken out and four days later it opened up and a friend helped me by gluing it. She is a nurse and I wanted her to look at it to see if she thought we needed to go back for more stitches, she said all they would do was glue it and she actually had some. So thank you for helping us out, I owe you!! Now I keep a band aid with triple antibiotic ointment on it, I am not going to take a chance again, the one night I took the band aid off it split. Hopefully it will heal quickly!!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-31T09:55:00.001-06:00

Christmas has come and gone and now it is time to get back on schedule. Why does it seem that at Christmas it takes forever to get here but once it is here it is gone in a flash? But as long as we can remember the real meaning of Christmas and carry it with us all year, Christmas will always be in our hearts!!

Clark was so excited, Santa brought him a cell phone, some Lego's, BB's and a new air soft pistol and of course mom and dad got him clothes (they were well needed, somehow his shirts have shrunk, not that he has gotten taller or anything).

Ryan got a bike, some Lego's and BB's with an air soft pistol too, and headphones for the Xbox from Santa, and yes clothes from mom and dad. They all needed clothes.

Emma got another American Girl doll (this time it was a look a like), a scooter (it's a cross between a ripstick and a scooter, I will have to get a picture), a message board that she had to put together and some other fun stuff from Santa. Yes, she also got clothes from mom and dad, like I said they all needed clothes. What is with growth spurts, can't they just stay little for a while longer?

Andrew was having a blast opening his presents, he would take a small piece of paper and tear, it took him forever to get them open but when he did he was so excited he had to have another one. This year Santa brought him a soccer goal and ball (yes, he love the sport), a truck, a "Car's" sheet set and comforter (he loves 'Mater and Lightening McQueen) and some coloring books and crayons. Yes, he even got some shirts from mom and dad. One of his favorite gifts were the trucks that his grandma and grandpa got him. I think he likes them because of the noises they make, he was in heaven!!

Look what I got!!
(this one was from Santa)

I got a crepe maker, President Monson's autobiography (funny, so did Carrson), some clothes, a pair of boots, and as a family we got a doughnut maker from my sister (yes, we have even made some).

I hope that every one has had a great Christmas and had a wonderful season. Now, on to the new year!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-22T18:04:00.000-06:00

To you whom I may have forgotten (who check this blog every once in a while) with a card and those of you who aren't on Facebook. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!!!!!

On a side note can you believe it is three days before Christmas and we are having tornado watches and warnings. I just found out a tornado hit north of us, never heard the sirens and I also had just checked the weather just before it touched down. Another thing we have been in the 70's most days this past week. It doesn't even seem like it is December, yet Christmas in a few days! Crazy weather even for Alabama!!!

Christmas is coming

2011-12-22T09:12:00.002-06:00

Christmas is coming and up until last week I had spaced seeing Santa. I called a friend and they had not seen him yet either, so we decided while the older kids were at Young Mens we would meet and visit with Santa. As you probably know here we go to The Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. The kids like going there because they have games for them to play, coloring sheets and a craft area. So once we got there Andrew was so excited to see him, he even went running up to him and put his arms up so Santa would pick him up, so cute!! Emma was also excited to see him but she didn't run up to him.

Andrew and Santa

He doesn't look excited but he really was!

Emma and Santa

Making a cute ornament

Ward Christmas party

This year the youth was asked to put on the Christmas Story out of the Scriptures and both Clark and Ryan were in it. Ryan was a scribe and Clark was a wise man. The youth did a great job putting it on even though all they did was stand there while it was narrated. The funniest thing was was when the shepherds came out and had some sheep with them (young women) one of the sheep would baaa during the narration, I thought it was great.

King Herod and the scribes.

The three Wisemen.

Three silly girls.

Emma, Grace and Carol

Santa's visit to the library
On Tuesday we went to the library for story time and so Andrew could see Santa again. Well the Santa part went great, he loves the man but the story part we are still struggling with. He doesn't want to sit there and listen he wants to get up and run, so needless to say I spent a lot of time outside because I was told he was being too loud and disruptive. I am sorry but I am trying to teach him he has to sit there and be quiet, so I am sorry that by me standing by the door is causing problems (sorry ranting). I think if they'd have started on time he probably would have done better, he had been sitting there with Emma and myself for fifteen minutes already. On a good note he was excited to see Santa again!!!

Santa coming in to read a story. Andrew is at the bottom of the picture in the blue shirt.

All he wanted to do was sit by Joseph, but then after a couple of minutes he decided he wanted to get up and run so that was the end of that. Emma also loves to go and listen to the stories.

Andrew and Santa

Up to my eyeballs in snowmen!!!

This year Carrson decided he wanted me to make sock snowmen for gifts for his coworkers. Luckily I had made one of these about fourteen years ago, and then had the beehives make them last December for an activity. But making twenty of them by yourself gets overwhelming. Needless to say the table was covered with snowmen for a few days. But I do enjoy doing crafts and all you need for these are a tube sock, enough rice (uncooked) to fill it two thirds the way full, and marker to draw there faces, something that looks like a carrot for a nose (painted orange of course) and some flannel fabric to make a scarf and some patches oh, and don't forget a glue gun.

This is a few things of what the last week has entailed (except the trip to the emergency room (which I posted earilier), I hope your Christmas season is going well and I hope you are able to enjoy the season!!!

Visiting teaching gift ideas

2011-12-21T13:24:00.001-06:00

I was looking at a friends blog and I liked the idea of posting your ides for gifts (so you can remember later what you did ) when you go visiting teaching. I like to try to take something when I go even if it is a plate of cookies or something else, I think it makes the sister's happy ~~I know it makes me feel good to get something, even if it is a magnetic shopping list or notebook.~~ Since I have been a slacker, here is November and December's.

In November I did a frame ($1.00 from Michaels) and a picture of the "forget me not" (President Uchtdorf's talk from the women's session last October). I found the picture perusing some blogs and photo copied it. (Sorry I can't remember which blog it came from, if I see it or remember I will post it.) I loved the talk and thought this would be a great reminder.

In December I made "Snowman Soup" or as Emma kept calling it "Snowman Snoop". Now that she has called it that I keep finding myself saying "snowman snoop". I also made these for Emma's school teacher's. I found it on the blog brownpaper--packages.com. I thought it was a fun idea and it didn't cost a lot!

All you put in it is a couple packets of hot chocolate mix, a candy cane for each packet, some marshmallows and some "Hershey Kisses" (I used the candy cane ones, YUMM)

Here is the poem that goes with it

"When the weather outside is frightful

Snowman Soup can be delightful,

May it warm your spirit and your soul,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

When you get a chill or a "brrrrr',

Use the peppermint stick to stir,

Add hot water and sip it slow,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Concerts, Concerts and more Concerts!!!

2011-12-18T20:31:00.000-06:00

I started this post last week and I am just getting back to it. Sorry!! Well, the kids are out for Christmas (yes, I said Christmas) break and the last week or two have been pretty busy. The schools were trying to squeeze everything in before school was out and with two kids in extra curricular/band classes we had some extra things to do in the evening. Ryan has has a band concert and Emma has had 3 (out of 4) concerts (they ended up cancelling one of her concerts). So we were on the go quite a bit, and on top of that Carrson was out of town for a few days also.

Ryan has had a lot of fun learning to play the clarinet and was so excited for his concert. A couple of months ago he found out the band teachers were having try outs for the jazz band (here it is an after school/extra curricular activity). He decided he wanted to tryout but the only problem the jazz band is only for eighth graders but as a seventh grader he could try out on the piano. He tried out for the jazz band and ended up making it. Talk about excitement!!! He did get to play a song with the jazz band but I didn't get a good picture. Ryan does very well with the piano and the clarinet, he has a lot of talent and I love to listen to him. I forgot if you notice where he is sitting he is third chair ~~out of about twenty nine clarinets~~. Way to go!!!

And then there is Emma, who has decided that she wanted to be in the choir at the elementary school. The nice thing about that is is it before school one day a week, so other then that I don't have to worry about anything, except getting her out the door for the bus so she isn't late for choir.

Here she is at her choir concert at the school (top) and at the mall (bottom). She had another concert that she went to, I didn't get any pictures due to her sitting on the floor while she sang and me being at the back of the room. They did a great job!

Here they are singing the "Twelve Days of Christmouas" can you guess where they are in the song? If you answered with "and a partridge in a pear tree" you are correct. They were so fun to watch doing their actions. She has had a blast singing with the choir.

Another trip to ...

2011-12-18T19:00:00.002-06:00

...the emergency room/Primed. This time it was Andrew. We were at church today, Carrson and I were in Sunday School and a friend poked her head in and motioned for me to come out. I didn't think anything about it so I left all my books in the chapel and walked out. Come to find out Andrew had been playing in nursery, he fell and hit his head right on the edge of where the accordion type doors latch. Needless to say OUCH!!! The nursery leaders seemed quite nervous to have something like this happen. No worries accidents happen!

Poor little dude, he ended up with three stitches and a battle wound. He was such a big, brave and tough little man!!! He did a great job for only being two!!

Annual Christmas Parade

2011-12-04T18:41:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was the annual Christmas Parade and this year both Clark and Ryan were in it. This year they let the youth be in the parade and Clark had signed up to be in it. I got a phone call the other day to let me know what was going on with the parade (at this point I hadn't heard anything from my child) and the sister in charge asked if Ryan would also like do it because they needed another wiseman. Not a problem, he would love to. When I told him that he was going to be in the parade too, he was excited. But little did I remember he had a Scout campout Friday night. Talking with his scout leader he would make it work so he could do both, besides one of the other scouts going was also a wiseman in the parade. Needless to say they made it back just in time to shower and get out the door, and the rest is history.

The group on the float before the parade started (minus one, she came after I had taken the picture and I didn't think about taking another one)

The three wisemen

Clark, Ryan and Zack

Emma, Marianna, Addison and Samantha, waiting for the parade to start. I had left Andrew home with dad because he had had a runny nose and I didn't want him out in the cool air.

Clark and Ryan going down the parade route.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-29T10:18:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I have not said what I am grateful for. I am so grateful for my husband and my family, and all the help they give me!! I am also thankful for the job my husband has so we can have the things we need and even some of the wants we are able to get. I am also thankful for my friends old and new and for what they have brought into my life. I am also thankful for a loving Father in Heaven who loves me for who and what I am and for always being there for me. I know I don't deserve all that He gives me but I thank him for everything he does for me!! There are so many things to be thankful for I just wanted to name a few, but I am thankful for even the small things the rain, the birds songs, children's programing (so I can get something done during the day) and so many more things. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a good time except for the fact Emma had been up all night with the stomach flu, YUCK! But other then that it was wonderful, by the time we ate she was feeling better and even had a little bit to eat.

This time of year I always try to remember the real meaning of Christmas. I went into an establishment the other day and there was a sign in there that I loved, it said: "Here we believe in Christmas not holiday". I loved it, but then again I am in the "bible belt" and Christmas is Christmas. There are some who want to believe otherwise, but in this house we believe in Christmas!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season it is my favorite (especially when everyone is healthy and not sick)!!

Oh and by the way basketball started last night and both Clark and Ryan are on the same team. Yea! two days a week for one hour and done by 6:00pm, maybe things are looking up.

Why?

2011-11-29T09:56:00.000-06:00

Friday night (11-25-11) I had gone to bed while Carrson was out watching t.v. or playing on his computer or something (I was asleep). About 1:00am he came into the room saying we had just been vandalized. Some idiotic/stupid (yes I said it) boys tried to steal our blow up Christmas decorations from the front yard. The reason he was even aware of what was going on was when they tried to yank one of them out of the ground it popped, and made a loud noise. They didn't even unplug them, they just yanked them out of the ground. They were even staked in the ground to where we didn't think they would come out, with our storms, we didn't think about teenagers yanking them out of the ground. Carrson had already called the police and the first thing the policeman said when he got out of the car was "is it slashed", I guess they have a lot of vandalized/slashed decorations this time of year. He was telling Carrson that they (the policeman) had resorted to just lights and nothing else. Isn't it sad the at Christmas they have problems like that? Sorry to get on my soap box. So needless to say all we have are our lights out in front and no fun blow up decorations that the boys and dad spent all morning (Thanksgiving) putting out. We had even just bought a new one that was destroyed and the other one was salvageable with a little duct tape. But will they be back if we put it out or will we be safe? I don't know if we are going to chance it. So far our neighbor has been safe with hers (we did let her know what happened with ours), I hope nothing happens!

Cruisin the Caribbean :)

2011-11-23T11:27:00.004-06:00

Warning Picture Overload!!! I am warning you now that there are a lot of pictures. I was having a hard time deciding what pictures to post so I tried to chose some from each day, but believe me there are a lot more too choose from so I hope you enjoy.

Like I posted in the previous post Carrson and I went on a cruise. We went with his parents and sisters and their significant others, to celebrate his parents 50th wedding anniversary. We had a lot of fun. Thanks to my sister (Jennifer) for coming and taking care of the kids and her husband (for letting her come), we were able to go and enjoy ourselves. We cruised the Western Caribbean on the Norwegian Sun and stopped in Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman Islands; Ocho Rios, Jamaica and an island in the Bahamas called Great Stirrup Cay (I believe it is owned by the cruise lines).

Friday night (November 11, 2011) Carrson and I set off for Port Canaveral, Fl to meet his family and get on the ship. I was a nervous mess just thinking about being on a boat for seven days. I don't do well with motion and I was a little queasy. I had been battling a sinus infection for the last month and was on my second set of antibiotics and was worried about how I would feel. I ended up being more excited as I was getting on the ship.

The view of the front of the ship from the terminal. Ooh the nerves were going but I was excited.

The view of the Kennedy Space Center from across the bay, on the back deck of the ship. I learned that the flag on the building is the largest flag in the country, it is three football fields in size, each star is six feet from point to point (there are fifty) and each stripe is wide enough to drive a bus down it. I thought that was pretty cool and some fun information.

Once we were on the ship we went to the buffet and the outside deck to await the time till we could go to our rooms and drop our carry ons off. Notice the thumbs up by Carrson's dad, it is a good thing. We were getting excited to meet up with the rest if his sisters and their significant others (thirteen of us total) and set sail. Oh and by the way there is an all you can eat ice cream bar (for those of you that like that, and yes the Draper's are big ice cream fans).

Waiting for the ship to set sail. We had just finished the lifeboat drill and were waiting around on deck 6 for the ship to leave. I did rather well (better then I thought I would do) watching the boat leave the dock. I did get a little light headed but it was good.

Carrson's parents

Happy Anniversary Clark and Audrey!!!

Sunday...was a cruising day. We just took it easy, slept in, ate breakfast, walked around the ship, ate lunch, relaxed, ate dinner, went to one of the shows and then I was ready for bed. I had an okay day but with all the pressure in my head I had to lay down to see if I could get it to stop, also by the time the show was over it was 10:30. I figured if I wanted to feel good for our first stop I needed to get some rest.

I have never seen the water so blue, I was so amazed at how blue it is. It was so beautiful out there on the ocean. It is funny how vast the ocean is and how small you are ~~even on a ship as big as we were~~.

Cozumel, Mexico... (Monday 11/14/11) is in an island in Mexico where we took a ferry to the mainland to catch a bus to go up to the Tulem Mayan Ruins. It was an awesome trip. Our tour guide was amazing with a background and a lot of information on the Mayans that I never knew. I am sooo glad we chose to do the tour.

The ferry we took to the mainland.

(Oh talk about seasick, by the time we got to the mainland I was so ready to get out and get on land). I did better on the way back, I slept or tried to.

Our tour guide telling us about the Mayan calendar.

The group that went to the ruins. We were missing three of Carrsons sisters.

One of the original openings. Notice how short it is, the Mayans used it for defensive purposes.

Carrson and his mother

Rebecca, Carrson and Jennifer

These were everywhere. We thought they were iguanas but Clark (the younger) says they look like komoto dragons. Not sure but they were everywhere.

The Grand Cayman Islands, British Isles... Tuesday (11/15/11) We just walked around and shopped. We hung around with Jennifer and Alan and had a lot of fun going around to the shops. Everyone else had shore excursions to do.

Carrson giving is brother in law a hug for the picture.

(if I remember right he was supposed to give him a kiss on the cheek when his sister counted to 2 and then she would snap the picture)

Once we got there we realized when we saw the "Tortuga" sign and saw all the pirate paraphernalia we realized "Pirates of the Caribbean". Tortuga is where Captain Jack Sparrow went to get his crews. Kind of exciting.

YUM!!!

Yes, even in The Cayman Islands if there is a Dairy Queen we have to stop for a blizzard. Price for a blizzard in The Cayman Islands, US money $6.24 there money $4.99

The best shot of the Norwegian Sun that I have

Coming back on the tender.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica... Wednesday (11/16/11) We decided to do a zipline/tubing shore excursion with Jennifer, Alan, Rebecca and Bob while we were there. We also have a missionary from our ward (Carrson and Clark are the families home teachers) that his mother was going to let him know that we were going to be there if he had a minute. He ended up not being able to say hi, due to he was on splits two hours away, but that was okay because we didn't have much time before we took off for our excursion. We all loaded on a bus and we were off. I really liked Jamaica, it was green and beautiful. I felt bad looking at their housing and schools (thinking ours are bad) nothing compared to theirs.

Getting ready to zipline. ScArY!!!

I decided that if Clark and Ryan could do it when they were eight I could do it

Our group. Aren't we just so cute.

Waiting!!

Sorry, I had to post this. This was overhead while we were waiting to go down the zip line. Our guides told us it wasn't poisonous but I think they were just saying that. Oh, it was ugly and gross/disgusting looking, it just sat there taunting us while we went by, or so I felt.

We were up in what is called the canopy of the forest. I couldn't take too many pictures seeing as I was going down. Talk about nerves, once I got hooked up I didn't want to go. I did go and when I got to the bottom I thought I was done nope there was more. By the time I was done I was shaking like crazy but happy with myself for doing it.

After zip lining we piled back in the van and headed up to the drop off so we could to tube down the river. We found out the bridge (above) was built in the 1638, and look how clear the water is, (I think that is why it is called the White River). With tubing and no waterproof camera (Jennifer had one but not digital) so we had to buy pictures of us going down the river.

We had a blast going down the river our guides were great/hilarious and they made it so much fun!! We had a spot in the river where there were some rapids and Carrson lost his tube and I almost lost mine but I held on and didn't fall WAhOO, yea for me!!!

Having a blast!!!

Thursday...was another cruising day. Another day to take it easy. We got up for breakfast, visited with the Zundel's, relaxed, had lunch, took a nap, got up in time to see the sunset, visited, had dinner, went to one of the shows, watched the rest of the Broncos (Thursday night football) ate buffalo wings and then went to bed. Yes, another exciting day at sea.

We had beautiful sunsets every night!! This one was from Thursday night.

The family at dinner

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas...Friday (11/18/11) We arrived at a very small island in the Bahamas for our Friday adventure. Knowing when we got off the ship that there was a storm coming and the captain just might cut the excursion short we decided to go anyway and we went and got on the tender and set out for the beach. We walked around and got our legs wet (the water was cold, not what I was expecting for being in the Bahamas) and just relaxed on the beach. We set out with one of Carrsons sisters and her husband and met up with the others by chance and had an enjoyable morning relaxing. We had been there for a couple of hours when we had gotten word that the Captain wanted us back on the ship two and a half hours earlier. We decided we would get back on the ship and have lunch instead of lunch on the island, so we set out for the tender. For the most part we all made it on the same tender back.

While we were waiting on the tender the storm was getting worse the pictures don't do it justice but the wind was getting worse and the waves were getting bigger. Here I am thinking I am going to be sick. We started off to the ship and the first wave out of the cove drenched us. We were sitting on the top of the tender and the waves were huge, and they kept coming (it was more fun than a ride at an amusement park). When we started out we were dry but by the time we got off we were drenched. It was good, I didn't get sick till we were just sitting waiting for the tender in front of us to finish loading, but all in all it was good.

This was the tender that we were on. I took this picture a good 45 minutes after we got off. It took forever to unload. From what I understand there were lots of people getting sick and actually throwing up. Glad I was already off or it wouldn't have been pretty. We actually had a lot of fun!!!

Notice the sailboat, it was out in the storm. I don't know how they were enjoying it but I would be sick. The waves were huge.

Notice the ice cream. He found out there is a self-serve soft ice cream machine on Thursday. Like I said the Draper's like ice cream and yes he has taught his kids well.

Well there are the highlights of our Cruise. I hope I remembered what I wanted so didn't forget. Yes, I had a great time and would probably go again. I think the hardest thing is coming back home and having to clean and cook. Boy, were we pampered for a week. Thank you so much for inviting us to partake in the fun!!!!

All-Star Soccer

2011-11-21T21:56:00.001-06:00

I know I have had a lot of posts about soccer lately, but that is what happens when you have kids that have been playing for three months plus. Last weekend (November 19 & 20) was the All-Stars State Tournament that Clark and Emma had been getting ready to play in. So as Carrson and myself were going to be coming back from our cruise (another post to come) my sister Jennifer and Annabell came down to watch the kids and get them to their games since they were in Dothen, Alabama. I thank her and her husband for letting her come here for the week!

Back to the soccer tournament, like I said Carrson and myself were gone and the boat was due in the morning of the start of the tournament. We were able to get in and on our way earlier then we planned but we still missed Clark's and Emma's first games. We got word that they both lost (Clark 2-1 and Emma 3-1) but they still had other games to go. We got to the field just in time to see Emma's second game of the day and she did great. They won 1-0 but it wasn't enough to go on. So Emma's team went out on a winning note. But at last her season is over and I think she is ready to be done.

Emma throwing the ball in. She was one of the girls designated to throw the ball in and she always did a great job.

By the end of the season she was a lot more aggressive and she would get in the middle and try to get the ball. She did a great job and was able to get the ball most of the time.

U9 Prattville girls team.

Watching Em's game.

Like I said we missed Clark's first game on Saturday and then we missed his first game on Sunday (due to miss communication, he didn't think he played till twelve when he had had a nine o'clock game). So dad gets him to the field and they were asking him where he was (with us not being there for Saturdays game we had no idea when he played so we went off what he told us and he hadn't heard right). Come to find out he ended up missing his first game on Sunday. They lost that game also, I am not sure of the score but from what we hear they did great, other then one of there teammates got his face smashed in and a broken nose and a slight concussion. Who says soccer isn't a contact sport.

Clark was able to play in the third and final game. He came in and played hard. The team they played (we understand was a competition team not a recreation team) thumped them. I felt so bad for the team, I was just hoping the game would be over so they could be done. They came out playing hard and almost had a few goals but in the end they lost. They did a great job playing, they played so hard that I am so proud of them. To be honest I am glad soccer is over for now and the only problem is basketball is starting up next Monday. As of right now Clark and Ryan are on the same team so that means two practices instead of four. So hopefully we can slow down a little and enjoy the season that we are entering into. It is one of my favorite seasons.

Clark had some amazing kicks and saves. He is amazing to watch.

U18 Prattville Team

Watching the game. Aunt Jennifer and Annabelle

Having the game a few hours away meant having to stay at a hotel and since we don't stay at hotels that often the kids think they have to go swimming. Just our luck the hotel had an indoor swimming pool. Clark, Emma and Andrew were able to swim Ryan on the other hand couldn't. While we were gone (he decided to disobey and in the process) he got his finger caught in the door at church and ended up having to get stitches.

I had to throw this in, I thought it was a cute picture of Andrew and I didn't have a picture of myself at the games. This was taken after we had gotten home after the games.

U9 District Champs!!!!!

2011-11-05T21:49:00.002-06:00

Today was the District Soccer tournament in Opelika, and since there were two teams in the girls U9 division we had to make the trip there. Granted it is only just over an hour away but it seems like soccer has taken over our weekends for the last few months and we were looking forward to sleeping in ~~past 6:30~~. We didn't have to be to the soccer fields until 3:00 but because I have an automatic alarm clock from getting up at 5:30 or is it the fact that I am getting older, I still was up before 7:00 am, I guess you can call that sleeping in. It was nice nice not having to rush out the door and be to the soccer field at 8:00, and actually eat a hot breakfast of French Toast and bacon instead of cold cereal. It was yummy!!!

Well back to the game and the reason we went to Opelika, Emma had two great games, granted they played the same team for both the games. She played in the midfield area, and was more aggressive then I have ever seen her. She has progressed so much this year. Secretly I think she really likes to play soccer but has to give me a hard time because she wants to go to dance instead. I keep telling her soccer funner then dance. Here are a few pictures of Emma from the games today.

The winning team.

Giving the thumbs up!! Talk about excited, they HAD to win to be able to go!! They proved tonight they can win the State Tournament. They play so great together. There is a girl on the team that is a little bit bigger then most of them and boy can she boot it down the field.

The winning team all got a first place plaque!!! Talk about a bunch of excited girls. I wish I had half their energy, maybe I could get something done.

I can't forget about Clark, he also made the U18 All-Star team, they didn't have a game today due to the fact there wasn't another team from our district, so he doesn't play till State. His team did play a scrimmage game Tuesday night and they beat them 6-0. It was a travel team from Wetumpka. They played awesome!! I had gone to talk to Emma for a minute turned around and was talking with one of the mom's and looked up just in time to see Clark go down. We didn't know what had happened but come to find out Clark had the ball and was going to score and the goalie charged him and somehow Clark's leg ended up underneath the goalie. He didn't get up right away and the coach ran out to see what was wrong, here I was thinking broken leg/foot but thank heavens it is just going to be a bruise. He is fine, he had a little help off the field, walked/ran of the injury and got back in the game. He didn't score but he had some awesome assists and passes. He loves to play with the older kids (remember he is only fourteen and the youngest player on the team). I think playing with them he has to step his game and play harder and be more aggressive!!! I love to watch my kids play the sports they love!!! Just think soccer still has a few weeks now and then basketball starts the week after Thanksgiving!!!

Good Luck Clark and Emma at State!!!!!

HapPy HaLLowEen!!!

2011-11-01T12:13:00.001-06:00

I know Halloween is over, but I had blog about it today. We had a fun/busy October and I am not sure if I am ready for it to be November. It just means the year is almost over and Christmas will be here before we know it. It seems like my days all jumble together and then they are over and I wonder whatever happened. Well I am going to pause for a few minutes and reminisce about Halloween and the fun times we had.

Andrew is Jake from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates". He sure makes a cute blonde Jake. See the resemblance.

Hmmm what to do, should I turn you into a newt.

Emma is a witch who's favorite color is pink, or as she will tell you a pink witch.

I'm going to get yoouu!

Ryan is a zombie who just finished his dinner.

Clark is a peanut M&M, doesn't he look yummy?

The clan! 2011 was great.

I tried to get a few pictures of the kids trick-or-treating but the sun was going down and the flash at a distance just isn't the greatest so this is the best picture I had. The kids had a blast going door to door, even Andrew was running (at first). He had woken up with a cold and cough Saturday morning and wasn't feeling very well. I took the wagon to help him, ~~being two years old~~ I figured he would need to take a break and have a ride. He did very well up till we got to the end of the block and had another block to go to get home. But that didn't stop him he would ride and when the kids were coming back from a house I would be ready to go and here I see him running up to the house, he had decided he wanted to go. He was cracking me up. There was also a house that was decorated like a cemetery that looked awesome, but Emma wouldn't go up to the door because they had people out there scaring you as you walked up to the door. She wanted me to walk up to the door with her, I was telling her when I was Clark's and Ryan's age I loved to go to the Haunted Houses in the area, they were a blast ~~well except for the chainsaws~~, and the haunter's can't touch you, they are there to scare you. Fun times, fun times. I know I am crazy but I enjoyed them with my friends!! We will have to see if we can find something here to take the kids to next year.

Our pumpkins a glow!! They look awesome!!

Hopefully you had a fun Halloween season and are enjoying your fall weather.

Carving pumpkins

2011-10-31T19:58:00.001-06:00

One of our fun family traditions at Halloween is carving pumpkins. This year Ryan went simple, he decided he didn't want to do a picture that had a lot of detail, and I think this is the first year in a few years that Clark has not carved an "Aggie "A". It's funny, Emma went with a detailed one this year, she did a lot of her own carving but had mom and dad help on the outer edge. All the pumpkins look AWESOME!! I will have to take a picture tonight while they are all lit up. This year I had spaced off getting pumpkins till the kids reminded me last week, man this month has flown by. I can't believe it is already October 31st.

Clark

Everybody hard at work marking there pumpkins.

Looks just like him!!! hehehe (Sorry, "Look at the resemblance".)

Ryan

Careful not to mess up, one wrong cut and it's ruined!

Ryan's twin!!! hehehe

Emma

Too bad they don't come already clean.

I have to concentrate, leave me alone!!

Emma's friend!! She was so proud of her pumpkin.

Andrew--His first pumpkin (well one that he helped with)

I have to what?

Eewwe!!! Seriously, as he would stick his hand in the pumpkin he would say eewwe (or however you spell it). He was so funny to watch, I couldn't get him to put his hand in at first.

This is what you use to get the yuck out?

He started to get braver and actually started pulling pumpkin guts (as we call it) out. But then he would throw them and the others.

He wouldn't let me help, I tried to get him to put his hand on mine but nope, he had to do it himself. It only lasted for a short minute. Notice the tongue, he has the Draper trademark, check out Emma too.

Andrew and his "punkin". He loved it, he didn't like the fact that he couldn't play with it.

HapPY HaLLoWEen!!!

Storytime and parties!

2011-10-30T20:27:00.004-06:00

It is the time of the year where we celebrate Halloween. This year is nothing less, the kids all deciding who and what they want to dress up like and so excited to go door to door and get candy. Even Andrew knows what to do. I have been trying to take him to our local story time at the library, like I said "trying". He is struggling to sit there by himself and listen to the story so most of the time he sits with me and then we struggle with staying in there to listen, the librarians don't like it when the kids are noisy and throw fits (I get dirty looks). So week by week we try and see if he will sit better and quietly. It does help having a couple of his friends there, and last week he even went and sat by them for a few minutes. This last week the library had a Halloween story time/party. The kids came in their costumes, listened to a couple of stories and then they trick-or-treated around the library. It didn't take long for Andrew to figure out what to do to get candy. His "trick-or-treat was so cute.

Andrew and his friends all dressed up for the party.

We couldn't decided what to dress him up as. One night dad mentioned dressing him up as Jake from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates". What a great idea he goes around the house saying yo ho ho. He looks so cute. It turned out better then I thought, I even made boots out of felt by following a pattern on one of the blogs (makeit-loveit.com). I had been trying to figure out how I was going to make boots for him and one day last week I was browsing the blog and she had just posted some tips from her Halloween costumes that she was making. I was so happy because I was thinking of something along the line of what I ended up doing. Thank you so much for your help.

Trunk-or-treat

Last Wednesday was our wards annual chili cook off and trunk-or -treat. I don't have too much to say on that matter, I think it speaks for itself. (Mostly it's just pictures of the kids in there costumes). They had a great time and they are looking forward to Halloween night.

Andrew eating his macaroni and cheese. I didn't think he would eat chili so I brought mac and cheese for him. Yum, he loves that stuff! Little did I know some other mom's brought mac and cheese instead of chili, but that's okay it is a grand idea.

Clark and his friend George.

Emma and Grace

Ryan and Zack

Fall is...

2011-10-27T09:45:00.002-05:00

finally here :) Fall has got to be my favorite season, the crisp cooler temperatures, the colors of the leaves, watching the kids play soccer and knowing that cooler temperatures are coming.

Fall soccer is over for the season (or so I thought). Saturday was Ryan's and Emma's last game, Clark had a bye, he played his last game the week before. With it being fall soccer all the kids are hoping they made All-Stars. We had arrived at the fields for Emma's game just as the game was ending for the U18 (Clark's league) and since he didn't have a game and he wanted to know if he made it, (we thought he had a pretty good chance of making it). He went up to the coach that of the U15 team and found out that he didn't make it. He came back to us and you could tell he was extremely sad. I felt so bad for him, I wasn't sure what to say or do. To top that off after Emma's game she came running over to me as excited as I have ever seen her, she had made the girls U9 All-Stars team. Now what do you say. Oh boy, I figured we were in for a long sad day. During Ryan's game the coaches daughter of the U18 team came over and asked if we had gotten a message from her father, since we were at the soccer field we hadn't been home yet, Clark had made the U18 All-Stars. What a complete change in his demeanor, he was smiling again and extremely happy. Not that I want to spend up to four more weeks at the soccer field, but I am happy for them. One of these years Ryan will make the team, he is an awesome goalie!! It also helps when your coach is the one coaching (or a previous coach) to help get on the team. Here are a few pictures of what we thought were going to be their last games.

Emma's team won the season 7-1 (I think). It was fun to watch her become more aggressive. She played sweeper and did a great job getting to the ball and clearing it so the other team didn't score!! Way to go Emma!!!!

Ryan getting ready to stop a goal. He is so fun to watch, especially when he starts yelling at the defenders to get in their positions. His team did great I think they won one or two games, but since they try to keep the teams together from the fall for the spring they can only get better!

Clark trying to beat the other team to the ball. I have noticed him being more aggressive this season, if he keeps it up he will be even better!! I was reading in facebook after Clark's last game and he had posted they had a perfect season of 0-8. I thought that was funny, it made me chuckle!!

I can't leave out our little soccer player. He loves to have someone to play with. Carrson was telling me that Andrew had to take turns being the goalie, he would kick it in the goal and then have to trade with dad so dad could kick it and he would get in his stance and defend.

I had to post these. I saw these on ourbestbites.com and thought they would be cool to make, and this is how they turned out (I made the pumpkin out of the leftover scraps, but it looks cool). Better then I expected, some weren't that great but some looked just like candy corn. Just a little peek!!!

Oh, by the way Carrson has already been extended a calling for church, he is the first counselor in the young men's/scout leader for the fourteen and fifteen year olds. Yes, this is his fifth calling in the young men's program, this is what happens when you give your scout leaders a hard time while you are a scout!! I think Clark is excited to have his dad as his leader, it is different then having mom there.

A release for Dad

2011-10-17T09:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday instead of heading to our church we headed into Montgomery for Stake Conference. Yes, is was that time of year where we get to go and listen to the Stake Presidency and other members direct us in the gospel. Saturday night I met Carrson at the stake center (after his meeting) for the adult session. It was wonderful ~~being the kids were at home and I could actually listen~~. I am glad that I was able to go, I needed it. Then on Sunday after serving for 3 1/2 years Carrson was released from the high council. I know he is sad and will greatly miss that calling but I know some family members that are excited to have him back in our ward. I know he is also going to miss the ward he was assigned to, he loved/enjoyed having to go there, I'm not sure if he is going to miss speaking in the wards and branches though, (maybe I am wrong, it wouldn't be the first time). I am glad we were able to go to conference I enjoy hearing the talks that have been prepared. I know sometimes it's hard to hear when you have a two year old, and believe me I try, but I am so thankful for the brothers and sisters that prepare the talks so we can be spiritually fed. Thank you so much the talks I heard were wonderful and I hope I can bring them into my home!!

Mother Daughter Witch Party :)

2011-10-10T18:55:00.003-05:00

First of all I need to apologize about the pictures, at first I didn't realize my camera was on "sports mode" and when I did realize the I thought the pictures were looking okay. Well, I put them on the computer and there is a lot of noise in the picture and they are a little bit grainy. There are a few pictures that when we realized and turned it to auto they look so much better. One of these days I will finally figure out my camera.

Last night a friend of mine had a Hallow's Eve Party (aka a mother/daughter witch party). What a fun idea, everyone comes dressed up as witches. There were so many different types of witches good ones, bad ones scary ones. It was a lot of fun. One nice thing about living in the south, you still get to have outside parties, and you don't freeze. It was a wonderful night for a party.

Me and Emma. I was supposed to have purple and black stripe tights to match Emma's pink and black stripe tights but "one size fits most" doesn't apply to what I think is average, so I had to forgo the tights. That is why I have purple accessories. Emma and I went looking at witch patterns and tulle was the way to go this year. I already had a witch pattern at home, we were just looking for some way to kick it up a little. She loved the tulle and wanted it in pink and since I already had the tights. Go figure she likes pink. Just think one costume down three to go.

Monica and Grace.

She ran into the same problem with the tights (too small). Yes, there were a lot of pink witches, I think pink is a favorite among the females. Also there were a lot of striped tights (pink, purple, orange and green) and a lot of pink witches hats (thanks to "Target") the girls looked great!!!

I got a few more pictures of some of the party guests/friends. I didn't get very many but here are a few to enjoy.

Suzanna and Beth.

Suzanna (if you can't tell) had blacked out one of her teeth and it looked so real.

The Bryant's.

Don't they look great!!!

Ginger and Rhonda.

"Endora" from "BeWitched" (Cathy)

We had baked potatoes, chili and all the fixin's and for dessert lots of fun Halloween treats. I didn't think of getting any pictures of the food. There were a lot of fun ideas for treats. I made these "Spooky Spiders" I found on the internet (I can't remember where I found them but they were pretty tasty). You melt a 12oz. package of milk chocolate chips, and stir in chow mein noodles (bought a bag and probably used about 3/4 of the package. Spoon them onto wax paper add "M &Ms" for the eyes, and there you have them.

Emma, Addison and Grace. Three silly witches.

Monica, Nettie and myself.

It was such a fun party. I do enjoy a night out once in a while with the girls. I hope this gets you in the mood for Halloween.

HapPy OcTobER!!!

CrAZy hair and projects!

2011-10-02T21:08:00.001-05:00

This last week Ryan and Clark had Homecoming and during the week they have different things to do every day. Clark didn't dress up like last year, they even had a decade day (aka 80's, since when did that become fun to dress like, oh ya that's right it's coming back just maybe not the BIG hair) and I couldn't get him to take my ideas, they were great. Ryan didn't win but he had a lot of fun with it.

Ryan and his CraZy hair for crazy hair day. I don't think you can see the top the green has purple polka dots and the purple has green dots.

For Ryan's Science class they had a make a model of a cell. I had forgotten to get him a styrofoam ball and he reminded me yesterday, I didn't realize it is due Monday. So while I was out yesterday getting the ball he called and needed a few more items. I got home and he went to work. He did a great job, I don't think he even had any help from dad. Ryan is a very artistic young man, when he has an idea he does it to the best he can, and it always looks great!

Way to go Ryan!!!! It looks awesome!!

I had a few pictures from our games Saturday that I wanted to post. Not much in soccer other then they are enjoying playing and the season is half over. The boys teams are still win less, but they have come close to winning, just not yet, and Emma's team is (I think) 3-2. Doing great!! Winning isn't all that matters, it helps, but as long as you are enjoying what you are doing, that is what matters.

Andrew loved getting his picture taken, he had to have my sun glasses though. I would put the camera down and he would say" CHEESE, mom pict". Too Cute!!!

Lookin' sweet in our shades!!

Foot to the gut. Nice save Ryan!!!!

Emma has come out of the goal and has been playing in the midfield/defensive area and she is doing great!

Great kick, too bad it didn't go in.

Why I luv...

2011-09-27T12:59:00.001-05:00

I saw this on a friends status (thank you Nicki) a little while ago and I loved it. It took me a while to post it, I had forgotten about it and was cleaning off my computer and I found it again. Being a mother is tough some days but then are other days that are wonderful and that is why I love being a mom. Even though I loved what was written I added a few of my own to it.

Why I LUV...

BEING A MOMMY!

*wet, sticky kisses
*wide open arms being wrapped tightly around me

*little people climbing into bed with me when they want me to wake up in the morning
*little voices (I love how sweet childrens voices are - when their NOT yelling)
*watching them wave to me when they are supposed to be singing in the primary choir for Mothers Day

*hearing them say "I Love You"

*waiting for you to come tuck them in for the night

*watching them wave and blow kisses as the bus pulls away
*When the baby learns to say, "Mamamamama"
*Getting kisses (especially when they are just little and learning how to)
*When my kids come home from school, and the first thing I hear is, "Mom".

*Watching them play soccer and getting excited when they have scored a goal or an awesome stop as goalie
*A Smile from a dirty face (preferrably clean face, but dirty works too)
*When I can have a "real" conversation with my older kids
*Small handprints on clean surfaces (I'm not making this up, I really do like this - it is the best thing ever to see a full, small handprint on a window or mirror - luv it!)
*Holding a new baby that I know just left the arms of God
*Singing nursery rhymes and primary songs together
*Having help with picking things up and mowing the lawn
*Being the recipient of homemade gifts and cards
*Having "helpers" to cook and pull weeds (even if it is usually a flower or desired plant that gets pulled instead) :)
*Bright eyes when something new has been learned
*Having someone say over and over again, "Look at me, mom. Look...Look at me"
*Get to read childrens stories
*Having an excuse to get to color with crayons
*Having an excuse to get to play in the little blow-up swimming pool in the yard (can you imagine what the neighbors would think if I didn't have kids, and they saw me playing in it?)
*Buying and playing with baby toys and dolls.
*I have someone to make "Mickey Mouse" pancakes for.
*Hearing from others, or seeing for myself, when my older children are making good choices, and remembering what they have been taught.

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children...What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." Elder M. Russell Ballard

The Drapers and the LPGA Tour

2011-09-20T09:46:00.004-05:00

These past few weeks the City of Prattville and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (here in Prattville) have been getting ready for the Navistar LPGA Golf Tournament. We knew it had been going on during this time the last four or so years but we never went. Emma went on a field trip this last Tuesday (9/13/11) and she came home so excited. She was practically begging to go watch the tournament, it didn't start till Thursday but she wanted to go watch and on top of that it was free (we like free). We told her that we would try to go on Saturday, and so after soccer and a short nap from Andrew and some lunch we finally arrived there (it's' only five minutes from our house) around 1:45-2:00. Now I know your saying golf?, but golf is so boring. Well that is what I thought, once you got there and started watching those ladies (some of them are just young women, hence the winner of the tournament is only sixteen) it was pretty amazing. Then when we got over to the eighteenth hole the ladies (who had just been out in the HOT s sun for hours were signing autographs.
What amazing women.

Going to the LPGA Navistar Golf Tournament In Prattville, Al

Suzann Pettersen and Morgan Pressel

Putting on the seventeenth hole

Watching some of the golfers tee off on the eighteenth hole

Emma getting Suzann Pettersen's autograph...She was on cloud nine!!!

Paula Creamer and Suzann Pettersen on the putting green after they came off the eighteenth hole. Yes they play all day then they go practice their putting after they come off the last hole. Emma got Paula's autograph too, we almost didn't get it as she was getting crowded and getting a little upset so we walked over toward a golf cart and low and behold she got on the cart (we didn't know it was for her) and just as her driver was going to drive off she looked at Emma and said one more. So lo and behold we were lucky and got her autograph. But then Emma is a beautiful young lady who wouldn't want to sign something for her. Paula made Emma feel special, so she has become Emma's favorite...good choice since she was super sweet to the crowd.

Michelle Wie on the putting green.

We just missed her finishing her round, we didn't realize they were coming off the tenth hole as well as the eighteenth. Emma thinking this is too cool!!! She loved having her picture taken with the golfers in the background. She was so funny as we got to the greens she would hurry and sit down on the grass to watch, she didn't want to leave.

Sandra Gal, from Spain, finishing her round for the day.

It seemed we would just get there to have them finish for the day. Too bad the next day was Sunday or we probably would have gone to watch them again. Next year we will have to make sure we are able to spend a little more time there. Unless it is too hot. We started the day covered in blankest and jackets and dying of heat by the time we left.

As we were walking out I didn't realize there were still some golfers out finishing for the day. As we came upon the seventeenth hole sixteen year old Lexi Thompson who started the day -10 was just getting ready to putt. We stopped for a few minutes to watch, but by this time Andrew had had it with having to be quiet and he wanted to be loud (if you know golf you have to be very quiet) so we couldn't stay any longer. We saw her putt and sink the ball and we left. Lexi ended up winning the tournament and broke the record for the youngest in the LPGA.

Emma showing off her golf ball she got from Anna Grzebien.

Time to head home.

Thank you Navistar, Prattville City and to all the golfers thank you for everything we had a wonderful experience and we are looking forward to next year. And if you are wondering we were already watching the LPGA (on tv) before now, and we will keep watching to see how all the ladies do.

(Sorry about some of the boxes and spaces I can't get it to clear them out, if I don't stop I am going to pull my hair out or start throwing the computer (not really it's just frustrating me!!)

Stake Youth Talent Show

2011-09-19T17:38:00.003-05:00

Saturday night our stake had there annual youth activity and this year they had a talent show. Our Stake Young Womens and Young Mens leaders outdid themselves. They had a carnival theme and it looked great. They had a stand at the back of the cultural hall with popcorn, peanuts, animal crackers, lemonade and we can't forget the cotton candy. They even had the ceiling looking like a carnival tent. As you walked in they handed you some tickets to get your snacks and when you wanted something you could choose what you want. I think the youth had a great time. Like I said they did a great job!!!

The refreshment stand with a little bit of the ceiling.

Just a few of the decorations they had.

Ryan signed up for the talent show, I am glad he did he is very talented. I asked Clark if he had signed up to play the piano, he didn't want too. I am sad that he didn't want to share his talent with others but then it was his choice. Now Ryan on the other hand had been practicing one of his piano songs quite a bit and at the time I didn't know that he had signed up, secretly I thinks he enjoys playing the piano (he won't admit it, but I really think he likes it) and he was excited to do the talent show. He played "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin (it is a simplified version and I think with hearing him play I think his teacher is going to have him play the non simplified version, I know he can do it, he loves songs that are fast and "rag" like). He did a great job and he had friends and leaders congratulating him on a what wonderful job he did.

Week 2--SoCcER
You know me I have to put a little something about soccer in here. The boys lost their games and "M's" team won theirs. Way to go Dragons!!! Last week we died from the heat and this week we were in jackets and covered in blankets. I think fall is in the air, YEA!! It's funny how fast the temperature changes, we froze in the morning and by the afternoon we were sweating and dying from the heat. Well back to soccer, have a few pictures to share.

Emma chasing after the ball.

Even Andrew has to get in the game. He tries to get whoever is there to kick the ball with him. One day if he keeps it up he will be an awesome soccer player like his older brothers and sister!

Cheese!!!

Just waiting for her turn to go in.

Clark--How did that ball get by me? jk

He also did a great job, he didn't score but he helped out a lot.

Ryan and his team were doing so good they were up 2-0 at the half and Ryan had stopped everything that came his way in the first half. I don't know if his coach, team and mom and dad praising him did something but he let four balls go by the second half, one of them was one of his really good friend. But that's okay they will get them next time!!!

Here he made an amazing stop and then got right back up and made another amazing stop. I thought he had hurt himself with this stop but he was up faster then I could blink and stopping another shot, this is why mother's get very nervous when their kids play goalie! I am not as nervous as I used to be, I guess I am getting used to it!!

Soccer time again :)

2011-09-11T18:29:00.003-05:00

It's that time again, time for Fall Soccer and we are in full swing. The kids (Clark, Ryan and Emma) are all playing (and if Andrew was just a year older he would possibly be playing too). This time we are only at the fields for practice two days a week, I have never been this lucky usually we are there at least three days and sometimes four (not counting Saturdays for the games). It is nice except for the fact we are there for three hours, yes, each one has practice at a a different time, no one overlaps. That's okay I like not having to be there every night. The only time it is hard is when Andrew is up there with us all night, sometimes dad can come get him and Emma and help me out. Andrew loves to play soccer and kick the ball, he even has his own soccer ball that he kicks around. He gets mad because he can't play on the fields and kick the ball in the goals. He has decided he is not going to sit in his stroller, he wants to run around and get into trouble (not really), he doesn't realize that running out on the field while the kids are practicing could hurt him. So he gets mad and then runs off to play some more.

Saturday was their first games and they all did great job.

Clark did a great job. He had a double header and did great. He even scored a goal in the second game, the second picture is him kicking the ball that went in. I looked up after taking the picture and the ball went in the goal, I had to ask him if he was the one that kicked it because I was looking at the camera and not at the game (isn't that how it always is). I was excited for him, thinking he was the one that kicked it but was more excited when I asked him and he answered yes. He is playing on the U18 (18 and under) team again and he is really enjoying it. It is kind of funny, there is a group of youth from our ward that plays soccer every year and somehow they all ended up on the same team. We think that is great. They lost both of their games but they looked good. Next week we will get them, there are only three teams in the league so revenge is sweet!!!! jk!

Charging down the side of the field towards their goal.

Kicking it in the goal!!!

Emma also did a great job. She started out as the goalie and ended playing midfield. She was doing good at goalie but I had to leave to go get Ryan for his game so I missed the rest of her game, but Dad said she did a great job. She is so funny to watch, she is still a little princess out there playing goalie, she is getting much better and she is actually diving for the balls.

Posing for the camera. Isn't she just a darling goalie?

Chasing the ball. She got it before it went in the goal.

Playing midfielder.

The Fans watching the games

Dad and Clark watching Emma's game.

Mom and Andrew waiting for Ryan's and Clark's game to start.

Andrew sporting some way cool sunglasses

Andrew checking to see if mom is watching so he can go play with the flag after being told to stay away. There was a game going on and all he cared about was the flag. He did get to it, and of course I didn't get a picture because I had to put the camera down to go get him before he got ran over by the teams coming towards him.

He just can't leave the flags alone (later during another game)

Andrew checking out an ant hill, he was fascinated, he hasn't realized they are fire ants and they hurt when they bite. Earlier he was playing in an ant hill. I have decided this season is going to be fun with a two year old, I didn't get to watch too much of their games, it seemed every time I took my eyes off him he was trying to get away or into something, I don't know if I am looking forward to that.

Ryan also did a great job even though he only had a few hours of sleep due to a Scout camp out. He hustled and made some great stops. He gets better and better every year. He cracks me up listening to him tell his team mates to get back to help cover him, or back over on their side. It was funny he didn't know one of their names so he hollered out hey #(?) move back, like they knew what number they were they just got their jerseys), I was laughing so hard. I have now told him he needs to learn his teams names.

Stopping the ball. Yes he did!!

Kicking the ball back into play.

They all lost their games, but they enjoyed playing again. Like I said earlier, Revenge is sweet!! Next time!!

Ryan and the clarinet!

2011-09-08T13:03:00.002-05:00

With Ryan entering jr high and the option of band class, he has decided to learn how to play the clarinet. I was thinking what are we getting into, I had played the clarinet from sixth grade thru the end of eighth grade and I remember the practicing and all the fun it is to learn to play. I wasn't the best at playing the clarinet but I enjoyed it till our jr high band teacher left just before eighth grade and we got a new teacher. Class wasn't as much fun as it was before and I didn't feel I was learning anything new so I took the easy way out and switched to choir.

Well back to Ryan. He has been in band for 3 weeks and is loving it! The weirdest thing I think is they don't learn/play together as a full band, and in first period it's just the clarinets and the percussion. To me that is weird since I learned to play with the whole band.

He is getting a lot better, he doesn't squeak to much any more. One day all I could hear was note, note, squeak, squeak, squeak, so I peeked in on him and noticed he was holding the clarinet wrong, showed him the correct way and he is doing much better. I can help with the clarinet and I am not much help the piano.

They had their first concert Tuesday night, they did a great job for only having class for three weeks. I can't wait to hear more.

Little Miss Labor Day

2011-09-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

Yes, this year Emma did the Little Miss Labor Day Pageant and I have decided that I am not a pageant mom. I didn't get nervous, I didn't run out and buy her a new dress and we didn't practice the walk a whole lot. We did practice a little so she knew what she needed to do, and I made her walk around in her new heels so she wouldn't trip and twist an ankle, but other then that she wore her Easter dress and we curled her hair in ringlets, she looked beautiful and she had a lot of fun.

I would have never of done the pageant if it wasn't for my friend who talked us in to it. She thought Emma and Grace would be doing it together, but Grace is ten and Emma is nine and the cut off for Emma's group was nine. But that was okay my friend talked another friend into doing it too so Emma had Addison there with her, and when we got there her friend Alexandria was there too. So she was there with friends and enjoyed doing it. She is already asking me if she can do "Little Miss Merry Christmas" and I keep saying I don't think so, we will see when it gets closer. She didn't win but she must have enjoyed it or she wouldn't be asking to do another one.

Emma, waiting for them to tally up the winner.

Emma and her friends, Grace, Addison, Alexandria and Marianna.

Emma. Addison and Alexandria were in one pageant and Grace and Marianna were in another one.

Emma and Alexandria

Emma, Andrew and Addison

Andrew wanted to be in a picture too. He was feeling left out (not really).

This picture was sent to me last night by a friend who saw it on the "Montgomery Advertiser" web page. So dad and Andrew were in the paper. They were waiting for Emma's pageant to begin!! Excitement Excitement Excitement!!!!

A bittersweet change...

2011-08-31T22:36:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to write a few thoughts down before I forgot them, so bear with me this is kind of jumbled together.

On Sunday, I was released from my calling in the ward as the Beehive advisor, I am now the compassionate service leader. Yah, I thought sister's that had already raised their families were the ones that held that calling, not the sister's who have all their children at home with school, soccer, scouts, piano etc. I was called into the bishop's office the week before and was extended the calling by the bishop. I was shocked because I loved my calling in the young women, and I pretty much answered, well I was taught to never say no and a couple of weeks prior I had just given a lesson to the beehives on how we don't turn down a calling extended by the bishop or his counselors because it is a call from our Heavenly Father. I ~~struggled with~~ accepted the calling, but I was really enjoying teaching the young women. Now I am not a teacher but I felt I could teach the lessons that was in the manual. I struggle with gospel doctrine lessons but these were lessons that had to do a litttle with life, gospel and everyday living. I know I sound corny but I enjoyed teaching them. The Beehives in the ward are amazing girls and they have taught me so much in the ten months I was in there and I will truly miss them. It's not like I am leaving the ward I just won't ~~be with~~ see them as often.

It is funny how the spirit works, like I said I struggled with the acceptance of the calling and I kind of felt sick because I didn't want to leave my calling but as soon as I was set apart I felt calm and not as sad as I was earlier that morning. I am still very sad that I won't be there for the girls weekly but if they ever want to talk my door is always open, and having two boys the same age I will still be going to the activities. It hit me today that I don't have to be to the church tonight for the activity. I have not had a Wednesday night open for a long time, and yes it felt weird dropping the boys off and going back to get them, (well Ryan anyway, Clark stays and plays basketball with some of the young men and some of the brethern, he usually finds a ride home when dad doesn't go).

I'm not sure how this calling is going to go so I hope that I will do a good job, I am not a person that likes to have to call and ask for help so I will have to grow in this. I keep joking I was called to this position because I don't have compassion and I need to learn it. Maybe it is true, we will see, like I said I hope I can do what is needed and what is expected. Thank you for letting me write down my thoughts I hope haven't bored anybody to death. I do know this is a calling from my Heavenly Father and I will do my best. I do know that Heavenly Father knows what we can do and handle and if I ask for His help He will help me (even if I question it). I do know that this gospel is true and I love my Savior very much. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen!

50 Years and Family Pictures

2011-08-24T09:25:00.004-05:00

First of all I want to wish Clark and Audrey Draper (Carrson's parents) a very Happy 50th Anniversary!!!! I know I am a little late I spaced it off and then I forgot. I want them to know what wonderful people they are, I think they are very special. They are willing to do anything for anybody, they even put up with us in their home when we go back home for our vacation. Thank you for everything, I love you and I hope you had a wonderful day.

While we were back there this summer for the very short time we were there (barely 2 weeks) we were able to have most of Carrson's family and all of mine there, so our mothers decided we needed to update our family pictures. Both sides were way behind in the family pictures department. The last family picture we had from Carrson's family was when Majerle was a baby (she is now almost eighteen) and since then there have been fourteen more grandchildren. Our last picture on the Weir side wasn't as long ago but Emma was a baby/toddler. So it was time, we started with Carrson's family one day and ended with my family later in the week.

The Draper Family

(Mom and Dad's) Grandma and Grandpa's picture above)

Almost all of the Draper clan.

Grandma and Grandpa and all but three of the grand kids plus two great grand daughters.
I posted this picture because it is the only one with Andrew in it, he was getting very restless and didn't want to cooperate any more, I am not sure what Ryan is doing tho.

The Carrson Draper's.

Carrson, mom, dad and his sisters. Yes, he is the only boy and the youngest.

The Weir Family

(Mom and Dad) Grandma and grandpa Weir

The Weir clan.

Grandma and grandpa and the grand children

The Draper's

I hadn't seen our other pictures yet and so while we were taking pictures this time I had another one of us taken. I even took singles of the kids and by this time the kids were so tired of getting their picture taken that it took longer then anticipated. One of these days I will put them here so every one can see them, but I am running out of time today.

Clark-14, Ryan-12, Emma-9, Andrew-2

What a handsome group of kids. They have to put up with a lot of picture taking. Isn't it funny before we had digital cameras we took one maybe two pictures with cameras that had film and after we got them developed the pictures turned out, and with the digital we take ten or so and sometimes not even one turns out. I know I like to document with pictures a lot but this is kind of a journal for me, and i like to remember what we did and I love looking at pictures.

School has started

2011-08-19T14:03:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year again, time for school to start. Actually school started Monday and I am just now posting, I thought with the kids back in school I would have more time to do things but then I remembered I have a two year old that has been sick. This year we have a high schooler, a jr. high schooler and a fourth grader. Holy cow I can't believe that I have kids that old. On top of that, Clark started Seminary this year. Yes. I have a ninth grader!!! Seminary here starts at 6:00 am, no release time (6:00 am only). Looking back on my Seminary experience I am so glad I was raised in Utah where they had released time. I tried early morning Seminary my senior year to help me get to my cosmetology classes on time, and well that didn't last very long, I talked to the school and they let me come in a little bit later so I could take seminary fourth period, MUCH BETTER!! So kudos for all you who have and are going to Seminary and learning about the gospel that early in the morning!!! You are a better person than I!!

Well ya'll know me and I have to get the kids pictures before they head out the door (or on the bus) on the first day, with the exception of Clark (I wasn't thinking pictures when he left the house at 5:50 am so his picture is him coming off the bus on the second day, due to me not home when he got off the bus on the first day, Emma has piano then). Without any delay here they are!

Ryan and Emma waiting for their buses.

They were so excited to start school. We have been out early for the bus every day this week, a new record for Emma, it helps that Ryan and Emma have been getting up earlier due to Clark being up. Hopefully Emma will make the bus all year and I won't have to take her at all, wouldn't that be great!!!! I am already driving one day a week to get some of the seminary kids to school.

Getting on the bus

Clark getting off the bus.

I mentioned Andrew being sick and not feeling well. Well, I finally decided to take him to the doctor (he woke up with goopy eyes this morning and with the weekend coming I didn't want to have to deal with it later). It ends up he has a ear infection and sometimes will leak out his eyes (this isn't the first time it has happened). So now we are one meds for the next ten days, YEA maybe some comfort!!

Andrew's 2 year check-up

2011-08-10T10:51:00.004-05:00

I can't believe Andrew is already two. I know he turned two last month but he was behind on vaccinations (due to switching Doctors) so we are a couple of weeks behind on checkups, but he is on track now and doing great!! He is growing like a weed and so energetic.

His measurements this time are:
Weight: 26 lbs 6 oz (35%)
Height: 34 3/4" (60%) (He fought the nurse and myself, he didn't want to let them measure him, we even tried both ways, lying down and standing, he is just a little stinker this is the closest the nurse could get standing).
I still want to compare all four kids but I keep forgetting, one of these days I will get to it.

Some of Andrews favorite things and things to do are:
- play with cars, cars and even more cars (do you get the picture, our floor is always covered with cars)
- loves to slide (at parks or the pool)
- loves to go to the pool
- loves to watch Mickey Mouse, Cailiou and anything with music. Right now he is watching Beauty and the Beast and loving it!
- loves to rub the back of my arms, and sometimes pinches them and leaves bruises
- we have this quiet book with pictures of Jesus and "churchy" (if that is a word) stuff, and he loves to look at it and point out pictures
- loves to point out the airplanes
- he is a little talker and you can actually understand most of the things he says
- loves to wrestle especially with dad
- has learned to give raspberries and thinks it is great. It is so funny to watch him, he tries to see how long he can go before he has to take a breath
- loves to be outside (even in the sweltering heat)
- loves his baths
- loves to play with the dogs
- he loves to go in Emma's room and get her barbie doll cars and run out before she catches him so he can have "big cars"
- when ever he hears music he loves to dance

I can't think of anything else right now but I will try to think of some others and list them. There are just too many things to remember on the spur of the moment.

Court of Honor

2011-08-07T21:34:00.005-05:00

Last Wednesday (8-3-11) Clark and Ryan had there Court of Honor, both Clark and Ryan worked really hard to get their merit badges done this year at camp. This time both Clark and Ryan were able to move up in the ranks. Ryan got both his second class and first class ranks along with the leatherworking merit badge, woodcarving merit badge and the first aid merit badge. Clark got his Life Rank along with the first aid merit badge, rowing merit badge, mammal studies merit badge, soil and water conservation merit badge and environmental science merit badge. Way to go Clark and Ryan!!!! Now Clark just has to finish a couple of merit badges, and on to his Eagle project. Yea!!!

Clark, Ryan and Emma worked hard this summer reading for the libraries summer reading program. They had to read so many books and then they were able to get a prize. One of the prizes was to go free skating at Wonder World. We decided to take them up on that and a group of us went last week. Clark ended up going to a friends house with a group of friends to have a air soft war and go swimming, but Ryan and Emma had a lot of fun skating, I did have to pay for Andrew to play on the inflatables but they all had fun. Ryan and Emma had been trying to get us to take them there for a while. They had been there for school parties or birthday parties and had a lot of fun and they wanted us to go as a family. Besides falling down a lot, they want to go back. Andrew was so funny, he had never been on an inflatable before and it took him a little while to get up the courage to go inside. He climbed up the entrance and slid down for the longest time till he finally decided that the kids in there were having a blast. By the time we were ready to leave he wasn't and screamed as we were trying to get out the door.

While we were in Utah this past summer both of our mother's wanted to have family pictures, since we were all going to be together, considering the last family picture we have of the Draper's there are only seven or eight grandchildren in it and now they have over twenty, and the Weir's side I think in our last family picture Emma is a baby (she is nine now). So it is probably time to get our pictures updated. I haven't seen the Draper's side pictures yet but this one is of my family (the Weir's). We are handsome group if I do say so myself!!! Trying to get four children under the age of two to cooperate was a little too much fun, especially when the one that doesn't want to cooperate is mine. The photographer finally got a shot where he was looking, and I think it turned out great.

Ryan is a Deacon!!!

2011-08-02T16:27:00.001-05:00

As you all know Ryan recently turned twelve, he was interviewed and was able to me made a deacon. We were trying to figure when we were going to go on vacation, we had decided to ask Ryan if he would rather stay and be made a deacon the Sunday after his birthday or do it the Sunday when we got back. He chose the Sunday when we got back (I think he wanted to get to Grandmas and play with his cousins). So we had everything ready before we left, he had his interview and they were waiting till we got back. He was ordained a deacon on July 24, 2011, which is way awesome because that is when the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley and as a church it is a holiday!!! If he had chosen the Sunday right after his birthday he would have been ordained on July 3rd (my birthday) but that is okay, it's cooler to share that with pioneer history then share it with mom. I can't believe that I am old enough to have two boys old enough to hold the priesthood.

Congratulations Ryan, I am so proud of you!!!!

My three Priesthood holders!!!

When we got back home from vacation I noticed that I had left a half a loaf of bread in the cupboard, and on Tuesday (7-20-11) we were going to the library and decided while we were there we would go next door to the park and feed the ducks. We hadn't done that in a while, so we took a few minutes and fed the geese (the ducks were further down and didn't seem to interested). Since our last encounter with some of the geese the kids were a little skeptical about getting too close (the geese were coming towards us honking and the kids didn't like it, I thought it was funny). So here they are feeding the geese!!

Andrew decided he wanted to eat his bread instead of sharing it.

The other day Emma wanted to play the Wii and started playing Band Hero, well then Clark decided he wanted to play too and somehow Andrew got in there and picked up the guitar and wanted to play also. He didn't care that it didn't have a control but he was sure having fun trying to play the guitar. Emma loves to sing, she would rather sing then play the drums or the guitar.

That is just a little bit that has gone on since we have been home, other then going to the pool, sleepovers, scouts, playing as much video games as possible, soccer clinics and playing with friends. We hope you are having as much fun this summer as we are. Oh and by the way we are on the countdown for school to start, yes, they are getting excited for it to start, 13 days!! As Emma put it I am excited for the first day but then not so much after (I can't remember it exactly but I thought it was funny "just for the first day").

...and the vacation comes to an end :(

2011-07-29T22:37:00.000-05:00

I think this is the last post of our vacation. We had a great time doing lots of stuff with our families, but then it always has to come to an end. Yes, we get sad every time we have to leave and come back home, but we just buck up say our good by's and look forward to our next meeting.

LaGooN ...One of our traditions that the kids look forward to every year is to go to Lagoon (an amusement park) with their cousins. I think by the time we all usually get there we could have about 16-20 cousins all running around. This year was no different, we all met there and had a great time. I am getting too old to ride some of the rides anymore, I got sick after one of the rides and I decided I am not as young as I once was. It took a while to feel better, I think part of it was it was very muggy (for Utah weather, you would think it wouldn't phase me living in Alabama) and there was no air movement. I will probably go on the ride next time we are there, I never learn, the rush of a roller coaster that shoots you straight up into the air and then straight down with corkscrews is an awesome ride!!! This year I don't have as many pictures as I normally do but that is okay, we got there and they weren't letting any bags on to the rides, so there went the camera. But I do have a few so we can remember it a little.

Ryan, Emma and Clark

Waiting in line for the "Wild Mouse". I loved this ride as a child!!! It was a little different they had to revamp it so now it is about the same but the cars are wider, and yes you still get wind whipped on the turns, I still think it is going to tip on the bends.

Emma and Reagan

This is one ride I could never do. Did it once and have no desire to do it again!!! A ferris wheel with your own compartment that you spin on your own as is goes around, YUCK!!! I can't handle any thing that spins in a constant circle!!

Jackson, Kennedey, Nathan and Ryan.

Waiting in line for the "Rock-o-plane" Yuck again!! I don't know how they can stomach them!!

Ryan

Yes, they have to get wet while we are there. They were sad that the "Rapids" were closed so the had to get wet another way, and this gets you wet.

Ally, Emma and Reagan

The three amigos!!!

Clark, Nicole, Kennedey and Sarah

Emma and Reagan

Such silly girls!!!

Clark trying to make three pointers to win prizes!!!

Splash Pad
We went to the splash pad again this year with Grandma and Grandpa Weir, and the cousins on that side. This year Andrew liked it a little better then last year but it took him a while but got in there.

Clark, Braxton, Ryan, Andrew, Mckynlee and Uncle Ryan.

Ryan and Andrew

Why are you making me have sit here and get water dumped on my head?

Emma

It's my turn!!!

Andrew decided he would rather play at the park instead in the water. He loves the park and he loves to slide. Here he's playing Peek-a-boo. Yes. I see you!!!

Braxton, Andrew and McKynlee
These three are all within four months of each other, they are so funny to watch.

When we were trying to leave Andrew decided that he wanted to play in the water, we couldn't get him to leave. We even tried to walk away to see if he would follow, nope he could of cared less. It cracks me up that he would rather slide and play on the playground when everyone was there and wanted to play in the water when everyone was leaving.

After the splash pad we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's so the little ones could nap and play in the water some more and for some homemade pizza on the grill YUM!!

PLaYing at the PaRK

A couple of days later the Weir clan decided to meet at a park have pizza, let the young ones play and the older men, women and children (or those that wanted too) play basketball. It was fun visiting with family and watching the kids play!!

The older kids loved climbing on the rock wall (even Clark and Ryan had fun climbing it). Emma liked to climb it and sit on top of it. The little ones loves climbing the stairs and sliding down.

The three hooligans. They had a blast!!!

Emma

She thought it was great that she could stand on the railing. She was making some of the craziest poses but I only got this one. She is such a silly girl!!!

Andrew loved climbing inside the tube, I almost couldn't get him out.

Playing basketball.

Clark, Ryan, Clark (dad), Rob, Ryan (J.), Bryan and Heidi.

Swish!!! Way to go Clark!!

BBQ at the Weir's and Andrew's Birthday
While we were in Utah my sister Jennifer and her family arrived for a few days, so Grandma and Grandpa wanted to have a BBQ (we also had a family picture taken-to come soon) while every one was there. It was great to see Jennifer, Dave and Annabelle (she is just two months old). I hadn't seen them in a while so it was great to all be together again. Before dinner we had our pictures taken, I have only seen one but it looks good. After pictures we met at my parents home and had hamburgers and hot dogs, yummy salads and cake and ice cream for Andrews birthday. It was yummy food and great company. That is one thing I miss being so far away, being able to sit in the backyard and visit with family members and not feel like I just got out of the shower from the humidity.

Peyton, Mckynlee, Andrew and Braxton

Waiting patiently. Well maybe not.

Grandpa, were ready for our grub!! are the hot dogs and hamburgers ready yet??

Clark (Carrson), Rob and Clark

Yummy food +

Great company =

A wonderful time!!!!

Emma and her newest cousin Annabelle.

Just one more time in the mountains
We couldn't leave without going to the mountains one more time. We left our trailer up there so we could go for a couple of more days and spend some more time with the Draper's in the mountains. We enjoy just sitting outside and chatting or visiting around a campfire admiring the view of the valley and Bear Lake in the distance and the mountains all around. Some times we even see deer on the property or just over the hill, something we can't do here (it's too hot, hopefully when fall gets here we will be able to sit out and enjoy the backyard).

Andrew trying to be like his daddy. Trying to get the fire going for dinner. Hot dogs roasted over a fire, that is the best way to eat a hot dog (not burnt but lightly browned), YUMMY!!

Self explanatory. The moon, I thought it was cool.

Dalton, Jennifer and Clark (Carrson)

Just chatting waiting for some coals to cook over!

Emma, Reagan

Finally some coals, we are starved!!!

Jennifer, Kennedey, Clark (Carrson), Emma and Ryan.

This is what we woke up to the next morning. Aggie is in Bandit's (Grandma Draper's dog) box on the treker and Rascal is on the ground next to the treker. The dogs are just like children, when the ATV's start up they come running hoping they can get on and ride too!! They are too funny!!!! Aggie has taken a liking to Grandpa Draper, maybe we should have left her there with him!

Andrew was in heaven, we had forgotten that Clark and Ryan had some cars and trucks in one of the cupboards. I remembered and pulled them out and it kept him entertained for quite a while.

We were going to pull our trailer out that day but just as we were finishing breakfast it started to rain, not just a light rain a downpour. It had been thundering and lightening for a little bit so we were waiting for the rain not thinking it would be that bad and right before it started to rain lightening struck somewhere close because the thunder shook the trailer, the kids were down at the Zundel's trailer and as soon as they heard that they ran inside just in time for the rain to hit. It rained and rained and rained, I didn't think it was ever going to end. Needless to say we didn't take the trailer with us, it was a good thing because we wouldn't have made it and to top it off we even slide down the hill. What fun we have in the mountains, I actually was able to take a nap, oh and it felt wonderful!!!!

I wanted to put this in here because I thought it was wonderful. I saw it on the way to Utah but I was driving and I just figured it was some type of "Christian" building, considering we were driving through Liberty, Missouri. I had forgotten they had announced a temple there. It wasn't until Carrson woke up and said "is that Angel Moroni on there, it is Angel Moroni". So on the way back we noticed it didn't look like it was too far off the freeway so we pulled off at the exit and it was right there!! It was so cool right off the freeway in Missouri is a temple. I loved it!!

We got home early Sunday morning (7/17/11) and I went out to check my garden and the sunflowers were huge!! I could not believe how huge they were, also my tomato plants were looking great too (Thanks Monica for taking care of them!!) But I just had to get a picture of (Emma's, she calls them hers) the sunflowers!! The picture doesn't really show how big they are but that is okay, I know how big they were.

We are glad to be home but we hate to have to leave Utah and our family. We talk about how we miss Utah and our families but I know we are supposed to be here, I don't know why but one day we will know. I have made some great friends here and learned some things I would never have known if we hadn't of moved. Thanks to everyone!!
I Love You!!!!

Vacation part 2 :)

2011-07-25T15:25:00.003-05:00

It seems that every year a certain birthday rolls around and we seem to be in Utah, are you wondering who's? Yes, mine and it seems that I always get surprised with a story why I have to go to the motor home (we are usually in the mountains) and come back to a heart attacked trailer (last year) or a cake. I just try to coast without anybody realizing it is my birthday but it seems to back fire and I get sung to. Thank you so much for the surprises and the cakes. I Love you!!!

The joy of being in Utah for my birthday is we get to celebrate July 4th with our families too! This year we were up on the mountain (again, we love to camp!) had dinner and went to the fireworks in Montpelier.

Ryan, Emma and some of the cousins waiting to eat.

Dinner's on! or is it dessert? Thanks Debbie it was delicious!!

Andrew's first sparkler! He thought it was great.

Like I said we went to Montpelier's park for the fireworks again and they were great. The aerial fireworks were good but there is nothing like having them blow up in your face to end the evening. This year we were getting pelted from the fireworks that they light from the tennis courts, it was so funny to listen to everyone that was getting hit. See you again next year Montpelier fireworks!!! After the fireworks the sparklers were brought out, the kids were in having a blast even the 14 & 15 year old's. What fun fire brings to kids!!

Bear Lake

It had been a while since we had been to Bear Lake and we had heard that it was full this year. We were skeptical but wanted to check it out. So we all got in our vehicles and set off for the lake. As we approached the lake this is what we saw. I have not seen this lake this full for a long time. I was awesome!!!

This is the beach we have gone to the last few years we went. The last couple of time we went the lake was so low and they let us drive to the water by using the boat ramp, so you didn't have to walk a mile just to get to the water (if you look closely you can see how far away that is). This year there was hardly any beach compared to the last 10 or so years.

It was so nice to drive a round the lake and see all the water. As you can tell the water has been so low for so long that there are full grown trees now 20 feet into the water. When we left Utah we had heard that Bear Lake was still rising at an inch a day. That is amazing, see what a wet winter will do. Wish we had more water here (in Bama), but then again since we have been home it has probably rained four or five days and we have been home for eight. That is great except we haven't made it to the pool yet, it likes to rain in the afternoon when we are able to go.

Dad and Andrew. Andrew was so excited to go to the "water", when we were deciding what to do that day Dad asked Andrew what he wanted to do and he answered "go water". So the decision was made, to the lake it is. When we got there I think it was overwhelming to him and to top it off it was cooold! So he stepped in and that was enough he was done. Thanks Audrey for keeping him entertained!!!

The kids trying to get used to the freezing cold water.

Andrew and Audrey building a sand castle.

Once the boat came out Andrew was ready to get back in the water (or boat) he didn't want to touch the water, but he had a blast riding in the boat.

The kids getting the boat situated.

Emma my little "poser", she has to pose for the camera whenever it comes out!

Most of the kids building sand castles, forts or whatever you can build with sand.

Andrew had fun covering himself with sand. He thought this was great!!!

Still working!

Clark and Kennedey's

Emma, Ryan and Nick's.

As we were leaving and heading towards a "fresh" Bear Lake Raspberry shake this is what we got behind. A bunch of sheep. One of the ranchers there were moving their sheep and if you have ever been behind one of these it takes a while to get around them due to them running out in front of you. Once we made it past a clump of sheep we thought we were free but then we would hit another group. Yes, fun, not!!!

This year we even went to Paris! Paris, Idaho that is. Actually you have to go through Paris, ID to get to the lake from the Idaho side. I have just always wanted to take a picture of the sign so I could say I had been to Paris!!!

Paris Ice Caves

As we were driving to the cave this is what we saw of to the side. It is the fifth of July and there is still a lot of snow on the ground. We like to take 4-wheeler rides over to the ice caves but we had heard there was no way we would make it through and when we got over there in our trucks (on another road) we could see why, the road we usually take on the 4-wheelers was covered with snow, and not just a little to try to go through but a lot that I don't think we would have made it very far.

Andrew's first time seeing snow.

The entrance to the cave. Myself having flip flops on, there was no way I was going to try to go in there. There was at least four feet of snow in the entrance and a lot of ice.

The boys climbed down the rocks to get in there. They were determined to get down in there, even with sandals and flip flops on they did it.

Clark all the way at the bottom of the cave, and me on top taking the picture. That's a long way down

there!! I can't get blogger to let me go under the picture so I am going to end now, I have more pictures but alas I have been on here forever so I will post them later when I get another minute!!

Vacation part 1 :)

2011-07-21T11:16:00.004-05:00

Well we are back and it was a very quick trip this year. I am going to have to blog about it a little at a time so bear with me, I know, I always have a lot of pictures. This year as usual we took our annual trip to Utah to visit family. As usual we drive nonstop (well except for changing drivers, bathroom breaks and long enough to get food and get going again) and this is what the truck looks like part of the time.

Taking turns driving works great for us, we get there sooner and can spend more time with our families (friends and family think we are crazy, but we would rather spend time there then traveling). This year we traveled along the same route we always go with one problem after we got through St. Joseph, Mo headed towards Nebraska City, NE we encountered the Missouri River on both sides of the freeway. No, the river isn't too close to the freeway where we were traveling but the flooding was terrible, homes and farms under water and the further North we traveled the freeway was completely closed and we had to take a detour through Iowa, talk about corn fields, they were huge and everywhere (I tried to get a picture but they didn't turn out, that's okay I have enough pictures of everything else).

Water on the side of the road. It went down both sides the freeway for a couple of miles. I was just amazed at the time of year and how much water was still there. It looked like the road was built in the middle of the river, there was so much water.

Just one of the farms that was under water.

July 1, 2011

The exit where we had to detour from, check out all that water. I believe the river is closer to the mountain then the freeway.

July 16, 2011

This is what we saw coming toward St. Joseph, MO on our way home. Thinking it was the middle of July, we thought the freeway would be open, but nope it was still closed due to flooding (we think) so we had another detour that took us into St. Joseph. As we approached the Missouri River it was still flooded. It was good for the kids to see what happens when places get lots of water/snow pack over the winter and lots of spring rain.

We left Thursday night (6/30/11) around 6:00 pm and arrived in North Ogden around 3:00 am Saturday (7/2/11) morning. It was a a fast trip and Andrew wasn't too happy to be in his car seat that long but we did it. Dad and I ended up sitting in the back with him to help calm him down most of the time. He loved it when we would stop and he could get out and run, but trying to get him back in the truck was a different story he screamed and fought us so hard, coming home was a little easier but he still didn't like sitting there (he did like the fact he could watch movies, to keep him calm when he got really bad we just kept putting on another movie).

On the way there we had a laugh because every time we stopped Dad's phone would ring. We thought it was funny, it was his mother just checking where we were, she had been tracking us on the map and would call every few hours to see how far we had gotten. We just thought it was funny that when we stopped the phone would ring, she must of sensed that if she called then we would be able to talk, thank you for calling and checking on us we felt loved and made us want to get there faster.

We didn't waste anytime once we got some sleep Saturday morning. Dad, grandpa and the boys went to pick up the trailer Emma, Andrew and myself went and visited with my family for a little before we went up to the mountains (camping is one of our favorite things to do so we have to take every opportunity we can because it is too hot in the south to camp in the summer). By Saturday night we were on the mountain but because it was so late we parked the trailer on the road for the night and moved it to our spot the next morning.

This was the scene in the trailer the next morning when we got up. We keep crayons and coloring books so the kids could color and mom and dad could sleep a little longer. Coloring is one of Andrew's favorite things to do so he was in heaven!

Another one of our favorite things to do while we are in the mountains is going on 4-wheeler rides, and one of the kids favorite places to go is down the county road a mile or so to a creek that runs across the road. They love to go down there and go through the creek as fast as they can and see how big of a splash they can make. Yes, I have to admit it is a lot of fun and this year the creek was fuller and the splashes were bigger.

Ryan going through the creek.

The family minus Clark and me, it's great being the photographer. I don't remember where Clark was.

Emma taking her turn. She thought it was great she is still learning to drive a 4-wheeler so she has to have someone on it with her and Ryan was the lucky one this time.

Andrew fell asleep shortly after we turned around to go back to camp. I don't know how they sleep on there it's not very comfortable.

We were getting ready to go on another ride to North Canyon to ride through the snow and wasn't sure if Andrew should go so Grandpa and some of the cousins went for a shorter ride with Andrew. He was so excited. It is so funny to see the kids light up when the 4-wheelers start or when they know they are getting on one.

Clark got to drive the treker. This time the dogs got to go with us. Aggie is so funny she comes running and jumps in when she hears the treker start up, Rascal comes running too but he hadn't figured out how to get in there till just about the time we were leaving.

A rare picture of mom coming out of the river. From this angle it doesn't look very steep but believe me it is and every time I have to go through it I get nervous.

Whew, I made it through the river!!!!

Now to let the dogs and kids play for a minute. Yes, it got chilly on the ride and Clark and Ryan were the only ones prepared with jackets. We forget every year to take jackets when we get to the snow.

A waterfall we had never seen before. The picture doesn't do it justice, the waterfall was beautiful. I had never seen so much water in the canyon before. Thanks to a wet winter and some late snow storms. This area had needed a wet winter for so long that it was welcomed, and because there was still snow on the ground it was cooler there.

Taking a short break before hitting the snow. Every time we stopped Aggie would get out but once she heard the 4-wheelers start up she was back and ready to go.

Time to go through the snow!!! YEEHAW!!! Go dad!!

We were doing so good to get through the snow piles that when we came to this one we thought no problem. First of all check out the date on the picture yes July 6, 2011, can you believe there is still snow on the canyon road in July. Usually we are going through the left over snow the first part of June not July. It was a blast. Back to the picture this snowbank was almost as tall as I am and here is Clark trying to get over it. He didn't make it so dad took over and he almost didn't make it. We were just about ready to give up and turn around when he tried one more time and got over to the other side.

Yea!!! the other side, I finally made it!!!! I even made it over, I made it on my second attempt. Yes, I am awesome but then I was the last and watched where not to go.

Some of the wildflowers we saw on our ride. They are beautiful.

This year the boys wanted to stay in the tent with there cousins. Think about it Clark and Ryan plus 4 of there cousins that were there with us = late, noisy night plus other cousins trying to scare them (they were girls trying to get the boys to scream like little girls) they also had the dogs barking, talk about a noisy night!!!! We had to put a curfew on them the second night.

Andrew was in heaven playing with his cousins. He is the youngest on this side by seven years, so the cousins loved helping and playing with him. I was so grateful to them for helping me out when I needed to get things done.

I have to go for now and this is just a little of our trip, when I have a little more time I will get back!

Andrew is 2!!

2011-07-17T16:11:00.000-05:00

Boy have the last two years flown by!!! I can't believe that Andrew is already two, it seems like he was just a baby. We were in Utah for his birthday again, well kind of, we were leaving Utah and heading for home on his birthday that we actually celebrated his birthday a day early.

Yea!! I got me some new toys!!!

I went to light his cake and he blew out the match before I could get the candle lit. He just cracks me up, so here aunt Wendi is trying to keep him from blowing out the match again.

It didn't take him too long to blow out his candles once they were lit.

YAY!!! I did it, I blew out the candles without any help. He learned early how to blow out candles, we have all the kids birthdays that he just watched and learned. He even tried to help me blow out my candle the week before.

YUMMY! Chocolate cake and icing and cookies and cream ice cream. He preferred the icing instead of the cake, one good thing he was cleaner this year after his cake and ice cream then he was last year. :)

**Pictures of our vacation to come soon.

Ryan is 12, finally!!

2011-07-13T13:09:00.001-05:00

I am so late at posting this, but Ryan is finally 12. He is so excited to be a deacon and go to young mens. I don't know about having two boys old enough to be in young mens, it makes me feel old.

This is the first year that he has spent his birthday at home since we moved to Alabama, we are usually in Utah visiting family. This year we decided to wait and have the boys go to scout camp (I wasn't going to do it with them again, they don't do it with me like they do with others).

Back to Ryan's birthday, we started the celebration on Monday by going to dinner at Golden Corral (yes, my kids love it) and then to the store to pick out his present. He wanted a couple of different things but wasn't too excited till he could choose some video games. So he got a couple of video games and some much needed clothes. My kids love T-shirts that have funny/crazy sayings, I found a couple that fit him perfectly. One says "I am not being difficult, it just comes naturally" and the other says "I'm out of bed and dressed what more do you want" (see below). Sounds just like him!!

Because we went to dinner the night before his birthday we didn't have his cake till the next night. He decided he didn't want cake, he wanted lemon squares. So his birthday cake was lemon squares. YUMMY!!

I hope that he enjoyed his birthday and had a great couple of days!!!! I Love You Ryan!!!

Andrew, Rascal and bubbles

2011-06-19T22:16:00.000-05:00

Andrew has decided that he loves bubbles. We mention blowing bubbles and he gets so excited. A couple of weeks ago we were out blowing bubbles and of course Andrew was going crazy trying to get them, then we noticed the dogs were also going crazy trying to get them. Rascal even jumped up and ran into the house while trying to get one, it was quite funny. Tonight we were blowing bubbles and I caught some on video. The first picture is a photo of Andrew chasing some bubbles, and the video is of Andrew and Rascal chasing them, Andrew had given up and Rascal keep going. I have never seen a dog get as much air as he does (but I don't think he was getting as much as he has in the past), and Aggie usually goes after them but Ryan had just brought out her dinner so she was interested in that and not the bubbles.

Family Day...

2011-06-19T21:05:00.003-05:00

...at scout camp. We had decided that we were going to go and see Clark and Ryan at scout camp and check out what they had been doing. There was going to be a water carnival, dinner and a campfire, but just as we were getting ready to leave a thunderstorm hit and we had gotten word that every thing had been canceled (talk about a thunderstorm, we had massive lightning and wind, the wind even blew a piece of vinyl off from above the front window, but my awesome husband was able to fix it, it doesn't even look like anything happened) . So we thought we had a change of plans until a friend of mine whose husband is the Scout committee chairman in our ward called and said everything is still a go, some of the water activities got rained out, but they were still doing some of the water activities and dinner and the campfire were still on. So Emma and I decided to go and leave Andrew with his dad (toddler + mud = a big mess). So off we went and the rest is history.

We got there just as the troop was going into dinner, we had already eaten so we just went in and enjoyed the conversion. After dinner Clark took us to see the campsite and then off to the bonfire. If you have not been to a scout function they are great, funny Masters of Ceremonies, corny run ons and cheesy jokes. The funniest thing that night was one of the masters of ceremonies had bet that if the Scoutmaster's won the Staff/Scoutmaster volleyball game he would shave his legs. Well, the Scoutmasters won and he shaved his legs, so most of the jokes were directed at him and then as he was talking his voice cracked, so poor guy he was getting teased about his legs and the cracking voice. I thought it was great!

Ryan, Clark and Jonathon

We had to sit and wait till they were ready for us to come to the campfire, and Grace had been eating a Slush Puppy and her lips were bright red. Her mother was trying to get a picture of her and she wouldn't let us get a picture with her lips that shade of red, so I just took a few pictures and noticed Emma was doing a goofy smile. Those two girls are so funny when they get together.

Me and two of my boys. Yes, I feel short, but then I am still taller than Ryan.

Jack Sparrow made an appearance, sorry "Captain Jack Sparrow". He was really one of the counselors at camp and he ended up being in one of the skits during the bonfire, but he acted and talked just like the real Captain Jack Sparrow. The kids and scouts were having fun with it. Clark went up to get a picture with him and the other kids wanted to be in it too. I didn't realize he wanted on of just him and Jack without Ryan and Emma, I'm sorry Clark.

Emma getting into the music before the bonfire started.

It was a great night, except the fact we had to sit on wet benches and walk back to the cars without flashlights (yes, I am an idiot, I knew it was going to be dark and I forgot to take a flashlight, I didn't even think about the benches being wet or I would have taken blanket) but all in all I had an enjoyable evening and I am glad I went. As we were on our way home Ryan mentioned to me that he can't wait till next years scout camp because he can stay over night. Poor guy missed the deadline to spend the night by two weeks, he was sad that they wouldn't let him, but the handbook states the eleven year old's cannot camp with the older boys. But that's okay he probably got more sleep at home then he would of there. I will post when we have the Court of Honor and I know what the boys actually earned, but Ryan finally passed his swim test to become a First Class. Yea, Ryan I am so proud of you!!!

Just Chillin'

I had to post this picture, we had been home for a few minutes and Andrew had decided that he was going to relax on his couch, next thing I knew he had his feet up and was asleep. No, I didn't let him sleep like this (talk about a crook in the neck) I took him and put him on a bed, he had a great nap (I actually got to take a nap with him, a much needed nap). Now I just need to get feeling better, I ran out of allergy medicine Sunday and didn't make it to the store till yesterday, so now I have a sinus infection, funny nose and a cough, I hope I can catch it before it goes to my chest. Yes, the joys of allergies, I am so tired of them!!!

Just tryin' to stay cool!!

2011-06-16T15:25:00.000-05:00

Back in January we had cancelled our membership to the YMCA because we weren't using it. A few weeks ago we decided to renew it because it is just too hot and the kids wanted to go swimming and not just in the backyard little pool. Last week we spent every day there because it was nice and cool in the water. The temperatures here have been at least 97 degrees or hotter and then add the humidity to that. We even had a few days over 100 last week plus the humidity. Yuck. This is when I miss the dry heat of Utah, can't wait to visit, man am I going to freeze.

Well back to what we have been doing lately. Like I said it has been so hot that we haven't really left the house except to go to the pool, or the library. The kids have enjoyed playing at the pool (as long as there are friends there) that they don't mind going everyday. Andrew has really enjoyed it too, he is a fearless little one. The YMCA has some slides and he threw a fit because I wouldn't take him up to the top, I thought he was a little young for that, but with persistence and a little fit throwing I gave in and had Emma take him up to the top and I would catch him. He thought that was great, so Clark, Ryan and Emma took turns taking him up to the top and either Dad or I would catch him. So now when we go he has to go down the slides, (there are two that he can go down one is faster and the other one he creeps down, can you guess which one he likes best? Yep the faster one.

Here he is creeping down the one slide, Emma is catching him while her friend is coming down behind. He wasn't too thrilled here to go down the slide once he got to the top, he had already done it every day before this. But oh well he did it and loved it.

Emma catching Andrew

Ryan drying off to go inside and play basketball with his friend. They later came back out and swam some more but I had put the camera away and had a sleeping toddler on my lap so I couldn't get a picture of him in the water.

Clark, he was practicing his swimming. He and Ryan had to go to the Scout camp the next day and have there swim test to so what kind of a swimmer they were for camp. One nice thing about swimming is it wears the kids out, and I have some piece and quiet for a little while.

Andrew riding his bike outside. Dad was out weed-eating and it was a little bit cooler the other night so we joined him outside. Whenever we are outside Emma loves to ride her bike and scooter and Andrew tries to go with her. To get him away from her so she could ride I had her go and get his bike and he had a blast until he got down to the end of the driveway and I wouldn't let him on it. I showed him how to turn it around and go back toward the house and he decided that was okay.

Yesterday we took off to go to the "free movie" and then on to the Splash Pad. Here they have a free movie two days a week and this one was "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", one that the kids love. They also love to read the books over and over and over again. With Scout Camp going on this week I had one child of mine upset that we were going to see the movie the week he was gone. He loves it. Little does he know we can go to the theater again, it won't be the same show but they just love going to the movies. We had just gone to see "Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides" on Saturday. It was a good show, I don't think it was as good as the others but it was still awesome. After the movie we went to the Splash Pad and the kids enjoyed it. We went with my friend Monica and her kids. It was so hot, it seemed like we had to park a mile away and walk there. It seems like everywhere in Montgomery you have to hike to do anything. Well we got our exercise for the day, and I was beat.

Emma

Andrew, he wasn't too sure but finally decided to get wet. I think he realized it was just like running through the sprinkler. He didn't want to leave,

Emma, Andrew, Grace and Joseph

Andrew, trying to step on the water spout

The Splash Pad is on the other side of the Montgomery Biscuits Stadium (see scoreboard in the background) and in between them are the train tracks. Andrew thought this was so cool, but talk about loud!!! He loves cars, trucks, trains etc.

Eating lunch, Yum!!

Like I had mentioned earlier Clark and Ryan have Scout Camp this week, Clark spends the night while Ryan has to go back and forth (because he is only 11). He was quite upset that he couldn't stay overnight with his birthday in two weeks, but rules are rules. He is having fun and I have not talked to Clark since he left. On Monday when we went to get him I snapped a picture of him and a couple of friends. Look how happy, hopefully they will still be smiling by Saturday.

Connor, Ryan and Zack

Last night was Father son night at the camp for dinner (steak and potatoes), Dad went and got a few pictures of the boys. They still look happy, but they are starting to look a little tired. Clark and Ryan are in three of their five merit badge classes together. This year we had them take more required merit badges so they could get closer to their eagle rank so that is why they were lucky enough to get that many together. Hopefully they are enjoying the time together and not ignoring each other.

Clark and his tent

Clark and Ryan

Ryan

Clark and Preston

Is that a smile I see. I don't know, maybe it is a little one.

Some of the boys in the troop and their leaders

That is about all that we have been doing lately, hopefully Clark will have some pictures to post from his camera from camp, also I think we are going to go family day tomorrow afternoon. Just something more to do in the sweltering heat, but then again I get to see my boys.

What kids think old is.

2011-06-07T11:39:00.000-05:00

I have to write this down because I thought it was too funny.
We were driving to the library today and we were talking about the Dewey Decimal System (the library is doing an activity using the system this afternoon is how we even got on the subject) and I asked the kids
me-"do you know what a card catalog is?"
Ryan -"yes, it is how they found books in the old days"
me- "how long ago were the old days?"
Ryan- "10-20 years" ago.
I didn't realize I was that old. I wonder what they used in the really really old days!

School is out and summer is here...

2011-06-02T09:48:00.002-05:00

Summer is here and in full swing. The kids have been out of school for a week now (except Clark he was exempt from his exams so he has been home for two weeks), and already I have heard "I'm bored". So with the temperature in the high 90's ( I think we have actually hit 100 degrees) and if you add the heat index it is just too hot for this time of year. But then again I am not usually here for June, I hear it isn't usually this hot here this time of of the year.

We have had end of year parties and awards assemblies and again I am proud of my children. Clark got A's and B's, Ryan got A's and B's and Emma got A's and B's for their final grade for the year. Most of the year they had all A's but one subject they got a B, by the end of the year they had brought their grades up to all A's. Way to go!!!!! Their end of year certificates say AB honor roll, but that is awesome they are so smart!!! Because the lighting in all of the the schools is horrible we had to go outside for their pictures.

Emma with here all AB Honor Roll Certificate.

Ryan with his AB Honor Roll Certificate

Last Wednesday we sat down to eat dinner before we had to get out of the door for Scouts and Young Men's and this is what we saw on the window. Yes, there are two lizard's there. It freaked Ryan out (he does not like bugs or anything that crawls) and then there is me who goes outside to get a picture. I thought it was kind of cool to have them there. They sat there for a while and then one of them took off across the window and was gone. We had left anyways and it was too dark to see when we got home, but we did see another lizard (don't know if it was the same one) a couple of days later on the same side of the house. Hopefully they will keep the bugs down, Dad likes that.

Like I was saying school is out and to find things for the kids to do (where it is cool, or to keep them cool) is hard. All the boys want to do is play on the Xbox. So yesterday we pulled out our little kiddie pool and they had a blast. Even Andrew was enjoying it. Andrew had been sick since Saturday night with a fever over 100 degrees and he had thrown up just after midnight Sunday morning. His fever finally broke Tuesday afternoon, and by Wednesday he was pretty much back to himself, he actually ate breakfast, french toast. He isn't much of a breakfast eater anyway so when he ate I knew he was feeling better. Hopefully no one else in the family will get it!

Playing catch or is he just throwing it at Em.

He loves balls and doesn't care how big they are.

CHEESE!!

He is having a ball!

Even the dogs were trying to stay cool.

Oops!!

2011-05-25T11:39:00.000-05:00

Last night Dad was in the front room (playing video games) and he heard a noise coming from the phone. I had just answered it and left it sitting on the table in the front room. Come to find out Andrew had gotten a hold of it, and well you can imagine what he did, Yes, he called 911. We were hoping that it hadn't gone through because there were additional numbers after the initial numbers. Nope, a police officer showed up at the house. Talk about embarrassing. Out of all four kids, why is it the last one who has to be the mischievous one. I guess there is always one that is going to test us. So what do we learn here, keep the phones up, out of the reach of 2 year olds.

Soccer, Sprinklers and Pajama Parties!!

2011-05-22T22:40:00.004-05:00

It is that time of year again when soccer comes to an end. I know I am excited not to have to go anywhere in the evenings. I don't know if I am going to know what to do with myself. I think the kids are excited to be able to stay home and not have to rush anywhere. Yes, school is out Wednesday and they will be bored out of their minds next week but that's okay, hopefully they can get some pick-up games going.

Because yesterday was the last soccer game here are some pictures. Ryan's team came in the middle of the pack, they won some and lost some. I couldn't keep track, there were to many teams to remember. He played goalie for half the game and striker for the other half. He was a great goalie he didn't let many balls go by. Next year he jumps up to the U13, and hopefully there will be just as many teams playing as there were this season, lately that is the age when they kids start to fizzle out and the teams get fewer and fewer.

Charging the opponent.

I'm ready, let me at it!!!

Ryan his coach and his medal.

Emma also played goalie this year. It was funny to watch her, she is not a girl that likes to get dirty. She did have some great saves. She is also a great forward, but she played goalie a lot more because nobody else wanted to step up and play there. Most of the games she would play half the game as goalie and the other half she would be either midfield or forward. She had some close opportunities to score but at the last second the opposing goalie would grab the ball right of her foot. Hopefully she can keep it up and practice she could have lots of goals next season,

One of her great saves yesterday.

Going after the ball. Yea, it missed the goal!

Emma and her trophy.

Clark did such a great job playing with older kids this year. He even scored 2 goals, mind you he played on a team that has 14-18 year olds. He will remind you that he is the youngest player on his team, and his first score was when he was still 13 yrs old. I personally think he progressed a lot playing with the older group. They run harder and they are much faster. His team ended up winning their season with 5-1-2. Awesome.

Trying to win the ball.

These pictures were taken earlier this week, they were better then some that I was able to take yesterday.

Clark and Alex (one of his friends) battling it out and the ball went out of bounds.

Till next season we will enjoy having some down time. See you in the fall!!!

While the boys were at swim parties Saturday, (Ryan had a end of year party, and Clark's team went to a team mates home for their soccer party) Emma and Andrew played in the sprinklers in the backyard. Andrew wasn't too sure about it at first (he had never done that before) it was funny to watch him get used to it.

Emma giving the thumbs up. This is great!!

Andrew couldn't decide which sprinkler to run through. I had just turned on a small sprinkler and Dad turned on some of the backyard sprinklers, he would run from one to the other.

Emma trying to teach Andrew how to sit on the sprinkler. There was no way he was going to sit on it.

She succeeded in teaching him to step on the sprinkler. He thought that was great, that is all he wanted to do.

Just playin' in the water.

Rascal did not like the sprinkler, he kept barking at it and he tried to bite at it. It was hilarious to watch him.

A couple of days ago Emma and I were invited to an Activity Days; Mother Daughter pajama party. Yes, they wanted us to wear our pajamas. It was fun, and I hope that Emma had fun too. They taught us a line dance, had a pillow fight, played duck duck goose, musical chairs and they even painted our nails. I still even have the nail polish on, she did a great job.

The pillow fight!

Mom and Emma!!

We started out with matching hair but as Emma told me the pillow fight ruined her hair, It still looks good just not exactly like mom's. Thank You Emma, I had a lot of fun being with you. Also thanks to the leaders for putting it on.

Another update on my garden: Yes, those are tomatoes and yes it is not even the end of May. The orange ones were on the ground and we picked the red one today. I am so excited to have some home grown tomatoes. I have four tomato plants and they are all loaded. Hopefully I can bottle some salsa and tomatoes.

I also noticed there are zuchinis just about ready to be picked. Yummy, zuchini bread and fried zuchini. We have also been eating fresh peas for the last few weeks. Aren't gardens wonderful!!!!!

Berry, Al - tornado clean-up 5-14 & 5-15-11

2011-05-16T23:01:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures of the area we (Dad and Clark) worked at this last weekend. They worked in between Fayette and Berry, AL...north of Tuscaloosa, AL.

Communications building in front of work site #2...how it still stood we don't know.

Part of work site #2

Part of the clean-up work (site #2)

Preacher's home (site #1)

The house above is across the street from the Preacher's home site.

Northwest Birmingham

What used to be a gas station. Clark is standing where the building used to be.

Tornado Damage

2011-05-11T09:20:00.004-05:00

On Sunday Clark, Clark, Ryan and some others from our ward set off to go help with the clean-up effort from the tornado's the ripped through Alabama on April, 27,2011. There was already a group that had started Saturday but due to work and soccer games dad and the boys didn't leave till early Sunday morning. (Yes, it was mothers day but how nice it was to just have to worry about getting Emma and Andrew ready for church.) The boys/men ended up north east of Birmingham, Al, and they worked at a couple of sites where there was lots of destruction. Their first site was where a mobile home stood before it was picked up and thrown to the ground. They helped clean up the debris and pile it up so it could be hauled of easier. They also helped cut up trees and branches and then put them in a pile. I asked what they did with the wood once it was piled up and his answer was they burn it. I was surprised with that I though they would try to get it to those that needed it for firewood, but then again it is too hot for a fire right now. These pictures don't do the devistation justice but this is more than the journalists are even showing.

The first site where they started the day. There used to be a trailer home here now the couple live in a 2 man tent, with an awning for their kitchen area and to help cover what belongings they were able to salvage.

Debris from the area around where the trailer home was.

More debris.

Just havin' a hot tub party!!
A group from the ward that was there cleaning up. Clark told me that they found this upside down, they turned it right side up and moved it.

The couples tent and awning. This is just so sad, I wasn't up there but I sure feel for the families that have lost so much and have to live like this. Hopefully they won't have to live like this for too long.

Make shift first aid station with a police officer to make sure things are legitimate and no looters come around. I have heard of stories of families that were loading trailers and looters were there taking things out of the houses and things off the trailers while they were loading them up. On of the owners of a home that was destroyed ended up getting his gun and letting the looters know his gun does work. Others are sitting in their (what used to be their) front yards with guns trying to keep the looters out.

A home on the side of the road with all the walls gone.

View driving down the road.

Trees intertwined with others, that the only way to get them apart in to use a chainsaw and cut them up.

Trees snapped in half. Some of the trees that were uprooted and snapped in half were 2-3 feet in diameter. That is just amazing, huge trees just like they were a twig.

More pictures.

A piece of particle board embedded in the trunk of the tree. Clark actually got the board out, he said it took a while. but it came out.

Thankfully we were safe and the tornado's were north of us, so there wasn't any damage too close too us. There was a city on the other side of the county left of us that one of the towns were devistated, I also have heard that our county had some damage but thank heavens nothing around here.

I pray for these families that they will be safe and that they can get back on their feet as quick as they can. I also hope there faith whatever it my be is not damaged but strengthed because they are still alive, what trials they have to endure. I don't know how I would be able to handle it, I thought my trials were tough but I don't wish that on anybody.

17 years and counting :)

2011-05-09T14:44:00.006-05:00

I can't believe 17 years ago (May 7, 1994) I married my best friend. Yes, 17 years, my how time flies!!! We had gone to the Birmingham, AL temple with some friends who's son was going thru the temple for his endowments in preperation for his mission I was sitting in the temple Friday night (May 6th) and realized that this was what I was doing 17 years ago, except I was taking out my own endowments. I can't believe how fast those years have flown by. Besides having Clark (Carrson) has my husband I have four wonderful kids that have helped the time go by. I so enjoy watching them grow up and sooner than later we will watch them leave whether it be missions, college or marriages. We just have to hope we have taught them well.

May 7th, 1994
Ogden, UT Temple

I decided since I was blogging about my anniversary I thought I would do a husband tag.

1. Full name? Clark Carrson Draper. He is the fourth Clark in his family , hence the middle name is not the same.

2. How long have you been married? Well as of today 17 years 2 days

3. How long did you date? 2 1/2 weeks before he proposed, and 4 months till the wedding.

4. Who eats the sweets? I eat more of the sweets, I love desserts (cakes, brownies cheesecake, see where I am going) but he loves chips and salsa, ice cream and cookies

5. Who said "I Love You" first? He did

6. Who is taller? Take a guess, Him, you are correct!!!

7. Who is smarter? That's a no brainer, He is. Clark (son) has already passed me up in math. I can remember numbers and usually where things are in the home, but I am glad for him because he has the business smarts.

8. Who does the laundry? Me, yes some times it takes forever to get finished and he gets upset with me but I am the one that gets it done. He will iron his shirts because it takes me forever to get them done. I hate ironing I am too slow.

9. Who pays the bills? Mostly I do with him checking to make sure I got them paid.

10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does, I have to have the left side. I tried the right side and it was weird and I couldn't get used to it.

11. Who mows the lawn? He mostly does with the help of the boys, I do every once in a while when needed, but mostly him and the boys.

12. Who drives? It depends where we are going or what vehicle we are taking.

13. Who asked who out first? Actually we were set up on a blind date. His friend and his girl friend invited him to go to the movies with them adn he didn't want to be the third wheel so they called me and that is how we met. We went and watched "Rudy", and everytime is comes on it reminds me of our first date. That was a Staurday and the next day my friend called and asked if I wanted to go with them to a fireside and Carrson (that is the name his family and friends from highschool call him, his dad is also Clark). I went with them and from then he invited me to come and hear him speak the next week (sacrament meeting) and from there we hit it off, got engaged and then married.

14. Who kissed who first? He did

15. Who wears the pants? He does, if I have a problem with anybody or the kids, he takes charge and gets it under control.

16. Who admits they are wrong? He does, he will usually just let things slide off and let things go, me I want to make sure I get to the end, especially when I know that I am right. I need to work on that and just say whatever, and go on and not try to cause problems.

I just want Carrson (I still call him Carrson, Clark is grandpa and son) to know how much I love him. I know there are things I need to work on and I am trying. I love you!!!! Happy anniversary!!!

May 6th, 2011

Birmingham, AL Temple