Our Halloween costumes this year.

Fun glasses.

Two Already

Opening presents.


Blowing out candles, she knew just what to do.


Ready for bed with her new baby doll and Dora p.j.'s.


We had a fun day today packed with a lot of excitement. I dressed Austin and Lily up in their Halloween costumes and headed to the library for their little trick-or-treat parade. They both had a blast, and it was good to be inside away from the freezing cold. I treated them to lunch at MacDonald's where they played for over and hour and then I took Austin to his tumbling class, it was also dress up day. Lily wants to join in every week and I always end up in the car with her. After tumbling we headed home for a much needed nap and then went to the school for Sivai's parent teacher conference. Let's just say there's going to be a lot more reading going on at our house.... I guess the recommended 20 min. a day isn't cutting it.
We came home and had dinner and then waited for presents and cake. Lily was really patient all day and I think her brothers were more excited than her. She had a blast ripping open her gifts and seemed to love them all, most of them ended up in bed with her. It was a long day, notice Miss Lily's frazzled hair, but it was fun.

Samoa

Many of you have probably heard of the tsunami that hit Samoa this past week. We were so worried about so many people there, but through the grace of God we have found out that none of our closest friends and family were injured.
This is a picture of the fale (house) that Sivai spent a year of his life in. It's where we met him for the first time. It's where we stayed for two weeks getting to know him and his beautiful foster family. It's where we had so much fun dancing and singing in Samoan.
We learned that it was swept into the ocean, and I can't imagine the devastation that must be left. I'll always remember the first morning there waking up to the sounds of the ocean splashing up against the rocks about 5 feet from us, and the feel of the cool ocean breeze. We could see the sunrise from our window and we lay there in aw watching it rise over the ocean.
I hope that we can visit our friends and family there soon and make some new memories, but I'm so greatful for the ones that I have to cherish.

Visit

Lily and Grandma Yeager

Miley

Has anyone else noticed that Miley Cyrus has a new clothing line in the teeny-bopper section of Wal-mart? Austin has. He's had a healthy obsession with Miley/Hannah for about the last six months. I try not to feed it, he's not allowed to watch the t.v. show but he continues with his little crush. He's even asked if we could go to the beach and visit her.
While waiting in line the other day at Wal-mart Austin ran over to the Miley display, grabbed one of the shirts (the same one that she was wearing in the ad. picture) buried his face in it and took a big sniff. He came running back to me with the biggest smile on his face and announced that he had smelled Miley Cyrus' clothes! I think he truly believed that she had worn them, sometimes he just melts my heart.

1st Grade

Sivai would only give me this face when I told him to smile...what a ham.

Sivai started 1st grade this week after much anticipation. I think he was most excited about eating school lunch and playing at recess, like most 1st graders. But we did have a little excitement that morning.

The day before school started we went to our splash park for a little fun. After being there a while Austin came running saying that he got stung by a bee. Apparently he had caught it and was trying to pull off it's legs. I didn't feel much sympathy for him. He went on his way and then about 10 minutes before we left Sivai came running saying that his foot hurt. I can't remember if he said it was a bee or not, but it wasn't red, and there wasn't a stinger. I told him he probably stepped on a sticker and to keep playing. He didn't mention it again until the next morning, the first day of school. I looked at his foot and it was swollen and had a black and blue circle where he obviously had been stung. I debated out loud whether or not I should take him to the Dr. or not and he begged to go to his first day of school. After some antihistamine and a fathers' blessing I let him go. It cleared up after 48 hours and luckily I didn't have to take him in to the Dr's. (Notice the note pinned to his shirt alerting his teachers to the situation.)

He had an exhausting first week of school, but loved every minute of it. I thought he would like having a half day Friday, but when I asked he said he was mad because he only got one recess instead of three. He's really lucky this year because his kindergarten teacher moved up to 1st grade to team teach, and Sivai was lucky enough to be in her class again.

I thought Austin and Lily might have a hard time adjusting to him not being home but they seem to enjoy their freedom for the most part.

Lily

Isn't she cute? I have to remember this while trying to potty train.

ALASKA

Sivai with a Coho

Sarkar River- Sivai, Dad, Mom, Keely

Afternoon catch -Keely, Bridgette, Renee

Patrick and I on the ferry from Ketchikan to Prince of Wales Island

Morning Catch, one of many -Evan, Dad, Irvin, Sivai

Wildflowers

We just returned from a 2 week vacations to Southern Utah and Alaska. We spent the 24th of July with Patrick's family and had a great time seeing everyone. Sunday Patrick, Sivai and I took off to Alaska for vacation with my family. Austin and Lily stayed behind and were watched by our nieces in Cedar City. We caught a lot of fish, had a great time and already miss everyone.

Austin is 4!

We had a little party for Austin at the park on his birthday. He was so excited to invite all of his friends. We had cupcakes, pizza, and a water balloon fight. Despite him being a little ornery he had a great day and hasn't stopped playing with all of his new toys. I can't believe he's 4!

Squashing the squash bugs!

These little guys are evil! I've heard of them but up until this year my garden hasn't been enticing enough for them to make a visit. After all but killing my pumpkin plant and starting to get to my zucchini plants I found a quick and easy solution to getting rid of these pests. First look under all the leaves on you plants and cut off any that have their eggs on them. They look like little brown poppy seeds in a clump. Then spray some water on the plant and wait for the bugs to start climbing up. Quickly spray every bug with a mixture of dish soap and water, make sure to soak them. After about a minute they are completely dead! It's such a great way to get rid of them because you're not using a pesticide and it doesn't contaminate your' produce. Sometimes it's the little battles in life that bring a smile to my face.

T-ball

Sivai's official T-ball photos

He wasn't in a good mood when they were taken so he has his fake smile plastered on. He has had a fun time playing and has really improved. He can't wait until next year when he can play real baseball.

Half a day with Dad.

I do not usually post on this Blog, however I had a wonderful half day with Austin. He was so excited to come into work with me. He wanted to see and hug a cop. I do not work directly with the police/sheriff. A co-worker, Ausin, and I went over to the sheriff's office and were able to visit with this nice officer. When the officer came into the room Austins eyes were silver dollars. He gave Austin a bag of goodies, as well as a junior deputy badge. Austin was also able to play around in the officer's truck, playing with the reeeeeerreeeeer (siren) and the lights. Austin will probably not forget that, Neither will I. I especially will not forget when he asked for a hug, and the officer gave him one. touching... As we were leaving Austin asked if he could have his gun. I love that kid.

Say "Cheesy"

Lily loves to pose for the camera, these are a few of her 'say cheese' faces. Her hair is nearly blond now and has a cute curl to it. She's talking a lot more and even putting2 and 3 word sentences together. This week she learned the meaning of "no" and now "no, Mama, no" is her favorite thing to say.

Weaving

I got a couple of projects finished from my loom. If was fun learning it all over again, most of it came back pretty quickly from memory. These are two table runners I made and I thought they turned out pretty good for not weaving in so many years.

New Addition

We recently got a kitten, she's a little feisty but the kids love her. She's an outdoor cat and her main purpose is to keep small critters OUT of my house. I think her name is Pepper, but it could change.
These pictures are from the kids playing in the sprinklers a couple of days ago, it has finally been warm enough to do this! Yay for summer!

T-Ball

Sivai had his first T-ball game today. I thought it was supposed to be last weekend, but I got my dates mixed up. It was a little bit of a crazy day because the night before we went camping and fishing with some friends. Luckily when you go camping you get an early start to the day so we didn't have too much of a problem getting packed up, home and showered and back into his game all by 9 a.m. He did a great job, connecting with the ball both times and running his heart out.

This week was also his last week of school. They had a little program Thursday but the lights were off in the gym and my camera didn't take very good shots. He did a great job with his part and sang every song at the top of his lungs. He's excited to be in 1st grade now, I'm just a little scared :)

Day out with Thomas

"Is it the real, real Thomas?"

It was fun to walk around the Heber Valley R.R. station and see all the old trains and the "scrapyard" where Diesel (from Thomas) lived.

We all had a great time on the train ride. It went really slow so you could get up and walk around. The kids spent most of the time with their heads out the side. The "conductor" walked up and down the train saying "hi" to all the kids and passing out a certificate, Sivai wondered who was driving if the conductor was walking around.

Austin was super exceited to meet Sir. Topham Hat and gave him a big hug. Sivai enjoyed it too, it's just his "cheese" face in the picture.

We all had a fun day, even though Lily was a little under the weather. It crowds and heat were torrerable and the lines weren't very long for pictures and activities. I wish the ride was longer, but just for my sake, I think for kids it was just right.

The Boys

Music Program

A couple of weeks ago we attended Davis Elementary music and art appreciation night. I went thinking it would be like their literacy night; travel from class to class doing different activities. Well I was wrong, it turned out to be their music program for the whole year. I didn't bring a camera or a video camera, and I wish I had. Sivai was really shy at first and I had to really coax him to go and sit with his friends, two little girls from his class that warmly welcomed him with hugs and smiles. Once it started he got really into the music singing at the top of his lungs and doing all the actions. I missed some of it because I was in and out of the hall with Lily. She wanted to be in the front performing too. One of their songs included dancing around the gym in a big circle to the music. It was fun to see him dance and sing with all the other kids. I'm still upset for not bringing my camera though!

“Worms”

This spring has a brought an over abundance of what I call “worms” to our little patch of land. They're little grubby green naked caterpillar looking things. Austin was completely fascinated. At the peak of the season we could collect hundreds of them a day! He stuffed them in his pockets, his shoes, and cups taken from the house. They were everywhere when I did laundry. I don't know why he thought he needed collect them, only to squish them. But he has proved to be a good exterminator. I haven't seen one in days. Oh, and they don't feel good when squished between your' toes first thing in the morning. Also, no pictures.

Sivai will have his first T-ball game this Sat. and we are all excited, I promise to get pictures. We are surprising the kids and taking them to Day out with Thomas (the train) in Heber City tomorrow, and I hope to get pictures as well.

Dotson Trio

Special Delivery!

Patrick's parents arrived today with a much anticipated delivery of my weaving loom and a piano. They got us the piano to ensure our kids a musical childhood. We are so grateful for their generosity! Our home already feels more homey and well rounded.

I purchased the loom from SUU. They no longer teach the weaving class that I took for 4 semesters. I got a phone call from my old teacher saying they were available to purchase and I jumped at the chance. Now I need to make my brain remember how to use it!

We are also happy to have Patrick's parents visiting us for the weekend. We all have a lot of fun talking and playing together, what a blessing they are in our life.

Keely and Derek, showing off the new egg fashion

Sivai trying to blow out the trick candles on his b-day cake. I wish my computer was quick enough to upload video because the live footage was pretty funny!

More Easter pictures

Making s'mores around the campfire.

Derek loved it and kept saying, "wow! coooool!"

Nathan dyeing eggs, he liked to lick the dye off.

Birthdays, Easter, and Fun

Austin watering his Great-Grandparents seedlings

Heidi, Sivai on Blaze

Nathan, Irvin, Sivai, Keely

We visited my family in Kansas over Easter weekend. All of my siblings were home except Renee and Nick, who we missed in our crazy house of fun. We also enjoyed having my grandmother from WA there to visit. The grandkids had a blast at the farm playing with their aunts and uncles and all of the animals. We had a busy weekend with my brother Wyles' b-day on Friday, Sivais' on Saturday, plus my parents Regional church conference on Sat. and Sun., plus Easter on Sunday. I took a bunch of pictures, however it takes so long to upload with my internet so I will be posting them in the days to come.