Allie's Preschool day

Allie is officially in preschool--Treasure House Preschool. She was sooo excited to go. It didn't start until Sept. 10th, so it was a long wait for her. Every day, she would ask if it was her school day. Allie almost ran into class. She was so cute.

Island Park Vacation

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend with the Hislop Clan! Chick and Dianne rented a huge cabin in Island Park for all of their children and the Stoffers (Chick's sister's family). It was big enough where everyone had their own bed. There was lots of great food, hot tubbing, marshmallow roasting, game playing & cheating, Yellowstone visiting, Old Faithful watching, wild animal viewing--we had an encounter with a buffalo meandering in the middle of the highway and no we didn't hit it--shopping, chatting, cousin playing, fish viewing, little person cabin climbing, picnicing, arm hurting--Mags fell on her arm again, and even hospital visiting. Dianne got so sick on Friday night from dehydration that she had to go and get some IVs to rehydrate her. She didn't have to go home, but it sure drained her. We were glad she was able to stay. All in all, it was a fun vacation to end our summer.

Allie posing in front of John Sack's cabin. Maggie trying to smile after falling on her hurt arm.Cooper trying to pose.All of the cousins feeding the huge fish.

Cooper and Chris taking care of business.Our little family.

Chick, Cooper, Miles vs. Maggie, Allie, Tanah, Grace

on a natural teeter-totter at Old Faithful Reagan and Allie

Cooper, Allie, Maggie, Wakely, Drew waiting for Old Faithful.

Allergic reactions and a doctor visit on your birthday

Maggie fell coming out of the shower and hurt her arm on Sept 1st. We did the "can you squeeze your hand, raise your hand above your head" tests and decided it probably was sprained a little. She complained a lot and said it was throbbing. The next day, after sending her to school, we gave her ibuprofen before she went to bed. About a 1/2 hour after she had gone to bed, she came out and said, "mom, look at my lip." I turned around and her upper lip looked like a beak. It kept growing also. It was sticking way out. I had given her ibuprofen many times before, but this time there was a severe allergic reaction. I called poison control to see if I had given her too much, but they assured me I hadn't, but give her Zyrtec and it should help. They also said call 911 if her breathing was compromised. Well, we kept her up until about 11:00 and she was breathing fine, so she went to bed. In the morning, on her birthday, she still had a beak! We took her to the doctor after all of the morning birthday celebrations. The doctor said that her arm wasn't broken, just a sprain, and don't give her any more ibuprofen. What a day!

Maggie's 9!

I can't believe 9 years ago today, we were having our cute, baby girl, Maggie. She came into the world looking like a boxer having gone 15 rounds, but she was our beautiful baby. Maggie is such a wonderful daughter. She is so sweet, kind, intelligent, responsible, artistic, fun sense of humor, great cook, helpful, beautiful, and all around wonderful. We are so thankful to have her in our family. --She does have a bit of an attitude that I would like to get rid of though ;)

Her birthday started off with a morning party of birthday cake, presents --fingernail polish, bike horn, mp3 player, lots of clothes, Fable Haven book 2. After the morning party, we took her to the doctor and then to school. She was embarassed to go to school because her lip was still swollen a bit, but the kids were so great to her. The first child that saw her yelled "Happy Birthday Maggie!" The rest of the class also wished her a happy birthday. At the end of the day, we took in birthday treats. She now loves going to Freedom Elementary after a rough start of the school year. We ended the day going to Javier's with my mom and dad. It was a great end to her birthday.

Maggie's Pre-birthday Activity

Last year, Maggie requested to go to the Genealogy Library in Salt Lake for her birthday activity. I thought her request would change throughout the year, but it didn't. It was fun to go with Morgan too. They had a ball looking up their ancestors while Elynn had the younger kids at the Church History museum. We rode the train to Salt Lake and just had a fun day with cousins--that we don't get to see very often. We also went to Temple Square and then to ice cream.

I love to see the temple!

On our visit to Salt Lake with Elynn and girls, we stopped off at Temple Square and the kids enjoyed the temple grounds and the highlight was touching the doors to the temple. Allie was quite the poser.

Family Time at the Treehouse Museum

Elynn is in town from Kansas with her 3 youngest, Morgan, Maddie, and Reagan. So Kim, Drew, Henry, Cooper, Allie, and I went to the Treehouse Museum yesterday. They all had so much fun playing together. They went to almost every exhibit: Presidential Room, Doll Nursery, Pioneer ship, Medieval Court, Music room, Indian village, School house, Barnyard--with a cow you can actually milk, Garden, Fire Engine, German House, Britain House, Craft station, and the new exhibit, Rodeo arena. Tons of cousin fun together--I enjoyed being with my sister-in-laws also.

KSL Addict

I am a KSL junkie. I think I have stated that before, but I just needed to say it again. I check it all of the time to see what deals I can get...especially since we are moving into a new house and need more furniture. I recently bought some barstools off KSL--3 for $50. They were really nice, but the problem was--they were too tall. Yesterday, I put them back on KSL for $60 and voila, I sold them for $60. I made $10 on them. Now, I just need to find shorter ones. I have also purchased a set of 3 coffee/end tables for $30 and an entryway table and mirror for $20. I need leather furniture now and I'll be set.

In Memory of my Cousin, Jeanie Kristine Murphy Branch

My dear cousin, Jeanie, passed away early Sunday morning, August 30, 2009. She had melanoma in her eye 7 years ago and then it went into remission. Early this year, the doctors detected some cancer in her liver and they said it was from the cancer in her eye. She fought hard to stay here on Earth, but Heavenly Father wanted her home at too early of an age. She was 47 years old. Jeanie's funeral was today and my mom and dad were there to support them. May Heavenly Father bless my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Perry and their family. Til' we meet again Jeanie.