Glen hit the BIG 40!

Glen turned 40 years old on April 5th.  I wanted to make a big deal out of it but things just were not falling into place for me.  Thankfully we had a few friends who were able to come and help us celebrate this big event!

 All he wanted was a big juicy steak!  so thats what he got.

Playing Catch Up
I have been very bad at posting anything since Glen has been home so now that I have procrastinated a few months it's time to catch up on winter.

I love to take pictures in the winter, I guess it's because we think of winter as boring and dreadfully long so I thought I would try and capture the beauty.
 

We did not have much snow this winter so trying to find something to do in a small town can be challenging.  Luke and Jessie of course love the Maine jump!
 

This is what little snow we had and it didn't last to long so I had to take the kids to the nearest hill for some skiing and snowboarding before the rains came and melted it all.
 

Luke got this snowboard for Christmas, he's a natural!
 

Taylor of course had to try the skiis and the snowboard:) That he was way to big for!
 

Megan like to stand around and watch:)
 

One of the elders serving in our area couldn't wait to do some service and teaching Taylor how to wax his snowboard was the funnest service he did while his companions shoveled my driveway.  They had some help, Luke was also pretty good at shoveling:)
 

Just enough snow for a couple of snowpeople and a little bit of sledding when the dog wasn't trying to eat the sled:)
 

Pinewood Derby Race

Luke participated in the cubscouts pinewood derby race again this year!  He loves making his car and this year he had to accept the help from his mother instead of his father.  Well I am happy to report that for a mom we didn't do half bad of a job, his car won 2 out of three races in his heat which he was very excited about and it made me say what a relief, I didn't get "the look" this year.  Lukes car is the blue and yellow one with the lightning bolt and the yellow head lights (those are weights by the way, I was trying to disguise them).  What kind of mother forgets to take a picture of her scout and only takes a picture of his car? Oh I know, a proud mother:)!  Oops!

Holiday Fun

The Holidays have come and gone just like that!  The older I get the faster time moves I think.  We did our best to stay busy and enjoyed every minute of it.

We made sugar cookies:)  Whats more fun painting yourself with flour or eating the dough:) I think it's a toss up and can go either way!

 We had a Ginger Bread House decorating contest between the girls and the boys.   Both were winners in my book, the boys were definitely creative in there evil house which ate the gingerbread man and the girls were girly!

 Then we opened Christmas PJs.  Jessie was not liking her extra long legs but eventually accepted them:)  Taylor did not want to show off his new jammies.  I guess that's what happens when they become teenagers.

 Then we got ready for Santa to come!!!

 I actually had to wake the kids up to open presents because Glen had called thinking they would be awake, he didn't want to miss out on the fun.  That was even better because we got set up on skype and he was able to watch them come running down stairs with excitement on their faces so he didn't miss a beat.  I should have taken a picture with the kids and the computer, oh well, imagine Glens face on a lap top in between the kids:)

So that ends our Holiday excitement, now we are really counting down the days.  We are past the half way point:)!!!!

4 Weeks Down 8 to go but whos counting!

So Glen has been gone 4 weeks now.  The time is going by faster than I thought, though it is the holiday season and we are keeping busy.  I thought I would share some of things we are doing to keep busy...

Luke is Planking

Megan celebrated her 14th Bithday

Thanks Giving came and we had much to be grateful for!

 Found the perfect tree for us this year.  This was probably the saddest day for us because this is our funnest tradition with Dad:( Taylor did a great job taking his place and being the man to cut down the tree:)

We wanted to make sure Glen didn't forget we love him:) 

Jessica stole the Camera!!

 Freezing at the Parade of Lights:)

Luke on the float with his cub scout troop:)

Jessica marching with the twirlers:)  She LOVES twirling and is getting good at it too:)

 Decorated our beautiful tree:)

Can sombody please hide the camera from Jessica!!:)  What a Goof Ball!:)

So thats how we have spent these last few weeks...

8 more to go!

Veterans Day 2011

We are so proud of all our soldiers, but today we are especially proud of one very important soldier.  

Glen headed out this morning to Elpaso TX for his 90 day deployment where he will be replacing another soldier from his active duty.  We are so proud of the service and sacrifice our soldiers make for our Country.  This opportunity is going to make our family stronger as we learn to uplift each other and endure with faith this time apart from Dad.  This is going to give Glen some good experience with his chosen profession and make him a better person as he relies heavily on the Lord.  

We Love You!!

We all say goodbye:(  don't look to close at my big puffy eyes, not a good day for pictures)