We Love Our Kids!!! - So I have never been a big fan of school pictures. They were horrible when we were kids. I mean, who would let their kids have their picture taken after two recesses and lunch. I remember two pictures of Matt and I that were Horrible!!!! So, rather than take my chances on the school pictures this year, we decided to walk over to the neighbors and take a few of our own pictures. (Thank You Mike & Elsie, we will tell you we used your yard when you get back from Disney Land tomorrow) We didn't get a family picture (because we were the only ones there) but we got some darling shots and had a great time. Pictures sure are easier when your kids are older...... Here are a few we wanted to share~

We really had a great time taking these pictures. I think Eric was saying everything from "Girls Are Cute" to "Ninja akkaka" - whatever makes them smile is great with me.

I can't believe KY will be 14 in a couple weeks. What a great young man! I told him the other day how grateful I was for him. He always is making sure I am taken care of. I know he has learned that from his dad. He has a huge heart and cares about everyone. I Love You Ky!!

Kylan Eric

Ghavan Eric - I can't believe he will be 12 in the spring. Where does the time go?? I can't imagine our family without Ghavan. He is hilarious and adds such personality to our family. A couple weeks ago, he asked me on a date for lunch!! I picked him up at school and we went and had a sandwich and soup. Of course I had to buy - but I didn't mind. It meant a lot to me that he wanted to spend time with me...... I Love You Ghavan!!

Chloee Mae

Our beautiful princess.... what did we do without her. She has Kylan's heart and Ghavan's sense of humor, my type A personality and her dad's love of animals. What a great mixture. She is absolutely beautiful both inside and out. We went to her parent teacher conferences a week ago and her teacher said she has a lot of friends because she is a good friend to everyone. She always has been. I Love You My Chloee Mae!!

I absolutely love my job. Eric and I have owned a Home Decor business for many years now and it truly is such a blessing in my life. I remember sitting in a General Relief Society meeting where President Uchtdorf gave the most inspiring talk about creating. He talked about how our Father In Heaven is a creator and how we have inherited that from him. Well, creating is one of my favorite things. I am very blessed to do it everyday! As we have taught classes and shared what we do over the years, it is amazing to me how much other women love to create also. Pretty Cool!!

Because this is such a big part of my life, I decided I would share some of my favorite things on our family blog. Our business blog is full of them, but here are some of my favorites! One of my favorite things, is taking an old piece of furniture and refurbishing it. We found this old headboard at a thrift store for $5.00 and turned it into a bench. It is in my front room and I LOVE IT! We also found this awesome rocking chair for $20.00. I brought it home, sanded it down and painted it black. Of course I distressed it and added some funky marks in it (love the character) and put it in our bedroom. I love rocking in it. I love placing quilts and quilted runners on it that match the seasons.

Thanks for letting me share!

Chloee's Cards for Cancer

My sweet mom was diagnosed with Breast cancer a few months ago! We really wanted to help her, but of course, she is wonderwoman and didn't need much from us other than prayers. Chloee and I decided to turn some of her artwork into cards. We packaged them and have sold them to raise money for the LOGAN Cancer Center. This is the wonderful facility that mom was able to go to for her treatments. The director of the Cancer Center found out about our cards and asked me to be the chair person for a community committee that will do an annual fundraiser for the cancer center. This is a big undertaking for Eric and I. Sometimes I wonder what in the world I am doing.... but I truly believe that "Where Much Is Given, Much is Required". For more information about "Chloee's Cards For Cancer" check out our blog at www.chloeescardsforcancer.blogspot.com

Ghavan graduated from Cub Scouts into the 11 Year Old Scouting program. Wow, no more cub scouts for our family. He earned all of his ranks and loved going to scouts. He has some Great friends that are his age and his leaders have been amazing! A couple weeks ago, Ghavan and Ky went in for their Scout Physicals so they could go to Scout camp this week. The doctor informed us that Ghavan had a hernia and would need to have Surgery to fix it. So Monday morning, Kylan left at 4:00 a.m. for scout camp. Ghavan had surgery at 7:30. We got home at 12:00 noon and Eric left for Scout camp right after that. Ghavan was kind of bumbed, but he has had MANY visitors and everyone of them has brought food and treats for him. He is livin' the life! No Chores, Video Games, Ice Cream, Sleep - Wow, Enjoy buddy! School starts in a couple weeks!! SMILE~

Chloee's Piano Recital

Chloee had her first piano recital this past May! She did so good. Her piano piece lasted about 10 seconds and it was wonderful! This is her friend Carly sitting by her at the piano. Carly's mom Holly is Chloee's Piano Teacher.

Pearce Family Camping Trip

My Mom, Dad and siblings all go for a camping trip every year up Logan Canyon - We were only able to go up one day this year because of our lack of shelter. Ok, so we have tents, but I'm not too hip on them. Call me crazy, but camping is a really hard thing for me. No matter how hard I try and convince myself that I love camping, it just doesn't work. The visiting and relaxing is great..... but the dirt and dirt and filthy kids just doesn't work for me. Thankgoodness Mom and Dad, Matt & Tori all have nice trailers with toilets. That definitely makes things a lot better! We are hoping to get our own trailer for next year~ We did go up camping a couple weeks ago with Mom & Dad, Tori, Jer and the kids. We took My Grandma and Grandpa Pearce's old trailer and that was great! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We have many fond memories in that trailer. The picture above is a picture of the kids in front of the Pony Express Tree. Chloee calls is the "Polar Express" Tree. Gotta love her! My mom always has a kids auction. She must work all year long finding little treasures for the kids. As they do services around the camp ground they earn fake money that allows them to buy many of these treasures. They can all walk away from the auction with 5-10 things. The older kids love the candy! Thanks for the wonderful memories mom!

Millville Flooding - Spring Time

Many of you heard about the flooding that was happening in Northern Utah this past spring. Well some of the biggest flooding happened a couple blocks from our home. These pictures are pretty awesome. To the left (behind the red gate) is our neighbor's backyard. It was a beautiful area that turned into a 6' lake. The river had way more water that it could handle and it broke right through the river walls. Once it filled all the land, it proceeded to wash over the road. We have driven this road everyday for the past 14 years and now..... it is no longer. They have closed this road down and won't open it again. The bridge was old and no longer safe. It is a beatiful area. I miss driving this road everyday. Kylan, Ghavan and Chloee~ The flooding was amazing!
This summer, Eric and the boys built this small canoe. They took it down to our neighbors house and floated it in their back yard. Travis is one of the guys that works for us~ This is his back yard. He took the boat out for a spin (or paddle or float? Not sure which one). Go Ky Go!! Go Ky Go!!When we are given lemons..... make lemonade!

Happy Birthday Grandma Shirley!

This year Eric's Grandma ~Grandma Shirley~ turned 85. We drove to Idaho Falls for a birthday party we threw for her. It was so much fun to see her and visit with her. We love you Grandma Shirley.

Gone Boating!

So... this summer we bought a boat! Not a new or expensive boat, but a great family boat. We have spent many hours in the water this summer. One of our favorite places to boat (and fish) is Mantua. It is a beautiful lake! The kids have loved tubing and Ky is bound and determined to get up on the Wake Board! It is much harder than it looks. I laughed and laughed the day Kylan and Eric tried getting up. I was driving the boat and I swear we spent almost two hours going around in circles. They would grab onto the line, signal for me to go, I would hit the gas and the rope would leave their hands and leave their bodies floating. We did it over and over. The funniest part is watching the kids on the tube behind the boat. They were being tossed all around! Heads bobbing, bodies flying everywhere and water in the face. I was really belly laughing!!! What great memories!!! Eric is in Heaven~ he has wanted a boat for a very long time! My darling...... having the time of his life... I Love You Babe! Getting on the tube is harder than it looks. I just sit back and laugh at everyone. I prefer to stay in the boat myself. Maybe that is why it is so funny watching all of them struggle, because I'm not struggling. I am sipping a diet coke and watching them get wet! What a life.Life jackets are a must in our boat~ We would rather be safe than sorry. We were stopped in the middle of the lake and Chloee said "I want to see if it is scary". She walked over to the edge of the boat and jumped in. Ky was already in the water getting onto the tube. I couldn't believe she did that. All three of our kids are fish!

Bon Jovi!

For Christmas we gave our kids (and ourselves of course) tickets to Bon Jovi~ Who would have thought that our kids would love listening to what we listened to as kids?? Crazy Or What? Eric's Sister Amy and her hubby and kids went with us. We always have a great time together. Shawn, Johnny, Ghavan, Kasey & Amy were sitting a couple rows above us. As you can tell, we were almost to the top.... IT WAS AWESOME! Chloee, Kylan and Josie!! Waiting for the music to start!! Eric a I ~Living On A Prayer~My Darling Niece Jessica and myself. We love being together!
My darling Chloee and I rocking out! What a blast - I love you honey!

Just had to add a picture that we took of the Jumbo Tron - We were so far up that we stared at the jumbo tron all night. It was still awesome!