Roaming Rolfe's

Valentine's Day part 2...

2012-02-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

And the fun continues!!!

Lunch! Heart shaped cheese and meat with crackers, strawberries and other goodies!

Bekah at her Valentine's 'Tea' Party

Grace & Lizzie at her party

Jacob holding Lizzie at his party. We went to a lot of parties!

'Pink' Stiffed Jumbo Pasta shells

Dinner is served!

The front of the card Lizzie Zoe made for everyone

And the inside!

It was a great day! Lots of fun!

I hope you all had an amazing Valentine's Day too!

Happy Valentine's Day part 1....

2012-02-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

We shall start today with a beautiful smile!

Just love this girl!!!

Tummy time! She is so cute I could just eat her up!

Valentine's we made for the kids to give out at school! They were fun!

Breakfast fun!!!

Pink eggs, pink pancakes, strawberries, & strawberry milk!!!

Valentine morning smiles!!!!

Valentine treats we made! Pink (of course!), heart shaped rice crispy treats!!!

I left a special treat for each person and a note this morning,

packed heart shaped cheese and lunch meat for lunches with a special treat in their lunches,

and have more treats for after school with a card, and a special pink and red dinner planned!

I love making this day special for the 5 loves of my life!!!!

Stay tuned for more pictures!!!

Hope your day is as special as ours!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

Today I am so thankful that I have an amazing, smart, sexy, wonderful man to be my Valentine this year, and every year.

He is my best friend. My everything.

I love him more every year, every day.

I am also blessed to have these amazing kids! My 2nd to 5th loves!

These are my loves, the joys of my life.

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Kids...

2012-02-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

I truly love my kids! They are the best! They are each so smart, fun, and beautiful!

Our sweet baby girl all bundled up in her 'bag' Grandma Marie made for her! Ready to go for a walk!

Dustin trying to teach Bekah to ride her bike without training wheels. She is slowly getting it.

Jake getting recognized at his school for good grades and behavior.

Gracie getting recognized for her outstanding grades and behavior!

Grace with her new ears pierced that she got for her 9th birthday!

Jake injured his finger playing football at school. You can't tell but it is all black and blue.

Grace's birthday cake. She wanted one that was crazy! We saw one that was uneven and animal print.

This is my attempt.

I tried to make the inside the same animal print at the outside.

Top to bottom: Cheetah, zebra & giraffe.

My super cute Lizzie Zoe!

She will only sit in her bumbo for a few minutes before she screams, but she was smiley for a minute!

She gets so excited! Pulling her hands up and giving huge smiles!

This is the first half of Grace's quilt. (Sorry not the best picture!)

I still have to do the lines the other way, making a crossing, diamond look.

This is my sweet Grace on her 9th birthday! She is a little spoiled!

Can you see why I love my kids so much! They are just the greatest!

I am so proud of them! And blessed that I get to be their mom!

Told you the tooth fairy wasn't real...

2012-02-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

We, the kids and I, had this whole discussion yesterday about if the tooth fairy was real or not. (Grace lost another tooth.) Jake and Grace know not to say anything about who she really is or they don't get any money! So Grace was saying how she was going to put her tooth under her pillow,

Bekah informed her "the tooth fairy isn't real."

Grace said when she got money for her tooth than Bekah would see. Bekah still was saying she wasn't real, how did they get the tooth, how do they get in Grace's room...

This morning, Grace came down and said she guessed the tooth fairy was busy last night cause she didn't have any money and her tooth was still there!

(I even got cash at the store saying I had tooth fairy duty that night! The lady said, now don't forget!!!)

After Grace went upstairs to shower, Bekah looks at me with a face full of attitude and says,

"I told you the tooth fairy wasn't real!"

So I explained sometimes when lots of kids loose their teeth at the same time, the tooth fairy can't make it to every house, she isn't as good as Santa!

Still giving me the 'look'. So I said, if the tooth fairy isn't real how come Jake and Grace have gotten money for every tooth they have lost,

"EVERY tooth???" (Still with the look!)

Yep, she even left fairy dust with their first tooth! "Well..."

She is so full of attitude! I was trying not to laugh the whole time!!!

New Blog!!!

2012-01-25T14:22:00.002-07:00

Yes, you read right! I have started another blog! You know I love to blog!!!

This new blog is all about 'Becoming a Super Mama'!!!

I have been inspired by many different people over the years and have learned all kinds of little tips and helpful info, so I thought it would be fun to pass it on! And to get more!!! It will also help me to stay on tasks, complete goals, and be a happy mom during this coming year. Which I will need! My wonderful husband will be deploying soon and I will need all the help I can get!

I would LOVE for you to follow me and give me your tips and ideas! I will try to post a new tip, idea, or question every week, hopefully a few times a week, we shall see! If you have a question you need help with, leave a comment and I will pass it on to my wiser friends and try to help!!!

Check it out, and remember it is still in the works, gotta start somewhere!!!

Click below:

Becoming a Super Mama!

Better late than never...

2012-01-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet Gracie!!!

The past nine years have flown by! You have grown into such a beautiful, smart, sweet young lady!

We are so proud to have you as our oldest daughter. You are a joy to our family and such a big helper.

Beautiful!

Such a sweet, caring big sister!

So much fun!

Your personality always amazes me!

We love you and hope you had a fabulous 9th birthday!

Love you Gracie!!!

Christmas Trip -Part 2

2012-01-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Our Trip - Part 1!

2012-01-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun on our Christmas vacation trip!

So much so, that I have to do this in parts! So here is Part 1- Pre-Christmas!

Daddy & Lizzie Zoe hanging out

While we were there we got to bless Elizabeth with most of our family there.

Dustin, Elizabeth Zoe, and I after her blessing

Lizzie & Mom

Our sweet Elizabeth Zoe

Lizzie & her big brother both asleep on the couch! It was sweet.

We got to go for a sleigh ride the family and a few friends for Bekah's birthday! It was great!

Bekah at the reins!

Bekah with her 5th birthday cake! We got to have a small birthday party with a few friends and family, then dinner with the family! It was a great birthday, she had a blast and was spoiled by everyone!

Auntie Kayla, cousin Mason, and Grace giving Lizzie Zoe loves!

It was so great to have everyone there and get to spend so much time with family! The kids loved playing with their younger cousin Mason, who is a sweet boy, growing fast!

We also did family pictures with all of Dustin's family, since we were all there and hadn't done any for a few years. It was fun, and nice to have everyone in them! I took pictures of the kids, they are on the side. And we got to have new family pictures of us! (Above and on the right.)

Here are the Rolfe's

I am so glad to be a part of this wonder family!

Coming soon: Christmas, visiting my family, and more fun times!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

We are so blessed this year! It couldn't be any better!

As we remember Christ this holiday season we are aware of even more blessings in our lives!

We hope that you all have a wonderful CHRISTmas! And an even better New Year!!!

Happy Birthday Rebekah!!!

2011-12-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little Bekah is 5 years old today!

It doesn't seem like five years ago that we were in the hospital having her. She has been such a joy to our family in so many ways. She fills our home with love, laughter and fun times!

She is so full of life and energy!

She is always ready for fun and keeps things interesting!

She is so sweet and always ready to give loves and help do anything!

She is a very loving sister.

She is so full of personality and has a strong spirit that she touches everyone she meets.

We are so thankful we have her in our family! We would be so lost without her in our family!

Happy birthday to our sweet Bekah boo! We love you!

More pictures of my cute, cute kids!!!

2011-12-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

I was in photography mode yesterday!

Saw something like this on Pinterest and had to try it!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!! Some of my favorites ever!!!!

My sweet Elizabeth Zoe

My beautiful girls! Bekah, Lizzie Zoe, & Grace

My CUTE KIDS!!! I love them!

They love their daddy!

My sweet baby girl!

My kids! I love them!

My Gracie!

My Jacob!

My Bekah!

I LOVE my kids! They are my everything! I am very blessed!

Formally Introducing Elizabeth Zoe Rolfe

2011-12-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Zoe was born November 17th, 2011 @ 3:35pm

She weighted 7lbs. 2 oz. and was 20.5 inches long.

Our little Thanksgiving baby!

She may have her daddy's eyes, as long as they stay blue that is!

She is such a precious little gift! We are very thankful for her!

More coming soon! (I am a little bit of a picture freak!)

Tis the Season...

2011-12-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

It is the time of year for Christmas parties! And a visit from Santa of course!

He arrived via motorcycle at Dustin's unit party, which was fun.

They each had to sit on his lap to get their present!

Cute Gracie!

Sweet Bekah!

Mr. 'I am to old for this' Jacob! (He was a good sport for his sisters!)

Adorable Elizabeth Zoe!

And this is just a cute picture of two of my sweet girls! Bekah & Lizzie Zoe

You can kinda see Lizzie Zoe's eyes still look like they will be blue like daddy's!

More pictures of the season coming soon!

Thanksgiving Time Fun!

2011-11-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

I think Thanksgiving is often over looked. We do the dinner that everyone does, but nothing much more. WE have been doing this for years. It is hard to have lots of Thanksgiving cheer when you live so far from any family that you are always on your own, just your little family. Sure we have invited friends on occasion to join us for dinner, but it isn't the same, or so we think. After this year I think my whole opinion on this often forgotten holiday has forever changed. Why this year? Well for one, this is the first year we lived close enough to have family visit, Second, this is the first year family has visited! Third, we have a new special blessing that has joined our family just in time for Thanksgiving. I know that there will never be another year like this one, but I am determined to not let this holiday go by as a little one again. It will forever be a special, BIG holiday in our home. We have so much to be thankful for that I just can't let it pass by again without making it an extra special Holiday!

Here is some of our Thanksgiving week fun!

(This year we had some of Dustin's family here making it a whole new experience and one to remember!)

We took the kids to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

They had a HUGE herd of giraffe's at the zoo, and you could feed them crackers or lettuce.

There long black tongues kind of freaked the kids out.

Can you see all of them! It was crazy!

See the porcupine up in the tree, Bekah did not like him above her.

Mountain loins behind Grandma Marie, Bekah & Dustin

The girls, Dustin & Grandma by a huge carved bear.

The zoo was on the side of a mountain. It was pretty cool.

Here is our sweet Lizzie Zoe one week old! It is looking like her eyes might be Dustin's blue! And her hair is close to Gracie's brown with a little more red in it. She is so pretty!

Uncle Colby holding Baby Zoe with Bekah sitting close by.

We thought it would be fun to go to the North Pole, Colorado Style. Well the girls did, the boys went to a gun store and did some other shopping.

This ride just went in a flat circle forward than backwards, and it kind of smashes the person on the outside and in the middle, apparently Bekah thought this was the funniest thing ever, to smash mom, she laughed hysterically the whole time! It was funny!

Cute girls riding the reindeer on the carousal.

We had a great time and got in the Christmas spirit in style! The girls got to pick out their ornaments for this year and have them personalized with their names in one of Santa's shops!

Dustin thought it would be fun to take everyone up to the top of Pikes Peak.

This is a statue of 'Big Foot' out of a carved tree.

It was -10 degrees at the top, with 70 mile an hour wind, making it about -60 degrees!

The wind was so strong you could sit into it and it would hold you up! It even blew out a few car windows, luckily not ours!

After this we went to Garden of the Gods

My guys

We saw a few dear up close, and yes they are wild. Here is one we saw really close up, he was just off the trail.

Grandma Great and I walking, with Baby Zoe all packed up snug and warm in the stroller!

Cute kids!

My adventuresome family!

My kids with their Great Grandma Zoe (minus baby staying warm in the stroller)

I just love it when my kids all play together and have fun! It warms my heart!

Grandma Marie holding sweet baby Lizzie Zoe

Such a cute girl!

Grandma Great Zoe, holding Elizabeth Zoe (This is one of the grandma's she was named after!)

I found this cute turkey idea on Pinterest and decided to give it a try! It was so fun!

And such was our fun Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

We hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

There are so many things that I have to be grateful for...

The biggest blessings I have are my amazing husband...

my wonderful kids...

all the amazing family I have, including my own & in-laws, and bonus family...

And my great friends, near and far...

Each have blessed my life in many ways.

I am thankful to have all of you in my life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Introducing Elizabeth Zoe Rolfe

2011-11-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

Here's her delivery story:

Her official due date wasn't until November 24th, 2011- Thanksgiving Day, but due to me testing positive to Group B Strep, (a bacteria that lives in something like 33% of humans. It moves around your insides causing no problems for us as adults. But it can move to the vaginal canal and be passed to babies at birth, for them it is bad and can cause lots of health problems for the rest of their lives. At least that is how I understood it all.), and the fact that my last delivery, with Bekah, only lasted 6 hours start to finish, and they needed at least that long, if not longer for the antibiotic to be in affect and the baby to be okay to come out.

SO, they decided to induce me at 39 weeks. (I have never been induced and was a little worried about how it would all play out.)

We headed to the hospital and was admitted at 7am on November 17th, 2011

By 8:30am they had the IV and antibiotic in and going. At 10am they started me on a low dose of Pitocin. When I was admitted I was already dilated to a 'good' 3cm and 75% effaced, by about 12:30 they upped my pitocin and broke my water. During this whole time, my contractions were light. They tightened my whole stomach like normal contractions, but they were not painful. It was weird. At about 1:30pm my contractions were finally strong enough that I needed an epidural. And at 2pm I was dilated to about 5-6. Then about 3:15pm I was feeling lots of pressure and the babies heart rate had changed, well I was at 9cm + and ready to push.

Elizabeth Zoe Rolfe was born at 3:35pm.

(All of our children are named after someone special to us. Elizabeth is my grandmothers name, and Zoe is Dustin's grandmothers name, so she is doubly blessed!) We will probably call her by her whole name, or Lizzie, or Zoe or a combo- Lizzie Zoe. (Zoe is pronounced Zo not Zoey)

She was almost the perfect pink color and beautiful!

She weighted 7lbs 2oz and was 20.5 inches long

Her brother and sisters were VERY excited to meet her!

Proud big sister!

Grandma Marie got to be here too!

BIG cry! She actually doesn't cry loud or to much.

She mostly just makes little grunts and groans. It is pretty sweet.

We both recovered very quickly and got to leave the hospital after 24 hours.

The cute hat was made by a friend in Florida, and the smallest one I have, so it was perfect!

All bundled up and ready to go!

(Blanket by a Florida friends, car seat cover (flipped up) made by my sister in law! I will take a better picture, it is beautiful and we love it!)

They had us go into the doctor today for a 2 day discharge check up since we were released early. I guess here due to the elevation most babies get jaundice bad and they needed to check that and make sure she was eating enough. Her levels were good and she is already above her discharge weight and almost back to her birth weight! She is doing great!

She is a very easy baby and is being overly loved by everyone! She is actually sleeping and eating very good. I think we slept for 3-4 hours straight last night! She is just a precious little girl and we are so glad to have her! I don't have any pictures of Dustin with her yet, but he is such a great daddy! He loves his little girls! I am so thankful for him and how great of a dad he really is.

We are also glad to have Grandma Marie, Dustin's mom, here to help out. She stayed with Bekah and the kids while we were in the hospital and has been helping here around the house so much. (My mom and Dustin's take turns coming for to help with the new babies. And this time it was Marie's turn.) This next week for Thanksgiving we get to have Papa Kent (Dustin's dad), Grandma the Great or Great Grandma Zoe (Dustin's grandma on dad/Kent's side), and hopefully Uncle Colby (Dustin's baby brother) join us! We are very excited to get to have everyone here, and the new baby for Thanksgiving! It will be a great one!

I will be taking pictures of her soon and sending out announcement cards, so make sure I have you address if you want one!

It's baby time!!!

2011-11-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

I go in the morning to have this baby girl!!! We are very excited for her arrival! It is a little weird knowing that we will for sure be having this little one in the morning. I am not use to knowing when everything will happen! I am not sure how much sleep I will be getting tonight!

The kids are so excited they can hardly stand it!!! Bekah keeps asking if it is in the morning that we get the new baby!? Can't wait!

Pictures to come as soon as I can get them uploaded!

Catching up! Pumpkins & house!

2011-11-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Halloween! I know, 15 days later! We had fun carving pumpkins tho, at least the girls and I did. Jake decided he was to old and didn't want to do one, so I did his for the baby! It was fun!

Bekah thought it was so gross to pull the seeds and guts out, but enjoyed it still!

Grace just thought it was gross!

They each drew their own face and I just carved it for them.

Grace with hers all done!

Bekah all lit up!

Here is the one I did for the baby! I saw this on pinterest and wanted to try it!

Here is me in my pumpkin shirt! As dressed up as I got! I went to the kids school to help with their class

parties and a lady asked if I was stuffed or if I had a real belly under my shirt! It was funny!

Our front porch all decorated. Didn't do much,

and Jake informed me we needed to do a bunch more next year!

Our pumpkins on the porch.

And finally, here are a few pictures of my house. I haven't had time or found everything to decorate, so that will come, probably not until after the holidays.

My kitchen and dining area

My entry way. The partial door on the left is to the garage, on the edge of the dining area. Then you see the front door straight ahead, Jake's bedroom is to the right of the front door, then next to the little shelf is the bathroom and then a closet just before the stairs.

My living room. We have another couch that is due to arrive in a few days, it will go on the left. Outside the picture on the left is the stairs, to the right, behind the couch is the dining area/kitchen.

This is our loft. It is a 'L' shape so it was hard to get a picture of. The tv is on the left, behind, outside the picture is our room, then the open area will have my grandparents table, it is on its way soon, and then is my grandpa's desk in the corner behind the chair, then our old couch and love seat and chair complete the 'L', with the stairs just outside the picture to the right, and then the hall to the girls rooms and a bathroom and laundry room. (Our laundry room is upstairs!!! It is nice since most of our clothes are up there!)

Here is my room. On the right is our dresser, a rocker chair, bookshelf, and hutch under the window. And we have the babies playard/ bassinet at the end of the bed, all ready for her arrival! You can also see the super cute car seat cover my wonderful sister in law made! All ready to go!

And my favorite part of the master bathroom, the huge tub!!! Across from this wonderful tub are the sinks. Just outside the picture, at the end of the tub is a separate room for the toilet, with the shower across from it. Through the bathroom is our HUGE master walk in closet, that is stuffed full! I really need to get rid of stuff!

Our house from the front.

There are a few pictures of the house. I can't wait to have the time, and energy to decorate it all! I have lots of ideas!

Baby update!

2011-11-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I went to the Doctor, or Midwife as the case was. And I don't know if I am dilated because my cervix is still high, but she said with fourth babies it sometimes stays high until the contractions start. (I am thinking to help the baby not fall out!) But my cervix is soft, so that is good. Also I tested positive for Group B Strep. (A Bacteria that grows and moves around your insides, nothing horrible. It can be present in the vaginal area and be passed to baby and cause problems tho.) SO this means that since my last labor was only 6 hours and they need 8 to give me the antibiotic, that they are going to induce me. If I haven't had the baby by the 17th of November, I will be induced and they will give me the antibiotic. She said they would start me at a very low dose of pitosin (spelling?) and after I had had one bag, 4 hours, they would up the dose and give me the second bag. So yay, only one week and one day left, if I make it till then. If not, then I have to hurry in and get started on the antibiotic and if I don't get it all in before she is born, than they will have to test her and maybe give her antibiotics also. So I will be in the hospital for at least 48 hours.

I have faith that the Lord will take care of us and all will work out one way or another. But that is my story!

For now I am walking and trying to get my house all put together for company and the arrival of this baby girl! And Dustin is sick, Viral Bronchitis, so they have nothing to give him but the over the counter stuff he has been taking, that hasn't been helping! They put him on bed rest, but you try getting a VERY active guy to sit still when there is stuff to do! (Last time he had this, he still ran his 2-8 miles a day! And went to work!) So considering that, he is taking it a little easier! He isn't running as much since it is cold and it hurts to breath the cold air.

The kids are all good and very excited about the arrival of there new baby sister, as well as Grandma coming to visit!

Who can help!?!?

2011-11-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

Okay! Who can give me the suggestion to help get this baby out?! I am open to good, safe, natural ideas! And you can't say walking, cause I am already on that one! We are also doing spicy food, Mexican, for dinner. (That helped Jacob come out!) So who can help!?!? What worked for you? I would love to hear your stories!!!

Lets see who can get this baby out!!!

I know!!! Sorry!

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

I know we are past Halloween! I have pictures to share, but every time I get on the computer upstairs, my camera is down stairs! So they are still sitting there waiting, and I keep putting of posting! Sorry!

We had a fun Halloween and have been just living since then. I have started planning Christmas presents for everyone. Between all the family, bonus family and close friends planning alone is a a huge feat!

Since I wanted to make a ton of things, I have been finding ideas since Aug. But due to moving had to put off doing anything. And now I am to tired and achy to do much! So I had to change plans. Let me just say, next year will be AWESOME!!! I am going to start making gifts in March and putting them away! It will be so fun and make Christmas even more special! (Which we will need with Dustin maybe not here due to deployment.)

So, I did find a few small, simple ideas for this year that I can accomplish and got a few supplies to get started! The kids, mainly the girls, since Jake doesn't have a huge desire to help do crafty things, have been excited to help. Which makes it even funner! Since I don't want to show pictures of them, don't want anyone seeing what they are getting! You will just have to trust me! I will show pictures a little later!

I will say that most of my ideas are on Pinterest on my boards, so go see if you can figure out what I am doing, besides having fun!!! I LOVE pinterest! It is a great place to keep all my ideas without having to download or copy and paste millions of ideas and instructions! If you would like an invite let me know!

Other than that, and trying to get this baby to come out, life is normal! Yes, I am walking, doing my stairs, and every other safe thing I can do to make her come! I am ready! Saturday was my breaking point. The point where I broke down, and knew I couldn't go much longer. My body aches so bad, and I am so tired of not having energy, or clothes that fit. I have dropped so low that even going to the bathroom is uncomfortable. It is time. So hopefully before long we will have a beautiful new baby to brag about!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-27T08:50:00.000-06:00

Since we are all tired of looking at my pregnancy fatness, it is time to see some cute bugs and a BA or two (Bad Apple! Shame on you thinking I would swear!)

Dustin thought it would be fun to dress up like Jake for pictures! He did not wear his costume to the party tho, since I wasn't dressed up. But don't they look good!

Jake, in his 'if I tell you I would have to shoot you' costume. (He refused to smile, he had to stay in character as a true BA, Bad apple that is!) He came up with his costume on his own, with things he can use again, or we already had. (Dustin's vest, my blue tooth, Dustin's air soft gun- without the ammo or 'air', and some new clothes) He did pretty good.

Gracie, our cute honey bee

Bekah our adorable lady bug!

We hope you have a buggy and 'safe' Halloween!

Of course, we had to do nails to match their costumes!

Our Ward, church, had a Halloween party so we got the kids all dressed up and since I had spent so long on hair and nails and face paint, and since I am a photographer/photo junkie, I HAD to do a mini shoot of them!

On the way to the party I came up with a costume idea for me, but it was to late for the night. I decided I needed a orange shirt with a pumpkin face on the tummy area, it would look like I was carrying a pumpkin! Yesterday while I was getting a few needed baby items I found a shirt with a pumpkin face, it is not on the tummy, but I think it will be cute!

Hope you all have a great Halloween!

8 months down... one to go!

2011-10-24T21:06:00.000-06:00

While we were at the Garden of the Gods, Dustin took some pictures for me, of me. Kinda a mini maternity shoot. Since I am so picky about my pictures, but can't take them myself, and my partner is so far away, it worked. He did a great job.

Here are a few of my favorites.

So, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind for my maternity shoot, but since I can't take and be in the pictures, it turned out great.

I am very thankful to Dustin for putting up with me and doing this for me. He was great. And Jake & Grace took the ones of Dustin and I for me. (I just had to do some minor editing.)

So, one month to go, and buy are we ready! My body is more than ready to be done, as am I! I would love to have some basic energy to get a few little things done without be worn out! And Dustin is ready for me to stop complaining!

Mostly, we can't wait to meet and love this little baby girl!

Garden of the Gods

2011-10-23T14:09:00.000-06:00

We decided to take a break from unpacking and go exploring the Garden of the Gods Park. It was beautiful! We only did one of the super easy walks, not even a trail, it had paved sidewalk and benches the whole mile plus. But Dustin thought it might be one I could do. And I made it! It ended up being a mile and half, which isn't far, but when you are 8 months pregnant, feels a whole lot farther! At least for me being as out of shape as I am. I was tired after wards but it was worth it.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures!

I will make a slide show of all of them so be watching the right side for it!

A great shot of Jake

Our cute girls!

I have to say, I have three good looking kids!

This rock formation was named 'The three Graces', so here we have The Four Graces.

The girls and I. I love this picture!

One good looking guy!

Grace took this for us. I wanted a maternity shot with Dustin. (Dustin was doing a 'mini maternity shoot' for me since I can't take my own, and my partner is to far away. And I am to cheap and picky to go have someone else do them. The pains of being a photographer!)

There were so many other trails and cool places to stop and explore! I can't wait to go back not pregnant, when I have the energy to have fun! It is a really cool place! So, if you come to visit it is a place we will have to take you!

Like I said we did a maternity shoot for me, so those pictures will be coming. PLUS, that same night was our Ward Halloween party so since I had everyone all dressed up I did a little Halloween shoot of the kids! So lots of pictures are coming!!! Check back often!

Fun in the SNOW! And more!

2011-10-21T18:55:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read right! We had a few COLD days and it snowed! It melted at our house right away, but up in the mountains...

Me- 34 weeks! I know, I am huge!

It was a beautiful day out and the kids had a blast having a snow ball fight with dad and making a snowman!

Jake even showed Bekah how to make a snow angle, tho she didn't want to make one herself, something about snow going up her shirt and down her pants!

It was a great day playing in the snow!

From the back of our house we have a beautiful view of Pike's Peak! Here are some of our favorite scenes!

And here is our house! (Not a great picture, taken with my phone.)

We FINALLY got all our stuff delivered! This is my living room! Yeah, now to unpack! (Again taken with my phone, sorry)

And here is my kitchen, partly unpacked, its a MESS! Since then I have put most of that away and my kitchen is usable and unpacked! The only part left is the items I am unsure where to put! (Again, taken with my phone! I promise to take some good ones once I am unpacked!)

So, as you can imagine, we have been spending our days unpacking! We are making progress. I wish it were going faster, in past moves I was able to do a lot more a lot faster, but being 35weeks pregnant has kinda stalled things! I can only do a little before I need to rest my body! Remind me not to move past the 4th month of pregnancy again! A lot harder than I thought it would be!

So aside from a few problems- taking 2 extra weeks to get our stuff delivered; them losing ALL our furniture hardware (yeah for beds, tv stand, dresser mirror ect...), scratching many of our items, and losing a few things like the legs to my end table, and breaking a few key items needed for our sofa and master bed; it has been an okay move. Yeah, not the best we have had!!! But we are making it work! They will be fixing or paying us for most of that stuff, at least we hope, otherwise we may use our house insurance to pay for it.

We have all the major stuff put together and fixed, and are slowly getting everything how we want.

Today was Parent teacher conferences for the kids. Jacob's teacher said he is adjusting surprisingly well. Doing great in everything. He has jumped in and done super on figuring out where they are and how to do things there way. He is smart, friendly and a great example to others.

Gracie is doing amazing. She is far above in all areas and figuring out how they do things. She stays on task, helps others and is a great example to her class mates. She is also very kind to everyone.

We have amazing kids and are very proud of them.

Today was also Bekah's first day of preschool here. She had a great time and thinks she will really like it. She was so excited to go, it was fun to watch!

Update...

2011-10-20T11:29:00.000-06:00

Well, we are here. In our house, trying to unpack and turn our house into a home we can enjoy. It is going to take longer than normal due to the fact that I can only do so much before my body needs to rest. This little baby does not like me bending and being up on my feet doing things non-stop! I have got the kitchen out of boxes, and almost put all away. I only have 6 rooms and 3 bathrooms to do now! I am hoping to do some decorating as I go, that is my favorite part! I am hoping I will have some pictures of the finished areas soon! I haven't taken the time to get the good ones off my camera, and don't have time right now! So they will come soon!

The kids are back in school and enjoying it. Bekah gets to start pre-school again tomorrow, or Monday. It has taken longer to get her in a pre-school since they all have waiting lists or are super expensive or far away. But we got her in one, it isn't really close by, but it will work while I keep looking for another! It is a good one tho, so that is nice.

And that is all for now! More coming, with pictures soon!

Fall Photos!

2011-10-03T15:37:00.000-06:00

Had to take a few pictures of the kids for our moving cards and wanted to share!

My cute kids!

Jacob 10 years

Rebekah 4 years

Grace 8 years

CUTE!!!

Hope you enjoy!

Sept. in Idaho

2011-09-29T11:37:00.000-06:00

So I have been promising pictures for a while, so here they are! As I was looking through them I realized that I didn't take pictures of much :( You would think I would be better about that, being a photographer and all, oh well, I will do better! But for now...

Here is our little brother who just got home from serving a 2 year mission in Brazil.

Bekah giving Uncle Colby loves

All the kids, Jake, Mason, Grace & Bekah wearing there

'Welcome Home Elder Rolfe' shirts with their Uncle Colby!

Jake & Uncle Colby wrestling like old times! Jake may be bigger, but Uncle Colby still wins!

We did a joint birthday party for Colby & Mason

Having fun on the trampoline!

(Grace, Jake, Bekah & Dustin, and Uncle Kendall ready to catch the girls as they jump off to him!)

Grace helping Mason ride on the tricycle! The kids loved playing with their little cousin Mason!

My wonderful sister-in-law and mother-in-law gave me a baby shower with cousin Alexis who is due in December with her first baby, a boy. It was so great to see all the family and friends from the area and some from Texas!

Grace with Mason at the shower

Me and Alexis showing our baby bellies!

We went out to the river one night for a camp fire dinner and fun, since it is one of Colby's favorite things to do, and he hasn't got to for 2 years! It was really fun! Above is the kids jumping with Auntie Kayla and Mason on a tramp that was out there. (We went on some of Aunt Rachel's families land, so there was a tramp and tables)

Sunset on the river

Here is Mason, Grandma Marie, Bekah & Gracie right after we got up there, before it got dark!

While we were all visiting I got to take my super cute nephews first year pictures!

We also did a smash cake session!

It was so fun taking his pictures!

I wish we lived closer so I could take more of him as he grows! We will see what we can work out!

This week we drove to the other side of the state to see some more of my family and friends and pick up a furniture that my mom had for us from my grandma's house. It was a great trip! We got to see some great friends and there cute kids! And we got to spend some more time with my parents, sister, niece and brother. And of course I didn't take any pictures! My family did and hopefully I will get some of them!

On the way back we stopped at my 'Bonus' families and enjoyed time together with all the new babies! The girls got to ride the horses, or one of them, but I didn't get any pictures! Next time I will! But it was great visiting with all of them.

While we were making our trip, we found out that we get to rent the house we wanted! So we now have a place to move to!!! We won't move in until next Thursday, but it is nice to know where we are going! So be sure to email me your address if you want a 'moved' card with our new info!

For now, we are just relaxing and enjoying some quite time before we move into our new house! The boys are all fishing today, tomorrow I am taking my kids 'fall' pictures, I normally only do ones for Christmas, but we didn't get any of the school ones since we moved during that time. Plus it gives me some new ones to put on the 'moved' cards! And the rest of our week here will be relaxing and visiting with family and friends! More pictures coming I am sure!

Change it???

2011-09-26T07:52:00.000-06:00

I was thinking that I really should change my background, then I realized we are still on the road! We get to drive another 5 hours tomorrow to see more family and friends and then back 5 hours the next day. Then we get a few days off and then we drive the 11 hours back to CO. (That included stops!)

So really, I can't do it! Not till we are in a house in Co! Hopefully that will be about the 3rd of October, if all goes well! So till then!

I will post pictures of our Idaho fun soon tho! Promise!

But now I get to go take pictures of my super cute 1 year old nephew!!!

7 days, 10 states...

2011-09-23T21:30:00.000-06:00

Yeah, we like to GO!

I am going to start at the beginning, and be warned, a lot of it is uneventful, but such is life.

Day 1- We started last Saturday in Florida. We loaded up both the van and 4Runner, and headed to the kids last football game there. And it was a GOOD game!

Jake made a great touchdown! His second of the season!

Bekah being cute!

Gracie having fun cheering!

After the game, which we won! We said our goodbyes and hit the road! We made it to Jasper, AL, just past Birmingham that night. It had been a long, hot day! It was 95 degrees and about 98% humidity when we left. (We drove 8 hours.) My legs and feet were quite swollen by the time we stopped!

Day 2- We got up, ate and hit the road again! We went through Mississippi and Tennessee with no excitement. As soon as we enter Arkansas it started raining and continued through the rest of the state! And it was a hilly, curvy road to boot! It stopped raining hard once we where in Missouri, just continued to sprinkle off and on. We stopped in Kansas City, Missouri side for the night. (We drove 10 hours) I wore socks and tennis shoes to hopefully help with the swelling, it didn't really work! I looked like I had elephant legs! And it hurt so bad to walk!

Day 3- We got up and ate and decided to take a swim to get rid of some energy and relax a little before another long day on the road! It felt wonderful! Then we took off and drove through rolling hills, and a whole lot of nothingness that is Kansas! It seemed like as soon as we entered into Colorado there where pine trees an it started to feel more like home. The kids were are really excited to see Pike's Peak, the first mountain we had seen in a ling time. (We drove 8 hours.) We got to our hotel and stayed in for dinner and relaxed! I wore Dustin's big military socks that went to my knees to help with the swelling and it did help.

Day 4- We took our list of addresses for the houses we thought we would like and hit the town to check out the neighborhoods to see what was worth calling and seeing inside of. We then went to lunch and then saw the inside of a few of the houses. The first we liked, the second was nice outside and horrible inside, and the third was really nice. We decided that the first was to far away, it would be about a 45 minute commute on a good day. So we were leaning towards it, but I just was not feeling excited or really good about it. But it was our best bet, so I was trying to make it work in my head.

Day 5- We got up early and headed out to Idaho! We wanted to get here as early as we could. Wyoming was boring at first, but the last hour before we got to Idaho, and Idaho was beautiful! It was the mountains and trees we remembered! At one point the road we where driving on ran on the boarder of Wyoming and Idaho, so if you were in the left lane you were in Wyoming, if you were in the right lane you were in Idaho, so naturally Dustin had to show this by driving in one lane, then switching to the other and back saying, 'hey I am in Wyoming, now I am in Idaho, now I am in Wyoming!' It was funny. Thankfully there where no cars coming at us!

Day 6- We got to be here for Dustin's baby brother to get home for his mission! It was a fun day of family. We where all excited to see him after 2 years! The kids love him and really missed him. Although, Bekah didn't really remember him, she was only 2 when he left after all.

Day 7- We spent the day with the family. Went to town do some errands and had a big dinner with more family that came into town today. And I found another house we think we like even more, so we shall see what happens! Stay tuned!

I will post some pictures of our time here in Idaho soon. I didn't take any while we were driving, I was to busy!

And that was our trip thus far! Our long drive and arrival! More to come soon.

What a week!!!

2011-09-15T11:23:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I will start with last Saturday, our day of fun! We went out to a local spring about 40 minutes away to play and have a picnic, since we had a bye week for football. One of my best friends and her family joined us and we all had a blast!

Jake jumping in the cold spring water!

Dustin, Bekah & Grace playing in the water

Bekah, Grace, & Izze swimming

Grace & Bekah on the little water falls

Me & Dana, my best friend!

Dustin & Grace being lazy!

Jake getting ready to try and see down in the cave at the bottom of the spring

So that was Saturday. Sunday we went to church and did some more pre-moving stuff, that needed to be done before the packers came to finish on Monday. Which they did.

Tuesday the truck and loaders came. They were very nice and started loading. Well, see, the driver had a HUGE semi and HUGE trailer, should be no problem, right? We ll, not exactly! Apparently we were his third house to load, and both of the other two had gone over there allotted amount, so there was not room for all our stuff on his truck! Yeah, I know! So they had to call in another truck, a small one, to finish the last 1/4 of our stuff. These guys were okay, but not as nice. And they didn't even have any tools, so poor Dustin had to take apart all the furniture and everything that they were suppose to do! It was kind of stupid. But they got it all loaded, after a long day!

We went and checked into our 'cabin' on the bay on Tuesday since they loaded our beds. It is nothing fancy but is the same cost as a hotel with two beds, only we get 2 bedrooms, one with a double, the other with a double and a twin, and a small kitchen stocked and a living room. Plus it is on the water.

Dustin got up early on Wednesday and took pictures of the sunrise. Beautiful!

Wednesday we spent the day at the house. I hired a lady from church to come do the cleaning that I am not really able to do, let me just say I am SOOOOO glad I did! It was nice having someone else worry about all that! I tried to help a little, but it was not easy with my big old pregnant body! I am very thankful I hired her! We also had the window cleaners, whom we had to hire per our lease, come and clean the windows all inside and out. And by mistake I had set the appointment for the carpet cleaners to come on the same day! But it worked out perfect! The house cleaner and windows were done before the carpet guys got there and they did all the carpets and the tile and grout in the kitchen and we were DONE! All in one day! It worked out perfect! I was also able to take care of all our utilities and other misc. house stuff! So we turned in our keys and have today, Thursday, and Friday to do other things! Like school and football, and playing on the beach...

Wednesday we took the evening to just relax! And enjoy the beach right outside out cabin!

It was wonderful! And much needed!

This is Bekah this morning, her last day to go to pre-school in Florida.

Today we do have to go get some medical records, get Bekah one last immunization, and Dustin has paperwork in the office to do, but that is all! Friday is the kids last day and we have a lunch for Dustin and that is all! Saturday we will be checking out of our cabin and going to Jake & Grace's last football game in Florida, then we hit the road! So I won't be back online until Tuesday when we arrive in CO and look for a house! I will try to update the blog and everyone then! Enjoy your weekend! We will!

Getting back where we started...

2011-09-09T17:05:00.000-06:00

Two years + later!!!

They said they would come do the garage today, and if they had a chance so some inside...

Well, two did the garage while one started on the kids rooms...

Then, before lunch they all came in and started on my room and closet...

They packed almost everything!

I don't think it will take them long on Monday to finish my room, and do the kitchen and little left in the living room! This morning before school I talked to the kids and told them what to expect, they asked if they were packing their rooms and I said I didn't think so, but they might. Well, they were a little shocked to come home and have EVERYTHING packed!!! It was funny. They remember moving here so for them, Jake & Grace, it isn't a huge deal. We have been talking and preparing for a while. They are a little sad to leave friends, but more excited about moving to Colorado, and being closer to family. But poor Bekah doesn't remember moving here. I am glad that she was home today to SEE the packers. We talked about how all her stuff would be in the same boxes when we unpacked them in our new house. That she would have all the same stuff, just in a new house. She is excited, sad, scared and nervous and confused all at the same time! She sees that the rest of us are okay and excited, so she is trying to be also. She is so sweet! She is such a happy girl and up for any adventure, and she is so loving and trusting, that I know she will get through this, with the rest of us, all together and be great!

Like I said in a previous post:

If life were simple, it would be boring!

The past two days...and the next week!

2011-09-08T18:06:00.000-06:00

WOW! Time is flying! I feel like I have been running non-stop! I do take a few minutes to relax and rest my body, but have a lot to do!

Yesterday I: made lunches for my 3 monkeys; got them off to school, dropping Bekah off; cleaned the kitchen; got my room and bathroom all ready for movers; picked Bekah up and did a few errands; did almost all the laundry; made a watch for a customer; planned my last Boys Faith in God lesson; got all the Cub Scout stuff ready to hand over to the new Cub Master; went through my closet and got rid of more; fixed dinner; called phone/internet and dish to shut off service; taught Faith in God to the boys; and helped with homework! (I did watch a few shows while I cleaned my room! And rested as needed)

Today I: made lunches; got kids to school, including dropping off Bekah; packed all my clothes and jewelery; did some sewing on a few items needing repairs; picked up Bekah; did a few more errands; did some computer work; dropped off the watch I made; packed the girls stuff; cooked dinner; edited some pictures from my last photo shoot; did more laundry; set up window cleaners for next week; tried setting up carpet cleaners, I am still working on that; and helped with homework! Thankfully my wonderful, very helpful husband did the yard work; most the garage; changed my oil; loaded stuff for me to make a goodwill run; helped with homework; and took the kids to football and cheer practice so I could finish my stuff!

Since I have been going non stop, this poor baby hasn't had much room, and let me say, she is enjoying it now that I am sitting! And my sweet Bekah, whom I would be lost without, is so excited and trying to figure out everything that she CAN"T stop talking! Seriously! If she is not talking to me, she is talking to herself! I just don't know what to do with her!!!

The rest of the week should be less stressful, thank-goodness!

Tomorrow, Friday, they come to pack our garage, stuff outside, and maybe start on the house.

Saturday we have a bye week, so no football or cheer so we are going swimming at one last new place with some awesome friends, then we are doing a BBQ at a local park as a good-bye party.

Sunday, church and then finishing all the last minute stuff for the packers who come on Monday! We also start our last week of football & cheer practice, and of school in Florida.

Then Tuesday they load everything up! We go to the hotel, well cabin on the bay, that we are staying at for the rest of the week.

Wednesday is cleaning day. I know a fabulous lady from church who cleans houses for extra cash, so I have hired her. The window cleaners come also on Wednesday.

Thursday hopefully the carpet cleaners will come. It is Bekah's last day of school here; and we have to take her to get one last shot, then she is set till she is 11 years old. And we have to get all our medical & shot records.

Friday we will do a walk through with the landlords and turn in keys.

Saturday we have our last football & cheer game, then we hit the road!!!

We plan on driving Saturday, Sunday and arriving in CO Monday afternoon or evening. Looking at houses Tuesday. And heading for ID on Wednesday, we should arrive that evening!

SO, we will be away from internet as of Tuesday, unless the hotel/cabin has it, which I am unsure of. I should be able to post one more time before then!

Hope you have a great weekend!!!

Life is what it is!

2011-09-07T09:11:00.000-06:00

I have had a few posts on Facebook that have made me think a little more about my life, let me share.

The first comment from a sweet friend:

I don't know how you do it. Moving, being prego, football, cheerleading, being the mom, and still being so positive. You are a great example!

At first I didn't know what to think, it is just my life. I do what I do. I never thought it was that great. The more I thought about it the more I though, it is just part of being a mom, and enjoying it. Moving is part of the military life we choose and love. Pregnancy is part of having a new joy! The rest is just, well, life. I love my kids and doing things for them shouldn't be a bad, hard, sad thing.

I could let a lot of things get me down, but then life would just suck!

The next post of Facebook wasn't to me, but by a friend of mine, and it hit me for some reason.

I wish life were simple, but its not!

First, we all have times when life gets us down! And I my heart goes out to her and any others who are feeling this way. I have a history with depression, so I know the feeling very well. I have always heard that nothing worth doing good was easy(simple).

If life were simple where would we find the joy?

The excitement? It would just be boring!

So here is to my happy, busy, crazy, not simple life!!! I am loving every moment of it! And I hope I can always be positive about whatever may be making me run in circles!

Hope your is just as busy and not simple:)

Our fun week!

2011-09-03T14:39:00.000-06:00

A great week! This week Jacob earned his Arrow of Light for Cub Scouts! This is kinda a big thing! It is the biggest award for Cub Scouts and the only one that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform!

Can't tell he is excited!

Jake pinning me

He worked hard to get this award! We are very proud of him!

Grace at Cheer practice

This Friday night our local High school did a big 9-11 tribute at the football game.

They have a HUGE marching band and Eagle pride: flag twirlers, baton twirlers, & band.

It is an impressive sight that the pictures don't do justice too. They are so good that they are one of 20 from across the US that has been invited to be in the 2012 Macy's Day parade in NY! (Some of the YW & YM from church are in it and are so excited!)

The band lined up to welcome the football team!

Niceville Eagles football team! I have not seen football anywhere like here! It is a MAJOR thing!

The whole town comes to support them, not just students & parents!

Half time show by the band & Eagle Pride

Flaggers!

Gracie

Bekah

Here we are all dressed in our Niceville gear!

Bekah & I in Niceville shirts, Grace is wearing one of Jake's old jersey's that he volunteered to let her wear! (Makes me happy to know he likes her enough to let it be know she is his sister!) And Jacob in this years jersey! (Bekah looks like she was crying cause she had just gotten hit in the face by Jake on accident!)

I love my kids! They are so stinkin' cute and good to boot!

We ended the week today with Jake's football game! As we are in the middle of a Tropical Storm, and it was raining all morning and off and on during the game, Grace didn't cheer. (Last season the girls all whined when they had to cheer in the rain, so this time they didn't, since it was suppose to get worse!)

Also due to the rain I didn't have a camera out at all, SO of course not only did we win, Jacob got his first touchdown running the ball through the middle!!! He did awesome!!! He also had some great blocks and other plays! We are so proud of him!!! GO EAGLES!!!

AAHH it's September!!!

2011-09-01T06:17:00.000-06:00

August seemed to fly by! I guess we got so busy the days were just a blur! And here I am, September 1st, with a have done goal list for August!!! And SO much to do for September!

Our big happenings in August were:

Jacob started football

Grace Started Cheer

Jacob started 5th grade, I know! I can't believe I have a fifth grader either!

Grace started 3rd grade!

And Bekah started Pre-K!!! She was, and is, the most excited about school!

The yucky 2 hour glucose test for me :(

We went for a mini road trip to Port St. Joe

See, it doesn't seem like it was that bad! But I guess when most of those things happen every day, they add up!

September brings:

My 28 week check up!

Football, Cheer, & school continue!

Packers coming to pack us 2 days

Packers Loading everything up and taking off on day 3

Our Goodbye BBQ with our fab friends

House cleaning, I saved money to hire a lady to do it!

Carpet & windows get cleaned

We turn in keys!

We go to 2 more football games

We hit the road! Heading for CO

We stop and see some great sites on the road

We find a house, hopefully, quickly in CO

Head to Idaho for some family & friend fun!!!

Head back to CO and move in!

Yeah, so September looks a LITTLE bit crazier!!!

Here are my August goals:

~ Clean out my room & closet- I did a little, but need to go start over and getter done!

~ make 2 Goodwill runs- Made 1! - Have a start to another load, need to finish and drop off

~Do my visit teaching- DONE

~Explore 2 new places in FL- 1 DONE, plans for other in place!

~Do at least one act of service- My month went by to fast! :(

~Stick to Budget!- Trying!- Did okay, could do better, but with the start of everything, most of which required something if not money also, it was hard!

~Pre-clean house for move- Yeah, I just sucked at this one.

~cook out of pantry- doing- Did great! And the next two weeks we will use a lot more of our unopened items, freezer items and fridge items, we shouldn't have to give or through away much!

There you have it! So some of these will be finished in the next week or two! Along with my September goals, which I have no choice but to finish as most pertain to moving!!!

How was your month in review?

Road Trip!

2011-08-29T10:52:00.000-06:00

We decided to go for a short road trip to a local state park that I kept hearing was so beautiful, and it was!

So here are our pictures, or a few, from Port St. Joe! (We should have gone earlier in the day so we would have had more day light, but after Jake's football game we were heat tired!)

Port St. Joe Park is out on a peninsula, and there is a great big rock wave break wall, we enjoyed climbing and playing on the rocks for a few minutes!

Bekah & Dustin on the rocks

Me a week shy of 7 months!

All along the beach, ocean side, there were marked turtle nests, the area is known for them, and not to far from one was this little, dead turtle, who didn't make it out to the water. Sad, but neat to see.

Grace & Bekah taking a break from shell hunting!

Sunset!

Me, once again, just shy of 7 months

Our cute family with the sunset behind us!

Dustin & I, taken by Gracie

Gracie with the sunset

Driving along the road there are spots of trees, and there were two deer right on the side of the road. All out on the peninsula of Port St Joe!

It really was a beautiful place. We ran out of day light and didn't get to go a little further to see a few light houses, but we had a great time together! Glad we got to do it before move!

Football Season!!!

2011-08-27T11:03:00.000-06:00

Yes, it is Football Season, an official season here in the south. (They take their football seriously here in Northern Florida at least!) So we spend 5 nights a week at practice with games on Saturday. Grace has Cheer practice 2 times a week and cheers at Jake's games. Today we had clear skies, beautiful outside really, if it weren't for the 97 degrees that is! We survived though! (Jake was soaked through and so was Grace!)

Jacob, #36, Blocking

Shutting down the other side!

Go Eagles!

Our personal sidelines Cheerleader! Bekah is just to cute!

Having fun!

Doing stunts.

Jake did awesome out there! The guy he was shutting down on the other team was NOT happy with him!

(In the 4th quarter he through Jake down he was so mad! No one was hurt, it was a little funny.)

So it was a fun day for Football!

Here are a few pictures I took of Grace after they did the team pictures the other day.

Gracie & her beat friend for the past 2 years, Mallory!

And I found a small ball pan I wanted to test for a better Micky Mouse head/hat type cake.

I know, I need to smooth it out better, but this was just a test for us to enjoy. Cute huh!

And there you go!

Dates, Days, and so much more!!!

2011-08-27T06:36:00.000-06:00

Moving Day is fast approaching! We had a guy from the moving company come do a walk through to see how much we had, how many boxes they needed to bring and all that jazz. We now have dates when they will be coming to pack our stuff!!!

In 13 days they start packing!

In 17 days they load it all up!

In 22 days we leave!

In 20 days we will be looking at houses in person!

In 26 days we will be visiting Idaho!

In 35 days we will hopefully be moving into a new place!

In 37 days the kids will have another first day of school!

And in, hopefully a little less than, 89 days we will have a new baby girl!

The next month is going to be crazy busy and exciting and fun, hopefully fun anyway!

So in the next 17 days I will be super busy! I have forgotten how much pre-moving stuff I need to do before they come pack us up! And then the cleaning! I am so glad we aren't doing it ALL this time! I think I would lose my mind! Dustin says I am more of a worrier now than I use to be, I think, and am hoping anyway, that it is just my pregnancy hormones that keep sending me into a panic every few days when I think about all there is to do! Once I look at my plan, where it is all broken down, it isn't so bad. Just lots to do!!!

We can't wait for our mini vacation in Idaho! To get to see everyone and spend time with everyone! It will be SO nice!!!

First day of School!!!

2011-08-22T08:43:00.000-06:00

To say Bekah was excited for this day to come would be a HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT!!! It has been all she could talk about for a few days now. And then after dinner I was getting the lunch boxes out to make sure I had everything ready, and she keep asking, 'So in the morning, after I go to sleep, its school for me?!' And other similar questions! She was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement!!! Then it was time to get clothes ready and find shoes ect. so we wouldn't have to this morning, more excitement!

Then my wonderful husband gave each of the kids a Father's blessing and we had a nice talk about everything that would be happening, first day of school, move, new school and house, new baby, ect... and how it is okay for them to feel nervous, and how they can pray for the Holy Ghost to help them feel better at any time. And that they can talk to us about any of it. It was a nice night. We also told them each how proud we are of them, and pointed out some good things/traits they each have and how that will help them through all this. (I will post that with below the pictures for each one!)

SO, Bekah being so excited, couldn't go to sleep last night! I was up getting lunches ready and making them a surprise treat for lunch, cookies, and she came out at least 4 times cause she just couldn't stay in bed! I got up early to make a big breakfast for them to help them get going on the first day of school, and Bekah was up right after me! (She didn't get much sleep she was so excited!!!) Pancakes, eggs, and bacon, and of course, they hardly ate any! (I use to make breakfast every morning, and all they wanted was cereal, so I stopped. Then the few times I do make it, they hardly eat any! And they wonder why I don't make it more often!!!)

I couldn't do anything fast enough for Bekah! Lunch made, hair done, nothing! She wanted to leave!!! After we got all ready, read scriptures and did prayer, we still had time to kill!

My cute kids!!!

My 5th grader! A natural born leader, a good example to everyone, a hard worker and a big helper! He is a fantastic football player. Does well in school, and is always so fun.

My 3rd grader! Grace is a smart, sweet, kind girl. Talented in many different areas. She excels in school, she is in the Gifted Program! She is athletic, and so fun!

And our sweet Pre-Schooler, Bekah! She is so fun! She is smart and likes to try everything! She is so much fun to do things with and watch as she has new experiences and learns new things!

We are SO proud of our great kids!!!

The big kids got on the bus just fine, and then poor Bekah had to WAIT till we could leave! I thought she would just die of anticipation!

(Not the best picture, I took it with my phone, trying to be sneaky!)

Bekah waiting to LEAVE! I turned on the TV to a cartoon while I got ready to go, hoping it would calm her down a little! She sat, ready to go, while watching!

We FINALLY got to go to her Pre-school! She couldn't wait! I was turning off the lights in the kitchen and she was waiting by the door, giving me the 'COME ON!' look! It was funny!

Bekah at school! Look at that grin! Makes my heart sing!

And now that the moment is past, I miss her! (A whole 45 minutes later!)

I don't know what I am going to do with my self! I have almost a month of quite time until we move. Then I will have a month and half of quite time until this baby comes! I think I will be doing some cleaning and packing to get ready for the move! (I just can't do any down on the floor scrubbing, since I can't get 'down', or back up!)

What are you doing with your 'free time'?

Its that time again! FOOTBALL!!! (& diaper guitars!)

2011-08-20T14:46:00.000-06:00

Jacob had his pre-season scrimmage today! He was looking good! I think it will be a great season, we are sad to be moving half way into it!

Gracie watching the game!

(She doesn't start cheering till next weekend at the regular season games.)

Jake playing defense

Going for a block. He is #36

Bekah watching the game

Jacob playing offense. He is the fullback. Here he is doing a fake-out.

Bekah taking a picture of Daddy & Grace, being silly.

Grace taking a picture of Daddy & Bekah

Jacob after the game! He is a Niceville Eagle! GO EAGLES!!!

(He is soaking wet and tired!)

He did great! Can't wait to see him play again next week!

OKAY! Diaper Guitar??? Yes you read right! I thought I would try something new, instead of the normal diaper cake I make for baby shower gifts. And since my friend plays the guitar and loves music, I thought I would try a diaper guitar! Here it is!

K- so I started by cutting out a cardboard piece the size and shape I wanted, then I put down a hooded bath towel I made and wrapped it around the cardboard. Then took receiving blankets to make my sides. Then I added individually rolled diapers to fill in.

I then tied around the outside with yarn to help hold its shape. Added some clothes and bibs to the middle to make the inside, or hole, of the guitar. Added the 'arm' which is cardboard with a blanket wrapped around it and socks on the end for shape and look.

Finished by adding ribbon around the sided for look and durability. And tied two 'guitar pick' binkies to it.

Not just like I wanted, but not bad. I will change a few things next time I do one, but it was fun to make and funner to give than just a pack of diapers and some clothes! It includes: 1 hooded towel, 5 onesies, 2 pants, 3 bibs, 2 pairs of socks, 4 receiving blankets, 2 binkies, one bag size 2 diapers and half a bag size 1 diapers.

What do you think?

Thoughts and feelings...

2011-08-17T10:03:00.000-06:00

Last night as I was laying in bed thinking how we only have about 31 days left here in Florida these thoughts and feelings came to me...

We love to travel! To visit and live in amazing places, meet amazing people and have all new experiences. We love to go to new places and find all the fun, adventurous things there are to do there. To explore and find favorite little hidden treasures. We love to meet new people, make new friends, some of whom we know Heavenly Father guided into our lives for a reason, friends we will forever be close to. We love to learn the history of places and the past and present cultures of the area. Try new traditions. The Army lets us do this and so much more.

EVERY place we have been has been perfect for our family. We have always meet amazing people and loved each location. And we have been very lucky in our assignments! I mean, who would have thought that two Idaho kids, who rarely traveled out of state would be seeing the world. I was a cowgirl who only wanted to stay in the country, the mountains. I never even thought of leaving Idaho. Two Idahoans who now have two Hawaiians, one Alaskan and soon one Coloradoan for children!

This past assignment has been wonderful for our family. We have been spoiled and got to have Dustin home EVERY night and EVERY weekend for the past 2 years! (I like to think we earned it after a 6 month and a 15 month deployment, not to mention the 12 years of normal travelings of an EOD tech.) I don't know what I am going to do without him always home! He helps with everything around the house. He is an amazing husband and father! I am so thankful for all the time we have had together these past years, even if we didn't always get along! ~ This may sound weird to a lot of you. Let me explain a normal month for an EOD tech: out of 4 weeks he is home about 2 weeks, not all at once, spread between trips. Out of 4 weekends we get 2 whole, if we are lucky, together. He has not been able to have a church calling at church for about 7 years before we moved here, nor was I able to sign up to feed the missionaries, ever, because I could never count on him being home since he was either on call or gone. And I won't even get started on holidays! So having him home for everything these past 2 years is a major blessing. ~ NOW having said this, we really do enjoy the military life. It has been a blessing in many ways. We do love all sides of it, even if it isn't always fun. It isn't the life for everyone! BUT we are going to miss this life here in Florida. The 'normal' life! I know that I have often taken Dustin for granted these past 2 years. It is easy to forget things aren't always this way when you are living in the moment. So I will take this moment to say how much I am thankful for him and all he does for us. He is the BEST husband, takes such good care of us, even when I am a grouchy turd. He is such a great father! I love watching him with the kids. They adore him. I am so glad we had this time for them to really get to spend time with him and build those bonds.

While we are looking forward to our next adventure, and all that it brings, we are sad to leave this 'normal' life we have had for 2 years. We are once again sad to leave our wonderful friends. But we know the Lord has so much in store for us in this coming adventure. (New places to explore, new baby, new friends, and some not so great stuff like an upcoming deployment.) ALL an adventure!

And thus are my thoughts and feelings. Maybe if I feel a little sad now, it won't hit me so hard when we are actually leaving. Hey, I can hope!

Goals!

2011-08-15T07:30:00.000-06:00

After a friend posted some of her goals, in all areas- personal, family, finances, ect... on her face book I decided I wanted to do something similar, were others could see and hopefully it would make me follow through a little better. So I have a section on the right hand side titled Current Goals. Here are the ones I am working on right now:

Daily

(Could be doing WAY better!) Most of these are things I got out of the habit of doing when I was so sick, I need to get back in the habit of it!

~ Read scriptures

~morning prayer

~Straighten main house areas - getting done

~Make bed- half & half (meaning half the time)

Weekly

~Read one Ensign talk

~Clean out/Straighten one area of the house (Deep clean)

~Write & Mail one note or letter to someone- DONE

~FB message one person a positive note

~Post on blog- Done

August

~ Clean out my room & closet (Deep clean)

~ make 2 Goodwill runs- Made 1!

~Do my visit teaching

~Explore 2 new places in FL before we leave (I know the ones, just got to go! I have been waiting for a time with Dustin, might have to just go with the kids.)

~Do at least one act of service

~Stick to Budget!- (I have a STRICT budget set up to help save lots for the move and pay things off...) Trying!

~Pre-clean house for move (Wash walls, floor boards, clean couches/chair, deep clean table & chairs in all groves, ...)

~cook out of pantry- Doing

So, that along with the happenings of life, (getting ready for school which starts next Monday, Football, Cheer, Cub scouts...) is what we are up to!

Sorry forgot!

2011-08-11T08:59:00.000-06:00

So my last post was titled 'Whats in a name?' Well, I forgot that part! We are still having trouble deciding on a name for this baby girl! When I say decide, I mean agree! So she is still unnamed! Hopefully we will figure it out soon! (Or, Dustin will just give in, cause I won't!) We shall see who is the most stubborn I think!

What's in a name?! And the busy life that is us...

2011-08-11T08:45:00.000-06:00

For once, I don't have any pictures to show! We haven't really done anything this week. Just relaxed at home.

Well, that and it is FOOTBALL/CHEER season again! Which means, for those who don't remember or haven't yet gone through this, that Jacob has football practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & most Friday evenings for 2 hours with games on Saturdays. (Football is not taken lightly here, it is very serious business!) And Grace has Cheer leading practice every Tuesday & Thursday evenings for 1 1/2 hours with games on Saturday. (She gets to cheer for Jake's football team.) And we can't forget that we still have Cub Scouts every Wednesday, which Dustin & I are in charge of. SO this means that we are very busy! And life normally stays this way till November, around Thanksgiving. For us however, it will only be this busy till we move mid- Sept. Good thing the kids REALLY like these sports! (I will try to get pictures tonight at practice to load tomorrow.)

Jake and Football: Jake has played the past two years and done really well. (So well in fact that when we where registering him this year we over heard a new coach asking his past 2 coaches, who were both right there, about him. Both of whom said he was really good and always put forth tons of effort and on and on...) So this year as it was getting time to sign up, Jake was a little hesitant about it, it is very demanding. However both Dustin & I felt that if he didn't play he would regret it next year when he wanted to play in CO. But we left it up to him. In the end he decided he wanted to play. (It didn't hurt any to overhear the coaches bragging about him before anything really got started either!)
The first week they have a mini-camp where they just to warm up drills and play light plays to see how the boys can do, all the coaches watch and access and decide who they want. Well Jake had 2 coaches who REALLY wanted him this year. With several of the ass. coaches trying to get him as well. On Monday of this week they were broken into teams and started practicing with there team. As we were leaving one of his new ass. coaches came up to him and said how good he was looking and they were sure glad they got him and he was going to be a great team leader! Made Dustin and I very proud. And it doesn't hurt his wanting to play or not. Even though we will only be here for part of the season, I think it will be a good one for him!

Grace & Cheer: Grace has cheered the past two years as well. And LOVED it! She is really good and enjoys every moment of it. So she was very excited about it starting again. (We were hoping Bekah could cheer too, but because of her age, they said she would have to be on a different team, cheering for a different football team, and we decided she could just cheer on the side for Jake's team and learn this year.) As we were registering her she said she wanted her coach from last year again, Coach Morgan, well, we didn't know if she would be coaching again. (She is only a high school student, but a very responsible, good girl, whom we really liked!) Well at her first practice we were getting out of the car and there walks Coach Morgan. Grace gives her a hug and says she hopes she gets her. As we are waiting to find out I needed to talk to the lady over the program, and since she knows me from the past two years and I helped a lot last year, she told me that who Grace's coach is for this year, and it is Coach Morgan! Grace is VERY excited and looking forward to another fun year of Cheer!

Bekah: She enjoys watching everyone and playing with friends at practices and games. She is such a good easy going girl! She also loves watching and trying the cheers the girls are doing! She is so much fun!

So, as we haven't done much the past week, we have been busy and will be for the next month until we move. This Saturday, our last before games start, one of the 'Fab Four', one of my best friends, is giving me a small baby shower. So that will be very fun! (Here in the south they do a baby shower for every baby. It is a fun way to welcome and support the baby and family! Not really about gifts.) And then i get to go do the 'catering' for a dear friends son's wedding. ('Catering'= I really only decide how to have everything set up and keep it all going smooth during the reception, so she doesn't have to. I did it for her older son's reception and it was fun.) Pictures coming soon!

Last floating trip! (And cake!)

2011-08-06T21:07:00.000-06:00

Here is a first attempt at a Micky Mouse 'head/hat' cake I want to do for my nephew's 1st birthday. I thought that instead of using the HUGE amount of black food coloring it would take to make it really black, I would just do chocolate. Not so sure it will work, what do you think? Also, I tried a pan I have thinking it may be round enough, it isn't. But I do have a half ball one I will use next time, so his head will be really round like it is suppose to look, it is just a little bigger. I used chocolate cookies for the ears thinking it would taste better and be funner than just flat, hard, gum paste or fondant, what do you think? I know, they need to be rounder, and maybe covered in frosting to match the cake. But like I said, this is a first try! My family is enjoying my test cakes!

The idea is to have one of these cakes for his personal 'smash' cake, which I will be taking picture of! And to put one on top of the sheet cake for everyone else, to decorate it. I will also write Happy & Birthday on each ear, and his name across the head in red. What do you think?!

I didn't remember to take a picture ON my 6 month day, so this is plus 2 days, I know 2 days doesn't make a difference, but there you go! Jake told me today as we were lounging on the shore that it looked like I had a basketball under my swimsuit!

Here are the kids enjoying the cool river on our HOT, 125 heat index, day! This was our last trip to float the river since we are moving and selling the kayaks :( Between work and football/cheering, we won't have another day to go before we move. And it was a perfect day for a last trip!

Cooling off with dad!

Bekah our little fish, floating!

Me in the kayak. I always say I never get one of me on the water cause I am always behind the camera, so Dustin took this for me ;) Can you see my 6 month belly? I am sure I look funny paddling the boat!

And thus is our excitement for the week. Oh, and going to the doctor for my 'major' sinus infection, or so they say! I did realize how good my kids really are as they had to wait for 1 1/2 hours at the hospital while I waited to be seen and then got my meds. They were very quite, polite, nice kids. It made me proud! And then there were all the 'looks', like 'you really have three kids with another on the way?! Are you crazy?!' It seems people here don't have many kids, and when they do, they are all running wild! Nice to know that while my kids may drive me crazy at home, they really are good when it matters. And they really aren't bad at home, just kids being kids! I really do love them and am glad I have each one of them!

Deep thoughts... and update on our future.

2011-08-01T08:35:00.000-06:00

As our lives are getting ready for some big changes, in more ways than one and so are several of our friends and families. And after reading a few different things about the trials of life and of difficult children, children with different needs, and children in general. I hope that we all remember that non of our trials come close to that of Christs. He went through it all for us, to make it easier on us. We are given trials to learn and grow from. We need these trials, more than they need us. A borrowed quote from my wonderful sister in law:

"A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?" -Elder Lynn G. Robbins
I think that all our trials in life can be looked at like this. We may not know at the time why, but we are learning and growing with every new challenge that comes our way. Not only do others need us to do these things, face these challenges so they know how to do it themselves, we need to face them to grow and learn and be worthy of Heavenly Father.

I hope that I can remember this when I am facing our upcoming challenges! (I prefer the word challenge to trial) So here it is- our plan for our near future!
We will be leaving the sunny state of Florida this mid-Sept. and head to Colorado. We are both sad and happy about this. We will miss our wonderful friends and the area, but look forward to our new location and being closer to family. Our plan is to drive there, look for a house for a day or two and then head up to Idaho to be there for Dustin's baby brothers Mission Welcome home! We will be in Idaho for about a week and a half before we head back to Co and get settled the first of Oct. Then the kids will get into a new school and we will unpack and get ready for this new baby girls arrival! Which will be in November. I am due the 24th, Thanksgiving Day, but hope she arrives 10 days early like her sisters both did. (Not so sure it would be fun to share a birthday with a holiday!) But only time will tell! We are then hoping to go home to Idaho for Christmas and to Bless Baby Girl. (She will have a name soon I hope! I will not go to the hospital to have her without one!!! No Baby Girl Rolfe on her birth certificate!!!) Well- there it is, our plan for the rest of the year! Crazy! It doesn't sound so bad when stated like that! Course that doesn't include all the details of what has to be done either... like I said, our challenges await to make us stronger! Speaking of- come next April, I will be more than welcome to any visitors for the following year, since it looks like Dustin will be deployed, so mark you calendars!!!

New Orleans Fun

2011-07-28T10:45:00.000-06:00

We had to go to New Orleans to take my niece to the airport and decided since she was leaving first thing that we would explore the city a little. We have been there to the airport a number of times, but never did any sight seeing. So while I waited with my niece at the airport Dustin took the kids and did a little scouting and saw the Superdome where the Saints play. (Jake's favorite team) Apparently that area is not where you want to be first thing in the morning, 5-6am. (Lets just say the number of hookers and bums was crazy.) Luckily the kids where watching a movie and didn't see all that. After they came and picked me back up we back down to go to a few museums and sight see, (The Bums and H where gone by 8am when we went back).

The first museum we went to was the D-Day WWII museum. It was pretty cool.

This is a Dustin and the girls next to Dustin's dream jeep!

We, being an EOD (bomb) family loved this poster. We wanted to buy one in the gift shop but they didn't have one :( I may have to try finding one online for Dustin's birthday.)

After that museum we headed to the trolley to go over to the Insectarium for the kids.

Jacob, Bekah & Dustin

Bekah LOVED the trolley or "train" as she called it.

Me & Gracie

The St. Charles Street Trolley

It is a really old, wood trolley and was really cool to ride.

Looking at the giant ant farm

Grace touching a beetle

And Jake. Bekah would have no part in this!

Looking at the baby alligators in the tank

My cute kids

Dustin trying to beat a beetle at a race with the kids cheering him on.

Those little suckers are fast!

Bekah loved the butterflies. Here we watched one hatch from its cocoon.

My cute family. (Not sure why this loaded funny, sorry)

After lunch we headed to the Garden District to see some old houses and cemetery!

Outside the Layfette Cemetery (spelling?)

Me one week shy of 6 months, and void of makeup and dressed for comfort, sorry!

Cute little heads peeking out of everywhere!

Dustin & I

Cute kids trapped in the gates!

This is the cemetery that is in several movies and books. It was really cool to see.

We also walked around the neighborhood and saw some cool old houses, but I didn't get any with people so decided not to post them, sorry.

Overall we had a great day exploring and were all exhausted by the time we made it home :)

Floating the River!

2011-07-23T09:35:00.000-06:00

We went up and floated our awesome river Thursday. It is suppose to storm all day today, Saturday, so we went during the week, and as we were driving out there, and I mean like right after we started, it started raining! After our last trip down the river, see past post, which you may remember was not the greatest, this did not sit well with us! But we kept driving hoping it would stop, and it did. Then after we unloaded everything and were just getting ready to set out, it started raining again! We stopped, said a prayer, and decided to just go. By the time we were all in the water it stopped and turned out to be a great day!!!

Since there were 5 kids and us, we brought some small floating tubes. (We had our 3 kids, my niece Sara, and Graces friend Mallory.) When we first set out we were a little nervous about one of the kids getting pulled under a tree or something, but everything turned out great.

For most of the trip the kids all wanted to be in the water, even if just in a life vest to float.

Mallory and Bekah

Jacob in the lazy chair float I found

The 5 kids, Bekah, Mallory, Grace, Sara, & Jake

As always we stopped a few times to just relax and play.

Here is me relaxing in the lazy chair. It was really nice to lean back in the water like that.

My big belly, aka baby girl, needed room to spread, since most the time I was paddling and she couldn't.

It is hard to tell from the pictures but due to all the rain we have been getting the water level was up by more than 2 feet! It made it easier to navigate down trees, they were all under water, but most of the beaches were underwater as well.

One of the places we stopped to play had this down tree hanging over a deep section of the river, perfect for jumping into!

Sara jumping

Mallory jumping

Here is Mallory, Grace, Dustin & Jake getting ready to jump

Grace jumping

Jake jumping. Jake was the first to jump, having no fear.

Mallory soon followed, both of them jumped several times.

Sara & Grace each jumped once but did not want to do it again.

Our little water bug Bekah loved floating in the river. Here she is floating on her back.

Since her swim lessons, at which she screamed her head off, she LOVES any water! It is crazy!

We had a great day! Days like this make the upcoming move a little sad.

Fun Times!

2011-07-21T10:21:00.000-06:00

So we have been having a great time the last few weeks! Here are a few pictures of our fun!

Bekah and I played Black Light Mini Golf

While Dustin, Jake Grace & Sara played Black light Laser Tag!

We spent about 6 hours at our local water park! We were all a little red and very tired afterwards!

Above is Jake coming down a water slide

Bekah has no more fear of water and LOVED the big water slides!

Mallory (Grace's best friend), Grace & Sara in the lazy river

We went shopping at the Outlet mall and I found this cute set for the baby, sorry it loaded upside down for some reason, but it is a sleeper, a onesie, pants with attached monkey feet, and a monkey hat! This and a few tops are all this little one has so far! And a few other non clothes items, sadly we moved twice since Bekah and weren't sure about any more babies so we got rid of almost everything. But it is kinda fun looking at all the new things we can get for her! (And my fab sis-in-law and family, and a friend are both giving me a shower. Apparently now days you have showers even if it isn't your first, just to celebrate!) So this little one will be spoiled, like her older siblings!

A few days of fun!

2011-07-14T08:02:00.000-06:00

We have had a few days of fun doing a bunch of things! First was going to see Gulliver's Travels. It was a funny movie, the kids liked it alot. Then the kids played in the Splash fountain. (One of our malls, called the Commons, is an outdoor mall and has a kids area right in the middle with a water area.)

Left: Bekah running through the water; Right: Sara, in Black, Grace in blue, and Bekah

After they got cooled off we went home for lunch then headed to a lighthouse about an hour away.

It is 177 steps up to the top of the Pensacola lighthouse

Left: Jake going up; Right: Taking a break going up! Sara, Bekah, Grace, & Jake

Left: Sara & Grace going up; Right: Bekah going up

Left: They made it! View from the top! Sara, Jake, Grace, & Bekah; Right: Sara with light house

Left: Me (I stayed at the bottom and waited! Dustin took them up.) Right: Bekah

Left: Sittin for a minute! Right: Grace

Few of Lighthouse on our way down to the beach.

After seeing the light house we headed down to the beach just below it to cool off.

Not a bad beach, and no one was there, except the Jelly Fish!

Left: Swimming before we found jelly fish; Right: Jake's stung back! It really hurts!

These are the two different kinds of Jelly fish we found.

And there were a LOT of them!!! We found over 20 easy.

Bekah was the first to get stung, on her leg. A few minutes later Jake got attacked on his back.

So we mostly splashed on the beach and played in the sand.

Still fun though. However it would have been nicer to play in the water!

In the 2 years we have been here, we have never seen so many! We hardly ever saw any in the water.

The day before we did all this fun stuff, we went to the local Air Force Museum and looked around.

The kids by one of the planes outside; Sara in a cockpit trainer thing (It is just the cockpit of the plane, they use ones like it for training, can't think what it is called.)

Bekah at the controls; Grace & Sara by the EOD tank they have outside.

So, we have been having fun with my niece Sara here, even though I have to have a day of nothing in between the fun ones!

Video on You Tube

2011-07-13T16:08:00.000-06:00

So, I don't ever go to you tube. Don't like a lot of what they have, never have. But THIS vidoe was made by our Niceville Ward Young Men! And I do like it! So I thought I would share!!!

http://youtu.be/eLz32Sln6UU

So go check it out!

(I don't know how to post a you tube video on here, sorry!)

Pool time!

2011-07-11T07:05:00.000-06:00

I tried posting this yesterday, but blogger was down when I tried :( Oh well. Here it is!

We are tring to do something fun each day while my niece is here, and since it will be our last summer here, but this last week was stormy so we didn't do to much sadly. But lots planned for this week! So stay tuned!

Gracie

Sara

Jake

Daddy and Bekah

Bekah has turned into a little fish! She would not hold still long enough for me to get a good picture! Since her swim lessons she LOVES swimming! She isn't afraid and she does really good. All she wanted to do was swim back and forth between me, daddy or the wall! Before she wouldn't even want in where it was over her head, now, she doesn't care as long as she can swim in it! She is so fun to watch!

Here is Bekah swimming!

She did this non stop for over an hour! She also did some where she would take a breath every little while like she was taught at lessons, but that is harder for her, she just wants to go!

On another, non swimming note, as this is kind of a family journal, I feel like posting about the baby! This little girl has got day and night mixed up! During the day when I am sitting and relaxing waiting to feel her move, nothing! But about the time I am ready for bed, she won't hold still! It sometimes worries me how little I feel her move. But when we had the ultra sound she wouldn't hold still, and I couldn't feel most of that. I guess she is just still to little! When I first found out I was pregnant, I had a dream of a little girl with dark hair. I didn't tell Dustin till recently because I didn't want to 'jinx' anything! He thought for sure it was a boy. But we are excited about this little girl, we just have to agree on a name!!! We are less than half way there!!! And can't wait!

4th of July Fun!!!

2011-07-06T09:07:00.000-06:00

We had a fun time this 4th of July!

I love spending time with my family! They truly bring me so much joy!

I decided to have some fun making a cake for the 4th. It was fun and tasty!

We went exploring and swimming up on the river to cool off!

Waiting for the fireworks to start!

Dustin and Bekah waiting

Still waiting...

And more waiting...

for...

While we were waiting for fireworks we had fun playing with my camera...

It was a beautiful night out. The fireworks were right next to a pier full of boats, where the owners were watching from. I love the way the lights reflected.

Earlier that day we did a family photo shoot at a spot I wanted to check out, it was really cool and fun! It is an old railroad train bridge, well while we were there a train came through! It was fun for the kids to be so close to it. My favorite pictures of the each of the kids are on the right side.

My cute kids! They wanted to turn around and watch the train so bad!

See how close it was! We were on the tracks and ran off when we heard the whistle blow!

My Cute kids!!!

Me, 5 months pregnant with our next little girl!

My good looking husband!

My family is so patient with me and so willing to be my test subjects! I love taking their pictures!

We had a great fourth! Hope you all did too!

Land of the FREE, because of the BRAVE!

2011-07-04T07:38:00.000-06:00

I feel that I need to express how thankful I am to many of my ancestry for the sacrifice they made fighting in various wars to give me and my family a free country to live in. Several of my uncles and grandfathers lost their lives to bring us freedom. I am sure your family trees have similar stories. I am thankful for the time my dad spend fighting for our freedom. I am very proud that I have so many of these good men in my family tree. I am also grateful for all the men in my husbands ancestry who fought also, including his grandfathers and 2 uncles, and many more. I am glad my children have these family members to look up to.

I am thankful to all the men and women who are now serving in the military. And to their families who sacrifice and give so much, including their time with their husbands and fathers, sometimes even their lives, for our freedom.

I am grateful for my husband and the time and sacrifice he gives to his country, so that our children can live their lives in a free country. He is my hero and I am very proud of him. I am proud to be an Army wife. Even prouder to be an EOD wife.

I am thankful to live in the land of the FREE, because of the BRAVE!

Happy 4th of July everyone!

A day full of...

2011-07-03T21:00:00.000-06:00

Adventure? Craziness? Fun? Tiresome? Epic?

Well, the answer is all of the above!

(WARNING THIS IS A LONG STORY, MAKING A LONG POST!)

What started as a plan for a fun day with the family kayaking the river nearby,

turned into a day we will NEVER forget!

(DISCLAIMER: THE KIDS WERE WEARING LIFE VESTS, AND KNOW HOW TO SWIM AND NO ONE WAS HARMED OR LOST DURING THIS TRIP.)

First let me start by telling you about this river. It is one of the only sandy bottom, fresh water rivers in the USA. It is not a huge river, about 20-30 feet wide and an average of 2 feet deep, with lots of shallow spots and a few deep spots as you go. The water just kind of mosies down stream, not very fast, but moving. It is called the Blackwater River. The trees and bushes drop leaves and branches into the water that combined with the iron from the sand give it a brown/black look. Although it is fairly clean water. AND it stays at about 75 degrees year round, which when it is 95 with humidity making it a heat index of over 100, is wonderful!

So, we have floated this river a number of times each summer. It is very long, so we like to put in and get out at different points each time. A few weeks ago we did a 5 mile section and it was great, but a little long. (My pregnant body doesn't like sitting in the hard seats or paddling for that long!) So we decided to do a 3 mile section this time. We did this section last summer and it was fine. We enjoyed it. So there is the plan, get all the chores at home done Friday so we can get up and head out for a day of 3 mile fun!

It all started by me waking up feeling horrible. I didn't sleep well and just felt exhausted. But I was determined to go have fun with my family. The kids were already in there swim suits and ready. So I made some lunches and got ready. We got up to the river and got unloaded fine. We had dropped off my van at the ending point and were ready. As we were driving over the bridge where we were putting in, I noticed a rather large tree was down in the river, and there where a lot of smaller logs in the water, but it was passable so we decided to go. (We should have known better...)

So we set off after cooling off for a few minutes in the water, which felt great, it was about 92 with whatever humidity. We had gone about 30 minutes when the clouds got looking really dark and we started to hear thunder, not a good sign. But the weather report had said there was only about a 20% chance of rain. So we thought we were good. (Wrong again...)

Yes, it started raining. And not just raining, thunder and lightning with a LOUD crackle and pop right over head, and hard rain. Thinking it should pass fairly quick we kept paddling. The girls were kind of freaking out at this point. And I didn't really like it either. But since we were already wet, what would a little rain hurt right? Well, it didn't past quickly, not at all. And it started to get cold. But we paddled through, passing people who were huddled under umbrellas, laughing at us. "We could be them" I heard. (There are little roads to the river so you can just go play on the beaches and not have to float to get to them.) But we were good. About 2 hours later it finally stopped raining. Yes, TWO HOURS! (20% chance of rain my foot!)

We did stop shortly after it started, since the girls were freaking out, but only stayed for a few minutes.

This is Bekah and I dancing in the rain. Dustin and I danced also, but the pictures make me look huge, so sorry, I am not sharing them.

The girls hiding for a few minutes, till they decided the rain didn't hurt, it was just annoying.

Okay, so the rain finally stopped! Yay! Fun times could come! Right??? Wrong...

Well, it wasn't horrible, just not the funnest time ever. The kids were all wet and cold from the rain and just wanted to go home, well we weren't even half way through our 3 mile trip, and we were in the middle of no where, we couldn't just get out and leave. So we keep going.

About half way through our 3 miles, we did find a nice beach to stop for lunch. And it was at this time that I tried getting out of the kayak and, being pregnant and weighting more than normal, I have a hard time and I tend to tip the boat a little, never over, just a little, and well Grace was in my kayak and wasn't prepared for me to get out and she tipped out into the water head first! And I must say it was pretty funny! She didn't think so, but after all the rain non-fun, I couldn't stop from laughing as I pulled her up and hugged her and made sure she was okay.

Us eating lunch. Dustin found a chair someone had left, lucky me! It was just what I needed.

So we keep going. Well the water is starting to get filled with logs, branches and whatever else, making it an obstacle course trying to get around and through them with out getting stuck, which we did a lot of, or hitting something and tipping. Well, there are normally a few trees down and you have to paddle around them, it can be hard, but doable. Well there where a LOT of them, just when you thought you were through them and could relax, there were more, lots more! It was about this time that Dustin hit a log he didn't see and dumped poor, freezing Bekah right off the front, head first into the river! He jumped out and grabbed her and she was fine, scared to death but okay. She decided to ride with me for a while. (I must say that at the start of our trip she was with me and didn't want to be, so she moved to Dustin's as soon as she could.)

A cool tree stump in the middle of the water. Most were just down in the water and in the way, but this one was pretty cool.

So what can we do but keep going...

And what did we find after the next bend, and the next, and next and next... more trees down, logs, and branches everywhere! Poor Jake and Dustin had to get out so many times to pull the kayaks through or over and past them that they were exhausted! Jake didn't want to do any more, he told me to "paddle through mom!" Well, I tried, but he still had to get out more!

There were some really cool spots where we had to stop and take pictures. It wasn't all bad.

This is a cool tree that was growing in the middle of the river.

A stump on its side in the river.

Bekah & I on the stump.

Just when we thought we were nearing the end, just a few more bends in the river to go...

Yes, a WHOLE TREE, across the WHOLE river! There was no way around it! We had to unload, climb over and lift the kayaks over! It was so crazy!

Well, it couldn't get worse than that! Just more small trees and logs... to navigate around.

So in short, our 3 mile trip, which should have been and easy 4 hour trip, with not much paddling, to over 6 hours and was a non-stop obstacle! With 2 of hours of POURING rain and thunder and lightning right over head! (And when you are on the water through that it is so much worse!) Now as I have read over the story, it sounds really tame compared to what we went through. I have under played it a lot. Trust me when I say, it was a very traumatic trip, that we will never forget! And we will never do that section of the river again! NEVER!
We did enjoy the time together, and it ended okay. Here are a few pictures from the ending point.

Bekah

Gracie

Jake

The kids and Dustin

A few quotes of the day:
"Just paddle through mom!" -Jake
"Can't we just walk to the road and go home?"- Grace (As we were in the middle of no where, with thick forest on either side of the river.)
"I want to go home." - Bekah (Also while in the middle of no where, during the rain storm.)
"The top of my toes are wrinkly" - Jake
"Mom, did your face get to wet, is that why it is so wrinkly?" Apparently I have a lot of wrinkles all over my face. Good to know.

Yeah good times...

The End

It's a...

2011-06-29T15:27:00.001-06:00

GIRL!!!

Our little girl didn't want to cooperate, so it was a little hard to get a good profile picture.
The doctor did keep commenting on her little tiny nose! Bekah has always had a tiny cute nose too!

We are a little surprised by this news of a girl, happy, but surprised!

This being said, we are working on a name!

We can't wait to meet this little girl! And we are almost half way there!!!

Counting down...

2011-06-28T18:54:00.001-06:00

I go to the doctor tomorrow for the ultra-sound!!!

So Hurry and vote! I will post the results after the appointment!!!

Boy or Girl???

2011-06-25T18:10:00.000-06:00

So this coming Wednesday, the 29th, we get to hopefully find out what we are having, if the baby cooperates! So vote in the poll on the right and let us know what you think!!! I will announce in after the ultrasound!!!

Haapy Father's day/ Anniversary!!!

2011-06-19T18:49:00.000-06:00

This year we are celebrating a double holiday!

Father's Day happens to fall on June 19th, our Anniversary!

So not only do I get to celebrate my children having an amazing dad,

I get to celebrate being married to my amazing husband!!!

14 years ago I did one of the best things I have ever done, I married

my best friend, the man of my dreams, my hero!

These past 14 years have been full of adventure, sadness, love, joy, happiness,

and learning as we have traveled the road of life,

we have enjoyed the journey and look forward to another 14 years!

This being Father's day, I have to mention the fathers in my life, who have touched my heart and life in many, many different ways, all of whom I am thankful for.

My dad, Harold Bailey, who changed my life and loved me as his own. His love and example will forever be with me. As will the many memories and blessings he brought to my life.

My Step- father, Keith, for his love and warm heart that continues to show us all so much love and acceptance. I am very glad to have you as a part of my life, and in my children's.

My father-in-law, Kent, whose love and example have been given from the beginning. I could not of hand picked a better father in law. I am so glad that my children get to share your name and have you forever in their lives.

And my 'Bonus dad', Gary, who has loved me and taught me much. I am glad I got to be a part of his family. I can not forget him on this special day!

Each one of these men will forever be in my heart.

I hope you all have a wonderful fathers day with the special fathers in your life!

Found pictures!

2011-06-17T13:25:00.000-06:00

So... as promised here are some pictures I found, including a 'belly' shot.

This is a shot of me at 15 weeks. I have gotten a little, or a lot, bigger since.
I know, another belly shot will come soon.

We like to go get ice cream after a day out together!

This is me, on the left and a few great friends after a game of Laser Tag!

Which I must say, I rule at!!! I got over 6400, more than 800 more points than anyone else!!!

(Me, Dana, Bethany, Angie, and April)

I know, I don't post for a long time, than I post twice in one day! Sorry!

But be sure to see the previous post as it is also new!

The past few weeks...

2011-06-17T12:15:00.000-06:00

have been filled with lots of fun and adventures!

The girls did a week of swim lessons. It started out pretty rough, and got a little better as the week went on! The first day Bekah screamed and cried the first 40 minutes of the 1 hour class. She did NOT want to put her face in the water, at all, no matter what, not even for ice cream or treats. And for get jumping in the pool! It was not a fun hour! I wanted to spank her, slap her, then I just wanted to cry with her! But she got a little better over the week and by day 6 she would do it, without much crying. Grace did great. She started out not wanting to swim with her face in the water or jump in, but by day 6 she could swim the length of the pool and even jumped in off the diving board!

Grace swimming

Bekah swimming

Grace jumping in off the diving board!

I only got to go to the first and last day of swim lessons due to being at Girls Camp all week!

Which was a blast! We had 11 girls there and we got to bunk as Wards this year. (Our Stake does camp all together.) So it was nice to see all the girls together and getting along. We also had 3 YCL's this year, youth camp leaders, and it was cool seeing them teaching devotionals and leading all the girls in different activities. They did great. It was in the 90's all week and while we did stay in air conditioned cabins and had other air conditioned buildings, we where still outside a lot and walking all over, and it was hot and uncomfortable. My feet started to swell after day one and for to where I couldn't bend my toes it hurt to much! So I spent a little free time each day laying with my feet up! Our Stake camp theme was "A heart like His." and then each Ward had a personal theme, ours was "A Strong Heart". It was a great theme and we spent a lot of time in devotionals and doing activites to help us gain a 'heart like His'. It was a great year!

This is our Ward! I am in the back row, second from the right end.

This is me with some pink in my hair, I actually had a ton, everywhere, but this is all that could be seen in a picture. It was Pink Out day, head to toe! I mainly took this for Grace, but since I was behind the camera, this is the only picture I have of just me!

I also have a few 'belly' shots, but I can't seem to find them, so I will post them once I do! But be assured, I have a belly, way bigger than I should at 17 weeks! Guess that is what happens when you have no waist area and are having your 4th baby! So... I will post them soon!

Cleaning & Crafts

2011-05-19T12:10:00.000-06:00

K- so I always see these cute pictures in magazines or online of houses all decorated cute for the holidays, and I always wish my house had those cute little touches, that when you put them all together, make it so cute and inviting. So after doing some searches on Google for something completely different, well for clock ideas, I guess not that different. Anyway, I have a BUNCH of pictures of way cute things, mainly signs, and wood things, that I can make for ALL the different holidays!!! So if I do these, and add them to what I have and maybe get a few things here and there, I think I can have that WAY cute house!!!

I also discovered that I have made a lot of things that I could put pictures of online for others to get ideas... We shall see if I ever do this, but I am excited about doing a bunch of craft projects, including all the million ones that are in my garage that I said if I didn't do before we moved again I would just get rid of... yeah that is in 6 months, and I am having a baby at the end of that time... So, anyone up for a major craft fest??? I think I will start going through the garage again on Monday, then start crafting by Friday!

Here is to getting organized and getting my craft on!!! Stay tuned for some finished projects...

Lots of updates!

2011-05-10T11:15:00.001-06:00

So, I have been so sick I haven't even downloaded my pictures off the camera! So this is a LONG post with lots of pictures! I don't like playing catch up, but here it is! Be sure to go down to the END, info you will want down there!!!

We will start with a few Easter photos...

The girls coloring eggs

Bekah trying to get the egg, way- up-high!

Gracie in the hunt.

Jake racing for an egg before Grace can see it.

They were very competitive this year, even though they each get to keep the same number of eggs, no matter who finds them!

Checking out the eggs

Bekah found money!

Grace checking her eggs out

This past week was a busy one for us! We spent a lot of time at the kids school for different reasons!

Here is Bekah waiting for me to help with something for Jake's class

Jake's 4th grade field day was on Monday, I didn't realize how competative they can be at that age!

This is Jake after his class won the Tug of war competition.

Jake & Bekah watching the events

Jake also had a field trip, well, really two last week, but I went on one of them.

We had to be at the school at 5am! This is us as the bus was getting ready to leave.

We went to the State Capital, in Tallahassee, a 2 hour drive for us. This is in the top of the Capital building, they had an observatory where you could walk around and see the whole town.

We went in to see the Legislative, who was in session. It was neat for the kids to see them pass a few bills.

Gracie had her field day also last week. This is her and her best friend. They won the 3 leg race.

I only got to see a few events, as I had to leave for my doctor's appointment.

Grace having fun getting WET! They do a leaky bucket race, where they pass a bucket over there heads, the bucket has lots of wholes!

2 Sundays ago, Dustin competed in the annual EOD memorial race.

They do 3 1/2 miles with a 30lb. ruck sack; then swim 1/2 mile in the bay; then run 6 miles to the finish.

He places 30th out of over 300, 4th for his age group, and 2nd for the Army!

This is us waiting after the race! Well, Dustin and the girls anyway.

After the EOD Memorial Ceremony this past Saturday, where they have a big ceremony and announce the names of fallen EOD techs who died serving, who will be added to the memorial wall for each military branch, then award flags to the families who are present of those men, I took a few pictures of Dustin in his uniform. He doesn't put it on much, and I haven't gotten one in a long time!

Isn't he good looking in his Dress uniform!? (He hates it!)

SO... I have a few more things to add, but I can't at the moment. I promise I will soon!

But for your info...

I went to the Doctor and they did an ultrasound and checked the babies heart rate and size and everything looked good. They are keeping my due date for November 24th, Thanksgiving day! I am hoping I go early like I have the past two times, which will give me a little more recovery time before we move in December!

Bekah got to go with me, and saw the baby! I don't think she really knew what was going on, but she paid close attention and can show you where the head, hands and feet are on the pictures. We even saw the baby wiggle and wave to us. It was nice to see. Everyone, including the kids, have asked repeatedly when we will know what it is, boy or girl, well not for about 6 more weeks. But if you ask Dustin, he will tell you it is a boy. So there you go. (We will find out for sure at 18-20 weeks!)

I also haven't posted pictures of my New York trip, I will do a slide show when I get them all together, promise!

I am now attaching a link to a video from the beginning of My Best Friends Wedding, Wishing and Hoping, it is a musical number that we Young Women leaders did, well, lip-sinked to, for a big fundraiser night we had a church. I am hoping to get a copy of us soon. We only did the first minute of so, but it was fun! And funny!

And that brings us to now! So I hope you have enjoyed our crazy update! Hopefully I will be more on the ball now! We shall see how I feel!

Some thoughts...

2011-05-02T06:21:00.000-06:00

I know, there are lots of pictures everyone is waiting to see, and I will post them soon, I promise! But I had to take a minute to share something.

You see, I woke to news that the US had killed Osama! Great news! We were happy about that, still are! But as I went to my facebook page and was reading every ones posts, a few thoughts came to me.
1- It is great to see all the military support in every ones posts! But what about the other 364 days of the year? I know a lot of my friends are military spouses, or just support the military. But why do we never voice it? When we lose fellow soldiers, friends, co-workers or just fellow military personal, where is the support? I do see it, in the world and on facebook, but never voiced so loudly. I thank those that do support the military and their families, but lets make a little more noise!
2- Some people seem to think that until today, when he was killed, that our military has been sitting on there thumbs! Do they not see all the good our forces have done in those country's? All the men and women we have lost to fighting in this war? My husband has been deployed twice to fight over there, has lost many friends and co-workers to this war. I guess when you live in this 'military life' you see things more, or they are closer to home. No more 'about time's, they have been fighting for 9 years, and done much during those years.

So I guess now that my rant is done, what I want to say is this: Thanks to all those who support the military everyday, let us voice ourselves a little louder! Let us not forget all our military does for us everyday, all those we loose, and all that we have because of them. Years ago there was 'Red Friday' a day when everyone wore red to support our troops, I will be wearing red every Friday to do this, will you join me? I hope to see and hear the support for our military a little louder!

*My intention in this post is not to offend anyone, we all live in different places and have different lives, I understand and do not judge, just sharing my personal thoughts, my right, thanks to our military.*

Bad me!

2011-04-14T06:14:00.000-06:00

I have been really bad about posting! I have no reason, I just haven't done it! I even have pictures and things to share! But since I am doing a bunch of things today to get ready for my New York trip tonight, I may not get it done! So, Sorry! I will be better when I get back from my trip, I swear!

Until then I hope you all have a great weekend!

Days 8, 9, & 10!

2011-04-04T15:39:00.000-06:00

Sorry got a little behind! But here we go!

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.

Not much to add!

(See my Day 10 picture to see whom I did this with!!!)

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

My best friend and wonderful husband!

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

My wild and crazy best friends!

Bethany, Terri, and Dana!

Although are crazy times are coming to a end since we are all moving away to different places! BUT we will be meeting at least once a year for some fun!!!

Day 7 of 30

2011-04-01T06:17:00.000-06:00

A picture of your most treasured item...

My first thought was...

They are my most treasured, but not really items. But if I had them nothing else would matter...

My second thought was my scriptures.

As I thought on this, I think if I had my family, scriptures, maybe my pictures from the past, I could start over with nothing else.

These are my most important treasures!

Day 6 of 30

2011-03-31T06:41:00.000-06:00

A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

Well, for me that is not an easy one. You see, I like being me. There is no one that I envy, that I want to be. Sure there are a few hot actors out their one wouldn't mind trading places with their signifacant other, but would I really, no. Then I would see the real them, and not like them so much.

No, I like my life, my family, my friends.

BUT, since I am trying to do this right, I picked someone, well, more a charactor from one of my favorite movies. It is not just her I like, but the time and place. The whole scene.

Yes, Miss Elizabeth Bennett.

I would love to experince the Jane Austin time frame for a day!

New Pages!?!?

2011-03-30T07:31:00.000-06:00

I know, I am posting a lot of new things everyday!

So don't forget to scroll down so you don't miss anything!!!

And on that note...

The kids are really worried about staying in touch with friends when we move. They say I have lots of ways to talk and share things with my friends, and they are right. I have email, facebook, blogging, phones with texting...

Well, I am not getting them phones yet.

They are still a little to young for facebook.

With email they can't share pictures easily.

So that leaves blogs!

One idea was to add pages to our family blog that are all about them. Plus, it is supper easy. Our blog is already set up...

HOWEVER...

They want to be able to decorate their own way! Not that I can blame them. I love decorating our blog! Adding pictures and buttons and links to my favorite things.

So, I think in the next few days we will set up their own blogs, but they will be locked.

Private. By invitation only.

So as long as their friends or their parents have email, they can view them.

But for now, I have set up pages about each of the kids.

Right now they only have a slide show on each one. I will probably keep these, updating the slide shows and post their milestones on their own pages. I think it sounds fun! Since most of what I post is about me or the family as a whole. AND since Bekah is way to young to have her own blog, she won't be excluded from the fun and sharing. And then when this new little one joins us, it will have one too!

Now, don't forget to scroll down to the bottom, I have been posting several times a day! Sorry 'bout that!

Day 5 of 30

2011-03-30T05:53:00.000-06:00

A picture of your favorite memory...

Well, since I am a picture freak that was a little hard to do!

Add to that that only the past few years are on this computer...

As I was looking through old pictures I came to the conclusion that most of my great memories have to do with family time. Not really doing anything expensive, or exciting. So I found this one to sum them all up!

We spend a lot of time hiking, fishing, camping, doing anything outside!

And I have so many memories from this time spent together.

This is a picture in Idaho in 2010, up in the mountains by a creek.

NEWS! NEWS! COME & GET IT!!!

2011-03-29T07:55:00.001-06:00

First Announcement!!!

This December we will be moving to Colorado!!!

We are excited to be closer to family,

and a little sad to be leaving so many amazing friends!

Second Announcement!!!

If you haven't already seen the count down on the right...

We are having another baby!!!

Yes, I did BOTH tests!

AND then we waited till the Doctors did a blood test, just to be sure!

And now we are sharing the news! (If we didn't the kids would! lol!!!)

We told the kids and they were more excited about the baby then they where when they found out we were going to Walt Disney World! It was SO funny!

Jake jumped up and down and asked "REALLY?! REALLY!?"

Grace said she was "going to have her own baby to hold!!!"

Bekah was excited about being a big sister, and then said,

"So, your going to get a fat belly with a baby in it!?"

It was so funny! We are all excited!

They calculate I am due November 24th, we shall see!

Yes, this is going to be a busy year! Baby, move, all in the last 2 months! CRAZY!!!

Day 4 of 30

2011-03-29T07:35:00.000-06:00

A picture of a habit you wish you didn't have.

How to find a picture of one...

So, since we got out XBox and hooked it up to Internet and got Netflix again...

I get sucked into old shows I loved! I start by watching one show, no worries, but that turns into, 2, or 3, or all day! BAD HABIT!!! I get sucked in and don't want to stop!!! I do this on the computer the most! Hey, the kids get to watch their cartoons on the TV while I watch online, BAD BAD BAD!!!

Slide show working, I hope!!!

2011-03-28T16:11:00.002-06:00

Okay, so one of the slide show didn't want to load, and 2 of the others weren't showing! I think I finally got them working, I hope!!!

Enjoy!

Let the Challenges Begin!!!

2011-03-28T06:25:00.000-06:00

So I am going to start 2 challenges! One I wanted to start on my birthday, I know I am a few days late, but I can catch up. It is the 30 Day Challenge, where you share one picture and some information each day, I will post the list on the side or bottom sometime soon! So today I will dothe first three days!

The other challenge is 40 bags in 40 days! Spring Cleaning!!! I hate to clean, but I hate clutter even more, so the goal is to fill one bag a day with stuff to get rid of, garbage or give away! I will start this challange hopefully tomorrow, as today is BUSY!!! So Who will accepet this challenge with me??? Any takers???

Day 1 of 30

A picture of yourself and 15 facts about you.

1. Name Eleanor Megan Rolfe

2. Not named after anyone

3. Born in Coure 'd Alene, Idaho

4. I have 2 half brothers, and one half sister all of whom I love!

5. I married my high school sweetheart.

6. I have been maried 13 years

7. I have 3 beautiful, amazing kids.

8. I am a photographer

9. I have 3 side businesses

10. I grew up on a farm, and loved it

11. I love the Army life and moving around

12. My favorite color is a bluish-green

13. I love white tigers, always have

14. I am blessed with lots of 'bonus' family

15. I can be a little OCDC at times

Day 2 of 30

A picture of you and someone you have been close to for a while

I can think of no one else I have been truely close to for longer than my wonderful husband.

Day 3 of 30

A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

(Hard to choose which show!)

I have been with it from the beginning!

See you tomorrow!

Spring Break Fun!!!

2011-03-27T19:38:00.000-06:00

What more can I say!

Us at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

The girls after they had their faces painted!

On our way into the park

At Homossasa Springs, our first stop on our trip!

The girls with Mickey Mouse!!!

Minnie & Mickey during a show at the Magic Kingdom Castle!

These are just a few of my favorite pictures!

We took over 1000 total. I was able to narrow that down to just over 500 to share!

So there are 5, yes five, slide shows on the right side! The pictures are not in any order, in fact they got mixed up, sorry! That is what happens when you have 2 cameras going!!!

This was a Spring Break we will never forget!

Ending with my 30th birthday! Needless to say, I will never forget this one!!!

Don't forget to see the slide shows!!!

My 30th Birthday Fun!

2011-03-27T12:54:00.001-06:00

At the beginning of March I got to go out with some of my best friends for a birthday celebration! (We went then since one of them was moving before my birthday :( ) And we had a BLAST!!! It was so fun! A birthday I won't ever forget! Her are some of the pictures of that fabulous night!

Dinner at the Melting Pot

Laser Tag!

These are my girls!

Dana, Terri, Me, & Bethany

Me looking fab!

Playing on the beach in the rain!

Me on the bull we all rode!!!

On the dance floor! We were the only ones dancing!

We also sang karaoke, but we were all doing that and didn't get any pictures!!!

It was a fun night! Perfect for kicking off my birthday month!

(More pictures in a slide show to the right soon!)

AND then my family trip over Spring Break and my birthday pictures to come, I promise!!!

(We took about 1000 so I have a little editing to do!)