Disney on Ice

Family fun night with friends!  We went to see Disney on Ice.  The boys really didn't know who most of the characters were since they're mostly princesses, but they still enjoyed the show.  Here's just a few pics to highlight our evening out.

Yes, they get crazy hair if I let it go too long without a haircut.  Koen is sporting the "if you put me in an alleyway I could be mistaken for a homeless child" look.

Kael just happens to be having a better hair day than his brother.

Halloween Festivities

Halloween time and the boys wanted to be..... you guessed it Mario (Koen) and Luigi (Kael).  No surprise there! 

Right before we head out the door to go trick-or-treating.

Family Halloween Party.  Some of the kids.  Aidan, Kael, Jace, Hannah, Koen, Brody and Klayton.

We went on the Heber Creeper up the canyon and they let off everyone to pick out a pumpkin out of a pumpkin patch and decorate it.

With our freshly decorated pumpkins we headed back down the canyon with hot chocolate and cookies!

I ran the Provo Halloween Half-Marathon with my sister Kim and Sister-in-law Kyrsten.  I picked the Where's Waldo costume because I thought it would be appropriate in picking me out of the thousands of people running that morning.  It just so happened that it was my first half marathon and although I did survive, I learned some very valuable lessons..... 

1-     DON'T run 13.3 miles in old shoes you bought back in high school

        from Payless.   

2-     DO some sort of training before signing up for such a feet of endurance. 

3-     DO get a decent breakfast with carbs.... Monster doesn't count!

Needless to say, I finished.  I ran the first 8 miles and started to crash and pretty much walked the rest of the way.  I placed right in the middle with everyone else that ran and I couldn't walk for the next 2 days because I was so sore.  I did get some good girl time in.  It was an absolute blast hanging out with the girls and chit chatting.  This pics was taken after the race.

Odds and ends from my phone

Here's all the little moments that found on my old phone.  So I'll add just a few explanations and you can enjoy the rest.  Sorry the quality isn't so good.  I assure you the new phone is much better!

Kael at the library for story time.  The kids got to hold onto a parachute and toss stuffed snakes and frogs around **it had to do with the story they read**

Koen would wait for the stuffed amphibious creatures to bounce off then he would go after then and throw them back on... what a team!

Fun day at work.  Got to sit down for a bit and chat with Harland Williams (Rocket Man, Half Baked, Dumb and Dumber, The Whole Nine Yards, etc...)  Really laid back and nice guy! 

Fourth of July Freedom Festival (Provo).  The twins and I inside a spiny-barrel-ride.

Freedom Festival.  Kael harnessed up and jumping as high as he can go.  Koen decided jumping just wasn't his thing that day.

 A few fireworks at home (July 4th) before bedtime.

Kids playing at Jump on it.

Kael's karate kick at Jump on It!

Kael shooting hoops at the park.

  

 Munch's Birthday party July 2011

Family Pics

This day was quite an accomplishment for all!  Not only was I able to coordinate ALL of my siblings and their little people but managed to take care of Christmas gifts in the long run!  On a toasty October afternoon *that's right, I said "toasty" and "October" in the same sentence* we all met at this amazing park to take family pics which I later blew up and framed to give to Dad and the sibs.

Now, I'm not going to post every one's family pics because this post would seem never ending, but here's a few that turned out with most of the kids looking and smiling.  There were much more taken but Blogger keeps flipping my pics sideways and instead of me cursing at the computer, I decided to take the high road and post a link at the bottom.  I'm so proud of me!

After a long day of smiling and posing and promising children treats beyond their wildest dreams, we made it home all in one piece and all still friends with no one having to serve a time-out sentence.... SUCCESS!!  So, not to push any more buttons, I snapped a few more with some lowly stragglers out in our backyard.  :)

To peek at some other pics taken, just go to our PhotoBucket!

Reed & Raquel Sealing Day

Well, the day finally came and what a great day it was.  We all were able to spend a two days at the Timpanogos Temple.  Day 1-Endowments and Day 2- SEALING!!  Just thinking about it makes me tear up.  I had the AMAZING opportunity to be an escort for Raquel and I gotta tell you, it is one of the biggest honors I have had!

The room was filled to the brim with tears and whether the guys like to admit it or not, we all pretty much bawled like babies.... sorry guys.

It's always a tough road no matter which walk of life you take, but when you finally are able to bring your family together to be sealed, is a feeling indescribable.

I think out of all the pictures, this one gets me every time.  My baby brother and his beautiful wife with their arms outstretched in front of the temple, calling for their Jace......   (hold on, I need a tissue)....   Even though this shot wasn't posed in any way, definitely embodies the love and beauty that family is...

Love you guys....

To see the rest of the pics, please visit my photobucket...

First Day of School!

School has officially begun!  My little cabooses are now gone for a half day of school to go mingle and learn with their peers.  *tear*  They couldn't wait and they have been counting down the months and days until they could go to school for at least 6 months now.

They both picked out a Mario Bros. backpacks.  The house is now so quiet for 3 hours Monday through Friday.  At first I didn't know what to do with myself, I just hung out missing them and waiting for school to end so I can see them again.  Now I take advantage of the free-time to get stuff done!  (do you realize how much quicker you can get through a grocery store without kids in tow?)

(Koen)

Although I am proud of myself for not losing it when I dropped them off for th first time.  I started, but quickly realized I didn't want to be *THAT* parent and send my boys mixed signals on a day they considered to be one of the happiest of their short little lives. 

(Kael) 

Up until the Christmas break they were disappointed when the weekends came because there was no school.  I kept having to say to them.. "You can go to school, but no one is going to be there."  With every milestone that comes I welcome it, but miss what I lost. 

My beautiful babies are now my beautiful boys. 

Love my guys! 

Denver

We're finally on the last leg of our crazy-extended-super-awesome-summer-vacation.  After traveling non-stop from Bear Lake to Texas, back to Bear Lake, and up to Denver with a 24 hour turn around or less... we arrived at our last stop, Denver.  Now Denver made the list because we had a new member join the Michaelson clan.  The Ben Michaelson clan to be exact.  Little Tru.  We all made the trip to meet the little guy and be there for the blessing.

Since we the ENTIRE Michaelson clan was gathered we took advantage of the opportunity, since it doesn't happen nearly as much as we'd like it too seeing how we're not all neighbors, and took a bunch of family pics.

The Money Shot!

The Michaelson Family numbers... 3 kids and 12 grand kids, and counting....

After being in the car for several hours (over 3 weeks time for some of us) this shot was not only necessary but therapeutic as well (in fact, I should have had more people strangling me here and Barry's groping was far too friendly).  After all was said and done the fact still remains... THIS FAMILY ROCKS!

The lil' kids with Grandma and Grandpa Michaelson

Boyz

The Originals

The newest form of a merry-go-round which seems to operate much more safely.  In fact, I'm happy to report that everyone who played on this modern day spinner was able to get off without any cuts, scratches or broken bones.  This version is much more user-friendly.

Kael

Koen

The kids LOVED this park.  We brought the kids here a couple time to help them get their wiggles out..... and bathe.

I had to grab a cute shot before the kids got too soggy.  LOVE IT!