Easter Saturday!

Group picture with the children! I know this is going to be memorable!



Sariah being silly! I snapped this shot before she went crossed eyed! She does that when she wants to be silly!




Tysho dropped his easter basket while jumping for an easter basket high up on the tetherball pole. Sariah being the little helper that she is knelt down and helped him retrieve the things from his basket! So cute!





Girls filling the plastic easter eggs with candy! I wasn't going to color eggs this year!





Ammon and his easter basket! Funny, the basket is almost the same size as him!





The girls standing in their pajamas! I love this picture!

Special Moments of the Week

Ammon

Ammon riding his rocking horse for the first time! Me holding him up with my eyes closed!





Sophie


We were eating dinner one night, can't remember the specific night, but Sophie made a really cute comment out of the blue:

Sophie: "Mom earf is a wonderful place to live, huh!"
Me: " Your right! Earth is a wonderful place to live!"
Now if you already don't know Sophie has a hard time pronouncing "th", it makes every other word she says sound so cute! For example, father, mother, and three just to name a few.


Sariah


Friday I went to the mall and did a little "bargain shopping" at my favorite children's clothing store, I had Sariah and Ammon in the stroller while I made my way around the store searching for outfits for the kids. I noticed Sariah had picked up several pieces of clothing while I was browsing and thought I had asked her to put whatever she had snatched back where she had found it, but to my dismay she had snatched two toddler girl t-shirts and taken them from the store. I didn't realize this until we were in Springville waiting to pick up Sadie and Sophie from school. She must have tucked them into her stroller seat and then placed them in between the car seats where I finally saw them! I had to laugh! "You took these from the store?" I asked. "Yes, mine!" replied Sariah. "You know, Sariah, you can't just take things from the store you have to pay for them first! We are going to go back to the store and return them, ok?" "Ok," replied Sariah.
Later that evening we all headed to the mall. The rest of the kids stayed in the car with Auntie LaLa while Sariah, nightgown and all, and I went back into the mall. I placed Sariah on the counter and handed her the two t-shirts and told the cashier Sariah had somethings to return. Sariah, bashfully returned the shirts and said she was sorry. The cashier smiled and said, "Thank you, dear!"
I wanted this to be a teaching moment for Sariah. I think she learned her lesson.

A letter from Dallas

Dear Mrs. Haymond's 2nd Grade Class,

Thank you for all of your letters. They meant a lot to me. All of the other soldiers were jealous that I received such cool drawings and letters. Right now I am at Fort Benning, Georgia. I am at an Army School for 2nd Lieutentants. This school helps me learn how to be in charge of a platoon which is made up of about 40 soldiers. I wake up very early every day and go to bed late because my training lasts all day long. There are people from all over the United States that go to this school. We are all Lieutenants in the Army. After this school I will go to Fort Knox, Kentucky and learn how to be in charge of a tank platoon. I enjoy being a soldier even though I have to be away from my family. I miss them very much, but I get to talk to them on the phone everyday and that helps. As a soldier I get to serve my country and allow all of you and your family's to enjoy the freedoms that we have. I also get to serve other people from other countries and try to help them gain the freedoms that we have in the United States. Sometimes my job can be dangerous, but if do what is right and train really hard then I will be safe and I will be able to protect other soldiers around me. Remember to always be thankful that you live in such a great country. Always respect our flag and be proud of it. Continue to work hard in school and learn all that you can. Thank you again for the letters.

Sincerely,

2nd Lieutenant Dallas Gilmore (Sadie's Dad)

I just wanted to add these photos that Dallas sent us...don't you think he looks handsome...I do! Enclosed is also a letter he e-mailed to Sadie's class because they sent him several handmade cards. Isn't Dallas the greatest! We love him so very much!

General Conference Sunday

The girls bowing for their audience!



Sadie taking pride in her new play about "School".


Sariah speaking to Daddy on the phone.


You can't see it very well in this picture, but Sophie's lips are covered in chocolate.

We had a pretty amazing General Conference Sunday! We were fortunate enough to watch General Conference and enjoy a fun filled Sunday! At 12:30 sharp Sadie had a play performed for Auntie LaLa, Ammon, and I. Sophie and Sariah were two of her characters in the play. It was a cute play about "School". We watched as the girls changed costumes and listened intently to what their director, Sadie, had to say about the play. Shortly after Dallas called and we were all able to talk with our Dad about what was going on at the moment. After the second session of General Conference, showering, and dinner we headed to the duck pond on the BYU campus. It was a nice day, considering the days before have been nothing but rain or snow we had to get out of the house because we were all getting cabin fever! We had a blast feeding the ducks and strolling about the empty campus. Being outside of the house really lifted our spirits and I think that is something we really needed! As you might be able to tell we miss our Dad very much...especially on General Conference weekend...you see Dallas prepares the most wonderful and scrumptious breakfast ever known to our family! I attempted to do the same of course, but it just wasn't the same. Back to our Sunday...we ended the day with ice cream sundaes and a call from Dad.

My little helper

Sariah has become the cutest little helper ever! She insists on helping me put the wet clothes from the washing machine into the

dryer, taking the lint off the lint tray, putting a dryer sheet into the dryer and pushing the start button. She is such a big help

especially when I am trying to do laundry with Ammon in my arms.

Sadie's Code of Conduct

Sadie posted these rules two days ago. They are very strict. I think she posted them because two of her siblings (Sophie and

Sariah) have a tendency to climb up onto her top bunk. My sister and I had a good laugh, the other night, as we read the rules!

I thought Dallas might enjoy reading them while he is away at training! This is what she wrote word for word:

Ruls on Sadie's bed.

1. don't breth on me
2. don't sleep close
3. don't pull covers
4. talk when I say
5. wake up when I say
6. be Quite
7. ask me if you can sleep in bed
8. when I tell you do it
9. I pick whow sleep where
10. I get the pelow
11. I have paper a pen and a book and tape
12. stop talking when I say
13. two pelows up here
14. don't tuch the feet
15. don't tuch the legs
16. don't tuch the holl body
17. Good night sleep tight
18. don't look on each other sides by ladier and wall
19. don't bring toys to sleep with only soft and comfy people

What a wonderful big sister Sadie is! I love her little code of conduct!
Love you Sadie,
Mom

Thank You Heidi and Family

Heidi and Family,

Thank you so much for feeding Dallas! I am so excited that Dallas has been able to meet you and your family! It is such a small

world and the church makes it ever smaller! People always know people who know you! Thank you once again. I appreciate your

kindness and love for our family!

Love The Gilmore's

Sophie's 6th Birthday

Dear Sophie,

On this very day, at 9:49 p.m., six years ago you were born in Chandler, AZ! You weighed 9lbs. 3 0z.! Your Father and I were

so excited to have you added to our growing family! You have brought so much joy into our lives! We love you so much and are

so grateful you are in our family!

Love, MOM


Sophie has been anticipating this day since the day Christmas ended! When March began she tracked the days until her

Birthday! Everything was perfect! It was a "High School Musical" wish list! The only thing lacking was the presence of Dallas! In

Dallas' defence there was no other place he wanted to be at the moment than here with his family! So, as you can probably tell

in the photos I am relaying the excitement of the party to my Dallas!

Leaping for Joy!

Last night I leaped for joy! My pre-maternity jeans FINALLY FIT!! It's been four and a half months since the delivery of sweet little Ammon and an additional nine months since I have been able to fit into my jeans! Seriously...I thought this day would never come...I was pretty definite that I would never fit into my jeans! I am so excited, as I am sure you probably can tell, because now instead of one pair of jeans I have four! Fantastic!

A Day In The Sun

Sophie as cute as ever!



Sadie always creating something! In this picture she has gathered small branches for her little home; similar to the one on "Nacho Libre"



Tysho & Sariah playing tetherball.

The kids had fun playing with their cousins out in the backyard. I had a blast visiting with Chelsea and Rocky! Having something to do this Saturday was way nice because it gave the girls and I (Ammon as well) something fun to do with our time while Dallas was away at his training! Little did I know Infuenza Type B was lurking in the midst of my children, so sorry Rocky and Chelsea. Thank you Auntie La La for letting me use your camera!

Painting

Sariah getting creative with the paint colors!


Sophie blowing on her masterpiece!


Sadie creating her masterpiece!

Jack Bauer For President

The other day I was driving down University Avenue here in Provo and I came to a stop light, the vehicle in front of me had the greatest bumper sticker EVER it read, "Jack Bauer For President." I had to laugh because Dallas and I are two of the biggest 24 followers ever! So big we've figured out a way for us to watch 24 online together while doing our daily video chatting! Ahhhhh that bumper sticker made me feel so good! It's amazing the things that pop up!

My Heart is in Ft. Benning, GA

Today was Dallas' first day of BOLC II, but he's been gone for six days to be exact! I miss him so much! Watching him drive down the dusty road of my parent's house was quite difficult. Even more difficult was watching him on the highway a couple miles away! It may sound the same, but both were two totally different experiences! You see...Dallas binds our family together and without him I feel totally lost and alone! I can't wait for these next couple of weeks to pass by so, I can once again be with my best friend! We talked just last night and even today...I even get to ichat with him! I thought it was real sweet the other day when he mentioned this song and said it reminded him of and I! Sweet! I am so LUCKY!



This is our family enjoying a dinner with family and friends in Kayenta, AZ just before Dallas' big departure to Georgia.

Last Monday

A week ago, to this day, our family visited the Draper Temple Open House. It was such an exciting and spiritual experience as we took our children through the temple for the first time! Upon arriving Sophie whispered in my ear,"Mom, I can't wait to feel the spirit." While in the temple she whispered, "Mom, I feel the spirit and I know the church to be true!" I had to shed a tear! I want my children to feel the spirit and I also want for the them to know the church is true and to someday enter the temple for their own temple work. I pray that one day, Dallas and I will once again stand in the Holy Temple of our Lord with all of our four children!
Unfortunately, I was unable to take any pictures of the Temple outside. It would have been nice to post a picture of our family standing in front of the Temple.

The Hot Chocolate Queen

Every morning Sariah says, "Hot, Hot" and we know it is hot chocolate time! It's not only one cup full of hot chocolate that she drinks, but sometimes three! Yes...three! She must love chocolate just as much as I do because those chocolate lips look scrumptious after each cup!

Tangy or School Bus Yellow

Sariah decided to display her creativity on the bedroom wall of the yellow room. In so doing, I was unable to wash the "crayon masterpiece" off the wall! So...with that Dallas and I decided to repaint the walls. This should be easy right...uh no! We began the process by the usual taping and priming (that took forever). The first coat of paint went on, which didn't quite match the original color so...I decided I would go and buy a can of paint that, I thought, would match the original color. With Sariah and Ammon in hand I went to Lowe's where I purchased a can of yellowish tangy paint...a custom mixed color I might add, which means nonreturnable!! I brought the tangy paint home and presented it to Dallas, his reaction was, "Babe...I don't think that is the right color, it's way yellow." I had to agree, but insisted he paint the wall the color I had chosen.BIG MISTAKE!! To get the color absolutely perfect the walls had to be primed, so that is exactly what Dallas did. It was then time for Dallas to paint the walls my tangy yellow After a few strokes I had to agree...this color was a catastrophe!! This only led to more priming of the walls (2 coats to be exact) and another trip to Lowe's at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night. At 9 p.m. Dallas and I agreed on the 2 colors that would solve our problem...Toasted Pecan and Peach Tickle. It is now 10:42 p.m. Sunday...I know, but this had to get done...and Dallas is almost done painting!! Bye bye school bus yellow! Painting your home is suppose to be fun and I usually enjoy this sorta stuff, but this was such a chore!! Dallas was such a trooper!! So were the children.

The "G" Family

So, I decided to create this blog in order to keep in touch with family and friends. As of now...Dallas and I have been married for nine wonderful years! It's been awesome! I love being married to my best friend and eternal companion! We have four children; Sadie 7, Sophie 51/2, Sariah 2, and Ammon 3 months. We love them for their unique spirit and personality!

We currently live in Provo, UT. Dallas is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is an Officer in the Army, he is scheduled to resume his training in a couple of days. His Army career will take us to Kentucky and then Oahu, Hawaii were we will live for several years. Exciting and scary at the same time.

I spend my days doing what mother's do; cleaning the home, doing the laundry, preparing meals, chauffering the children (and sometimes husband) to and from school, helping the children with homework, and most importantly trying to be an example to those I love the most.