The kids could not figure out why we had two toilets in our bathroom. They thought it was pretty cool. We were not exactly sure how you were supposed to use it so we decided it worked best to wash our feet. Haha

We all needed a little grub and some rest before we headed out to the pool (well actually Tyler and I needed the rest it is really exhausting driving with four kids)

Family Vacation 2009

This year we decided to stay close to home for our little get away. I had just stayed in Zion's with my mom and sisters for her 60th surprise birthday and I knew the kids would love it. I tried to stay in the same place we did but they had no openings so I found this little piece of wonderful. It was so beautiful! It felt like we were in an apartment instead of a hotel. Later this year we had found out that it was rated the #1 place to stay in 2009 for family vacations....Can I hear a Woot Woot for Ebbi!

Ava and her first day of Preschool 2009. It was "So Sunny and my eyes won't open" but we had to get a picture on the famous rocks.

This is one of my good friends from High Schools daughter. It looks just like Lindsay and I hanging out. We will have to keep them separated from each other when they get older, I know all about the trouble they could get into. :)))

For some reason my kids think it is so fun to take pictures outside of Dukes clothing store in Kanab.

Dewey, Skinney and Hafen Loven them some 4th of July!...(shaved heads must be in style these days... ha ha!)

The second incident..... One day while I was at work, again... Maya and the kids were at the park for Jaxson's 1st Birthday. Tyler was on call so he was still at work as well. They were with their cousins just playing and having a ball. Well, Maya ended up crawling up one of the ladders and fell off. No one was near her and it must of knocked her out for a moment because when someone finally noticed her she was not moving. I think the entire town was at the park that night (well except for her parents). Someone called 911 and said she was not moving or breathing. Tyler, being the one on call for the hospital gets a call that Maya has fell and she is not breathing or moving. He gets in his truck and speeds up to the hospital to find her not there. He then runs from the hospital to the park(he HATES to run, he says now he was not in his right mind, why didn't I drive that would of been faster. I just ran out the doors and kept running) he said " he just kept praying please no, please no please no." My in laws and Jaylyn get the same phone call and they speed off to the park from their house. On their way they see the ambulance and police cars racing that way. My father in law said " he just kept moaning and praying that he would see those blue eyes again." My poor kids were just wondering around not understanding what was happening and Ella was told to stay by her and so she could see her face. I was at work waiting on a table outside when I heard the ambulance go off and I remember just then I was telling them how much I love living here and how much we truly are community that looks after each other. I was saying how people here know my kids and they too help me look after them. Little did I know that ambulance was for my daughter. When Tyler ran up to the park he heard her crying. When my in laws ran from their car up to her they too had her make a cry out loud. To all of them that was the best feeling in the world. They felt like then they knew she would be ok. She still had to go through the motions of the EMT's checking her out and then the hospital doing their procedures but thank goodness she was OK! Now mind you I am still at work and still unaware of any of this. Being a busy night I had not been able to check my phone and all my text messages wondering if Maya was ok. When I was checking out about 11:30 I finally looked at my phone. I freaked out and ran home to find her jumping on the bed totally unaware of anything that had happened earlier that day. Kids are so resilient. The adults on the other hand for weeks after still would get upset and sick to their stomachs just going over in their heads the feelings they had had not knowing if she was going to be ok or not. It was all blown a little out of proportion and if either one of her parents would of been there none of the 911 calls would of been made, but who is to really say. I am grateful for the concern and care people had for her. Now if she gets a scratch or bump on her head she says " I fall at da pak, sad huh?" I had a friend from the Philippines tell me that they believe small children are more likely to have accidents when it is close to their birthdays....hers was in two weeks.

Maya's 2nd Birthday MOnKeY CAke. I have turned my cake making days over to Donann. She does a Fabulous job. We always call Maya "Monkey Maya" so what better than to have a monkey cake.

We were practicing singing Happy Birthday to her and she was not in the mood.

Although she was in the mood to eat it. (Notice the scar on her for head... one day that I was at work she was with Tyler going to pick up the kids from a friends and she was standing by the door inside Tyler's truck when Ella opened the door, not knowing she was there, and out she went right on the pavement.) That was the first incident.....

I got these shoes for Maya because they "quack" when she walks and it's a good way for us to know where she is at all times. I loved them, others may have felt differently. One day the girls and I went on a walk to the grocery store and we all came barreling into Glaziers loud and clear along with Maya quacking along and I saw someone I knew checking out. When she heard us laughing and quacking she looked at the clerk and said " oh my G...what in the H... is that?" I caught her eye and she said of course that would be YOU Ebbi and Your kids. Now this woman is kinda ornery and it made me so PROUD that of course it's US having fun!!! I thought "maybe YOU should try it sometime".. ha ha

I really wanted to follow them around all day with my camera but this is all I got cuz I think I was a little embarrassing crying and all....

Golden School Days!

This is Ella' first day of 2nd grade and Drew's first day of 1st. We always have to get a picture by the rock.

Drew picked out his own clothes, he always does. Even in December he insists on wearing shorts. He says "pants slow him down when he is running." He always wears his back pack this way cuz "it's cool, I will always wear my back pack this way it's just cool." Ella on the other hand lets me pick her clothes out. Thanks Ell!

We are so lucky to have Mr. Willardson two years in a row. First with Ella and then with Drew. He really is a GREAT Teacher!

I came home from work one night and Tyler and the kids were out sleeping on the trampoline. Way to go DAD!!!

How much do you think our kids love this girl?!

This picture just about broke my heart! All he wants is to be a big kid in pads! Instead he is sitting on his ball with his hands over his eyes....You will be there soon enough Drew Boy, I ProMisE!

Football season 2009

Future KHS Cheerleaders! Even though Ava refused to go out and cheer....there is always next year.

This would be the 2009 Kanab Cowboy Coaches. (I'm surprised they all fit on the bench...ha ha)

Maya really wants to be a cheerleader. She gets my old pom poms out and says "Go Cowboys, Go Cowboys." Then she puts her hands on her hips and cocks her leg and tilts her head. She knows she's a cutie!

I love this picture because Tyler and Drew are taking time out of their warm ups to watch Ella do her thing.