Trunk-Or-Treat Fun...

Another "I DID IT!"...

Although this accomplishment is more mental/creative/crafty than physical, I'm still quite proud of myself. Eryn Jane wanted to
be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and I dared to sew her a dress.


I was nervous but, I FINISHED and ON TIME! She was able to wear it to our ward's Trunk-or-Treat party tonight. It was fun too! Of course, I did have to stay up until about two in the morning last night, but who hasn't done that for their kids before....right. Especially when they end up looking as cute as this little girl does...

FHE Pumpkin Carving

My Little Gangsta...

A cute onsie that his Aunt Kaci bought for him FINALLY fits...so cute!

I was able to capture Will's " turtle-face " When he makes this face we call him Turtle

He Sleeps...

This boy FINALLY fell asleep on his own.. with out being rocked, bounced, swung, etc....

Eryn's a cute little helper

I DID IT!!!

The Chandler Challenge...

I ran my first 10K! It was AWESOME!!! I can see myself getting addicted! Of course, it wouldn't have been so great if my lovely sister, Danielle, hadn't done it with me. She was awesome! It was a lot of fun spending time with her and having her there to push me along! Thanks Dan, I love ya!

Dani & I running in. We were almost the last ones, but we didn't care. I was just thrilled to finish! Lovely picture, I know!

Jens was a great support as well! He came, with all 4 kids in tow, to see us off and watch us come in. He was there to cheer us on and congratulate us. It felt good to know that he was proud of me and it was great to hear my kids say that they were proud of me as well. I think their favorite part was all the oranges, apples & bananas. (I've NEVER seen my kids eat so much fruit before!) My mom was there also with Ryann & Max. Thanks Jens, kids & Mom for being there!

It's been a great day! Very empowering....Dani and I are looking for the next 10K, then, maybe I'll be ready for the half marathon in February with Kaci & Dani? (Are you with us, Christine?)

Dear Friends...

We were so lucky to have Tanya & Hannah come and visit us. We only had them for one night, but we had so much fun with them here. We just hung out and talked, then we headed to the ribbon store and out to eat with just the girls. We had some delicious salads at Chili's, but when it was time to go we couldn't start the car....my battery had died. Luckily, Jens came to our rescue. Then we watched the Thursday shows and went to bed. The next morning we talked over breakfast, did some Yoga, and then crafted. We worked on hairbows for Hannah Banana. They turned out so cute and it was a lot of fun crafting with Tanya, as always. We took a break and took Eryn to school and picked up some sandwiches at Subway. The cutest part was that Hannah wanted a drink really badly, but had to wait til we got home to open her chocolate milk. She was very upset so we gave her a drink of Jens's lemonade..after one sip she kept asking for "Memonade" It was too cute! I also love how she says "yes" to everything..instead of yeah! Adorable!
We had such a good time with you both here. Hannah has gotten so big and it was so much fun to see her cute personality and beautiful smile and hilariously contagious laugh. She just brightens up our house and we wish you all lived closer so that you could frequent our home more often!!! Tanya, thanks for listening to me babble. I love that I can totally be myself with you and how silly we can get! It's too much fun having you around...I miss it! We love you! Thanks for visiting!

I Like Random Things That Make No Sense...

They make me laugh...

Happy Birthday Oma & Danielle...

Jens's mom, Barbara, and my sister, Danielle, have the same birthday. October 13th! I just want to wish them both a wonderful day and tell them that we love them so much!



We had a birthday dinner for Oma at our house this evening with Jens's family. Melanie made Gulasch & Melissa brought Marie Calendar Pies. It was very delicious! We had a great time!
Oma with all of her grandchildren...


Also, our niece, Natalee, was blessed this morning. Dan gave her a beautiful blessing and we were so glad we could be there for it! All these special times we don't have to miss out on now that we're back home by our family.
Melissa, Heidi, Dan & Natalee Marina (she was just a little sad here)...

Whats Up?

This is Reagan and William..

Reagan is such a good Big Sister and such a big help to me sometimes! She loves to hold her baby brother and it saves me when she does. Here she is after Activity Days. I've been called as the 8 yr old Activity Days Leader and I love it. So much fun! This last week we made Scripture Jars...an activity I got from Sugar Doodle! The girls had a great time....so did I. It gives Reagan and I an excuse to be crafty and make a big mess! It's fun to share the time with her!
Jens had the day off on Friday and took the kids to the AZ State Fair. We were all supposed to go together, but William was sick, so I ended up staying home with him. He is still not feeling well so, I have spent the last two days holding him, rocking with him, cuddling with him. His little voice is soo horse and he kind of whines instead of cries....it's sooo sad! Jens calls him the "Hairless Wookie!" My poor little man.
The kids have been with Oma today and are spending the night with her. They were so excited. I'll have them post on their blogs about their time with Oma and I'll have Jens post about the State Fair. Will and I don't know too much......we've been stuck at home.

canning,canning & more canning...

Oh, and making jam!
I've been busy this week! Peaches and pears and raspberries all came in at the same time. So, my nights have been occupied and I've had trouble finding the time to update our blog. Can you imagine that? Craziness! But, it's my first time canning fruit and I do enjoy it! The best feeling is when you're all done and you're pantry is stocked full!
My kids have been off of school for the past week and 1/2. They go back next Wednesday. I think that we are all ready! We're going kinda crazy! We haven't really been able to go anywhere or do anything special because we're saving up our $ for Germany next summer. We start planning with Jens's family this Sunday! We're very excited!
Will is eating cereal now! Such a big boy! By his facial expressions it doesn't seem like he likes it very much, but he still eats it. I think it's helping him keep from spitting up, so that is a very good thing!


To those who live here in the Valley, I'm sure you're feeling weird about seeing all the Halloween decor around when it still feels like summer! If you're not maybe I'm the only one. But I gave in and let my kids decorate and pick out their costumes. Briggs is going to be the same ol' Scary Skeleton with black hooded cape and bloody sword guy! (I tried to deter him, yet again! Didn't work!) But, my girls have decided to be Dorothy and the Wicked Witch and we got Will a lion costume (since he likes to make growling noises!) They'll be so cute! I'll post pics as soon as I get them.
That's it for now! Nothing really major to report! Although, I would like to pass along that my friend Laurie & I have started sewing cute burp cloths for baby gifts. We've created a blog to kind of show them off.....a little business on the side. Ya know, something that started as..." Oh, we could make this... "
So, check it out and if you need baby gifts you know where to look! It's called krissi lu's under WHAT A SITE...
our cute smiling boy!

On Saturday the kids were helping us wash our cars. Will was sitting in his Bumbo (loves it!) and watching Briggs playing with his remote control Hummer! He loved it! He couldn't keep his eyes off of it! The funny part was when Briggs kept driving it in a circle around Will's chair! I actually thought his head was going to start spinning!

Eryn Jane Dunford Stars In...

Now, I thought that Eryn would "love" this because she loves anything HSM! and can't wait to see the new movie, but...yeah BIG BUT....she started crying. She said it's too embarrassing. I think because her character dances with Troy! OH! SOOO embarrassing!!! How could I be so mean! I got her to let me put it on my blog... just not HER blog! Little does she know that she doesn't have one. But, I'm not going to tell her that because it's just TOO CUTE! Am I horrible?

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Happy Birthday To Us...

Yes, Jens and I had a fabulous birthday. We went to Briggs & Eryn Jane's soccer games. Briggs is learning to be more aggressive and Eryn scored her first goal. They're doing so great and having a fun time! Oma came to watch and then took us all to Paradise Bakery for a delicious lunch and cookies, yum! Thanks Oma, we love you!
We hung out at home for some R&R and then Grandma came over to watch "all" the kids so Jens and I could go out to eat. Jens was craving mini chimis at Macayos. We picked up an ice cream cake and brought it home so the kids could help us celebrate. Eryn was very excited! And Will was very good for my mom! No crying! (hallelujah!) He still has not taken a bottle as of yet, but we're working on it. Thanks Grandma! we love you too!


Eryn thought it was funny to blow out our candles!

Thanks for all the well wishes from all our fam and friends on our Birthday! We feel the love and it made our birthdays so special!!!

Jensy's New Site

Jens has a new site. I added the link as well. JD Hogz blog

Go SunDevils...

Jens got season tickets to ASU Football this year. We didn't get to go last weekend. Tonight he took Briggs & Reagan. They just got back and had a great time. Briggs loved it and Jens bought him a hat. Jens said that Briggs was screaming and cheering with all the fans around them, running up and down the aisles give high fives and that Reagan had a hard time following along. Here's a picture from his iphone.

Super Post...

So, I feel like I type the same title on every post. "Long time, No post!" To be honest, I'm very burned out with the whole blogging thing. The only reason I'm trying to keep going is because a) it is the only journaling I do & 2. I've had requests to update. Yeah, I know, I'm so needed....so very special! I do thank you for noticing, it does make me feel good!
So, on to the update.
Well, lots has happened. My baby boy, Will, was blessed on the first Sunday in August. Wow, one month ago, I can't believe it. Will did well (ha) and Jens gave him the sweetest most beautiful blessing. I remember feeling my testimony of Priesthood Power strengthened. How lucky and blessed I am to have it in my home. Jens is the best of husbands and fathers and so very worthy to hold this power. I'm so very proud of him and grateful that I have him in my life! It was a special day! Most of our family and lots of good friends, some we haven't seen in a while, were in attendance and that made it very nice. We felt the love and want to thank them all for it.

To tell you a little about this newest member in our family....he is a STINKER! and we love him like crazy!
He is quick to smile and laugh and learn. ( Jens just walked in and was like, "WOW...Blogging!" It's a miracle. ) He just learned how to spit or blow his lips, blow bubbles....I'm not sure how to explain it. Jens taught him and now we both wish he hadn't because he loves to do his new trick and spits and slobbers twice as much. But, it makes him so happy, he's so very proud of himself, it's funny. We'll have to get some video of him and post it for you. He's also using his hands and grabbing at toys and our faces. He loves to growl and give kisses and most of all, he loves to be held. He sleeps well, all night, in fact, but during the day if he's not being held he's in an uproar and gets very very mad. He also loves to be read to. His favorite books are If You Give A Mouse A Cookie and Where The Wild Things Are . They were Briggsy's favorites as well.

This is Will smiling in his sleep. He does that a lot!


Kaci's birthday was on the 9th of August. We got together on her day off and had breakfast. Such a good Aunt....the kids absolutely adore her.... Happy Birthday Kaki!


What else, what else...Oh! We went up North over Labor Day weekend. We rented a cabin in Overgaard, just south of Heber. We hung out there and Jens's mom came with us. It was a lot of fun, very relaxing. We roasted marshmallows, gazed at the stars, ran, walked & fished in the rain, we were cold (amazing, I loved it!), We didn't want to come home!









The main reason for heading up north was to attend an open house for my nephew Jonathan and his new bride Lindsey. So, most of my family was there as well and it was very nice. It turned out beautifully! The cousins always love to get together and play. They played outside for most of the evening. Near the end of the party, Briggs brought in a toad....YES, a toad! It looked fake, I didn't believe it was real, but it was. Too bad I didn't get a picture. I was too busy freaking out telling him to put it back and wash his hands. I get kind of paranoid sometimes. I need to remember that boys will be boys.
Jonathan & Lindsey. Don't they look great together...

You can see where Johnny gets his good looks from. My brother David & his wife Cindy...


We decided to take some pictures of us also...since we were all dressed up...




This weekend was Briggs & Eryn's very first soccer games of the season. Both of their games started at 11am. So, I only got to watch Eryn play. They both posed for pictures before.
Not even playing yet and already roasting...

She decided her picture would be better if she posed with this feather...

They both did a great job, despite the heat. Briggs actually got sick, a little heat stroked and started to throw up, ew. But he was a real trooper and stuck it out and did awesome. Eryn was funny. I think she's going to love this sport. It was so hot that every time someone kicked the ball out she would raise her hand to come out. We had to make her stay in, but she didn't complain, she pushed through and did great. We walked back to Briggsy's game and sat in the shade. She ate some cotton candy that Reagan shared with her and with soaked clothes and a bright red & sweaty face said, "This is the BEST DAY EVER!"

I love this picture...What a kick!


So, thats my month of August in a nutshell! What a month! It's taken me FOREVER to put this post together. I hope I haven't burnt myself out again.
Oh Wait! I knew I was forgetting 2 very special somethings! We want to WELCOME...
Davin Troy Gazeley born: July 27th &...


Natalee Marina Stevens born: August 14th


We are so very happy that both of these precious babies arrived safely and that Mom's are doing very well. Both are very special to our hearts. So much fun to have future playmates for Will!
So....if you've gotten through this super post you're amazing! Lots of love to you all and, hopefully, I'll talk to you soon!