Happy Thanksgiving!

"Gobble-Gobble"
Enjoy your turkey dinner!

"Called To Serve Him..."

This past week my parents received a call to serve as Mission President and Wife, on a 3 year English speaking mission. The call came from President Uchtdorf on Friday through a video conference. As you can imagine, it was an experience which they will never forget. He talked about the blessings which will come to all of us through their service and spoke of the strong confirmation on their names in the temple. This doesn't at all surprise me! I know that they will touch the lives of so many while they serve, they truly are the perfect people for such a calling.

Now, don't get me wrong. In my excitement there is also much sadness. I have never lived away from my parents (except for two short semesters at college) and my kids have had them around since the day they were born. And although it is not forever, three years just seems like a very long time! It will be hard to see them go, and even harder to be strong for my kids! I know the Lord will bless us with strength while they are gone and that my siblings and I will be there for each other.

So as the selfish part of me wants to hold on to them and never let them go, the unselfish part of me (which isn't quite as strong!) will support them in such an amazing chance to serve both our Heavenly Father, and the missionaries who will be beyond lucky to have them in their lives.

Congrats mom and dad, you are truly an example to us all. We love you!

National Skills Tour

Happy Halloween

Grandma Judy helps Rian get "dolled up"


Rian as "Fancy Nancy" & Dakota as a "Scar-let"


The Ogden cousins
(not pictured- Jack, who wouldn't dress up, & Payson)


"Trick or Treat!"


Our traditional visit to the "Ape Man"
(aka Grandma's doctor!)


Jack does not like the "Ape Man"!


The Cameron cousins
(Jack also did not like his cousins costumes!)

Problem Almost Solved...

Try and picture this...

I'm coming home from a friends house last night with my three kids. Dave took the truck thinking I had nowhere to go so I only had a booster seat for Jack. As we are stopped at the busy intersection of Dysart and Indian School I look back to see Jack standing on his booster seat. I yell at him to sit down just as the light turns green, of course he doesn't. So I proceed through the intersection and pull to the side of the road.

I get out and walk to the other side of the car to buckle Jack in. Just as I open his door, Dakota screams, "Mom, Lucy jumped out of the car!!!" I see her run straight into the busy street but (unfortanetly) is not hit and runs back towards me. I'm trying to get my hands on her as I then notice BOTH of my girls are out of the car on the street with me! I scream at them to get in the car and shut the door. I then proceed to chase that stupid dog up the sidewalk as she runs back towards the intersection.

I honestly did not know what to do. In my panic state I just kept thinking, "My kids are in a running car on the side of the road, and the dog is inevitably going to run into traffic and die in front of them." So I continue to chase her, away from the car (in which none of my three kids are now even buckled in their seats!). I couldn't imagine just saying forget it, letting the dog go, and having to go back to the car without her. I'm not sure my girls would ever have forgiven me. And yet, I couldn't just leave them there as I follow her further and further away.

About 5 minutes later I get her to run with me towards the car, at which point Dakota jumped out, and together we trapped her, giving Dakota the opportunity to scoop her up.

And so I ask, "What would you have done???"

Saturday Excitement!

Saturday started off like most others... get up and get ready for soccer! And like most Saturdays, Rian didn't want to go. No, she wanted to lounge around and watch cartoons. Who doesn't??? But still, Dakota had a game at 10:00 so we had to get movin!

She played amazingly, as she has over the last few weeks. She scored 5 of her teams 6 goals, and assisted the last. She plays hard, and she plays fair, but most of all, she plays humbly. After scoring each goal, she turns quickly and runs back to midfield to try and do it again! Not taking any time to celebrate for herself as she would for her teammates, and certainly not looking at her crazy mother, cheering like a maniac!

Later that evening, the kids and I had the opportunity to watch our favorite soccer player in action! Our children were either too young or not yet born to ever get to see their dad play professional soccer, until this weekend. Although he is "supposed" to be retired due to knee injuries, he had an incredible opportunity this weekend to play in a game between the top two professional soccer teams out of Mexico! He did outstanding, despite the fact that, because he speaks no Spanish, he couldn't understand a word being spoken to him! The crowd stormed the field during half-time and at the conclusion of the game to get autographs and pictures of their favorite players. And although they had no idea who Dave was, they were just as eager to get his autograph and a quick snapshot. It was so fun for our kids to see this, they are so proud of their dad!

Let's go shopping!

A couple of weeks ago, my nighbor shared with me a new discipline technique that she found on the internet. It has been working wonderfully for her, so I decided to give it a try! Each time the girls do something that is praiseworthy- anything from good behavior, doing an extra chore without being asked, or just helping a family member out- they get a dollar (fake Monopoly money). If they are naughty, it is their punishment to lose a dollar. It works really well to keep them in line, all I have to do is warn them with the threat of losing a dollar and they usually shape right up!

Each Sunday they get to go shopping in mom's store. Most of the goodies are toys and treats purchased at the Dollar Store (I love that place!). But the girls each picked out a Webkinz (now at Walgreens for just $7!) that they want. Those, of course, are much more expensive in mom's store so they have to chose whether or not to spend their money on the little things or save up for their Webkinz. Last week each of them bought something small and saved the rest of their money. Tonight, they both decided to hold on to their hard earned dollars and try to earn lots of money this week so they can take their Webkinz home next Sunday. Wish them luck!

Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy Birthday DAD!!!

Have a great birthday dad! We love you!
Alisa, Dave, Dakota, Rian & Jack

Lucy

Well, Dakota is just loving finally having her dog! She plays with her every chance she gets, loves to snuggle her to sleep every night, and actually takes very good care of her. Min pins are known to "burrow", so I have to search through the blankets on Dakota's bed every night to find her and take her to her crate. Rian is enjoying her as well. She doesn't devote quite as much time to her but definitely loves having her around! Jack has taken quite an interest in "playing" with Lucy as well and also loves her (although I'm fairly positive the feeling is not mutual!).

As far as Dave and myself- not so much!!! But you all knew that would be the case, as did we. Unfortunately, Lucy LOVES me and wants to cuddle everytime I sit down. The biggest problem with that is that I have a skin allergy to her and I break out in small, incredibly itchy bumps anywhere she has had contact. Also, she HATES Dave! She won't go near him unless he's holding a piece of cheese (her favorite snack, and reward for good behavior) and even then, she will only get as close to him as she has to in order to snatch it out of his hand! She barks like crazy when he comes in the door and at any quick movement that he makes. I don't know why this is, I have a feeling it has something to do with her past. We're still hoping she'll come around.

Lucy loves cheese, walks, and most of all, any type of ball. She'll chase it, trap it with her paws and then attack it. It's actually pretty cute! Anyway, I guess she's here to stay and hopefully she'll just learn to like Dave so that he doesn't drop kick her over the back fence! Here are some pictures of our little baby...

It's Official...

Today I sent in my registration to compete in the Thanksgiving Day Triathlon. I'm actually really excited for it. I think it will be a huge accomplishment for me. I have started my training on a 13 week log my friend (& tri partner) Stacy found on the internet. So far so good. I try to keep track and continue to increase stamina, and decrease time. My goal for now is to finish in 70 minutes. That's a 15 minute 2 mile run, a 45 minute 12 mile bike & a 10 minute 400 meter swim. That's a reach, but I'm going to give it everything I have!

Exactly HOW many kids do I have???

While quickly wiping down the kids bathroom today, I noticed something that got me thinking. Does anyone else have this problem???



That's 2 for Dakota, 3 for Rian, & 3 for Jack. And with that, you'd think my kids have perfect teeth. Well, think again. At least it looks like they have incredible hygeine! (And this doesn't even include the 2 they got today at the dentist!)

Speaking of the dentist... what a morning we had. I didn't even tell the girls we had a dentist appointment today until we were on our way there & they asked why they weren't taking the bus. While Dakota was getting her teeth cleaned (no cavities- YEA!!!) I had to chase Rian out through the lobby & to the parking lot. It took us about 10 minutes to get her to lie down & another 5 to get her hands away from her mouth! She refuses to take the x-rays so we don't know if she has more than the one cavity the dentist can see. Oh well, what can you do? Jacy says its payback for what I put my mom through at the dentist when I was a kid. But I don't remember her ever having to chase me out to the car!

It's A Girl...

Approx. 4 pounds and 15 inches long, with lots of brown hair, and an absolute cutie!!!

Meet...

Lucy!!!
(Not the best pictures, I know. I'll post more soon!)

We got Lucy on Sunday night from a family in Surprise that could no longer keep her. She is 1 1/2 years old and is a Toy Miniature Pinscher. The girls are absolutely in love with her and want to spend every minute with her. Unfortunately, she is still a little nervous around them (it takes her a while to warm up and trust people), but has gotten very comfortable with me. I can't sit on the couch without her running to me, hopping up and planting herself in my lap. She's getting there with the girls and has come a long way since Sunday night! Jack is another story though. He thinks its just hilarious to chase her around the house with the baby stroller, or scream and growl at her. He then cracks up while he watches her slide around the hard floor in an attempt to escape the torture! But in watching them, I'm starting to see her initiate it in a playful way. She is housetrained and kennel trained, and she doesn't bite. She is a really good dog so far and we are enjoying having her around.

We should also mention "Pumba". Dave brought Pumba home last Tuesday from school. Pumba was a stray that a professor from the college took in. He could no longer care for him and asked if anyone wanted him. A free dog? Dave was all over that. He is a Shar Pei and completely stole our hearts. He was gentle and very sweet. Jack could do anything he wanted to that dog and he wouldn't move a muscle. He laid around and slept most of the day, never had an accident in the house, and just wanted someone to love him. But like I told the girls, he just wasn't the dog for us. He was already big and was still a baby, so he has lots more growing to do. We found him a great home with a lady who already has a female shar pei of her own. Since she took him on Saturday (which was a very hard day for all of us, to let him go) she has sent us emails to let us know he is very happy, and in love! She has also sent pictures of him snuggling his new friend. We definitely miss our little houseguest, but we are happy that he has a great new home.

Quote of the day...

The difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick.

-Sarah Palin, next Vice President of the United States

Happy Birthday Little Man!

Jack is a terror, we all know it! That being said, he is so loved in our home! Especially by his sisters, which is a miracle considering the torture he puts them through. He loves to pull their hair, jump on them, and hit them with his bat. I tell them boys do these things out of love! And they love him right back. Ever since he was born, they are absolutely smitten with him. They truly enjoy playing with him and watching him grow up and learn new things, like "time-out" :).

Dave and I have had our share of hard times with him (me more than Dave!) but we are so grateful to have him in our home and family. We feel like he definitely completes our family (well, Dave does anyway, I'm on the fence!). It's so fun to watch how different he is from our girls, and to see just how much a little boy can be like his daddy!

This week we celebrated Jack's 2nd birthday. His actual birthday was the 20th, so on that day I took cupcakes to the gym for him to share with his little friends that he spends each morning with. Then, after school we took the kids for a swim and had cupcakes after dinner.

The real party came though on Sunday when all of our in-town family came to enjoy dinner, Rock Band, gifts and cake! We were so happy to have everyone here to celebrate our special little boy with us!

Once Again...

It's been a while since Rian's last hate note. However, tonight she was sent to bed early for misbehaving today. She begged and pleaded but I stood my ground. While she was in bed, she wrote me this note...

"Mom I will never speek too you ugen I will gest (just) writ on papr so I can tok too you. Nabee (maybe)."

I love these notes, they go straight into her "memories box" in my closet! Ironically, this comes just one week after receiving a wonderful message from her school teacher. Ms. Neal called to tell us what a wonderful, bright, helpful and great kid Rian is. I wonder if she has another student named Rian?

First day of school...

Today was the first day of school for my kids. It's an especially big day for them because we have moved them from the charter school that they have attended and loved for the past 2 years back to Barbara Robey Elementary. Although we will definitely miss Carden and the girls are sad to not be in class with their cousins, we decided that this was a move that would be good for our family. Both of the girls have wonderful teachers that I couldn't be more pleased with! We were extremely lucky to get the teachers that we requested, so that Dakota could be in class with one of her best friends, Willow, and Rian with her good friend Brady, who she went to Kindergarten with. I know that this was an answer to my prayers, the transition would not have been possible otherwise! Both Dakota and Rian woke up excited and ready to go today, I am very proud of them. Here's to a great year girls!

Our Amazing Vacation- Bainbridge Island 2008

My favorite memories of our summer vacation at Bainbridge Island...

• Getting off the plane- oh that Jack!
• Waking up to "Downtowners" pastries (thanks dad!) and late night runs to "Mora" (an absolutely fantastic little ice cream parlor)- it's a wonder I didn't gain 30 lbs!
• "R & R" on the bay. Sudoku + a big Diet DP + Jack napping + 70 degrees out = heaven!
  
• Taylor (the newest addition to our ever growing family) is blessed outside by her father and all the men in the family, it was truly beautiful!
• Town & Country Market Clam Chowder - YUMMY!
• Late night games. Brett and I dominate at Spades!
  
• Dance Party on the patio at dawn, what fun! Thanks Rian and Aunt Bree.
• Our rainy boat ride to Poulsbo. Kids went for Ice Cream, adults warmed up with Hot Chocolate!
• Crabbing! I think we ended up with something like 30 crabs for our July 4th FEAST!
• 4th of July- Family photoshoot, Fireworks, Crabfest 2008 and Oreo Shakes.
• Watching the 3 toddlers on the beach throwing rocks.
• Day trip to "Point No Point" beach.
• Dakota learning to wakeboard!!! (See video post below)
• Geocaching in the Grand Forest. The kids found amazing treasures.
  
• Girls trip to Seattle for a day of food and shopping- thanks mom!
• Wakeboarding. Despite water temps in the low 60's, it was actually really fun!
• Date night with Dave. Fish & Chips at Doc's Marina and "Hancock".
• Watching Dave attempt to clear the wake and the girls "boob tubing".

Cameron's Wakeboarding Video

Koty's first wakeboard