The Giles Goof Troop

Trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana

2009-12-02T19:56:00.000-08:00

This was such a fun time for Jason and I too spend together. Jason surprised me on our 12th anniversary with plane tickets and hotel stay in Kansas city.- Actually he had told me a little earlier while under the effects of anastesia. Which reminds me. I have the sweetest husband. He was so happy to tell me while at the same time I could tell he was mad at himself for letting out his secret. I anxiously waited for our anniversary to come and he followed through on his promises. I just had to wait a few more weeks. Jason made all the arrangements including help with the kids. My only regret was when I realized Ann Marie was only 2 weeks from her due date. ( baby pic. soon to follow) Ann Marie took Bruce and Anna for the 4 days and was so happy and willing to help out. But boy! did I feel like a jerk. Tenille took great care of Ashley, Brigham and Alyssa and all was well when we got home.

I loved loved loved the swamp!!! I will definitely take my kids there someday. Hopefully we can get the same tour guide. He was so great! He knew everything about the swamp, the names of all the plants, trees, animals he even told us how to cook up some good eat'n - Squirrel stew, turtle, rib-eye with wings (don't get caught with one of them. they're illegal!)

This is my handsome brother Justin I love love love him too!!!

taking pictures here was so much fun I could have taken pictures all day. We got so close to some alligators we could have touched them. The weather was perfect.

This is really the reason we went. Clayton is the sweetest little boy! He is so long for his age. He is going to be tall like his daddy.

This is a very passive alligator. Turtles were practically climbing in his mouth. I guess he just wasn't hungry.

On Sunday we went for a ride to the Gulf Coast (which I can't say that I loved because it would be obnoxious...but I loved it). It was one of my favorite things that we did that trip. The kids will definitely be going there someday.We also stopped at a park or walking trail along the side of the road. Justin had been there before so had planned to bring raw chicken to feed the alligators. So here we are walking around a swamp/trail with raw chicken in our hands. My brother has always had great judgment (still does), so I trusted him. Not to say that I was scared to death and made Jason walk in between me and the tall grasses. (that also had alligator trails/ paths in them.) We walked around the two mile walking trail and then found this one a couple yards from our car.

The food was amazing enough said.

Thanks to Justin Stephanie and all those that helped out we had such a great time.

October

2009-12-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

ARRRR!!! You sure are a cute one.

Brigham and Tenille showing their team spirit- cute kids!

Alyssa wanted to take all the baby pumpkins she could find. Who knows how many she was able to stash away in her pockets.

Anna had to find just the right one. One will do for Anna. Boy was it a cute one.

Bruce was so happy with all the orange "Balls" He thought he was in heaven. Bruce's favorite word is ball. You would be surprised at all the different kinds of balls there are.

Anna's joke for trick or treating- Why did the care bear cross the road? to get some candy!! She was so cute in her little Grumpy Bear costume. She especially loved her joke.

wow! does this costume say it all!!! That Alyssa sure can be the sweetest girl in the world. ( When she wants to be.)

Thanksgiving

2009-12-03T10:23:00.000-08:00

Cute Baby Joseph resting after Thanksgiving dinner.

Wild Man Bruce

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We are so Blessed.

Time sure does go by quickly. I love being a mom to these great kids. They are growing so quickly.

Brillant Toncils

2009-10-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

So, on Monday, Anna and I (Ashley) got our toncils removed. We were a MESS! The medician is horrible (orange/black licorish, who thought of that!?!). Anyways, I didnt get blogging because I wanted to complian (mostly) See, I wanted to make cookies but Nooooooooooo! Anna and I couldnt eat them and so I made... Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes in Cupcake Tins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just Fishin

2009-10-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

I was so proud of this girl for trying the fishing thing. She has real issues with killing a worm and possibly hurting a fish. But once she got the casting down she seemed to forget all the other horrible thing that might happen - like catching a fish. ( I am positive she did not bait the hook herself) Ashleys field trip to the Marshes. Ashley has good friends and kind to others in her class. She especially enjoys those that dont mind putting worms on hooks

The Biggest Havest of the Year-HaHa!!

2009-10-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

How funny was the weather!My tomatoes where just getting started when it turned cold. These tomatoes are know ripening one at a time in our computer room.

At the Ward Camp Out

2009-10-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

Anna and Elijahs Field Trip

2009-10-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Celebrate!

2009-10-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

This was a fun night we Celebrated Brigham making studen council and Kennas 100% spelling test Homemade Mac and cheese and soda make for good times

The New House

2009-10-12T19:45:00.000-07:00

This was the little crew we had living with us for a few weeks in August. This picture was taken the week William and Mathew got to move into their new home. They have a great place. We like to visit them and see them us much as we can. We are so lucky to have lots of Cousins in Iowa

Ms. Know it All- Not Really

2009-10-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Brigham found this cicada coming out of its exoskeleton one night I'm taking a little class called the Master Gardener's class out of a Iowa State Extension center. My Sweet Husband thought I would like to do this. First Because he knows I love gardening and Second he wanted me to have some time away from home. Now that the books have been thrown in my direction I think I am so smart and come every Tuesday night telling him every thing we need to do with our lawn, garden, punning, disease prevention, rodent control. ect ect. All these thing just take time and we definitely don't feel like we have that. Some day I will have the time I need and will be glad I started my learning know. However I will find the time to kill grubs this spring. This is a "annual" cicada we still have 5 more yrs till the "17 yr. cicadas" come up from under the ground. This class has been a lot of fun. Absorbing as much info As I can

You gotta love the "Biggest Tomato Ever"!!!

2009-10-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Some time with our Cousin

2009-08-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

This is the cute little guy we call "Skinny" or Easton. My Sister Tenille just moved from Utah to live by her Sister and go to school. Easton is adjusting to Iowa. I love telling family back home how much he eats these days. It looks like Bruce is teaching him about the good things in life.

We love these guys

Off to School!

2009-08-31T05:58:00.000-07:00

Western hills is going to love this crazy bunch! Ashley is in 6th grade. Kenna and Brigham are in the same 2nd grade class and Alyssa is in Kindergarten. Alyssa has been so ready for so long!!When we walked her to her class we hardly got a hug. She was ready for this big adventure.

Kenna's sampler

2009-08-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

Kenna is such a cute little girl. She loves to help her little brother and cousin this is the little sampler platter she made for Easton and Bruce one Sunday Evening. We also made California rolls one night for a little Girls night In. - they were really good!!! Kenna loves sushi

The Hot Air Balloons

2009-08-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

We really didn't have the best view of the hot air balloons But having Kenna Easton and Aunt Tenille made it such a special night. We missed Dad Ashley and Brigham. Dad was Recovering from his shoulder surgery. Ashley and Brigham were in Idaho and Utah having the time of their lives with their grandparents and cousins.

Lifes Good!

2009-08-31T05:15:00.000-07:00

Bruce is such a fun boy. He reminds us everyday life is too be enjoyed. I got him a bowl of soapy water and water toys expecting him to have fun with the boats and other toys. He made the easy decision that it was way too much fun to just jump in.

Love that hair

2009-08-31T05:09:00.000-07:00

Anna really wanted her hair cut. We love her new dew!

Silly Girls

2009-08-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

The deep dish pizza and cab rides were alright but Chicago itself was amazing!!

Thank You Jason for letting me let loose and have some fun with my Friend Meridith in Chicago

The Garden

2009-08-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

I've really enjoyed the bigger garden this year and Jason would agree That he should always listen to me when I ask for something like a bigger garden especially when all it involves is cutting down a big "dead" pine tree and tilling another 15x20 sq feet. I really wish I could just save him some energy by letting him no that arguing is such a waste of time. Jason really did not want to make the extra garden space. However I am pleased to say that he has enjoyed the garden so much he tells me all the time how right I was to begin with.

I thought the the tree stump or Lily pad mad a great place for the frog to sit.

The garden has made lots of happy moments and Yummy dinners this summer.

This is really Gross

2009-04-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

You can thank me latter for posting without pictures. I want to say, Alyssa is so cute when she is sick. Almost hyped up by the attention or new experience. While reading to the girls. Alyssa jumps up and says O' WOW!! with a smile. She really has no idea what just happened. Latter she describes them as "poop squirts". I sent her up to change her pants time after time. She still dose not seem to mind. She says "we really should buy gold underwear". O course we know why. What a thoughtful little girl. Her enthusiasm dose not end. Latter that day she comes to me and says "Hey mom I have to show you something!" A walk up stairs and I realize I should be paying way more attention to this happy but very sick little girl. This is were you get to picture it yourself. Poop and throw up twice on the carpet, three times on the bathroom floor, sink, bathtub, and once (maybe) in the toilet. Not to mention Carter helping with clean up. Still Alyssa is happy, apologetic and very sweet. She follows me down stairs and watches me put all the laundry in the wash. "Mom!! You are such a good Mother!!! " Thanks Alyssa!"- she know feels more comfortable watching tv with a bowl to sit in. (her idea) I know I'm gross but cant help blogging about it.

Later that day: did you make it? Yes, and I'm staying here all day!

poor Alyssa, It is Thursday! so I guess we do get to do what ever we want. Staying home sounds nice.

Even later that day: Anna's got it too!

1st Hair cut

2009-04-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

I don't like to have regrets but I do wish I would have gone some where to get this little boy a haircut. I would have loved taking pictures the whole time. I also wish there was a little bit more hair than I left him with. I guess It will grow, But it will never be the same baby hair. I think he has Jason and Brigham's coarse and thick hair.

I know buddy, I'm sad too!!

Bruce did really well. Some of the strands of hair looked like they were almost 3 inches l
Don't worry mom. I've still got lots of personality to make up for the loss of my handsome baby hair.

Handsome boys!!

Coopers Birthday/ Saying good buy

2009-04-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

Boy are we are going to miss the Youngmans. They have been great friends. We got together the night before they left and celebrated Coopers 1st Birthday. This event made it all the more bitter sweet and we were able to remember this past year we have had with them and remembering the arrival of this special boy into there family. We don't like to say good buy so we'll say see you in a few months when we visit.

Ashleys visit to the living history farm

2009-04-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

This cute little pioneer girl made this bonette all by herself. She also took great pride in packing a lunch just like a pioneer would have too. We had a hard time keeping the mini loaf of wheat bread covered. Heaven forbid our wheat bread dry out. So we used scotch tape to keep the wrap from comming off- shh! dont tell the teacher. This is a very strict class. I was sent to the dunce corner when I talked to another parent. The kids loved it!! I guess it was worth it

Friend Marrisa -they made the bonnets together.

Red Rover, Red Rover send Ashley right over!

Yeah its Thursday!!!

2009-04-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

Thursdays are my favorite! I don't "have too" go or do anything so this is the day we like to use our imagination and we "get too" do what ever. I put my pictures in backwards so this is the end of the day.

I'm much happier if you don't put me on the lap of a giant scary bunny.

Happy little Bruce in the new front facing car seat.

We actually had a few minute to put the seat together and make sure everything fits. Bruce has probably been big enough for this car seat for a long time. We followed the rules so he is now 1 yr. and 13 lb. over the recommended weight for a front facing car seat. yes that means he is 33lb!!