October Pictures!

Jakie and Kenzie School Musical

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Makenzie's first day of Kindergarten!

Yeah! The first day of Kindergarten has finally arrived.

Jakie says, "Can I get on the bus and go to school with Kenzie?"

Don't I look cool strutting towards the bus! Daddy calls it "The Big Cheese"

Don't miss me too much mommy. I'll be o.k.

Our trip to Nebraska

We spent two weeks in Nebraska visiting Grandma and Grandpa Daniels on the Family Farm.
Actually, Makenzie spent a whole month being spoiled by her grandparents. We are still trying to bring her back to reality! We had a great time. We slid down irrigation ditches, rode on the tractors & the swather. Helped Grandpa irrigate the fields. Rode horses & played with the farm animals(well some of them, it might not be wise to play with the bull!). We went to the county fair and got to drive my dad's old '48 Studebaker grain truck (Quite a collector's item) in the fair parade... all kinds of down home country fun!
Makenzie going down the ditch first!

You can't tell by this picture but the ditch is actually
steep enough for a good fast slide. It didn't phase Jake
even a little.

While we were there the county fair was going. They had a contest called Little Miss cowgirl and cowboy. We decided to enter Makenzie in the contest since she feels she's a pretty good cowgirl especially when shes on the farm. They judged them on their costumes and personality.
Makenzie got right up on stage without any difficulty and showed off her stuff. She had a lasso (lariat) as her prop and the announcer asked her if she knew how to use it. She said " Oh, Sure!" and then the announcer asked "do you need any help?" When he said that Makenzie shot him a look like are you crazy, I know what I am doing. She did know what she was doing because she got out the lasso and swung it around her head with ease like she'd been doing it for years. It must be a hidden talent. She must have wowed the judges enough by the show she put on because she won the title of Little Miss Cowgirl. I was so proud of her for getting up there. I was worried that she would change her mind when we got there and hold on to me for dear life. But she did a great job.
Here she is when they told her she won. We were all surprised because all the little girls looked cute. She yelled off the stage, "I won!" just in case we missed it. It was pretty funny!

Makenzie on Chief, her horse of choice.

John,(my dad's summer help) dad, Jake, Makenzie
and Joshua. Shave that ugly beard daddy!
Josh and the kids riding the ferris wheel...

and the Carousel.
Story time with Grandpa was one of the favorite things for the kids while we were there. They were always asking Grandpa for a story. Especially when it was time for bed!
We had a wonderful time and can't wait for the next visit!

Happy 3rd Birthday Jakie!!

On the 17th my little boy turned three. I can't believe he is three already. Were does the time go? It seems just like yesterday he was born.
Here is the top twelve things we love about Jake.
1. He loves cars, well anything with wheels. He always has at least three in his hands at all times.
2. He is daddy's little buddy, he loves helping dad.
3. He is Mommy's little snuggle bug
4. How he sings "Jesus wants me for a sunbeep" instead of "sunbeam"
5. His cute dimples when he smiles.
6. He adores and looks up to his big sis.
7. He will eat almost anything you give him. Not a picky eater.
8. How with one hug he is better from any boo-boo. He is a tough kid.
9. How cute he is on his purple and pink hand-me down bike. He can really move.
10. His big brown eyes.
11. How he loves to be in the bath tub even after he has turned into a raisin.
12. His love for his family and friends. He's got a real tender heart.
Jacob and Makenzie having fun playing pirates. Rough little bunch of hooligans aren't they!

Jacob's first birthday! Awwwhh!


We love you Jakie! Happy Birthday my cute baby boy!

Playing "Fetch" with Daddy!

Yesterday Joshua took Jake outside to play catch with the football but for some reason Jake kept saying, "I'm gonna play fetch with daddy". No matter how many times we told him it was called catch he insisted that it was fetch. We thought it was pretty cute! They had a great time. Joshua taught him how to hold the ball with the laces out and how to use the correct stance. Jake can really launch that ball as evidenced by the picture. It was fun daddy son time. THE NEXT BRETT FAVRE!

Fun in the Sun!

Happy Birthday Joshie!

This weekend was Joshua's birthday and we celebrated by going camping. Which is one of Josh's favorite activities. We went with Joshua's brother and sister and their families. We had so much fun! So much in fact that the kids and some of the big kids didn't want to leave. The place that we went had four wheeler trails and a great river for fishing. We had fun being together and becoming one with nature.
All the kids waiting for their turn to go for a ride.

Cute girls, despite the dirty camp girl look. Madison, Makenna, Alexa, and Makenzie

Mr. Monkey man Josh preparing for rain.

Me and the kids snuggling by the camp fire.

Princess and Pirate Camp

Last week Makenzie and Jacob went to day camp. Miss Shannon, Makenzie's preschool teacher was the one offering the camp. So I knew the kids would be in good hands. It was Pirate and princess themed. They had a lot of fun doing crafts, singing songs, telling stories and playing games. They got to go with their pals Abbey and Zack which made it even more exciting for them. I enjoyed camp because they were gone from 9 to 12 giving me a nice break to get some things done. I of course missed them but it's amazing the things you can get done when you're all alone.


Jacob, Makenzie, Abbey and Zack


The Last Day of Camp. They got to dress up
and have a Pirate and Princess Parade

Graduation Day!

Last night Makenzie graduated from preschool. She looked adorable in her little cap and gown. Unfortunately, this is the only still photograph I took of her. All the fun stuff is on video. It was a pretty terrific night. The graduates put on a cute performance of songs they had learned throughout the year and then we saw a slide show of pictures of all their fun school experiences . I can't believe she is going to kindergarten in 3 months. My little baby is growing up! Everyone always asks me if I'm excited that she's starting school but I can't say that I am. I will miss her during the day with her funny little comments and happy laugh. I also think that little Jakie is gonna miss her a lot. They play so well together and have such a cute brother and sister bond. I ask her if she's excited to go to kindergarten and she always says that she's a bit nervous. But I think when the day comes she will be excited.

Bouncing Bummies on Bikes!

Joshua and Jake rearin to go!

Makenzie on her Ariel bike! I forgot to get Joshua to
take a picture of my bike but trust me, it's really cool!.

On Memorial day Joshua and I decided to buy a pair of bikes. We had been thinking about it for a while and finally did it. After buying the bikes we headed to Alexandria to try them out on the Mt Vernon trial. It starts in D.C. and ends in Mt. Vernon. The trail is about 18 miles long. It's a beautiful trail that winds through the woods along the Potomac river. Of course we did not go all eighteen miles but did go five miles up and five back to where we started from. Little by little we'll build up to the eighteen miles, maybe! When we started out we had some concerns about Makenzie. First of all, she's so new at riding without training wheels and we weren't sure how well she would handle the ride maneuvering down the curvy trail, around people & across bridges. Second, there were several hills (some were pretty steep) that she had to go up & down with out gears meaning of course that her little legs would have to do a lot more pedaling than we did. But our fears were laid to rest because she did awesome! She was fearless. When we would come upon a group of walkers or bikers not going as fast as she wanted, she would kindly honk her horn (using her voice) and then say, "excuse us, coming through!". She rode all tens miles like it was no sweat. She liked it so much that she didn't want to stop. Joshua and I had to promise her that we would come back again before she would get off her bike. I was so proud of her for doing so well. Jake however didn't have such a great time. I think he would've had a better time that day if he would of taken a nap. I kept telling him to look at things and asking him if he was having fun, but all I would get from him was "I want out!" and " I don't want Daddy's bum in my face anymore!" I can see how the bum thing might be a bit annoying. Well, besides Jakie's boredom, we all had a great time and are loving our new bikes and our newly found favorite pastime.

"These boots are made for walking and walking!"

A few weeks ago Jake received these hand-me down, camouflaged, rain boots from his cousin Tyler. Now it seems he will not be parted from them!! He is absolutely in love with them! When he gets up in the morning what does he have on, the BOOTS! Any time he's alone and I am not there to supervise his boot addiction he is off putting on his boots. Rain or shine the boots are all he wants to wear. I find myself hiding them and when he asks where they are I say "They must be lost." I guess I must not hide them well enough because he always seems to find them! I always wonder as we are outside in the hot sun how rubber boots could possibly be appealing. I hope he will soon grow tired of the boots or I think they'll be donated to some other eager boot wearing boy!

Middledorf Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb - Collage - Morph

Middledorf Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Spring time Fun!

Words of Wisdom...

Since Makenzie has turned five she really thinks she is wise. She has said the funniest things lately. Today I was printing pictures of some of the early prophets. Makenzie was watching and made the comment that the older prophets looked weird with their long beards.
My reply was "Well maybe they are looking down from heaven and think you look weird."
Makenzie, while laughing said "Oh mom, people never think kids look weird!"

Or like a few weeks ago Makenzie and Jake went for a walk with their Dad. Makenzie wasn't keeping up with Josh and Jake.
Josh: Makenzie could you please try to move a little faster.
Makenzie: Dad you just got to wait, you know how women are."

Although there is a considerable amount of work and gray hairs involved in raising kids. They are worth it all. I just love my kids!

Me,me,me!!

I was tagged by my friend Melissa so here goes.

What I was doing 10 years ago:
1.Going to school at UVSC
2.Working at Applebees and The Buckle (a clothing store)
3.Dating
4.Living in Utah at College Terrace
5.Obsessing over my clothes and hair

Five things on my to do list today:
1.Exercise
2.Clean up the weekends mess and the sugar that Jake spilled all over the floor while I was writing this.
3.run errands
4. FHE packets
5. play with my kids

Five snacks I enjoy:
1. COKE
2. Snickers
3. French fries
4. Peanut butter M&M's
5.Barbecue baked lays

Five things I would do If I were a Billionaire:
1. Take care of family and good friends
2. Go shopping for everything and anything I wanted.
3. Build a custom house on 10 or 15 acres.
4. Travel
5. Hire a personal trainer, chef and probably a maid.

Five of my bad habits.
1. Procrastinating
2. Eating late at night
3. not knowing when to say no
4. Staying up late
5. being impatient

Five places I have lived:
1. Utah
2. Wyoming
3. Nebraska
4. Maryland
5. Virgina

Five Jobs I have had:
1. Cashier for a Movie theater
2. Applebees
3. The Buckle
4. Farm hand for my dad during the summer
5. Medical records tech for two hospitals ( Nebraska and Maryland)

I know I am soooo exciting. I hope this helps some know me better(:

AHHH...the BEACH!

This past weekend we had another rendezvous getaway at grandma Julie's beach house in North Carolina. I think Grandpa's name is on the deed but if you ask Grandma she'll tell you the house is hers. It was so nice the whole weekend even though we got a few days of rain. The important part is that we get to slow down and unwind. We went and played on the beach rain or shine. If you ask the men what their favorite part about the weekend was they'll tell you it was the paintball war they had in the rain on Saturday. After several hours of playing, they showed up muddy, sandy, and several shades of green and purple from the exploded paintballs all over their body. Those guys are nuts. My kids love running up and down the dunes, picking up sea shells and running through the water. There is something so relaxing about the beach. I guess it could be the endless food, friends and oh yeah did I mention the super beautiful sand and ocean!

Free at Last!!

On Friday Makenzie was freed from her cast. I can't believe it's been SEVEN long weeks. It was really weird to see her foot out of the cast. The muscles in her foot and calf had atrophied so much and her little leg looked so small compared to the other one. Also, her normally baby-soft skin was really rough and flaking. She can't wait till the old skin all peels off.

Check out my Slide Show!

What happened to the Middledorf's?

Yes, I know it's been a long time since our last blog. But I'm going to do better from now on. So, what have we been doing since last September? Well let me see....we'll start with Makenzie. As our previous blog stated, she's in preschool and really doing well. She is such a smart little cookie and she learns something new everyday. Kindergarten here I come! Unfortunately, Makenzie has had her share of mishaps this year. First off, Josh and I went away to Utah for a long weekend to celebrate our anniversary last October. Makenzie and Jake were staying with their Grandma and Grandpa Middledorf. While Makenzie was giving one of her memorable performances atop Grandma's glass coffee table, Jake figured he would make things more exiting by pouring water on the table. I bet you can guess what happened next! Luckily she didn't cut herself too seriously all things considered. She did however get 18 stitches in her left foot. Her Grandpa and Aunt Melissa took her to the hospital and said she was a real trooper while they poked her with needles and put in the stitches. Then again in February, two days before her 5th birthday, daddy was giving her a piggy back ride. They were playing cat and mouse with a neighborhood boy and as Joshua executed his evasive maneuvers he planted his foot wrong and rolled his ankle really bad. They both went down like a "sack of potatoes" and Makenzie broke Joshua's fall. Pun intended! Her little leg broke a few inches above the ankle. I thought Joshua had broken something by the way he was yelling. Makenzie was moaning but nothing like daddy! Thank goodness we only had one broken bone and not two.Makenzie again showed her toughness as the doctor set her bone and put on the cast that went from the tip of her toes to up to the top of her thigh.I was so worried about how she would get around for the next 6 weeks. But as they say, "where there's a will there's a way". We rented her a miniature wheelchair that was just her size. She loved the independence and would drag race around the house. Look out Dale Earnhart Jr! When she wasn't in her wheelchair, she got pretty good at scooting around on her little bum. She had the long cast on for three weeks and was swithed to a shorter walking cast for four weeks. She actually gets it off this Friday! Hopefully we will have no more trip to the ER for a while! If you add in Joshua's other visit to the ER at the end of last year for hurting his back in a four wheeling show-off stunt gone bad, I'm pretty sure we've met our quota for the year! Luckily, Jacob has had no trips to the ER. He's grown up so much in the past year. I can't believe he will be 3 this August. He now sleeps in a big boy bed and talks up a storm. It's amazing how much his older sister has influenced him. He can tattle tell with the best of them. You can often hear him saying "I didn't do it, Kenzie did!" He has such a fun little personality and he is definitely all boy. Jake is always playing with his trucks, motorcycles, and trains except when he occasionally gets gussied-up in one of his older sisters Cinderella dresses. Of course the kids think this is hilarious when Kenzie dresses him up.
As I said before, Josh and I got to go to Utah for our anniversary. It just so happens that our anniversary falls right at the same time as General Conference. We were able to get tickets thanks to the teamwork of my mom, dad, and aunt Karen. It was a wonderful experience to be there and get to see and hear the prophet in person before he died. What an amazing man he was. We also got to eat at Cafe Rio!!! Now, for those of you who have had the fortune of eating there before but don't live in Utah, you can understand my delight. They make the best fajita chicken salads in the world!
Also, this past November we got to go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It was so awesome. Our family and my mom and dad got to go. The kids thought that the giant balloons and many floats were really cool. We were front and center and got lots of nice pictures. My mom and I planned ahead and we got tickets to the Broadway play "Wicked". But, of all the dumb luck, if you remember, the writers and stage hands were on strike at the time and the play was canceled. Bummer! Maybe the next time we go back to New York we'll be able to see the play. It was a really fun trip.
I got to go to Vegas with my parents for a little quick get away in the fall. It was nice to be without kids for a little bit and get to be a kid myself! We went and saw Hoover Dam. I've been to Vegas many times before but this was my first visit to Hoover Dam. I also got to go see the red carpet since Las Vegas was hosting the MTV Music Awards that weekend. It was funny to see people like Paris Hilton, 50 cent, and Carson Daly.
I think that brings us up to the present. We just had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Once again Grandma Judy is visiting and was able to be with us. It's always fun when Grandma is here. FYI, Easter Sunday was also my birthday and NO I'm not telling you how old I am! We had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Middledorf's house. We gorged ourselves with tons of yummy food like honey-baked ham, funeral potatoes, fresh rolls, desserts, and much more. It was a good day.
The very next day we went to the White House Easter Egg roll. The weather was perfect. The kids got to see The Jonas brothers, Mickey Mouse Club house, Super Why, Clifford, Elmo and more. They did the easter egg roll, the easter egg hunt, face painting, and much more. The Kids had a blast.
Wow! This is such a long blog. I guess it serves me right for not keeping up! We'll, I'm done for now. Hopefully it won't be another 7 months before I blog again!