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Playing catch-up, again.

Once again, I'm sitting here trying to catch up with the last three months. I wonder why I can't just post as I go! Anyway, we finally got through negotiations and bought a great house in Lehi, Utah. We really like the neighborhood and the location. The boys love playing in the yard, and I love the fence! It is so nice to finally let the boys play without worrying about bothering the neighbors (or family).

Jeff has been getting busier and busier at work, and it looks like that trend will continue for the next couple of months. I know he's stressed now, but maybe we'll find the silver lining somewhere along the line.

I have been doing a number of things to keep myself busy. I worked as a substitute teacher a couple times a week during the fall, did some work from home for the family business, but most of the time tried to keep the boys from tearing the house apart. I realized this fall that this is the first and probably last year that no one in our immediate family is going to (real) school. With that being said, I did take the H&R Block tax course and have been hired to work in one of their offices for this coming tax season. I know it sounds really nerdy, but I'm really looking forward to it. I've never denied having a nerdy side, my band experience in high school and my being a science teacher prove that.

Another big addition to our lives is Husker. We got a doberman puppy at the beginning of November for the boys and he has been a lot of fun. He is really sweet, but has been a pain in the neck to house train. I'm sure it would be going better if we had warmer weather, but we'll get this puppy whipped into shape sooner or later.

We had a great Christmas this year. The boys' excitement really made if fun for Jeff and me this year. Despite mine and Jeff's decision to have a "no-toy Christmas," the boys got spoiled rotten. We are so blessed to have family and friends that love us and spoil the kids (and the parents sometimes too). I'm sure this coming year will bring just as many adventures as years past, but it sure feels nice to not be waiting to be done with school or think about more moves or temporary jobs.

He Passed!

I have been terrible about staying up to date on our blog, but in case any of you didn't hear, Jeff passed the Utah Bar Exam! He's working for his dad's law firm in Sandy and we expect to be here forever. We are in the process of buying a house and making big plans for the future.

Random Elko

The boys and I have had a very busy summer. Here's a little bit of what we've been up to while in Elko:

At Elko's Silverstate Stampede.

Ice blocking at a friend's birthday party.

Jetskiing at Southfork.

After all the rain in June, a huge mud puddle formed on the road just above the house. The boys just couldn't help themselves....

4th of July

We were party poopers and didn't go anywhere to take the kids to one of the big firework displays, but had a good time spending the holiday with the Cannons at their house. Jeff studied for most of the day, so I made a festive cake (I even died the two layers red and blue). Bryan set off a few fireworks in the driveway and we were able to get the kids to bed at a decent time!

Busy weekend

I'm way behind, but starting on June 25th, the boys and I drove out after Ammon's swimming lessons to pick up Heidi and continued down to Manti for the Mormon Miracle Pageant. Even though it rained like crazy through most of it, we enjoyed it. We stayed at my Aunt Karen's house and drove back up to rejoin our husbands. I can't believe I forgot my camera this weekend, but oh well. On Saturday afternoon, Jeff had a flag football/bbq with his online utefans.net friends. I ended up playing and paid for it later. I hadn't pushed myself that hard in a long time (probably before I was pregnant with Ryan)! We got back to the house long enough to take showers, grab something to eat and left again for the Lehi Roundup. Jeff and I both LOVE rodeos and the boys seemed to like it as much as we did. We ended the weekend with going to church in the morning and then the boys and I drove back to Elko, leaving Jeff for another week alone to study.

Swimming Lessons

Considering Ammon has barely been in the water due to work schedules and cold weather, he has done AMAZING in his progress in his first session of swimming lessons. He will practice what his teachers show him while the other kids are just goofing around and is not scared at all to go under the water. Our only challenge is keeping him in the water when he gets cold. Poor Ryan can't understand why he can't get in the pool during Ammon's lessons. I leave him with Grandma and Grandpa if they are home, but if he comes along, it means 45 minutes of fighting to keep him away from the water and he often ends up getting in up to his knees.