I've got tons of pictures to post but no time to do it but I thought I would take a quick second to say Happy Holidays to everyone in case I don't get my pictures posted in the next little while. We had a great time in Page over Thanksgiving and were able to see all of my family. We are looking forward to the trip north to Montana to see Jason's family for Christmas next week. We are a little bummed his sister Jill and her family won't be there but look forward to maybe seeing them this summer, Cassidy really hopes so.

Robin, Clayton, and his mom (Mary Brown).

Jason and I at the reception.

I guess this is a Brown family tradition, some of the girls lip sync to the song "You Will Be His" and do a little dance to it as well.

Cassidy just missed the bouquet and felt bad about it so Robin gave her some other flowers.

Rich, Mark, Clayton, and Jason at the reception.

Provo Temple

The entire Brown family, minus Tyler who is on a mission. 13 kids altogether!

Robin and Clayton on their way out of the temple.

Robin and Clayton in front of the temple fountains at sunset, they should have hired me to do their pictures, huh!

Robin, Clayton, and Robin's three kids. Clayton got married and became a father all in one day!

Well, Clayton Brown is married! Clayton and Jason were good friends in high school, went to Rick's for a while together, and have just been friends for years. In fact, everyone in Helena, Montana knows the Brown family, infamous for having 13 kids. He got married last Saturday in the Provo temple since we live so close we had to make it down. Two of Jason's other friends from Helena, Rich and Mark, drove down to our place on Friday and picked up Jason to head down to Provo for one last night with single Clayton. They stayed there for the night and hung out the next day. After Cassidy's basketball game the kids and I headed to Provo as well, about an hour drive (depending on traffic). I had to go because I promised Jason's sister, Jill, that I would take lots of pictures and I knew Jason couldn't be trusted to do that.

We waited outside the temple, a beautiful fall day for mid-November, for the happy couple to come out then headed over to the church for the evening. It was a beautiful reception with lots of food, family, and even some entertainment. Some of the Brown girls did a dance, then Clay's new wife played the piano while one of his sisters sang a song. Finally it was time for something they do at every reception, four of the Brown sisters did a lip sync and dance, it was really cute.

We stayed for almost the entire reception and ate a ton of food and enjoyed catching up with the people that we saw there as well as with Rich and Mark.

Robin has three kids from a previous marriage, they are 8, 5, and 2, so Clayton gained a wife and three kids all in one day. He was so happy that he said his face hurt from smiling so much. They make a very cute couple and we wish them them all the happiness in the world.

Happy Birthday HONEY!!! I just wanted to wish Jason the best birthday ever and let you all know that he is 35 tomorrow. I hope he has the best birthday ever and knows how much I love him!

Zack as Anakin Skywalker, before he turned to "The Dark Side" of course.

Cassidy as Hannah Montana, no autographs please!

Well, October is over and here it is November already. Time seems to get away from me lately. I thought I better sit down and blog the past month to catch everyone up to date. Things are great here and we are having a great time. Jason has been gone hunring quite a bit this past month, both deer and elk, with a rifle, a muzzle loader, and a bow. I don't mind it as much when he goes with friends but it does seem like we have hardly seen him this past month. He is either hunting or talking about and planning the next one.

School is going great for the kids, they are both loving their teachers and their class. The soccer season ended with Zack loving his first year and Cassidy learning more then ever with two great coaches. She is starting basketball now so Jason said he would be an assitant coach and help out as needed since this is a sport he understands better. They both had so much fun trick-or-treating and dressing up for Halloween. It was tons of fun and the weather was fantastic.

I have been busy with work and subbing on a few days off to make some extra cash. I spend most of my days off doing the laundry and cleaning the house, FUN! I am bummed that running weather is about over and I hate running on the treadmill. I hope I can keep my butt going to the gym so I don't undo any good I did this summer.

We are looking forward to a trip to Page for Thanksgiving, with a pit stop in St. George to see Grandpa and Grandma Pfister, and a trip to Helena for Christmas.

I can't believe I actually put this picture on my blog but it was pretty funny. This is me as a gangsta for Halloween with my friend's brother, Hughes (this is how he always dresses). I am wearing all of Jason's clothes, but I had them washed and returned before he got back.

Cassidy, Elauna, Elli, and Zack all ready to go trick-or-treating.

Baby Livie, Princess Leah. SO CUTE!

Beau, Emmalene, and Elivia as Anakin, Patame, and Pricess Leah.

Zack, a.k.a. Anakin, and Hannah Montana, I mean Cassidy, all ready for Halloween.

Jason was muzzle loader elk hunting during Halloween this year so that is why you don't see him. Cassidy and Zack had a ton of fun trick-or-treating with our friends Beau, Emmalene, and their family then going back to their house to hang out after. It was the most beautiful Halloween weather wise that I can remember. So nice in fact we were taking pieces of our costumes off rather than putting winter coats on like other Halloweens since I have lived here in Northern Utah.

High School Musical 3 premiere.

Elauna, Cassidy, and Ky heading to the movie. GNO!!!

A few girls on Cassidy's basketball team, The Glamour Girls.

The Lady Fitness workout crew at Karianne's wedding (l to r: Danielle, Amy, Karianne, Allison, and Tiffany).

Here are some candid shots of us going to High School Musical 3 with some of our friends. A picture of Cassidy at her first basketball game (in her second game she made a their first point, a free throw shot). They are currently 0-2. The last is of myself and some friends at my good friend Karianne's wedding reception. I was able to go to her temple wedding earlier that day, it was so beautiful. Congrats Kari!

Here are our pumpkins Zack, Cassidy, Allison, and Jason's.

Cassidy and Zack decorating their pumpkins.

Jason and his "hockey mask" pumpkin.

Allison's pretty pumpkin.

Jason helps Cassidy decorate her pumkin.

We decided instead of carving or painting pumkins this year we would decorate them instead. Jason had the idea to use construction paper and straight pins to fasten our designs on our pumpkins. So we spent the evening making out pumpkins perfect.

Grandma Lora Lee jumping on the tramp with the kiddos.

Kim and Granpa Allen hanging out on the deck.

Jason, Justin, and Kim enjoying the sunshine.

Kaydence and Zack going for an afternoon drive in the backyard.

My parents and Kim decided to come up for a visit for UEA weekend, the kids and I had a four day weekend. We had so much fun hanging out in the warm sun, going to Cassidy and Zack's last soccer games of the season, and going to the new Chuck E. Cheese (I am convinced this is what hell is like for adults and heaven is like for kids). Kim, Justin, Jason, and I were even able to go out for a night on the town while awesome grandma babysat for us. We couldn't have asked for a nicer weekend and it was so great to see my family.

The view out my front door.

The willow tree collapsed on the deckin the back yard.

The willow tree's split trunk.

The stump that is the memory of where the tree once stood.

On Sunday, October 12th we had a freak early winter storm and it did all sorts of damage in and around the neighborhood as well in the Salt Lake area. Roy and West Haven got the most snow out of the storm, a record 12 inches (a FREAKIN' foot of snow in October, I KNOW!!). Well, our beautiful willow tree was a statistic. We were worried this might happen so Jason had gone outside and shook all of the trees in our yard to keep the heavy snow from weighing them down. However, the next time we looked out the window, part of the tree was laying on our deck. We both bundled up and ran outside and I went door to door l0oking for a chainsaw. Luckily a neighbor had one, in fact he works for the poweer company as a tree trimmer, and was willing to help us out. The next day was Columbus Day so Jason and his friend Mike spent the day cleaning up the branches and taking loads to the dump. So, needless to say, we don't have much shade in our yard anymore!

Nothing much new to report, same ol' same ol' here. We are just going through the motions of the day to day.

Jason has been doing a lot of hunting the past two weeks, one time by himself (I hate that) the other with his "brother from another mother", Mike. Both times he came home without a deer but he had some fun stories to share. I guess since the mussle loader hunt was unsuccessful he will be rifle hunting in a few weeks so he can still fill his tag for the year. He is also planning on elk hunting with Mike Halloween weekend so maybe we will get some wild meat after all, not that I want it.

Cassidy and Zack are busy with school. Zack thinks home lunches are novel, it is funny how something so little can be such a big deal to him. I did get a call from the lunchroom at school the other day saying his account was overdrawn at school, I couldn't figure out how that would happen since I always pay a month at a time for school lunch. Well, come to find out he has been eating breakfast at home then eating breakfast again at school. Too funny! I had to tell him no more school breakfast but if he needs more food at home to tell me and we can fix a bigger breakfast. Maybe when it gets cold in the winter I will let him and Cassidy eat breakfast so they don't have to wait for the bell outside. Cassidy is home with strep throat today, she wasn't feeling well on Wednesday but since dad was hunting, I had to work , and it was short day I told her to tough it out. I am such a mean mom. She got home and laid in the same position on the couch all afternoon, so I took her to the doctor on Thursday. The rapid strep test came back so fast that I felt horrible for the poor little thing. She was feeling better today but her grade was going on a hiking field trip up the canyon so I decided that was an activity she had better not participate in today. So, we stayed home together and she helped me clean the bathrooms. We also took her to Emmalene's to get her hair cut. Jason, Zack and I got ours done yesterday. She decided she wanted some whispy bangs, because I got some last night. She just wanted some to push to the side, not like Demi Lovato (the funny thing is everyone with kids has seen Camp Rock so the hairdresser knew exactly what she meant). They look pretty cute on her but make her look older, not sure if I like that!

I have been busy with work. It has been a very stressful year with the new reading program adaoption and getting used to all of the new materials, those that have arrived at the school that is. I am keeping an open mind and using everything with "fidelity", like they asked at our training, but it leaves little room for fun. My students this year are very disrepectful so I am spending a lot of time enforcing rules so I am sure I look like the bad guy but what are you gonna do! I continue to tell them that when they are respectful they get rewards and give them a taste of something awesome, hopefully that will end up working soon. My job share partner is a a first year teacher and I think she is a bit overwhelmed with their behavior. I have assured her that not every class is like this and we will get them broken it, it just might take until Christmas! Hopefully both of us stop going home with headaches soon. :o)

So, Jason and I are off to his mission reunion tonight. We are going with Jeff and Dalyce, his friend from his mission and my girlfriend from college that got married. Her mom is coming down from Logan to watch all five kids so I hope it ends up being a positive experience and not craziness for her. Cassidy and Stacy play pretty good and Talon and Zack are buddies, the boys just like to bug the girls. Dalyce says her baby is teething so hopefully she will be happy for grandma. We are just headed to Bountiful so it won't be too late of a night.

My sister's little one, Kaydence, is three years old today! I can't believe it. Happy birthday sweetie, Auntie Allison loves you!

No new pictures but I thought I would catch everyone up to date just a bit.

Jason passed his test last week with flying colors, 850 out of 900 points. All I can say is he is WAY more studious than I am. I don't know if I have the discipline to study like he did the last few weeks. He is headed up to the mountains this weekend to scout for deer before the mussle loader hunt begins on the 23rd of the month. He was supoosed to go with a friend but he backed out so he is going alone. I hate having him out in the wilderness by himself, especially overnight but he insists I shouldn't worry. Ronna, a little help here... :)

Cassidy and Zack are loving school and have made all sorts of new friends. Cassidy has "the meanest teacher" according to all of her older friends but she loves her so I am happy about that. Zack is enjoying Kindergarten (school lunch and recess are his favorite parts). He is so worn out and tired though. He has fallen asleep on the couch, the minute he gets into bed, and on Jason's lap in sacrament meeting. We have them in bed by 8:15 or 8:20 but I still have to wake him up every morning to go to school. Hopefully he gets used ot his new schedule soon.

I have an interesting bunch of students this year and am getting used to all of their different personalities and trying to get my classroom management set up. My new job share partner is brand new to teaching so she is a bit nervous. She is too cute though and I think we will have a great year. I am going to take sub jobs here and there on my days off to make a little extra cash. My first one is on Friday at the kids' school in 6th grade so we will see how that goes. I am only on the sub list for my school, the kids' school, and Roy High, Jason's Uncle Dale's school. I think I will only sub maybe 3 times a month so I get a day off here and there. All I have done on my days off is clean and do laundry so far. Of course.

Other than that, not much to report. We are enjoying watching the kids start their soccer season and will post some pictures of that soon. Jason and I did celebrate our 11th anniversary on Saturday. We went to dinner and a comedy club in Ogden and had a lot of fun. He gave me a new camera, that I haven't learned how to use yet, and I gave him 11 things that he loves (Henry's Rootbeer, chocolate, Itunes gift card, etc.). I am sooooo creative aren't I. :)

Zack and Cassidy ready for Zack's first day on a chilly morning.
Cassidy and Zack getting on the bus.
Zack looking so smooth for his first day of Kindergarten.
I followed the bus to school so this is Cassidy and Zack getting off the bus, they marked his hand with the color blue because he rides the blue bus. That way they can make sure he gets home.
Zack at his table at school.

Well, the day I have been dreading for months is here. My baby is in Kindergarten! I feel so old with my youngest child in school now. It is a crazy concept! He wanted me to go in his classroom with him this morning but was fine when I left. I had to go to my own school for a minute, I took the day off so I could be home when he left and gets home (the Kindergarten comes home earlier than the rest of the kids today), to do some work to keep my mind off of everything. Jason asked me what I was going to do the rest of the day day but after showering, eating some lunch, cleaning up the house a bit, and now doing my blog and checking my email Zack will be home in less than a half of an hour. Time sure flies when you are kidless!

I am staying part time this year though I could have went full time with both of the kids in school. I figure with Thursday and Friday off I can get the cleaning, shopping, laundry, etc. done so we can play on the weekends and not have to worry about that stuff. I plan on going to the gym those morings, or going on a run when weather permits, and getting all of my chores done during the day. Hopefully I am as productive as I see myself being during this time. I may substitute those days if I feel like it as well but only for my school, Lakeview, the kids school, Valley View, and Jason's Uncle Dale's school, Roy High. I think I will go full time next year though, the money would be cool and the kids are old enough taht they can start helping me get things done around here. :)

Cassidy ready for her first day of 3rd grade in the outfit she bought herself with her birthday money.
Looking good Cassidy!

This is Cassidy's first day of school, August 25th. Unfortunately it is my first day of school too so it is hard to make as big a deal of it for her as I would like to each year. She is so beautiful and so smart. She is excited and nervous for new things in 3rd grade.

We borrowed this wonderful toy from our neighbors to use at Zack's party, it is like Disneyland!
The kids had a great time playing in the water and going down the slides.
I realized when I was getting the cake ready that there were no candles in the house so this is Zack blowing out his tealight candle on his cupcake.
He was very excited about all of the presents he got for his special day.
His friends: Elauna, Bryndee, Zac Anderson, Talon, Ellie, and Ella.

Well, believe it or not my baby is 5 years old! I can't believe it. He has been waiting for this birthday for so long because he has wanted to go to school with Sissy so bad. He had a wonderful time playing outside (luckily the weather was nice) for the evening with his friends, eating pizza, and opening presents. Unfortunately Cassidy was in the house sick. She called me during the day and had thrown up at school so she was quarentined from the party. It really didn't end up making a difference because Zack got sick in the night, 3 times and on 3 different beds that I had to strip and clean in the middle of the night, and I was feeling the same by the morning (I am sure the four hours of sleep that I got the night before helped make sure I got sick). I was so glad it was my day off and we had the entire long weekend to recover before school started again on Tuesday. Jason was so nice and took Friday off to take care of us and run to the store to get Sprite and Lysol. I think he was actually glad to have another day to study.

Jason is taking a test for his job today, another certification, that he has been studying so hard for. I have my fingers crossed and am praying for him to do well because he deserves to. I don't think I studied that hard for anything in my life, even in college.

Zack in his borrowed goggles at the KOA pool.
Everyone playing a game of mini golf at the campground.
Papa Rex and Grandma Linda with the grandkids (notice how happy Zack is).
Cassidy sitting so pretty.

Zack jumping over the waves. This is one of my all time favorite pictures.
The cabin Jill's family and our family slept in, that is right 9 people in a small cabin.
Jill and Andrew (her oldest) at the pool at the KOA.
Cassidy collecting seashells. This is all she did for 6-7 hours at the lake and she has the bag of seashells to prove it.
Zack is being chased by Jessica, Ty's sister. He is so in love with her so I bet he is in heaven in this picture.

BEAR LAKE, BABY!!! I love this place! We headed to Bear Lake for a fun filled day on the water and camping at the KOA. It was so much fun to take our anual trip with Kathy and Ty and add quite a few more. The water was perfect and the sun was hot, the best day ever. We had a great time skiing, tubing, swimming, and worshipping the sun God. :)