summers over?

I can't believe how fast this summer went by. School starts monday for us all so I guess it's back to the old grind stone. Summer was pretty quiet this year but still fun. We spent days at the lake swimming, girls camp, scout camp, working and relaxing. Sadly we never did get to go camping but it is hard to find the time with so many people and their different schedules. I have learned that as the kids become teenagers and pre teen that friends take presedent over anything else. I have become a surrogate mother to most of Nikieshia friends and they even call me mom. This way I got my girls but can send them home too. worked out well. We had a border with us for a couple weeks. Alex's friend Ivan had some trouble at home and stayed with us for a while. He now is just like one of the family when he is over and fits right in. He's still not quite sure of the teasing I give him but will have learn that is only because we like him. My home is the official hang out place for anyone and everyone it seems. I got up one morning before anyone else and walked into the family room and there sat a group of boys. friends of the kids. Kind of shocking but glad they feel safe here. However there are some days I do say NO friends I need a break. ha yea right.
A big event that happened this summer was Dakota's baptism the date was decided on suddenly so it was just us but was still special. Dakota was so excited. Our bishop baptised him and one of the councelors confirmed him. I have pictures but have not found the cord to my camera so can not post them at this time.
The family reunion was loads of fun as usual. we all enjoyed ourselves despite the teasing of dad about my nose ring. but that comes with the territory.
I do have a bit of sad news, my best friend here has moved to Salt Lake and I am feeling a bit lost without her. She was having some hard times and chose to move closer to her mom. I wish her all the best and love her lots. Now i have to figure out what to do with myself when I need to get away.
that is the basic happenings of our summer. Hope everyone is ready to get back to school and into their routines. I sure hope that we are

summer

So haven't posted for a while because nothing exciting has been going on but will let ya know about life in Idaho Falls. Nikieshia had her cheer camp and learned to do pyramids and got really sore but I think she had a good time. DJ and Devanee had a yard sale last week and decided they wouldn't do that anytime again soon but they didn't do to bad. now they just need to clean up their mess :) Alex got ordained to a priest and is pretty nervous about breaking the bread more so than saying the prayer go figure. Dakota will be getting baptised this month. I think we are going to do it on July 31. seems like there is something every weekend so hopefully that is the real date. Tristen is finishing up summer school I think he is glad for that to be over. Braxton is looking forward to football starting up again now that basketball is over. I think our calendar is decided by sport to sport anymore. Thats ok I wouldn't have it any other way. Our next few weeks are filled with the 4th of July celebration and then on to the family reunion. can't wait to see everyone!

2010 Commencement

So yesterday was DJ's commencement. they spent the day fishing (his least favorite thing to do) He is such a city boy he wore white shorts to sit at a lake and fish Hello!! They went to Mesa falls after fishing and fed the fish. They spent the day there and came home around 4:30. He thinking a girl could get ready for a prom in 45 mins. hurried and got dressed and was anxious to leave. We were supposed to go take pictures at the part but when she still hadn't arrived at 6:30 that plan went out the window. I had the flowers at my house so her mom brought her here to pick up DJ (role reversal) We took lots of pictures and then they were off to pick up their friends. they went to a nice resturant for dinner and spent the rest of the night dancing in the moon light as the dance was outside next to the river. They looked gorgous and I am not one bit prejudice. Brings back old memories!!

Nikieshia has some good news of her own. She made the cheer team at Rocky Mountain Middle School. She decided to try something different next year and I am so proud of her and excited for her. she is really excited too.

how time flies

Yesterday was DJ's 17th b-day. wow I still remember the day he was born. I don't feel like it's been that long. He spent the day with Devanee and then we all had dinner over at grandpa combe's for his and Maxine's b-day. It was fun to be with the family.
Dakota is playing flag football again this year and he loves it. He is getting really good too. I love to watch them play. I don't like getting up at 7 on saturdays though for the games.
Nikieshia is wrapping up dance for the year and I think she is going to try out for cheer for next year to see if she likes that. if not she will stay with Dance. Either way it is good for my little social butterfly.
Older kids went and did baptisms for the dead last week. I think it was a great experience for them. it was Nikieshia and Braxton's first time going. DJ had to work so he didn't get to go.
Tristen is just hanging out waiting for school to get out. Alex is his argumentative self. and Braxton can't keep his mind off girls already, what up with that? Me still working and just holding out for summer break. been very stressful this year so vacation will be welcomed.
Spent easter at mom's we had a good time playing basketball and especially when Dalen and I beat dj and Braxton. sweet victory!
One more month of school and I think we are all counting down.

positive thinking

So we are attempting to do positive thinking at our house this week. Imagine it with teenagers. some are having a harder time than others. kinda funny when you catch them not doing it.
So Dan is home and so far has been doing well adjusting back into the hectic family life of ours. We didn't let him ease into it either, it was all or nothing and he went for it all. It is nice to have him home.
DJ has a real job now which is nice. especially once he gets paid and he will hopefully stop asking me for money for a change. He works with Devanee and for Her dad at O'Callahans setting up banquets and serving at them. I think he likes it. He's been doing it off and on for a while but now he is officially on the schedule.
I learned today that I get to go to Boise for a three day training in may. Never have got to go on an out of town one of those so I am excited for that. All the center managers are going together so it will be educational and fun all in one.'
Pinewood derby is coming up next week. Even the mutual kids are doing it and so we are excited to compete against each other. Should be a fun time. This is Tristen's first one and he is way excited. Dakota can't wait for next year when he gets to do it as well.

just keep hangin on..

So as many of you have heard Dan is in the Hospital due to going off his meds and thinking bad thoughts and actions. He Went in on friday and is still there. have no word as to when he will be getting out. But my family thanks all of you who have written or called and kept us in your prayers. it has helped us more than you know. We love you all
the three older boys went on a scout trip last weekend and apparantly it got to -20. They thought they were going to freeze to death. Poor Braxton he will never want to go on another camp out again. They were all home by 7:30 sat morning when they weren't supposed to be home till noon. Kinda funny. Then on Sunday Braxton got ordained. it was a neat experience. sadly the bishop had to do it since Dan couldn't be there but we didn't want to wait he needed to recieve this and the blessing that came along with it.
Nikieshia had another dance competition last weekend and they placed first again in their jazz and lyrical. pretty cool. They now are having a professional come in and teach them a new hip hop dance and she is pretty excited for that. and the fact that she can go down in her splits now. she has been working on that for a while and finally made it. yea kieshia!

first place

Nikieshia had her first dance competition last weekend and they took first in jazz and first in lyrical in their division. Dan and I went and watched friday night and it was amazing some of the moves those girls can do. It was alot of fun to watch. They did soooo good. I am so proud of her. I took pictures with my phone but couldn't figure out how to zoom in so you can't tell which one she is so I won't post them.
Sadly my team lost the superbowl but I still love the colts, they are my team. and unfortunatly Tristen and Carri rubbed my face in the loss and on top of all that Alex abandoned me and joined the other team. what a sad day.
Braxton had a good b-day or so he says which is good. He had friends over for the superbowl so they all had fun routing for their team.(which lost)
hope you all have a wonderful Valentines and spend it with the ones you love

chugging along

so I can't say alot has happened since the las post. Nikieshia has moved on into the competition phase of her dance and I think once they get the music problems down they will do great. As many of you know Superbowl is a big deal at my house since football is one of the main past times of my kids, so usually we all have different teams we route for and have a big rival at our house. This year not so much. all of us but Tristen are voting for the same team. The Colts of course ( that is so my team) Sadly I think i might miss the rubbing in the face of how bad the other persons team is doing. we shall see.
Braxton's 12th b-day is Sat. where has the time gone? He is now going to be old enough for Mutual and passing of the sacrament. he isn't really looking forward to that however but it is an exciting time for him.
Work has been a bit stressful for some reason this year but I have a good staff and we are all muddling through it. Makes a big difference when you can share the harder times with others you work with. However middle management is a bit difficult alot of the time I am learning.
So Happy valentines to you all hope you all have someone to spend the day with and have a good one.

combe update

So we all survived christmas and everyone had a great time. so great in fact that we forgot to take any pictures. how sad are we. Tristen got the bike he has been wanting forever now if the snow and ice would go away he would be able to ride it. Alex got a Brandon Marshall jersey and has yet to have taken it off. at least we will have gotten our moneys worth. Dj got his own cell phone and no longer has to steal dan's and I can always find him now. Nikieshia got a stereo and never leaves her room unless it is to go to the mall with her friends. Braxton got his mp3 and now has his ears plugged at all times and can really ignore us when we ask him to do something. Dakota got a ps2 game and now we are not allowed to watch tv as the game is always on. all in all it was great. very relaxing and went by too fast.

New years was pretty quiet. we all stayed home and played games and watched movies. Devanee was over and a couple other friends of the kids but it wasn't too hectic. We all ate too much as usual and now are regretting it as the new year has begun.

Dan's grandmother passed away this week and we went to the funeral yesterday. None of us had been to a native american funeral and it was definately diffferent than we were used to. It was good however to get to meet all of Dan's family and man were there alot of them. After the services and she was loaded in the herse we got in the precession line and come to find out that there were two funerals going on at the same time and we went to the burial of the wrong person. We didn't realize this till after we had all thrown our hand fulls of dirt on the casket and looked around and didn't recignize anyone. But it was all ok because we found out she was a relative on his dad's side so we hit two families funerals in one day, by accident of course but we were covered on both sides. We also got to see his Dad and his wife. Hopefully that will be our fill of funerals for the year.