Favorites of October 2007

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Trunk or Treat 2009

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"I Don't Have a Rememberer!"

I had what I call a "mommy moment" a few days ago. I was sitting at the dinning room table listening to Rachel read; the bright sunlight was filtering through the sliding glass door blinds just lighting up Rachel's beautiful face and I just felt so grateful to be able to be the one to teach her to read and be able to look at her beautiful face so close and to have the luxury to spend so much time with her.


Then she started whining because she couldn't figure out a word and popped my little bubble of mommy joy but it was wonderful while it lasted!
We have been doing a reading program called "Five in a Row". You read a book together five times and talk about different aspects of the book. The latest book we have been reading has the main character coming from Poland and one of the things FIAR does to teach geography is to review where the characters live. On our fifth day of reading the book and the fifth time I had asked Rachel on what continent Poland was on she still could not remember it was on the European continent. When I said, "Rachel, you need to try to remember the things we talk about in our books." She said back in an exasperated voice, "Mom, I don't have a rememberer!"

October Saturday Morning

David picking a few strawberries this morning for a breakfast snack.
Rachel helped me clean the pool this morning. There were a few rocks in the pool that she jumped in and helped me get out. (Her reward was a few pieces of gum). Once she was in and used to the water she had fun swimming around and jumping off the diving platform... She kept saying, "I forgot how fun it was to swim!" (It's been a whole two weeks since she last swam!)


Jared went to work with Sheldon today. Sheldon told him to go put on one of his Farmers shirts... It was at least two sizes too big but Jared didn't seem to care, except for the shirt collar he actually liked it. Sheldon and I were talking on the phone today and I asked him, "How many 13 year old boys do you know that want to emulate what their Dad's do and even want to wear what their Dad's are wearing?" We agreed we needed to appreciate and enjoy this about Jared and pray it would last! Sometimes my darling son drives me crazy but when I count my blessings he is definitely up at the top of my list!

Favorites of October 2003

Awww- my sweet baby girl when she was just 13 1/2 months; how fast they all have grown!

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The Taekwondo Kid

Jared had belt testing tonight for Taekwondo. It's taken him two years to get this far...only one more year until black if he stays on track! Good Job my Taekwondo Boy!!!

All the boards broken at testing and belts earned!

Boy Humor

Nurse Rachel

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Favorites of Brandon's Mission

Brandon served a mission in Venezuela from Aug 2003 to Aug 2005; here are some of my favorite pictures he sent home.

It felt good to get outside today in the cool fall air. David started not feeling very well last Wednesday, complaining of a headache, his eyes hurting and telling me, "If I don't drink some water, I'm going to die!" By that night I tried to give him some baby Motrin for his headache, it wasn't in his tummy for five minutes when everything from lunch and dinner came back up...yuk, eww, yuk! I hadn't felt that great all day either, not turning on the air conditioner- the thermometer reading 82 in the house, yet I was cold, that's just not normal for me. I usually put the thermostat at 78 and I'm still hot and everyone else is just right or cold. I thought I was going to "lose it" myself trying to clean up. Luckily Julia took pity on me and helped me clean up the mess on the carpet. Thursday morning Rachel woke up and was deathly pale and complaining of a headache and her tummy hurting. I canceled piano/singing lessons for the girls and tried to prepare myself for a week of stomache flu. David only got sick that once and Rachel never did throw up. So far so good, no one else in the house seems to be getting sick...

Jared earned some video game time by taking out a bush for me in the front yard. It took him about an hour to do it but he really felt like he accomplished something by the time he was done.

Julia had fun riding her bike around the block. (I'm trying to not be so paranoid about letting her out of my sight).

Little Miss Rachel has to do whatever her big sister is doing...It drove her nuts Julia got to ride around the block when she had to stay on the side walk in front of our house, just up and down our street. We cut her hair shorter; those pigtail braids are just too cute.

David also had fun riding his little Diego Scooter up and down the street...this was the best picture I could get of him, he wouldn't ever stop moving!

Buzz Lightyear Or Woody?

David tried on his Halloween costume last night after watching Toy Story. Jared was flying him all around the family room as he infinity and beyonded us until Mommy couldn't take it any more!

Then today we tried on his Woody outfit Nonnie got him at Disney Land...they are both so cute I can't decide which one for him to wear for Halloween! (Probably which ever one doesn't get ruined by then!)

"Reach for the stars!"

Tower of Terror

This is the only picture I have so far of Jared and Julia on their trip. Julia said, "They didn't call this ride the Tower of Terror for nothing!" This is one of those rides where you go up really high and then get dropped straight down in a free fall...this ride was pitch black on the way down and the way up. This picture was taken at the top, right before you are dropped. Jared said Julia was a screaming maniac, although Julia said she was "screaming for joy." Julia also said that she wasn't holding on, on the way down and felt like she was flying up! Woo hoo! Jared knew something was coming, he just didn't know what, (this is the first time he has been willing to go on the really scary rides!)...I love the way his arm is only half way up.

Kevin and Hudson Party

It was 101 degrees today! Perfect weather for a pool party...Good thing I had one planned! My Aunt Dee and her Son Dick and his son and Grandson, Kevin and Hudson came for dinner and a swim, only little Hudson just put his feet in. Kevin wasn't able to come a few weeks ago to "Aunt Dee's Party" (That she wasn't able to attend!) so we had a special party just for him. Susan and her Dad, Merrill, were able to attend also as Susan hadn't been able to see Aunt Dee or Kevin for many years. The whole party almost got canceled because Dick spent most of the morning at the hospital with chest pains...the doctor sent him home with some meds and the advice to get less stress! He went home, took a nap and then came for dinner and a game of Wii Golf!

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Rachel didn't get to go to Disneyland but Nonnie tried to make up for not taking her by bringing back this cute dress and purse.

Nonnie also had a pretty necklace to give her that use to belong to Aunt Diana.

Rachel was so incredibly happy her Julia was home!

David has the "Puppy Dog Pout" down to an art form...

I'll give you one guess as to why he is pouting with those begging eyes!

Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Maughan

My sweet daughter-in-law sent me a smilebox to post since I've barely posted anything for the last few weeks. I haven't felt very good and everything feels like it takes too much effort, so all energy has been used for basic survival.

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My columbine and green peppers are doing great...I'm bored with pictures of the kids swimming. Jared and Julia get back from their Disneyland trip on Wednesday; I miss them. I have had a headache off and on all week, my back and neck hurt, actually all the way down my right side hurts. I don't feel like doing anything. I'm trying to get up the energy to make some pear/raspberry jam but can't seem to mange to clean up my kitchen or get school done with Rachel, instead I'm in here on the computer feeling sorry for myself because I feel so crappy! I've said my prayers, counted my blessings and yet it all just seems so hard today...

Sheldon in the Paper

CONGRESSMAN Tom McClintock, right, chats with El Dorado Hills chiropractor Doug Murray, left, and Cameron Park Farmer’s Insurance agent Sheldon Maughan before his speech at the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Village Life photo by Noel Stack
Sheldon went to an El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon where Tom McClintock spoke and got his picture in the paper!

Aunt Dee Party

This is my Great Aunt Dee and Nonnie...Nonnie is my maternal grandmother and Aunt Dee is her sister. Originally Nonnie had planned a party at my house to get her and her sisters kids and grandkids together so she could see every one but because of health reasons the first party got canceled...but then my Aunt Dee took over and planned a party but then Nonnie couldn't come because it is the weekend that they leave for Disneyland with Jared and Julia. We had the party anyway but then Aunt Dee got sick with a bad cough and was told by her doctor she needed to stay home and rest so she wasn't able to come to her own party after all of her hard work calling everyone trying to find a weekend where everyone could come! It was so fun seeing cousins I hadn't seen in a while and having everyone together, I just wish my Aunt Dee could have been there too!

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Kevin Maughan's Baptism 9-12-09

Jared and Julia left Friday for a two week Southern California trip with their Great-Grandparents. They are going to start in San Diego and go to the zoo, then Disneyland, California Adventure Park and Universal Studios. David was spending the night at his Grammy's house so Rachel and Daddy went to Kevin's baptism at 9am Saturday morning. I stayed home and got ready for the 28 people that were going to be showing up in a few hours at my house for a reunion party for my side of the family.
Rachel and Daddy ready to go to Kevin Maughan's baptism at The Mormon Center.

Kevin and Rachel

Grandpa Maughan and Rachel

Rachel showing me her birthday present from Grandpa and Grandma Maughan.