The Ben & Jen Gerritsen Family

pack meeting

2012-01-20T00:50:00.000-07:00

I have been called to be Jeremy's wolf leader in cub scouts. We had a den meeting at our house and planted seeds. My co-leader Jenea is pictured here with her son Mason. It has been a lot of fun!

Post office

2012-01-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

I am able to volunteer in Alex's class once a month and today they did post office and Alex 'cancelled' the stamps on the letters his classmates were mailing

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

2012-01-20T00:29:00.000-07:00

Unwrapping Christmas PJ's

Phineas and Ferb PJ's

Santa PJ's

handsome boys!

Our entertainment center

Sheldon the elf came back to visit us and make sure the boys were good for Santa's upcoming visit

The boys loved the stockings we made last year at grandma's

Mom and Dad's stockings

our tree

Decorations

more decrations

all the cards we have got from friends and family

Cookies and a note for Santa

Jeremy wrote the note

Jeremy also made the card

The boys got sleds

Isaac's heavy present!

Jeremy reading the note Santa left with the cookies

The boys all helped Isaac with his presents

Isaac is very full of character!

Jeremy got just what he wanted-a blue Nintendo DS lite

Alex got Magic Treehouse on CD

Grandma made him a Harry Potter scarf

Doesn't he look like a Hogwarts student?

all Jeremy got

Isaac's stash

Alex's stuff!

Making cookies

2012-01-20T00:09:00.000-07:00

I attempted to make sugar cookies for the neighbors for Christmas. It was more work than I thought it would be but I hope the kids had fun

Alex's class party

2012-01-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

Alex playing Bingo. The mom who brought the candies for the games brought Reese's peanut butter pieces and Alex didn't know what they were and ate them and had an allergic reaction. Luckily the office had some Benadryl. Poor Alex was itching and miserable and the mom felt terrible!

Alex pre-reaction!

I was in charge of an activity and we made noodle necklaces

The kids made turkeys out of apples and candy

Listening to the story

Alex had his first party at school and I was able to go and help out. The pictures are from my cell phone and it doesn't take great ones.

Antics of a 2 year old!

2011-11-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

I love to capture Isaac in all the funny things that he does. He really is a joy to our family and is constantly making us laugh. If we need cheering up, we just have to get Isaac laughing! Isaac is all about sports! If he can get a ball in his hand, watch out! He will throw it to you pretty hard so you need to be ready at all times. He loves wearing this helmet, which is from his Uncle Paul's baseball days at Weber High. He also finds a bat or a baseball mitt. He stands just like he sees them on television. He had a ball watching the games leading up to the World Series and the World Series. He also loves to watch football. Dad is really glad because his other two sons don't really like to sit down and watch it with him but Isaac loves to! He's so fun to watch as he is watching. He gets really animated.

Here is Isaac making a mess with a pudding I gave him. He had brought it to me to feed him so I put him in a chair and left the room to make some calls for work. I then heard a frantic Jeremy calling to me to come and look at what Isaac had done. He had it all over the table and was proceeding to get it in his hair.

I know this is hard to see but it was so cute! Isaac loves to play with Alex's Leapster and he is so smart and figures things out. I found him on the living room floor with his legs underneath the couch playing with the Leapster.

Halloween! Halloween! Everybody make us scream!

2011-11-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

So this is the boys at a local Halloween party our neighbors threw. They had a pumpkin and costume contest. The boys had a great time.

Here they are at the Halloween parade at school.

Finally, here they are the night of Halloween. Isaac was a monster.

Finally, here is what our house looked like. It was fun to decorate. When you don't have your own home for almost 6 months and miss all the major decorating holidays, it's a lot of fun to be able to decorate again!

carving pumpkins and the finished products

2011-11-06T21:43:00.002-07:00

So here is our carving of the pumpkins this year. I found some patterns on the internet and I mostly carved the pumpkins for the kids. The boys did gut them and Jeremy carved his for the most part (cutting out the patterns seemed to take forever!!)

Here are the boys on the night of a Halloween party we went to with their pumpkins. They were both Harry Potter.

Here are what they looked like Halloween night.

apple picking!

2011-11-06T21:40:00.002-07:00

Alex and Isaac and myself went with Grandma Gerritsen to some property that her family owns in the Tremonton area to pick some apples. I forgot to take pictures of that seeing how I was in the car most of the time with a sleeping Isaac but Alex loved climbing the trees and was a big help to Grandma. But I did get pictures of the boys picking pumpkins at the farm of the man who takes care of the property for the family. It was a fun afternoon!

Field trip!

2011-11-06T21:37:00.000-07:00

Jeremy's class went on their first field trip and I was able to accompany them. They went to the Dinosaur park. It was a lot of fun. The kids started out with one of the workers there telling them all about dinosaurs and then they had a treasure hunt of sorts throughout the park.

Here is Jeremy and his friend that we were in charge of after they completed the treasure hunt.

I love scouts!

2011-11-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

Another great thing about being 8 is that you can now join boy scouts! And Jeremy loves it. He told me today that he wishes scouts was every day. Here he is at his first pack meeting. He earned his bobcat.

The boys and their familes got to decorate pumpkins

Here are all the new cub scouts

Here's Jeremy being congratulated by his den mother (I think that's what she is called. This is all new to me but I am going to need to know it all with two more boys to go through this all!)

It's great to be 8!

2011-11-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Jeremy has waited as he put it 'all his life' for this moment to be baptized. He told me the Friday before he was baptized that he just couldn't stop thinking about it and wanted to think about other things too. I told him that it's a great thing to be thinking about. This card was courtesy of a good friend of ours, Kyle and my 16 year old niece took these pictures. I think it turned out really well. It was a great day and I am so proud of Jeremy and the choice that he made!!

Jeremy in front of the church house

Ben and Jeremy before he was baptized

We had a dinner at the park after Jeremy was baptized. Ben and I gave him his own set of scriptures. He was so excited!

Alex wrestling

2011-11-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

Alex participated in a wrestling clinic that the high school had for young boys. They had a tournament at the end and everyone got a medal. Alex really tried hard and we now have him in a wrestling club at the high school to help him learn even more.

General conference

2011-11-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

Jeremy has looked forward for a long time to turn 8 and also to know that when you are 8, you can attend General Conference. This last conference, our stake primary was asked to sing for one of the sessions. Jeremy was really excited to think that maybe he could do that but after talking it over with Grandpa (he was in charge of the kids from our stake), he said that it would be long practices, etc. So instead of doing that, we got tickets to one of the other sessions. I was privileged to go with Jeremy and he was very well behaved and wrote all about it in his journal as we waited for the conference to begin.

Isaac's brief preschool experience

2011-11-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

A boy in our ward asked us recently if Isaac could come to the junior high for a class he was taking. They were doing a mini preschool for a couple of days. I warned him that Isaac can't sit very well but he assured me that the teacher said he could come. They were low on kids and needed whoever could come. It took Isaac a little time to warm up but he loved it! I think he thought it was another nursery class!

Alex's special day

2011-11-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

Alex's kindergarten class has a program called Special Day. Each child in the class gets a day to tell the class about themselves and show a book they made and a mobile that is displayed after for all to see. The kids also get quized on what was said and usually a treat is shared by the person's who's day it is. On Alex's special day, he talked about his family, where he lived, his pet rabbit JAI, his favorite TV Show (Phineas and Ferb), Harry Potter, his friends, etc. He also showed off his mobile (Mom made it-I kinda off get a little crafty) and shared his treat of Fun Dip.

Jeremy playing basketball

2011-11-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Jeremy is playing basketball for North Ogden this year. Our former next door neighbor, Russ East, is his coach. He is doing really well

Jeremy's 8th birthday

2011-11-06T16:09:00.002-07:00

Here is Jeremy's birthday breakfast-he loves pancakes

Opening the presents from his family-he loves BYU and Harry Potter

He had a Harry Potter birthday

I made the decorations and favors-they are broomsticks

Here are some of the 'potions'

More 'potions'

Here is Jeremy's wonderful cake a friend of mine made. She did a fabulous job! The detail on the hat was amazing! She had the face on there like it is from the movie. The wand had sprinkles on the end like magic was coming out of it!

Our little Harry Potter himself

All of Jeremy's classmates at Hogwarts!

I went to Jeremy's class to take treats and his teacher has them sit in a special seat and gives them a fun present

She also sings to them and had Jeremy tell about his birthday

Playing catchup

2011-11-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

It was Ben and I's 9th anniversary and I found a really good deal for a bed and breakfast in Eden. When we arrived after a nice evening of dinner, here were some beautiful flowers my wonderful hubby had delivered to our room to surprise me. This hasn't happened for awhile and it reminded me of when we were dating Ben had some flowers delivered to me on a trip I was on with some girlfriends.

Funny Isaac! He is wearing a helmet at my visiting teacher's house. He loves to try on hats.

Here is Isaac and his 'babies' as we call them. He has to have them when he goes to bed and he usually brings them upstairs with him in the morning and this particular morning wanted them with him to eat breakfast!

Back to school!

2011-09-08T22:11:00.000-06:00

Jeremy at Back to School night the day before he started school. He got to meet his teacher and see his classroom and desk for the first time.

Jeremy's teacher Mrs. Powell

First day of school. This is in front of the school.

The principal Mr. Rhees with the boys.

Alex and Jeremy go to breakfast in the morning at the school.

Alex's first day. Jeremy insisted that Alex had a picture in front of the house just like he did when he started school.

Alex's new backpack. It's Mario, which Alex loves!

Hanging up his backpack. He has his own hook.

Alex's teacher Mrs. Judkins

Finding his cubby with all his supplies!

Alex's desk.

I have to say that I don't remember if I got choked up when Jeremy started school. He was so excited to start, especially after 3 years of preschool. And he rode the bus. But with Alex, we live just down the street from the school and they get to walk back and forth each day. I had been walking with Alex down to the school the first week that Jeremy started because Jeremy started a week before Alex. I wanted Alex to get used to going to breakfast with Jeremy and going to school. You would think that doing this would have prepared me to send Alex off to school that next week. But as I went to walk home after I dropped Alex at his class, I was pretty tearful and chocked up!! It was such a weird experience. I am an emotional person but this seemed strange to me! I guess it really hit me that now I have two kids in school! And we had talked for quite awhile about when Alex would start and now he was! But aside from that, I am so proud of my boys. They love school and we were going to go to the school in our old neighborhood because Jeremy was still in the Spanish program. But when school was getting closer, the boys really wanted to go and check out North Ogden because it was where all their new friends were going and they see it all the time. So we went and checked it out one day and the boys just fell in love. And as a Mom, that's all that you want, for your kids to be happy. So even though Mom and Dad were a little sad to see Jeremy not continuing to learn Spanish, we know that one day he can decide to go back to it or do whatever he would like to. Majestic was a great school for Jeremy and I appreciate all the memories there but I am excited for new memories that are already being made (and Ben loves that the boys are going to his Alma Mater, even though it's not the original school that he went to).

Part two-various other activities

2011-09-08T21:29:00.000-06:00

Jeremy played baseball again this year. Ben was his coach. He even got to be catcher one game.

Jeremy got to try rock climbing at a friend's birthday party.

Father's Day breakfast

We bought Dad this backpack at Dixie college when we were in St. George and gave it to him for Fathers Day. We love you Dad!

Uncle Jeff was in Widowmaker hillclimb. Cousin Scott helped the boys to the car after it was done.

Here is Uncle Jeff getting ready for one of his races.

Playing at Dinasour Park. We have a season pass. Ben also got season passes for him, Alex and Jeremy to Toads and they have had fun doing laser tag, the batting cages and the go karts. Jeremy can't wait until he's old enough to do one on his own!

Isaac loves to help Grandma and Grandpa in the garden.

Splash pad in Riverdale. We also enjoyed swimming at North Shore this summer.

We love the treehouse and when the cousins are in town, we love to go there and play! It was fun to see Elisa and Lydia from back East. We always enjoy playing with Preston, Sam and Addy. We also got to see Jacob, Aaron and Zach from Ohio earlier in the summer and had fun hanging with them!

Mom had her 20th high school reunion ! A two day event. The first night was a picnic at a park in the town she went to high school. Alex sat on a Harley of one of the guys that was there. Then the second night, just Dad and Mom went to a fancy restaurant for the second night. It was pretty fun to see how everyone has changed and all the things they have done!

Grandma's blocks are a lot of fun and Jeremy made this fun tower.

Jeremy and Alex got to touch a lizard at the Bean Museum

We went down to the Bean Museum at the BYU campus. It was fun to see all the stuffed animals on display.

We went to see BYU's football first practice. Uncle Paul films the team and he got us in to see it.

This is what summer is all about!

Isaac went with Dad to a Raptors game and insisted on wearing his gear for it. He loves baseball and often grabs his mit, the bat and a ball in the house or runs outside for Dad to pitch to him.

This is Isaac turning on water to the bath. He is covered in mud. This was a common occurance this summer. Our neighbors and the boys loved to play in mud and water at the neighbors so we had a lot of baths!

Jeremy doing his craft at the North Ogden Art Fair

Alex doing his. Alex is quite the artist and loves to color pictures whenever he can. He even had a notebook full of them but it got ruined when he left it outside in the rain.

Our summer in review part one-trip to St. George

2011-09-08T21:02:00.002-06:00

We stopped at Cove Fort

I can't believe I have gotten so behind but alas here I am to try to catch up! Our summer was good. We got in one trip, a lot of playing with friends and just enjoying the time away from school (although at the end, everyone was glad to get back in school!)
As I mentioned, we had a family trip. We went down to St. George, Zions and Bryce with Ben's parents. Ben's Aunt Nancy, Uncle Dick, Aunt Betty and Cousin Jason live in St. George so we visited with them and they also went to Zions and Bryce with us. We had lots of fun seeing the sights.

Bryce Canyon

We went to the animal museum in St. George with our cousins

Brigham Young's summer home

Jeremy enjoying the hot tub in Bryce

Zions

Isaac loved the sand at Zions

we got in some swimming at our motel in Bryce

playing with our cousins at a family picnic

Dad got in the playing action

Isaac loving the teeter tooter

Tommy, Ben & Isaac

2011-07-27T23:30:00.003-06:00

In celebration of the Raptors winning in 11 innings from a 2 run Homer, Tommy Lasorda, Isaac & Ben

Read about the great game here. This was a great game tonight.

Ogden Raptors hit 5 Home Runs, with a 2-Run Walk Off homer in the 11th inning to win Billings, 13-11

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Tommy & Jeremy & & Alex

2011-07-27T21:27:00.002-06:00

Dancing at the game, watch Tommy Lasorda having a good time

Memorial day

2011-06-05T18:14:00.000-06:00

Isaac loved sitting in the caretaker's 4 wheeler

sea of flags

beautiful scenery

Vocalocity

presentation of flags

The US flag that so many have fought for!

Bagpipers coming in

Honor guard

Scottish bagpipers

One part of my job as an insurance agent is being a pre-need sales agent. What that means is that I can sell funeral plans for those that want to plan and pay for their funeral before it happens. I think this is very important, especially since I have lost both of my parents and neither of those were planned. But when my grandparents died, it was so nice and easy on the family to have the funeral paid for. So I really believe in this. I work for a local mortuary, Myers mortuary. They are in Brigham City (where my parents were cared for), Ogden (where my mom's parents were cared for), Roy and Layton. They also own a cemetery in Ogden. It's called Evergreen Memorial Park. It is a very nice cemetery and for Memorial Day, they put out a huge amount of flags out. They ask us as pre-need agents to be there for all of Memorial weekend to help people find grave markers, etc. They also do a Veteran's remembrance program Sunday night with bagpipers, an honor guard and a local vocal group. It was very nice and I enjoyed it all.

Jeremy's music program

2011-06-05T17:50:00.000-06:00

Jeremy has had a great year. He did half the day in English and the other half in Spanish. He always had great grades and his teachers said he was a great student. We are very proud of him also. For the end of the year, the first graders did a singing program for the parents. Jeremy did great. He is excited for 2nd grade but is sad to leave his teachers.

Alex's preschool graduation

2011-06-05T17:45:00.000-06:00

Our proud graduate

the kids had fun playing tetherball

Isaac wanted his picture taken too!

getting ready for their program

the kids did a very patriotic singing program

crossing the bridge symbolizing moving on

one of his best friend's from school, Halle

Miss Helen and our graduate

The end of the school year is here and that means graduation. Alex has finished preschool and he is very excited to go to kindergarten, especially to go to the same school as Jeremy. He will miss his preschool, friends and especially Miss Helen. She has been a great teacher. He had graduation again at the fish farm. We are so proud of Alex!

Summer sports

2011-06-05T17:35:00.000-06:00

Alex and Jeremy have started to play summer sports. Jeremy is playing baseball, his favorite sport. Dad is coaching him this year and they are the Cubs after the Chicago Cubs. He wishes he was a Yankee, his favorite team. North Ogden city got all the teams shirts and hats with one of the major league teams on them. Alex is playing kickball and he is a Rockie for the Colorado Rockies.

Alex lost his first tooth!

2011-06-05T17:24:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Alex reported to me that one of his teeth were loose. When Jeremy was losing his first tooth, it was quite the ordeal. He wiggled it for weeks. Lots of crying and telling him it would be okay that it would come out eventually. Alex was quite different. He wiggled it for about a week and one day he was driving with Grandma after they picked Jeremy up from school and he just pulled it out. No tears, nothing. I came to pick up the boys and he showed me. I wasn't prepared for Alex to start loosing teeth but both he and Jeremy got their teeth pretty early (about 4 months) and Jeremy started loosing his at 5 so I guess it's time!

Jai the bunny

2011-06-05T17:19:00.000-06:00

Recently, we inherited a new pet. The boys have had a fish or two and even a little frog, but since Jeremy has allergies to dogs and cats, we just haven't gotten anything more than that. So a few weeks ago, Grandma Gerritsen goes into her garage and finds a bunny has taken residence there. Grandpa wasn't too happy because the bunny was eating his tomato plants. So after a few days of this, they asked us to capture it. We went to the local IFA and purchased a cage, food, etc. (it is quite expensive by the way!) and set about to capture it. It took a couple of days but the bunny was finally coerced into the cage. The boys set about to name it and everyone picked a name. Jeremy picked Jai for Jeremy, Alex and Isaac, Alex wanted Ninja, I can't remember what I picked and Dad picked Thumper. We put all the names in a hat and Grandma picked...Jai. So Jai it is. He is a good bunny. I think he got out of someone's cage. I had taken Jeremy once to an IFA to see little chicks and baby bunnies and he broke out in big hives. He told me with Jai he wasn't breaking out. So I thought the allergy was gone. I try to let Jai jump around the yard once a day. Well one of those days, Jeremy caught him and I told him to hold him close to his chest so that he wouldn't get away. We got Jai back in the cage and I noticed that Jeremy had huge hives all over him. He was one miserable boy, not only because of the hives but to know he was still allergic to bunnies! But we all still love Jai and hope he's around for awhile.

Ward Pinewood Derby

2011-06-05T17:08:00.000-06:00

The Elder's quorum decided to hold a Pinewood derby and included the whole ward. Ben was able to make and design a derby car and we think it was pretty cool even though it didn't win any of the races. He hadn't made once since he was a scout and even then, his dad made it for him. So he learned how to melt down the metal and put weight on the car. Now he is ready to help Jeremy when he gets in Scouts.

Isaac and his sandbox

2011-06-05T17:03:00.000-06:00

One of the things about the house we are living in is that we have a back door that the boys can run outside and play in the backyard. I can still see them out the window and run out there if they need me. We have had our sandbox over at a friend's since our move and we went and picked it up a few weeks ago. Isaac loves to get in it and I will often find him out there just a playing away.

Work!

2011-06-05T17:00:00.000-06:00

As parents, Ben and I have struggled to try to teach our boys to work. There seems to be so many conveniences that why do any work?! So it was delightful to see the boys try to help Dad mow that I had to capture it on film. Isaac loves to help us and Jeremy also. Alex is still where he likes Mom to do what seems like everything for him!

Safety fair 2011

2011-06-05T16:56:00.000-06:00

For the past 3 years or so, our area has had a safety fair that the boys love to go to. There are lots of free activities and our friend Jack came with us. The boys did everything from learning about power lines, to seeing 'real' Harry Potter wands (they love to play that with the boys next door) and in the pictures above, the local IHC clinic let them have a bear that they took to the 'doctor'. Alex's bear was named Harry Potter and he had a broken arm. It was a lot of fun for them.

Dinosaur park

2011-06-05T16:36:00.000-06:00

Earlier this year,I bought a pass to the Dinosaur pass and we finally had the chance to use it. Jeremy was at school but the younger two had a great time. Hopefully this summer we will go back again.

Pictures for sale!

2011-06-05T16:33:00.000-06:00

The boys have made friends with the boys next door and one day, they all had the great idea of selling pictures they drew. Coming from an very entrepreneurial Dad (he sold many things when he was a kid), this wasn't too much of a stretch for them. Since the boys next door live on the end of the street that meets another street, it was a great location. The day started out pretty slow and we as parents didn't think that they would sell anything. But then they moved locations and sure enough, surprised motorists took pity on them and bought their over-priced pictures (they sold them for $1.00 and had priced most of them more than that!). By the end, they had about $10 and split it between the 4 of them.

Haircuts!

2011-06-05T16:26:00.000-06:00

Haircuts. It is a must in our home to keep our boys looking sharp and Mom doesn't do well with the clippers. So we have a place that will cut the boys' hair for $5. Isaac is okay if he has a sucker in his mouth and sits on Mom's lap. This particular time, he went through about 3 suckers. He always has a mouth full of hair. Jeremy used to get it in his mouth so I told him to close his eyes and mouth really tight. More than once he has fallen asleep!

Bike safety

2011-06-05T16:22:00.000-06:00

ready set go!

Jeremy

Alex

Isaac chilling in the wagon

Our ward had a bike safety activity. The kids had to wear their helmets and go on an obstacle course and learn proper stopping, etc. It was a fun activity.

Easter

2011-06-05T16:17:00.000-06:00

We had a fun Easter. We colored eggs at home, went to breakfast on the Saturday before Easter with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncles Steve, Paul and Greg and Aunts Jessica and Kelly and cousins Sam, Addy and Preston. We then headed to the Easter egg hunt at North Ogden park. We had another egg hunt on Sunday in our backyard and the boys loved their Easter eggs. Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's after.

Alex's last preschool field trip-to the fire station!

2011-05-15T16:17:00.000-06:00

Here Dad wear this!

Fireman Joe explaining about the
fire truck

Look at me Mom
I'm in a fire truck

Cute little fireman!

We went to the local fire station for Alex's preschool. Alex had fun and so did Isaac.

Alex is 5!

2011-05-15T16:13:00.002-06:00

Alex posing with his cake

Alex at his soccer game

Uncle Gary and Aunt Kim brought him a
present after his soccer game

Decorations for his party

All his friends holding their presents they gave him

All the boys brought swords
lightsabers

I can't believe this little boy ain't so little anymore! Alex turned 5 and he was so excited to. He wanted a Star Wars birthday and I did my best to accommodate him. I even made him a cake. And it didn't look too bad. He had a soccer game on his birthday and we had a friend birthday here at our new house. All in all, I think he had a great day! As his mom, I have to say that Alex has a lot of character.
He is very stubborn (we have learned that he will eat what he wants when he wants it),
learns things when he is ready (he started to realize in preschool just in January that maybe he should start to write his name and learn his letters and numbers or he's not going to kindergarten),
loves to torment his younger brother (Jeremy did the same thing to him so I think he thinks it's some kind of normal),
loves to watch T.V. (we have to be careful or he would do it all day),
he's discovered the computer and computer games and does really well with them (he got a Leapster Explorer for his birthday)
and loves his mom (he has kind of a love/hate relationship with me-he gets really mad at me but always wants to snuggle with me and have me lay by him, do stuff for him and no one else can do it).
But I know he loves his family (especially his brothers-he always wants to do what Jeremy does),
loves church (his Primary teacher told me the other day that he is very smart in answering questions)
and is a good boy.

Night at the Treehouse with Jeremy's school

2011-04-17T15:58:00.000-06:00

This year for the night at the Treehouse for Jeremy's school, they had the theme of Vikings. Jeremy got to do a reading of the Three Billy Goats Gruff and he loved the magician again. The other boys loved it also.

Pizza Man with Alex's preschool

2011-04-17T15:53:00.000-06:00

Alex's preschool got to go to a local pizza place and make their own mini pizza's and breadsticks. It was a lot of fun.

Long time!

2011-04-17T15:46:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile but here we are again. We have a new home we are living in and things are good. We moved not to far from Grandma and Grandpa and we are still in the same stake. We are really liking the ward and the boys have made new friends.
But I still need to catch up with the past 4 months.

In January, Jeremy played basketball for Harrisville City. This was his first time playing and he loved it. He was a good little player. Jeremy loves a lot of sports and has decided he loves basketball too.

I also had to include this cute picture of the boys. They all decided to take a bath together and it was a good photo opportunity.
For Valentines, Grandma made some yummy treats and Isaac loved them so much that he decided he was going to get some on his own. This is how I found him.

Jeremy's class was asked to make something out of trash or recycling that they found at their house. Jeremy loves a computer game called Wizards 101 so he made a wand out of a rod from a tent, some putty and a marble. Then they were asked to demonstrate it to the class.
We also had a fun night of taking the train down to Salt Lake and we went to see the Primary exhibit in the Church museum. We also went to the planetarium.

We also went to Weber State to go bowling for our cousin Sam's 2nd birthday.

Brothers'!

2011-01-02T17:52:00.001-07:00

This picture is so cute that I had to share. I came around the corner and there was Jeremy and Isaac and Isaac was posing just like Jeremy. I had to grab the camera. By the time I got the picture, they had changed their position. But this still shows how much alike they are (Isaac looks so much like Jeremy did when he was Jeremy's age) and how Isaac wants to be just like big brother!

Christmas!!

2011-01-02T17:48:00.001-07:00

We had the unique opportunity to spend Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Jeremy and Alex helped Grandma decorate the tree. Here it is with all the presents on Christmas Eve. We couldn't really put any presents out before then because Isaac wants to help open them too soon!

Here are all our stockings. Mom and Dad had to borrow some old ones of Aunt Jenny's and Uncle Paul!

Cookies and milk for Santa.

Jeremy made sure that it said For Santa all over so no one but him would eat them!

This is the reply from Santa

Lots of presents ready for kids to open them!

Jeremy got a Star Wars character and a Star Wars shirt.

Alex wanted Batman

Here is all of Jeremy's stuff, including a flashlight to help him see at night!

Here's Dad's with a few stocking stuffers. A Toberlone chocolate bar with an electric tooth brush to take care of the chocolate and a two (2) year supply of chapstick.

Isaac's spends a lot of time in the high schair as he loves to what else, EAT!

Isaac loves his peg board and the wood hammer to go with it!

Isaac's stuff!

Cousin Addy and the boys, Alex is holding Addy.

Alex's stuff, he didn't want a picture with it.

Alex and Jeremy playing a game that Uncle Paul and Aunt Jessica gave our family.

We didn't get a picture on Christmas Eve with the boys Christmas pajamas so we did it a couple of days later. Alex didn't have his on though

Alex in his Christmas pj's finally!

Santa and the tooth fairy!!

2011-01-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Jeremy has had a a loose tooth for awhile and thought that it would be a great idea to get money from the tooth fairy as well as Santa (he asked for a dollar from Santa) so he pulled it out on Christmas eve.

playing with the cousins!

2011-01-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

The boys took advantage of the good weather to play some ball!

Isaac and Sam had fun playing with small balls!

Gerritsen/James annual Christmas party

2011-01-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Yea for balls to play with!

Isaac soon discovered the little candies on the tables. He has mastered climbing chairs to get what he wants

Our family with two set of grandparents. Alex didn't want to get a good picture!

The nativity re-creation. Alex was a shepherd this time

Cousin Tyler read the story from the scriptures

We sang Christmas carols and the girls wanted to dance. Alex didn't really want any of that!

I am outta here!

Isaac loves to dance!!

Santa and his elf are here!!

Isaac didn't really want to sit on Santa's lap

Here is your gift!

Jeremy's turn

Alex's turn

Isaac wanted to see Santa once Alex did

BYU vs. Weber State!

2011-01-02T17:12:00.000-07:00

these are glasses Grandpa brought to see the game better so Alex had to try them out

Recently, BYU played Weber State in basketball. Grandpa got us and some of the other family tickets to attend because it was at Weber State. Uncle Paul was able to bring Jeremy and Alex t-shirts that said BYU basketball and Dad got a shirt from the New Mexico bowl that BYU football played in. Uncle Paul works for the football team filming for them. It was a good game and Jeremy even caught a Weber State claw!!

Visit to Santa

2011-01-02T17:02:00.002-07:00

This is the only picture we have of visiting Santa this year. In the town we live in, they always have Santa's house set up and we visit him there. Alex and I saw him one day going in the back of his house so Alex is sure it's the true Santa (which he says the Santa that came to his preschool was a pretend one!) We also dropped our letters off to Santa there in a special mailbox and the boys received responses from Santa. Isaac wasn't sure about Santa this year and cried anytime we wanted him to sit on his lap.

Sheldon the elf!

2011-01-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

This Christmas, we had a special visitor. He was sent to our house on the request of Santa because some children in the house were having a pretty hard time getting along (and still do!) His name is Sheldon and he arrived to look after the boys and report back to Santa. I didn't really notice much difference with him here but he was fun to have.

December!

2011-01-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

First thing to show is a picture of Isaac. His uncle Paul bought a head massager for his wife (actually for him for her to use on him!) and it was delivered to Grandma and Grandpa's. So we all got to try it, including Isaac, who loved it and wanted more and more!

The next few pictures are when we went to the Pleasant View stake. In the beginning of December, they have established a tradition of displaying nativities from around the world. They do a kids room that the boys had a lot of fun in.

Then comes the ward party. The boys participated in the retelling of the Christmas story. Jeremy was a shepherd and Alex was an angel.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

The kids read about the first Thanksgiving

Jeremy did a great job on his reading!

Thanksgiving bingo!

Boxing with cousin Scott

Isaac got in on the action too!

This year for Thanksgiving we went to the Dinsdale side. It was fun to see my brothers and sisters and most of their families. My sister Kim and her husband Gary had it at their church in Brigham and they did a great job. The boys had a great time and according to Jeremy, it was the best Thanksgiving ever!

Randomness!

2010-11-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

Alex wanted me to take his picture and I was happy to do so

Funny Alex!

The boys took advantage of the first snowfall to make the season's first snowman

So now that fall has turned into a early winter, the boys have had fun inside and out.

One of Isaac's more messy adventures!

2010-11-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

That's Ben's razor with a brand new head that he had to throw away because it got ruined taking it's trip to the toilet!

One day it seemed pretty quiet and I realized that I didn't know where Isaac was. Then I saw the bathroom door closed and I could hear baby babblings. This is what I found when I opened the door.

Phantom of the Opera

2010-11-28T21:43:00.000-07:00

Neat statue in the school. This is my alma mater and it was fun to show Jeremy although it looks totally different because they just got down remodeling it.

My cute date!

My niece Emily.

Jeremy and I went to a play at Box Elder High School that my niece Emily was in. It was excellent and I was very proud of the kids. Jeremy was really good and a great date for the night!

Helping out!

2010-11-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

Isaac loves to help sweep in the best way that a toddler can. We have also been able to help out in grandma and grandpa's yard and had a little fun in the leaves.

Halloween activities!

2010-11-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

Glow in the dark bracelets

Trick or treat!

Alex's twin!

Meet me at the Batcave!

The gang!

Strike a pose!

Ben and I took the boys to a local pumpkin maze. It was okay. Too overpriced but the boys had fun. We also went to the local grocery store where they do a little trick or treating thing. Then for Halloween, the boys had a great time. Alex was Batman and Jeremy was Dan from Bakugan. Isaac had a few costumes he wore to different activities, a dog, a lion and another type of lion. They were all cute on him!

Jeremy's Halloween parade and party at school

2010-11-28T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom!

This is our bishop! He comes and dresses up every year!

Studious student!

Heckedy Peg was a mean old witch!

Pumpkin bowling!

Witches brew!

Jeremy and his teacher Mrs. Palmer

We had fun going again to Jeremy's school to watch the kids parade around in their costumes. Then he had his party at his class that I got to help with. I read Heckedy Peg to the kids.

Ward Halloween party!

2010-11-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

Our good friends Tess and Coleman Crawford.

Playing games

Isaac loved the food!

Musical chairs

No hands!

Isaac just grabbed the donut!

Bean bag tic tac toe

cake walk

The boys had fun for the second year in a row at our ward Halloween party. They also got to attend grandma and grandpa's ward Halloween party.

Carvin' pumpkins!

2010-11-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

The boys had fun painting their pumpkins and getting all the mushy stuff out of their pumpkins and were quite proud of the results.

Lyle Dabb's pumpkin patch

2010-11-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

Isaac loves kitties!

Showing the kids there is someone in there!

Pumpkin man!

I can't lift it!

So heavy mom!

My cute boys!

Cheese!!

For the second year in a row, Alex has gone with his preschool class to a local pumpkin patch. The owner, Lyle Dabb, delights the children by putting a pumpkin on his head. Isaac had a lot of fun with the kittens that are usually running around.

Isaac and all his adventures

2010-11-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

Isaac loves feeding himself!

He loves this little car!

Yum yogurt!

Notice the leash. We have found out the hard way that Isaac can open grandma and grandpa's front door. He has gone out to the busy street more than once and angels were looking out for him because each time, someone has stopped and brought him up to the door. So this is his new companion when he is outside! We also use a rope that we tie to the tree.

Isaac is a full fledged toddler. From getting into things, to climbing things, to you name he is doing it. So I wanted to capture some pictures of some of his adventures.

Fall harvest!

2010-11-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

Yum, Yum!

Always happy!

Alex chose this pumpkin.

Jeremy chose this one

What a day!

Isaac tasting the goods. He later spit it out.

There is a neighbor, Claudia Archibald, that lives behind grandma and grandpa and every year she does this huge garden. In years past, she has let the boys come and pick pumpkins for Halloween and this year was no different. This was Isaac's first time to go. I wish I had my camera when we were at her house because he was so cute wandering around in her garden. But here are pictures of what we brought home.

Long overdue!

2010-11-28T20:46:00.004-07:00

Grandma made this cake

All the stuff he got from us.

All the boys at his party showing their Bakugan cards. They also all got a shirt so they all matched.

Jeremy and his Bakugan cake.

Issac wasn't too happy with cake all over him and it was really hot that day. He ended up getting sick that night and throwing up.

It's been a long time since I posted so here I am trying to catch up. Lots of goings on for our little family. First up, is Jeremy's 7th birthday. He wanted to have a Bakugan birthday so I did my best to accommodate him. First though, I want to say how proud I am of Jeremy. He is a kind, considerate and polite young man. He helps me with the other boys (he loves to go and get Isaac from bed in the morning and he told me the other day that when he found out we were having a baby he wondered if the baby would be fun and he said that Isaac is), loves school and is a very good student (at a recent parent teacher conference he had to do some drills in front of mom and dad with his Spanish teacher and his regular teacher and he knew everything she had him say in Spanish), loves learning in church (surprisingly he gets a little shy when it comes to singing in front of everyone and giving a talk because when he was younger he loved to get in front of everyone) one story I wanted to relate which goes along with the description of him being a good student, after he said all those things in Spanish, he came over to me and whispered that he had said a prayer that he would do good and he did. Jeremy knows the Lord will help him but he needs to pray and be ready for an answer. He is a very good athlete (he is taking karate from a friend of ours and loves it) and loves to learn new things (I am very glad he is doing so many things for himself). Here are some pictures of his birthday.

Happy 8 great years!

2010-09-13T15:24:00.000-06:00

Cedar City, UT- Where we first kissed

Ben proposed on my birthday July 26, 2002
@ Salt Lake temple grounds

September 13, 2002 @
Salt Lake temple

Now 8 years later! Thanks honey for a great life and 3 wonderful boys!

Isaac's new love

2010-09-09T13:43:00.000-06:00

The other day, I was at my sister Becky's in Logan and I was driving down the road from her house to head home. I saw this cute little old man in his front yard. He sees me and stands up from his chair and starts waving frantically at me. He's holding something in his hands. I didn't want to upset him (I had no idea who he was!) so I pulled over to the side. He proceeds to give me four things of corn. He said he grows them every year. He told me he was born in like 1925 (I think that's what he said) so he's in his 90's. He has lived in the same house since the 40's. He built the home. He said he has lived in Millville all his life. He was so cute. I called my sister later to find out who he was and she said he was in her ward and is so cute. He is a widower and one day he collapsed in church and told a nurse who was there to just let him go because he missed his wife so much! Well anyway I went home and cooked the corn up. It was so good! We gave a half to Alex to chomp on and boy did he! He carried it around the house and if you tried to get it away from him, he would scream!

School is in session!

2010-09-09T13:36:00.000-06:00

Jeremy and Alex both started school the same day. Jeremy is in 1st grade at Majestic Elementary. His teachers are Mrs. Palmer and Senora Casal. He is taught half day in English and the other half in Spanish. Alex is attending Miss Helen's again. They both love school!

Ward campout

2010-09-09T13:30:00.000-06:00

For the past two years or so, our ward has had an annual campout up South Fork canyon. The boys love it and have looked forward to this year's since the last one was done. We don't do much camping so this is a real treat. And Grandma even volunteered to keep Isaac so I didn't have to run after him! It had a circus theme this year so Jeremy performed his headstand. The boys played and played until they fell right asleep in the tent! Then up early to have breakfast and on our way home, Jeremy and I toured David O. Mckay's home.

Happy Birthday my love!

2010-08-17T09:16:00.001-06:00

It's Ben's 33rd birthday today and I just wanted to let him know how much I love him and appreciate all he does for us. Here are 33 things I love about him.

Number 1: He is a great husband. I have been sick the last couple of days and he has stepped in to help with the kids and I have really appreciated it. He helps me in the house when he can and changes a mean diaper!!
Number 2: He is a great dad. The boys love when he spends time with them and goes out in the backyard to throw the ball. He has been Jeremy's t-ball coach and he is going to be Alex's soccer coach. I love that he is willing to do all that to be close to his boys.
Number 3: He is a great friend. Not just to me but to so many people. Just look at his Facebook page. He has over a thousand people.
Number 4: He has a tender heart! He doesn't show it often but it's there and I appreciate it.
Number 5: He shares his testimony that he knows the Savior lives and his gospel is on the earth again to everyone! That is one of the things that first impressed me about him.
Number 6: He is kind and will go out of his way to help anyone! That is another thing that I first noticed about him. He still takes our friend Eric, who is in a wheelchair, to the hospital and even took Jeremy one day with him. That was such an example for Jeremy to see his father serving others.
Number 7: He is good at basketball and baseball (this is from Jeremy and Alex). And I agree! He got the chance to play some baseball this summer and he puts all of himself into it (coming home to sore muscles but loving it!).
Number 8: He is also good at tennis. I got to play my first game with him this summer and I realized how I don't know how to play!
Number 9: He is super cute (that is from me!)
Number 10: He is a hard worker! Many of you know that because he seems like he is on the phone all the time but he is working and trying to support us and I really appreciate it.
Number 11: He loves to learn! He reads all the time and is always telling our boys something they can learn. This characteristic has really come out in our children, especially Jeremy, who loves school! Alex is very creative and Issac is very curious. All of these come from Dad!
Number 12: He has a great heritage and he really honors that. He tells us stories from his ancestors so that the boys never forget. And he encourages his family to tell our kids stories.
Number 13: He is friendly. It seems like there isn't a place we don't go that Ben knows someone and if he doesn't know them, he will get to know them!
Number 14: He is a great brother! He cares a lot about his brothers and sisters and I hope they know that!
Number 15: He is a great son! He has great parents and I know they love him a lot and wish the best for him and I know Ben feels the same way!
Number 16: He is a great grandson! His grandma's birthday is tomorrow and he talks about how he loves that he can celebrate with her.
Number 17: He is a great cousin, nephew, etc.. He loves all his cousins, aunts and uncles and extended family. We attend as many reunions, etc.. as we can to show our love and support and that also shows our children the love for family you need to have.
Number 18: He loves my family. That was very important to me when I was dating him that he liked my family and they liked him and I think they do. I love to watch him visit with them because it brings me joy!
Number 19: He cares about nutrition. He is always talking to our kids about what they should eat and why and taking care of their teeth and how that will not only help their teeth but their whole body!
Number 20: He loves to make the kids laugh. Whether it's making funny faces or getting down to wrestle with them, it makes me smile!
Number 21: He isn't the best at being on time but I am glad when he makes the effort :)
Number 22: He has a great memory! I wish I had that! He tells the boys about his teachers he had, the falls he has taken, the trips he has taken, etc.. I love that!
Number 23: He is protective! He is always trying to tell our boys how they don't want to be like him with all the falls he has taken and scars he has. And believe me he has had some really nasty falls! The other day one of the boys in our neighborhood crashed in front of our house and we brought him in to patch him up and all the rest of the neighborhood kids came in with him and Ben told them all about his crash in the gravel pit and it helped the little boy who crashed feel like his crash wasn't so bad!
Number 24: He loves God's creations! He loves that he can look out our window and see Mt. Ben Lomond and wherever we are, the kids will tell us that they are sure they can see Mt. Ben Lomond!
Number 25: This is the age that Ben was when we started dating. I am so glad for this number!
Number 26: This is the age that Ben was when we got married. Thanks honey for marrying me!
Number 27: This is the age Ben was when we had our first son! What a proud papa he was and is!! I am so glad he is the father of our children!
Number 28: He is passionate about his country and even helped a neighbor of ours to run for city office.
Number 29: He is passionate about money. And not in a bad way. He knows how it works and loves to watch C-NBC and tells the boys about how money works in other countries as well as our own.
Number 30: He is a great mortgage officer. If he helps you with your loan, you know you will get a lot of knowledge and education behind your loan. He is always studying the laws and procedures of the mortgage market. He works so hard to make sure things are done 110%
Number 31: He is spiritual. I know that he prays and studies his scriptures and that is so important to me to know that he does that.
Number 32: He is willing to try! That may seem weird to say but if things are hard, he still try's to keep going.
Number 33: Wow that is quite a list but alas, number 33. I love everything about you Ben!
Happy Birthday my love!

Isaac's stats

2010-08-15T21:33:00.001-06:00

knee walking!

I took Isaac for his year check up a few days ago. He is 23 pounds (60th percentile) and 30 inches long (62nd percentile). His head is in the 66th percentile so he is growing! He is a big boy, nice and solid. Everyone seems to suggest he'll be a football player, he has a few second cousins that could teach him rugby! He's very curious just like his dad was as a baby, so grandma and grandpa say. He has had a variety of alternative foods as well, not that we've neglected in feeding him, but rather that he puts anything and everything into his mouth, including dirt, dog food, grass, bugs, leaves, and more to come (just like his dad did!).

Isaac's first haircut

2010-08-15T21:28:00.002-06:00

So I finally did it, I got Isaac's first haircut! His curls were so cute but too many people thought he was a girl with his curly hair that he had. He really looks like a cute little boy now as he looks so handsome. He did so good for the gal that cut his hair, he didn't wiggle much with the clippers.

Before

During

After

weddings, weddings!

2010-08-15T21:25:00.000-06:00

Cleaning up!

Jeremy the server!

My sister Cindy made the cake!

Ryan and Brittney Nelson

Mr and Mrs Stowers!

Maria and I

This past two weeks, we have been to two different weddings. One was one of my good friends growing up, Maria Johnson, now Stowers. She got married at the Ivy Lane reception center in Ogden and it was so nice. I am so happy for her that she has found Jonathan. He is living in Pennsylvania so she moved out there to be with him the next day after their wedding! My nephew Ryan got married to Brittney on Wednesday of this week in the Salt Lake temple. They had their reception in Mantua at Brittney's parent's home. They asked if Jeremy could serve and he was so excited!

swimming lessons

2010-08-15T21:17:00.001-06:00

I love swimming!

Here's Jeremy floating

Here's Alex trying to float!

Jeremy and Alex both finally got to take swimming lessons. They both did great but Alex was pretty timid so he will repeat his class next time and even though Jeremy did great too, he needs another time for his class too. He's in level 3 and I think that's pretty good for a 6 year old. He loves the water and his new thing is the high dive!

Isaac's 1st birthday

2010-08-15T21:03:00.002-06:00

Isaac didn't quite get the blowing out the candle thing!

His monkey cake for being like a monkey & climbing everywhere.

His own mini cake!

What a mess! I had to hose him off afterwards!!

Isaac is now 1 years old. He is such a great little boy! He smiles most of the time and loves to climb (he taught himself how to climb up slides) and pull things out of the cupboard. He can walk a few steps but loves to 'walk' on his knees. We had a birthday BBQ on the Sunday before his birthday and had family and some close friends. He got his own little cake and he loved it. His other cake was a monkey cake because he is our little monkey!

Swimming with the family!!

2010-08-15T16:27:00.005-06:00

The last week of July we went swimming at North Shore and Dad was able to come. Alex insisted on bringing his customary backpack filled with his assortment of toys. Isaac had a horrible diaper while I was waiting for Ben to come. It was so bad and it got everywhere, luckily prior to getting in the pool!! So that's why you see him in just plastic pants! Jeremy also went on the diving board in the big pool. He is a very daring boy!!

Kennecott Copper Mine

2010-08-15T16:21:00.003-06:00

This is how big the tires on the trucks are!

Towards the end of July, we went to the Kennecott Copper Mine. I had never been there and Ben hadn't been there since he was either a young boy or a teenager. I knew the boys would love it and I was right. It's fun to do things in your own backyard. Driving an hour and a half each way is a perfect day trip with three little boys for now! While we were overlooking the mining operation and the trucks drive up and down the roads, there was a big plume from a dynamite blast. Jeremy and Alex thought it was awesome to see the explosion from a dynamite blast. We then went into the visitors center and watched a video on the history, process and operation of the Bingham Copper Mine (now Kennecott Copper Mine). After the video, we walked around the visitors center and Jeremy loved reading and looking at the history and seeing all the rocks. His great grandpa Gerritsen would be excited to see how he loves learning about all the rocks, minerals and the industry. It was more exciting than going to see Mickey Mouse, so it seemed.

Cottage cheese fun!

2010-08-15T16:18:00.001-06:00

We let Isaac have his own bowl of cottage cheese and he loved it and evidenced in the pictures!

Jeremy's baseball party

2010-08-15T16:15:00.001-06:00

Isaac eating pizza left on the ground

trying to throw water balloons

Jeremy's coach pitch coaches had a water party for all the boys to celebrate a great season. They had a great time! Isaac ate anything he could find on the ground.

The Gateway

2010-08-15T16:11:00.003-06:00

We took a trip down to the Gateway to meet Dad and let the boys play in the fountains. It was a blast for the boys!

Fourth of July

2010-08-15T16:10:00.001-06:00

Outside on our deck

This is the family on the Fourth of July. We tried our best to wear red, white and blue. We had a fun weekend attending Cherry Days in North Ogden and watching fireworks.

Happy Birthday Jennifer

2010-07-26T13:59:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Jennifer

Big #37 today.

First swimming trip

2010-06-27T21:09:00.004-06:00

We went to our first time this season to North Shore, our local pool. Isaac loved it and Alex too. He really didn't like the water much last year but is so excited this year. Jeremy is a great swimmer and went down the big slide and off the diving board.

Summer fun!

2010-06-27T21:05:00.003-06:00

The boys got to finally go outside after so much rain. Isaac was inside at first and I went inside to get him after I heard banging on the window. I found him like this.

Then we brought out all the water toys.

Jeremy's last baseball game

2010-06-27T21:02:00.003-06:00

Jeremy just finished baseball for this season. He loved it and was really good. He usually always hit and the hits were pretty good. One game he even caught a ball that came right to him at third base.

Alex at Sports camp

2010-06-27T20:58:00.003-06:00

I enrolled Alex in a two week sports camp with our city. It was for kids under 5. They introduce them to all the different sports. He had a great time and was excited to do things Jeremy has been doing.

The Bees game

2010-06-27T20:53:00.002-06:00

The boys and I went to the Bees game with Ben's cousin and her kids. Ben was supposed to be there but ended up spending the whole game in the Instacare with Isaac getting x-rays because they thought he had pnemonia. He was fine. He had had a cold for awhile and Ben went as a precaution. The game was crazy because it was on the grass and the boys were wrestling, etc.. Too much for two moms. Better to have seats!

Goodbyes are so hard!

2010-06-27T20:50:00.003-06:00

The beginning of June, Ben's brother and his family moved out to Ohio. But before they left, we had the boys over for a last sleepover. The boys had a great time having pizza, watching movies and playing outside. We'll miss you!!

Memorial Day

2010-06-27T20:46:00.005-06:00

For Memorial Day, we went to Ben's grandparents cabin in the hills of Midway. The boys had a great time, especially going to the neighbors, who live there year round. They have hummingbird feeders and the boys got to see them up close. It was really neat.

Graduation!

2010-05-30T16:52:00.004-06:00

Jeremy graduated from kindergarten this past week and I forgot my camera. We will have to post pictures later because I had some friends take some but haven't got them. But it was a great day for him and he did a great job in his singing program. He has been singing the songs he learned all year. His teacher did a great job and he has been sad that the year is over. We had a field day that I helped out on Friday and it was fun to just let them be outside. It was good weather for those couple hours! Jeremy also finished his music class he has been taking from a neighbor of ours and we hope he can start piano lessons soon. They learned all about notes and famous composers.

Alex graduated on Tuesday and we went to the local fish farm. We had a potluck dinner and the kids sang songs and walked across the bridge to symbolize moving on. Alex is so shy but it was cute! His teacher has done a great job this year also and she told us Alex has come a long way!

We are proud of both of our boys and their scholastic achievements!

Alex the builder

2010-05-30T16:50:00.003-06:00

Last Sunday, I went visiting teaching and came home to one of Alex's creations. He had pulled every blanket, pillow, chair and whatever else he could find to make this fort. He has done it a couple more times (much to my chagrin) but I have since built him some in his room to play. Even though it is pretty messy, I remember doing the same thing when I was little!

Gerritsen/James party

2010-05-30T16:46:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday, we had a gathering at Ben's parents for Ben's dad's side. A picnic and the kids got to play with cousins. Ben's parents have a new swingset/jungle gym and the kids love playing on it. Soon, Ben's brother and his family are moving to Ohio so it was a goodbye to them too.

Store opening!

2010-05-30T16:42:00.003-06:00

A new thing here in Ogden is a store called Winco. It is a warehouse type store and their prices are somewhat good. They had some really good prices their first day so I decided to venture over there. I have never seen anything like it. There were cars and people everywhere!! A line out the door just to get a cart! I had to chase down a neighbor to her car to get her cart. Then Isaac and I went in! I saw my cousin, who owns a local grocery store, there checking out the competition. The line for the checkout was clear to the back of the store! Isaac did really good for as long as it took us.

Safe Kids Fair

2010-05-30T16:38:00.004-06:00

For the past two years, the local IHC has done a safe kids day and the boys have loved to go because the Star Wars characters are there. I wanted to go this year because they were giving out free bike helmets. We were there for awhile and didn't get any! I was quite upset! But as the boys had a great time and there were so many things to learn about being safe! The boys made bug houses, got their faces painted, saw lots of animals and so many other things!

Jeremy's kindergarten trip to the zoo!

2010-05-30T16:10:00.005-06:00

Every year at Jeremy's school, all the kindergartener's get to go to Hogle Zoo. And I got to go and help. I was in charge of Jeremy and two other boys in his class, Jayden and Derrick. It was a very rainy day but the boys still had fun, especially Jayden, who splashed in every puddle! Jeremy loved the playground, especially the monkey bars. He is really good at them. On the bus home, Jeremy was exhausted!

May

2010-05-30T16:07:00.003-06:00

May has been a busy month with end of school year activities and the boys graduations. It's funny because when I was growing up the only graduation was when you graduated from high school! But it's been a fun school year for both boys and I have had a great experience volunteering in Jeremy's school once a week and doing playschool for Alex every few weeks.

Alex at the Nature Center

2010-05-30T15:54:00.004-06:00

Back at the end of April, Alex's preschool class went to the Nature Center in Ogden. It was kinda of a cold day so we didn't tour around but there was a cute presentation and then we looked at the birds that are there for rehabilitation.

crocheted bibs

2010-04-29T21:12:00.006-06:00

So I told you a few blogs ago about some crocheted bibs I have been doing. I wanted to show you them. I do a set of them with a small and a large bib. I have done a couple more since this picture but I think they turned out cute. They are made out of the cotton you make washcloths from and they tie around the baby's neck. I am selling them for $12 if anyone is interested!