The Dyer Family

Spring break 2011

2011-09-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

We squeezed in a crazy about of fun this time

seattle center

space needle

tulip fields

deception pass

the fremont bridge troll

shopping downtown and outlet mall in Tulalip
We had a great time staying downtown, and enjoying all that you can do there! Wasn't very "springy" but we had a great time as a family!

I am alive!

2011-09-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

So...I am a little BEHIND....

This is the beginning of me getting caught up. I will be devoting a little bit of time (maybe a lot) each week getting caught up on this "behind-ness" as i will be childless 6 hours Monday thru Friday! I am sad to say that my Sophia will be in school full time and its the start of a whole new era for me! I have not been here since....well, never! I held down a job as long as I can remember and on my first official day off

I gave birth to my Emma girl (now 13)!

I am feeling:

~ sad

~ a little bit scared (when i think of it)

~ and honestly a little bit excited.

more to come.....

Eight years ago

2011-05-03T23:53:00.000-07:00

Our Lilli turned eight and was baptised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on April 16th.

It was a beautiful day with lots of family.

Emma pointed out that all the girls had "big" birthday this year.

Sophia 5, Lilli 8, Bella 10,..and soon Emma 13!

On April 23rd my Grandma Tolman passed away at the age of 91. Though she will be missed I am so, so happy for her! She gets to be with her eternal love and she lived a good, long life and she was a good person. I asked her to make this dress for Emma when she was baptized, Bella also wore it, and in 3 years Sophia will wear it. I didn't know until the funeral that this was the last dress that my Grandma made. She was an excellent seamstress, she made two dresses of mine for school dances, and many many more for others. It was a really great funeral that I was so glad that I attended (amazingly all 26 of her grandchildren were there). It helped me hear things about her that made me appreciate her more and see her as a great example!

Games with Grandma and Grandpa, we were so glad they could come

Joshy....as always was fun to smooch

Ears pierced

I love their laughs

These two friends often get mistaken for twins!

A whole decade...

2011-03-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

She celebrated early with her besties...

Jordyn Amell

Isabella Joseph

And Ema Ost

We had lunch

And dared Jordyn to go tell the soldiers what she said to us when they walked in ..."Thank you for serving our country!" She is a hoot!

Then we went to a movie!

She had her morning all planned out: We must walk in together and yell "happy birthday" and then she would open gifts, then we would all go to Shari's for breakfast

Emma gives her pat of affection

(try 2) Found this treasure....

2011-01-31T13:32:00.000-08:00

notice the wink...ohhh

So nice to know that my acts of love are not going unnoticed...
love that Lilli girl!

Sound asleep in......

2010-12-30T21:29:00.000-08:00

...the cupboard??

Sophia, where is Lilli? Oh... she is in the cupboard. (which was closed)

Dyers gone-a-hunting

2010-12-16T20:03:00.000-08:00

How cute is Ms. Marion? She single handedly put together a treasure hunt over thanksgiving break! It was complete with a map, arrows to follow, trickery, running, string to follow to next clue, driving fast, getting in trouble with neighborhood watchers, kids crying, twisted ankles, jumping and cheering, eating to celebrate, and memories forever! Thank you Marion dear...you are the treasure!!! Love you!

Beauty all around!

2010-11-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

This is my neighbors, the McPhees tree. Not all the leaves do this...but can you imagine a WHOLE tree like this??

Some very cute, sweet Beehives and Miamaids at Y.W. in Excellence Night.

(lf to right: Selena Cudney, Summer Rosengren, Ryan Dubinsky, Emma) I can't wait to see all the wonderful things they do with their lifes. They each have so much potenial and many more acts of charity to offer the world.

One of their darling, dedicated, sweet, giving leaders, Carrie! Or... Sister O'Conner. We always called our leaders by their first name when I was growing up, how about you?

Ya gotta love this time of year!!!

2010-11-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

This man had me in stitches all night! "Oh kermee"

3 witches, 2 ladybugs, and a hippie

2 rock stars!

The second favorite thing to Ganah after family? Halloween!

Guess who stole the costume show?? love her!

Ganah, Kjrsten, and Anna threw a fabulous Halloween bash! There was witch-mole placing, pinata smashing - complete with confetti, and fishing for gifts, and my favorite Carmel apples..yum! Well done ladies!

HIKE LOOK LISTEN

2010-10-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

It was a busy saturday....but so, so fun.

The baby is FIVE!

2010-10-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

We begin our celebration the day before:

after a delicious dinner at Dairy Queen

We do this with spiders, she is helpful

she studies the next frame

they go on a roller coaster

play air-hockey

she congratulates

Next day (actual b-day) breakfast in OUR bed with Dad!

Lilli reads her card

Dad "reads" his

Does it really say that?

"It has a blue stopper thing!!!!!"

we share part of the day with him

Booboo asks why she didn't go shopping with him on saturday

then gave her a kiss

she show ganah her skills during uno and gets a bloody nose, Ganah thinks I am taking to many pics of her!

Ganah uses a simpathy tissue

she smells the roses that tim and sherry brought

so does he

Haaaaa....

make a wish...(mom wishes that you stop growing up!) We love you Sophia! You make me laugh everyday!

Family night at the lake

2010-09-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

Duff was dying to get out on the lake one more time...

go on the ride with me huh?

Puget Sound

Steilacoom Town Hall where Duff and I had our

wedding reception 15 plus years ago

My favorite part of the ride

Had to stop here

...To do this and gets treats of course, this day: HOT chocolate!

Had a little fall while there

what i saw....

oh shoot!!! "It's okay" we say "...it's just a little"

Lilli braves it

can you see the rain?

the tongue helps

our only company

Bella had courage, and a wetsuit. Poor thing can barely open her eyes.

These two did not even get in the lake

but something got in their heads

See...better pics huh?? Not perfect but way better, need to take a class or something to know how to best use the new camera.

I hope you three are satisfied.

China Lake Day 5

2010-09-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

Trip to Sonic (again) then off to China Lake (more like a really gross pond) an easy, quick walk that is right off of 19th street. We picked blackberries, enough to snack on, and tried to find the biggest ant hill. These last two posts were taken with my phone. But all 3 of my readers will be glad to hear that I got a new camera, notice the spot in the Stadium posts, from my not to old digital! We bought Alexis' camera from her....she is so awesome she is going only to film, no digital! She is amazing, check out her lastest entry about our very best Ganah...keep her in your prayers. Thanks Alexis!

So you all will hopeful enjoy better pics....soon! Stay tuned cause I already a plenty of pics to choose from taken by the new- to -me -camera! Wow..that was a long one, sorry long winded this evening.

How about these two cuties. One of the last days in the pool. Goodbye dear summer, we will miss you!

Stinky Creek Day 4

2010-09-17T23:15:00.000-07:00

Chambers Creek...where the skim-boarders go. We affectionately call it Stinky creek as it is located across from the "poop factory" (sewage plant). This is not a place to go late in the afternoon on a warm day, as you will hear language you would rather your children didn't. So we picked a day that was late morning. Man that water was so cold!!! It hurt my feet SO BAD, but the girls got over it and ended up daring each other to go in all the way. My right foot had "pins-and-needles" feeling till it warmed up 30 minutes after the dip.

Great place to hike any time of day as the trails go pretty far back.

Stadium High Day 3

2010-09-12T17:06:00.000-07:00

We planned to take a ferry to Vashon Island...but I missed the teeny tiny blue

dot that said the 12:30 ferry was only on Saturdays....So I stole the idea from this cute girl, and took the girls to Stadium High School

The "S's"

A pic of me in the bathroom??

Watching the girls soccer team practice

As Aunt Becky would say..."That's my home girl or' dare"

Seattle Day 2

2010-08-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

"Mom! Look up there!" says Sophia "Mom can we gooo", says Emma

Sophia got lots of complements on the purse

Lunch with a little DS. We were lucky enough to have Sonja with us for a few days...as we did a little "swap" with her and our Lilli

Food out of the teeth/braces

These boys were holding a sign at one point..but they were gone when we got down to the street. What cause were they hula-hoopin' for? Not sure. What is your guess?

Girls were most excited to end up here...cause we don't have one right where we live, it's whole 10 mins away!!!

Sonja has a great story about this store, but I told her I would

not blog about it...so see and ask her here !

one of these kids is doing their own thing...

faint mustache from lunch

Tired feet!

We think this lady's feet MAY have been hurting her too...do you think she is shopping or running away with her suitcase and

Pee-wee Herman's heels?

Day 1 Go carts

2010-08-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

We started our "mourning" of the-end-of-summer last Wednesday. Go carts! I wore a skirt thinking it was wide enough to tuck between my legs. But duh, the wind! And I also had to bent my knees a lot too....so I gave the go-cart guy a good view of my g's, even though I was frantically tucking it at the bottom. Oops!

Then Friday and Saturday Duff and I did this.... Good times, thanks Cami and Travis!

Last two weeks

2010-08-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

It's here dang-it!! The last two weeks of summer. I always mourn the end of summer. I looked at the calendar and had some panic. What? Two weeks? It can't be! So I gathered the girls and asked them what they wanted to do...so we filled the next two weeks with all there requests. We start today, skip the weekend (cause Duff and I will be on a quick get away) and then resume again on Monday.
pictures to come.....

Family Reunion

2010-07-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

We met my parents and two of my brothers and their families in Utah. We spend a day at Cherry Hill, then the next here...

Lilli and Sophia with their awesome cousin Zach

My brother goes down "liquid lighting"

then his daughter Samantha

then my bella

Then the most AWESOME ride on the planet with Mar

The sky coaster...oh get chills just looking at this...what a RUSH!! LOVE IT!!

Sophia shares her fingers

The beautiful Temple square! Did you know the

big dipper is on the side of the temple? Can you find it, it's not the dark spots, but raised, stone stars ?

Emma, Bella, Duff, my mom and Zach and Jaden (my nephews)

following behind

Lillian with cousin Haley

Emma with Samantha

We went to visit this amazing woman, my aunt Janet (my dad's sister), she is asking the girls if the Lagoon rides gave them a tummyache.

Then her daughter my cousin, Susan came over.

Um...look at the view from Aunt Janets yard! I love this woman, she reminds me so much of her mother, my Grandma Grace. I was mad at myself for not having taken the time to visit her the last EIGHT years! Shame on me!

Over the river and through the woods......

My niece Katelyn leading us in "With your hands up high and your feet down, this is how I wiggle low" at Rigby Lake.

Duff is shirtless because he got wet from SAVING A MANS LIFE!!!! My husband, the hero! He ran to the spot on the beach that jets out and the teenager was a little less than halfway to the island on the left.

"Wild-rides" with Grandpa!

It was never long enough

Bella trying to win a free drink from the jamba juice man. My youngest brother Aaron in the red and white.

The hotel we stayed at on the way back home (Coeur d'Alene). Duff loved playing golf there.

Bella got famous

Sophia saw dinner through a chefs eye

loved this store and the name!

Girls rode a moose...AND a mouse..

Day to remember AND make memories

2010-06-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

The feeling of the cemetery on Memorial Day is very reverent. We think of those that died so we could have and keep our freedom and those who we loved who have passed on to a much better place, but way too soon.

First stop was our Isabelle. We visited a few more sites of other loved ones. I thought of how sweet it was to have the sun shine

down on us (and the rain stop) during these tender moments.

Then we made new memories. Ganah and Anna made a fabulous treasure hunt for all the 'young-uns' They had so much fun, I forgot to take a picture of all their fun treasures! And of course Ganah and Booboo made a fabulous "linner" not lunch nor dinner. We watched old family videos...ask Duff about how happy he was to see himself 12 years ago! Oh... I loved ALL of him!

This was a few days later...but a fun memory for my girls for sure.

"Yay!, DADDY is getting in the pool!"

This tiny dancer 12 already?

2010-05-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

Emma June of 2005 (6 years old)

She began the birthday fun with a trip to 6th grade camp

Two days later...went to dinner with some friends...

Summer Rosengren, Kelly Hurdelbrink, Ryan Dubinsky,

Seanassey Watson, and Andee Markward

Was embarrassed (and shot some great daggers) when the waitress at Red Robin made her a coffee filter hat and sang happy birthday with the whole restaraunt.

Played "Minute to win it" games

Got really silly...then had a halarious ride home

Emma, you have grown so much! Sometimes I miss this little one, but then I remember how you have grown into such a fun, loving young woman! I look forward to many more years of spending time with you and making many more memories as a daughter and mother. Thanks for all you do for me Emma girl, I love you so much! Love, Mom

Sisters in action

2010-04-26T00:55:00.000-07:00

I always hated growing up without a sister. But so dang glad that my girls have each other. They come up with cutest things to do with each other.

Emma wanted to show off Lilli and Sophia's art...so she announced a show.......

Bella wanted to do something fun with Lillian....prehaps getting her ready for Faith in God/YW programs...or not? When Lilli completed all 35 "badges", Bella threw her a PARTY to celebrate!

Which badge is your favorite? (click on pic. to see better)

Notice below Lilli sporting "the sash"/belt

Nothing to say...just see

2010-04-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

Lovin' Spring!

2010-04-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

LIFE, signs of

2010-03-26T23:25:00.000-07:00

can you stand more of this?...

2010-03-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

Cold...but really fun!! I was afraid i was going to lose my contacts

Our last night in paradise

Bestest cousin

2010-03-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Sonja,

Thank you for the embroidery i love it. It is now hanging in my bed room. How long did it take you to make it? Did your mom help you with it? i miss you! i cant wait to see you agian when ever that is. love your bestest cusin Bella!

more sun...and that wet stuff

2010-03-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Duff had a friend in Hawaii on business...he brought these for me

We had to use one of THESE!

But we found sun on the north shore...... Duff did some more work on the beach

We rented some body boards, saw a sign that reminded us of someone who hates bananas

Duff hangin' with the locals....had him carve the name of this lovely lady on the bottom of a turtle to add to her collection

2010-03-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

This man tells me..."It has been 15 years of bliss!" I agree. Here is how we celebrated...

He starts with a nap on the plane, I read instead (5 books this month, that's a record for me)

We ARRIVE! He does a little work, then we have an unexpected lunch guest.

We kiss on the beach....ou, la, la!

then....we battled....no casualties

Ate sushi for dinner..................just hated it

More to come... stay tuned!

TALENT

2010-01-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Our sister, Kjrsten is so amazing look...

You can also see her here and here. She is super talented and

just won an entry in this....go see for yourself!

In December...

2010-01-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

We saw a sherperd and a wise man

We went on an airplane to see...

these beautiful eyes

and darling nose

This smart girl

and these not so smart boys

this cute niece, Sydney, while singing at at school (middle w/red scarf)

back on airplane

To be enlightened and schooled

saw angels and puppies

sleeping "Booboos"

basketball players

surprised facesmade a few of these

We saw girls waiting

and hairy babies

And this is only half of

of what took place in the month....no wonder why it is all now a blur

Magic!

2009-12-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

Sophia has learned that her parents are magic...we can pull all sorts of things out of her ears! She thinks this is the most amazing thing ever. She asks us over and over...so we have to scramble to find stuff to "find". Sophia asked Bella if she could find stuff in her ears. Bella said I will try and said over and over...now see I have NOTHING in my hands....I was thinking the jig might be up...but after a dice came out of her ear Sophia exclaimed....

"Mom Bella is magic too!"

Necklaces

2009-12-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

Thankful for "ery...ting"

2009-11-27T15:29:00.000-08:00

My list could certainly go on FOREVER!!! So I must condense:

the restored gospel and a living prophet

husband who supports, uplifts, and adores me

daughters who are healthy, fun and inspiring

trials that help me to grow

family that aids in many ways

modern medicine that prolongs my abilities

friends that encourage

this amazing planet which we all enjoy!

~~Many happy greetings to all this thanksgiving month~~

Stop growing......

2009-11-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

........the girl not the hair...okay maybe the hair too. A month or so ago...I taught her how to shave her legs....ahh! She thought it was silly for me to take pictures but I told her this is a BIG moment...as you will only be doing it almost everyday now for the rest of your life.

Good costumes, good friends, good times!!!

2009-11-01T15:06:00.001-08:00

I can hear those cute laughs

Creative costumes everywhere, no burnt houses, and no burnt fingers or toes!

and LOVE this cute laugh too.....

Mark cheated with tape

LOVE the moves...awesome!

Marcell scared me

Gina....SPOT ON!

My handsome boyfriend

I AM a pryo...but not my idea..this time

LOVE the pants mar!!!!

the entertainment...really!

Perfect, spot on again!

Where the flaming marshmallows were suppost to end up

Not a girly girl

2009-10-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

Sophia got a darling pink and gray skirt and

sweater from her Ganah and Booboo for her birthday.

We attempted to put it on her for church......no go!

That night she said our family prayer...........

First words were..."Please bless that Ganah will take that dress away"

The tele

2009-10-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

Emma and the phone are best friends...she talks on it all times of the day...and night.

Last night her other best friend called, Duff picked up at the same time and waited.

"Hey if your parents pick up, I will just hang up"

"Okay" says Emma, "I am going to the kitchen to get a banana"

Duff whispers "don't go to the kitchen.....don't get a banana" he hears a gasp, then a laugh.

Duff sings, "Good night girls....go to bed!"

Duff then reminisces with me when he started talking on the phone...also in the six grade. He said once Dano opened his door late one night, Duff hid the phone under the pillow after his dad leaves, he whispers, "you still there?" Then his dad pages the phone!!!

Our baby is four!!

2009-10-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

Sophia turned FOUR on October 3rd

a kiss and a lick of frosting

notice:

the ballerina on the rainbow (thanks kjrst)

pajamas, mismatched..the only way

Alex Call gave Sophia a present after her birthday....when she was opening it she said,

"MOM am I five?!"

Then when we picked up the girls she told them that it was her birthday again!

For the beauty of the earth....

2009-10-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

Banks Lake...steam boat rock, little piece of heaven

The first star at dusk...it looks a little like a U.F.O...but it's hard to hold the camera still
How about the other star?

I had forgotten how beautiful the sunset is in the country....can you hear it?? Ahhhhhhh!

Never pulled one of Lilli's teeth

2009-09-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

This man has....Lilli's Grandpa, A.K.A. Booboo.

He has pulled all but one of Lillian's baby teeth (the other by her sister Bella)

We may not even know she has a loose tooth until we go to Sunday dinner and Lilli (who goes early to help set the table) says...Booboo pulled another one!

Her last one was yanked at Banks!

Duff doesn't know how Dan gets his big fingers on those little teeth!

Pregnant

2009-09-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

This is my DARLING cousin...Rachel, awaiting their baby boy, do you just want to squeeze her? When looking at her picture, I know she making a funny face...but you can just feel her excitement and joy and the anticipation of bringing a new life into this world.

Her face isn't big enough to hold that huge, darling smile of hers.

This reminds me of my Bella when she said out of the blue,

"I would be so sad if I could not have my own babies.

I could adopt but I would want to have my own babies in my tummy!"

I remember also thinking this mature thought as a kid and looking forward to being a mommy. I always looked at pregnant woman in awe...thinking that is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I wondered if I was also just 8 years old when I had these thoughts. Oh my sweet Bella I am equally excited for your little ones, and being a Grandma.....I will wear that name proudly....but let's get you through the 3rd grade first...Bella girl!

Velcro

2009-09-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

In the car one day Lilli jokingly asked Sophia....."Is it Wizard Of Oz or Biz Da Boz?"

(this is how Sophia used to pronounce it)

"Lilli, it's Wizard of Oz, and there is a Lion and a Velcro!"

babysitting+cute boys= entertainment

2009-09-05T11:34:00.001-07:00

A house full of girls could not resist
say cheese

say cheese and macaroni

my babies!

2009-09-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it was about this year...but I had a sinking feeling the day before school and the day of. I always hate it when school starts and I have to send them into the big bad world, and they are gone all day everyday. I would rather have them home with me. I don't have the mental ability to home school...and not sure that is even the answer. I cried after we dropped the last one off, it's just another benchmark that tells me they are another year older.

wakie...wakie....eggs and bakie!

2009-09-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

Now that I am passed pregnancies and nursing (i know...three years ago!)...it's easier to take more time on the water. I am just getting out of the wake this year, but in my defense the first time i got up on the wake board was last summer.....late in the game?

No way.... look out for the oldie!

Duff couldn't wait to dive in and wake board

He recently learned to do this....

that is my HOT husband.. my Duff Dyer!

over the whole wake

You have to click on this to see Lilli's face. She was whining, "I can't do this Dad...I'm not ready!" Duff speeds up and says, "Yes you are.... stand up!" She popped right up and continued to whine until she realized that she got up her first try on the skies.
"I can't do this....HEY I'm doing it!

Wake board also comes easy to Lillian

Emma has really enjoyed wake-boarding and is getting good...she was

so happy to get outside of the wake! Yay Emma!

Mar! Look at you!!!!

Bella complains about getting in the cold water...but is really a natural!

Master Duff..my handsome Duff Dyer has made a huge effort to get the girls to the lake during the day a lot this summer...but still has to work while doing it. He is such a good daddy and husband!!....we are

all so lucky to have him. I love you honey!

body surfing

2009-08-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

We have had so much fun taking the boat out "a-tons-a" this summer at American Lake. Our favorite time is early morning cause no one is there so the water is "glass"

(ya gotta click on this pic...to see their great faces bigger)

I love the girls faces!!! I need to get pics of girls on wake-board and knee board. Our older three have all gotten up on wake board (we are lucky if Sophia wants to even get in the water) So fun to see girls trying new things...I was too in-awe and happy to take pics i guess.

Andee, Emma, Lilli, Bella

They love to let go and float in the wake

Ar...matee!

WANTED!

2009-08-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

This man is dangerous...known to carry his own explosive gas...leads a pack full of crazy girls...and trains puppies to bite said girls...please contact your local authorities if you see this man......note: his piercing blue eyes known to make his wife (also armed with explosives) to swoon....

known to make his enemies and friends laugh.....

goes by the name...officer Duff Dyer...shameful!

Warning...this next one will frighten the wee-ones

(perhaps cause a large belly-ache in the not so wee-ones)

We believe he has also gone by "Pepi-la-pew"

Or Inspector "the pink-panther" Clouseau

That's my handsome Duff Dyer

Finishers!

2009-08-10T20:57:00.000-07:00

WE DID IT!

We were so happy to wake up to cool, overcast weather as the whole week had been VERY hot...in the hundreds...and VERY humid!!!

So mom and sisters (margaret, eliza and chloe) dressed alike on purpose...and

I just happen to match! I am totally running again next year...it gave me the itch. And Eliza and I got a LITTLE itch to do a full...not so sure about that. SO much running to train...who has the time for that??

Clowning around...

2009-08-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

Cheney Stadium
I found myself feeling sorry for the elephants as the circus workers did not have any patience for the kids waiting in line, or the parents with questions. So how did they treat the elephants when no one was watching?? The kids had fun (all $8 worth) on their 30 second ride.

Lillian, Sarah Nickel, Sophia. Circus was fun...going with

great friends Nickels and Rosengrens made it totally worth it!

Banks Lake M.J. tribute

2009-07-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

While we vacationed at Banks Lake we decided to give a little shout out to Micheal Jackson. We had so much fun dancing around in our afros and blasting M.J. music....the kids also had fun while dancing on top of the "party barge". This is after the adults had taken the fros off and stopped dancing....but not the kids! I think us adults were beach dancing for....what?...20 minutes or more? It was so much fun!

What did you do to honor the king of pop? :)

Sophia is happily chasing me at the end of this...sorry for the shakiness

Halloween comes early at our house

2009-07-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Bella painted her face on the last day of her art class

Emma found Halloween face paint and decided to be creative

Small town run

2009-07-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

I went to Idaho for a visit and knew while I was there I needed to run about 9 miles to stay on track for training. I emailed a childhood friend of mine to see if her and her family would be in Lewisville over the 4th. She said yes and that she was also training for a 1/2! Perfect! I was so excited to catch up with her and have the chance to run with her. She is way faster than me...but she pretended that we were the same pace! Love her! The only time we could run was after the fireworks....which ended up being about midnight! We ran around the main part of town a little more than 2 times....mind you, this is only a town of about 4oo people, so it was totally dead at midnight, but we had a great conversation and it was really great to be with Megan. I was staying with my 89 year old grandma, so when I opened the creaky front door at 1:30 I woke her up. OOPS! I ran to her room as I heard her moving her walker....it's me grandma just coming back from getting some air. So the first thing she said in the morning was....sorry you were uncomfortable last night. (shoot!) Oh, grandma I was actually out running with Megan, i didn't want to worry you. I explained the reasons for the run....She looked at me with a frown and said...."Keirra is that using wisdom!?" I laughed and assured her I was fine. I am not sure if she didn't want me running that far, or running the 1/2 or if she didn't want me to be out so late. Either way...I am totally using that on my kids....."Is that using wisdom?" Grandma is a faithful, strong person who I can learn from. In December she will be 90! She told me that her patriarical blessing said something like..... if you remain faithful you will be blessed in your short life, she laughs at that and can only assume that "short" meant short in an eternal perspective.

Run baby RUN

2009-07-16T12:18:00.001-07:00

Before the race with my handsome Duff Dyer
AFTER

We did it! Duff and I ran (okay he walked the hills) the 12K Sound-to-Narrows race on June 13th. My sister in law is a great runner and has run several half marathons and other races told me that the sound to narrows run was an 8 on 1-10 scale of difficulty. So.....my only goal was to finish without stopping to walk. And I DID! The last part of the run was the hardest because the last mile is mostly all up hill. I gave Duff a big hug after the race and asked him how many sprinklers he ran through, he said....none! Poor guy was dripping and he said I will NEVER do that again. Then we got home and looked at the race results and he said SHE/HE beat me? I am totally running it next year!

I have been running with Duff's darling Aunt Margaret and it feels so good to be consistent with my running again. We are the same pace, we have good conversations and she modivates me to keep running. On one run her and her daughter said that I should run the tacoma's half marathon with them. I said "NO! I don't wanna!" And I meant it, I swore up and down that I would not run any more than the 7 1/2, that any more than that would be too much running....mostly with all the training. But that invitation ate at me all week. I asked Duff what he thought about me running....he said, "Yes, you are a good runner, you can totally do it!" Oh, I love my husband! Okay so here I am training to run the 1/2 on August 1st!!! Last saturday we ran 10 miles....the most I have ever run...this saturday will be 11! You know I feel great and am glad with my choice....I will give an update after the race....no real "race" for me...again just wanting to finish without stopping to walk!

Emma's got talent

2009-05-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Duff and I went on a date and came back to Emma playing this....

(don't be scared...it's a quick 40 sec. vid)

She has been taking Violin for two years now. She has been in this play (Savior of the World) once and is practicing (for a small speaking part...and for singing the 'whole cast' songs) for another show with Duff and Bella, for this summer. So she is familiar to with the music....but so cool that she could pluck it out on her own without any music in front of her. She wrote down the notes when she figured out what they were, she said it only took her 5 to 10 mintues! Wow! Good job honey!

Hair Raising!!!

2009-05-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

With short hair....you never know what your hair will be doing in the morning....I should have known what kind of day I would have when I woke up on Mother's Day with THIS hair!

Everyone was all dressed for church when.....Sophia threw up! It happened so fast after she had her milk....it smells just like milk, so we rinsed it off her dress and dried it while hanging it outside the window of the car on the way to my parents ward. She threw up twice at church before we left early. Poor thing, so sad! She ended up throwing up more than 12 times that day, and a few more the next (once all over me...in the car!!!) and the rest of the week she was not herself, it took all week to heal herself from the bad stomach flu! It was so sad to hear her say..."I'm hungry mom", or "I'm thirsty Mom"....and give her something only to have her throw it right back up! It was one of the worst experiences of being a Mom I have ever had...she was crying, I was crying! But as the Doctor said....you aren't really a

Mom unless you have had throw up on you. Happy Mother's Day to meeeee! ;) Glad to read via-blogs...that everyone else had a great day! You all deserve it! I have so many examples of great Mom's ALL around me!

Cousin from Idaho

2009-05-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

We surprised my Mom (Dad was in on it) and showed up on their door-step to help celebrate my parents 40th Anniversary. The look on my Mom's face was great...she was so shocked she looked at me like she didn't know who I was....hey how could SHE be HERE! It was great!

We stayed at a hotel, the girls and cousins had fun in the pool.

Bummed this is blurry....our girls love it when my handsome Duff Dyer flips them.
All the cousins lined up for the same fun.

Tristan, Jaden, Zach, Sydney in the back, Samantha, Emma, Lillian, Bella and Haley on the edge.

Our Green Emma is 11!!!!

2009-05-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

On Cinco Ce Meyo Emma turned 11! I can't believe she will

be in Young Womans in only one year! ugh!

Emma is not necessarily big on being "green" but she liked this tee-shirt

She requested anything Asian...she is fasinated with China

and Japan and would like to visit there someday.

Waiting....

2009-05-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

The cousins were coming to town and the girls were VERY excited!

Sophia, Isla, Lillian, Bella, Emma
They arrived!

2009-05-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

popcorn did pop!

2009-05-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

We absolutely love it when spring...springs...and are so sad to see our four trees in the front yard...lose the popped popcorn.

Lillian turns 6

2009-05-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

Enough air? love this!

Ganah made the cake...cute huh!

Lilli opens gift from her best buddy...Jared Dubinski...spy goggles.

We always opened our gifts first thing in the morning...when I was growing up. Hence...the bed-head. And yes, she got lego sets for her gifts, and no that is not jello cubes at the bottom of the fish bowl.

Charley Safari

2009-05-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Sister tries to kiss and make it better

Battle wound from hotel pool

One of our days during sprink break....this is a fun, new place in Olympia. The girls talked me into going down the black slide to the right. It was scary! I was holding Sophia and she stuck her elbows out and got rub-burns. I was trying to respond to her cries by getting off fast, so I bumped my head on the way out....ya feel so stupid when you can't even ride a kiddie slide...duh!

Bella gets musical

2009-05-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Duff calls the boy next to Bella "loud mouth" cause he got an ear-full from him at Bella's lunch. Notice Josh Duby, second row down kiddie-corner from Bella...he had his happy face on during the whole program . And smiley-girl Jordan in pink...she is a cutie. I think the kid in the front with black-tee didn't hear..."wear your best clothes"....or did he?

Poor Bella was so nervous she had a hard time executing her bow at the end....most of the students did the same "bow" funny!!! She picked this song because she like that she had to hold the pedal down the whole song.

Policewoman

2009-04-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

Why do people think they have to tell others when they are doing something wrong? I was minding my own business....speeding in a school zone (going about 3oish). I know, I know...not good. Then I was watching Emma walk to the school, when I heard this honk...i turned to see a woman next to me wanting me to roll down my window.
So I did.... "I was following you back there...I was going 20 miles an hour...and you MUST have been going 35 until you caught up with the bus in front of you....I feel sorry for the kids who are not in your line of vision!"
I smiled at her and rolled my window back up. She pulled out of the parking lot ahead of me and she pulled in front of another car...and got honked at!!! Ha, ha! See lady, nobody is perfect!
I must admit I have a speeding problem...so her point was a good one......I did get a speeding ticket last week.....but why does she have to pull over and tell me that! Whatever...what do ya do huh? I swear this lady was the type of girl in the elementary music program that corrected the kid next to her when they were singing the wrong words or doing the wrong hand motions (we just went to Bella's program yesterday and saw several girls doing this)
But in my defense.....I did have a "good" reason for speeding. Poor Emma was stressed that day about being on time. She said the teacher had asked her to try and be earlier so that she did not have to rush. So she was really good and got up early and was ready to get in the car when her backpack zipper broke open....her backpack is completely full. So we were rushing to find some bag(s) to get all her stuff together. So we were on time....but not early like she wanted to be.

Lesson I learned.....don't roll down your window when a crazy mom is honking at you he, he! Oh yeah...and don't speed!

Sophia's dream

2009-03-12T05:57:00.000-07:00

One morning Lillian and Sophia were talking about how they slept that night. And Sophia said, " I had a dream Mom!" I asked her what it was about and she said that she got "runned" over by a train. "That's scary", I said. She said "Yeah, I didn't get up, I died"

"Oh sad!" I said. Then she said she went to Heaven and Jesus

picked her up and gave her to her Daddy.

"When Jesus comes"

2009-03-12T05:41:00.000-07:00

So our poor Sophia has had a wart on her finger for....EVER. We have had it "frozen" at the doctor two times and put compound W on it....a zillion times. You can even buy this at home "freeze the wart" kit.....which we have done twice. One of those times was last night. If anyone has had this done to a wart....you know how painful it is....it is awful. She was really good about it...really only whimpered/whined about it for a few minutes. Then it was off to bed. I asked her to say her prayers and she didn't want to....mostly because she is the queen of putting off bedtime. I said honey you can pray that your finger will feel better and ask that the wart will go away soon. So I helped her with that prayer, and she climbed into bed. She then said....
"Mom, when Jesus comes to my house, he can help my wart go away....will he bring his tools with him?"
What do you say to that? "Oh....honey I don't know when he will come" And then she said,
"He can kiss it?" Then she kissed it, then I kissed it.
Oh.....how cute is that I say? It made me think of how we are supposed to be like little children. She was fully expecting Jesus to come to her house and take care of her problem, so much faith and trust in what we have taught her.

2009-03-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

For the last six years my handsome Duff Dyer has taken our girl(s) to the Daddy-daughter dance....put on by first the high school, and now the city. They all look forward to it. Duff makes it special by taking them to dinner first, then usually a dessert after. Just such a fun date for them, I hope they remember these times when they are wanting to "pull-away". Sophia is too little just yet....so her and I had a mommy-daughter date, we had fun...... I thought, dinner and movie at home, then great treats...... then the next day she asked Duff if she would be old enough next year to go to the dance with him.....she is for sure our biggest Daddy's girl.

Our Sweet Bella-button Turns Eight!!!

2009-03-07T15:34:00.000-08:00

SISTERS! Oh....do you want to just squeeze um both?

Bella's first friend birthday party....I know...I'm a bad mom! It was a "tea"-party with a pinata...at the end, funny combo....but we were aiming to please our Bella.

My parents came from Idaho to help celebrate!

This is right before she was baptized. Annabella is our sweet-hearted and...little-bit-shy-girl. As her birthday got closer she kept saying that she was nervous. We assured her that her Dad would talk her through everything, and that it would be fine. I kept thinking, she a great swimmer...not afraid of the water, what could she be nervous about? I asked her and she said....."all the people". I said, oh honey we don't have to announce in it sacrament meeting, and we can just have family and close family friends. And she let out a big sigh...like oh thank goodness. Poor thing! Didn't want all eyes on her. So we did just that....and we still had a biggish group. Come to find out she was also nervous about her dress coming up and her underwear showing. So we were able to borrow a dress from my good friend Christie....that someone had made for one of her girls...and it had weights sewn into the bottom hem...you can't even see them or feel them...but the bottom is heavy. Bella was very excited about the dress...so it was Christie to the rescue....love that woman! The Saturday before her baptism I had a dream that we went to church and there was an insert in all the bulletins "advertising" Bella's baptism! Funny!

Babies holding babies

2009-01-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

2009-01-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

The girls watching...and waiting for the new baby!

Notice Jenny and I....how we are gripping our own hands/arm. One of the nurses, who happened to be Ruth Markward, her daughter is in our halloween pictures (fun to have her there!) insisted on taking this picture, glad she did...shows our excitement. Oh how cute if he???? This is the first picture of the

"new-macrae, the new boy" our girls called him.....now we know his name is Rhett.

I stole this picture from Kjrsten....look her to blog for all the great pics! Congrats Anna you were awesome!!! I love you so much!

Christmas morning

2009-01-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

She ended up in our bed....then we had to wake her up to see what Santa brought her

Her first journal entry in her new journal

Not enough room!

Gingerbread houses

2009-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Sophia eating way more than what ends up on the house

sNOw way!

2009-01-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Growing up in Idaho gave me lots of memories in the snow, so I was SO

excited when it snowed so my girls could have some of those same memories. In the 13 years I have lived here, I have never had a white christmas...or birthday,

I was so excited when it started snowing ON my birthday.

Bring on the blizzard....YAY!

Ganah has been saving a snowman kit for years....now she gets to use it...in true Ganah style she ran right down and started helping the girls with their snowman!

Isn't he handsome? When we got out the "nose" Sophia wouldn't believe us that it was wood until she tried to take a bite out of it. I only intended to take some pictures real quick....but it was snowing so hard and the girls were having too much fun....so I had to join in. When I was pulling them in the sled down our driveway they kept yelling faster......it was fun to see how excited they were, and it made me feel like a kid, for just a second! We also went sledding down the Danbridge hill. There were a group of grandmas taking their walk around the neighborhood who had stopped to watch us. When I had my turn the girls yelled, "go mom", and Isla yelled "go Keirra", so the old ladies started yelling "go Keirra, way to go" They were clapping and yelling just like my girls. They also groaned with us when the plow came to move some snow off the street. Funny! They reminded me of my Grandma Jones.....I hope I can be fun like that....when I get old!

Snow makes our front yard beautful!

Christmas surprises.

2009-01-02T10:08:00.000-08:00

Lillian was so excited to get gifts for everyone that she began wrapping

stuff around the house in doll blankets and belts! Oh! I reminded her that

she had some money saved and that I could take her to the store and

she could pick out gifts for her sisters, she was so excited about this idea! Her favorite gift she recieved was from Emma......A SWORD! :)

Seattle birthday

2009-01-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

My Husband is so wonderfully good to me! For the last few years we have gone to Seattle for a few nights for my birthday. We do a little Christmas shopping, sleep-in, stay up late, watch movies, eat good/junk food and sit in the hot-tub. This year for the first time we took a "handsome-cab ride" around down town. It was really fun....but oh so cold!

Our horse...Henry

Oh I love my hubby!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

2009-01-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

So we had this tree in our yard....that was growing near the bathroom, they said it had to come down because it could cause damage to the pipes......so why not make it our Christmas tree???
My cute lumber-jack

The girls are a little sad because the tree was in there

"secret-hide-out" and they had named the tree Samantha....then

they said that she would look so beautiful all dressed up....funny girls! Looks like a Charlie Brown tree on

steriods....this is after we cut six feet off the top

Brandon and Isla stopped by...and when Duff and I were putting the tree upright, Brandon burst out laughing....then we stood back and laughed too.

When it was finally up the girls changed into last years christmas

pj's and started singing..."O Christmas Tree"

And ran around the tree...can you see them?

Not too bad, Charlie Brown!

Kisses,indians and pilgrims

2009-01-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

Duff and I missed the earlier arts and crafts....so we ended up as a

cowboy married to a female Gilligan

Alexis is pledging allegiance to Duff's soda.

These are some CUTE indians!

Cousin Thanksgiving Twister

2009-01-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

2009-01-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

See what fun you can have with a empty tube of wrapping paper, duck tape and ribbon. Bella is so creative...she came up with these wings on her own!

Andrew & Alexis married in August

2008-12-20T15:54:00.000-08:00

How beautiful is this couple standing in front of the San Diego temple?? Great place, great families, great food, great dress and GREAT shoes Alexis! :) Andrew (Duff's brother) looks a little to serious in this picture, I couldn't get another picture of them uploaded...I'm kinda special when is comes to bloggin' if you can't tell. But believe me he was a very happy man! They are such a darling couple...perfect for each other! We all love Alexis so much...and she just fits right in! And we are all so happy for them!
That was a really fun weekend for us...we made an adult only trip to Disneyland....oh the tower of terror is my FAV. !!!!! I think Kjrsten has pic of that ...some great pictures she took of us mid-ride.

Check out more photo's of them...or just check out their photographer...he was amazing! http://brionhopkins.instaproofs.com/

He did it!!!

2008-11-28T22:36:00.000-08:00

Okay I have to admit that I had my doubts that Keith would ever be able to track down his true love......but he DID. Her name is Jenny Jones (my maiden name too....AND my other sister-in-law; my brother's wife is also Jennifer Jones) Jenny is simple the most darling girl ever. They are so perfect for each other. It's weird the similarities to Duff and I. They started dating in September...us too, they got engaged in November...us...October. And we got married in February...the month they are planning to tie the knot! And she is from a family with only boys...no sisters...me too! Weird huh? I am so happy for the two of them! And our girls could not be more thrilled to enjoy another new auntie! When Alexis and Jenny are together, I can see my girls just going crazy with excitement...as they love them both so much! I am so lucky to get such great sister-in-laws!

2008-11-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

Duff put in the Thriller video in the car, on the way to trunk-or-treat and the girls "loved" it. Andee had never seen it....she looks scared. Lillian said to Sophia..."If you get scared, just take my hand". Oh, sisters! Cute!

2008-11-07T16:32:00.000-08:00

2008-11-07T16:25:00.000-08:00

Ya gotta love the hair...you decide which one. I am trying to hold up my fingers that say PEACE...I'm so original right? Duff wore this pimp costume at a stake dance last spring that his Dad was in charge of. All of his siblings plus spouses were there, so we all dressed up...it was so "hair-larius"

Matching hair

2008-11-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

Oh...matching Afros how sweet huh?

Who and what

2008-11-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

Andee Markward is a good friend of Emma's, we have her over almost every weekend. She is a fussy baby, who just woke up from a nap, I love the hair.

I had to talk her out of being a "Zombie" baby.

Bella picked the complete opposite character of her real self. I love the green face! And the green shriveled hand (compliments of Frankenstein)

Lillian our little tom-boy. She didn't want to wear the goatee for school,

but was happy to wear it for trunk-or-treat. This pirate comes complete

with a duck-tape/black marker sword...awesome!

When we first put on this whole costume...she looked at me

perplexed and said, "Mom, I can't fly?" Oh.... you gotta love

the innocence of babies! She is trying to fly in this picture.

Halloween fun

2008-11-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

Emma the "Zombie" cheerleader. She said she got ran over by a football player. The girls all just jumped into character when the camera came out, with no prompting.

I have to say that the girls got very creative this year...no more princesses for us I guess. Sophia the bumblebee, Emma the Zombie cheerleader, Andee (our "weekend daughter") the fussy baby, Annabella the "wicked the witch" as Sophie would say, And Lillian the pirate.

Mommy hair

2008-11-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to go shorter for a long time...and

someday I will go even shorter...what do you think? Emma said it's purple?

Ha, ha.....David's fault if it is.

2008-11-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when Macrae plays at my house....all the playing with girls just

plum-tuckered him out! Do you just want to eat him?

BIG SPIDER!

2008-11-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

What the heck is this doing outside my girls bedroom window? Can you say arachnophobia.......ugh!!! This looks bigger than it really is....it was actually the size of a quarter. Who has the willies? Val (my animal- spider- crawly- thing -lovin' mother-in-law) wondered why I didn't put it in a jar? Right outside the window is plenty close for me! (willies again)

Our baby is three!!!

2008-11-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

This was the reaction to the other

gifts (dresses)....um, go figure...my little tom-boy

Sophia doesn't know the fun ballons can provide....

...But Macrae does...he was rolling around like this for...ever

and it didn't bug him a bit.

"The prize" of gifts you ask??? Pajamas from Aunt Kjrsten....this was her same reaction to the jeans she opened up in the morning! She is easily pleased at this point.

Birthday pizza party with cousins

"Haaaaaa.......................

Yes...i used a christmas bag...what does she know? He, he.

I cannot believe that our Sophia is already three! Here she is opening her first package a few days early. When this arrived from Grandma and Grandpa Jones...she couldn't wait to open it. She loved the contents in it and even carried around the box and wrapping paper for days...even to the car...until Mom "misplaced" it.

2008-11-06T15:54:00.000-08:00

This is Cortney...my good friend that I met when we were nannies in Connecticut. We tried to set her up with a friend of Duff's...it failed miserably, okay... just didn't work out, they parted as friends so it wasn't a failure. BUT it was SO great to see her! The last time I saw her was I don't know...two years ago? Any body know an available hunk? She lives in Utah!?!?!? As you can see, she is a hottie! :)

2008-10-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

I'm so obsessed, I find myself pulling over and taking pictures with my
cell, this is on the way to Emma's school....love it!
I gotta go back and use the "real camera"!

2008-10-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

Believe me this looks better in person, but I love this one by Anna's house cause each tree (right to left) is darker than the last....orange, red, deep red (again better in person), and almost black.

2008-10-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

Is it me or are the leaves on the trees so much more brilliant this year? This is what we call our "fire" tree in our front yard. I am sad when leaves fall off the tree...but I find myself looking forward to having this tree show it's beautiful colors. It's reminds me of being in Connecticut (when I was a nanny for a year) in the Fall. Oh...it is so beautiful, I keep telling Duff that one year he needs to take me back there when the leaves are turning.

2008-09-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

Better picture of Lillian on wakeboard...thanks to Aunt Marion! Lillian...you rock!

2008-09-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Before and .......................................

We all love the Macrae boy, Macraezee, Da boy, or Macracken! When Sophia was looking at the pictures of Macrae on my phone...she was hugging and kissing the phone. He is such a good baby! He will fall and get a huge bump on his head and fuss (not cry) for all of two seconds and be done! Is that what it's like raising boys? He weighs more than our Sophia, who is almost three! Ha, ha...just more to squeeze and kiss!

FUNNY FACES

2008-09-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

What comes next is.......

scary funny, those with weak bladders....visit the potty first! This is the result of the beauty of digital cameras and knowing a college student. My sister-in-law Marion was telling us that her and her friends figured out that if you snap a picture while you blow out your mouth so that your lips move really fast (vibrate)....pretend your a horse....this is what you get........

Emma looks a little drunk

Is that Brandon??

Anna, nice touch with the "passing-out" hand
(the one you had while you
watched Kjrst give birth) This is special!

2008-09-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

Look at Lillian on the wakeboard! Isn't she awesome!
Every time Sohia would throw the bowling ball, she would come running to Duffy and say, "I did it, I did it" What about mom you ask? She is a total Daddys girl!

Don't blame her...I kinda like him too!