Gardner Village

We took the kids to Gardner Villiage this weekend and had a great time. It was all decorated for Halloween and there were pumpkins and witches everywhere. The weather was perfect which allowed us to take lots of great pictures. Here are just a few....well not a few. ENJOY!!!

This was our favorite witch...she looked great

Aren't these just the cutest kids??!!

Our cute little witches

Parker was a good boy....waiting patiently while his sisters had their faces painted

Face painting is so much fun

Of course our day wouldn't have been complete without riding the ponies

Go Pink Panthers!!

Maddie just finished up her first soccer season. She had a great time playing on the "Pink Panthers" team. She loved her soccer uniform so much she would wear it to school at least once a week. One day she even wore her soccer cleats to school. I didn't know until she came home that day. I bet her teacher thought I was crazy to let her go to school like that. Oh well, to be young and not worry about what to wear!!!

This is Maddie before her first game started.

Notice how excited and full of energy she is

Gotta love the tongue hanging out as Maddie runs

Uh, oh...the game is only half way over and Maddie is exhausted!!!

Finally, she gets to be the goalie and take a little rest

When we were at Maddie's game we told Lauren she could play anywhere but she couldn't step on the white line. If she did, she might get hurt. She was really obedient but during half time she really wanted to go out on the field with Jeff but she couldn't figure out how to get over the white line with out stepping on it. This is Lauren contemplating how to get over the white line. It was hilarious to watch her.

Count Your Blessings

Today Jeff and I did one of the hardest things I have ever done. We went to a funeral of some of our dearest friends, Bret, Annie, and Blake Hafen. They put to rest their sweet darling princess Hannah of only 16 months. When she was born she was diagnosed with a terminal illness called SMA. Hannah was only supposed to live a few months but she made through 16 wonderful months. As I sat in the chapel during the funeral, my heart was breaking. I am not a very emotional person but today proved to be a very emotional day. I cried A LOT!! It was so sad to see the Hafen family as they followed baby Hannah's tiny casket to the front of the chapel. Big Brother Blake, who is only 6, was sobbing....along with mom and dad. It was enough to break any one's heart. Aren't we so thankful for the gospel and all it's truths about eternal families?? I know the Hafen's are truly grateful. The opening song was Teach me to Walk in the Light and it was a tough one to get through. It hit home with me and made me realize what a huge responsibility I have as a parent to raise my children in righteousness. As we listened to the wonderful remarks and the amazing music, I couldn't help but think about my wonderful life. I have the greatest husband in the world who is a great provider for our family and worthy priesthood holder. Jeff is the happiest most optimistic person to ever live. How did I get so lucky to marry him? I also have 3 healthy children who keep me hopping. Today made me stop and remember that I need to be more loving, kind, understanding, and patient. Even if it is at 4 a.m. when Parker thinks it is time to wake up for the day, or trying to convince Lauren that she can't wear her princess dress everywhere she goes, or helping Maddie through her tough moments in life. Today I resolved to be a better friend, mother, wife, and daughter and not take my life for granted. I need to take time to stop and smell the roses, play more, clean less, take more pictures, go on more adventures, read more stories, and create wonderful memories for my children. I know this phrase is used a lot but life really is about the moments that take our breaths away and not about how many breaths we take. WE LOVE YOU BRET, ANNIE, and BLAKE!! I included a few recent pictures of my wonderful children who are growing up way too fast. Can't they just stay little forever??

Doesn't Parker look cute with a pink bow on his head?

GO UTES!!

Lauren running as fast as she can to get to her dad

Maddie with some of her dog collection

Commenting on comments

It has come to my attention by a few of our "blog viewers" that I don't allow comments on my blog. Well, I didn't know you could comment on blogs. That just goes to show how little I know about what I am doing. Well, I have change my settings and I think I have it set up so ya' all can leave comments. If someone would be so kind as to leave a comment so I can see if I did it right. If there are no comments I will assume that I am a "blog idiot" and I will try again. Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on!!!

Dam Fun!!!

Since summer is offically over I decided to sit down and look through all the pictures we took this summer. We had a lot of fun while Jeff went to work. One of the best days we had was at Pineveiw Dam with my family. My kids love Papa's boat and they can't get enough of it. We had a blast!! Lots of food, sun, water, and fun in the tube.

Parker loved the swing

Lauren using her cousins Spiderman fishing pole

Maddie is like a fish in the water

Parker and his cousin Zack

What could be better than a giant mud puddle with a frog in it?

The three Allred girls in one tube

Parker and Papa Karl taking their afternoon nap

Gotta love that face!!!

All cleaned up after a fun day in the sun.
The kids all took a shower behind the boat

Parker was such a great boy. He didn't even mind the life jacket

Lauren driving the boat with Papa