You're a Grand Old Flag...

Dallin had his First Grade program at school today. It was fabulous! He did a great job. I don't remember singing that well in first grade. You could hear every word. For weeks he's been talking about getting ready for it and telling me how every time they sing "I'm proud to be an American" his singing teacher starts to cry and he just knew it would make me cry too. Well, I have to admit, I got a little teary. He's getting so big. I can't believe he's almost in second grade! This kid is smart and funny and growing up way to fast. I hate it and love it at the same time. You did an awesome job Dallin. We are so proud of you! P.S. Mom we got it all on video so no worries!

Cousins!

Dustin's Mom called and said that Ryan and the kids were coming for a visit and so we decided to go up for the weekend too and take advantage of the cousins and the fun! We had a great time. CJ, DenniAnn, Kristi, Becky and I took all the kids swimming on Saturday for a couple of hours while Dustin and Tyler played with the surround sound, and they had a blast! I was thinking it would wipe them out and they would go home and sleep for a good long while, but no such luck. We went home to Grandma's for sloppy joes, the kids tanked up and they were off again to play in the backyard, until we made them come in to get ready for bed. I was pooped! I have no idea how they just keep going and going and going! We had a great time visiting and catching up and just taking it easy. We needed a break from work and life and it was fun to just relax. I totally fell asleep on the couch early on Saturday night after our big swimming adventure and I'm sure I was snoring. I love that old blue couch though...so comfy. Sunday after church Mom and Kristi attempted to get all the kids smiling in one picture. Zeke had a pack of fruit snacks and was not having anything to do with the picture. Dallin couldn't keep his bunny ears off of Derrick, and well...you try getting eight kids under age seven to cooperate and smile at the same time after sitting through three hours of church! Not our best moment, but a good memory. LOL!


Zeke was a little unsure at the pool for a while. It's been a few months sense we last went, but after he warmed up a bit to the idea, I couldn't get him out of there and he was having NO help in the kiddie pool, even though he was about 2 inches too short. I about had a heart attack a few times watching him go under! Both Dallin and Alex thought they were totally awesome sporting Jayden's goggles. They looked hilarious with them on. Thank heaven for DenniAnn. She was the only only brave enough to jump in with the kids and catch them off the diving boards, slides and to make sure Zeke didn't drown. She's a good sport and she loves the kids. I think she's still one of them at heart. I can't believe she's off to college this year. When Dustin and I met she was only eight and getting baptized. I feel old.

The "Spin" Park

This month we discovered the "Spin" park just a few blocks from our house. We love it! There is so much to do! Here are a few of my favorite shots. I have taken a ton of them!
A seat for everyone...a mother designed this ride, I just know it. No crying kids that have to wait in line for their turn. Just right for the little guys too!
Zeke...has to do everything himself--no help. He is getting bigger every day. My latest nickname for him is "Bruiser". He is a tank. Does not put up with anyone getting in his way. Some days is scary...LOL!
This is such a Derrick face---the kid couldn't get any more full of life if he tried.
I had a hard time catching Alex on the camera. He loves to climb and climb and try everything out. Quiet, but very observant. Before you know it he has a new trick mastered and ready to show off.
Dallin loves to "pose" for the camera right now. He is very aware that i'm taking pictures and loves to look at them after we get home. Funny how they go from begging them to smile to begging you to take the shot.
Just hangin' around...
Alex loved the rock climbing wall...scared the life out of mom watching him go up and down that thing. I had to pull the plug when Zeke thought he should give it a whirl.
Hilarious! He is still a kid at heart. Thought I wasn't watching and took a spin. Busted!
This thing is totally fun, but beware it could cause a divorce. Dallin did awesome in it, got it on the first try. You climb in and the thing starts to spin. I gave it a whirl and practically fell out...screamed...screamed some more...Dustin came running...tried to catch me as I was half hanging half spinning...screamed some more. Finally got out of the thing. Dustin put his arm around his sister like they were married and said (not very quietly I might add), Who is that lady that almost killed herself in that thing honey? How embarrassing!" It was a funny memory, but I eneded up with a bruise and wont be doing that again any time soon. For the record, my Mom tried it too and did better than me.
Holly packin' Derrick. She loves him!
Dustin helping Zeke get his footing after a spin. Her seriously couldn't stand up straight for a few minuets after spinning around. Totally funny!
She loves being a Grandma!

The girls...love it when they come!

Follow the Phrophet

After watching conference all weekend this was bound to come up....
I'm sitting in the office downstairs working and the kids are playing in the playroom next door. I hear this conversation:

Alex: "Derrick do you know Thomas Monson...he is a Prophet!"
Derrick: "Ya! I know him!" (Pretty sure at this point Derrick had no idea, just wanted to sound cool.)
Alex: "You know like on that song...(he starts to sing)
"Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, Don't Go STRAIGHT!"

I was rolling on the floor! Derrick has been singing "Don't go straight!" all day sense. At least we are on the right track and they know who the prophet is and that they should follow him...even if it isn't straight!

P.S. We still sing our "Prophet and Apostles" song to the tune of One little, Two little, Three Little Indians every now and then to keep them fresh in our minds...can you name the first presidency and all twelve apostles? Try it! It's fun!

Be True to who you are and the family name you bare...

This is us. The Herbison Fam'! With the exception of Uncle Cody who is in Oregon and couldn't make it down for Easter. We missed you lil' Bro'!
So fun being Grandparents!

Conference/Easter Weekend

After the game I headed off to work for a few hours so this is what I found on my camera when I got back...
First things first...get the eggs boiled for coloring. The kids love to help grandma, and she is patient enough to let them. (Not one of my better strengths.)
Watching the dye work...and waiting...and waiting... (I think Holly and Tara were just as excited and curious!)
Listening to conference...having a good time. (Loved conference this time! My Favorite time of year!)
Came home to a yummy dinner that Dustin and Dad made. I love this guy! Always willing to help and make it special. Everything looked so good and tasted awesome. I am considering going to work and letting him stay home to handle things. He does a way better job than me...LOL!


For years I have been begging Dustin to get me a baby duck for Easter. Every year we have the same discussion. I want the baby chick or duck to play with for Easter, he says "No" because they grow up, make a mess, he would get attached, what would we do with it after a few days of staring at it...We do NOT live on a farm Amy! So anyway, as of yet no baby ducks. Well on Sunday while we were waiting for dinner the kids were getting rowdy so my Mom and Julie took them for a walk over to the duck pond and this is what followed them home. A cute little Easter duck. (Actually I think it was a baby goose, but whose complaining? It was fun for a little while and then I made them take it back. I don't think it had a mom and I felt bad, but it was fun for the day and very "Easter-y"!

"Kickin'" the weekend off...

We kicked off Easter weekend at Dallin's soccer game bright and early Saturday Morning. Grandma and Grandpa Herbison came down for the weekend with Holly and Tara so we had some great cheerleaders!

Dallin did awesome! Look at that kid run!
The Cheering squad...
Go Dallin!
Sisters...do we look alike?

This is me...

So sense the blossoms are out down here I decided to pull out the Runaway Bride (my favorite springtime Chick-Flick) and I started thinking about things that I've come to notice about myself as a person after he told her she knew nothing about herself, not even what kind of eggs she liked. Surprisingly interesting I found out...

For starters I HATE eggs yolks. Yuk! Only whites for me thanks. (I am happy to know that the white it the part that is good for you..hurray!)

I am not a big breakfast eater. If I had my way we would skip straight to lunch. (This is hard when you have kids. Kids like breakfast)

I like flip-flops better than shoes.

Love to read!

Like to be busy. I would rather be working than board and sitting there. I have always been this way, just didn't know it.

I like spring better than fall. Both are pretty, but spring wins by a tiny bit.

Love a challenge. Big or small, it's the figuring it out that's fun!

My kids make me laugh and I like that.

I do NOT like to be alone.

I like Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman---I am not ashamed---anymore. LOL!

I'm sure I'll think of more, but today this is what I thought of. Funny how if you take some time to think about yourself you find all sorts of little things you didn't know. Try it. It may surprise you!

Old McDonald Had Farm...

Another funny Derrick moment in the car. We are driving along Riverside and there are a few little farms along that road. There are horses and cows and sheep and a few llamas. So we're driving along and Derrick sings from the back seat, "Old McDonald Had a Farm..." pause, pause,...
"He had a cow... "(we drive past a cow)
"...and a horse..." (we drive past a horse)
"...a sheep..." (past the sheep)
"...bigger sheep." (You guessed it---drove past a llama!)

Hilarious! I laughed all the way home. Llamas look like sheep...don't they? :D

Merry Christmas To Me!

For Christmas LAST YEAR I told Dustin that all I wanted was some time to get caught up on the laundry, get it cleaned folded and put away and to have my room clean and pretty for a few days. Well today was finally Christmas eve and with any luck tomorrow I will wake up to a clean room and an empty hamper...or at least just a normal wash load full hamper. I am so excited that there are no clothes on the floor at the foot of my bed and I didn't have to clear anything off of it to get in it. Some days I feel like my bedroom is just a glorified laundry room and Dustin's comment as he leaves the house is, "Hey look! The hamper threw up again!" Seriously I feel like it's Christmas just having everything put away for a day. (It only took about 5 hours of washing, folding and ironing to get it done too! LOL!)