June 2014 10 years!!

This  year for our 10 year anniversary Tyrell surprised me with a trip to Las Vegas! We had gone there on our honeymoon, but like most couples, we were pretty limited on what we could afford to do. This time, though still limited, we were able to do a lot more. The first night we were there we were able to take a helicopter tour of the strip. I had never been flying, let alone in a helicopter. I was pretty nervous. It was sooo much fun, though. 

Then we went on the new high roller. That wasn't as fun as I had expected, but still neat. It moves really slow and takes about 30 min. to get around the entire thing.

The next morning we decide to walk around a little and just see what was there. Then, we went over to Mandalay Bay to see the aquarium they have there. It was really cool and impressive. 

After the aquarium we headed to

The wax figures here were so cool! They looked real! Judge for yourself. Warning: picture overload about to take place.

At the end of the wax museum there was a Marvel 4d movie. You could literally smell and feel the movie! We got sprayed a couple of times when something sprayed in the movie. We got jabbed in the back as well when one of the characters get jabbed. At one point there are things scattering across the floor and you could feel a sense that it was happening on your feet and lower legs. Kind of creepy, but really cool!

Later that night we had tickets to 

Which was beyond amazing!! I have never seen so much talent! They didn't allow pictures so this is all we have. 

I don't remember the order of the other exhibits we were able to go to but I do have pictures. 

Tyrell was so excited when we left the aquarium because there was a newer exhibit that they were giving away free tickets to when you went to the aquarium. It was called Score. It was a sports museum full of actual memorabilia. 

His team is on the top 50 most valued teams, ranking 18! 

One of my favorite exhibits was the Titanic. They didnt allow pictures in there either. As younentervthey give you a ticket. You become a passenger on the ship. The tickets have names and information that is real. At the end you get to look at the list of survivors and deaths to find your name and find out if you lived. 

Both of our people survived. The tour was really interesting. Among artifacts they have brought out of the ocean and preserved there were stories about people who were on the ship and why. I found it interesting that several passengers were supposed to be on other ships and ended up on the titanic for various reasons. They also had a replica of an iceberg you could touch to feel the coolness. There were sections that were set up to look like the different classes in the ship. There was a real part of the actual ship at the end of the exhibit. It was huge!

The last night we were there we decided to do the Eiffel Tower experience. 

This was really fun! The Eiffel Tower replica is exactly half as tall as the real one. They had wanted it to be the same size, but were told no by the airport. Once you are to the top you are in the open air, but are surrounded by a fence type thing. We watched many of the free shows up there. Here are some pictures of the fountains from the Eiffel Tower.

And, of course the view of the strip.

Some of the other things we did were free. The botoniacal gardens were beautiful.

We also went to the coke store and did their flavors from around the world testers. Some were delicious while others tasted like cough syrup.

The Hershey's store was fun too! They had a jelly belly Statue of Liberty and some Hershey's bar sculptures.

We really had a great time! It's probably one of the best times I have ever had!! 

Wow!

Apparently blogging has been on the back burner!! We'll, now that we have moved twice, had 6 birthdays, a baptism, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines, Easter, and now Mother's Day, and a heck of a lot more I will reappear. 

Wow! What a year! This has been the most challenging, yet fulfilling year for me personally. School is 4 weeks away from being over and boy! have I learned more than I feel like I ever signed up for. I have the most amazing class, though. They have been tough, but unforgettable and definitely have wormed their sweet souls into my heart forever (even the ones I will pray to never teach again). 

As for moving....we have had our share. We moved into a home in Filer. We thought we would save some money on rent. That didn't quite work out and some things fell into place for us to finally move our family to Jerome March 1st. That has been a huge blessing! 

Everyone is a year older and we hope wiser. Koen was baptized. We are so proud of him! Kai registered for kindergarten and was able to recognize 11 letters, write his name, identify shapes and colors, and seems to be right on target. Havyn is becoming more and more her momma (scary, I know). She is bossy and emotional. Talk about 4 going on 14. I don't think I am ready to really see that day anytime soon. Kael is about as stubborn as they come. He refuses to potty train (even though he knows how). He is 3 through and through.

Tyrell was able to coach football at the high school and wrestling at the middle school. He has loved being a part of that! He is still teaching 6th grade Social Studies. He is a big hit with the students here too. I don't blame them (he's pretty special).

I have decided that I LOVE teaching, but that I need to learn that not every parent, teacher, para, and their dog ate gonna LOVE me! Oh, I forgot student. I have also decided that I will go on a new adventure in 4th grade next year! Isn't that great? Now I can watch my little souls grow more the next two years at my new school. 

Here are some pictures that should have been here, but weren't.

News

Our family will one again be moving in about a week. Tyrell and I both got teaching jobs for Jerome School District. I had interviewed all over here, and just wasn't getting offers. Then, as if it were an invitation to look elsewhere, we got some not so great news for Tyrell next year. We decided that it wasn't best for our family, and expanded our search. Within two weeks we both had multiple offers in the Twin Falls area. Jerome is the only district that had jobs for both of us. Tyrell will be teaching sixth grade Social Studies, almost exactly the same way he did here. They use the same curriculum! Their middle school is set up very similar to the school he taught for here. I get to teach 3rd grade, which is exactly what I wanted! We are very excited.

Ant Pets

We have been dealing with some pretty intense trials at our house lately so anything that brings a smile to my face is blog worthy, I suppose. This evening Koen and Kai got spoons and baggies and were in the backyard finding ants to put in dirt in their baggies. They told me they were going to be their ant pets. I told them they needed to stay outside (shuddering at the thought of them coming inside). Kai was quite upset saying, "but mom, they need a comfy home." They spent quite a bit of time finding just the right spot in the backyard.

Kai checks them frequently and is all too concerned that it will rain on them and ants die from water. He keeps asking to bring them in. I am going to have to keep a close eye on that. Can you imagine the infestation that would occur?
Havyn and Kael didn't quite understand what they were doing, but being the little two they always want to participate so they filled baggies with just plain old dirt and they were proud.

 



Don't mind how filthy they are. They get that way almost daily, and yes, I do bathe them every night, and if you are wondering , yes the tub looks like a sandbox if I don't shower them down first. Hey, at least they enjoy the outdoors instead of sitting on the butts all day!

 

As for the trials, if you don't know what I am talking about, you will as soon as it all straightens out. That is a post for when I have a happy ending.

Memories

We spent 4 days last week making memories with my family. I have to say it was one of the best times I think we have ever had together. I missed Jason because he couldn't be there, but watching the cousins build friendships was so much fun! I wish they were all closer to each other, but that isn't a possibility.
Thursday when we finally made it there (what a drive with 4 kids and 1 mommy) we hung out at Grandma's and got some new cool hats and aprons she made! The kids wore them almost everywhere. I think they like them. Kael and Havyn decided the washable markers were makeup and we ended up with this.

Kael learned to blow bubbles amazingly well for a 2 year old.

And turned my mom hick by making her figure out how to keep him out of the fridge.



We also went to visit Great Grandma. She gave the kids ice cream bars, and boy did that bring back memories. I had to take a picture because that's something I remember doing at her house, and I want them to be able to cherish those moments when they get a little older.

Friday, Grandpa came home and we went to the park. I am pretty sure he got a little more attention than he bargained for. The kids enjoyed every minute of playing with him on that playground, though. I think he enjoyed every minute too!

 

 

Saturday, we all got together and went to the zoo in Idaho Falls. The kids loved it! Kai got lost, but luckily we noticed just as they were announcing over the radio that a little boy was lost at the penguin exhibit. Not a surprise since we had 7 kids in tow and he doesn't seem to pay attention. I felt like world's worst mom, but I thought he was with one of the other adults. We had 2 strollers and 2 wagons, 7 kids, and 6 adults. It's hard to keep track of everyone!

 



 

 

Yes, my mom really did sit in the kid wagon and make my dad pull her around. Even up a hill!!! It was pretty funny!

Kids Say The Funniest Things

Tonight, just as I am tucking Kael in, I hear Kai in the room next door say, "Mom, Koen just said he is going to be a grandpa!" I replied, "yes, he will, and so will you!" You should have seen the look on his face. I guess someday we all get old, but it's hard for a 4 year old to comprehend.

9 Years

Wow! Yesterday marked 9 years of marriage for us! Where has the time gone? If you would have asked me then where we'd be 9 years later I doubt my answer would be reality. I was so niave and young then. Being a grown up is so much harder than it looks, and so is being a parent. That said, big kudos to Tyrell for sticking with me even when the nagging never ends. We didn't do anything to celebrate other than watch a movie. I guess we are getting boring in our old age! Here were are 9 years ago being declared Mr. and Mrs. Snyder (guess that tells ya who wears the pants in the family). Yes, I am bossy!

We were so young I almost wonder if it was legal! I guess everyone looks back and even though they don't feel older they can see older. Look how small I used to be! Hmmm, I guess 4 kids will do that to ya.