Laie Temple Re-Dedication

Sadie & I at the Mililani Stake Building in Mililani, HI

Today, Sadie and I had the opportunity in attending the Laie Temple Re-Dedication. To sum it up in two words it was both Heavenly and Wonderful! Many faithful Latter-day Saints were in attendance for this spiritual event and I am sure many walked away with different feelings from their spiritual experience. I know I did. I would like to share some of my thoughts with you now. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. Simple in every degree. 
What stood out the most was this quote given by our Prophet Thomas S. Monson, "You will not remember everything that is said this day, but I hope you remember the feelings you felt." It is so true. I cannot remember every word, but I can remember the expression on my daughter's face and the feelings I felt.
I felt a sense of peace, joy, love and excitement...all of these emotions combined into one, if you can imagine! I had extreme peace in knowing my Dallas, three daughters and one son were sealed to me for all time and eternity IF I strive to live according to the covenants I made in the Temple. I felt joy in knowing Families Can Be Together Forever! I felt a deeper sense of  love for my Savior Jesus Christ & Heavenly Father for providing such Temples here on the earth. I felt excitement in knowing that someday soon I would again walk into the House of the Lord with my Dear Love Dallas!
I am  especially grateful that I was able to share in this experience with Sadie. To see her beaming smile is joy felt beyond measure! I love you Sadie! MOM

Happy, Happy Birthday Ammon!

Happy Birthday Ammon!
It was a blast as you can tell from
 his ADORABLE smile!

Ammon was extremely excited to blow out his candle. He blew pretty hard!
See how wide his mouth is as he prepares to blow the
candle out?

So hard that no one had to help him!

We all clapped in AMAZEMENT!

Such a BIG BOY!

Cute! 

P.S. Don't you just love Tysho's expression?

I think Sohpie and Sariah do!

Halloween 2010

To set off the Halloween festivities in the Dallas & BJ Home, we had the children wear their Halloween PJ's! The kids had fun posing for the camera in the "playroom". I love how you can see each of their personalities shine through in each picture. Crazy Kids!






Being that Halloween fell on a Sunday, we opted to participate in our ward's Trunk or Treat on Saturday (Wahiawa 2nd Ward). All three Wahiawa wards were in attendance and as to be expected there were an insane amount of children!

Sadie was Frankenstein's Bride...and yes I made her costume. Sophie was a ballerina. I made her tutu from scratch (minus the extra apparrel, which we purchased). Sariah was Snow White. She used Sophie's Disney costume. Ammon was a Fire Fighter (what else would we expect of the boy obsessed with Fire trucks?). To create his costume I simply applied tape to his raincoat and boots than added a Fire Fighter's Hat. TA-DUH!




What made our Saturday night even more perfect was being able to spend it with our three favorite cousins; Tysho, Lincoln, and MaeLee! We had a fun photo shoot in the cultural hall because our children are just so ADORABLE!




P.S.
The children had fun yelling to our neighbors as they walked by our house, "We have a lot of candy!" Since we live on an island, I started to panic and began buying Halloween candy back in September!

Angels Ride Bikes

Dear Nie and Madsen;

Aloha! I send you my greetings from the beautiful island of Oahu. As an avid reader of your astounding blog, I cannot begin to conceive the amount of emails you have obtained. I tried earnestly in every possible way to think of a creative way to express my desire to obtain the wondrous Madsen bike, but I have failed to do so. So let me just be forthright. First and foremost I am the blessed mother of four beautiful, rambunctious children; Sadie, Sophie, Sariah and Ammon. I am a military wife to my beloved Dallas. As of ten months our current post is Schofield base in Wahiawa, Hawaii.

Hawaii is a place of enchanted beauty. Although I am extremely elated for this blessed opportunity to live in a picturesque metropolis, I am saddened at the absence of my incredible Dallas. He is currently deployed for a year of service in Iraq. My Dallas is the keystone of our family. With our deprival of his presence my children, as well as I, long for when he returns home.

It is till he returns home I am maintaining order within our home. I am the mother and the father. I am the nurturer and the disciplinarian. I am the one who fixes the bikes and makes dinner. Nie and Madsen, words cannot describe how much I miss him. Dallas truly is my best friend. My Dallas knows how to brighten my day. He knows the stories I love to hear. He loves and adores my silliness. Above all he loves and adores our children.

Since his departure in June, I have strived to keep the children and myself occupied with activities. This permits us couple hours of relief from our hearts throbbing. The children are very active. They love to engage in old and new adventures. Being that each of my children are two years apart in age, the eldest being nine (Sadie), they love to be outdoors. And yes, you guessed right, they love to ride bikes! Sadie, Sophie and Sariah, in particular. If their mother permitted them they would ride their bikes till midnight. They recently discovered a specific place here on base that they refer to as “the roller coaster”. Riding their bikes on “the roller coaster” is a pretty big deal in our household.

Here is the clincher; I do not own a bike. Instead I walk the stroller (Ammon in tow) to “the roller coaster”. As witnessed on our last adventure, Ammon sat in the stroller with our picnic basket and his sister’s bike (I was too frightened to allow Sariah to ride her bike because of traffic). Obtaining the Madsen bike would not only elate me, but also my children. The Madsen bike would mean more adventures for our family. It would permit me as a mother less worries in regards to how I am going to load the food, the diapers and the toys. It would permit me to be the examplinary, patient mother I strive to be everyday that Dallas is gone.

I truly do appreciate your generosity. I hope it is with your compassionate understanding that you receive this notion as that of deep admiration and love for the sacrifice our service men and women partake in. Thank you Nie and Madsen.

Sincerely,

Bonnie Gilmore

Fire Trucks & Ammon

Ammon is OBSESSED with Fire Trucks! Ammon was fortunate enough to view one up close and boy did he have a blast! We walked around the fire truck several times and each time he was in awe with all the cool nozzles, hoses and switches. He especially enjoyed sitting in the drivers seat! A million pictures were taken to capture his interest and delight! I think it is awesome that he has developed such an interest!

Can you guess what Ammon will be for Halloween?

BYU Living Legends Here We Come!

My Hula Maidens performed wonderfully in todays performance! I am so proud of their efforts! Sadie was a little hesitant, but she can dance beautifully! She has the omni down very well (the swaying of the hips). Sophie on the other hand...is a natural performer! She had the hand motions down to a "T." She was not nervous in the slightest bit and smiled the entire time while dancing.

They wore their Pa'u Hula Skirts and Shelled Leis, which we purchased at the Swap Meet in Aiea. They were simply breathtaking.





I am so excited for them! It is my wish that someday one of them will have the desire to dance with BYU Living Legends. What can I say I live vicariously through my children. Wink! Wink!

Here is a peak at one of the girls performances. Enjoy!

Dallas...The Greatest Husband Ever!

Not only is Dallas "The Greatest Husband Ever" but, he is also my Dearest Best Friend! We have been married almost eleven years...to this day he still makes my heart melt! I know that sounds cliche, but it is so true!

The other day the doorbell rang and to my surprise I had a package from ProFlowerers.com! Yes! Dallas ordered me Beautiful Autumn Peruvian Lilies with Chocolates! I was in Heaven! I love flowers and sentimental gestures of Love! Dallas knows I am a sentimental fool for stuff like this, not only does he send me flowers, but he expresses his love to me in so many other ways, that let me know I am His Queen!
I love you, Love!
You Are My World!
B




My message board of Love Notes!

Ballet & Tap

Sariah began ballet and tap two weeks ago and has loved every minute of it! She especially loves her ballet and tap shoes! She loves pointing her toes, standing on her toes (she was even told by her teacher she was standing too high on her toes), standing with her feet in a "V" like position and hearing the sound of her shoes tap against the hardwood floor. I think she is a natural. She is without a doubt the most beautiful four year old in her class. I hope she continues to enjoy dancing because I enjoy watching her excel.


She loves to stretch and point her little toes.

Sariah dances the first thirty minutes in her ballet shoes and then it is onto her tap shoes. Here she is jumping with her feet in and out along the red line.

Getting a good look at herself in the mirror. I love how her tag is hanging out. She looks so cute!

We look forward to her first performance in December.

Halloween In September!

Tonight we decorated our home for Halloween! We still have two weeks to go before the month of October begins and that is ok, we are just super excited to get that month started! Here are a few of our delightful Halloween decorations!




This is me enjoying Halloween two weeks before October.

Princess Sariah Turns 4!

This was a Princess Birthday Party at the request of Sariah...everything pink and glittery! Fifteen children showed up to this wonderful party and things managed to all work out thanks to some wonderful helping hands! I seriously could not have done this party alone, so thank you!
Sariah has been anticipating this party for quite sometime now and made several request, which I tried to fulfill. The list goes;
1. She wanted a Princess Birthday
2. Pink Princess cake
3. A pinata filled with candy
4. A trip to Chuckie Cheeses, which I am still working on.


Auntie LaLa is responsible for this ADORABLE Princess Birthday T-Shirt! It reads, "Princess Sariah" in the bottom front and "Birthday Girl" in the back

This little guy has plans to marry Sariah someday! How cute is that?!


Everything Princess!

"Say Cheese!"

Blowing out the Birthday Candle.

Beating the Princess Tiara Pinata

"Educational" Princess Computer from Dad and Mom

Princess stickers and accessories from Sadie, Sophie & Ammon.


Trying on her new shoes from Rocky, Chelsea, Tysho, Lincoln, and Maelee. Sariah was in HEAVEN!

So many gifts! Thank you!

I think she had a wonderful time. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!
Love,
Dad, Mom, Sadie, Sophie & Ammon

Hula 101

Sadie, Sophie & Sariah learning a new dance.


Sariah and Sadie gracefully moving their arms.


Sophie shaking her hips.

The girls have enjoyed their Hula class! They love swaying their hips to the music and gracefully moving their hands and fingers! I love that they have the opportunity to learn a little Hawaiian Culture. Sariah did great the first two classes and she continues to do well the first fifteen minutes, but more than that she gets bored. I signed her up for a tap/ballet combo class, which I think she will enjoy! It is also great to have Auntie LaLa here to help with a few pointers because she is such a fantastic Hula Dancer! I tried to Hula for a couple of minutes and it is a work-out! A fun work-out though. I am so proud of Sadie and Sophie for their willingness to try something new...they are naturals when it comes to Hula!

To Daddy

Daddy,

Mommy bought this cute outfit with you in mind. I love it. If I had my way EVERYDAY this would be what I would wear! I call it my VVRRROOOOMMM shirt.

Love,
Ammon (Buddy)

The Best Date Ever!

D & B Golfing 2010


Dallas taking a swing in Kaneohe, HI.

Dallas and I went golfing and had a wonderful time! The best date ever to be exact! Nothing comes close to being with the one you love in paradise! We talked, held hands (yes, even when golfing) and joked around. It was wonderful. I drove the golf cart, hit the ball a couple of times, and kept score! We golfed in the pouring rain and it literally was like we were the only two people on the earth amongst the clouds! I love being with my Dallas. He is truly my best friend and love of my life! Love you! Love.

Goodbye Daisy

Daisy our female Papillon was an extremely gentle and kid friendly dog! You would think with all her wonderful traits that I would be overjoyed, but that was quite the opposite. Although she was an amazing dog for the children I had my own personal struggles with having her in our home. I am a clean freak. Sharing my home with a dog, even amazing as Daisy, was extremely hard for me and so this Friday we sold her to a good couple here on the island. It was a very painful separation for the children and for me. Seeing my heartbroken children cry before me was more than I could take.
Daisy we will always love you! You will always be our dog!

First Day Jitters 2010

Sadie


Sophie

We are ready for the NeW ScHOoL YEaR!
New school supplies, cute outfits, new teachers and a whole new year just waiting to be explored! I still get a lump in my throat, I doubt that will ever change.

Love you Sadie and Sophie.