Owens Family

February is Done.

2011-08-07T03:26:00.001-07:00

February is Done. Read, Enjoy, make lots of comments.

January is done.

2011-06-20T04:07:00.001-07:00

January is done. I might catch up before my kids are grown.

December is Done

2011-04-27T03:21:00.000-07:00

December is done check it out and make lots of comments.

November is Done

2011-04-01T01:04:00.001-07:00

November is done. Go Read enjoy!!!!!!

Scrapbooking

2011-03-07T01:19:00.000-08:00

I told them we would do something together while daddy was gone and The kids wanted to scrapbook. So we gathered around my desk and watched movies and scrapbook. Some of you may think this is odd. But Jacob loves to scrapbook with me. He use to call it “Crapbooking”

Benners Took a nap for the first half but once he got up he got his scissors out and crayons and stickers and got to work scrapbooking too.

Jacob actually scrapbooked longer then Hailey. After a little while Hailey got board and I looked up and it was just me and Jacob sitting there. and he was just stamping away.

I didn’t take any pictures of me. But these are a couple pictures of a couple of the pages I did. My Parents with my cousin’s boys and my parents with my kids.

Renaissance Festival

2011-03-05T01:28:00.000-08:00

We went to the Renaissance Festival this weekend with Jammie and Mammy. Ryan couldn't go with us he volunteered to help me dad drive a load a stuff to New Mexico. We missed him but we still had fun with out him

Jammie and her friend Steve, Jammie, Me and Mammy

Mammy & Jammie, Jammie Jacob, Ben and Hailey

Jacob was mad in the above picture because he wanted to take a picture with just him and grandma and when I made him be in one with his siblings he was not to happy

So I made him a deal if he stood for a picture I would take one of just him and Jammie but you notice he didn't smile for the group shot. Little stink.

We always go see the wild men or the mud men as my kids call them. If you've never seen them I highly recommend them. They are super funny.

At that point I said I need to go get some cash and Jammie said she wanted to see the Jugglers, So she took the kids and I was gonna meet her there. Well When I walk in I notice Jacob's not sitting with the other kids, but I don't think anything about it at first but Jammie points to the stage and I turn and there is Jacob up on the stage with the juggler.

And the Juggler is teaching him how to use a lighter so he can light his torch for him. Yeah that's all I need is for that kid to know how to use a lighter.

But it's OK he couldn't figure it out so the juggler changed plans

and gave Ryan the torch and he lit it for Him. But Jacob thought he was big stuff .

When he came down he wanted to know if I took video and pictures to show daddy. I told him I had already sent the pictures to Daddy. He was a little sad he couldn't get the lighter lit but assured him he had done a great job.

Grandmas bought them Italian ices. and of course No one wanted to share so she got them all there own. Mommies mean I would have made them share as expensive as they are and they never eat it all. But you know grandmas. When Jammie doesn't want to tell them no she tells me Grandma privileges. She cracks me up.

On to the juggling. I'm glad Jammie wanted to see it, I had never seen it and I really enjoyed it.

Mammy has to ride the Swan with the kids it makes me sick so luckily the kids have a loving aunt who will go with them.

All three kids are on this ride but you can't see Ben because he is slouched down and clinging on to Hailey's side so he's not real visible. They love these rides.

Ben was the only one little enough this year to ride the Butterfly ride. It made me sad for two reason's one it's free. and two how did my kids get so big they can't ride the baby ride. =(

The kids love to climb Jacobs latter. and Jacob loves that it has his name. He doesn't even care that he doesn't make it to the top.

The guy is really good and he holds the latter for the kids so they get almost to the top

Even Benners got almost to do it. He thought he was big stuff.

My phone doesn't take action pictures so well but the kids love this ride. It's the Davinci Ride.

I had forgot my camera and my phone died at this point so I don't have pictures of the Jousting which I don't always get to see and I love but at least we got to see it. But because my phone died I lost Jammie and Mammy for the last half of the day, and having 3 kids there by myself was tiring but the kids were really good. I knew when we were suppose to meet at the jousting. We got the kids sat down and they were eating french fries. Ben ate all he wanted so Steve and I were eating what was left over and Ben got really mad and sad to Steve "Hay those aren't yours" and poor Steve got so embarrassed. and I had to tell Ben to be nice that if he was done eating them that Steve could have them if he wanted them and. I felt so bad sometimes I think I might have the rudest kids in the world.

When we got the to exit My phone had just enough Battery that I could take their pictures in the cut outs. I know it's cheesy, but I just Love it. Hailey's a monkey, Ben's a fairy only cause that's the only thing his head would reach.

Jacob the Painter, Hailey the monkey, Ben the fairy.

Breakfast in Bed

2011-03-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

Jacob just brought me breakfast in bed, gluten free frosted flakes. His first try was a gluten free chocolate chip cookie.Then he brought me a cup of water in case i got thirsty. I wish this sweet boy was here all the time

Ben horseback

2011-02-28T03:20:00.000-08:00

I feel so bad when we go to Hay's horseback riding lessons Ben always wants to know when it's his turn and I always have to tell him no. Well while Hailey rides the boys usually play with Jayden her little boy and Today they took turns riding his spring horse. It wasn't quite the same but he still enjoyed it.

Someone has it out for me

2011-02-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

I think someone has it out for me. First I found croutons in my salad on Friday night, and now the young men accidental gave us regular bread instead of our gluten free, at sacrament. Hailey and I are dieing!! I'm never going to get un glutened at this rate.

First Tball game

2011-02-27T02:54:00.000-08:00

Jacob played his First Tball game today. Getting up early is not my strong suite but the things I do for my kids. He's so cute to watch.

But he's such a funny kid. He seems to enjoy it but when it wasn't his turn to bat he kept squatting down to play in the dirt so I kept having to yell at him. and then he would do the same thing in the out field.

And he kept going up to the coach. I assumed he was complaining that it was cold cause it was pretty cold out there but afterwords i asked him and he told me "no I was asking him when we were going to be done"

Ben was cold so he was snuggling with me in my chair.

at the end clifford was there how awseme. My kids thought that was so cool. One of Jacob's little team mates wanted to be in the picture and i didn't have the heart to say get out of my picture.

October is done

2011-02-27T01:31:00.000-08:00

october is done, go enjoy and make lots of comments.

Amanda Gets Married

2011-02-25T01:45:00.000-08:00

The hygienist at my office and my friend Amanda got married this weekend. Ryan and I do not agree on this but I LOVE weddings. I love the wedding part, two people joining together, I love receptions the hanging out with friends, dancing all of it.

Here comes the bride she looks so beautiful.

The happy couple

Their beautiful cake I bet it's not gluten free. =(

Cut the cake.

The pretty decorations and my pretty friends. Sam, Katie, and Suzy.

Me and the Hubs

More table decorations.

They did the funnest thing they had a photo booth that you went in and took pictures and they cute some out and and you signed them, it was so cool and fun.

I was so happy for Amanda and Derek they looked so happy. We danced the night away Ryan made us laugh our butts off. and We had so much fun.

Hailey's Piano Recital

2011-02-24T00:14:00.000-08:00

Hailey had her first Piano Recital today. She did great. She has been taking lessons for almost 2 years now. And I am really happy with the progress she has made. now if I could get her to practice every night we'd be doing perfect.

Afterwords we went olive garden and had dinner. Grandma Carol and Pappy and Grandma Jammie came to Hailey's recital to give moral support!!

Are you sick of Highly paid teachers

2011-02-23T19:33:00.000-08:00

Are you sick of highly paid teachers?

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit!

We can get that for less than minimum wage.

That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).

Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.

However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.

LET'S SEE....

That's $585 X 180= $105,300

per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

What about those special

education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an

hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.

Wait a minute -- there's

something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teacher's salary

(nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days

= $277.77/per day/30

students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.

Jacob T Ball

2011-02-22T22:57:00.000-08:00

I've been waiting for weeks for an email to say that TBall registration had opened up and I hadn't gotten one, and then I see people posting on Face book that their kids were going to start TBall so I asked Ryan to look into it and the boys groups were all full. Well never send a dad to do a Mom's job I sent the registration guy an email and told him that we never got the email letting us know Tball registration had started and how frustrated I was and how upset my son was going to be and to see what he was going to help me out with this. So we went back and forth a little and he said. He couldn't get Ben in his group was just to full but he could put Jacob on his team. Awesome!! Then I get the email telling me that practices are on Tuesday afternoons. Crap. What do i do at this point I have just Bullied this man until he got my son in to TBall what am I going to do now tell him oh sorry that day doesn't really work for me. I'm working, Hailey has achievement days, Ryan has bishopric. So I got my friend Jennifer to take him to TBall and Ryan goes and picks him up. So I don't get to see him practice but he gets to play.

He seems to enjoy it right now but you never know with Jacob.

Hailey and Ben Playing on the Playground while Bubbi practices.

Safford this weekend

2011-02-19T22:25:00.000-08:00

We went to Safford this weekend and went 4 wheeling with Pooh pa and Tasha We had a good time riding around in the dirt. We took the kids Razor scooter. It would get stuck in the soft sand and one of it would have to push it for them but they had a good time riding around on it and Pooh Pa's 4 Wheeler.

Pooh Pa & Ryan taking the kids for a ride.

Pooh Pa & Tasha with Jacob Boy

We went to dinner afterwords at one of my favorite places but the last two times I've eaten there I have gotten sick. I think if we go again I'll just do a Salad.

Poor Ben he was sad. I don't remember why, but you gotta love that poopie little face!!!

Ben's outfit

2011-02-16T01:39:00.000-08:00

I love this baby he wouldn't let me change his outfit. I tried and he fought me so I gave up so we left the house with him in a super man outfit, black church socks pulled up to his knees and, camo crocks. Good thing he's 3 and cute because no one else could pull that outfit off.

Hailey Activity Days

2011-02-15T01:23:00.000-08:00

We had Hailey's activity day recognition night tonight. She got to take things she was proud of or had accomplished and show at her table. She took her little Scrapbook, Her piano books, her reading books, picture of her baptism, her mutin bustin picture. and then each girl had a few minutes to do something at first she was going to play the piano but when all the girls in front of her just spoke about themselves she changed her mind and decided to just talk.

and then all the girls sang.

Valentines Day

2011-02-14T23:59:00.000-08:00

I love valentines day. It's just a fun day that I get to give the kids and the Hubs a little something to show them I love them. We always got a book for valentines day so I have continued that with my kids. So they get a book and some candy. and a heart balloon. I also love dressing them in red and or pink outfits to celebrate the holiday. But do you think they would cooperate and let me get a picture. These are only the good pictures.

The next day I got flowers at work from Ryan and Hailey drew a face on her balloon it kept creeping me out. I'd walk around the corner and there would be a face.

Ryan and I had gone out this weekend to celebrate Valentines weekend, so tonight we took the kids to the movie for FHE. We got some weird looks at the movie theater that we had our kids on valentines day but when you have three kids going out on valentines day isn't always an option.

Jacob's Valentines Party

2011-02-14T23:45:00.000-08:00

Next we headed to School to Jacob's valentines Party.

We matched up word on hearts with words. decorated hearts.

and ate treats. Ben again thought he was big stuff because he got to participate right along side Jacob.

Ben's Valentines Party

2011-02-14T23:39:00.000-08:00

My friend Rachel has a Valentines day party every year and for one reason or another we've never been able to go. And this year we were able to go. And Ben was so excited. He kept calling it "HIS Party" and he kept asking when we were going to his party with his friends. When we got there and he practically pulled me up the drive way. He got so excited because I bought juice boxes to take and he got to share them with his friends.

We got there and they played a game.

and then they had lunch. But eating is not really Ben's strong suit, So Ben picked at his Peanut butter sandwich and fruit snacks.

Then we decorated cookies. He was all over that. He got to sit next to his good friend Lucas. Who is also our next door neighbor.

Rachel's littlest girl was covering her cookie in sprinkles and I said, don't you think you have enough sprinkles and she turned and gave me the dirtiest look and went back to covering her cook. She cracks me up, she is this little bitty girl with this big personality.

Benners enjoying his cookie!!

We had a great time and I'm so glad we could go to Ben's Party with his friends. We're always going to stuff for the big kids. But this one was just for him.

Super Heros

2011-02-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

Are you jealous that i have two Supermen? I bet you only have 1!

These 2 boys drive me crazy. and they drive each other crazy, and they drive me crazy driving each other crazy. But when they get dressed up in there super hero outfits and start chasing each other around the yard I just love them.

Class pet Dino

2011-02-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

Jacob's class Pet Dino.

The boys were having fun playing with Jacob's class pet Dino

I hope that Dino doesn't poop on your head!!!!

Hailey's Valentines Party

2011-02-11T22:51:00.000-08:00

Ben and I went to school and volunteered and helped in Hailey's class for their Valentines Party. Ben enjoyed decorating cupcakes with the big kids. I felt bad for Hailey the boy she likes brought another little girl a flower for valentines day. I was heart broken for her, she just said mom did you see he brought Lauren a Flower. So I just tried not to make a big deal about it. She enjoyed her first gluten free party. I made sure I took her gluten free cupcake and made sure she had frosting and sprinkles she could use.

Bubbles.

2011-02-11T22:28:00.000-08:00

I love this bubble baby!!!!

And he loves his bubble bath.

He played the entire time I was getting ready. and when I made him get out he was not a happy camper.

But he was still cute as could be!!1

Cute Boys

2011-02-11T22:25:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you can tell but Jacob is playing on Ben's VSmile, and Ben is playing on Jacob's DS.

September is done

2011-02-09T01:15:00.001-08:00

September is done go check it out and make lots of comments.

Tax Deductions for Celiacs

2011-02-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

Tax Deductions for Celiacs
TAX DEDUCTION GUIDE FOR THOSE WITH CELIAC DISEASE

If you or one of your dependents has celiac disease and you itemize your deductions, the extra costs due to gluten-free dietary restrictions may be taken as a medical expense.

Gluten-Free Food and Travel Expense

1.You may deduct the cost of Gluten-Free (GF) food that is in EXCESS of the cost of the gluten containing food that you are replacing. For example, if a loaf of gluten-free bread costs $5.00 and a comparable loaf of gluten containing bread costs $2.50, you may include in your medical expenses the excess cost of $2.50.
2.The full cost of special items needed for a GF diet may be deducted. An example is the cost of XANTHAN GUM (methyl cellulose) used in GF home baked items, which is completely different than anything used in a standard recipe.
3.If you make a special trip to a specialty store to purchase GF foods, the actual cost of your transportation to and from the store is deductible. If you used your vehicle for the trip during the year 2010, you may deduct 16.5 cents per mile for 2010. If you use your vehicle for this purpose during 2011, you may deduct 19 cents per mile. You may include tolls and parking fees.
4.The full cost of postage or other delivery expenses for GF foods made by mail order are deductible.
If you are audited you may need a letter from your doctor indicating that you have Celiac Disease and must adhere to a Gluten-free diet for life. You will also need substantiation of the expenses in the form of receipts, cash register tapes or cancelled checks for your GF purchases and a schedule showing how you computed your deductions for the GF foods.

The total amount of your deduction for GF foods should be added to your other medical expenses that are reported on Schedule A of your form 1040. Do not include your doctor's letter, your receipts or your schedule showing how you computed your deduction. Save these documents which should be submitted only in the event you are audited by the IRS or your state's taxing authority.

Please consult your tax preparer when calculating your deductions, and refer them to the publication below. If you are audited and the auditor tells you that these items are not deductible, refer the auditor to the following:

IRS Publication 502
Revenue Ruling 55-261
Revenue Ruling 76-80
Cohen 38 TC 387
67 TC 481
Fleming TC MEMO 1980 583
Van Kalb TC MEMO 1978 366

Medical Education Expense

IRS Publication 502 provides that "...you may include expenses for admission and transportation to a medical conference relating the chronic disease of yourself, your spouse, or your dependent (if the costs are primarily for and essential to the medical care)." This has been ruled to include the registration of yourself, your spouse and your celiac dependent. However, you may not deduct the costs for meals and lodging while attending the medical conference.

For the final determination for what is tax deductible, refer to IRS ruling 2000-24 and IRS Publication 502.

The worksheet will assist you in keeping track of your GF foods, travel or medical education expenses.

Tax Deduction Worksheet

Download this page as a PDF file

Tax Deductions for Celiacs

I must be stupid

2011-02-07T19:25:00.000-08:00

I must have stupid across my forehead, the guy shows up at my door telling me that there opening a new office so there giving away one free room of carpet cleaning that I can't pay them or tip them. I think sounds great. Instead I end up with the guy here for 2 hours trying to sell my a $3000 vacuum. I guess I at least got the carpet cleaned but for listening to him for 2 hours he could have cleaned the whole room not just done a half way job.

Super Bowl

2011-02-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. The only football game I watch all year, I get to have a party, & football season is over & I don't have to hear any more about it yeah!!! But I forgot to take any pictures!!

Home sick with Dino

2011-02-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

Jacob got to bring this class pet home with home with him. He was suppose to let him do stuff with him and then write a short story about it. But on the first day Jacob barfed and had to stay home sick. He seemed fine the next morning but being that he had thrown up I couldn't send him to school. So he and Dino played Wii all day.

Gizzards

2011-02-04T19:21:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, mom use to cook the heart and gizzards for extra broth and we would fight over who got to eat it them it was a treat. But when I started my own family no one else liked them so i got them all to myself.
I got Hailey to taste Chicken Heart and Chicken Gizzard with me tonight and she liked it. And she felt very brave and proud!! I asked her if she wanted to try it but I couldn't remember what a gizzard did so she tried it then when she went and googled it and came back told me what a gizzard does, Hailey was king of grossed out by it. So I said but It still tasted good. and she said yes. and I asked her would you have tried it if you had known what it was, and she said no. I kind of had to laugh at her.

Goop

2011-02-01T21:50:00.000-08:00

The kids made goop at my Friend Carrie's This week. They thought is was the coolest thing in the world. I on the other hand think it is yucky!!!

kartchner caverns

2011-01-31T03:46:00.000-08:00

The kartchner cavern field trip with Hay I fell asleep on the way up when I woke up she was in a deep conversation with the girl in front of us. Made me feel better about the whole no one wants to sit with me conversation.
We got there early and walked around the visitors center until it was our turn to go to the cave. It was great.

It snowed the second half we were there wow was it cold brrrrrrrrr. These AZ babies were freezing. We had to eat our lunch in the blowing wind and snow.

Hailey and two of her friends Natalie and Makenna.

Mrs. Orr and Mrs. Vogt's 3rd/4th 2010-2011 class.

Ryan's all night Paint Ball crazyness.

2011-01-30T23:33:00.000-08:00

Ryan and his crazy friends from the office did an all night paint ball war out in the dessert.
This is Nate and Matt getting ready to go. I'm not really sure what Matt is doing in the crazy get up but it scares me a little.

So Ryan had a blast, but he ruined his tire, and got a horrible cold. That's what he gets for acting like a young kid. Poor guy.

Hailey girl and noone to sit with on the bus

2011-01-30T03:19:00.000-08:00

Hailey broke my heart today at lunch when we were talking about the field trip tomorrow and she tells me "people save a place for their friend on the bus" and then she starts telling me who saves for who and then says "no one ever saves a spot for me" what do you say to that. My poor sweet girl. and then I could have killed Jacob. because he said "may be they don't save you seat cause they don't want to sit with you." I know he didn't mean it like it came out but it sounded so horrible. I love Jacob but he just doesn't think before he speaks. I could see the hurt in Hailey's eye's and I could see the shock in Jacob's eyes like "oh i wasn't suppose to say that" It broke my heart my poor girl she's had such a hard time this year fitting in. The kids aren't mean to her they just don't include her she's always odd man out. There's no one that wants to be her bestest friend but she just keeps being her happy self. My poor girl. I wish everyone could see her for the funny, loving, wonderful, girl I see every day. =(

Silly me

2011-01-29T03:16:00.000-08:00

Promised the kids if they were good we'd take daddy Jamba home, because he doesn't feel good. When we came out of Target I realized I was at the wrong target. The kids were a little annoyed with me, so we came home and made the home made versions for everyone.

George Straight Cut Out

2011-01-29T01:19:00.000-08:00

We stopped into Sabba's and the kids were fascinated with the cut out of George Straight. While I was looking at something they took tons of pictures of themselves with it to bad they cut his head out in all of them. these are the best. At least my kids have good taste. Ya gotta love George Straight.

Penguin

2011-01-28T00:53:00.000-08:00

Jacob got to bring this penguin home with him from school and he had to write a short story about him and read stories there was also a camera that he was suppose to take a picture of him and the penguin but like we have discussed before Jacob has poor impulse control and instead took a picture of Brooklyn our carpool buddy and when I read the instructions it said there were only enough pictures on the camera for each child to have 1 picture. So I took some with my camera and sent them on to Mrs. Orr.

First productive Day since Surgery

2011-01-25T03:15:00.000-08:00

I got so much done today. I took the big kids to school, Ben & I made a mini Wal-Mart trip, finished the laundry, cleaned out the fridge and the cupboards, picked the house up, made dinner, emptied the dishwasher, folded a basket a laundry and did 4 hours of office work this has been my most productive day since my surgery. Now I think I'll got to bed as I have to work tomorrow.

great day

2011-01-22T03:14:00.000-08:00

Great day for once we had no where to go so we stayed home and spent time together Hailey made us an easy bake oven treat. Double date for dinner and a movie true grit was great with two of my favorite people and then ending the evening with snuggling with a little girl who can't sleep.

August is Done

2011-01-21T23:33:00.001-08:00

WIth my shoulder all jacked up, there wasn't a lot going on in August but come check it out.

my turn for a Mommy date

2011-01-21T03:12:00.000-08:00

It was my turn for a mommy date. I got to go out with my mommy today. I Had to let Ben and Pappy tag along for parts of it. We went to Chompies for Gluten free burgers, then target until I could find someone to watch the big kids after school and then I took mom to see the new Chronicles of Narnia movie. i had already seen it but my mom hadn't and she really wanted too and my dad's not a big movie guy so I knew she would never get to see it if I didn't go with her. So luckily. My friend Liz pulled through and let the kids come hang out at her house and so mom and I could go to the movies. on a funny note while at Liz's house they were trying to find a gluten free snack and Liz was having trouble determining what was gluten free and what was not, and Jacob gently pushed her out of the way and say let me see what you've got I'll tell you what's gluten free. I was the shiest child I'm so glad my kids aren't like that they will stick up for themselves and their siblings but Jacob sometimes borderlines on rude.

Baby Brother Doll

2011-01-20T00:45:00.000-08:00

So Hailey was never big into Dolls But when I was pregnant with Jacob we gave her this special Baby doll so she'd have her own special baby that came with a swing and high chair.
Before Jacob was born we weren't 100% sure on his name so we were calling him baby brother. So She named this doll baby brother doll and she has always called him that. Jacob wanted me to take a picture of him and baby Jacob doll, the other day So I had to dig out this picture to post with it. I was taking a picture of Jacob. And Hailey ran up and put baby brother doll in the picture.

Jacob and baby brother 5/7/05--4 months old--1/20/11--6 years old.

July is done

2011-01-17T01:44:00.000-08:00

I know I am super far behind but I am finally finished with July. One of my new Years resalution is to do at least one post a night until I get caught up and then I will not be so crazy far behind. July is always a crazy busy month for us so go and see the crazyness that was us and make some post if you want and hopefully I can get caught up..........

Mommy Daughter date.

2011-01-17T00:27:00.000-08:00

No school no school I love when the kids, & hubs are home we went to see the Narnia movie this morning as a family it was a little intense for my kids, then Hay and I are had a mommy Hailey date doing some shopping we went to Hays favorite Claire's and Hailey bought her self this hair piece, then were went to see secretariat at the dollar theater. It was so good I loved it. Good day!!

Silly girl!!!!

Addy E's Birthday Party

2011-01-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

Our friends the Evangelesta's littlest is having her birthday and she's having a princess party so the girls were dressing up as princess's and boys were dressing up as knights. This is Hailey's first party since the celiac diagnosis. So she enjoyed decorating some gluten free muffins for me and her so we would have a treat too.

Hailey bonding with Addy's grandma, Benners enjoying his cupcake.

Jacob decorating his cupcake.

The birthday girl and her super cool cake that her mom made. How fun is that. My mom had a cake like that when she was little.

Haircuts

2011-01-15T03:09:00.000-08:00

Everyone got haircuts today can someone please explain to me why my 3 year old jumps in the chair begging for a turn and sits still as a statue, & my 6 year old we have to fight into the chair, start crying before I've even touched him, cries and fights me the entire time? any thoughts?

Ben and My Hair

2011-01-14T10:33:00.002-08:00

Ben has always messed with my hair. I always thought he did it just to annoy me. Well I realized the other day it's more then that. When I'm carrying him on my hip and he's uncomfortable with the situation he starts gently pulling my ponytail through his hands and the more scared or uncomfortable he gets the harder he pulls. Like for example if he thinks I'm going to leave him and it's not his choice because he's the biggest mommas boy. I realized it the other day because we were taking Jacob into the Dentist and I was carrying him in because he was in his PJ's still. Ben wasn't being seen but he didn't know that, and the closer we got to the door the harder he pulled on my ponytail and then today when we got to my parents house he did it again because I had to drop something off with my mom and he thought I was going to leave him with them which I do from time to time and he got upset and when I told him "NO I'm not leaving you" and picked him up first thing he did was reach behind me and grab my pony tail and start playing with it. It's like a security blanket for him. I was thinking back to one time we went to the movies and he loves to go to the play place with Sissy and Bubbi but that means leaving mommy so as we were signing them in he kept asking me if he got to go to and I kept telling him yes he got to go to but before I got my loves and put him down he practically had my hair wound around his arm. Now I feel bad because I will yell at him for pulling my hair. I don't think he's being a brat on this one. He's not pulling my hair to be mean. For some strange reason my hair has become a comfort to him. Goofy kid

Recorder

2011-01-14T03:08:00.000-08:00

Hailey is learning to play the recorder for school I think there may be a bird dieing inside her recorder. Wow this is painful

Boty

2011-01-13T22:48:00.000-08:00

Hailey had to make a Robot out of totally recyclable material for class. Ryan saved stuff for weeks. I think her and Ryan did a great job on her robot. He is so cute. She even named him Boty. and the kids talk to him, and steal the paper clips off my desk and and feet them to him.

Nose update.

2011-01-13T03:05:00.000-08:00

This post is gross about my nose surgery so don't read it if you gross out easily.

I Went to the Dr today she looked up my nose and said it was healing up great, she painfully extracted a huge thing out of my nose and every time she cleans out my nose it makes my throat hurt! I still don't understand why that is but it does. But I feel a lot better today! I think I am finally on the mend!
In the beginning She told me she wasn't going to put splints in my nose if she didn't have to because my healing would less painful if she didn't have to put them in. But it has been so painful I can't imagine it being much worse. Now I know this is TMI but the yucky thing was the HUGE yucky hard gob of stuff that I haven't been able to blow out myself Ben was sitting in my lap and the entire time and he didn't like it at all he started to cry and get upset so she was try to work on me and comfort him at the same time. It was the most painful thing and she asked if i wanted her to stop and i did because it hurt so bad but i want it out of my nose. Once she got it out i felt normal for once in weeks but by the end of the night I had a migraine. Ryan was mad I didn't take a picture for him.

Gluten Free Chedder Biscuits.

2011-01-12T03:03:00.000-08:00

These are just as good as Red Lobsters
Ingredients:

2 ½ cups Gluten Bisquick baking mix

2 eggs

¾ cup cold whole milk

4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick)

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

1 heaping cup grated cheddar cheese (i put more cause I like mine cheesy)

Bush on Top:

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

½ teaspoon garlic powder

pinch salt

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine Bisquick and ¼ teaspoon garlic with cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter or a large fork. You don't want to mix too thoroughly. There should be small chunks of butter in there that are about the size of peas. Add cheddar cheese,mix milk and eggs together then add too Bisquick. Mix by hand until combined, but don't over mix.

3. Drop approximately ¼-cup portions of the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet using an ice cream scoop.

4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits begin to turn light brown.

5. While the biscuits are in the oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter is a small bowl in your microwave. Stir in ½ teaspoon garlic powder and the dried parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread this garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Use up all of the butter. Makes one dozen biscuits.

Finger Painting

2011-01-10T23:54:00.000-08:00

Ben decided he wanted to finger paint and Hailey decided to join him. They are so cute.

Jacob got a DS

2011-01-09T23:43:00.000-08:00

Jacob got a DS for his birthday and Both boys are obsessed. They are glued together!!

I don't know if you can tell but they are standing in the hallway from our bedroom watching Jacob play DS

Jacob Nello's Birthday

2011-01-08T02:03:00.000-08:00

To say Jacob LOVES pizza would be an understatement. So that's what he wanted for his birthday dinner. Well Nellos has Gluten free pizza and dessert. So Jacob was fine with us going there so Hailey and I could have something to eat too.

Jacob really wanted a TRON legacy cake. When I went they didn't have one I told the Baker I had to have one for my birthday boy. So she checked and they had one left in the back. It was a close one.

Nothings better then cake and ice cream, and presents.

Not sure why but Benners is not a happy camper.

Present time!!

Cute girls. Valerie and Hailey.

Aunt Sam, & Uncle John, Grandma Jammie, Aunt Mammy, and Benners.

Me, Ryan, and Jacob the birthday boy. Grandma Carol, Pappy, and Aunt Sam.

At this point the kids got a little wild so we took the party to mom and dads so Jacob could finish opening his presents.

Jacob's Birthday the Dino Muesum

2011-01-08T00:55:00.000-08:00

We aren't doing big birthday parties this year. But we told the kids they could each pick a fun activity, and Jacob picked going to the dinosaur museum. Which is great for us because we are a family full of nerds who love to learn information. It would have been better if I hadn't been fighting a migraine from my nose surgery.

Everyone to pose with the Dino Statue Outside of the museum

Pappy/Kent Welch

The Birthday Boy Jacob Owens

Hailey Owens

Benners Owens.

4 cousins with the when you first walk in.

scary shark teeth. and a cute girl looking through a rock.

The dino is eating us. what do you mean this gal's gluten free. Yuck spit her out.

More dinos.

The dinos at the water fall where the storm is.

Who needs toys when you have daddies. Ryan and Ben, John and Valerie.

My Boys. Ryan, Ben, and Jacob.

more dinos at the waterfall and the water fall at the storm.

The birthday boy watching the storm!!

Daddy protect us!!!

The Storm is over let's go. Ben and Grandma Carol, Aunt Sam and Valerie.

Ben and Uncle John.
The kids love this room with the big Dino that you can put all the different parts on.

Hailey and Ben, Valerie and Uncle John.

Ben and Jacob.

Hailey, Ben, John.

Dino Hailey, My cute Girl

They have this cool classroom I'm not sure if it's new or we just never noticed it before. It had all these fun activities for the kids to do.

John and Valerie looking through the thing at the fossils. Ben loved the dino loved this fishing game he played it almost the entire time. He used the fishing poll with the a magnet to pick up dino's with paperclips. He'd pick them all up with the fishing poll and I'd spread them all out again. Over and over again. It was fun watching him.

when Ben got done and got interested in something else there was a pile of stuffed animals by where Valerie was playing so I went and laied down my head hurt so bad. And I just love that some took a picture of me hugging the turtle. Funny side note a super cute little girl came and sit down with her dad. And I said to her "wow aren' t you the cutest thing I've ever seen."and I looked over and Valerie had the maddest look on her face as if she was saying how dare you say that to her, You are "MY AUNT VICKI" It cracked me up!!

Grandma Carol helping Hailey makeing rubbings.

Uncle John, Valere, Jacob, Ben

Ryan watching the kids.

Grandma Carol, Hailey, Sam, John, Valerie. Jacob & Hailey digging.

They also love the puzzle area. Valerie, Jacob, Hailey, Ben

Me helping Ben and Valerie try to put the pot puzzle together.

Pappy and Aunt Sam watching the Puzzle fun.

Cute Ben fighting the pot puzzle.

The birthday boy takes a turn

Gotta love when you can put your kids in Jail. Ben, John, Hailey, Ben, and Valerie

They have this new outside digging pit. The kids can brush away the soft chips and reveal dinasour bones.

Hailey, Ryan, & Jacob Pannigng for gold.

Hailey, John and Valerie.

Valerie and John Me and Benner Panning for gold.

Valerie and me and Benners.

Home Made Zuppa Toscana

2011-01-06T02:59:00.000-08:00

So the Zuppa Toscana they have at Olive Garden has Gluten in it and it is one of Hailey's favorite's and she has been missing it so I looked up the recipe on line and there is no glute in it so I made some and wow was it a big hit.

1 lb ground italain sausage

1 tsp crushed red Peppers (the recipe called for 1 1/2 and it was too much)

3/4 diced white onion

4 Tbsp bacon pieces

2 tsp garlic

1 cup heavey cream

1 lb sliced Russet Potatoes ( about 3 large)

1/4 of a bunch of Kale

10 cups of water and 5 Chicken Bouillon cubes

or

5 cans Chicken Broth and 2 cups of water

1.Saute Italian Sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refriggerate while you prepare other ingredints
2.cut raw bacon in bite size pieces and saute in same pan and set a side
3.saute onion about 15 minutes
4.once onions are done put bacon back in add garlic, water and bouillon or broth wich ever you are useing bring to a boil
5.add sliced potaotes the recipe said cook for 30 minutes but that was to long and our potatoes were way over cooked.
6.add the heavy cream and heat through
7.stir in the sausage and the kale, cook the kale to your desired likeing and serve.
.

Hailey's Mad Musical skills

2011-01-06T02:57:00.000-08:00

Is amazed at this little girls mad skills. Ryan gave her a guitar a few years back for Christmas and the kids use it as a play toy. Well Hailey found the book that came with her guitar and she tuned her little guitar just by reading the little book. I knew she had mad skills as well as she plays the piano but when she does stuff like this it just amazes me.

Nose update

2011-01-03T02:55:00.000-08:00

Feeling pretty good today especially considering the baby and Ryan both hit me in the nose last night. Ryan hit me accidentally while he was sleeping. and Ben hit me trying to hand me the phone while we were laying in bed. Now if my teeth would just stop aching I'd be in the home stretch.

Jacob Boy turns 6

2011-01-03T02:54:00.000-08:00

6 years ago tonight I went into labor, at 3am I finally woke Ryan up and we drove to Mesa and met my parents in a restaurant parking lot while it was raining, and gave them Hailey and went to the hospital to labor for 12 hours to have our Jacob boy!!

I love this boy so much, but he is so infuriating and adorable at the same time. He can be telling you how much he loves you one minute and yelling at you because he didn't get his way the next.

He is doing really well at school his teacher says he is a really good boy. and she hardly ever has problems with him. I wish sometimes he would show that at home. He is excelling in his schooling everything he has to do he just bam knows it. He's so smart.

He has to argue about EVERYTHING if you told him the sky was blue he would say no it's not it's green or purple or something. One night I said to Ryan over the phone that he had been arguing with me all day. and Jacob said "I have not" and continued to argue with me about the fact that he hadn't been arguing with me. So I started to laugh/cry on the phone with Ryan as I explained to him that Jacob was arguing with me about arguing it was so ridicules. I have never meant a more argumentative child.

When I look at him he looks so much like Ryan. He's like a mini me. He's so stinking cute, and he just gets cuter and cuter every day!!

Jacob through the years!!!
5 Years old--2009

4 years old-------2008

3 years old -------2007

2 years old---2006 ----------------1years old---2005

1 day old-----------20005

Teeth/Nose

2011-01-01T02:46:00.000-08:00

I expected my nose to hurt which it does a little bit but It amazes me how much my teeth hurt. It feels likes someone punched my right in the teeth. She did worn me that they would but i didn't know they would hurt like this. And I can't believe it still hurts this many days out.

May be not the best choice

2010-12-31T00:14:00.000-08:00

The overwhelming urge to blow my nose overtook me, that might have been a mistake. Because now I'm in sooooooo much pain

Christmas/Church Clothes

2010-12-27T01:55:00.000-08:00

My sweet babies in front of the Christmas tree.

2010
Hailey 8 1/2
Jacob almost 6
Ben 3

and now My Christmas Babies through the years.
2009 Hailey 7 1/2, Jacob almost 5, Ben 2

2008-Hailey 6 1/2, Jacob almost 4 Ben 1--2007Hailey-5 1/2, Jacob almost3, Ben 3 weeks

2006Hailey4 1/2, Jacob almost 2

2005Hailey 3 1/2, Jacob almost 1, -2004--Hailey--2 1/2

2003-Hailey 19 months------------2002-Hailey-7 months

Nose Surgery

2010-12-27T00:12:00.000-08:00

we got up and took the kids to our friends the Webbs down the street who were sweet enough to keep the kids for us while I had my surgery. I had mixed emotions I wanted to have the surgery so I could start to feel better and not be sick all the time, but I really didn't want to be put under and I really didn't to have surgery. So to make it worse when we got there they were running behind so were sat there for ever, and when they wheeled me into the surgery room I did what I usually do I started to cry.

The surgery went well she fixed my septum, roto rootter my turbinates,debritated my sinus, while she was in there she also found there was a on sinus that she had to remove. And luckily she didn't have to pack my nose with gauze I just have a gauze mustache. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. Probably won't be posting much or having much going on in the next couple of weeks just trying to heal up. Hopefully me kids and husband will survive without me.

Christmas Day

2010-12-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

It's a good thing my kids are adjustable and go with the flow because we do Christmas differently depending on who we spend Christmas with. Like this year was an Owens Christmas So we opened everything on Christmas morning so Christmas Morning they get up to their couple of Santa presents and their Stockings setting out on the couch.

Santa and his Reindeer enjoyed their treats and Aunt Ashley and mammy and their Puppies.

Hailey is my kid that only asks for one item every year she never has a huge list like most kids and this year it was an easy bake oven. But Santa came through.

Santa also brought her a puppy.

I'm not sure what she has but she's excited. Jacob excited about his orange. I'm a bad mom i didn't take one picture of Ben opening his stocking. Not only did he like everything in his stocking he wanted everything in everyone else's stocking too.

Jacob was very excited about his Lego's

Santa leaves the kids a special present and leaves the kids a clue on the tree. and they have to find it. This year it was a new Bike for Hailey and a new stride ride for the boys to share.

Another tradition Ryan brought is they always had Cinnamon Rolls on Christmas morning. So next it was Time for Cinnamon Rolls

Then we went over to Jammie's to exchange presents. I was to busy watching everyone open presents so I didn't take a lot of pictures but I did take a few.

Jammie's little tree surrounded, Mammy opening something

Mammy and dogs and Hailey and Jacob.

Mammy, Ashley, Ryan, Jacob, and Ben

Ben, Grandma Jammie and Jacob.

Jacob and his Jersey and Jammie.

Hailey baking us up a gluten free goody.

My 4 little kids Playing Ben's new Batman Cave.

Aunt Ashley bought the kids a play house that you draw on they loved it. They had to section it so everybody had a side so we didn't have fighting.

Some of it's sinking in.

2010-12-25T23:10:00.000-08:00

As I woke up from my nap today I heard my 5 year old explaining to his aunt that Christmas is really about Jesus birthday. I guess in case she didn't know he was going to fill her in.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-25T04:06:00.000-08:00

When we lived in Safford and we spent Christmas with Ryan's side we would always go over to Ryan extended families house and have a Mexican dinner. It was always a lot of fun. So we have kind of kept that tradition from Ryan's side and I make green chili and Ryan's mom and Sister's come over The kids and I spent most of the day making sugar cookies. even though Hailey and I can't have them Hailey still wanted to decorate them. My mom does this with them a lot of years but she wasn't here so I had to do it. But being around all this flour stressed me out it gave me anxiety. I told my mom she had to do it from now on, it was to much for me.

our finished cookies. The kids really had a good time. We had put the ginger bread house together but we hadn't decorated it yet, so after dinner Aunt Ashley and Grandma Jammie helped the decorate it while Aunt Mammy helped me wrap presents.

I think the finished project looked great.

I buy the kids special Christmas Eve Jammie's every years. Hailey and I saw these "elf" ones in a magazine and her and I decided to get them. They came with iron on names but when I tried to iron it on no matter how many times I did it they never stuck so I picked it off. but they still looked like cute little elf's. They do make me laugh. I only put the good ones but I had to take 11 pictures to get these 3 good ones.

My cute elf's with cookies for Santa.

Then we went out and looked at lights. We went around to a bunch of neighborhoods and we had a great time. There was this great house with a gazillion lights and they even had a Santa out front.

When we came back I still had all the presents to wrap and half way through I ran out tape so first I tried to go to the store nope they were all closed. Then I posted on face book and sent out a couple of texts and my wonderful sister got back with me and she saved me and ran to her house and stole her tape and then went back and finished in the really late, then I had to make the cheesecakes for tomorrow's dinner. So i didn't get to bed until like 4am and I know the kids are going to be up early excited to See what Santa has brought.

Good and Bad

2010-12-19T23:33:00.000-08:00

Good and Bad day. I don't have enough Christmas cards,and the ones I choose I can't order in the store, and I can't get more in time to mail them so if I want to mail to everyone on my list I'll have to pick another one which doesn't make me happy. My address book missing, because I need my husband to restore it from when my computer got fixed. We sang in the Ward Choir today for the Christmas program I thought we did great, the kids sang also,but being that we were up on the stage already Jammie was tending the kids and Ben was not happy that we left him so she was in the hall with him and when the kids were called up on stage Jacob refused to go and Hailey was doing her best to get him to go up on stage but he wouldn't so I had to leave my seat and go down and get him and make him go up on stage with him yelling I hate singing I don't want to go up there. He's so embarrassing. The Bishopric and Elder Quorum did a play for the Primary and Ryan played King Benjamin,and Ben said to me Daddy being King Ben Ben, when I went to give my nursery lesson I realized I had accidental deleted my ITunes library when I tried to update my address book with my phone so I had no Christmas music to play for them, all my kids have done is faught all day. ugh!!

A christmas carol

2010-12-18T00:56:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I got out for the evening and went to the Hale theater with Jammie and Mammy and saw a Christmas Carole. It was such a good time. I really enjoyed it.

The theater was so cute and the play was so enjoyable.

When we came out of the theater the actors were singing and Christmas carols to us and there was fake snow falling as you walked out. it was a great affect.

Hailey's Christmas Party

2010-12-17T23:34:00.000-08:00

Hailey's class Christmas party was today. Ben and I went and helped. They were having a cookie decorating party. Well since Hailey is now gluten free I asked her if she wanted me to make her gluten free cookies or the rice crispy treats. She choose the rice crispy treats so I stayed up and made them for her and she decorated them just like everyone else decorated their cookie, Ben liked it because he got her cookie.

Kids with Santa

2010-12-17T01:24:00.000-08:00

The kids were all so excited to go see Santa but one or both of my boys usually throws a fit and refuses to do it when we get up to actually see Santa. But this year every was still excited when as we walked up Ben smiled up at me and said it's our turn and I said yes baby and they ran over and jumped up on his lap. I told the Photographer "hurry take the picture before they turn on us"

Hailey and Celiacs Disease

2010-12-16T23:40:00.000-08:00

We received Hailey's test results back and The Dr. said her intestinal tissues show differences compared to normal tissue, which are consistent with Celiacs Disease. Because of these results and the fact that I have it too, she said there is a strong likelihood that Hailey has Celiacs as well. She wants us to take her off of the gluten for 2 months and if it helps her problems then we have our answer. So Hailey will be eating a Gluten free diet with me for the next 2 months. We were going to wait until after Christmas but while she was sick with the stomach bug we gave her gluten a couple of times and it made her so much sicker. So I have 2 favors to asks 1 that you be sensitive to what you say to her yes some of the gluten free food does not taste good, but she is stuck eating it she does not need reminded it does not taste as good as what you have. and 2 if you could be sensitive to her needing special items. I would hate for her to have to sit and watch everyone eat a cupcake or eat cookies while she has nothing. I usually have some kind of gluten free goodies in my freezer and I can also go to Fry's or the gluten Free store if you let me know what you have planned. If you could keep our sweet girl in your prayers I hope this is an easy transition. She is very sad that she can't have Grandma Noodles (Ramon Noodles) but she is very happy that she never has to eat Pizza again. I will keep you up to date on how it goes. If you have any questions please feel free to ask them. I am open about the subject.

Gateway Dental Care Christmas Party

2010-12-16T02:32:00.000-08:00

The office Christmas party this year was at Oreganos. It rained like Crazy so we got stuck at 3 different tables which made it kind of hard to visit with everyone but luckily I got to sit with my girls Sam and Suzy. So that made it OK.

Dr. Erskine and his wife Sheri, Dr. Barber, Katie and her Date. Suzy and Sam and April.

Amanda and her Boyfriend Derek, Joyce (Dr. B's wife) Dr. Erskine and Sheri, Katie, Amanda(Martini) and her boyfriend Stan, Wendy and her husband Dave.

Yadi and her Husband, Dr. Erskine and Sheri. Myrna and her husband Frank, Amanda and her boyfriend Derek, April.

Joyce, Katie and her date, Dr. Barber. Suzy and Sam.

Me and Ryan. Help he's attacking me!!!

We do a gift exchange where everyone brings a gift of the same price and everyone draws a number and the person with #1 picks a gift and then #2 either steals that gift or picks a new gift and it keeps going until everyone has a gift. Dr. Barber stole my gift. so I had to steal someone else's. Then we also all pitched in and got the Dr's gifts to a dinner theater from us girls.

It was a good time. the dinner made me sick. But we still had a good time having a night out with out the kids.

Jacob's Christmas Party

2010-12-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

I went to help out with Jacob Christmas party it was a Polar express party. we listened to the Polar Express book, drank hot chocolate. They decorated stockings . They got to wear their Pajamas. which Jacob got a pair of footed pajamas from grandma Carol at our early Welch Christmas Party.

Jacob showing off is reindeer ears.

Bishopric Dinner

2010-12-15T02:18:00.000-08:00

Ryan is the executive Secretary in our Ward. For my non Mormon friends our church is run all by volunteers. we don't have minsters we have Bishops and they volunteer their time too. and Ryan is the Bishops Secretary he keeps track of his meeting schedules when he's suppose to be where, and who he's meeting with when and what he needs to talk about at what meeting, If people want to meet with the bishop they have to call Ryan to set it up, if the bishop wants someone to come in so he can ask them to do a job Ryan calls them. He has other responsibilities. But that's the ones I can think of right now. So every year at Christmas time The Bishop and his lovely wife put on a Bishopric Christmas dinner. It is so nice. Great food, and great company and no kids for a whole evening.

other members of the Bishopric. Brother and Sister Stallings, Brother and Sister McGee, Sister Miller, Brother and Sister Morris.

Brother and Sister Stanley, Bishop Miller and Brother Ballingham and Ryan.

After dinner we play the fun steal a gift game. Supper fun.

The day from Hell

2010-12-13T23:25:00.000-08:00

1:05am I am so tired I want to go to sleep, but I realized in the craziness of this weekend I forgot to change the laundry out and if I don't stay up until the washer finishes no one will have any clean underwear tomorrow. Do you think they really need clean underwear or could they live with out it just one day?

3:12am Got the laundry changed out and thought the hallway smelled funny but with 3 kids and a dog there's always some kind of off odor. Turned off all the lights and headed for bead an heard "I threw up" Uggggg you've got to be kidding me. I've been up for 2 hours waiting on laundry she had to wait right for the moment I was headed to bed. Are you kidding me???

8:38am And now Jacob's throwing up, it's gonna be a long day! 12:00pm And now I'm sick too, I haven't thrown up yet but every time I stand up I feel like I'm going to. I'm so week :( good thing my kids love the TV.

So far Ben & Ryan have not been affected anyone who is a prayer could you please pray for our leper colony!!

11:59pm I woke up to the sound of throwing up and thought Oh crap who now, and it was Ryan. Crap now everyone but the baby is sick.

Stake Childrens Choir

2010-12-12T00:16:00.000-08:00

Hailey sang in the stake children's choir tonight. She has been going to choir practice for weeks. She did so good. We had a hard time seeing her but if I set sideways in my chair and craned my neck just right I could see her. She was so proud of her self. and we were all so proud of her.

Welch Family Christmas Party

2010-12-11T22:52:00.000-08:00

We had our Welch Family Christmas Party. It didn't go so well. We had it early in the day so that we could go to our Ward's Christmas party. So the day started that mom wasn't feeling good and I told her to suck it up and get over here.

Jacob was so excited when Pappy got there with present he let him put them under the tree. He thought he was big stuff . He made lovely huge tower piles.

We had our "Christmas Eve" pot luck wings, soup, cheese, meat tray, lots of good stuff. and then the guys went out to hang up my Christmas lights. Getting Ryan to hang my Christmas lights is like pulling teeth. Some years I have to start them and hang until I can't reach because I'm too short and then leave the lights hanging and that drives him crazy so then he'll finish it. So This year. I got him to do it because my dad and Evan were here to help him do it. To help the light putting up along Danielle and I went out and started putting up the ground stuff so we could get to present opening. I had just told Ryan we needed to get on to the presents so we could get to the Ward party when we hear a strange noise and then a car alarm and crying. So I start towards the front of the house to see what's going on. and Jacob and has driven he and Valerie into no under the front of Even truck. by the time I got to the front of the house Evan had gotten to them and pulled them out. Jacob has spend enough time with him over the years that he would let him comfort him, But Valerie wouldn't let him comfort her and he was worried that she had hurt her foot because it was twisted when he got to them. So I started to comfort her I pulled her hair out of her face and when I did I see this HUGE goose egg on her forehead from where she hit the front of the truck. At this point I freak out and rush her in to her parents. Who then rushed her to urgent care. So Poor Valerie has decided she wasn't riding with Jacob any more and in the urgent care all day. We missed the Ward party

Dano, dad and I took a nap while we waited for them to get back from urgent care.

Baby Dylan patiently waiting , and let the presents begin.

My bighunk likes big Hunks and he is really hard to shop for so Grandma Carol wrap some up for Christmas.

We have a tradition in our family called Mr. X I'm not exactly sure where it started but I know it passed down from my dad from his mom that if my grandma Nona had one to many presents instead going out and buying another present for the other kid she would mark the odd present from Mr. X. My parents changed it just a little and as we have become older we changed it again now we all take 3 or 4 people and spend 5-10 dollars on each other it nothing fancy just something simple and fun. Like my cousin Evan loves Peanut butter M&M's so if I get his names I get him 2 big bags of those. His wife loves snow men so if I get her name I get her anything with a snowman like 2 years ago walmart had cloth picture frames that looked like snow man were holding them. So this year I had my sister Sam and she loves nutcrackers. When I went up to Book mans to look for a particular book series for Hailey I saw this Nutcracker now a nutcracker is not in my Mr X Budget but because book mans has a small second hand section. and was in good condition she got it.

I love Ohenry bars but for some reasons they don't sell them down here you can only get them in Colorado and northern New Mexico. So my mommy loves my and gave me some for Christmas.

Dano this is what you get for making faces at us instead of smiling pretty for the camera.

My pretty niece Valerie doesn't look like all the blond hair blue eyed princess's so she will tell you she looks like Jasmine and when I saw this Jasmine doll I though of her and decided she looked like a big girl doll and Valerie needed her.

Ben, Valerie, Dylan, Jacob, Logan, Hailey. The 5 youngest grand kids were only missing Jim's 2 girl's.

It's not a Welch family activity if there's not some kind of excitement.

Laugh at Vicki

2010-12-11T00:44:00.000-08:00

Who wants to laugh at Vicki I came out of Fry's with my basket full of groceries at 11pm at night and there are maybe 12 cars in the parking lot and like always I can't remember where I have parked. So I start walking up and down the isles and all of sudden I'm struck with fear, my van is nowhere in the parking lot I'm on the verge of tears I just know my vans been stolen, I'm about to loose it and start crying so I start to call Ryan to ask him what I should do next when I remember I drove there in Ryan's truck which I am standing in front of. =)

Endoscopy

2010-12-10T02:57:00.000-08:00

We went took Hailey to the Hospital to have he Endoscopy done today she said she was nervous but ok

1 I was nervous for enough for the both of us having my baby put out scared me to death. and We went back with her and they were telling us what they were going to do and she fell asleep on the table and I looked down and she was out it was so overwhelming for me I started to cry and I wanted to rip her off the table and scream give me my baby. But I didn't I left the room and let them to there job.

it took her a while to wake up and when she did she was super groggy. They said her intestines weren't super inflamed but there were a couple of spots and it didn't look like a normal 8 year olds should. She did take some samples and she's going to let us know what the results are.

We took her home to rest.

Silly boys

2010-12-09T02:44:00.000-08:00

I watched Jake Shelly today and I took them outside so I could sort through clothes and get the kids winter clothes out so I let them ride bikes and stuff while I worked on that. Well they found the pool noodles and they thought they made good light sabers. And Ben loves anything that he can use as a light saber. They are so funny!!

Andrea's surprise party

2010-12-09T02:16:00.000-08:00

our Friend Andrea's Birthday was this week and our friend her husband Nate threw her a big surprise party. We actually made it there for the surprise which my kids love. Because I'm always late for everything we usually mis that part.

My cute boys Nate got this really cool cake for Andrea of the light house. I think it's where they went on their honeymoon.

How cool is this.

Putting up the tree

2010-12-09T01:41:00.000-08:00

Mom found this in Eva Mae's Ceramic shop and she brought it back for me. I don't need anymore Christmas decorations but I had mentioned one time that I have always wanted one. So I found room for it.

Christmas is favorite time of year and I like to put my tree up as soon as possible. If it was up to me we would put it up the day after Thanksgiving but Ryan always drags his feet and with Ben's birthday we usually don't get it up until after Ben's birthday.

My babies working hard at putting up the decorations. I just let them do there thing and after they go to bed I declump it a little.

Jacob boy putting on decorations. Hailey girl putting on the star. We had a little fight over who was going to put the star on, but Hailey won.

We had a few mis haps but we finally got it up they were so excited.

Jacob is so funny he didn't mind being in the picture with Hailey he just didn't want her hugging him.

Christmas tree

2010-12-07T00:53:00.000-08:00

We've had a tree since Saturday but it's still not decorated. My poor little girl was in tears tonight. Lighting problems. Sunday night tried the old ones on and half the string was burned out, got new ones today. put both Strands up and the bottom strand wouldn't work right, Ry took it back and got a new strand but by then the kids were in bed. So 3rd times the charm. Hopefully tomorrow we can get our tree decorated

Messy and Mad

2010-12-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

We went to lunch with Ryan and Ben wouldn't eat his lunch and he was trying to be cute with me but I was trying to ignore him so he would eat, but he was getting so mad at me that I wouldn't pay attention to him. but when I looked at him he was covered in his lunch and it cracked me up so much I had to take a picture. I love this baby even when he's making me mad he's still so stinking cute!!

Marley Farms

2010-12-04T01:31:00.000-08:00

We had Ben's birthday party at Marley farms this year. This is his first Birthday party and a mom in Hailey's class mentioned it so I looked into it and it was right up his alley. They had animals to pet and feed, pony rides. They had some other options of stuff you could do but each option cost you so I just opted for pony rides.

he loved this Kangaroo or wallabee or whatever it was he fallowed it up and down.

With our Birthday package the kids all got bags of feed to feed the animals with. They loved it. Hailey and Jacob feeding the animals

Ben loved it. He kept wanting to feed more animals.

They had a pin of goats and lamas that was fun. The kids loved that Hailey playing with the goats with Brooklyn and Jake Shelley.

They have goat tubes the boys thought they great fun. I'm not sure what nick was up too, but his face looks like he's up to something.

I'm not sure why Clint is chasing a Lama but he is Crazy man!!!

Clint's wife had to work so I got to sling baby Ryder I was super excited. Since I don't have a baby to sling anymore I have to steal other people's. I'm not sure why Ben Allen is upset but he sure is.

I thought Ben was jealous that I had another Baby. So I got down to talk to him and then I realized he just wanted to see him and talk to him and then he was fine as long as he can see him.

More goats and boys. Luke thinks he's a goat.

Jacob boy really thinks he's a goat.

More boys that think their goats. and Nate peed his pants, no not really it's water.

I think our cupcakes came out pretty cute. I love this picture of him he looks so proud of himself like look what i did.

Make a wish Ben!!!

He loved the pony rides. He would say I'm a cowboy. I'm woody.

My Hailey and Ben

Hailey and Ben Owens, & Nate Crane.

another turn for Ben and Brianna Crane

Cole Fish and one of the Makayla Wright

Clint's little boy and

Valerie Rohwer & Jake Shelly

Maddi Moo and Luke Davis

Kaitlyn Fish and one of the Wright Girls

Jacob and Hailey

Present Time

Poo Pah & Tasha sent him this out fit and it was so stinking cute. and he wouldn't let us take it off all night. &gt

I had a small problem with some of the teenage help. I kept haveing to track them down. But the kids had such a good time and Ben really enjoyed his first Birthday party.

Making cupcakes

2010-12-03T01:07:00.000-08:00

I'm making cupcakes for Ben's birthday party tomorrow, and Hailey and Ben thought they needed to help me. They ended up liking the spoon and spatula, and beaters. Wow were they covered. I'm not sure if Ben ate more or wore more but he sure looked cute. I hope the cupcakes come out as cute. Ben is having a Toy story Birthday. so I bought toy story cupcake papers and cute toothpicks.

P.S. I did not jip Jacob of licking the spoon he was on a date with my mom so he wasn't here.

My Baby is 3

2010-12-03T00:26:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my baby is 3. How did that happen. I don't like it. He loves his boots and hat he'll tell me when we're getting dressed I want to be a Kowboy. and since he has several pairs of boots if I don't get out the correct pair I get in trouble and he'll go get the pair he wants and tell me "no mommy this pair of Kowboys"

I love this baby He is so stinking cute!!! He drives me crazy!!!!! He's like Dr. Jakel and Mr. Hyde. when it's just me and him he is sweet and cute and we have few problems. But when the big kids are home he is like a little Tasmanian Devil! Hitting,pulling hair, pinching, tackling. He's such a monster.

No one ever believes me when I tell them though they always say to me but he's so little and so cute. But he's freakishly strong for his size. If he gets one of the big kids down on the ground I have to go save them because they won't be able to get away from him on their own.

but he is so funny. It's so hard to be mad at him. He refuses to eat most of the time. He mostly survives on cheese and milk and juice and crackers. Most meat he refuses in the last couple of months he has taken a liking to Bologna and hot dogs. I'm not really sure you can call those meat but it's something else he'll eat. One night at dinner. Ryan put the food on his plate and set it in front of him and Ben looked at it and and said I'm full. For selfish reason's I'm glad he is so little still being that he is our last baby. I get to keep him small and cute.

This is Ben on his 2nd Birthday

This is Ben on his 1st Birthday--a side note he refused to eat the cake every time I tried to putting his hands in it would get so mad.

This is Ben at 3 Months old. He was the cutest Baby. He was always so little and bald.

This was Ben's first days of life. He was so little. I know you always say that when you have a newborn but he was my littlest baby.

I found this note in my email that I sent out from the hospital. Benjamin Warren Owens has Arrived December 3 2007 8:39pm 6lbs 1.3 oz 19 inches long. Once they induced me it only took him 6 hours to get here. He's very cute and a very calm baby they were having trouble getting him to cry. He just wanted to lay there in the heater. He is breathing a little funny so they have him in nursery monitoring his breathing and he is already starting to nurse. Will send Pictures when we get home. They have Internet here in the room which is really cool. Love, Vicki, Ryan, & Ben

Ben and his Trike

2010-12-02T22:45:00.000-08:00

Look at the big boy on his big boy bike.

Ben figured out the trike out grandma and Pappy's house while visiting Grandma. He was so proud of himself. He has yet to figure out the one we have at our house. He really felt like a Big boy.

Everyone is sick

2010-12-02T00:51:00.000-08:00

I'm running a leper colony over here I have one with bronchitis, one with strep throat, and one with an ear infection. Ugggggghhhhh the good thing is these things are all treatable by antibiotics so we should be good to go by Saturday for Benners 3rd Birthday.

Sleeping

2010-12-02T00:41:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I took this picture of Jacob asleep in our bed while Ryan was gone. Well Jacob saw it on my phone and it annoyed him that i took a picture of him while he was sleeping. I never know what's going to tick him off. So this morning as soon as he got up he got my phone and he took pictures of me. I only posted this one but he took like 45 pictures of me sleeping.