Accidents!!

Do bad things come in two's or three's? Hopefully only three's for our family. After a week of stitches for Carter. Then a week of dentists and endodontist for Courtlyne, Ben decided it was his turn. It is quite ironic in fact that he was so upset about the girls getting hurt and then he decided to follow suit.
It was Thanksgiving morning and a great day for a tackle football game. Ben always sets up an annual game between the "old guys" and the "young guys." The old guys could be anywhere from 19 to say 57. That was actually this years age range. My brother 19 and my Dad 57. The young guys are high school seniors, most of whom just finished playing varsity football. Well, Ben made a tackle-- it was a good one, and he tore his ear half way off. It was bad, but he had a beanie on and so he pulled it down and continued to play for about 45 more minutes. I told him he needed to get stitches. He didn't feel like he really needed to until about 3 hours later. Then when we were getting ready to go to Grandma's to eat he drove himself to the hospital. It was actually quite quick--he was back with stitches and a smile within an hour.
Oh the best news is...

THE OLD GUYS WON!!!

No Dancing Allowed!

It was the week before Halloween when all through the house music was blaring and the kids were dancing about.

When what to my strobe lit eyes should appear but Carter dancing full speed into the window sill.

A trip to the emergency room was a must, as she became our first kid to require such.

Two hours and three stitches later it seemed more fun than it had in the beginning.

Carter was such a great sport. In fact Courtlyne was more afraid for her than she was for herself.

Since my Dad works at Mountain View they said he could just take the stitches out for us at home. On Halloween night he tried and tried to take out the stitches--But his eyes must be getting old because he could not get a grasp on them. So I took them out! My first medical procedure as a Mom.

And Then...

And Then...

And Then...

On Sunday November 16th Courtlyne was practicing her breakdancing routine in the entry way of our house. It is tile so it is perfect for all the spinning and fancy foot work that she tries to do. What it is not perfect for is doing backhandsprings, in socks! She fell right on her tooth came into the kitchen screaming. I wish I could have seen how that one tooth took the fall--she didn't have another mark on her. Anyway, Ben came running up from the basement and realizing that she had been dancing when the accident occurred immediately outlawed music and dancing from the house. That definitely brought more tears and grief from Courtlyne than the broken tooth. It was just an accumulation of the stitches and now the tooth that prompted the ban on dancing. Or more like the thought of the doctor and dentist bills that will be arriving right in time for Christmas!! I had to remind Ben that this is just the beginning of childhood injuries--and reminded him that he had done dumb things as a kid too! It is just that now we are the parents who feel the fear for our children and the fear for the bill!

At last Halloween pics!

Halloween 2008

* Check us out*

Hot and sexy for the 80's Halloween party that we went to.

Why was any of that ever in style? I did come with the most authentic 80's piece...

the charm necklace that belongs to my sister Holly! RAD!

My three little Monsters!

Mermaid Carter--Made by grandma Linda

Holy Cow! Batman


HI! I am Bob the new kid.



Allan always goes all out for his costume and makeup-- He and Holly both have birthdays on Halloween so it is a BIG deal every year.

For example: Look at the cake (Mom's handiwork) ... *(I just learned I need to give credit to Emma for the cake decorating--she also did Allan's make-up)
and the pumpkin (Allan's handiwork)


WOW!!

Farm Fun!

Cool old tractors down on the farm. Is it possible to ever get a good family picture? We took my sister Emma with us to experience this "really cool" farm thing. It is good to have a sister willing to submit herself to "really cool" things for the sake of our kids enjoyment. They love when anyone will come along with us, Ben and I get boring.
It is amazing to me that even though my kids have grandparents that live on a farm, and they go there nearly every day, that they still loved the Country Farm Fair that we took them to. Petting a cute little bunny. They weren't to interested in the chickens--we have those, or the cows--we have those, but the bunny they loved. The baby goats were cute too!
This was Cal's favorite activity. Courtlyne told us she thought her back was broken when she got off the train. She said she should have just ran beside it. The only one still smiling after the ride was Cal.
Carter chose to ride through the horse obstacle course. She wanted to do it herself but that was not allowed. She loves horses and riding with her Dad, anytime she can talk him into taking her.

Courtlyne my little acrobat chose to try the bungee jump trampoline. She was a bit nervous at first--a little unsure of what would happen when she was up in the air. But after she figured out where she was she pretty much perfected the back flip. Had I been in a not so pregnant way, I would have had a go at the tramp.

TAG YOU'RE IT!!

Candice tagged me a while ago so I thought I better pass along the tag!

8 T.V. shows I love to watch:
1. CSI Las Vegas
2. House
3. ER
4. Discovery Health Channel
5. Random stuff that's on after 9:00(the only time we watch tv)
6. Backyardigans
7.
8.

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. Season premier of CSI Las Vegas
2. picked 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes
3. went to work
4. Courtlyne made her front hip circle on bars
5. Spotted back handsprings on beam
6. Made a good dinner
7. Helped in Carters class at school
8. Distracted Stephanie from cleaning her house

8 favorite places to eat, in no order:
1. Chili's
2. La Carretta
3. Zuppas
4. Outback
5. Applebee's
6. Ruby River
7. Red Robin
8. where ever anyone wants to go--I love to eat out!

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. the smell of baby lotion in my house again
2. hot cocoa weather
3. clean windows
4. sleeping in on Sunday morning
5. the smell of fall in the air
6. having everything in its place
7. laundry done for the day
8. going out with my husband tonight

8 things on my wish list:
1. a happy, healthy baby
2. my mom to be cancer free
3. a digital SLR camera
4. someone to cook my family dinner every night(I can handle breakfast and lunch)
5. a decent candidate to vote for
6. a long vacation
7. money to spend whenever I want something
8. kids who listen the first time

8 people I tag:
1. Stephanie Marziale
2. Stephanie Wright
3. Cindy Rudd
4. Cali Johnson
5. Hayley Worthen
6. Sara Ward
7. Jaime Oldham
8. Any one who wants to play!

Fight Ovarian Cancer

I found out last week that my Mom will have to start her chemotherapy treatments all over again. She just finished the last round of treatments in June. So it has only been 3 months since she has been cleared. Her hair has grown just long enough to stop wearing scarves and now in a few weeks she will lose it all again. She seems to be in high spirits, but what else do you do. Give up or fight for your life. I was glad for all the comfort that I gained from so many of the general conference talks this weekend, as I watch my Mom face another 5 months of HELL! It makes me mad that she is such a healthy, strong woman whose life has been dramatically changed because of this disease.

Please keep her in your prayers!

I also found out that September was national ovarian cancer awareness month. I bet no one even heard about it? Did anyone? Meanwhile breast cancer awareness is promoted over and over again. Ovarian cancer is very sneaky. It usually goes undetected until it is in it late stages, making it very hard to combat. There are no tests that are routinely given to detect this type of cancer. No, your PAP test doesn't detect it. That test is for cervical cancer. Please check out the ovarian cancer foundation website and become familiar with the signs and symptoms of this deadly disease. Breast cancer may be more wide spread but more women die from ovarian cancer due to the lack of prevention. Next September I would like to try to put together a fundraiser Fun Run to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. As far as I can tell Utah doesn't have anything like this yet. So put on your running shoes and lets help fight ovarian cancer.

HI I am Bob!

HI my name is BOB!

I am the new kid at school! Will you play with me at recess?One of mine and my kids favorite time of the year is when we get out all the old Halloween costumes and the Halloween decorations. Courtlyne was going to be a pirate this year and then she found this old nerd costume that Ben wore one year. Instantly she changed her mind and became Bob. We were laughing so hard when she walked into the room.

"I am hilarious"

These were the only words she could get out between the gut wrenching laughs!

Oh, to be a kid again!

It's a GIRL!

Wow! I had my ultrasound today and we found out that our fourth baby is a girl. She has all 10 fingers and all 10 toes! A cute little button nose, and feet that would not stop kicking. She was moving around a lot during the ultrasound. It is amazing to me that some people do not believe that a baby's life has begun at this stage. She was definitely there in body and spirit! I was a little sad leaving the doctors office thinking that this will probably be the last time we will see a baby in this amazing way. What a miracle it is to conceive, carry and then eventually hold such a precious child of God. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to be a mother. Ben and Cal will surely be outnumbered now. Ben said he was worried about paying for all those weddings.

He will be rewarded a 1000 times over in sweet little girl kisses.

Flash Backs Of Summer

August 2008

So summer is officially over. Courtlyne started school a week before Carter. (I couldn't find my digital camera so I only took fim pictures of Courts first day. She started 3rd grade and is so gald to be back in school.) Carters first day of Kindergarten. She was excited to go to school with her big sister. We ride bikes together to school everyday. It is great to be so close to school --And I am getting a great workout riding back and forth four times a day!! WHew Courtlyne, Carter and Cal on Carter's first day of school what will me and Cal do at home alone now? Oh not much, it seems Kindergarten is out almost as soon as you drop them off, I forgot how this breaks up the day.

*Summer Wedding*

Mckell Poulson got married on August 22nd. I have know McKell and her family since Mckell was 8 years old. She was on the very first team of level 5 gymnasts that I coached on my own. I coached her until she graduated from high school and joined the gymnastics team at BYU. So she was the first gymnast that I have seen go all the way. She and her little teammates even served at my wedding. Needless to say, she and her family have been a big part of our lives. I used to babysit her and her brother and sisters and now they babysit my kids. It is a great friendship that has been shared by McKell's mom Sheri and I, and by McKell and myself. I truly love an appreciate this girl and her family. Good Luck McKell Merkley!

SNOWBIRD
My parents have had a condo at Snowbird since I was a little girl and it is still one of my most favorite places on earth. The kids look forward to going up and spending time in the pool and in the mountains with Grandma and Grandpa. Swimming never gets old if you are young. Taking a break.
In the secret woods.
The playground has the coolest swings I have ever seen. You go so high that if you are little you have to strap up a harness buckle for safety. Carter would have done this all day long.
The playground also has this puke machine that Courtlyne loves. It just sits enough off balance that you spin and spin and spin--fast. The kids try it and then get off and try to run--usually into a tree.

Alpine Slides

Going up the lift for the Alpine Slides. We sent Ben up on foot so he could save us a decent space in line. Thanks Honey!

Coming down

*The Best Day of the Summer*

We started off August in the best way possible with the baptism of our oldest daughter Courtlyne. She was baptized on August 2nd by her uncle Allan Measom. She was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by her Dad, Ben Marziale. A lot of people thought it was wierd(including Ben) that Courtlyne wanted Allan to baptize her. My uncle baptized me so I didn't think it was that wierd. Allan was very excited to baptize Courtlyne. Ben actually baptized Allan when he was 8, so I thought it was very cool that Courtlyne chose Allan to baptize her. She loves and looks up to all of her uncles and aunts. I hope they never forget that these kids that we have really want to be like them.


Thank goodness for Grandma Linda, she makes all the beautiful dresses that my girls wear. I wish I had that skill.
I wish I would have got this picture one second earlier. It was the sweetest hug!

Courtlyne and Allan

JULY 2008

24th of July

This is one of our favorite times of the year. The rodeo, the carnival, the parade, and all the other fun Spanish Fork Fiesta Days excitement. It is fun to run into old friends and to spend time with our families.
The girls rode this ride 3 times. It was definitely their favorite.
At the parade with Jessie.

*MUTTIN BUSTIN* Carter had been talking about doing this for about 6 months. We tried to prepare her with a few rides on Ben's back. She got the lucky draw of being the first contestant. Lucky because she may have changed her mind after watching some of the other kids.
Cowgirl CarterMounting up. This sheep was running wild before they threw our sweet little girl on. I was a little nervous for her.
The aftermath. She scored an 81! The 3 highest score of the night. She also was one of only a handful of kids that did not run back crying! Hooray Carter! She did say she is not quite sure if she wants to do it again next year. HUM- wonder why?

Courtlynes other birthday party!

A Cool beachside cake made by Mom!!

After we got home from Mexico Courtlyne had to have another party to celebrate with those who missed the party in Mexico.














The 24th of July children's parade is always a GREAT time. Grandma Linda helped Courtlyne decorate her bike with cool streamers. She rode all the way down the route!
















Hot July afternoon* A fun day playing the the backyard with Grandpa Gary. He went out for a little relaxation and ended up with a water fight on the tramp. These are the moments that I want my kids to always remember!

Thanks Grandpa!!

ON OUR WAY TO MEXICO

Puerto Penasco here we come!

On our second day in Mexico, Cal and Carter both got stung by jellyfish. It was horrible. They were sitting with a bunch of family on the shore just letting the waves wash up on them and the next thing you know---bloody murder screams!! Ben was out on the wave runners so I was panicking trying to take care of both kids. Thank goodness for Grandpa Gary and Aunts to help. We tried all the wrong stuff (ice, freshwater) not the way to treat the sting. About 5 minutes later --it seemed like an eternity-- Ben came running up and yes, my children can now say that their Dad peed on them. Well, he actually peed in a cup and we poured it all over them. This did help the sting! Then a man came by who had vinegar--the best solution to help the sting--and he helped us out. A little tylenol and a nap and they both woke up feeling much better. Today almost 3 months later Cal still has marks on his arm from that darn Jelly!

*JELLYMAN*

One of the horrible Jellies.
This is a crazy game that my Mom's family has played since before I was born. Everyone gets a paper bag hat and a newspaper whacker. The point of the game is to get everyone's hat off while yours stays on. The adults had their own game and then the kids had a go at it. Of all the people on the beach that were partying we were definitely the spectacle.
Courtlyne, Jenny, Carter and Jessica

*JULY 4th*
Weird, we were in Mexico for the 4th!
Jenny Carlson was actually baptized while we were in Mexico. She was baptized in the ocean by her older brother Mark. It was a great experience for the family to be able to witness this important day and be reminded of our own baptismal covenants. I actually found out that my Grandma Betty Carlson was also baptized on the 4th of July.

This is a picture of Carter, Jenny, Courtlyne and Jessica. Jenny and Jessica are actually my cousins--my girls love when they come to town and they get to see them. We wished they lived a little (or a lot) closer!!
Jessie and Cal playing a little homerun derby!

Of course like at all family reunions, or maybe just ours, there the was the dreaded skit night. This year there were actually good showings from all families. Our skit ended with Courtlyne trying to find a little green ball--hence the nose pick.

Is this not the cutest boy you have ever seen? Look at those muscles!I told Ben we need to move to the coast so he can fulfill our wishes of him becoming a professional surfer!

FUN AT THE POOL!!

Ben and Cal
Cheesey Carter
Courtlyne the Daredevil
Cal flying high with uncle Jared
Courtlyne and Holly
Carter and Allan
Ben and Carter
Cal the Jellyman!

At the Beach
It was so so so hot that we were either in the pool or in the ocean. After the Jellyfish encounter we had a few who were a little leery of the ocean so we played in the sand then went back to the pool.

Carter, Cal and Court Mom and Courtlyne taking the waves!
Sand Sculptures *The sandman*
Finding sea shells, and hermit crabs was a favorite early morning pastime.

Courtlyne was very excited to celebrate her 8th birthday in Mexico. We had a good day on the beach and in the pool and spending time with family. I can't believe my first baby is eight years old. Wow! That means we are getting old ourselves.

Improvised candles--we could not find any birthday candles in the Mexican grocery store. We stuck some matches in the cake instead.
Amazing the decorating that can be done with what is found!!

*Beautiful Scenes from Mexico*

and my most favorite scene of all the boys in my life!!

On our way home from Mexico we stayed with Ben's Uncle Ritchie in Mesa, Arizona. He took us out on the lake in his boat. Wow, Ben's first time water skiing. He was up the second time, after a horrible crash that he did not want to repeat. It is amazing how he can pick up anything in a few tries. He was then showing off and he skiied for a long time until he tried a back flip that took him off his feet.

That's my Man!

Watching Dad

Second cousins, Larson Marziale and Courtlyne, ready for a ride on the tube. The sun setting on our vacation!!

JUNE 2008

The Tigers take the championship!
( well, we at least hit the ball really good!)


Softball season again. Courtlyne was a great hitter this year. Sh is getting better at catching--but still frustrates her Dad when he plays with her. She played with her cousin Brylee on the Tigers, and uncle Jim coached. It was a good season!
Look at that hitting stance. Taught to her by her Dad, a true professional in the field of hitting.

Fathers Day June 2008

My Hottie Husband and me sharing a Father's Day kiss. I couldn't ask for a funner, cuter, lovelier Dad for our kids.





They love their Dad and so do I!

RELAY FOR LIFE

GIVE CANCER THE BIRD!! We participated in the Utah Valley Cancer Relay for Life. It is held in Payson every summer and is a great fundraiser for cancer research in Utah. When my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in May of 2006 we all decided to do the 2007 Relay For Life it was a big success--This year I was actually not going to participate because it is hard to organize a team and raise money but then we were hit with bad new again, my Moms cancer came back in March of 2008. When we told our kids my oldest Courtlyne said she wanted to walk all night to help Grandma Linda. So we did this years Relay for Life. The Relay is a 24 hour walk/run to raise money for cancer research,in Utah. It is very inspiring and emotional ---We were proud to be a part of it once again.




Carter early in the morning after she had a little bit of sleep during the night.











Courtlyne was a champ she did not sleep all night!! Finally at 7:00 in the morning when I was taking down the tent she sat down in this chair and literally fell asleep in a minute. I packed her in the car and put her in her bed at home where she slept until 3:00pm. Amazing!!

SWIMMING LESSONS

Swimming lesson were a little bit of a flop this year--The only weeks we could be here for full lessons were the first two weeks after school got out so it was COLD!! We survived and got a few free passes to the pool since our classes got canceled a few times due to the weather
Courtlyne and Carter are both really good swimmers they love the water, they love the slide and Courtlyne loves jumping off the diving board. She got brave and tried front flips --I wouldn't allow the back flips yet. (I know what they look like on the ground--not ready for the pool yet!)
Carter and Courtlyne
MOM, can we PLEASE go home it is FREEZING?!

MAY 2008


Courtlyne Marziale last day of 2nd grade!

We made these tie-dyes on Memorial Day--It is now a Measom family tradition every Memorial Day. Ben laughs that we are the ONLY people who still wear tie-dye let alone make our own. Look how good they turned out though -all those colors have to make you smile!

My siblings minus one: Emma, Holly Adams, Allan, Me and Jessica--Gregg is in California.
We started off the summer attending the graduation of the last generation of Measom Soccer players from Spanish Fork High. My littlest brother Allan graduated in May and it is crazy to think there are no more reasons to go to football games and soccer games until my own kids are there in about eight years.