The Snell Family Happenings

More pictures!

2009-05-04T21:25:00.004-06:00

Blessing day- Easter Sunday, 2009

Jackson's 2nd annual Pine Wood Derby- Jeff Gordon even attended! :)

All these years waiting to buy pink and she looks great in green. Great!

What a sad life!

He really can sleep anywhere! :)

Quick rundown

2009-05-04T20:58:00.003-06:00

I guess I better make some time to update with words as well as pictures! I thought I'd have some time while I was home on maternity leave to catch up the blog, but a fussy baby and a 3 year old seem to have eaten all my time up very quickly!

Maelie is doing well- she is getting less fussy, and is starting to react to her parents and brothers more. We love it when she smiles at us. It makes all the fussiness very worth it. We got to bless her on Easter Sunday- surrounded by family and thinking of Christ,it was kind of a special day all around.

Jamison love having mom at home, but thankfully loves the babysitter as well, so my first day back to work wasn't as traumatic for him as I thought it would be. He is a great helper, loves playing outside with his older brothers and loves to "give loves" to his sister.

Jacob lost another tooth recently, one of his front teeth. The tooth fairy only brought him $1 in coins and he thought he was ripped off. Kids these days! :) He too loves playing outside and loving on his baby sister.

Jackson is growing into quite the little man. He had his second Pine Wood Derby last month and was so sure his Army Hummer car would whoop up. It didn't, but he won the "Eat my dust award" anyway. :)

John is nearly 100% finished with his Masters degree. ISU should be discredited for requiring 400 internship hours when most people are working full time while they get their degrees. He got some good compliments on his Masters paper though and passed the oral defending/presentation of his paper as well. He is having fun coaching Track and hosting board game club (a big nerd, I know), right now and Cross country in the Fall. He says next year he'd like to get more involved with wrestling too! As long as he can find a principle ship soon- he can coach cheer leading for all I care!

As I alluded to earlier, I just returned to work after a healthy 7 week maternity leave. Man that went fast! I am a little nervous about the swine flu since I am out of sick days though :) I loved my time at home and can't wait to be able to stay home for good. Summer break is just 19 (school)days away though- so I am counting down and getting through.

We hope our friends and family are doing well and enjoying the blessings the Lord has given you!

New Maelie

2009-05-04T20:50:00.006-06:00

Just testing this thing out.

Such a crying shame- all dressed up and nowhere to go...

Just Maelie and Dad sharing a moment.

A rare happy moment!

My close up!

More family fun!- sorry, just pictures!

2009-04-04T16:56:00.004-06:00

Thanks Aunt Alyssa for the cute hair bows and flowers!

I just hate being put down!

Jamison fell asleep watching Jacob play Webkinz

I love my swing too!

My first big smile!

I had to get a pictire of her in her cherries outfit from Aunt Mer- love the built in shoes!

Daddy and Steve, enjoying some R & R with their "girls"- a clear case where boys look good in pink too! :)

Maelie and her "faux-hawk" as the boys call it.

Jamison being a cool dude in his sunglasses. We need spring badly!

Maelie's first dress up session- the day after she got home from the hospital- we knew the NB dress wouldn't fit her long. :)

The new family

2009-03-14T20:45:00.001-06:00

My first few minutes of life!

2009-03-14T20:38:00.001-06:00

Baby Maelie is here!

2009-03-14T19:50:00.004-06:00

Maelie Adeline Snell has finally made her entrance into the world. They started me Thursday night, and after contracting all night long, they broke my water at 6:30 am. I got my epidural (yes, I not only demand to be induced, I have to have drugs as well) at 8:30 am and after only 2 pushes, she was born at 9:15 am. John and my mom were at home getting the kids off to school and daycare for the day and arrived just after my epidural- they missed all the real pains- luckies! The boys are so excited to be big brothers to a little sister- finally. Jamison acts a little clipped at times, but for the most part, he too loves "Bebe me" Jackson and Jake can't get enough "I want to hold her" time, and neither can Dad! :) I didn't anticipate her cry sound so feminine, but it is way different than the boys. Luckily she's a great eater, just like her mom :) and although very curious, even the dog has gotten used to her strange noises and smells better than I anticipated. All is going very well so far. I will update again very soon with earlier photos. This was her first 4 hours at home, just 30 hours old. :)

1 more day...maybe

2009-03-11T22:31:00.003-06:00

I am sitting in bed trying to decide what and how to update. Not much to tell but sore feet and legs and plenty of tired. I wonder how much of this is just mental, but all week long I have been looking forward to my last day of work (tomorrow) and now that it is here, I am wondering if my mind, and body, can push through the pain. I hope I am not the only mom who has ever gone through 3 pregnancies and still wonders if my pain is labor. Anyway, I am looking forward to my mom coming to help soon. Didn't realize how much I needed it until I started hurting so bad tonight. I almost cried like a baby when she called to see how I was doing. Some of my wishful thinking could be attributed to the fact that my friend who was due after me just had her baby early. No fair! Well, after looking this over, I can see I am sounding more like an online diary so I better cut this short. 1 day to go to baby girl Snell!

11 days to go!

2009-03-02T16:05:00.002-07:00

I thought I'd hurry and update while I have a moment or two here. I went in today, but not quite there, despite feeling like I'm in labor all day. SO I am officially scheduled with the hospital for the 13th. They may start me the night of the 12th, so I am really ready by Friday morning. Either way... We should have a baby by the night of the 13th! YEAH! I will keep information coming as I get it.

Albertson's Sale!!!!

2009-02-23T09:47:00.002-07:00

I forgot to mention this last night when I updated, but Albertson's is having a buy 10 (select) items and get $10 back sale right now. I think it may be nation wide... I hope. Anyway, Ours goes until Tuesday the 24th. I mention this because we got, no joking, over $600 worth of food for food storage, for only $150. I got John to come with me and even he was impressed. Check our your local store and see if you can take advantage of this sale too! I have an extra trick on fruit snacks - e-mail me if you want to know. Happy shopping!

Does Community Care offer stock? If so, I might as well get some...

2009-02-22T22:22:00.005-07:00

I just wanted to take a moment and update everyone. Pretty presumptuous of me to think you really want updates, but It's my blog, so here goes.

Just after Jamison turned 3, Dec 28th, he was playing rough with Jacob and hit his head on the window sill in the living room. As with any wound in our family, it seams, he required 3 staples. Visit #1 to community care.

1 week later, the day I was taking Jamison back to get the staples out, Jacob says his throat hurts. With strep going around and his proneness to getting ill, I took him and Jamison in on the same visit. The whole way there he kept asking if he had to get a shot. In all my mom wisdom I said, "Of course not, he'll just look at your throat and if you are sick, he'll give us some medicine..." Jamison goes first and cried more than I was hoping for, but got over it quickly. Next was Jake and imagine the shocked look on his face when after the Doctor looked at him, he says, "It looks like it could be ???" (I can't even remember what ailment this time) "so we better give him a shot first and then start him on a round of antibiotics." I thought he was joking, perhaps he had overheard Jacob requesting no shots... SO when he left the room I said, again in all my mom wisdom, "Jake don't freak out, he's not going to give you a shot!" Again, picture if you will, the wide eyes of fear in a 6 year old when the nurse walked in and had a needle in her hands. To his credit, he did try to be brave, but he couldn't decide if it would hurt more in the bum or in the leg. After stalling for as long as he could, I had to help the nurse hold him long enough to get the shot in the leg. The funny part (so says the liar mom) came when the nurse stuck the needle into the sick bed, to it wouldn't poke anyone and having his nose right in on all the action, Jamison gets scared from the needle and all Jacob's screaming sobs and starts crying himself. THEN... Jackson who was only there as a spectator, decides watching Jamison's staples get removed was easier to take than seeing Jacob get a shot and says (pale as a ghost), "I just need some air mom, I'm going in the hallway."Visit to community Care #2.

Again... about a week and a half later, Jamison develops some sort of nasty canker sore on his tongue and cheek. We let it go for a few days, but when he couldn't eat or drink because it hurt too bad, we decided it was time. In we go again. To their credit, and our bill, they even recognize him this time and say, "Didn't we just see him?" Visit to Community Care #3 in less than 3 weeks. Not looking forward to those bills just after the holiday.

Anyway... Other than that, we are just waiting patiently for the arrival of Baby Girl Snell to our home. I have finally wore John down enough to start calling her by the name I picked out (we had a hard time coming to a consensus). Although the ultrasound tech was 99.9% positive this last time that she was a girl, I will officially announce her name when I have visual proof that she is indeed a SHE. After 3 boys, you tend to be a little skeptical that you'll ever get a girl. My blog baby counter says just 19 more days as of tonight, so that's what I am going by.

We take life and aches and pains just one day at a time here lately, and luckily so one is sick or has been hurt since our last catastrophes mentioned above. Hope all is well with everyone else, and we'll be sure to let you know when "Baby" arrives!
I also just realized my last 2 videos didn't work. Sorry. If I have time to think about it, I'll try to fix that. If not, just know that they were cute! :)

2009-01-27T09:30:00.006-07:00

Christmas Eve 2008- They are so excited here!

Treats for Santa

What a way to wake to Christmas... At least it was white! :)

Merry Christmas Snell Family! This is Daisy... it's a wonder she can walk with how much she gets held.

Jamison loves Primary... now that he has a crown to wear. It's his favorite hat.

Snowman making time... they had so much fun with John.

Jake hard at work... Break dancing

2008-12-21T10:01:00.002-07:00

Jacob is definitely our dancer. Always experimenting.

John speaks Iowanese!

2008-12-17T18:11:00.004-07:00

We were taking a family trip into Idaho Falls last night when Jacob starts telling us about the Spanish he is learning in the After School Program. I was very impressed by what he could say, mostly colors, but had the tongue roll down pretty good. The John made a joke about people who speak only 1 language (hint, they're called Americans). Suddenly Jackson pipes up and says... "Dad, you speak 2 languages." This took us off guard, because technically, I know more Spanish than he does- if we're counting that as foriegn language experience in our home now. So he proceeds to tell us that John speaks Iowanese.

In case you don't know the joke around our house... John served a 2 year mission in Iowa- not a foreign one, or one he needed to learn another language for. But because he had so many stories to tell about the people there and their "culture" (that was foreign to him), we joke that he speaks Iowanese. I guess we never thought about the message that was giving the boys. SO... Then Jake catches on and says, "Dad, say something in Iowanese. Say dog." Hardly able to get it out without laughing, John says, "Them's mu kids." The boys, of course, think this is just the coolest thing ever, so they start asking him to say more in this new language. Instead of come in a sit for a while, he said, "Come in and take a set on the davenport." (or couch- in case you are lost like I was when we first got married). Then I said, "Say... go away, it's dark." and he responded with... "I can't say that one in front of the kids." (Another joke, because tracting in a place where it gets dark at 5:00 pm you don't always get a warm reception- which generally means you hear some pretty choice language yourself.)

Regardless, I laughed so hard, and knew right away this was going on the blog. If you want to hear some genuine Iowanese too, I'll have john "translate" and I'll post it to the blog for all to learn this new foreign language. :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I saved some of them!

2008-12-13T11:40:00.002-07:00

I was awoken this fine snowy morning to 2 boys very worried that the power had just gone out. Not so much worry for the fact that the refrigerator and fireplace blowers didn't work, as much as the fact that they couldn't watch their cartoons or movies. SO I drag myself out of bed and decided that while they didn't have any distractions, it was a perfect opportunity to get the basement cleaned up. However, as I walk down the last few stairs I notice a smell coming from the bedroom with the fish tank. I turn the corner to see a murky mess, and no filter going (because of the power outage). I screamed, ready to beat the 3 year old, when Jackson says, "It wasn't me... it was JACOB!" I was 1st stunned, not because he is known for his good judgment, but he has known for quite a while that he is not supposed to touch the fish (as this has happened once before just after we got the poor creatures).

So I get to the interrogation and find out that he was worried that the fish wouldn't be fed, we have an electric feeder, because of the power outage. I was ready to apologize to him for losing it when he was really trying to help. Then I suddenly realized that the fish feeder is battery operated! I clearly see 1 fish dead and 1 fading quickly. In the course of the clean up I find 4 dead, while 3 fish and 1 recluse sucker fish made it through. What a morning. BUT... the power is back on so now I can clean all by my self while the kids are "distracted" once again. BOYS!!!

A few memories from when the weather was warm

2008-12-05T17:07:00.006-07:00

Jake won a game against John and Jackson. He was excited, Jackson... not so much.

My kids don't use binkies when they are babies, but at about 3 they think they are fun to play with :)

Jamison learned he loved "Poppet doe" Translation- Chocolate Milk.

Uncle Brooks takes his BBQ very seriously! :)

Hearst Castle on my birthday while we were in California this summer. Thanks for joining us Neely!

We are still alive! Barely!

2008-12-04T20:59:00.004-07:00

I suddenly realized just how long ago it was I updated the blog. Sorry to all you faithful blog followers. To be fair, in my very first post I put in a disclaimer that I wasn't sure how long I would keep this going. :)

It was a long, hot and technology deprived summer for us. We went to The Salmon River High Adventure Base to work again (Scout Camp). I know... I swore there was no way in HELL I would go back, but some offers just seem too tempting when your money deprived. I cooked again and John was the C.O.P.E Director (team building activities) and got to kayak every day too. I had a wonderful cook with me, which made our jobs way easier, but then the sickness settled in. It just wasn't enough for me to be hot, tired and dirty all the time, I had to add morning sickness into it(evening sickness in my case)

I found out I was expecting our 4th on July 5th, and the sickness stayed until into September. You know how when you get sick and your body associates the last thing you ate with that sickness, so every time you see or smell it you feel sick all over again? Well that is how I feel about Salmon right now. It took me years to even be able to look at BBQ sauce after Jackson, so it may be that long before I can even look back on this summer with fond memories. :) Oh... and did I mention that we are supposed to be having a GIRL!!! :)

The boys had the time of their lives though, just to spite me I think. Jamison was funny to watch adjust to his surroundings. There was a soft dirt patch in between the kitchen and the cabin we slept in. If I ever lost him, almost without fail, I could find him sitting in, rolling in or blowing the powder dirt all over himself. He was never clean! The other two made friends with the camp directors boys and played video games all day. Normally this would bother me, but it kept them safe and clean while I cooked during the day. Jackson did get to go real kayaking this year though. John took him down a flat stretch of water and while it scared to poop out of him once or twice, he loved it too. He even talks about holding his own kayaking class for the neighborhood kids this next summer. :) I guess that's what we get for getting him his own kayak.

Anyway... sorry for the big delay in contact. I hope to get some pictures and video of the summer on here soon.I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season and remembers to put Christ front and center in their lives.

Family pictures or a free for all?

2008-05-21T19:25:00.003-06:00

I find it so funny how cute pictures seem to just come natural to some families and not so much to others. Ours falls into that "not so much" range. Never fails- if I schedule family pictures someone will be naughty, ornery or fall down and get facial stitches the day before. Fortunately,on this occasion, we just had the naughty and ornery boys. As much as I was not impressed with the overall photos, I thought the progression of my 2 year olds moods was too funny not to share. Jackson and Jacob really tried to be troopers, but with Jamison screaming in your ear or climbing all over you, it was a pretty tough job.

Funny View of Education

2008-05-14T13:57:00.002-06:00

This is a funny view of how a lot of teachers feel about "No Child Left Behind". My teachers really liked it anyway. :) If the link doest show, go to this site- http://www.notonthetest.com

Random pieces of us

2008-05-08T21:18:00.010-06:00

A fun FHE activity

And now for the test...

Bath time at the Snell house has to be supervised now... The bubbles were much bigger, but mom turned off the machine before she went to get the camera

Jamison learns a new trick

Swimming in Blackfoot- just after this, Jackson tried climbing up the red slide, slipped and broke his front permanent tooth. Needless to say, I love our Dentist who graciously came in on his Saturday evening to fix it. I'm sure we'll pay for it, but what a guy!

Dad showing off his skills as a kayaker

AND...

Snow in April?

The Circus Came to Town

2008-05-08T21:03:00.006-06:00

Jacob got to be a clown, fitting I know, for his class circus. He really hammed it up.

There's my hottie! :) He doesn't let me get pictures very often- he's afraid I'll put things on the blog... Where would he get that idea?

We are alive- I promise!!!

2008-05-08T19:35:00.006-06:00

Ok, Ok, I can read your thoughts "She said she was going to be better at keeping the blog updated- so much for that!" The end of the school year tends to be my backed up, busy time at work so I am tired when I get home. That coupled with a sick baby and husband, and crazy 5 year old who climbs to the tops of back stops in rain boots and an 8 year old who only wants to play, and not do chores/homework... You get the idea. Things are finally settling down so I thought I would update while I had a free moment.

We are in count down mode to summer break, California and Salmon-(where the adventure really begins). Jackson is heavy into baseball right now. He loves it! The most exciting thing this year is not only seeing his improvement from last year, but that he's not the smallest one in the league this year :)

This is my "Major Leaguer"- He's actually pretty good at catcher.

He realized, almost too late that he wasn't going to make it, so we went back to 3rd- Smart thinking...

May 3rd was Jakes birthday, but we had a training for Salmon, so the boys got to play in the Blackfoot pool all morning. They had a blast!

I know what your thinking again... Mandie's child wears a life jacket? But yes, their California genes haven't kicked in yet. The Idaho gene seems to be the more dominant.

What's better than an unexpected flip? One done on your birthday!

SLideshow of the life of The Savior

2008-04-25T12:35:00.004-06:00

http://www.eastvalleyproductions.com/blog.cfm?postID=31

My sister just sent me the most beautiful picture slide show about the life of the Savior I hope the link works for you- I cried at work. If the link doesn't show as a direct link, I also have a link to it in the sites I frequent section of my blog. Enjoy!

Warning... Injury Photos to follow!

2008-04-05T13:43:00.004-06:00

I have finally joined the ranks of injured tri-athletes. I am told all the great have a scar to tell about. Notice the nasty bruise on the other leg too. The funny thing, the spot where it's th worst, I seem to have pinched a nerve so by all the road rash near the bottom I have a numb spot about 2 inches in diameter. Cool hugh?! Jamison looks at it and says "No,No owie Mommy"

Ok, here's the story... It was my first time on a bike- outside- since my last Triathlon in August. I had just talked myself out of turning around after about mile 2- it was still really cold even though it was sunny. I had just warmed up so I continued on to Sugar City. As I was trying to round a corner to head home, a car was stopped at the intersection ready to turn so I couldn't cut the corner. I went around the car, but hit some loose dirt in the middle or the road and slid on my knee for about 6-8 feet to the side of the road. Luckily the woman at the intersection hopped out to help and an off duty EMT saw my bike on the road and stopped to help too. I am a firm believer in helmets anyway, but now I also see the wisdom in padded riding gloves- they are not just for wiping sweat or looking tough. My hand would have been just as eaten up as my knee. I was able to keep my chest and head from hitting and sliding along with the bike with my hand too. Thankfully, I only have some soreness in the pad of my left hand.

I asked John to see how far I had gone once I was home. He jokingly says, "It says 9.3 miles, but I'm betting more like 9.6 because of the skid." He also says he thinks we should invest in a pair of leather biking pants for my next ride ;)... Thanks for the support honey! Dr. Brady has looked it over and says other than a good scar and story, I should recover just fine.

Pine Wood Derby Here I come!

2008-04-01T23:17:00.002-06:00

I promised a video of the Pine Wood Derby and I can now deliver. We are the far car- who wins by the way. I did in fact say "we". Who do you think put the most time and energy into the car? Of course... Mom and Dad!

Spring is in the air

2008-04-01T23:14:00.002-06:00

We haven't been able to have so many outings this winter, so when we get a chance to be outside, we take it- especially the boys, and especially Jamison.

Happy Easter !

2008-04-01T23:07:00.003-06:00

This was the extent of our Easter weekend. We did have a fun egg hunt at Grandma Rogers. Who's idea was the sugar coated warm peeps though? Oh Yeah! Grandpa- because he knew the parents were taking the grandkids home afterward... sorry for my blabbering... You can mute me if you like.

Check out the video...

2008-03-31T12:36:00.003-06:00

I got the you tube link of an artistic elephant from a friend in an e-mail and decided it was cool enough for my blog. What a trainer- do you think they work with potty training toddlers too... I added more posts though, so now the you tube link is closer to the bottom.

Confessional

2008-03-26T15:25:00.003-06:00

I have a confession to make for all to see... I am a habitual blog surfer.

I find it interesting to look at pictures of complete strangers and wonder what their lives are like. The thing I find funniest is that 99% of the time I can pick out an LDS blog even without reading about them 1st. Crazy! Here is the silliest part. Sometimes i will even leave a message on someone's blog- just to say I stopped in and liked what I saw on their blog. For a former"Bad Blogger" I think I've gone way overboard. I am very impressed how prominent pictures of temples are on their sites though...

Also, notice the automatic blogger sign up at the bottom of my page. This is cool. Put in your e-mail address and when I add a post, you'll be notified about it, so you don't have to catch up on several posts at once or to have to keep checking with nothing new added (another feature kifed from a fellow blogger's site.)

Easter was not a huge deal this year. We made sure to celebrate the resurection of the Savior and lessen the influence of the Easter Bunny.While more meaningful, it made for a rather dull blog entry. On Saturday John's mom had an egg hunt set up around her house (we still have several feet of snow on the ground outside...). That was fun. At each bowl of eggs they came to they had to answer a question about The Savior first. I it was funny, and rewarding, to see the older grandkids wait for the younger ones to answer first- to make sure they were right. The younger kids had no hesitation and knew most every answer lightning fast. I was proud of them. A funny moment came when one of the younger talking grandkids was asked something like, "What does Heavenly Father want us to have..." I believe the answer was a testimony, but she looked at what the prize was, pointed at it and said.."That right there". Too funny.

Our camera is doing funny things right now, so I can't get the pictures/video from Easter or Jackson's first Pine Wood Derby off the camera yet. I will post that as soon as I can. Take care and happy Spring!

2008-03-13T22:55:00.004-06:00

Toward the end of summer we had a fun get together at Aunt Heidi's house. It's a hill made for activities such as these. What a fun memory.

Prince Jackson saves the day!

2008-03-13T18:53:00.008-06:00

Jackson's class just participated in the Utah Festival Opera. It's an opera created by the children- completely. Sets, music, lyrics, costumes... It was so amazing! Granted, it was done by second graders, but it was pretty creative. Take a look - when I get a file that fits... his royal picture is on the right for now.

Meaning of life

2008-03-11T20:05:00.003-06:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Temple tonight with John. I was looking forward to that peaceful feeling that accompanies a trip like that. It was my first session in the Rexburg Temple. What a wonder it is to behold. Feeling so peaceful has made me reflect on a project I heard about this morning my favorite local radio station (Klassy 97, KLCE). Wayne (yes Wayne, I've listened so long I feel close enough to be on a first name basis.) was talking about a book he picked up where the author compiled hundreds and hundreds of 6 word life statements from various authors and other people. I was so impressed with how profound some of them were. 6 words doesn't seem like a lot, but it really can summarize a lifetime of experience. I'm going to try to create a link to KLCE so you can read some yourself. Wayne's even made Liza cry a bit (Yes, Liza and I are on a first name basis as well.) In the spirit of peace and contentment I feel tonight I thought I would give some a try myself. Here goes...

1. Laughed, Loved, Cried, Tried, Failed, Enduring
2. Do Good Things Is Our Motto
3. Searched My Soul And Found Him
4. A Quiet Song Calms My Fears
5. Put The Vase Down Now Son!
6. I Don't Like Living With Regrets
7. I Am A Child Of God
8. I Prefer To ... Run, Bike, Swim
9. Not As Bad As I Thought
10. I Love My Family And Friends

You know... it isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I am quite sure you can be much more poetic than I have been, I like how concise it is. If you post a comment to this, I would encourage you to give one a try yourself.

Just when I thought it was time for bed...

2008-03-04T22:16:00.003-07:00

You know those commercials where the kids overflow the bath tub and water spills out all over the bathroom and then the ceiling breaks and all the water floods the house... Well, minus the floor caving in and flooding the whole house, I now know it can really happen. I was just about to close and save my latest post and go to bed, when I hear John say, "What the..." really loud. I go down stairs to see that Jackson had left the sink water running after he had gotten a drink about 30 minutes before. At that time I told him to turn off the water and go to bed. Apparently he thought the water could turn itself off so he just closed the door instead. SO much for going to bed early- but Thank heavens for a wet vac!

Jackson turns 8!

2008-03-04T17:40:00.004-07:00

To the average person in the world, turning 8 doesn't mean much, more than turning 7 or 9 but to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, turning 8 is a big step in life. With that, Jackson turned 8 Feb. 10th and was baptized a member of the church on March 1st. It was a good day for him. His Grandpa Rogers bore his testimony, his Aunt Heidi gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and he had plenty for priesthood authority surrounding him, by way of uncles and Great uncles, for his confirmation. Jacob even got in on the action and gave a very nice, and independent, closing prayer. My babies are growing up fast! Being that the next day was fast Sunday, we asked him if he would like to fast with us. He didn't quite understand what fasting meant though and thought he had to go all month without food. Needless to say, or Family Home Evening lesson the yesterday was on fasting. Thanks special to our family and friends who made it such a special day. We love you!

Soccer time!

2007-07-25T12:46:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know, you are shocked I am updating again already. With a sleeping baby and a grounded 5 year old who 's sleeping, and a 7 year old quietly eating lunch, I have managed to find some time.

We got call last week at 4:00pm asking if Jacob wanted to join a soccer team- their game was at 5:00pm. Although he had a hard time focusing when he was sitting out, when he was in, he was awsome! Finally, one of my boys shows promise in one of my talent areas. He had fun though, and said he would stop walking off the field when he was frustrated or hurt. Were working on it.

Grandma Rogers came to the game and took some video and then burned it to A DISC SO jAKE COULD HAVE HIS OWN "VIDEO" (sorry-I hit the caps). He loved watching it. When John came home for the weekend he made him watch it over and over. One good thing that did come out of it was that Jackson, who had spent the whole week with John up at scout camp and was begging to go for another whole week, saw the video, he decided he could wait until Tuesday night to go back so he could play too.

We went to Idaho Falls Tuesday to get cleats and shin guards, this only added to their excitement. At game time, even the rain we got couldn't dampen their spirits. I was ref for the game, mostly so I couldn't scream at them and ruin their first game experience. Jackson turns out to be a natural soccer player as well. He can dribble down the line and saved the ball from going out more than once. Although we didn't officially keep score, Jackson said it was 8-2 (of which Jackson scored 7 and Jacob scored 1). Granted Jackson is playing on a 5-7 years old team, but he still did great. Afterward 1 woman asked me how many older brothers he has, because he did so well. Can you tell I am proud of them?

We were supposed to go bring Jackson back up to scout camp, but after the game he has decided that he wants to play again on Thursday- and then go back to camp.

The summer has gone by so fast already. I can't believe that it is almost August. I have so enjoyed our time together. Time to start looking for a new babysitter and making visits to prep visits to my classroom. That's life. I'll update you on the next game soon. Bye for now.

Lazy Summer

2007-07-07T11:13:00.001-06:00

I have been so blessed to have sleepers at my house! It seems we can't function before 8:30 in the morning during the summers. (I love it!) John has decided to work at Treasure Mountain Scout Camp for th month of July. It's about half as far as Salmon was, so we can see him a lot easier, making it not too bad for him to be gone. I, meanwhile, am mom, dad, warden, cook (kinda), housekeeper, driver, and answering service. I really miss him during the week!

He told the math department at his school that he would sell their old supply of graphing calculators for them this summer on e-bay. I know what your thinking... "but he's at scout camp?" Exactly! The job of saleswoman has now been added to my job description, and I am GOOD! :) We do miss him during the week though.

John's mom just got back from an educational trip to Japan, so tonight we are having a, fitting I know, "Japan party. She has made all the little girls in the family little kimono's and the boys kimono type shirts, both in Japanese prints. Jackson has been asking all week when the party is.

We also did our annual tradition of burning money, I mean lighting off fireworks, this 4th at Grandma's. The boys had so much fun. It was Jamison's first firework show where he payed much attention. He loved it! The other two enjoyed using their glow in the dark bracelets as light sabers. We had a good 4th. Hope you all did too. Bye for now.

The Snell Family

2007-06-29T20:14:00.000-06:00

I have finally joined the technology age. After so many friends e-mailing me, encouraging me to create one too, I finally looked into it. Until I get the hang of how to post things I don't know how often I will update. I think this can be fun though! For now, briefly meet the Snell Family.