Day 5

Day Five
Take a few minutes to call someone you haven't talked to in a while.
Tell them how much you appreciate them.
I will.

Day 4

Day Four
Write a short message of thanks for some of the "negative" things in your life

I am having a hard time really thinking of something negative. This sounds silly that this would be negative but sometimes I find myself complaining about having to run run run. Some days after work I would just like to sit and relax, but with three young ones at home always having either soccer, basketball, tumbling, dentist appointments, and whatever else. We are always on the go. I shouldnt complain about it because i am glad that they like to do these activities and i really enjoy watching them and excel in there lives. I know this time will be over before i know it! Then I will be bored and be looking forward to having grandkids to go watch.

DAy 3

Day Three
Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today:
Today i am thankful for my job. Sounds wierd, i know, but just a few days ago the Smith's photo lab shut down so after 13 years I am working somewhere new. I have been working at my new job for 2 months now and am really starting to get the hang of it. The ladies I work with are awesome and every one has been so patient with me and my slow learning. I am glad to get out of the house every day for a few hrs and to be able to help pay for the fun things that my kids are able to participate in. I am also very grateful for Curt's job, he works so hard to support us and give me and the kids the things that we need and just WANT in life. He has a great job and me and the kids are so proud of him. I am thankful that we both have good jobs so we can afford our home, vehicles, our clothes, food and everything else that we have.

Day Two
Day TwoUse the alphabet as a fun and quick format for making a list of things for which you feel grateful.
A~Air
B~ed
C~Cars
D~ Dogs, both of them
E- Everyday
F~ Friends
G~Grandparents
H~ Husband
I~ In- laws
J~Jokes
K~Kids
L~Life
M~My health
N~Nap Time
O~Outdoors
P~Pizza
Q~Quiet Time
R~Rain
S~Soccer, i love watching all 3 kids play this sport
T~Time
U~Underwear
V~Video, the home type
W~Work
X~X- Rays
Y~You, whoever you are
Z~Zoo, need to see that new baby elephant

21 Days of Gratitude

Day One-
I am taking the pledge to give thanks daily for 21 days. I'm at a point in my life where I can easily get lost in the why me attitude and I need to focus and express some why me gratitude.THE GRATITUDE PLEDGE -With a hopeful outlook, I, Kari, promise to fulfill the terms of The Gratitude Challenge. Over the next 21 days, I pledge to complete the activities on my gratitude calendar, including writing journal entries, taking photos and connecting with friends. I promise to take note of life’s little blessings and to give thanks for the relationships, experiences and opportunities that make my life unique. From this day forward, I commit to living on the brighter side of life.

Brayden won the bet

It was late when we got home but he wanted to get it over with so he took his shirt and shorts off and prepared to get wet.

When we were in California about 5 months ago Jake and Brayden decided to make a bet of who could go longer without drinking soda. Brayden has not drank soda for a couple years probably but Jake just knew he could start now and win Brayden, So the bet was that whoever drank a pop before the other one that the winner could push the other into the pool in Cali. with there clothes on. WELL.. they both lasted the ten days of our trip and when we got home and there was no longer a pool then the punishment was changed to the loser had to get down to there boxers and be sprayed with a hose for 10 seconds. Well a few weeks back Jake decided that a rootbeer sounded good enough to lose over so he lost! He took it like a man though.

Madi was doing the countdown. Brayden told him that if he didn't just stand there and take it then he would add more time to being squirted.

He had to be freezing.

Ten seconds was over and he was cold but stopped to let me get a picture before he ran in to take a hot shower.

Camping at Crystal Hot Springs

Last weekend we took the kids up camping. We had such a great time. We are so thankful that Curt's dad gave us his old trailer, it may be old but we love it! I told Curt if he insists on always pulling funny faces then they wll go on here too. What a goof. This was us out by the camp fire.

Most of the grandkids. My mom and step dad pulled there trailer up for a night also. Kaycee and the kids joined us Sat for a nice swim and some dinner and smores.

Brayden's eyes are closed like usual but this was so cute of him and Jace. He is sure good with him and likes to be a great help. Jace looks so much like Brayden at that age.

Tayler and Madi enjoying the warm mineral pool.

Jake liked playing in this big colder pool. He found some friends to throw a football around in there.

Madi warming up by the fire.

Madi lost her very first tooth up camping. She cried at first cause she said she didn't want to loose a tooth but when we let her know the tooth fairy would be visiting that night she cheered right up. She carried her tooth around in a little baggie most of the day but when it was time for bed it was no where to be found. We really could not find it but somehow the toothfairy still found her. My mom told her that since she was the only one missing a tooth that the fairy would know to come find her and that made her happy, not sure why she didn't remember at the time that Jake still has a missing tooth. She ended up getting a couple dollars under her pillow.

Tayler and me playing a matching game, she was really good at this game and could remember where all the matches were.

Us enjoying some good chili dogs.

We let the boys take the playstation which ended up being fun for all of us because it was soooo cold outside and even rained a bit.