Happiness Is.....

1. knowing someone loves you
2. the smell of rain (in wa.)
3. bare feet on fresh cut grass
4. hearing a testimony born
5. laughing so hard your cheeks hurt
6. taking pictures of sweet smiles
7. organizing!
8. walking through a clean house
9. eating yummy bbq
10. making someone else feel loved
11. remembering the "old days"
12. hugging my husband and nestling my face in his neck...smells so good.
13. attending the temple
14. almond toasted sesame dressing
15. serving the youth of our church...they are halarious!
16. driving the car with the windows completely down and the music completely up
17. looking at old pictures of family and friends
18. talking to a best friend that really knows you
19. working in the garden
20. feeling the holy ghost bear witness of truth
21. having a water fight
22. snuggling
23. reading the scriptures and listening to latterday prophets
24. talking to old and new friends
25. taking long and warm bubble baths

I tag: Robin, Lindsay, Kate, Judy, Hilary, and Bobbi

My Favorite Part of the Day was.....

Jacob is on swings, ahhh...these weeks used to be hard since I had an 18 month old that wanted mommy, and brand new baby that needed me, night were the most dreaded hours. But, now that they are each older, these nights are fun. We get to hang out with Daddy longer in the mornings, and he doesn't have to go to work on Friday...and we love that part!

I was in charge of F.H.E. all by myself, which wasn't too hard this night (although unusual). The kids were rather pooped, and although Chase kept asking for juice (propel) in a bottle, he was content to play quietly while I taught about Adam and Eve. We sang (well, I sang) "I am a Child of God" and then Chase said the prayer (at least we know when he says amen). My lesson was quick, and Kelton knew most of the story already. Then Kelton got to pick the song and say the prayer (since we're missing Daddy). We got to sing "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam". Right before Kelton said the prayer, I said, "My favorite part of the day today was, Hugging Chase, helping Kelton do some of his "homework" pages in his book, and rocking with Taelin."

Here's the sweet part...Chase looked at me and said, "juise peease?" and Kelton said, "My favorite part of the day was holding Taelin on my lap, riding bikes with Chase and that's it!" Oh how quick I am not to listen to his sweet voice sometimes. He is such a sweetie! Yes, all kids have their moments, but its these sweet ones to capture and try to remember.

It's offically our tradition. Being positive and grateful. What's your...favorite part of the day?

8-15-08 Choffin Family BBQ

Just after we got back from Warm River, Uncle Chas (my dad's older brother) and his family came to visit! Chas, Rita and Morgan (Lauren is working in Virginia) all came to visit for 4 days and it was so much fun to see them after so long! Dad's biological mother passed away earlier this summer, and has brought her children closer together. After being raised apart and not being in contact until their adult lives. We are happy to have them back in our lives...and really enjoyed spending time together. It was weird to see my Dad and Chas together, and their mannerisms and what they would say were crazy alike! My mom and Rita were like two girlfriends and Talea and Morgan were also joined at the hip. Chase, who is usually shy to new people, warmed right up to Uncle Chas a couple nights before the BBQ, and by then was so comfy with him, he was climbing all over him and playing. It was so good to see my dad and Chas together...there's nothing like brothers shooting the breeze.

8-14-08 Late Night with Chase

So, Chase had a double nap this day, daddy put him down early (about 11:00) before leaving for work, but then by 4:00 he was a bear! He woke up around 5:30, which meant, a late night with Mommy. I really love having them one-on-one time. It's actually fun for me, because I can still get done the chores and stuff I need, but we also get to have fun together. I really enjoyed watching him play with the tool set, figuring out how to twist them up or down. He was concetrating SO hard...such a thinker!!!!

2008 Olympics- LOVIN' IT!!

For all of you who know, when we were younger, we were swimmers (the 4 oldest choffin kids) but Kyle really kept with it into High School and was really dedicated to it.

We have really enjoyed the olympics this year, watching the amazing swims, both done by Phellps and MANY other great swimmers. Torres smoothed the officals to let her competitor get a new suit after it ripped, Coughlin cleaned house in the shorter distance frees and some back, and the huge upset by Lazek in the relay and Soni in the 200 Breaststroke.

It has been crazy, us yelling at the TV and laughing at what we see. Jacob and I have just been addicted to watching the competitions, even as late as they are. We've really enjoyed our DVR though- skipping all of those hours of commercials!

So, yeah to great competition and although this year there seem to be some major upsets and sweeps....we've been enjoying it like never before! GO USA!!!

Family Blogs

For all of those who know and love my family....they have blogs now! Check 'em out under Choffin Family and the Payne Family. Lindsay's little girl Rylin is ADORABLE and they have the cutest video of her "hi" on there! Thanks guys for sharing those moments we miss! Love you!

08-12-08 Playin' Round the House

Since it has been such a short growing season...our first cucumber!

And yes, he is kissing it! :)

Kelton and Me (also taking the picture) eating cantelope. I'm totally squishing his face! :) He loves to take pictures of us together. I love you buddy!

WE HAVE GRASS!! It's sparse in some areas...but we have it! Now we're just finishing the walk way, putting up the gate, and then next years' projects of the play area and the garden! Wa-La!

Chase being silly just after I mowed the grass. Kelton was playing at his friends house...Taelin sleeping. The boys LOVE to walk on the curbing! It's all comin' along!

8-8-08 thru 8-11-08 Warm River Camping!

My family went camping at warm river. My parents were there since last Wednesday, Lindsay and Ryun went up on Thursday night, and we went up after Jacob got off work on Friday. We got our own site, but just over a little hill from my parents. The first night was CRAZY with the kids being awnry and us trying to get things set up. Chase and Taelin were up all sorts of the night, and I think I got about 1 1/2-2 hours of sleep total. Jacob let me take a nap with Chase the next day so I wasn't a total bear. The second night, Taelin and Chase both woke up once, and then after a quick settling, were back down until 8:00 am. Couldn't beat that! The next night was FREEZING! Even Jacob was cold! They were up more, but once we played musical sleeping arrangements and the kids realized it was too cold to get up and play, they were out. Mr. Kelton (picture below with jake and chase in the tent) was out COLD...no pun intended. That kid didn't even realize how cold it was because he was zonked hard core. It was a blast! Kelton is a true fisherman...he could fish all day, and most of the time he did. He actually got a real lure on his pole this year, which freaked me out- but only my dad got almost damaged from his encounter with Kelton fishing beside him and got a graze of the lure. Sorry Dad!! Chase's new word before we went was "fish" which sounds more of a "f" and "shhh" sound...but he loved it. We all floated down the river, but Mom was the big fish and kept floatin' and floatin'! She loved it....Chase would go with anyone that would take him. He also loved his "fishin' pole" which just consisted of a weight. Oh well. It was SO much fun, we are looking into used camper to go more but not have to deal with the cold and running in the middle of the night to the car for breathing treatments (jacob's miserable job)!!!

The kids had a blast with family. Rylin loved the play yard, and it was nice to have the kids go off with aunts and uncles and play. Thanks guys for being so helpful!

okay, all the boys had to pee in the bushes, and poor chase felt left out. here is how we found him minutes after kelton ran to them to make his own "mud"

just after we all floated! mom's amazing couch floater popped! Taelin was the only one to not float...maybe next time.

chase took a late nap, and so we got his totally awake kid, who was growling and boppin' his head to his own music right before we turned off the lights.

Mr. Fisherman. (still holding his arm- we had to remind him that he had to straighten it)

Talking About His 1st Milkshake (w/ a stuffy nose)

Giggle Girl