Year of the Zachers

Happy Birthday my little Zach! We have had such a fun time with you in our lives and love you very much. You were a heavenly suprise and wouldn't have it any other way. You are alway smiling and in such a good mood. Even when you begin to cry, you make us smile. My heart flutters every time I think of you.

You are such a smart little boy with your early crawling and crusing and walking. Who doesn't love a little baby walking. Luckily you pretty much stay in the area you are at but sometimes that darn bathroom calls your name, only a few times have a caught your hand in the water. Good thing it was clean and baths are always available.

Even with you teething you have been good about it. Not much crying from it at all and I am in awe because they come in basically by two's, starting at 4 or 5 months.

Your eyes are beautifully blue like your dad and sister. Any you have crazy hair, good thing grandma was able to cut it. Thank you grandma!! It really reminds me of your sister Samantha's hair, all straight and fluffy crazy. I wonder if it will turn curly too?

Thank you for putting up with me everyday. You are very content with playing with your toys in our make shift hall/play area or watching Aristo Cats. You wake up from naps with a smile on your face, bouncing up and down in your bed or talking (some would say babbling) to yourself until I am able to get in there. You also like to let me know you are wake by either banging the blinds or banging and rattling your bottle against the slats on your crib.

Your brother and sister and daddy and I are very happy with you in our family and just want to let you know that you are very loved all around.

Love you lots,

Mom

Halloween Fun

Halloween started off this year a church party and the kids loved dressing up. Then on Friday they had a parade at school to show off there costumes. I met Debby there and didn't recognize her at all. It was fun but long. I am glad my children were in the younger classes because there was a long intermission, like 15-20 minutes, between them and the older classes.

Who is this holding me? Mommy!

Then later we really enjoyed spending it with our family over at Ben's brothers house. We had chili and donuts and cake and the adults talked while Xandi too the kids out trick or treating while we ate and spent the time getting Zach to walk.

When the kids came back, I took Jac and Sam and Ethan over to my friends house next door. They totally love Halloween and it definately shows. When you walk up to the house there is eery music going. You knock on the door and it creeks open to a long hallway with fog and Frankenstein (Mike) coming down the hall with candy. It was great. The kids were right at my side. Awesome!!


Then Samantha wanted to go to her friends house on the other side of ours. I was walking a bit behind her and all the sudden she comes running back to me screaming and crying. She came face to face with this wonderful woman. Scary!!!!!

This took a while to take because Samantha would not look at her. Sherian made an awesome witch. To achieve this picture, she had to cover her face with a coat or something, let Samantha hear her voice, and then Samantha schootched back towards her and drop the cover. It was great! Is that bad to say? I mean, my little girl was sobbing tears and I am wanting a photo opp.

Then we went back over to the house and ate more and just had a good time. I think I loved and thought the most original costume came from Stacy's sister Kim. What do you think?

All in all it was a fabulous time, much better then just sitting at home handing out candy. Oh and by the way our neighborhood reall rocks out the candy. Full size candy bars. We never had that growing up. The older kids came back loaded with full size pillow cases filled to the rim. Luckily my kids only got less then a third and they were happy as clams! It cut down on the candy for Ben and I but oh well.

My absolute favorite pic this year was ..........

Seriously look at Samantha's eye!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy 11months!!

Our little Pumpkin

Today is Zach's 11month birthday. I can't believe he will be 1 next month. It seems like yesterday I was having him. I hope it doesn't go any faster. I love him so much!

He is doing well, walking, a couple of steps, but likes to cruise furniture and walls. He sleeps through the night and eats wonderfully. He has become to that stage where he cries when Ben and I leave him. It is cute. I know he loves both of us very much but Ben is sweet and says that Zach just wants me all the time. Probably because he is with me 24/7.

Happy 11 months Zach. We love you very much!!

Corn Belly's

Friday we took all the kids over to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. It was fun but getting cold. We bundled Z up and the kids wore their coats.

Everything was totally for kids. There was 3 corn mazes - A Frightmare one for night and a smaller one for kids and a David Archuleta face one. There was a pumpkin princess, which S just loved.

They had this big monster thing that you walk thru but only T wanted to go thru it, so Ben took him, but just after they walked in and got to the tonsils, they turned around. I think it was to show you in the insides of the monster. They had these bouncy pillows that you could jump on. and Car racing, tether ball, tons of slides, a maze museum and food stands. We were going to eat there but then saw the prices. Seriously $4 for a hot dog. Come on now! We thought it was nice for the kids but quite frankly not worth the price to get in $10.50ea. Whew! I know, ridiculous considering, but the kids had tons of fun and we did too watching them. We left about 8pm and went to Bajios. Yummy!!

Here are some pics of the day........

I'vE bEen TaGgEd

4 random things I like about my husband:
1. He is super smart and very loving to me and our children.
2. Ben is laid back and we can just be together. I can honestly say he is my best friend.
3. He provides for our family any way he can and needs to.
4. I love him so much and I know he loves me, even when I am a stinker, sometimes :-0

The BEST!4 movies that I can watch more than once:
1. James Bond
2. Grease
3. Dirty Dancing
4. Aristocats.. and I do, everyday. Zach thinks it is hilarious

4 shows that I watch:
1. Days/GH (secret addiction that is not so secret anymore:-))
2. The Office
3. The Biggest Looser (I love it)
4. House

4 places I've been today:
1. Work
2. Home
3. Home
4. and Home

4 people who email me regularly:
1. My mom
2. Kari
3. customers
4. my mom, especially now that the presidential race is getting closer! Forward of a forward of a forward :-0

4 places I've visited:
1. Canada
2. Bahamas
3. Mexico
4. Kansas

4 places I would like to go:
1. Switzerland
2. Scotland
3. A cruise with Ben (Stacy, shall we go together?)
4. Anywhere with Ben

4 things I'm looking forward to in the next year:
1. Deck
2. kids back in school :-o Did I just type that. Seriously, how many vacation days do they have. I don't remember that many growing up!
3. Finishing back yard with grass and deck
4. Basement

So there you go and I tag all who wants to play.....

Families are Forever

I love these people, I love this picture and I love my family. My parents were brave enough to have 8 kids and I was the caboose. I know, I know, I was cute, right?

Front Row (L-R): Marianne, Matt, Mike, Myron

Back Row (L-R): Dad (Don), Mom (Mary), Debby, Denise, Mark, David.

Serious, what year was this. We apparently wanted to be some sort of sport team. Ha! No really, I love my family very much and I just have the best memories growing up. My parents gave a lot for their family and I really appreciate that now that I am grown and have a family of my own.

I just love this picture. I got it from my Uncle John's Facebook page. It is of my grandpa McGilvary, he is the one kneeling on the left, and his buddy's in Germany while serving in WWII.

I don't know a whole lot about my grandfather but I am was so moved by this picture I had to post it.

Here is a picture of Zach with Uncle Peter, Ben's brother. August 1st is Switzerland Independace Day. Obvoiously this is a late post but I really like this picture. They are cuties.

This is my brother Matt (on left) and my brother in law (Xandi). Leanne, Matt's wife, sent it to me as a reminder of the younger days. This was taken in 1994, no later than a year after Ben and I started dating. I am sure it was at church ball or something. My brother Matt, well his wife, Leanne basically got Ben and I together. Yes, we have been together since 1993, that's 15 years ladies and I am thankful everyday for Ben and my kids. Thanks Leanne!!!

"I just called to say 'I love you'. I just called to say how much I care".... Do you remember the old days of calling friends and family on the telephone to see how they are and what they have been up to? My brothers hate it when I email them, saying it is to impersonable, especially for family members. And you know what? I think that they are right...to a degree. I can't tell you how many time I check my friends and family's blog sites to see if they have added anything new or interesting or check my email or my facebook and on and on, when I could have just picked up the phone to see how they are doing. Sometimes it is nice just to get a call, even if just for a moment. That's all. Now don't get all "oh, what is wrong". Nothing is wrong. I have my kids and huband but it is nice to hear from someone else once in awhile. Another adult maybe. I just was thinking how crazy it all is. But I won't lie, I know that right after I push save and publish post, I will be checking out other blogs. One of my goals is to call someone every week or just once in awhile to see how they are doing. It just seems crazy how long I go with out seeing my next doors neighbors and the only time I really see my brother and sis in law and my own sister, whom live in my same neighborhood, seconds away, is at our parents house, in West Jordan, for crying out loud. Yes we are all busy but still that is no excuse to become hermits in our own homes. It'll be winter soon and then we'll all become like bears and hibernate. Oh well just some rambling thoughts........

Just wanted to let everyone know that at 6:13pm tonight Zach took 3 steps!!!!!! My friend Holly must have thought I was crazy, because I was calling her to send Jacob home for dinner and right when she answered it happened. I was screaming and excited and said "Zach took 3 steps just now" then I calmed down and asked her to send Jacob home. Whew, what a night!!

If you ever wanted to know what I looked like when I was a kid, well here you go. Amber and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. I still remember everything from kindergarten until present. This picture was taken at a Scouting program for our brothers. The scout leaders then were very artsy. Their house was painted in all pastel colors on the outside and then inside the mother painted murals on the walls. Anywho, they had large tee-pees in their back yard, seriously, as tall as the house, therego the big head dresses and facepaint. I just love pictures that remind me of when I was young. (sigh...)

I guess lunch time is a bit boring. It puts Zach right to sleep!

A Day out with Grandma and Grandpa

This summers adventure with grandma and grandpa Schmalz for Samantha was Thanksgiving Point Farms. Samantha loves the day that she spends with her grandparents. They like to take every kid individually so that it is their special day. Because it is their day then they will take the child where ever they want to eat. Since there is not a whole lot of options , McDonalds was the choice and Samantha said she was hungry. So when they went in side to order and asked what she would like to eat, she ordered a sundae. That's all, nothing else. So of course that is what she got and when she came home she was happy as a clam and told us all about her great day at the Farms, looking at the animals, riding the pony and getting drenched at the water area. All in all it was a great day. Thank you mom and dad for taking the time to be with your grandkids they (and we) love you both very much.

Park City 2008

Every year our family goes up to Park City with Ben's family. His parents are gracious enough to share their time share with the family and we always have a wonderful time. I thought this collage would be better then individual pictures. The hotel behind all the pictures is where we all stayed. I think we were on top floor and we had such a beautiful view of the Alpine slide area and the mountain. We appreciate the time we get to share with our family and hope the tradition continous.

My grandmother was a big part of my life. We used to go over to her house every Sunday. Smells I can remember were bananas and spearmint gum. She is the best grandmother and loved her family very much. She was a faithful member of the church and I believe she served mostly in the primary, which would make sense since children loved her. She helped people out in any way that she could. She loved my grandfather and her three boys very much. I am so thankful for her for raising such a wonderful son, who is now my father and my childrens' grandfather whom they love very much.

(quote via my good friend Amber. I hope that it is ok that I used it.)

Don't worry I am still alive and kicking. I haven't been the greatest about this lately. I have just been busy with work since Ben has been here as much. And I have to admit a little just blaw about it. I have really cute pictures but they are soo past the date it would be the longest blog in the world.

Just an update, I suppose I'll add pictures later :-)

Samantha's birthday came and went. She didn't have a party this year but a family party. Ok the family party is every year but we've decided that a party every year is too much and Jacobs birthday is just 2 weeks after hers. He just had the family party too. I meant to give a friend party but I just didn't have time to put something together. I feel bad about it, although I think he is over it, I still wish I was a better mom that way. Next year for sure! Plus I don't mind having stuff for him through out the year. Maybe a sleep over with a friend. One at a time. Slowly but surely.

Zach is 9 months old and cute as ever. He has both his front teeth and loves to walk the furniture. He can stand a second on his own but then plops down. I think he is growing way to fast. Here is a scrapbook layout that my friend did for a site she contributes to. She is talented and a great photographer.

I just love this picture of Zach!! (btw: you can see her work on twopeasinapod.com)

Thanks for looking. I'll add more later

School Teachers

Ok Ladies, here is who my kids have for school. I didn't really see anyone who has them so I am sad about that but if you know someone who does, let me know :-)

Samantha - B Track - Mrs Hutchings

Jacob - B Track - Mrs Cowley

Thomas (nephew) - B Track - Mr Cox

I can honestly say that I feel yucky. Tried to be strong but I just can't do it and just really need to sleep.

I totally have not been keeping up on this blog lately. I have some really cute picture but just feel like I am too busy to post them. Although, I am not too busy to ready Sherian's blog, which by the way is so fun to read. I know, I should just do it but am not motivated. I have been busy with work so I haven't been able to during the day and then when night comes I am just to tired or to lazy! Oh well, I will try to see what I come up with tomorrow ;-]

I don't have a picture yet but while I was feeding Zach this morning I can see 2 itsy bitsy little teeth coming in. They are his bottom front teeth. Boy, he is breaking the mold that kid. Crawling early, wanting to walk like no other, and now these 2 little teeth.

future teeth?

Standing Tall

Jacob came into my office this morning to tell me Zach was crying in his room. I should be the one crying! Take a look....

He's growing up too fast!

Free Riding...

Yes, I'm free, free ridin'. Yeah I free, free ridin'... Today, July 8, 2008 is a memorable day. Why? You ask. Today is the day that both Samantha and Jacob started riding their bikes. Who knew that when Ben bought 2 scooters for him and Jon that the kids would use them all the time and get their balance down. Jacob started yesterday and Samantha tried today with success! Here are the momentous occasions.

Samantha's bike riding event. We are sooooo proud of her!!

Jacob's ride....look at speedy, he just loves racing with everyone.

Good job, kids!!!!

To my wonderful sisters and mom,

I love you all very much and don't know what I would do with out any of you!!

Catalina Island Boat from ship to Catalina Island.

My older sistas, Denise and Debby.

The 3 girls...best friends

You'd never know that there was such a huge gap in age between us OK between me and them. Either I look older or they look younger. I am going to stick with the later :-)

Here is the Queen Mary, the girls and the ship in the back. Yes my mom is the queen of our family, but the boat behind us is called the Queen Mary. It is thought to be haunted.

This picture was taken on the Queen Mary by the pool inside the ship. As I said it is thought to be haunted. It was wierd being in there. There was no sunlight and the lights were dim. Spooky enough for me!!

Me and Denise on a boat ride back from Catalina Island. Can you tell we are sisters? If you hear us talking then you'd know it for sure :-)

Mom and Debby on the same boat ride. It was raining that day, not very cruise like but we had fun anyways.

Denise, Mom and Debby. We went on a glass bottom boat and saw tons of fish. Don't say too may oohs and aahhs, really they bait them in under the boat with fish food.

All in all, we had an awesome time from the airport, to the crazy driving of our taxi van driver to the ship, which is another story in and of itself, to the fun time on the ship. We really need to go again! My mom loved it!!!! She really got into all the games and shows they had on the ship. Ok, that is another story by itself too!!!! Love you all!!!!

I am so proud of Jacob! He started Tee-Ball this month and is really quite good for not playing much of any sport. I love the way he is enthusiastic about his games! He asks me early in the week what day it is and counts down the days to his game. The city puts the kids in teams by their school grade they are in at the time of sign up. Jac was in K at the time (because of his b-day being in September, which was a good thing if you ask me but that is another story) and his team is so cute. Their first game, as one parent described today, was "like herding cats", which I totally agree but it is still cute!! This game all the kids where there and all of them hit the ball quite well. We just need to practice catching and throwing. Jacob just wants to hit home runs and tag people out, which is what you are supposed to do.

Jacob playing pitch position

Up to bat..

3rd base, waiting to run home

High Five....
Snacks for a good game!!!
GOOD JOB JACOB!!!!!!!!!!!

And the grass grows greener still..

Where we were.....

Monday June 16th...........

1 week later........

Where we want to be........

singing, singing all the way!!!

Apparenly we should be able to fertilize and mow the grass by the week of July 13th!!!!!