*August 2009*

First day of school

Carter and Courtlyne

Courtlyne is starting 4th Grade this year--WOW--I totally remember 4th grade, she is growing up so fast I can't believe it, only 2 more years until junior high! That will really freak me out!
She definitely has a great outfit--something I totally would have worn to school in 4th grade back in the 80's. Her teacher is Mr. Thorpe.
And my little Carter--a full day of school this year first grade. She is a little nervous about being gone all day but she will do great I know it! I am glad that we live close enough to walk to school it makes it nice to get out in the morning. Happy first day of school!
Her teacher is Mrs. LeMmon.

24th of July Parade.

I am usually the one with the camera so I thought I better occasionally post a picture with me in it. Me and the kids at the Fiesta Days parade.

*Tie Dye 24th*

2009

We usually Tie-dye on Memorial day but this year everyone was gone so we moved the tie-dye party to the 24th of July. It was great weather and great fun. The kids had their own little party in the backyard pool and we tie-dyed our hearts out. At the Measom household tie-dye is not taken lightly. It is an all day affair, all are invited as long as you bring your own shirts, good music, and good food are included. I think that over 100 articles of clothing were tie-dyed this year--And yes I think we may be the only family that still wears tie-dye.

Serious tie-dye business!!

*SNOWBIRD*
August 2009

Every August we go up to snowbird where my parents have had a week long time share since before I can even remember. I love it up there. There really is nothing to do--nothing spectacular, it is just perfect to me, since I loved it as a kid growing up. My mom and Dad let the kids spend the night with them and then Ben and I came up to play the next day. We always have to swim (usually a few times each day), hiking, the alpine slides, smell the delicious mountain air, and eating lots of treats. The swimming wasn't so good this year since the weather was cold, cold, cold. But that did not keep the kids out. I stayed out of the pool wrapped in a blanket for one swim, and ventured in a little bit for another swim--BRRR! It is amazing the kids don't feel the cold--only the excitement of the moment. Oh to be a kid again.

On the famous rock overlook--I love IT!!!

COURTLYNE'S BIRTHDAY

JULY 6TH 2009 To my oldest daughter,

You are such a spark in our family! You have a great "rockin" personality. You love to dance and sing all around the house. Your favorite thing to do this summer was have band practice. You wrote your own songs--which were awesome, and you were, of course, the lead singer. Carter played drums and your friend Stephanie played guitar and sang back up. It was great while it lasted. You like Hannah Montana, watching the Disney channel on TV, beakdancing, gymnastics, whatever Allan thinks is cool, and spazzing out with your sister. I wouldn't say you are the best at cleaning up your room, but you are awesome at inventing things to build, decorate, and crafting. You always come up with the best Barbie doll fashions. I can't believe you are nine years old and heading for your teenage years sooner than I would like. I am so glad you are my daughter and I have loved seeing your personality grow and change. You make me proud when you let your unique personality shine and you do not follow the crowd. Remember to always be yourself and stand up for what you believe in. Dad and I love you lots!!
Your are the best!
Love, Mom

Carter's 2nd tooth

July 4th 2009
Here is the tooth that hung on and on and on--

Finally, after much wrestling and wiggling I had had enough of that gross, dangling tooth in Carters mouth. She didn't want to eat because it hurt to bite stuff, and she didn't want to pull the tooth out because that would hurt too. She didn't care about the tooth fairy coming, she just didn't want anyone to touch her tooth. My mom would try to wiggle it and sneak a tweak or two in there, but soon, Carter would not even let Grandma try to wiggle it for fear she would try to pull out her tooth.
Well ,I caught her completely off guard. She was fighting with someone who was trying to get her to let them wiggle her tooth--She was kicking and trying to get free when I just reached down grabbed that little tooth and pulled it free! Her big tooth was almost completely grown in behind the baby tooth--so that tooth really needed to come out. I am really not looking forward to the rest of her teeth getting loose.

Summer #6 Family Reunion

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This was our only real vacation of the summer. We went to Brianhead for a few days over the 4th of July weekend. It was a family reunion with my Dad's family. A lot of uncles, aunts and cousins were there for a good time.

My Dad was in charge of it and he planned some good games and activities. Some of the other things we did--we went hiking--we went swimming in a hot tub--we watched some gorgeous fireworks in freezing cold mountain weather--we slept in a really scary room the first night--we learned a new game--we played at the park--we flew airplanes--played tetherball--it rained a lot!--we watched movies--and spent time together. ]

All in all it was a good time. I am glad to be part of such a great extended family that enjoys spending time together.

Summer #5 Summer is over but still catching up on summer*

*Jaguar Softball*

This was a season that seemed like it lasted FOREVER!

Courtlyne usually had a good time. This was the first year that the girls actually pitched to each other so it was a big step up. Courtlyne wasn't the best on the team but she also wasn't the worst. Ben worked really hard with her to get her to hit good in the games. She has a great stance and a good swing, when she doesn't think to much and just does it, but come game time she would never swing. Ben got so frustrated. But he kept plugging along.

One time after repeating himself about 100 times, while helping Courtlyne practice, he just about lost it. He had to take a break and come in the house. He later apologized to her and said-"Remind me when I am getting frustrated with you that I am not being a good Dad."

She would try to remind him but sometimes patience wears thin.

Towards the end of the season we got a little better and started to win some games. Sad how a few of us parents just wanted it to be over--but they learned a lot and got a lot better by the end of the year. Ben also learned a little more patience by the end of the year- so we all improved!

"Be patient enough to live one day at a time, letting yesterday go and leaving tomorrow until it arrives."

Summer #4

Happy Anniversary

June 27th 2009

I love looking at this picture and remembering the excitement of my wedding day 12 years ago.

It was so perfect--Perfect weather, perfect dress and the perfect man!

Flowers that Ben surprised me with on our anniversary.

I love when he brings me flowers-- I just wish they would last forever.

We had a very enjoyable day to celebrate our 12th anniversary. I made appointments for us at Holly's spa and arranged to have the kids watched for the day so we could enjoy ourselves and not feel like we had to rush home. My good friend Julie watched the kids during the day while Ben and I went to the spa and then to the mall to do a little shopping for ourselves. Ben had a facial and he felt a little silly about it, and I got a massage. It was very relaxing and needed, at least for me. After we went home to see the kids for a few hours, we were able to drop them off with my parents so we could go to dinner alone. Holly and Jared joined us and we went to Iggy's where Emma works. It was good dinner and good company.

I am so grateful to have a husband to loves and cares for me each and every day. He is the greatest husband and father that anyone could ever ask for. I love YOU!

Summer #3

Manti Pageant

June 2009

It had been a long time since Ben or I had been to the Manti Pageant. I thought that the kids were probably old enough now to appreciate it and be able to sit through the whole thing. We invited my parents and Allan, and Allan brought his girlfriend Cami, to come with us. It was a good experience--rain, throughout the pageant, kids falling asleep, the baby not wanting to fall asleep, more rain, and people slipping down the massive hill at the temple because the grass was so wet. Courtlyne stayed awake and she seemed to enjoy the entire pageant.

I think it is magnificent to see the pioneer story portrayed alongside the stories from the Book of Mormon. It makes it all come to life. I realize how blessed we are to live now and have all the things that we have to make life easier. The Church is true. And I know the feelings felt during the pageant truly testify to me that Jesus Christ is our Savior.


My four lovelies playing at the park before the pageant started.

Carter posing with some of the cast members.


Allan and Cami - thanks for keeping us company!

Summer #2

Caeden Eats!

June 7th 2009

The doctors now say that you don't really need to give your babies solid food until they are 6 months old. But it is so fun to see them grow and move on to new things. Caeden gave us

A LOT of difficulty taking a bottle. In fact I finally resorted to putting a small amount of sugar in each one so she would take a bottle while I was at work. She definitely loved the sweetness. I think she liked it even more when Ben made her bottles because he put about a cup of sugar in the bottle. I felt really bad about it but the doctor said that it was not a big deal. GOOD- mom guilt gone! So I was ready to let her try to eat other stuff when she turned 4 months to see how that would go. Cal had to be right there to help feed her and see how she did with the food. She loved it! Now she wants to be at the table and have something put in her mouth whenever we are eating. She loves food! Especially the sweet stuff!

*YUMMY*YUMMY*YUMMY*

RELAY FOR LIFE
June 12th 2009

My reason to relay

Linda Measom--My Mom my hero!

One Sunday at dinner, at the beginning of this year, I asked my family if they wanted to do the Relay for Life again and no one really had much to say on the matter. After the table had been cleared and everyone was doing their own thing my Mom came to me and said she really thought we should do it. So right there it became my job to see that it got done. I told everyone we were going to do it so they had pLilenty of time to take work off and participate. If Mom wants to do it we need to do it!

Our major fundraiser was a cartwheel-a-thon that we held at NEBO gymnastics. the team girls all got pledges and then came in and did as many Cartwheels as they could in 5 minutes. Courtlyne did 140 and little Carter did 80! All the money raised the girls donated to the our Relay for LIfe team. We also asked for donations from our family and friends and many of them helped us by donating! Our team goal was $2000 and we made just shy of that with $1850!

The overall theme was 80's so we decided to put Courtlyne's breakdancing skills to use! We decide our team name would be BREAKIN' DOWN CANCER. I put Allan in charge of designing us some t-shirts since he is the artist in the family. They were great! We set up camp by the stream in the Payson City Park and prepared to spend the night walking the track, and not sleeping. We got rained on a little, then a little more but it did not dampen our spirits. It only dampened our cardboard dance floor that we brought with us to dance on in front of our tents. And boy did we dance! Everyone joined in, even Mom and Dad. People from all over came to watch (stare, laugh, etc.) as we ripped up the soggy cardboard. after one side was torn up we flipped it over and tore up the other side. Not that our dancing is anything amazing but we had an audience and a great time! Some of us stayed up all night-- some had to sleep to get to work in the morning, and some fell asleep just as dawn was breaking. It was a great inspirational night filled with love and hope for those fighting cancer and their families.

I love my Mom for putting up a good fight and pray she has many more Relays to come.

Mom and Allan
Sweet embrace, as Allan got there he gave Mom a hug and they both got a little emotional.

Survivor and Caregiver walk-

This picture still makes me tear up as I think of the relationship my parents have and the love and care they give to each other.

This is Courtlyne. She made it until about 5:30 in the morning then she crashed while trying to watch yet another great 80's movie with Grandpa Gary. He carried her back over to our tents and she slept for about 3 hours.

Cal woke up at about 6:30 in the morning. He actually got some sleep. He and Caeden went to bed at about 11:00 and slept through the night. He grabbed a banana to eat and climbed up on Ben's lap which, I think made Ben comfy and warm enough to catch some ZZZ's himself.

Holly and Jared trying to wake up!

Courtlyne, Carter and Hailee Smith breaking into the powdered doughnuts before the Relay had even started. Yummy!

It was a great time--I always dread the preparation and the feeling of utter exhaustion for a few days afterward, but it is always worth it in the end.

Summer #1

Nothing starts summer off quicker than two weeks of swimming lessons.

The first week of summer we decided to do lessons so they would be out of the way for any other things that came up during the summer. Unfortunately, not much else has come up! Although the kids suffered through some chilly weather we made it to the end without any rain outs! Yea!

Courtlyne working on the front flip.

Going down the slide!

She got pretty good at all of her strokes this year. She learned the crawl stroke, back stroke, breast stroke and elementary back stroke. She still needs a few more years of lessons to get really good.

Carter, cute as ever.

Jumping off of the diving board. Carter got pretty good this year during her lessons. I am grateful that none of my kids are scared of the water. They have all loved the pool from an early age. Carter is probably the most at home in the water.

This was Cal's first year of swimming lessons. He already loved the water when he started so it wasn't to much of an adjustment. He learned some fun songs to sing and he loved his teacher. She loved him too. Almost everyday when he got out of the pool she would head over to the other teachers and say how much she loved Cal and how he was the most favorite student she had ever had. He is a charmer!

Cal with his teacher Chelsea--Playing the shark game.

All This in Less Than a Month!

April 12th 2009
Easter Sunday

Everyone is looking sharp in their Easter best.
This was Caeden's first Sunday at church.

Easter egg hunt in the backyard with our goofy cousins.

Carter, Reagan, Anthony, Courtlyne, Brylee and Cal
Hunting for eggs and a yummy BBQ a great way to celebrate!

April 15th 2009

Spring break snowfall.

Just two days after our Easter BBQ we woke up to this!
Only in Utah can you BBQ one day and go sledding the next.



April 20th 2009

I went to work on Monday at 3:00 and Cal was so excited to go play at his friend Cyson's house. I went to pick him up at 6:00 and look what he learned--He can ride a two wheeler. He did it all on his own! What a BOY!

April 23rd 2009

My little boy turns 4!
Have you ever seen such a handsome little boy? He would insist that he is a big boy. He is NOT a little boy whatsoever. I felt such a gush of love and longing for him to stay a little boy when I was watching him open his presents on his birthday. He seems the same as when he was three but taller, and smarter, and just plain older. I don't want my little boy to grow up! It has been easy for me to see the girls get older and bigger but not my little boy! Man-- do I love this little guy. He is the perfect mix of Mama's boy and Daddy's Best Friend. He loves to play ball (any kind), wrestle with his Dad, ride his bike, play with his friends, read books with Mom, and visit his Grandparents. Cal you make my day brighter and happier every time I see you smile.
I LOVE you big boy!


Cal's Friend Party! This was the first time he has had enough friends to have a party! We just played outside and had yummy blue cupcakes and ice cream.

This is the surprise monster truck birthday cake that I made for Cal. I even surprised myself with how it turned out!

Asleep At Last!

His favorite new toy Bumble Bee the Transformer. He didn't want to go to bed without it.

May 1st 2009

Just eight days later we celebrated Carter's 6th Birthday.

* Carter*
You are such a spunky little spirit. You have learned a lot in this last year. How to ride a bike, how to read a little, how to hit a baseball, how to do a pull over at the gym, how to tell some great stories, and how to smile and make everyone melt. You still love to ride horses with Dad and you even have a horse to call your own now. I definitely couldn't live without all the help you give me. Help in the kitchen, help in the yard, help with the baby, and lots of other things. You are a great helper. You love to be outside running and playing and you love when your sister takes time to play with you. You brighten our home and our lives. Love you tons!
Mom

Big birthday soda from Uncle Allan.

Carter with her good friend Abi. Abi came to play on Carter's birthday since she was unable to come to the birthday party. I am so glad to have friends that are close by.

Carter's horse cake. Yes, I made that one too! I am amazing even myself.

Carter blowing out her 6 candles.

May 2nd 2009

Carter's friend party. We had a great adventure planned--but the weather did not cooperate. Ben was going to bring Carter's horse up to the house so all the girls could go on a little horse ride around the block but Rain Rain Rain! We stayed inside and played a few games and had a few giggles.

Carter and Jessi

--Jessi gave these cool glasses and this cute green shirt to Carter.

Carter said "These are just like Jessi's style. "

My kids truly love and look up to their aunts and uncles. I hope they always are impressed!

May 3rd 2009

Caeden's Baby Blessing.

This was such a great day! Ben did a beautiful job at blessing and naming Caeden in church this Sunday. He is such a softy when he is touched by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. I know he loves his children and me more than anything. He is such a great Dad! I love him!

So Sweet!

This is the cake that Allan made for Caeden's baby blessing. When Courtlyne was blessed Allan was 10 years old and he made a cake with her name on it for the baby blessing. I have made him continue his cake decorating for each baby blessing. He has definitely gained more artistic and culinary skills in the past 9 years. Thanks Allan.




My Mom, My Baby, and Me

I am so grateful for my Mom and everything that she has done for me in my life. She is the greatest example to me of service and strength. She has been battling cancer for the past 3 years and still she finds time to help everyone else with all their projects. I am so glad that I live near her and am able to call on her when ever I have questions or need anything.

She is an inspiration to me in all that she does. I love you MOM!

May 5th 2009

Hersey Track Meet 3rd Grade
Courtlyne getting ready to run the 400 Meter.

She was very nervous about running at the track meet. As you can see by the picture she came prepare with her shorts and her Nike's and her strong white legs. She was very intense. We talked a little about strategy for the race. Don't come out to fast--But don't come out to slow--Keep your arms moving and your legs will follow.


ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO!

As you can see she is already in motion and the girls standing next to her is not sure what to do. Race on!

Crossing the finish line. It was an awesome moment when she ran across that tape. She wasn't really sure if she had won or not. Ben and I were so proud of her for giving it her all!

100 meter dash

Running the 100 meters. She came in second behind a girl that I think had legs as long as Courtlyne is tall. Man did she run hard. Love you little girl!

Brylee and Courtlyne

May 9th 2009

Break dance Kid
Courtlyne had her end of the year dance recital.

She did awesome--she is definitely bringing break dancing back!

*RAD*