Montroy Family

The year's update

2010-07-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

OK so my last post said April 2009, wow that was a long time ago. So much has changed life is not what it use to be, but there are no complaints and I am excited for the future. Thinking back since then, some special things to me are, Kendall is now 17 months old, she is a Montroy and I can't imagine life without her. Claire was baptized last year, she was breathtaking in her dress that I made her. What a great experience that was for everyone. She was baptized 3 times, because for the first time ever Damon was nervous and it got the best of him. She also picked up piano, and loves it soo much. Kaylee is getting ready for first grade, she took jazz dance this last year and is sooo good! She has the best strut. She is strong and confident, and I love her to death. Corinne is 3 and not potty trained! Driving me crazy, but I am trying to be patient for her schedule. Her hair is finally growing a little, she is a firecracker and holds her own with her big sisters. No one gets in her way. Damon is still moving forward with Vision Electric, he works hard, I hope it gets easier for him some day. He loves his Ice Hockey league and to teach his girls to play softball. Last summer he was both Claire and Kaylee's head coach. This summer he is just doing Claire. It is a favorite past time for all of them to play ball together. I love it. As for me, well I discovered boutique fabrics and patterns and got addicted. A whole new world of fun and creativity at my fingertips, but all for a price. So I have enjoyed a few of the patterns and fabric but not all. I am trying to take pictures of the things I make, to keep better track. Maybe someday I will get a photo library up here. Last fall I was feeling like I needed to move on in life and was looking for something else to do besides Sycamore Hills Apartments (it has been 10 years). While discussing this with my wise sister Chrissy, she said "why not go back to school" I had never thought that would be an option and I had never thought about it. Within one week I was enrolled and started classes online. My science courses for the Dental Hygiene program had expired three years prior so I had to start all over. I took accelerated courses for Anatomy and Physiology I and Chemistry 109. It turned our whole life upside down as I struggled to get back into the school frame of mind and think about something else besides poopy diapers and car pool. Every spare moment into the late hours of the night I was reading studying and stressing over school. Damon took over all evening and weekend duties at home and I made it through the semester getting a B in each class. That was OK, but I was discouraged. The Spring semester I took A&P II online and microbiology on campus. That added a whole new level of difficulty trying to shuffle the kids around so that I could be gone every Tues. and Thursday from 10-3pm. I have the most supporting family ever. My mom and sister Chrissy took on the challenge with smiles and words of encouragement as they pushed me out the door everyday to catch the light rail. I don't know how I would have made it without the help of those two amazing women. I love them sooo much. It was crazy, but I LOVED being back in the classroom and soaked up every minute. I was much less stressed and learned how to be more efficient with my studying and came out with A's in both classes. I was so excited! I had applied to the Dental Hygiene program and was denied because I didn't have all my pre-requisites done by Jan. although you can get in as long as they are done by that May. I was so discouraged, but I registered for A&P I again for this coming fall so I can get my B up to an A and have the best chance possible to get into the program. You need almost all A's to get in, so that is what I plan to do, and will apply again in Jan 2011. In the midst of all this school my great parents decided they needed to serve a mission. So while they are gone we could live in their house and pay for my school, while we rent our house out. They are amazing people who want to serve the lord full time more than anything. My dad has given up his lifetime of work to a management company and they are leaving everything behind to go. They got their mission call to serve in the Little Rock Arkansas Mission as CES missionaries and will be serving 18 months, reporting September 6th to the MTC. We are all so proud of them and excited for their great new adventure. I remember when I was leaving on my mission, my dad would come watch me pack and say he wished he could jump in my suitcase and come with. He loved his mission and wished he could go again. And now as I watch them prepare to go, memories of my own mission frequently flood my mind and I wish they could pack me up and I could go with them. A mission is an experience of a lifetime, I loved mine with all my heart, and I am so happy they have made it, and are going to have those amazing experiences together. So this summer we have all been packing and cleaning and de-junking as we attempt to combine two households into one. The big move is in less than two weeks and we will have renters in our home. You never know what life has in store for you. So many twists and turns, jumping forward, and stepping back. I love my life, I love the Lord, and I love the amazing wonderful people who are my family. I am so blessed.

Corinne is two!

2009-04-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

Corinne's blessing day

3 months old. First trip to Temple Square

6 months old

9 months at Jack and Kelly's wedding

14 months old wearing her first pair of Vans, while watching her dad skate boardLearning to walk over 4th of July

Mexico 2008

Happy Birthday Corinne! We love you so much our sweet baby girl.

Kendall's Blessing Day

2009-04-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

On March 29th Damon gave Kendall a name and a blessing at church. It was a wonderful day, and we filled two long benches in the chapel with family members. Thank you to all who came we love you all so much!The cousins: Lynlee, Derek, Natalie, Asaunda, Taylor, Corinne, Claire, Kendall, Kaylee, James

My Family who was there (my dad had to leave for a meeting and my mom is taking the picture)

Aunt Karen, Lynnlee, Natalie, Jeremy, My cousin Jessica, Blake and Chrissy, Asaunda, Taylor and James, Damon, me, and the girls, My brother Robbie and his sweet girlfriend Katie, my sister Caitie(the babe with reddish hair) and my mother-in-law Jan.

A Colorado Winter

2009-03-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

This has been an interesting winter. Almost no snow, temperatures in the 70's and then for spring break the big storm hits. We didn't get the worst of the storm but we finally got enough snow to build our first snowmen of the season. And I bet it will be our last, because, as typical Colorado weather goes, it blizzards one day and then the next is warm and sunny and all the snow melts. I tell ya, it is the best of both worlds! So last weekend we had beautiful weather and Damon broke out the grills with some awesome ribs. And this week we had fun in the snow! We made this first snowman. I did the base, Kaylee made the second ball for the tummy, and Claire made the head. But in the process of making the head she made a ball way too big. So, we thought we would save it for the base of a second snowman. Claire is the snowman ball making Queen! When she went to make the middle ball for the second snow man, she made it huge! Larger than the other one, it took the both of us to roll it into place and we barely did it. Then it took the both of us to lift the middle up and then we did the head. Kaylee and Corinne were done with the snow for the second snowman. It was so fun to finally have a chance to play in the snow!

Professional Snap Shots

2009-03-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have some of the best visiting teachers you could ever have. They are so kind, fun, giving, and take great care of me. One does an awesome job cutting my hair and the other is an amazing photographer. She wanted to take pictures of my girls and here is the result. I just love them!! If you are in the Denver area and want to take advantage of her talent you can see her website at: professionalsnapshots.com
This is the "ti ti" that aunt Caitie made Kendall. All the girls have to have their Ti Ti.I love these of her in my hands. Tammy somehow got my hands to look so soft and un-scarred. This is Kendall in her blessing dress. My mom made it for her, along with the other girls blessing dresses. What makes them so special and what I love is that on each dress she has used the left over material from when she made my wedding dress. Kendall's jacket is the material from my dress. With each girl, each dress has less and less material from my dress, we were almost out this time. But as always my mom manages to pull off the impossible and makes another special beautiful dress.

Tammy did such a great job with the girls. Kendall was grumpy and crying the whole time, and Corinne would not hold still, then got real cranky towards the end. Some how she managed to come up with some fabulous shots!
Thank You Tammy!!!!

Kendall Anne

2009-03-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

She will be one month one on Sunday, so I need to get this up before it is way too late.

February 6th and 7th my mom and I spent two fun days at this sewing convention. We walked all day, took classes and learned how to properly alter patterns, do silk screening, make rugs and all sorts of fun stuff. I was 8 months pregnant, just a few days into my last month. I got looks everywhere we went, maybe it was because of my waddle and sprint to every bathroom we passed. Anyways I came home Saturday tired and sore! That night I woke up at 2:30 in the morning with contractions starting and I had to pee! The funny thing was I couldn't seem to stop. As I was lying in bed I kept wetting my pants! I wasn't sure what the problem was. I mean, I still had a month to go! I was either so overly worn out from the past two days and wetting my pants, or my water broke and I was leaking. So to be sure of what this might be I continued to "wet my pants" till 7am when I decided there was no way I lost that much control over myself and it had to be my water. We called my mom, she came and got the girls and Damon and I headed downtown to the hospital. Indeed my water broke and they hooked me up to what was going to be a long day. I was only dilated to a two maybe three and 30% effaced, and my contractions were not coming regularly or strong. I couldn't believe my water broke, this was my fourth kid, and my water only broke with the first one. I still had3 few weeks to go!

Well, soon after they hooked me up and gave me the epidural they noticed her heart rate would drop with each contraction. It would recover after each contraction, but it was taking a longer time to do so as time went on. They said I might have to have a c-section if they couldn't get this to stop or if i didn't deliver soon. But I was not dilating, and then her heart rate dropped and didn't recover. Within minutes I was rushed into the operating room and hoisted onto the operating table. They upped my epidural and there were at least ten people in the room. Damon came running in zipping up his blue onesie and snapping on his hat, sat down and held my hand at they went to work. I get real emotional with drugs and I fell apart and cried the whole way through. She came out purple with the cord wrapped around her neck once, but real tight. She was born at 2:26pm at 6pounds 1 ounce and 19 inches long. We feel so blessed to have her and that she did come three weeks early. If she had waited she may have not made it with the cord around her neck and a few extra pounds. We love our new baby girl and our family of six! My incision had a minor complication and didn't close all the way. I had a four centimeter hole that was 3cm deep. A nurse came to my house every other day for the first two weeks to clean and pack my wound. It has closed now and things are getting back to normal. My wonderful Mom would not leave me alone for the first week and a half and was at my house every morning to take care of me and the girls until every evening when Damon could take over. Kendall is the first of our babies to sleep in our room and the first to not eat and sleep well. So we are dying from lack of sleep as we experience our first "real baby" as my mom puts it. This last weekend I had, had enough and went and bought everything I could find for upset baby tummies. Gripe Water is our new best friend and is the only way, any of are getting any sleep now. So thing are getting much better, she is eating better, sleeping better and much more relaxed during the day now that her tummy doesn't hurt all the time.OurGirls

Corinne was not sure about this new addition that kicked her out of the baby position :)

She like to suck on her fingers or thumb, whichever she can find first.

Our beautiful baby!

Conversations

2009-03-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

We were getting ready to put the girls in bed and this was our conversation.....

Mom: So Kaylee we need a snack that starts with S to take to school on Friday. What should we bring?

Kaylee: I don't know mom, what starts with an S that we can eat?

a thinking pause...

Claire: (very excited and proud) I know mom! Smarshmellows!

We laughed so hard!!

This morning we were getting Claire ready for school and Kaylee ran out to the garage to get something and came back in....

Kaylee: (with a strong attitude) I hit my elbow twice while I was out there! :(

Mom: Oh, I'm sorry, are you going to survive?

Kaylee: No! But I am going to live!

My kids crack me up! They say the funniest things sometimes!

New Year's Day

2009-01-19T14:53:00.000-08:00

On New Years Day we went to our friend's the Dodd's home and made tamales. Well, I watched mostly, having no idea what an ordeal it was. But they tasted great! Anyways, while they were steaming, all the boys of all ages played a little Guitar Hero Rock Band. It was so fun, and funny to watch. The dads, the teenagers, and the kindergartners all in one band. We are so lucky and blessed to be surrounded by such good people, and that they let us be their friends. Love you all!

Ski Trip

2009-01-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

Damon took Claire and Kaylee up for a weekend of skiing this past weekend. It was fun to have a quiet home with just me and Corinne, but we would have rather been up in the mountains. Five more weeks till the baby is due. Anyways, here are some cute pics of them on the mountain!

Christmas in Kansas

2009-01-02T07:06:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We were able to go to Kansas for Christmas this year. It was such a fun and relaxing trip. Damon spent a lot of time with the girls and Corinne and I got to take a nap every day. It was great! It is always such a treat to stay with Damon's grandparents and visit our family out there, we love them all so much!Papa loves his girls!Aunt Vernie came for the holidays also. The girls always give her quite the run-around!I love the sister pictures!I wasn't able to get all three of them in one shot though. Christmas is just to exciting to stop for a picture!

We spent Christmas Eve and Uncle Jim and aunt Janie's house and they got a new kitty Simon. Corinne LOVED Simon. She played with the kitty and followed him around, and carried him until Simon went and hid under the couch, and then Corinne tried to climb under there with him. Luckily for Simon she didn't fit. Corinne loves animals!

Damon of course had to get his little girl a new pair of Vans for Christmas. She loves these shoes! They have unicorns on the front and she had to wear them everywhere! I made each of the girls a tutu, they were a big hit!Claire's new favorite color is blue. I love having someone out of the only pink stage, finally!By the end of the week Corinne had partied till she dropped. Mac and Cheese was the only pillow she could find :)

Thank you Granny and Papa for a wonderful holiday trip we love you so much! Thanks for letting us come to visit and turn your lives upside down for a week!

Claire's Piano Recital

2008-12-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

Claire had her first piano recital this past weekend. She was so excited and we are so proud of her. She started taking lessons in September and is now learning from the books I quit in after two years of lessons. She loves it and is amazing. Grandma made special Christmas dresses for all the girls and they got to wear their special dresses that night with their cousins. They all looked sooooo cute!
Kaylee kept doing these funny smiles. But here are my cute girls in their dresses in front of my nutcracker collection. My favorite Christmas decorations :)

All the cousins

Christmas Cookies

2008-12-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday we took the day off from life and made Christmas Cookies. It was so fun for me and the girls to just spend the afternoon making a total mess in the kitchen and coming out with some interesting cookies.Corinne making finger prints :)She wants to help so bad :)
Claire and Kaylee frosting the cookies

The final, colorful product!

These are called Thumbprint Cookies. They are our all time favorite Christmas Cookie. The recipe comes from Betty Crocker's 1963 Cooky Book, the best cookie book ever!

Thumbprint Cookies

1/2 cup butter, 1 cup Flour

1/4 cup brown sugar (packed), 1/4 tea salt

1 egg separated, 1/2 tea vanilla

3/4 cup finely chopped nuts, Raspberry jelly

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla thoroughly. Blend together flour and salt; stir in. (I just use a normal hand mixer) Roll dough into balls (1 tsp. per ball). Beat egg whites slightly with a fork. Dip balls in egg white. Roll in nuts. Place about 1" apart on ungreased baking sheet; press thumb gently in center of each. Bake 10-12 min. Cool and fill thumbprints with jelly.

Sweetie Peetie

2008-12-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

I have a wonderful friend who started making tutu's for girls and selling them online and at craft shows. She is amazing, and to display all her hard work she needed some models, so of course my girls jumped at the chance to help! Here are some of the cute pics, she so graciously shared with me. You can check out her website at: http://www.sweetiep.com/ Cute Kaylee

Corinne striking a pose

Beautiful Claire

Bubbles!

My little cherubSisters

Justin

2008-11-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

Today is the sixth year anniversary of my brother Justin's death. I don't know why I have been thinking about it so much more than usual this time of year, but it has been on my mind for weeks now. Maybe it is all the crazy hormones when you are pregnant. Justin died around 4am in a car accident where the car went flying and hit the ground seven times and the driver flew out first and he flew out last. It was a tragedy that changed my whole family's life forever. I remember the phone call from my mom and, without understanding a word she said through the sobs I threw Claire (one year old) in the car and ran over. It is interesting when someone that close to you dies, the many emotions that run through you, also the need for comic relief. The coming together of friends and family and the overwhelming support we received through our connections in the church was unbelievable. All of a sudden the smallest things become the biggest and every little event that has happened up to then is amplified and floods your memory. Heavenly Father loves his children so much and knows that he can't keep these tough things from us. He has the grander picture and just wants to see us grow and be happy, but growth hurts sometimes. So in the mist of all the growing he provides us with as many tender mercies as he can to help ease the pain and bring us the comfort and strength to survive those growing pains. I am so grateful for the endless list of blessings that came and continue to come either directly from our Father in Heaven or through the wonderful people he surrounded us with. I love my family so much, I do not take them for granted anymore. I love my siblings, I cherish every moment we have together, we are bonded together stronger now and in a way that I can't describe or compare to anything else I know. My parents are my best friends and I watch out for and defend them as if they were my own children. I never want to see them suffer like that again. The gospel of Jesus Christ was before, but even more now the foundation of my life. I feel as though I had a solid testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ before, it guided my life and was the basis of every decision I made. But there is a difference now that grounds me even closer to those teachings then ever before. I wish I was a better writer and could explain my thoughts more clearly. The plan of salvation and principle of eternal families, is no longer something that I just learn and talk about, something that I am just grateful for. It is so real, almost tangible, something that gives life a reason and purpose like never before, you lean and rely on that knowledge just to keep you sane. I love the gospel so much and am so grateful for the blessing and lessons and opportunities the Lord has provided for me. As I have been thinking about Justin so much, especially today it is a comfort to feel the love and appreciation and peace take over the pain and sorrow in my heart. I love you so much Justin, I pray for you and look forward to the day when we can be a complete family again.This is one of our most treasured tender mercies granted to us. We had this family picture taken on a whim one month before Justin died having no idea how priceless it would become.The time we lived in Glenwood Springs Colorado was full of so many fun memories for Justin and I, we loved our mountain home.This is another one of my most treasured pictures. It is the weekend I came home from my mission to Germany. Robbie is on my right and Justin on my left. Justin and I had a very turbulent relationship for so many years. This was the beginning of rebuilding for us and we were just so happy to see each other. I love my brothers.This is the picture we used for the program at his service. It is a crop from a picture of him with a good friend of mine at my wedding. She was trying on her bride's maid dress to see if it fit over her belly full of twins.

Gerry the Great!

2008-11-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

So this is my good friend Gerry. (this is his Facebook profile pic) We were friends up at Ricks College and went through their art program together. He is one of the funniest people I have ever met and I just love this guy to death! You can always count on him for a good time. He is married now with a cute little boy Jonas. Gerry runs his own design company out of Provo and is super talented. He just sent me a link to a Doritos commerical he made for a Super Bowl contest. It is the funniest thing I have ever seen! So I have to share it with the world! Check out this link http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/gallery/video/1355/

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

This was a fun Halloween. I got the bug to make all their costumes and Damon wanted to join in too. So here are some fun pics. We still don't have a camera so the trick or treating pics will come later when I can get them from my neighbor.

The Good Witch and the Bad Witch

Dr. Evil and Mini Me

Fall

2008-10-19T19:49:00.001-07:00

Fall is here! I love fall and all the leaves!

Our front yard tree supplies us with so many fun leaves to play in each year.

Fort Collins

2008-10-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

This past Friday was the girls first day of fall break. So we took a day trip up to Fort Collins to visit Aunt Caitie at school. It was so fun to see her and spend some time together with just us.

She took us to the coolest toy store ,

then for lunch we went to the sandwich shop she works at. Cheba Hut makes the best sandwiches! The atmosphere there was so cool, a place that would have been the regular hang out for me in college. Not to mention the great food!

After lunch we went to a park that had a petting zoo. That was the highlight of the trip, along with the pumpkin patch they had there.

Claire and Kaylee fed the cows

while Corinne looked on with awe.

Then we fed the goats.

Corinne LOVED to feed the goats, we had to pull her away from them!

The pumpkin patch was in the barn and had great pumpkins! The girls all got to pick one out. Of course Claire went for the biggest and Kaylee liked the little ones,

and Corinne loved the gourds. I love Caitie so much and it was so fun to see her in her life and be so happy.

Thanks for the great day girl!

Baby Girl # 4!

2008-10-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

Well, it is for real now. I got the ultrasound today and we are having baby girl #4! I would like to say we were so shocked and surprised but after three, it was kinda expected. But I am so happy! I was concerned for the future of a little boy surrounded by all these girls, but now I don't have to worry, princesses and pink forever and ever! The girls are so excited, Kaylee has requested that we name her with a "K" name because she is the only one who starts with a K. So I think we are going to make a great effort to honor that request. The only problem now is finding a name with a middle name to go with it. So please send all your "K" ideas our way, we need all the help we can get! I love this picture because she is opening her mouth a little and you can see that prominent bottom lip my girls get from their daddy!

Happy Anniversary

2008-10-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

This post is long overdue. I needed to scan the picture and that seemed to take a while to get around to doing, but I didn't want to not do the post. So, Happy Anniversary Honey! Our 8th year anniversary was September 22nd. And just by looking at the pictures, lots has changed! We were sure skinny then!! I love Damon so much and feel so lucky and blessed to have him. I know I am not the easiest person to love and he does such a great job of it. Thanks for a wonderful life!

Secret Hide-out

2008-10-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

Yea! I got a camera for the weekend. So here is our Sunday secret hide-out. The girls wanted a hide-out so we took up the whole one room on our first floor. They played all day in it, watched a movie, and well it will probably be up for a few days. So this will be what you see as soon as you walk through my front door :)

HE PASSED!

2008-10-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

I AM SOOO PROUD OF MY LITTLE BROTHER!!!!! HE JUST FOUND OUT TODAY HE PASSED THE COLORADO BAR EXAM. HE IS NOW OFFICALLY A LAWYER!!! WAY TO GO ROBBIE!!!

Twilight

2008-10-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for this movie!!! I am sure the book will still be better but it will be soo fun!

Syncronized Swimming

2008-09-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

This is hillarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f86qKQJg3Z8

Brilliant Weblog Award

2008-09-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

Brilliant Weblog Award
My friend Michelle tagged me with the "Brilliant Weblog Award". Below are questions I had to answer and post to my blog. Then I have to choose a few fellow Brilliant Bloggers and pass this award along!
A. Attached or Single? Attached
B. Best Friend? My Mom and Jenny Jo
C. Cake or Pie? Cake
D. Day of choice? Saturday
E. Essential Item? Sewing Machine
F. Favorite Color? Blue
G. Gummy Bears or Worms? Worms
H. Hometown? Highlands Ranch, CO
I. Indulgence? European Chocolate
J. January or July? January-Snowboarding with the Fam!
K. Kids? 3 girls- Claire almost 7, Kaylee 5, Corinne 16 months, and a surprise on the way!
L. Life is not complete without? The Gospel, Family
M. Marriage Date? September 22, 2000
N. Number of brothers & sisters? 2 Sisters, 2 Brothers (one deceased)
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Spiders, Tight spaces
Q. Quotes? "take a break" (Damon's suggestion)
R. Reasons to Smile? My girls
S. Season of Choice? Winter, and summer
T. Tag some Peeps! See Below
U. Unknown Fact about Me? I have crazy, silly dreams when I am pregnant.
V. Vegetable? Spinach
W. Worst Habits? I don't shave my legs often.
X. X-Ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your Favorite Food? Mexican Food
Z. Zodiac Sign? Gemini
Brilliant Blogger Award I am passing along to:
1. Annie B.
2. Jenny G.
3. Zac D.
4. Emily R.
5. Rachel W.

Soccer Season

2008-09-14T20:58:00.001-07:00

So we were getting ready for a day of soccer and this funny conversation occurred:

Damon: Girls come and eat before we go!

Kaylee: Yes your Hines's

Damon: It's your majesty not your Hines's, I am a boy, the King

Kaylee: No your not! Jesus's dad Heavenly Father is the only King!

Damon: O.K. you're right

It was so funny to listen to. So Soccer season has started off great! The girls are having so much fun and are not afraid to go for it. This last weekend Kaylee made four goals! And Claire had two games and made a goal in each game. She is such a fast runner! I love it that they got Damon's talent in sports and not my lack of talent and coordination.

First Grade

2008-09-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

Claire is a first grader! Since my camera is broken I didn't get a picture of the first day, but I have been borrowing my sister's camera and so we took a picture of Claire with her best friend (our neighbor) Carmen as they were off to school one morning. Carmen just started at Platte River Academy this year and it is so nice to have someone to carpool with! Claire loves school and is already making so many improvements in her reading and math skills. Go Claire!!!

Fish Face

2008-09-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, instead of spending the day doing just what Kaylee wanted for her birthday, we spent half the day at the doctor's with Corinne. She had been having an asthma attack all morning. So we got her in right away and they kept us there for a few hours until her breathing was under control enough to send us home. So here we go again. three kids, three with asthma. This is Corinne taking a nebulizer breathing treatment. She has joined her sisters in the "Fish Face" trend. (look closely, the mask is a fish face), that is what Claire started calling it when she was little. No one else knows what we are talking about when they say they need a fish face!
P.S. Note Corinne has some hair sticking up! It is finally growing a little:)

Kaylee is 5!

2008-09-05T11:58:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday my sweet Kaylee!!! She turned five yesterday. I love this sassy little girl so much. She wanted curly hair for her birthday so how could I deny that request! We had a fun family party, after our traditional meal at Red Robin's where she was sung to. She also started pre-school at Mrs. Rhonda's this week. Her dress is wet from her dinosaur egg that was in water hatching, she brought it to show her class. I love you Kaylee!!!

Facebook

2008-08-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have to put in my plug for facebook. I love it! Mostly because I've been able to find so many lost friends that I think about, and always wonder what happened to them. Most have found me, which makes me feel good that someone actually remembers me and cares what I am up too. More recently I have been found by some of the wonderful girls from elementary school that I grew up with all the way through high school. Also some great friends that I have made through church, high school, college, and the amazing missionaries I served with from all over the world. I LOVE catching up with old friends, they are what makes so many of my memories so great. Go Facebook!

Surprise!

2008-08-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Well my camera broke last week, so it might be some time before I get any more pictures up. Sooo bummed. But on a lighter note, if any of you might see me in person it is becoming more obvious that i am pregnant! It was quite the surprise, but we are excited and still trying to let it all sink in. We are not sure how we are going to do four kids, but the Lord always prepare a way, so we are banking on that. I am 12 weeks along now and already popped out. My body has a good memory and just let it all out. Anyways, just thought we would get that out since it really isn't a secret anyways. We are just one BIG happy family :)

Kansas

2008-08-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we took off to take a break from life and hide out in Kansas. We love to go to Kansas and visit Damon's family, they are so fun and it is where we can go and relax. The girls went swimming in Uncle Jim and Aunt Janie's pool everyday. Claire learned to dive off the diving board. Kaylee learned to jump off and swim to the edge without any water wings! Corinne just ran to the edge and walked right in every chance she got, so we had to keep a close eye on her and make sure dad was there to catch her so she wouldn't sink. Ruby love to swim with the girls and they LOVED to have her in the pool with them. At night They wrestled with Uncle Jim. I read The Host by Stephenie Meyer (Excellent). Damon caught up with old friend and one night Damon's good friend Josh, whom we all love, took us to his cabin for some fishing. Kaylee, caught around 10 fish! She kept her daddy so busy unhooking them and we had to take pictures of each one. Claire caught around 6 fish but she caught the biggest one of the night. A three pound bass! Then at the end of the night she also reeled in a turtle! It was all catch and release, and so much fun! Corinne was forced to wear a life jacket the whole time on the dock and she hated it! It was too long on her so she couldn't bend at the waist and would just fall over on her back if she lost her balance, so we eventually went inside where she could relax and watch a movie. Thank you to Jim and Janie for letting us take over your backyard for a few days. Thank you to Damon's grandparents for letting us stay with you and turn your life upside down for a few days. And thank you to Josh for being such a good friend and showing us such a great time. I am so blessed and lucky to have such wonderful in-laws, I love you all so much!

Some things never die!

2008-08-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Do you remember getting together with the neighborhood kids, lining up your big wheels and racing down the street as fast as you can. Well some things never die! Claire and Kaylee got together with William the favorite (only) little boy on the street and raced their big wheels as fast as they could. It was so fun to watch and brought back so many memories!

Summer Fun

2008-07-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

It has been record breaking hot here for days without a break! We have just been melting in our no air conditioning house. So we have filled our days with sprinklers, otter pops and trips in our air conditioned car. Corinne has been the funniest girl to watch as she handles the heat. My favorite is her trying to eat an otter pop. It melted before she finished it so she decided to suck up the melted pop off her tray.

Super Star!

2008-07-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

Kaylee started doing gymnastics this summer. It has been such an awesome thing for her. She has enjoyed it so much and it has given her something to excel at. She is so fun to watch and practices at home all the time. I finally remembered to bring my camera to document her new love.

The doggy kick on a balance beamCheck out that cartwheel!

Kaylee is working on jumping further than Mr. Jeff. If she does he owes her a lolly pop :) I love seeing her working hard and being passionate about something.

She's Walking

2008-07-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

Corinne turned 15 months old yesterday and has only started walking last week. She had no desire to walk when there was enough people around her to get her what she wanted, and she crawled plenty fast. But with some persuasion from me and lots of practicing she finally took to it. Better late than never! Now she walks everywhere, which may confuse people why I encouraged this so much. But I don't like crawling babies because then they want to crawl everywhere and I have a much easier time letting a baby walk in the store than crawl. Just not as dirty. Anyways we love our baby and she is growing up! Isn't she beautiful!!!

July 4th

2008-07-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

This was a fun fourth of July. Unfortunately I only remembered my camera for the barbecue. Damon's brother Shane and his wife Jami are in town, their first visit since their move to Texas last year. The girls missed them so much. My parents came, Damon's mom and our good friend Cody. So we BBQ'ed all day Damon made his famous ribs and wings. They were a hit with everyone, especially Kaylee. Then we went to see the fireworks with our good friends the Jenkins and their five kids. Afterwards we came back and lit our own fireworks with our great neighbors the Bertmans. Alex their 13 yr. old son was the official "lighter" of the evening. It was so fun. Corinne was in bed, Kaylee couldn't do enough sparklers. She loved them!!! And Claire wasn't sure about the whole thing. Fire scares her especially when it is at the end of a stick her sister is swinging around everywhere. It was a fun night and they all slept in till 9:30 the next morning, (Kaylee till 10:30!)

Notice the screen door is not on the door but leaning up against the house. Corinne the day before was hitting the screen and pushed it right out landing flat on her face on the deck ontop of the screen. Notice the good scrape on her forehead and nose.

This is a Family favorite tradition. My Mom's Cheesecake flag! So I of course have to carry on the tradition and made one for our BBQ. Below is the super-easy recipe. Enjoy!Impossible Cheesecake

3/4 cup sugar

2-8oz packages of cream cheese softened

1/2 cup Bisquick

2 eggs

2 tea. Vanilla

1+ tea. lemon zest (grated lemon peel)

Mix all ingredients until smooth

Pour into a greased 9x13 pan

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

To make the flag you cut a bunch of strawberries in half. Make a square of blueberries line the strawberries up to make the stripes and then use the whipped cream in a can for the white stripes. Serve immediately. (the cream doesn't keep shape for long)

Fire

2008-07-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

The week before the 4th of July we had a fire in the open space behind our house. The girls were out playing and yelled "Mom there's a fire back here" confused I casually walked out and then immediately called 911. While i was giving them the information the fire moved from just above the tree line to half way up the hill. The guy who's house was in danger finally noticed and was yelling getting his family out of the yard and then he started spraying down his fence with his hose and threw the hose over the fence to get the fire. About then the firemen got here and started putting it out. It was crazy! I have never been so close to a wild fire and watched it progress. I was to much in shock to grab my camera until it was almost done and the firemen got there. Highlands Ranch mows a line behind all the fences that back to open space, and that mow line is where the fire stopped and started to move sideways. It saved the fence and the house.

Swing! Batter, Batter

2008-06-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Claire is taking a swing at Tee Ball this summer. Damon was so excited when she wanted to try, he signed up to be the coach and of course requested, and got The Cubs as their team. It has been a lot of fun for both of them. Damon's best friend Jared is the assistant coach and his son Kyle plays, and cousin James is on the team too. It is so fun to all get together every Saturday for the games.

Big Fish Stories

2008-06-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

This past week My dad took Damon to Flaming Gorge to go fishing. They went on a guided tour that promised "big fish". I guess they weren't kidding! Damon caught two fish this one was the bigger one at 23 pounds! My poor dad didn't catch any! It was a good trip for them, they got in their "male bonding time".

The Race

2008-06-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

I heard this for the first time at a mission farewell, then for ward conference my Bishop used this as a basis for his talk. I love this poem.

"The Race"by Dee Groberg

"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!"They shout at me and plead.
"There's just too much against you now. This time you can't succeed."
And as I start to hang my head In front of failure's face, My downward fall is broken by The memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will As I recall that scene; For just the thought of that short race Rejuvenates my being.
A children's race- young boys, young men- How, I remember well, Excitement, sure! But also fear; It wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope; Each thought to win that race, Or tie for first, or if not that, At least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side Each cheering for his son. And each boy hoped to show his dad,that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went, Young hearts and hopes afire. To win to be the hero there Was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular, Whose dad was in the crowd, Was running near the lead and thought:"My dad will be so proud!"
But as they sped down the field Across a shallow dip, The little boy who thought to win, Lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, His hands flew out to brace, But mid the laughter of the crowd He fell flat on his face.
So down he fell, and with him hope- he couldn't win it now -
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished To disappear somehow.
But, as he fell, his dad stood up, And showed his anxious face, Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win the race."
He quickly rose, no damage done,- behind a bit, that's all -And ran with all his mind and might To make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself- to catch up and to win -His mind went faster than his legs; He slipped and fell again!
He wished, then, he had quit before, With only one disgrace. "I'm hopeless as a runner now;I shouldn't try to race."
But, in the laughing crowd he searched And found his father's face; That steady look that said again: "Get up and win the race!"
So up he jumped to try again Ten yards behind the last - "If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to move real fast."
Exceeding everything he had He gained back eight or ten, But trying so hard to catch the lead, He slipped and fell again!
Defeat! He lay there silently a tear dropped from his eye -
"There is no sense in running anymore;Three strikes, I'm out, why try!"
The will to rise had disappeared; All hope had fled away; So far behind, so error prone; A loser all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought"I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad Who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up!" an echo sounded low. "Get up and take your place; You were not meant for failure here. Get up and win the race."
"With borrowed will Get up," it said "You haven't lost at all. For winning is no more than this: To rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to run once more, And with a new commit He resolved that win or lose, At least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been -Still, he gave it all he had And ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen, stumbling; Three times he'd rose again; Too far behind to hope to win He still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner, As he crossed the line first place. Head high, and proud, and happy; No falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster Crossed the line last place, The crowd gave him the greater cheer For finishing the race.
And even though he came in last, With head bowed head low, unproud, You would have thought he'd won the race To listen to the crowd.
And to his dad, he sadly said,"I didn't do too well."
"To me, you won!" his father said,"You rose each time you fell."
And now when things seem dark and hard, And difficult to face. The memory of that little boy Helps me to win my race.
For all of life is like that race, With ups and downs and all. And all you have to do to win,Is rise each time you fall.

Cozumel Mexico

2008-06-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful trip to Cozumel Mexico we had! I don't have too much to report just that it was fun, we were at the beach everyday, and we got in some much needed family time.

The afternoon we got there the girls jumped into their swimsuits and were ready to go.

Claire and Kaylee were afraid of these guys until I told them they were like the Lamenites from the Book of Mormon.

It took them a minute to get use to island creatures and this guy was no help. He lived next to our hotel room and came out each night to say hi.

Everyone had their moments and so I think we all deserved rewards Damon received the award for the best sand castle. We were so happy he could catch up with us two days later. He spent much of his time building sand castles with all the kids.

Carrie received the award for the best sunburn. I burnt the heck out of myself. It didn't seem to matter if i had sunscreen on or not I got burnt. The only thing that would keep the sun from scorching me was the baby sunscreen. I discovered that a little late.

Claire received the "Where's Waldo" award. That girl has been a wanderer since she learned how to walk at 10 months old. We were constantly asking "Where's Claire?" She loved standing in line at the open bar to get a sprite and a Diet Coke for dad. She is so kind and loved to wait on everyone. Claire also loved to snorkel. We all went out on the boat one day and she went snorkeling in the deep ocean with Damon while Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Caitie scuba'd down below.

This was another creature it took time to get use to.
I was so fun to play with cousins James, Asaunda, and Taylor everyday. They all had to get a picture with the parrot, Taylor needed mom with him.

Kaylee received the best tan award. She didn't burn once! Just got darker and darker and darker! She loved Pina Colatas! All she ever asked for and drank or ate was "Pina Colata no alcohol please!"

Everyone loved helping dad with the sand castles.

Corinne won the best face plant award. The first morning we were there she fell off the bed and face planted it. She scraped up her forehead, nose, upper lip, and cheek. I attempted a band aid but it was only a snot catcher. We were surprised how quickly it healed. She loved the sand
she love to swim, jump off the side of the pool and stick her face in the water

But sleep also caught up with her at timesAunt Caitie of course is always the favorite.
Blake graduated from the State Trooper Police Academy a week ago and had a short break before he started work. This was so good for him to have time to unwind and enjoy his family that he hasn't really seen for the past 6 months.
Robbie was unable to make it. He graduated from CU Law School at the end of May and started up a class right away to help him study for the Bar exam. I am soooo proud of my little brother, he just amazes me. Thank you Mom and Dad for an absolutely wonderful trip. I love you so much!

Families are Forever

2008-06-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

The girls are ready for Mexico! They are so excited to go snorkeling with us while grandma, grandpa, aunt Caitie, and uncle Robbie snorkel below us. The girls have worked hard at their swimming and I made them and the other grand kids these Lycra skins so they won't get sun burnt. We are blessed to go on a big family trip every few years. These are always bitter sweet trips. After my brother Justin died almost 6 years ago, my parents have made a special effort to create as many family memories as they can. We have learned a a family that you never know when it may be your last. Although we are each so different I love them so much. They are why I am me.

Families can be together forever. Through Heavenly Father's Plan

The Cure

2008-06-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for a picture to be sent to me before I did this post but the picture will have to come later. For now, Robert Smith. On May 21st we had the awesome opportunity of going to see The Cure in concert at Red Rocks amphitheatre. The Cure is Damon's all time favorite band and he had never been to a concert at Red Rocks. One of the best venues in the world. We went with a great group of friends. Mandy, one of Damon's friends from High school, our close friends the Jenkins, and long time friends the Lamoreaux's. The night was absolutely beautiful and combined with the music it was magic. There were many things going through my head that night. First it was so fun to be there with Damon, he couldn't have been happier, it was so fun to watch him. That brought me to thinking how perfect he is for me. For anyone who has known me for a long time, know that I am very different now then I was 10 years ago. Not that I was good or bad, just different. As I was standing at the concert I thought about how Damon brings the two different sides of me together perfectly. He loves both sides of me and supports all that I love to do. He makes sure the snowboarding, concert going, Carrie stays alive, while the Carrie who loves to sew, play dress up with her little girls, and has a firm testimony of the gospel can grow and blossom. I am not so good with words but I just love Damon so much, and he brings the wide spectrum of things that make me into perfect harmony. Thanks Honey!!!

Bolder Boulder 2008

2008-05-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

On Monday for Memorial Day I went with my friend Carolyn and we ran the 10K Bolder Boulder. It was a cold rainy day. Carolyn is quite the runner and left me soon after we started. I on the other hand, am a horrible runner and I have not been training much for the run, but I hung in there and ran the whole way! I was shocked I did it, and then paid for it the rest of the day. My legs were sore! It was a lot of fun, the atmosphere of being part of a race, or event like that is so fun, and makes you feel like you have accomplished something. The entertainment on the streets lining the course was an unforgettable experience. We had the Blues Brothers, Elvis, tambourine players, slip -n- slides, local bands, hippie Jamaican drummers, hacky sackers, cheer leaders, and my favorite/ the craziest, the 2-3 belly dancer troops; most of which should never be belly dancing. It was a fun time and I hope to do it for many years.

Corinne

2008-05-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

I can't forget about our beautiful baby. She isn't old enough to do all that her sisters do, but we love her just as much. She is a joy to all of us. We love her so much and she fits right in with her sisters. Our sweet little snot nosed baby girl!

Go Cubbies!

2008-05-19T12:48:00.001-07:00

This has become a annual event. Every year Damon takes the girls to the Cubs v.s. Rockies game at Coors Field. Sitting in a stadium with no room for my knees watching baseball isn't my favorite thing to do. But he bought me a ticket and we went all together. It was a lot of fun. The girls love to go and it was fun to watch them get into the whole spirit of baseball.

Claire lost her first tooth

2008-05-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

This actually happened about a month and a half ago but since I am new to blogging, I had to document it. Claire lost her first tooth! She wiggled it and twisted it until it was hanging out of her mouth and then Damon pulled it right out. She was so excited, the new tooth was already coming in; and I was freaking out because it is twice as big as the space and coming in behind the old one. Braces and retainers and who knows what else is in her future. Yea.

Short Hair!!!

2008-05-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

Claire has been asking for months to cut her hair. One day last week when Claire was leaving for school she she said "Mom! Don't forget to call Sis. Hunt while I am at school to cut my hair!" So i finally called and she chose how short and she did it. She cut 10 inches off! Then after Claire cut her hair Kaylee decided she wanted to cut her hair too. So we all have matching cuts now. How cheesy!!!What beautiful girls!

Skiing/ Snowboarding

2008-05-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

This past winter we have had so much fun going skiing/snowboarding as a family. This was my Dad's first time out since his heart surgery three months before. The girls learned to ski and did remarkably well. Nothing beats a family ski day!

Go Claire Go!!!

Super Star Kaylee!

Kaylee

2008-05-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Gotta love this girl. She has had a tough few weeks. Two weeks ago she came home from the neighbor's house coughing non-stop. We started to give her some of Claire's asthma treatments to calm her down. By 3am that night she was totally out of control and we took her to the emergency room. We were there until 6am she was given steroids and lots of TLC from the adoring male nurse and doctor. They loved her, and she loved them asking when she could go back to the hospital. Not thinking the opportunity would come so soon. Four days later she came home from the neighbor's house again coughing and within 20 minutes her eyes swelled up like a balloon. We concluded Kaylee was allergic to cats. Drugged up on Benadryl and allergy eye drops it took her eyes two days to go back to normal. That was a Monday and on that Thursday I came downstairs because she was screaming and I found her with her hands covered in blood holding the back of her head. She had fallen and hit the back of her head on the brick fireplace. Head wounds bleed like crazy! It was a little cut only about 1/2 inch long. After getting second and third opinions from daddy and a neighbor we decided since her cut could "talk" it wouldn't close on it's own and we headed to the doctor's in her blood soaked dress to get her three blue stitches. And to top it all off that Saturday she woke up struggling to breathe again. While I was at my brother's graduation from law school, Damon gave her four asthma treatments, and when I got home she was struggling hard. So by 4pm she and daddy were off to the after hours care at our doctor's office. At 7pm Damon called me at my brother's graduation party to tell be that she was going to be taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital. They gave her a shot of steroids at the doctor's office but her heart was racing and her breathing was bad. I left the other two girls with my mom at the party and went to meet Damon and Kaylee at the hospital. They got her breathing under control, and finally released us at 2am. Through all of this she has gained two new stuffed teddy bears from the hospital and ambulance staff, a set of chest x-rays that she couldn't wait to share at preschool, and two hospital I.D. bracelets she is very proud of. Well she has had a tough few weeks but nothing seems to slow her down. What a trooper! This girl keeps life exciting.