FINALLY!!

We finally closed on our "new" home on June 13th and have been working ever since to get settled. Other than a few minor bumps, we've been enjoying it here. We have a little over an acre of land with animal rights. The house is small, but it has TONS of potential! We definitely plan to build on. We have 15 chickens, 2 dogs, one cat, and a lizard that just earned the name "Hudini" (we haven't found it yet....I'm sure it won't be "well" when we do!)

Cris is working at a local gas station on the weekends and Will has been out of town during the week driving truck in Vernal. I think that this is the busiest we have ever been! It seems that we're seldom home anymore.

Last weekend, since Cris had it off, we decided to go fishing. We went to Potter's Ponds up Fairview Canyon where we all enjoyed several hours of REALLY good fishing! Little Riley is quite the fisherman! We were able to meet up with Ryan and Keli as they were camping in the area. It sure is nice to see them now and then!

The town we live in is having a big celebration for the 24th. The kids get to decorate their bikes and ride thru the town in a parade. Guess mom gets to learn how to change a bike tube...3 of them! There's also going to be a dutch oven cook off and a pot-luck dinner that evening. I think it will be a great opportunity to meet all our neighbors.

I don't have any pictures to share at this time, but I promise, the next time I blog, I will have some pictures to show!

For the 4th of July, we decided NOT to "burn our money", but, instead, we "watered" it down a bit and bought the kids a swimming pool. We watched the firework show from our yard and went swimming the next day. What an awesome investment! The kids have all had a ball in it and we have a hard time keeping them out! Especially on those "dog days" of summer. Fortunately for us, the kids go back to school on the 19th...4 of our 5 will be in school! YAY for mom!

Let's Go Wheelin'

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

What fun we had! This was the first place we all had to stop and wait for the boys to push their bikes out of the snow bank. It was a beautiful day (in the upper 80's), but we were so high in the mountains above our home, that we were eventually forced to turn around because of the amount of snow in the road.

Check it out!! It took all 4 of these men to get 2 little bikes out of the snow!! We had such a blast! Of course, I couldn't help, I was wearing sandals and there was NO WAY I was going to step in that icky white stuff!

Our turn around point. Mom just couldn't resist the photo op and snapped this one off. By the time we got home, you couldn't tell what color the bikes were. We were ALL covered in mud!

Alexis' Preschool Graduation

On Saturday, May 17th, Lexi graduated from Headstart. We are so proud of her! This is a picture of all the kids that graduated that day. SO CUTE!











Here's where Lexi was called to claim her certificate. It was windy and so she had to keep a good hold on her paper cap.

Isn't she a doll!!! She was so proud of her award. It was a big day for all of us and this was a great end to a milestone day! Another memory made....We love you Lexi!

Individual Progress Report

WILLIAM: Will is still working for the company he's been with for about a year and a half. He enjoys his job and they appreciate his hard work and dedication! He also enjoys tinkering on his JEEP and riding the wheelers with his boys. Lexi is his little "snuggle bug" and insists on having "Teddy Bear Hugs and Rabbit Tickles" the moment he walks in the door. Dakota is his constant shadow and strives to be just like dad. Colton and Zac are also starving for dad's approval and attention. With so many little ones running around, sometimes there just isn't enough for everyone...

CRIS: Cris is working for the same company as Will, but she's an office assistant and errand girl. Not to mention, the office cleaning lady too! She's been busy with gathering all the necessary documents to get the new home purchase in order. Between tending to sick kids, doing house chores, working, and being a "mother hen" to 12 baby chickens, she hardly has time to shower!

DAKOTA: Dakota is getting eager for the school year to end. He will be a big 7th grader next Fall! He has been giving his mom and dad a run for their money with his pre-teen attitude, but he can be an awesome kid when he wants to be.

COLTON: Colton is just finishing up the 4th grade and is doing awesome in school! He is such a big help around the house. He loves his younger siblings, but sometimes just can't keep from duking it out with Zachary!

ZACHARY: Zachary is excited about the 4th grade, but he's really looking forward to summer! He's definitely a handful and doesn't have a problem voicing his feelings...frequently! He's a real go-getter too!

ALEXIS: Lexi is our little princess and a very independent one too! Her teachers at school really don't know what to do with her because she's so smart and has already passed all her schoolmates! She loves to learn! She's a great artist and so very kind and thoughtful...what a precious gift she has been.

RILEY: Riley, boy, what can I say about this little tyke! He's a bundle of energy and such a TALKER! For a 3yr old, he sure can get his verbal point across! He loves to ride the wheelers and won't stay out of dad's tackle box...he's quite a fisherman too!

New Family Activity

This has been an exciting year for us! We were finally able to add some "wheelers" to the family! Because we live where we do, we can actually ride the bikes from the driveway to the foothills. We've made some great memories so far, and we plan to make many more in the future!

Brown Family Updates

Since this is the first time for me "blogging", and I'm still kinda new to this whole concept, let me just update everyone for now.

We are currently renting a little home in Manti, UT, but we're in the process of buying a cute little home in Fayette. It may not be a "mansion" on the hill, but it's "ours". It's a start for now anyway.