Down right GIDDY!

I really have been trying to be good this year, and my efforts have paid off. Everyone may not have noticed much improvement, but at least I made it on to someone 'nice list.'

New counter tops can do wonders for a woman! My family has gotten used to the fact that I wander through the house spinning in circles and enjoying all of the new counter top goodness. I am a giddy girl!

Computer Woes

Seriously, computer are NOT my strong point. As a matter of fact I know close to nothing about their inner workings. Our computer has been on the mend for some time now because of some minor 300+ virus it had acquired. Bless this computers heart!
But let this be a warning, when I get a hold of those NAUGHTY antivirus 2009 folks, I will be opening up a serious can of 'whoop sass' on their behinds. For the love people, go organize a closet or something and STOP messing with my computer!

Daddy Update

My family and I very much appreciate all your thoughts, concerns and certainly prayers on behalf of our dad. They have been felt and much comfort and strength have been taken from them. Dad is getting better everyday. This is a slow process, but we are reminded that patience is a virtue! He is getting good reports from his doctors, even got to skip cardiac rehab because he was doing so well. (doctor thinks dad can rehab himself-woohoo) He took a double whammy with his diagnosis of diabetes and quad by-pass, but for all of you that know him, it all is just a change in course, he just keeps doing what needs to be done. He is quick to remind us all this is just part of the journey, and we are so grateful to have him with us to enjoy the journey! Love you Daddy! Blanket the grandkids had made for him (and the dog) to snuggle up with.

Happy Birthday PAIGE!

Everyone should celebrate their 6th birthday in pure 'PAIGE Style"

Complete with

Pinata

Friends PartyDecorated Cupcakes

Barbie Cakes
(one professional by Maxine and one of Paige's own design)

Family Party

Class Party-

decorating cookies

Family Dinner at Brick Oven

It's great to be 6! WE LOVE YOU, PAIGE!

Howdy Partners

Halloween 2008- Simpson StyleBig Tex, Mama Tex, Cowgirl Brit, Cowgirl Caroline and our reliable horse, Paige!

High School Musical 3

HSM 3- LOVED IT! I'll be honest, we all loved it! The girls for the obvious reasons, and me because it is a value teaching, moral, 'make you feel good' movie. With a wonderful message throughout- no matter what, "BE TRUE TO YOURSELF".(and a Jammin' soundtrack, as well) I will use any tools possible to help teach my girls that valuable lesson. HSM 3 Fan Club

All 3 HSM movies have been filmed here in Utah. We have toured the movie sets at East High School, and it always fun to see local scenery, local celebrities, and our famous 'extra' friends on the BIG screen.

Hike to the "Y"

We had a 'family date' today and decided to hike to the "Y". Not an easy task, but lots of fun. About halfway up. We really live in a beautiful place.

We all made it! Actually sitting on the "Y"

We are so proud of everyone for making it all the way with hardly any complaining. Best parts-- being together, beautiful scenery, gorgeous day, 'teamwork' and ice cream from BYU creamery as a finishing reward!

Haircuts

Before After

Brittany and Caroline's new haircuts. Paige was NOT interested in getting hers cut.

Apple Farm Field Trip

Caroline's preschool went to a local apple farm. Paige and I got to tag along.
We got to pick our own apples...

and use pumpkin as seats for Paige, Sydney, Caroline and Ashtyn...

We saw 'spooky ghosts' ...and Pumpkinheads...

Caroline ate hers down to the seeds!

And to end our day, Sisters and apple spice doughnuts---What could be better?

Lighting aka The Destroyers

Brittany really enjoyed soccer this season. She actually learned a lot of about the fundamentals of the game. Thanks to her wonderful coaches, and good friends, The Wrights. Her greatest discovery was, "when you play your position, your don't have to run as much." ( good thing to know, I'd say). Even mom and dad learned the basic rule of soccer. We are actually becoming big fans of the sport! We feel sports for girls play such a rule in building self cofidence. So the fact that neither one of our girls, Brittany or Paige wanted the soccer season to end, is a good blessing for us. Way to go Lighting(Brittany) and Wild Strawberries (Paige).

May all your days be CIRCUS days

Amber and I took our girls to the 'Greatest Show on Earth'. It is always a toss up if that statement applies to the circus or the 7 of these girls all together.

Caroline, Amber and Aubrey

Sydnee, Paige, Lauren, Mallorie and Brittany

This was a girls only day--Circus, Dinner and Shopping. Good Times, Best Friends! We LOVE our girls!

Something to ASPIRE to!

Brittany and I and Maria and Melina had an official GNO (Miley Cyrus term for girls night out), or affectionately referred to as a Mommy-Daughter date! We went to the BYU Women's Soccer game and thanks to my dear friend Carolyn, it was a night we won't soon forget. Since the girls are playing soccer we thought they might enjoy watching the BIG girls play and getting a few pointers. Little did we know Carolyn (head trainer for the team) would give us the royal fan treatment! Brittany and Melina-pretty much "Big Time" Center field on the "Y"

Waiting for their personal autograph session, picture of the team ready.

The players were so gracious, asking the girls about their soccer experiences and encouraging them to keep playing and working hard.

Thanks for a wonderful GNO!

Great game, BYU- 2, Michigan State- 0. Go Cougars!

Cub Soccer for Paige

This is pure entertainment. Pretty much the only rule in this league is "don't use your hands", but everything else is free game. Paige has been working hard this season, and her BIG kicks are definite showstoppers. Thumbs up and ready to play!

Paige and Jayden- best friends, yet fierce competitors! HA!
Go Wild Strawberries!

Gift from the Islands

Travis had a brief layover in town and was able to come by and see us. We were thrilled to see him! The girls showed their true characters and all that that entails. Travis is now more anxious about his own twin girls! We like to think of it as free entertainment. Pure chaos, but entertainment none the less. Thanks for stopping by Travis and our new friend Clifton, we loved seeing you!

Lotoja 2008

My man ROCKS! For the 5th year in a row, Brent has completed this 206 mile bike ride from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Any of you familiar with that route, it is continuous climbing. Brent completed the ride in 11:07, with his actually ride time being 10:50. (that's only 17 minutes off the bike the entire ride). Very impressive! Racing to the finish line. His tongue action shows his intensity!

Brent and his biggest cheerleader, AFTER his finish. He doesn't even look exhausted--Pretty Hot Stuff!

Diva Status

Dance class started today for Caroline. Her true diva status is now official! (her hair do is similar to the Napoleon Dynamite era, so beware)

Annoying!

In true Brooke fashion, I have torn ligaments in my thumb! 'How does someone tear ligaments in their thumb', you may ask??? Yeah, I don't know either, no grand story, no idea---LAME!!! I tried to kindly explain to the doctor that this brace was NOT going to fit into my 'mom schedule' very well. He didn't seem to care in the least. Rude! He then proceeds to inform me that I will be cozy with this brace for 3 weeks. Uh, news for him, I've had it for not even 3 days yet and the braces' hours are numbered.It's 100% annoying!

The day has finally come!

After much anticipation, kindergarten started for Paige today. She could not have been more excited! She says she already LOVES school and likes making new friends. Perfect! Now there will be 8 hours a week that everyone will be in school. I have already warned my neighbors not to be alarmed if I am skipping around the block in pure gladness!

Somber Day

Today is a somber day. The calendar reminds me that 1 year ago, one of my most favorite people, Uncle Evan left us for his eternal home. I think of him often, but today is a firm reminder that he is gone. As much as I may miss him, my memories of him still make me smile. Uncle Evan's life lessons and abundant love are still very much felt and appreciated. For that fact, I am grateful. Big Ev- I miss you and I love you, and I know I am only one of many who feel the exact same way.
Ginn Family- Know I love you and am thinking of you-especially on this somber day.

And they're off!

Today was the first day of school for Brittany and Caroline. (Paige has to wait a week for kindergarten to start-bluh!, but we are excited for extra mommy-daughter time) Brittany -the mighty 3rd grader, had hardly any time for her mother to take pictures this morning. She willingly posed for this one, and then off to meet her friends so they wouldn't be late-a half hour early! She loved her first day, and thinks 'it will be fun to be in thrid grade'. Music to a mom's ears.
And our little Miss Caroline started her 3x a week preschool. She has been ready since school got out. Hard to believe our baby is so big!

I'll admit, I captured this photo with misty eyes!

Posing by her elephant, top left corner. She said good-bye, down the stairs she went and that was it. Off to being a big girl!

Conversation at Dinner

Paige- "Dad, are you a boy-e boy or a girlie girl?"
Brent- "What do you think I am?"
Paige- "I think you are a boy-e boy, because whenever you drink diet coke you burp."

I guess it's thank goodness for bad manners, if that is the deciding factor!

Little hints help!

Yesterday was my birthday! I don't know about the rest of you Moms out there, but I think that MY birthday should be as big of a deal as I make everyone elses in my family! Call that kind of thinking whatever, but I think it should be gospel-Mom's birthday is always a BIG deal! So a few weeks before my birthday I started dropping little hints like, not wanting to make my own birthday treat, gift ideas, and having my children be kind and loving all day on my birthday. Well 2 out of 3 ain't bad! Can you even guess which one didn't come true--DUH! Brent and the girls had a cheesecake decorated for me. Perfect for me, because I am not a huge birthday cake fan, and does it get better than cheesecake? Not in our little family.

And this is what I came home to find-my hints had been received! This is what my hints had been about for weeks. Putting it together was a pure nightmare, but Brent never even swore- at least not aloud! Hey that counts, way to go babe!

So the moral of the birthday story, never, ever give up--hints help sometimes.