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. :)

High School Musical on Capital Theater stage in Salt Lake City.
Cassidy and Madelynn with a cast picture.
Cassidy and Madelynn in their seats.

What an awesome time us girls (Jill, Madelynn, Cassidy, and I) had in SLC seeing High School Musical live on stage. It had a lot of the same elements as the movie with some new songs and stunts. It was so fun!

Jason and I with Cassidy after her baptism.
Cassidy and her dad.
Me and my little girl.

A Pfister Family Photo (say that 5 times fast).
The Evelo family (Jason's sister).
Allen and Lora Lee Byrom (my parents) with the kiddos.
Grandma Ronna and Grandma Jane (Jason's mom and grandma) with Cassidy.
Rex and Linda (Jason's dad and step-mom) with Cassidy.

Here are some pictures that we took after Cassidy's baptism in our back yard. It was so fun to have so many family members there to take pictures of. :)

Dad reassuring Cassidy that everything would be alright.
Cassidy and Jason ready for the big moment.
The Evelo's at the church luncheon.
The Wessler family.
Everyone enjoying the delicious food.

Well, here are pictures of us doing what we do best, eating once again! Cassidy was baptized at the Roy North Stake Center at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 2, 2008. She was so nervous for the baptism that she made herself sick with antcipation. Her dad, Grandma Ronna, and I spent quite a bit of time reassuring her that everything would be OK and talking her into going through with the actual baptism. She did great and everything was beautiful. Uncle (actually cousin but the kids call him uncle) Jeff said a talk about Cassidy ("SWEET") and played the guitar while I sang and Grandpa Rex said a closing prayer. All of the rest of the program was taken care of by the ward or stake. It ended up being a beautiful day surrounded by family and friends that we will never forget. It was so special to have Cassidy's dad baptize and confirm her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Cassidy's birthday cake came all the way from AZ with Grandma Lora Lee, thanks for making it for her mom.
Cassidy, Madelynn, and Jill (Jason's sister and her daughter) striking a pose.
Zack and Tyler (Jill's youngest) drive the powerwheels until the batteries die.
Family visiting and eating...
and eating!

Here is Cassidy's birthday BBQ with family on Friday the 1st of August. It was so great to have everyone together in our backyard to celebrate and enjoy each other's company. Jason's dad and step-mom, mom, Grandma Jane, Sister (Jill) and family, aunts, uncles, cousins and my mom and dad were able to make it. We had a wonderful time catching up and eating Jason's yummy BBQ and the salads and other dishes everyone brought for the party. It was such a great time and Cassidy recieved some lovely gifts, thanks everyone.

Baby Elivea enjoying a seat on the grass.
Cassidy "sparkles".
Zack and Elauna.
Ellie.
Elauna.

For those of you who don't know the 24th of July, Pioneer Day, is as big of a deal in Utah as the 4th of July is. Fireworks are legal and there is a parade and rodeos everywhere. These are pictures of the kids at our friend Emmalene's house while we watched her brother-in-laws light every firework known to man.