Letters to Santa

Last week Jackson wanted to write Santa a letter. He loves to mail letters. So we sat down and all the kids wrote a letter to Santa. Jackson helped Kamrie write her letter and I helped Karly with hers. I let them put three things on their list of toys. They had so much fun. Well, yesterday a package came in the mail. It was addressed to all three kids. Jackson was so excited he could hardly stand it. It was from Santa, he could read that much. Inside were three letters and some bells for the kids. This was thanks to my sweet sister and her very thoughtful husband. The kids loved their letters. I didn't realize just how happy this would make them. I love this time of year. Thanks Amy and Russell for your help.
Merry Christmas!!

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween is finally over!! I know that sounds terrible, but as a parent it seems like more work than fun. Loading and unloading kids in costumes, taking off wings, putting them on, trying not to lose anything or anyone. Needless to say, we did have a great day. We had Kamrie as a devil, so not her personality, Jackson was Optimus Prime, and Karly our little fairy princess. Funny thing is, the mood Karly was in that night my niece said "You should have switched these two." Meaning Kamrie and Karly. She was being a devil. We made stops at grandma Vincent's, Kmart to see grandma Jackie, then went with my sister and her husband and their 5 kids, my brother and his wife and their 4 and my other brother and his 1. Lots of kids running crazy, but having a blast. Then we went to see grandpa Blaine and eat dinner. The kids had a blast and so did mom, we will be doing it again next year!!

Pumpkin Patch!

Thursday for fall break we decided to do something fun with the kids. My sister, Amy and her family go to the pumpkin patch every year and this year we were able to go with them. Amy had 4 of her 5 kids, I had my 3 and my sister-in-law, Nadine had 3 of her 4 kids. That was a lot of kids! They were all so good! This picture is of the kids patiently waiting for the wagon to come get us to take us to find our perfect pumpkin!

Kamrie loved the wagon ride. I think that was her favorite part. I think she could feel all the other kids excitement and that made her happy. She giggled and laughed the entire ride to the pumpkin patch.

Jackson and Karly on the wagon ride to the pumpkin patch. Good thing it wasn't too long, they could hardly stand it they were so excited!

Jackson found his pumpkin. He said "I'm super strong to carry my pumpkin." As soon as the picture was done he said "Mom, I'm not super strong now."

Karly found her pumpkin and she could even carry it, for a little while.

Jackson making sure Kamrie found her pumpkin and Karly was so tired she decided to take a rest on the pumpkins.

My three pumpkins! Even if you can hardly see their faces! We all had a GREAT time. See you again next year!!!

Just Like Daddy!!

Karly comes to me the other day and says, "Mom, look I'm just like Daddy." I look over and she has her sun glasses on and her cell phone to her ear. Just like dad! In fact she was pretending to call him. It was so cute. It was also a reminder to me about how much, even at 2, kids take in that we as parents forget.

Summer Fun

A quick rundown of some things we did this summer.

We went camping up Payson canyon with my family. Jackson and Karly had a Blast! Just check out their faces. That was only after part of the first day!

Jackson and Karly love to help Kamrie jump on the trampoline. Kamrie loves it! You can't tell from the picture, but as soon as they stop moving, she starts moving her legs for them to bounce again! They, all three, just giggle the entire time.

Dan and Jackson went fishing with Grandma and Grandpa Vincent. Look at the amazing catch. That doesn't include the ones they threw back. Jackson was so excited to eat the fish. Karly loved it! She ate two fish by herself. I say have at it.

In Loving Memory

Our family lost a great man this week. Dan's grandpa Orval died this week. We all knew it was coming, but that doesn't help the saddness. We are so grateful for the knowledge that this is not the end. We know we will see him again. Thanks grandpa for all of the fun memories. We love you and will miss you.

Nap Time

So, Jackson started soccer last week. This is his and our first experience with a child in sports. What fun! He had his first game last week and he was so excited. He loved that he got an entire uniform. My favorite part was when he came running across the field about midway through the game and said "Mom, it is almost nap time." I was a little confused and said "What?" He repeated it and it clicked. Nap time was half time. I laughed and explained half time not nap time. He didn't care all he knew was that he got a snack and a chance to take a rest. Dan and I could not help but laugh through the entire game, Jackson was hilarious! Go get em' Jack.

Karly Jewel

Karly is 2 going on 5. She thinks she is big. She wants to be out there with the big kids. She is definetly my wild child. We sometimes call her the Beast. Her moods can change in an instant. She is the sweetest most loveable child and then she is a monster!! We love her either way! Karly doesn't get to go to school yet, but she wants to. Every morning waiting for Kamrie's bus she gets her backpack and waits for her turn. The bus driver let us ride the bus down the block just so she could have a ride. She loved it!! When she does get to go to school she will be highly disappointed when she doen not get to ride the bus!

Karly is an awsome little sister. She makes sure everyone is in their place, or better yet where she thinks they need to be. We go somewhere and Kamrie goes into another room and she is right there dragging her back saying "Mom, here's sissy". Kamrie loves every second of it. Karly follows Jackson like a shadow. She does everything he does, or tries anyway. She is starting to learn cars, I give her a little while longer and Jackson will have her knowing all the cars that he knows. She is a little princess too. She loves dress up and frilly things. What a great mix!

Jackson Daniel

Jackson is 5 years old and he is my child that never stops. From the time he was born his little legs never stopped. Jackson started Kindergarten this year and he loves it. He is my "I can do it myself" child. On the first day of school we got to the field by the school and he said "Ok mom, I can go by myself now. I know the rest of the way." I informed him that at least for the first couple of days I would walk with him to the door.

Jackson loves cars, trains, bikes, and anything for boys. He is a big Nascar fan. By the age of three he knew the makes and models of cars driving down the road. He comes by that naturally since that is all his dad talks about. Also by the age of three Jackson knew how to operate his dad's tow truck. Dad runs a tow company and often takes one, two, or all three of the kids with him on tows. So, Jackson got to learn how to run the controls. Jackson's preschool had a career week and Dan got to go show the kids how to work the tow truck. They loved it. Jackson's teacher was amazed that Jackson knew exactly what to do!

Jackson is not only a big help to Dad, but a huge help to mom. He loves to take Kamrie for walks around the house and he always makes sure if we are outside that she is where she needs to be. What more could a sister ask for. He loves to play with his little sister Karly, even when she takes his toys away.

Kamrie Paige

Kamrie is our special Angel. She is six years old and she has Rett Syndrome. She doesn't speak with words, but we can tell by her eyes if she is happy or not. Most of the time that is how we know what she wants. Kamrie was developing along quite well until around 18 months old she slowly started losing her vocabulary and then her motor skills. By the age of three she lost all of her words and her hands were unable to function. She can't feed herself or dress herself, but she has so much help from her brother and sister when it comes to eating. They love to help her eat snacks. Lucky for us, Kamrie is still able to walk! Most girls with Retts lose that ability as well. We never imagined our life the way it is, but now we could not imagine it any different. Kamrie touches every one she is around. She forms a special bond with people even though she can't talk to them.

Kamrie is in first grade this year and so far she loves it. I think her favorite part is the bus ride to and from school. She likes the walks she takes with her class.

Often people ask how we do it, and most of the time my response is, "she is often my easy one. She doesn't talk back, she doesn't fight with her brother and sister, she goes where we take her and she just loves to be with us, so honestly how hard could she be." We are lucky ones to

get to have such a special child with us. She teaches us more than we could ever teach her.

About Us

Dan and I met in the summer of 1997 on a blind date of all things. Neither of us wanted to go, but with our families pushing, we decided to go. We had a good time and just to make my mom upset, when I got home from our first date I told her I probably wouldn't see him again. (We already had a date set for two days later.) Mom was upset and I left it at that until two days later. From that point on, we were together. We were married February 13, 1998 in the Mount Timponogos Temple. Four years later, February 7, 2002 we were blessed with a baby girl Kamrie. In August 29, 2003 our son Jackson was born. Then April 12,2006 Karly was born. We are amazed at how quickly they grow and change. It seems like only yesterday they were babies!
Dan and I own and operate a towing company Dan's Towing. He does all the towing and I do all the book keeping. I enjoy it and the nice thing is, I can do it from my home so I get to be home with my kids.