Salsa!

Since my garden actually produced this year I asked Roxane to teach me how to can salsa. She does it every year and it is very yummy! So I got all the ingredients, jars, etc. etc. We thought we could bust it out in a few hours. Yeah, right. It took us most of the morning and afternoon but was so fun! It really was quite easy, just time consuming. So now I have 20 jars of yummy salsa from MY garden! Aren't you so proud of me? I am! Thanks Roxane!

Payson Lakes

Dad


Casey, Nick and Zach Fishing!


The "Drones" as my Dad would say!


Our fisherman Zach! He caught many fish!


The beautiful fall colors taken from the car.


The whole family. Seriously, look at Sophie and Nick.
They were throwing a little fit. Comical.


Nick Fishin'


Sophie enjoying her dessert. We had lots of yummy food!

We have made it an annual tradition with the Mangelson's to go up to Payson Lakes in the fall for a family get together. It is so beautiful and a great way to spend a Sunday. The colors were STUNNING and so vibrant. We had a wonderful time. Eliana's parent's were here visiting from Spain. So it was great to get to visit with them and everyone!

Wheeler Farm with the Pre-School

Cute kids in our carpool this year! L to R
Sophie, Autumn Larsen, Nick, Andrew Rhodes, & Makenna Wood


Sophie and Nick feeding the ducks. They loved it!


Nick by the tractor. He wanted to take the picture to show Grandpa and Dad!




Me with my babies!

Well we got to go on our FIRST field trip with Bear Hollow Pre-School. It was a beautiful sunny morning and I drove the carpool up to Wheeler Farm in Salt Lake. It is right next to where Casey and I lived for 3 years.
The kids had a great time! We got to see cows, chickens, rabbits, and seriously the biggest, fattest pig. He was gross. We also got to go on a hay ride pulled by a tractor.
We brought sack lunches and ate there at the farm. It was a nice day to spend with the twinners.
After we left, I had to drive by 5991 Lakeside Drive. Brought back lots of memories of living at Jeff's. Seems like it was 500 years ago that we lived there and I went to the U, we had no kids and no mortgage. My how time flies when you are having fun!

AMBUSH

We were having too much fun watching soccer!
Nick looking like a fly with Mom's glasses on!


Bug eye Sophie! Silly kids!


Cade in his AMBUSH uniform. Just happens to be his favorite color!


Throwing the ball in



Cade is on a competitive soccer league this year. They had to try out this year. I don't know why they have to start so young. I was upset about it at first, but it actually has turned into a great experience for all of us!

They have been practicing since July and have a great time playing together. They have a great coach and it has been fun to see Cade grow and progress. We have games twice a week on Tuesday's and Saturday's so it has kept us busy. So far they have won 4 and lost 3 games. I never played soccer growing up so I don't know much about it, but I am learning. I really like soccer and the fact that they RUN so much. I think it is a great sport and Cade really enjoys it. Zach didn't play this fall because of football. But now that he can't play football with his broken arm, I think he is really missing it!

GO AMBUSH!

BRAD PAISLEY & Dierks Bentley Concert with the GALS

Liz, Roxane, Me, Beckie & Baby Lilly Jane

The girls had a fun night out thanks to Roxane and APX. We saw a great concert under the stars in the APX Suite. I knew a few of Brad Paisley's songs and only one of Dierks Bentley's but it was a GREAT concert. There is nothing better than a great show. I have the best girlfriends and it is nice to have a break from the routine. We missed Lynda. She thought the BYU game would be better entertainment. We still love you! Thanks girls for hanging out with me. You are the best!

Wanna Trade?

Hey . . .

Just wondering if there is anyone out there who wants to trade a KING size bed for a FULL or QUEEN? We have a King in our spare bedroom (aka Lego room) and it takes up the whole room, almost. So I would love to have a smaller bed if anyone wants a bigger bed. It is just the mattresses and frame. Let me know.

PS
I am starting to get paranoid. How come nobody leaves comments on my blog. Are you all just stalkers????????? :)

Happy 9th Birthday Cade!

Opening all of his fun presents!


The wagon was a big hit!


Brian, Richard, Preston & Austin


Sophie having fun!


Austin & Cami eating dinner


Cade's Club Penguin Cake!


Enjoying the party


Casey, Jim, Ryan, Annie & Dad


Cade and Nick


Cade enjoying his birthday oatmeal!

Cade turned NINE years old today! He is so excited. It feels like we have partied all week because we had a family party Monday up the canyon. It was a lot of fun. Casey and Cade wrapped corn on the cob in foil and roasted it on the fire. Everyone helped out by bringing salads and we had sloppy joes (Cade's request). Of course we had Susan's yummy cake! Actually her daughter made it because she was out of town. We have the best cake lady in town! It turned out really nice and we really appreciate those family member who could make it up. Cade has a movie night planned for tonight so I think after today, our partying is over.

Cade is such a good boy. I was picking up the boys from school the other day and his teacher was outside. She came over and told me she is so impressed with Cade. She said he is so smart and so kind. He has always been a very kind boy. From leaving notes and presents on doorsteps when he was 3 and 4 years old to being a very good friend and son.

We waited a long time for this boy and we love him so much! He makes us proud!
WE LOVE YOU MR. CADE MAN!

First Day of Dance!

BOY it has been a crazy week. But I think we made it! WHEW! It is always wild with Cade's birthday and starting dance. It always falls around the same time. It was so fun to see all my darling dancing girls again, especially my Sophie! It just makes my heart do a flip to see that little girl in her tu-tu and ballet shoes. I feel so lucky to have a little girl that I can teach! She can be a stinker in class, but I am sure it is hard to have your Mom be the teacher. But she is learning and I think this year will be a little better!


Seriously, look at that attitude!


Soph and Mom

9-9-09

16 years ago I met Casey at my cousin Libbey's wedding. That is me in the left hand corner. A senior in high school. Casey was the best man (not in the picture). Libbey married Casey's best friend Mike. Casey had a sun burned nose because he had been water skiing. Imagine that??

We didn't officially date because I was still in high school and he says, "too young." So we officially went on our first date on July 30, 1993. We went to a movie "In The Line of Fire" and the Olive Garden. I remember thinking he was rich because he took me to Olive Garden and he used a credit card. Boy was I young and naive! He held my hand in his truck on our first date and I was in heaven. I went home that night and wrote in my journal that I was going to marry him.

I always said I wasn't going to get married until I was 28 and had a career. But things changed . . . . We dated for a little over a year. I was at Snow College and he was in Provo working at WordPerfect. We got engaged June 3, 1994 and married in the Manti Temple on 9-9-94.

15 YEARS AGO!!! Man do I feel old! It has been an amazing 15 years! Wow! Really when I look back I feel like those were really hard years and I am glad they are behind us. College, building our house, getting established, trying to have children, having our children, etc. etc. I am hoping it is just smooth sailing from here right?

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest girl on the earth. How did I end up with such a great guy? He is an amazing Dad, the hardest worker and a very patient husband and friend.

Happy 15th Anniversary Casey! I love you more today than ever. I am so excited to watch our children grow, our trees grow and our relationship grow!



Our wedding day. Grandma Mangelson, me, Mom, Grandma Jackson



My family on our wedding day. Boy I look like a child. Oh ya, I was!



Last year's anniversary



I love you Casey!

Zach's Broken Arm!

Zach at the Dr. office. Look at those skinny, muscly arms!




Headed to school!






On Wednesday night the kids were out playing on the trampoline after dinner. Zach came in and laid down on the couch and buried his head in the pillow. I asked him what was wrong and he said he fell off the trampoline and hurt his arm. He wasn't crying. So I walked over to check things out. He pointed to the inside of his left elbow. He was very pale. I asked Casey to come check it out. Zach couldn't straighten his arm and started crying a little. It already looked swollen. We called the pediatrician's office and they said we could bring him in or wait until the morning. We decided to wait until the morning.

Zach woke up earlier than normal and his elbow was really swollen. So we called the doctor and went in. She examined it and said she thought it might be broken because he had a "tender spot." She said that is usually a sure sign that it is broken. I really didn't think it was broken. So we went over to AF hospital and got the X-Ray. The doctor called me right there at the hospital and said it was broken! AUGH! She also said it was a tricky break and wanted us to see a specialist.

So we went in Tuesday and now Zach has a nice, big RED cast. The doctor asked him why he chose red and he said, "I love the Utes." That's my boy!!!!! Pictures of the red cast will come soon! I think the novelty of it all is wearing off and reality is sinking in. He is being a trooper though! He still rides his scooter, is playing the piano one handed and runs wild as usual!!!

Twins First Day of School!

Can't tell if Sophie is excited or not??

There they go!


Autumn, Sophie & Nick




It is finally here . . . the twins went to school and they were SO excited! They walked in, didn't cry, hold on to my leg, act silly, or anything. I really think it helps to have their built in friend that goes everywhere with them. How nice would that be?

The parents got to stay for the first few minutes and help with an art project. I shot a little video and thought it was so dang cute!

Pre-School Open House

Nick waiting for the pony ride. He let Autumn Larsen ride with Sophie. He decided we didn't want to ride.


Sophie and Autumn on the pony ride


Sophie with her pig balloon and rootbeer


Nick driving the tractor around the bales of hay. He LOVED this!


Yes, it is TRUE! Nick and Sophie are going to Pre-School. They are SOOOO excited to go to Miss Molly's! She is such a sweet teacher. Cade and Zach both went to her pre-school. She is so organized and disciplined. I think that is just what kids this age need. She has a FARM theme this year. The open house was set up like a carnival. First the kids went down stairs to meet her and see the classroom, get their Bear Hollow shirt and bag, and get their carnival tickets. Next we headed outside to play all the games. She had a bounce house, tractor driving, animal balloons, duck pond and REAL pony rides. Luckily we weren't in a hurry because Nick and Sophie had a great time! I was feeling like, "oh boy, here we go." Don't get me wrong, I love pre-school but now it means field trips, helping at parties, and carpool. Really, I think I am not too excited because it means my babies are growing up way too fast.