Okay, I'm sorry about all the pictures. I couldn't figure out how to do a slide show. If anyone knows how, give me a holler. But for now, here's some fun Wyoming scenes. For our 16th anniversary, we spent a night in Jackson Hole, Wyoming were Jory used to work building log homes. We took the kids on the Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride. They really enjoyed it.

The boys were fascinated by the elk. Dallin asked the guide quite a few questions.

This bull elk was so close. The guide said as long as we stay in the sleigh, the elk are used to people. But if we were to get out, they would all spook and run, which would be dangerous.

These are the hard working horses who pulled the sleigh. The guide suggested we take a picture next to them to show how big they are. We were lucky enough to pet them as well.



Here we posed under the famous elk arches that are on all four corners of the park in Jackson. The guide said every year the boy scouts gather the antlers on the refuge and have an auction. The funds go to the refuge and boy scouts. One set of really big antlers can go for $2500 big ones. Kylie thought the antlers came from hunted elk. We reassured her elk shed then regrow them every year.

At Aunt Cori's and Uncle Justin's house in Riverton. The kids enjoyed the bon-fire used for our dutch oven cooking. Can't go wrong with food and fire. We went through a lot of hot cocoa.



Dallin and Jory also enjoyed playing country boys and helped to feed the livestock.

Our children love to ride horses. Uncle Justin has taught them well. He claims he needs them to come back this summer to ride more. I might take him up on that and have a vacation.

Kylie really is talented. She picked up some riding skills very quickly. I think it's because she could ride the mechanical bull better than most men. Kylie even gave Cody a ride, but he wanted down before we got the camera out.

I was amazed at how well Dallin rode. This is Blue, and Justin claimed only the big kids with more experience could handle her. Dallin wanted to give it a shot and surprised Justin at how well he did.

Camri didn't want to go ride horses at first (she hadn't been feeling well the whole trip). I made her go and she didn't want to get off.

Jory, of course, was in his element. I'd get horses just for him if I could afford it. He has a lot of talent and loved it. He's one that might have to go work for Justin for the summer when he gets older. (I don't know if I could part with him yet.)

Wyoming was so much fun. It was a long drive through some pretty nasty weather, but worth it.

Christmas Break

We had a busy Christmas break. We went to my sister Tiffani's to spend Christmas with family. My children kept saying we needed to go so we could have snow for Christmas. When it snowed at home, I suggested we stay. However, Idaho has both cousins and snow. Also, it's half way to Wyoming that has even more cousins. I lost the argument and off we went. The weather didn't look too cooperative, but we made the trip between storms. Here are some of the exciting things we did:

Cody beat everyone up the stairs to see if Santa came!

Santa brought Cody a race track that's very loud.
Camri received the chalk/white board she asked Santa for.

Camri and Ashton each got a huge stuffed dog (not planned but convenient.)

Dallin got to open presents with his cousin Coleton. They

both got helicopters (purely coincidence that it happened twice.)

Jory received camping equipment. He's quite the scout. Kylie finally got her cell phone and a new coat. She kept wearing mine.

New Year's day we took all the cousins to the gym.

That evening we celebrated Kevin and Anthony's birthdays.

That night we partied hard playing Wii outdoor adventures with all my siblings and their spouses. Everyone made it but one husband. We planned games and ate into the New Year.

My brother Rychael cheated by pushing my sister Jeni. Needless to say, he won.
Tiffani and Amber tried jump roping. They weren't to good at it.

Teri and Bryce had to show us how it's done.

Shauna and Denelle in mid-jump roping action.
Even mom and dad gave it a shot.

We had lots of fun with my family. But the fun didn't end there. A Wyoming post will be next. I didn't know my kids were such horsemen.

Letter to Santa

At Camri's parent-teacher conference, the teacher told me Camri, my second grader, is a great writer. It must run in the family. My Grandma wrote stories, plays and poems; my dad's a great story and poem writer; my sister Diedre wrote an awesome book and is working on getting it published; my sister Jeni is an English teacher; and I, of course, can't write worth beans. Friday, Camri brought home a letter she wrote to Santa. It is super cute and I wanted to share it with everyone. It goes as follows:

Dear Saint Nicholas,

I have seen lots of movies about you because you are famous. Well, that is what I think. How are you doing? Do you have stuff like in the movies in your sleigh? I hope kids are being good this year. Santa, can you tell the elves I said "Hi"? I have found a new friend. Her name is Carsen. I go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My teacher's name is Mr. Lugo. I like him. When I was in the first grade I had Ms. Moreno and Ms. Hollenbeck. Santa, you wouldn't mind if you dropped off some presents? Oh, and Santa, can you bring some hot cocoa? We really need it for winter. Santa, some kids might change, so keep watch.

Your Christmas Friend,

Camri

Isn't that fun? What a letter to Santa, like they're best friends. She doesn't even ask for anything specifically. This letter will be a keeper. Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

More Birthday

I thought I should actually post birthday pictures.

Baby Boy's Birthday Story

Two years ago today, 12-3-2006 Cody Ross Iverson joined the family. Cody is the youngest of the five and was planned. I was sitting in fast and testimony meeting and felt we needed to have another baby boy. When I told my husband, he said he'd been thinking the same thing. Needless to say, we found out in April we were expecting. I remember at the first ultrasound thinking, "If this is a girl, I'm in trouble." The technician gave us the exciting news, another boy on the way.

After the ultrasound, we waited for our doctor appointment and I told Jory this was a silly appointment, because I never have complications. When the doctor came in, she said the baby was fine, but...I'd never had a "but" before. I had partial placenta previa. She explained it would probably correct itself as the uterus grew, hopefully moving the placenta away from the cervix. They gave instructions, no heavy lifting, no strenuous exercise and no intercourse. My husband wasn't too pleased. I followed directions, especially the no exercise. Six weeks later and another ultrasound, nothing had changed. However, I was feeling great and never had any preterm labor with the other kids so I tried not to worry.

Finally at 35 weeks, my doctor gave in and said no chance for a natural delivery. He was more upset than me. With my history of great deliveries without even a stitch and fast recoveries, he didn't want to do surgery. I was all for it, no labor! Boy was I wrong! C-sections are no fun at all. We scheduled for Dec. 4th.

On Dec. 2nd, my husband and kids went to Spokane to pick up my mom from the airport. I took the opportunity to climb up into the attic, pull out all the Christmas presents, wrap them up and then haul them back up. That night I started having pains, but decided to just go to bed. At 2 a.m. the pain woke me up. I figured a shower would make me feel better and I needed to shave my legs anyway. The pain didn't get better. I woke up Jory and told him we better go, I might be in labor. He got dressed, took my bag I just packed that day out to the car and my mom came in to sleep in my bed. As she walked in, I felt the gush. "Oh no!" I said and my mom about passed out as I pulled my pants down and saw the blood. I ran in the bathroom and put on a pad, while my mom screamed "Go!" She ran down the stairs and yelled at Jory to get me to the hospital. I hobbled down behind her feeling dreadful. She asked where the number was to the hospital and I couldn't remember or find anything. We left and Jory sped to the hospital.

I couldn't think as he raced down George WA way going 50+ miles and hour. We arrived at the hospital and they were waiting. My mom had called. They rushed me up stairs. A nurse handed me a gown and I went to change in the bathroom. I bled all over the place. All I could think of was I lost him. As I came out apologizing, they reassured me and helped me up on the table, slapping on the fetal monitor. There was a steady heartbeat. I was elated. At 3:37 a.m. Cody entered the world at 8 lbs., 20 1/2 inches long. I couldn't see him and had to ask Jory to move the screen. He looked puffy. Jory went with the baby and I got stitched up.

When I got to the room, the nurses were hovering around Cody. They rushed him to me and set him on my chest. His oxygen blood levels were low. My body heat didn't help, so off he went to NICU where he stayed for three days. When I finally went to see him, I got sick and threw up. I didn't get to see him for a while, but once I was feeling better, I was in the NICU more than I should have been. The nurses kept telling me to sleep, but I insisted they wake me up to feed him. We were able to come home together, but he ended up with Jaundice and had to have the lights on him for a week. However, we had an in home nurse come and help us with the lights at home.

For three weeks he didn't gain weight and I worried. When we blessed him on the 31st, I prayed Jory would bless him with health. The spirit listened and Jory gave a wonderful blessing. It seemed from that day on, he gained weight and hasn't had any health problems. He is now a healthy and busy two year old. Cody is loved by all and spoiled by all. We love him and know he was a gift from our Heavenly Father.

We've had a very busy month. Jory Taylor had braces put on (there goes Christmas;). We had parent teacher conferences and my children are brilliant. JT needs to not be so talkative, but still pulling good grades. I survived my first Book Fair at the elementary school. I finally have a full Young Women's presidency again and am super excited to be working with such great women, but will miss the ones I lost. JT played his first bball game and made a steal and rebound. Kylie made the 9th grade bball A team. We finally took a family picture (thanks Debbie:) And the funniest thing all month was getting locked out of the house.

To expand this story, I have to say my Heavenly Father sure does bless and watch out for me and my family. As I left the house last Wednesday to take Kylie to the orthodontist, I felt I should grab the car keys with the house key on it. My husband was on a business trip and I had locked every window and door in the house the night before. However, I still grabbed the wrong keys and left. Kylie didn't want to go back to school after her appointment and I was fine with that, so we went to Costco and then home. Needless to say, when we got home, the door was locked. However, I had the key, right? Wrong! No key, no first story open window, no garage door opener and no husband. I almost panicked, but didn't. Kylie was smart and started checking the upstairs windows. We found an unlocked window! I suggested we turn the trampoline on its side and she could climb up it and through the window. I received a dirty look for that. But then, I spotted the monkey bars Jory has been threatening to cement into the ground. Luckily, he never got around to it. Kylie and I dragged it over and up she went. As she struggled getting up on top of the bars, I started laughing. She said, "This used to be a lot easier." The joys of growing up and getting curves. She couldn't get the screen off, so ripped it to shreds with the car keys. Then she realized she had to step up to the top bar in order to jump through. It took courage, but I assured her it was better if she did it. I could at least stop her fall a little, but if she tried to stop my fall, I'd smash her. She made it with me laughing the whole time. It was so funny, when I got in the house, I grabbed the camera and made her do it again! I'm thankful Heavenly Father sent me such a daring girl and a sense of humor.

Halloween

I think I like Halloween more than the kids. I love to walk around with them and see how many houses we can hit and how much candy we can get. Then, we bring it home and I wonder, "What was I thinking?" We had lots of fun though, and Cody was a trooper. Everyone loved seeing the little cowboy (he was actually supposed to look like a rodeo clown) push his way to their door and put his bag out for a treat.

And yes, we are still eating our candy, but most of the chocolate is gone.