Cousins!

Aren't these guys little handsome devils!

I thought I would sneak a picture while they were all together!

Maurie's First Tooth!

Maurie's teeth are coming in full force now! Right now she has three teeth with two more about to come! About time right?!!

Hurray for Spring

Spring has brought about such joy and renewal. I love this time of year where things start anew. Our flowers are starting to bloom. Our apricot is now "popping". I finished pruning three trees yesterday while the kids played in the sand box and on the swings. Maurie is so easy and she doesn't eat sand or throw sand or play in dirty corners like the boys did. She loves the dog and our cat. Our pets are quite entertaining to watch outside. Brinkley chases George around the yard, and when I play with Brinkley our cat gets jealous and tries to get the dogs attention by chases him and enticing him with a dash here and there. George kept me entertained while I pruned because he would run across the yard and up in the tree over and over again just to say hi! pretty funny
This last week was busy but fun. Ted and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary!!! and we had a fun time in Salt Lake while the kids stayed at my parents. I am lucky to have married such a sweet (and of course, manly) guy. We are excited for the next 8 years +!! Also this week, Ted and I both had eye appointments, Sam performed in a "friend" musical for school, we bought a chest of drawers for our bedroom so we could fit more clothes and limit the space, I textured our bedroom ceiling and shampooed our carpet, the kids and I went to the Dinosaur Museum and 3-D movie, I had my first basketball game for the Spanish Fork City league, Ted was preparing for a work related trip. Needless to say, we were busy and I forgot to get my camera out!!

Too busy!!

Beware of amateur construction!!

I have been occupied the last few weeks with mudding, painting, and replacing old lights and wiring new recessed lighting in our basement!

Nearly all of my time has been spent remodeling, so I apologize for not keeping up with my blog!!

Here our a couple of pictures to show our progress!

(Our walls used to be stripped down to the cement due to our flood last year, and there used to be two oblong flourescent lights that were randomly placed and wired!)

With some advice from my brother Mark I turned the breaker switch back on this last Wednesday and our house did not explode! I must admit I was a little nervous of causing a disaster!

Next comes texturing the ceiling, painting the walls, and putting up moulding!

Eating Habits!!

Maurie is at the fun age where she wears most of the food that is put in front of her! She is also a great artist with her food and she creates beautiful designs on the table and wall!

I have taught her a bad habit in drinking her milk from her cereal bowl! I have done this with each child because it prevents huge messes!!

Ribbons and Bows!

Maurie finally has enough hair to play with!

One Year Old!

Here are a few pictures of Maurie walking, she is very entertaining!!

Birthday Morning!!

I can't believe that Maurie is one year old today!! The time flies by way to fast! She has been such a joy to our family this past year! This picture is a repeat of every morning as we all bundle up to take Sam to Kindergarten. Happy Birthday Snicker-doodle chocolate-chip cookie strawberry-shortcake pants!! We love you!

Our Snow Fun!!

The boys have been having a blast in the snow this year.

Here are some of there adventures!

Maurie is Learning to Walk!

Maurie has started to walk short distances. Each day she gets a little braver!

Ward Christmas Party!

Do you think Santa knows that I've been a little naughty?!!

Josh was rambling on and on before he even got on Santa's lap!

"Who is this jolly man?"

We had a fun ward breakfast for Christmas this year! Don't you just love our Santa! All of our kids were excited to sit on his lap! Even Maurie had fun!

Snow Day!

Sam starting to make a snowman!

This is the first time he has been able to make a decent sized ball without help.

Josh decided he would be better off making a snow angel!

Jeppsen Christmas!

We had a fun Christmas party at my parents house! We did so many things I don't know where to start! Most important though is that all of the cousins had a blast!

We decorated gingerbread houses, had pizza, played in the fresh new snow, listened to Grandma read a cute version of "The Night Before Christmas," and we exchanged presents.

We are blessed!

Josh and Ted made a cute log cabin gingerbread house with delicous licorice rope fences!

Sam and I worked on a stable of sorts!

I haven't played in the snow for awhile, so it was fun to run around a little bit!

Joshie was a dare-devil on the sled!

I couldn't resist putting this one in - He is just too cute!

The grandchildren intent on Grandma's story!

Almost Stitches!

What happens when Mom tries to get ready and leaves the boys to play alone?

Luckily I had some skin glue and some butterfly bandaids! Josh was brave as always. He sure had a pretty black eye the next few days!

Our Trip on the Polar Express!

Sam and Josh in front of our passenger car of the Polar Express (Heber Valley Railroad). We had an excellent time with the kids and with cousins!

Waiting to board the Polar Express!

We were cozy inside the train! The kids wore their pj's just like in the movie!

Chase, Peyton, Heather, and Jeff

Marlee, Barrett, Kirsti, and Paul

Hot Chocolate and Cookies made by Mrs. Claus!

Our host, the "Reindeer Wrangler" read us the Polar Express and kept us entertained by singing carols and telling us funny stories and christmas jokes!


We spotted Santa at the North Pole!

(Look closely out the window.)

We had such a fun time!!

WALL-E

Sam really wanted me to put these pictures on the blog! He built this 95% by himself. It is supposed to be WALL-E (a robot from the new release movie).

Our Christmas Tree this Year

Sam and Josh were thrilled to help assemble the tree this year!

Doll Obsession!

Maurie has loved dolls since she was just a few months old! Anytime she sees one she smiles from ear to ear!

Last weekend Ted and I took the kids to the store and let them look around at the toys so they could make a list for Santa. Well, I decided to see what Maurie's reaction would be down the doll isle. I wish I would have had my camera, because she was going nuts. People were staring and laughing at how funny and cute she was! And it was cute until we started to put the dolls back and started to walk away, and then she went nuts on the other end of the spectrum and starting yelling and crying. She even rammed her head into the shopping cart handle because of her overwhelming sadness! It was pretty funny! (I hope she grows out of this!)

Maurie's first reaction is always a big hug!

Her second reaction is usually her snicker face because she is lucky to be holding the bestest thing in the world!:)

And when she can't contain her excitement, her next reaction is to mutilate the poor thing with slimey kisses!

Construction

Sam keeps telling me that he wants to be a "constructioner" when he grows up! We have been building a variety of things with our play mats lately. Maurie has had so much fun crawling through these tunnels and houses!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

My most handsome guy is 34 today! This wonderful guy brings me a smile everyday! I am more thankful for him than for anything else in this world! I love you Honey!