Reynolds Online

One year older

2014-10-10T03:50:00.000-06:00

This year my birthday day was a busier than normal day. There wasn't much I could do to change some of the events that were going on in the day. After getting the kids off to school, I went and worked out with my friend at her house. I'm amazed at how hard I can push my body. When we finished we walked up stairs, and some other girl friends of mine had come to surprise me for a birthday breakfast. We ate and visited for a little bit, but then I headed home to get ready for the day. We had no food in the house so I had to go to winco, after food shopping Eric took me to Panda Express for lunch. After lunch, I hurried home to unload my groceries and headed over to help a lady in my ward pack up to move. Came home when the other kids got home from school. Helped them do homework and talked to them about their day. Then headed over to a ladies house to do visiting teaching. Came back home, got the kids taken care of, and left them home while I met up with Eric at Emma's volleyball game. After the game, hurried home and grabbed some food, and got dressed for young women. After dropping girls off, we got home about 8:45 pm, Eric and the kids were so sweet and got me one of my favorite candies, Rocky Road, flowers and a yummy cake. Gave everyone a sugar high before sending them off to bed. Emma still had homework and to study for a test, so I helped her with that, and got in bed about 10:30. It was a good day. I'm grateful for amazing people in my life. Here's to a another year.

Homecoming

2014-10-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

Our little town had homecoming this pass weekend. So of course to had to go to the homecoming parade. Its nothing fancy, but a big deal to see the football players and different kids drive down the street throwing candy.

That night we went to the football game with Lily's friend and Carson. It was an eventful game, with thunderstorms, lighting, delays, rain storms and eventually the game was called us 21 them 14 with the 3rd and 4th quarter to go. The lighting was coming back so they called it quit. It was a fun, wet night. We had a good time.

Big Sister time

2014-10-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes Macy needs big sister time. These 2 girls were going over to friends houses and leaving Macy behind. So I told them they should go play with her before they leave. Macy had moved her kitchen around and put a chair to act like a take out window. Top picture is her on the phone taking someones order, while Emma waits.

Then Lily came and ordered food while Emma got back into the kitchen area and helped Macy make some food. I love how bright it was in their room that day. Just wished a little better light for pictures. I love my girls and was happy to find them being loving and kind to each other.

Half way point

2014-10-02T08:30:00.000-06:00

Volleyball season is half way done. So far Emma's team isn't winning a whole lot, but Emma herself is doing well. She is having a good time, of course she wishes they would win more but is glad to be playing. Top picture she is on standing bottom left waiting for the other team to serve.

Serving it over!

Check out her sweet jump and block!

Friends of ours and their kids have come to a few home games to cheer Emma on. Its been nice to have home games. We wish Emma the best of luck the rest of the season.

Bugs and Leaves

2014-10-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

Emma's 7th grade science class, she had to collect and display 10 dead bugs and 25 leaves. Emma and Lily walked around the house and the garage to look for already dead bugs. Some bugs were alive and she had to put them in a jar and put that into the freezer to kill it. She had a hard time at first picking them up and stabbing the bug to the board, but she did great. Then she glued her 25 leaves to a poster board. Got to love school projects.

Go Raiders!

2014-09-30T09:00:00.000-06:00

Its flag football season again. Carson really had a fun time playing last year and couldn't wait to play this year. He plays for the Raiders this year and is just happy to be out there. This last game he got to be center and hike the ball. He liked that. He has pulled one flag in the last 3 games, and he only pulled that one cause we told him we would get a donut if he did. But its fine. He is happy, and that's really all that matters.

Little bond fire

2014-09-29T02:58:00.001-06:00

The 2 older sisters were at someone's house babysitting, so Eric decided we should do a little campfire in the backyard with Carson and Macy. They loved it.

Macy of course, was busy feeding her baby raccoon. While Carson helped Dad get the fire wood and newspaper for the fire.

It was really low key and relaxing. (As relaxing as a parent can get with her children near a campfire)

The kids loved roasting marshmallows.

Back to us

2014-09-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Now that the kids are gone, its just Macy and I back at home again. She really is a great kid. Don't get me wrong, she still has emotional break downs about random things (that won't change even when she gets older!) but she is just fun to have at home. I think mostly because she is easy going and goes with the flow. After I get the kids out the door, i usually do house chores while she sleeps in, which can be until 9:30! We aren't doing a regular preschool, I just brought stuff and her and I will do preschool at home. We even circled days on the calendar when we will do it, so it goes with my work schedule. She seems to like the idea, and so far its working. We painted and talked about colors and worked on tracing her name in paint. Another day, we walked around the lake and she picked up all kind of leaves. I should do love my Macy time.

School volleyball

2014-09-13T06:30:00.000-06:00

There's my #13! She made the team for the school volleyball team. This is her first year on a school team. Much different then community sports like we have been doing. In the school league, she has 2 games a week and the days she doesn't have games, she has practice for 2 hrs. She said her position is middle hitter. So far things are going pretty well. There are things she is still working on and improving on, but it is sure fun seeing her happy while she is playing. On the way home from a game I asked her, "Are you liking it?" "Oh yeah mom, I'm loving it!" she said. That made me so happy. I just want my kids to enjoy what they are doing. I'm happy that we can go watch and support her at her games. GO 13!

Lily's 10th birthday party

2014-09-12T04:30:00.000-06:00

For Lily's party, she wanted to go with her friends to get there nails done. We picked up all the girls from school and headed over to a local beauty college. They had a little room set up for that kind of thing, and each girl had their own nail stylist. They got to pick whatever color they wanted for their nails, which was really hard for some.

But they all seemed to really love it. They talked to each other and to the stylist. I walked around the room taking pictures. Once the nails were done and dry we headed back home.

Lily's request for a cake this year was an ice cream cake. So I found a chocolate chip cookie dough one from Dairy Queen. It was pretty frozen, so the girls played and ran around outside and then we opened gifts. She got a lot of nail colors and boots. She was so happy. It was so special to be around this great girl and her friends on her birthday. Sure do Love her.

1st day of School

2014-09-11T00:36:00.000-06:00

Can't believe school is back in motion now. Carson going into 2nd grade, and doing the Chinese/English combo class again this year. Lily in 4th grade. Emma now in 7th grade. The first day wasn't as smooth sailing as I thought it would be, but it went ok. Emma got up early to catch the bus so her friend Karlie wouldn't be alone on the bus. But, thanks to mom trying to get a picture in the hurricane wind she missed the bus. Then I tried to take emma to another stop of her bus route and missed that stop, so I told her I would take her. It was Lily's birthday and she wanted her hair curled so I was trying to make her happy and do that, the next thing I knew it was 10 mins till school started. I hurry and take this picture of the kids, and one with Macy in it. Get the kids in the car. Race the elementary kids to their classes. Then race Emma to her school. Later I go back to Carson's class to talk about his diabetes and explain things to his teachers. Came home and did a little preschool work with Macy on writing her name. Lily wanted a miki blanket for her birthday so I worked on sewing that. Ran to the store to get cookies for Lily's class for her birthday, barely make it before all the kids get on the bus. Go home gab a few things and then head to Emma's school to get her to go to her first volleyball game. Got some panda express for dinner, sometimes I'm so thankful for fast food. After we ate it was 8pm, kids got ready for bed and then we opened presents for Lily. I was so tired. My body wasn't use to waking up at 6:30am. In the summer if I didn't work, sometimes I could sleep till 8:30am. But those days are gone, and I'm ok with that. I'm grateful for a working car that can take me places that I need to go, and for being able to be with my kids and being able to sew a blanket for Lily with my small sewing abilities. Here's to a good school year.

Till next summer

2014-09-02T14:00:00.000-06:00

Its that time of year my parents head back to Arizona and warm up because its starting to get cold here. Before they left they wanted to take Lily out for dinner for her 10th birthday. Lily knew exactly where she wanted to go, Pizza Pie Cafe (a pizza/pasta buffet). I'm not a big fan of the waste that happens at buffet places, but man I do love that there no fighting my kids on what to eat. They don't like something, I don't force them to eat it, they just get something else. Its heavenly.

Before leaving, Lily showing off her bday present from her grandparents and Becca.

Last group photo and hugs good bye. The kids do enjoy papa and gram coming and going from our driveway. We are sad to see them go, Till next summer.

Craze Zone

2014-09-01T03:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Audrey's kids doing the reading program through the library and getting free tickets to the craze zone. We went along with them and did a free game of Laser tag and mini golf. Macy wasn't too sure about the laser tag, and neither was Cooper. But once we got in the room and they saw it was just us, they got really into it. The rest of the kids were running around like crazy trying to shoot anyone they could.

Mini golfing was next,with the thought, hit the ball however you want and have fun and don't hit anyone with the club. Audrey and I have quite the load of kids when we get together. Good thing they are all such great kids.

We just happened to be in town and there was a youth celebration for the youth in town before school starts. Everything was free so we stopped on by the park. We stopped by the fire truck where a firefighter told us all about his equipment and then he let us climb into the truck. The kids thought that was pretty cool.

There was all kinds of games like this big bowling set.

While we waited in line for this train ride, we ate creamy Popsicle.

The kids had fun doing this "tube bummer" game. Like bummer cars with inter tubes.

Then they had a blast on all the bouncy houses. It was definitely a good time and a good parenting day.

Days we stayed after swim lessons

2014-08-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Get ready for picture over load. We just had such a great time the days we stayed after lessons.

Macy and Gavin loved to jump in and out of the water. By the end of the week, they were jumping in by themselves with floaties on.

Big accomplishment for Carson this summer was jumping off the diving board in 10 feet and swim to the side with no life jacket. I didn't get a picture of him off the diving board cause I was in the water, just in case, but here he is jumping in and then swims to the side.

Carson doing a flip into the water.

Lily and Ally loved going down the slide.

A little chicken fighting going on. Emma with Ally on top, and Lily with Karlie (Emma's friend) on top. They were laughing and thought it was so much fun.

This was our "corner" in the cold pool. Cooper really loved the wall and the steps so this is were we hung out. I think Audrey is telling Macy to wait to jump in.

Cooper loved going up and down this ramp in the warm pool.

Ally, Lily and Ella hanging in the hot tub.

Macy loves her flotation devices.

Carson was so pumped his friend Tyce could come one day and swim.

The last day the kids get free ice cream from their teacher. Yum.

Swimming Lessons

2014-08-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

My kids have been excited about swimming lessons all summer. Lily told me that was one of the things this summer she was most excited to do. I'm so happy they have a love of the water, kind of like their mamma. Top picture is all the cousins together sitting with their swim partner. Guess this year swim suit colors are blue and turquoise. Kind of funny how that worked out. Gavin and Macy 1st year doing lessons, so kind of a big deal. Macy held Gavin hand cause he was a little nervous, he even started to cry and filled up his goggles. She was so sweet everyday she would gab his hand and walk him out to their teacher.

Macy learning how to float. She loved learning chicken, airplane, solider.

Carson working on kicking his legs. He told me that if he could swim everywhere, he would.

Lily learned and worked on a lot of good skills. Backstroke, treading water, dolphin (you swim like a dolphin, not sure how often you would swim like that, but hey now she knows). This year she went to the deep in of the big pool, which is 10 feet and practiced diving.

Carson and Ella working on kicking and floating.

The last of lessons is fun day, the teachers take kids down the slide and off the diving board. There is Macy and her teacher coming out of the slide tube. She loved it.

They walked over to the diving board and Macy got in line. With a life jacket, she walked up to the board and jumped right off into the water to no one catching her then swam to the side. I was so surprised and proud of her. This years lessons has been marked as a success for sure.

Eric's 35th birthday...

2014-08-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

... back in July! The kids were shocked Eric had to work on his birthday. I had to work his birthday too, so I left the gifts and cake up to the kids. They did a good job. Emma even took pictures for me like I asked. Although, half of them were blurry, I was able to find a few good ones.

After working all day, Eric went and sat in the hot sun and cheered Lily on at her soccer game. Then came home to the kids throwing him a little party.

5 more years to 40, that seems really weird. We talk about how we feel young, except our children are getting older so we must be too. We love you Eric.

Kayley and Corbett birthday party

2014-08-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

They reserved the local pool and had a family and friends pool party.

After that we headed back to their house for some cake and presents.

While we were all together we celebrated all the family July birthdays. Corbett, Kayley, Eric, Gavin and Cooper.

The little boys opening their gifts.

Carson thought it was pretty awesome they got foam hammers.

People know Eric is a mountain dew kind of guy.

Eric and his mama. It was a fun day.

Macy's Soccer Season

2014-08-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

This was her first year playing. She was so excited to finally play after watching her siblings all these years. Here she is listening to her coach give them instructions, usually kick the ball this way and get it into the goal. At this age they don't have goalies, and there is only 4 on the field at a time.

Sometimes she liked to play with her friends on the team she made. Why run for the ball, when skipping is so much more fun:)

Every once in a while she would make contact with the ball and run and kick it. She made a goal once at her first game and was so excited.

This is usually the scene of 4 year olds playing soccer, a big bunch of them fighting for the ball.

The last game they got pizza and sticky wall hands. Macy thought that was pretty cool.

We are so proud of her listening and trying her best.

Carson's Soccer Season

2014-08-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

There was a total of 2 goals made all season from Carson's team. Needless to say it wasn't a real winning season for them. But, one of the goals was from Carson at his 3rd game. I'm so grateful Eric was there to see him make it. He worked really hard running back and forth.

Lily Soccer Season

2014-08-02T04:07:00.000-06:00

Its always bitter sweet when soccer ends. This seasons was filled with some wins, losses and ties. Lily really enjoyed herself and worked really hard. We are so proud of her and happy we could come cheer her on.

Soccer season is always more special when you get to hang out with her cousin/friend.

The girls and their coach...yes that sweet little lady Somer is there coach. For the last game treat a mom brought each kid their own individual cake. The kids all thought that was so cool.

She was always so happy when family would come and cheer her on. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, a really family event.

Sunday hanging out

2014-07-24T18:43:00.000-06:00

Sunday was the last day we hang out with the family. We went to church, then came back to Jon's and had dinner, hung out and played games... and took pictures. Here are pictures of my kids with cousins their age. Emma and Aaron

David and Lily and Rebecca and Carson

Macy and TJ

Lily and i played yatzee for the first time and won. The other kids played Legos and kinets.

Emma wanting me to take a picture with her big eyes like TJ.

Grandpa and the girls. Photo bomb by Becca.

My siblings and parents minus Megan.

Everyone and the grandkids.

Swim day

2014-07-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

We went with the whole family to this swim pool place called Kearns. It had great kiddie areas, diving boards, high dives and a cool obstacle course in the water.

Carson's sweet water hand stand.

Carson laughing as he shows off he can carry Eric around in the water.

That water bucket was huge. The kids loved standing under it. Wish I had a picture of it.

Macy loved going down this water slide with her cousins.

Eric and I talked Emma to go on the middle high dive. We weren't going to do anything fancy, just jumping off into the water. Well the guy right before Emma, tried to do a flip and landed wrong. The lifeguard had to jump in, ambulance had to come and get him and brace his neck. After that Emma wasn't too sure about going on it. So we didn't. Kind of freaked her out when she was nervous as it was.

The big highlight for my older 3 kids was this obstacle course in the water. Man, swinging yourself across this little water was tough.

Eric went with Lily

Here is the whole course. It was in the indoor/outdoor pool area.

This was Carson second try. My brother Ganon went with him to help him along. He did so great. He couldn't reach the rope to swing, so he just jumped in and swam to Ganon and he pulled him out. This part below was were he slipped but he held on tight and got across.

At the end you slide down into the water, and with no fear went right in. So proud of him.

Emma and cousin Stephanie. Emma was patient and helped Steph along.

Lily and I at the end. The kids had a good time. We were all sore for a couple days after this but it was so fun. The kids said they felt like they were on the show Wipe Out.

4th of July in Utah

2014-07-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

My brother Ganon and his family were visiting from Arizona, so we came down for a little family reunion. We were just missing my sister and her little family and we would have all been there. First up, a parade. Noon parades should be band. It was a cool 100* but with the little shade we had, we made do. The kids got candy which they said was worth it. Afterwards, back to Jon's house for a BBQ and water playing.

Rebecca and Macy running through the sprinklers. Below, is Sarah and Carson.

The firework show was a big hit. Along with the glow stick bracelets we got to share with the family.

Emma showing off her Olympic glow sticks. I Love how happy Lily looks in the picture above and then below is the car ride home of how she really feels about being up late.

To Bone and Back

2014-07-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

Bone and Back is a 40 mile race, that starts in Idaho Falls and goes to the town Bone and back to Idaho Falls. We had a relay team of 8 girls and each girl ran 5 miles. It was my first time doing a relay, and it was a lot of fun. Although I was nervous until I ran my leg, and once my leg was over I really enjoyed it. It was really pretty. The weather was good, except the wind, which was blowing so hard in places. I ran leg 3, which was down hill a little then up and down some rolling hills. While you ran, you hold this little bone in your hand, like a baton.

Here is the town of Bone. Don't blink or you'll miss it. There is a store, which is mislabeled cause its more like a bar/ diner. I was hoping to get a magnet, but they didn't have anything like that cause it wasn't really a store at all. Above with all the cars is about what each leg looked like. Once a runner left for the leg they ran, the runner that just finished there run would cool off and we could make our way slowly to the next stop/leg. As we would drive by we would take pictures of our runners and then see them at their stop.

These are a great bunch of girls. I loved it cause we weren't going for some crazy time, just doing it to do it. After the race, there was a bunch of free food and fun booths. I'm glad I did it.

Huntsman Springs

2014-07-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

A week before 4th of July, Driggs puts on this huge fireworks show and we have never been. Friends of ours were camping up there then going to the show. So we met up with them and it was a lot of fun. I would have been better if it wasn't so chilly but for the most part it was great. The big entertainment was the Beach Boys we were pretty far away but I was surprised that I got this shot of them.

It was such a pretty night. There was thousands of people there, but so worth the fireworks show. The bad part for us was trying to get out of the parking lot. But once we did we made it up to the camp and put the kids to bed.

I love this picture of Macy rocking this sweet side pony one of my girls did for her. When camping pretty much any thing goes, hair, clothes, food. Its great that way.

Eric and I went 4 wheeling back on the country roads. Then later that day we went for a ride to see a water fall. It was such a pretty day. Carson was in heaven with Eric letting him drive the 4 wheeler.

Macy stayed back at camp or this picture by the water fall would have been a great family picture.

Eric and I have been blessed with some really great friends. Kids going biking, kids going on treasure hunts, playing this golf ball game, adults hanging out and talking. One of our friends has kids our same kids age so we take pictures of them every once in a while together.