We still exist!

Ok, well this time it has been a really long time since I have updated my blog. I know there really is not a good excuse but I swear things have been REALLY BUSY as usual. Football season has been the biggest culprit, it just went on and on and on this year. Greyson's team was 7-0 undefeated and so they went on and played in the Octoberfest Minibowl, then they won that and went on to play in another minibowl, won that and so on and so on. The season finally came to an end last Saturday and I am positive that all of the parents, players and coaches alike are grateful. They did a great job, Greyson loved it and so we will rest and look forward to next season! It's amazing how time consuming having a child in sports is. Andee is just loving Kindergarten, thats where her obsession is right now. We missed a few days due to Swine Flu or whatever and she was really bummed about that. I was more bummed because I had to take a week off work because of it (policy I guess) and my work does not offer sick pay. They just make you take 7 days off if you show symptoms to avoid spreading it. Things are starting to get back to normal now though. Halloween was excruciating as usual, Andee was a witch and Greyson went as a Homework Inmate. Very fitting for him. They had a great time but dressing your kids up 17 times within a 3 day period to attend all the activities is just not that fun! I am glad it's over. Halloween was much funner when I was 21 or so. Well, once again I will promise to get better at posting more frequently but it's probably a lie, hope everyone is doing well, we sure are over here, have had some snow up here recently and the kids are getting really excited for that. Talk to you soon! Heidi

School Days!

Sorry that another month has gone by without a post but seriously, MY LIFE IS CRAZY! Ok, school has started (hooray!) Greyson has begun his 2nd grade journey which is going much smoother than his 1st I must say. We shall keep our fingers crossed. Andee has begun her Kindergarten journey which she LOVES! Wierd that one kid loves it and one kid despises it. Why does that happen? I guess I will add that to my list of unanswered questions. August really did fly by considering how July went out for us :( We really miss our Toby, poor Sage has lost 5 pounds since Toby died, not that he didn't need it but it's still sad. We had the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival in August also and some girls from work and my sister in law and their kids came up for it. We had a great time, especially the kids, the hot air balloons are AMAZING to see up close! One of them was the Energizer bunny and it was 15 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty! Crazy to see, we were right up next to them so we could touch them. I really am grateful to live up here in the Valley, so beautiful and so many outdoor opportunities for the kids every day. It's amazing! Greyson has also started football and he is loving that. Major time commitment, practice 5 nights a week and games every Saturday but so far they have won every game! Go Warriors! Andee started a cheerleading camp and performed at Weber High's homecoming game, she did great, she really loves it! Anywhoo, hope everyone is well. Talk to ya'll soon! Heidi

In Memory Of Toby

Toby-March 13, 1999 to July 28, 2009

I am so sad to say that I lost my beloved Toby on Tuesday, July 28th. Toby became increasingly ill the past few days and I ultimately had to make the decision to end his suffering and release him to Dog Heaven. The absolute hardest thing I have ever had to do was choose this for him and I will miss him terribly. When I moved away from home 10 short years ago, the first thing I did was go out and get myself a dog or two. This decision resulted in Toby & Sage and has given me 10 beautiful, enriched years with my buddy. Several times, more often then not I have spent many nights alone & frightened, in new places sometimes without anybody but my dogs, for curing my fears and lonliness Toby, I will be forever grateful. You will live forever in my heart and I am eagerly looking forward to the day that we can be reunited. I know you were suffering and I am so sorry for that but I know that has ended for you now and you are frolicking, napping, chasing balls, eating leather shoes, garbage and cat poop all you want. I will miss you deeply every day and you will never be forgotten. Thank you for all of the years of unconditional love you have given me and everyone that you have ever come in contact with. I know there was a special place for you and I guess God just couldn't wait. I love you Toby and I will always miss you. I am so thankful for my love of animals and I feel so sorry for anyone who has never had the privelidge of loving one. They are amazing friends and though it is heartbreaking to see them go, they so enrich our lives while they are here. Thanks to everyone who has sent thier love and sympathy our way, it is very much appreciated. In Toby's 10 short years, he has changed my world and I am thankful for that. Toby was buried at my parent's house on a hill with a beautiful view. He can be there with all of my pet's I have had growing up and right next to the sandbox where my kids play and can visit him anytime they feel sad or lonely. Greyson & Andee have learned that anytime they feel like that, thier pets have always been able to bring them comfort and I know that even in death Toby will still provide that for us. We love you Toby, you will be forever in our hearts! I need to say also that this morning my brother Dave and his family also lost thier German Shorthair, Charlie. Charlie was also a great dog and will be deeply missed but I'm glad that he and Toby can take this journey together. I'm sorry guys that you also had to lose your pal. My thoughts are with you also. Heidi

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of the soul remains unawakened."

Anatole France

HELLO?

Holy Moley huh? I know it has really been forever, I think the last time I blogged school was just getting out and now I think it starts again in 5 or 6 weeks! What the hell Heidi? Sorry it's not that I have had nothing worthy of bloggerness going on, I have just been SO busy that I literally have not had time or really felt like it. I began the long process on my teeth in the middle of June and it has been difficult but SO worth it! I must say I have seen many dentists in my 30 years but Scott Nilson has literally saved my life! Everyone knows that I am not religious per say but I am a person of Faith and I do believe in God and Miracles and Dr. Nilson was definitly meant to come into my life. I know it's "just teeth" but not to me, I have struggled for years with painful dental procedures, abscess teeth, many root canals and several thousand dollars owed to dentists only for history to continue to repeat itself and nothing to ever really get better. I feel better now than I have felt in years and my teeth are BEAUTIFUL! Of course right now it is still a work in progress but I am forever grateful to Dr. Nilson for the change he has brought into my life. I honestly believe from the bottom of my heart that it was Divine Intervention! Thank you Dr. Nilson! Other than trying to recoup from all that we have just been hanging out in the meantime enjoying summer. I did a craft boutique at Liberty Days on the 4th of July which was interesting. I was hoping to make some extra cash but it didn't do as well as I had hoped. Oh well, lesson learned I will NEVER waste another holiday sitting under a sweltering tent trying to sell my homemade crafts. The kids are excited for school to start, at least Andee is and I'm sure Greyson will get that way soon. This picture is bad I know but you can kinda see my teeth in it although I still have some swelling there. Hope everyone is good, I promise to blog again in a couple of weeks! Peace! Heidi

Photo Booth Funnies!

Yes, this picture is exactly what you think it is! Taken at a classic Kmart photo booth that has been there at least since the 70's (way before I was ever born). I know it kinda looks wierd but I couldn't get the camara to focus on the whole thing, it was way too blurry. The photo booth was an original, all decked out with the creepy blue velvet curtain for a door and probably billions of germs from pimple clad teenagers making out in it for 3 decades! It was awesome! So this week has been great, I have been off work for 4 days which is rare (hopefully they didn't fire me and not tell me) and I have just been enjoying my time with the kids. It has been raining ALOT though which has kinda been a bummer but we have managed to get a few fun things in anyway. School is out on Friday and Greyson couldn't be more thrilled, the rest of this week is basically just goofing off so of course he is loving it. Our little baby horse is doing well, he is really coming out of his shell and he is a fisty little thing, he has learned to run and nibble on clothes or fingers or whatever he feels like nibbling on at the time, oh and he really loves eating his mom's poop too, right before he naps in it. The kids have named him Cowboy and he is SO cute! The really really big news of the week is........ I'm getting new teeth! If you know me then you know that I have HORRIBLE teeth and I have had quite a few major problems lately. I am getting all new veneers and having my molars pulled and fixed bridges implanted there. No more root canals, beautiful white teeth, what more could a girl ask for! Nothing! This is the most awesome thing that has ever happened to me and I can't wait to see the results! Watch my blog for before and after pics and more details on how this amazing thing happened to me. The party starts on June 4th. Can't wait! Have a great week! :)

Oh Baby!

So most of you know that I have recently adopted a large group of horses up here in Eden and I want to take a minute to blog about them because I LOVE THEM!! They are the most amazing funny animals and I am SO lucky that I get to live up here and be around them and in this enviroment. Wednesday night, Greyson had his 1st grade opera at the school (which went very well by the way) and on our way back we stopped to visit the horses and OMG! the mama horse who was expecting a baby within the next couple of weeks had the baby! Right then and there! It was so amazing to see and he is SOOOO cute! Within 15 minutes his long (and I mean seriously long) spiderish legs were up and wobbling around and he was swishing his cute little tail around like a total MIRACLE had not just occured! Incredible! If you don't love animals as much as I do then you probably cannot understand my excitment but it was just amazing! I have given birth twice before and I don't remember being this excited about it, no offense to Grey & Andee but it's always cooler when it's someone other than yourself! I do love animals though and I am so lucky to do what I do, it is rewarding in so many ways! Hopefully everyone is well, school is approaching it's end and summer is creeping right up. Traffic has definitly increased up here in the valley now that it's warm and the lake is thawed, boaters, fishermen and even skiiers are out in full swing. The kids are doing very well and are loving being outdoors as much as possible. Enjoy your week and if you get a wild hair to come up and visit I will take you to see the new baby, you are sure to fall in love! Heidi

Library Day!

So last week on my day off, me and Andee went to the library together for her very first trip. I know it's probably some form of child abuse that I have never taken her to the library and she is 5 years old but nevertheless now we have gone and she LOVED it! She got her very own library card and checked out 3 books, all about kittens of course. She was so cute picking out her books and she continued to whisper for 3 hours after our trip was over. Cute. I think sometimes she feels left out with Greyson being involved in his school things. She is definitley the scholar between the 2 of them. Greyson takes after me and does not love the whole school thing. The last couple of weeks have been super crazy for us with Easter and several birthdays. My nephew Bailey, my Mom, my bro Dave and my BFF Sarah (the Big 3-0!). Happy Birthday to all of you guys and also my oldest niece (thank goodness) Megan just found out that she's having a baby! Congrats Meggers! Hopefully everyone has had a great week, talk to you all soon! H

The Big 30!

Ok, as most of you know yesterday was my 30th birthday. Thanks to everyone who went out of thier way to make it special for me. My day started out fairly uneventful until my lovely co-workers decided to completly trash my Tahoe with 1000 bags of Ramen noodles, candy, balloons, black crepe paper, you name it, it was in my car. On top of that they wrote all over the windows things like "Honk, I'm 30" (which people did by the way) "Happy Birthday, sexy 30 year old driver" stuff like that. The day ended with dinner with my Mom & Dad and good friends Jen & Brandon Mizar and thier kids. All I have to say to you guys is EVERYONE has a birthday! :) I must say though 30 is not what I thought it would be. Yet. The past 10 years have been full of ups and downs, marriage, divorce, kids, moving through 3 different states, losing friends, making friends and missing friends. I hope the next 10 years are less and more eventful in many different ways. If you know me though then you know I will be taking the long way no matter what path I may choose! :) Love Ya'll! Heidi

Alright! Alright!

OK, OK, OK! So I know that I have not blogged for a while and I have heard about it from almost everyone I know but seriously there has really not been much going on around here. The weather was nice for a while until this weekend and then it took a dive again, now we are back in the 40's. I absolutley HATE the cold weather, I wish I lived in Hawaii! Speaking of paradise, my friend Sarah and her hubby Tyler are there right now as we speak celebrating their 10th anniversary. I have been recieving daily text messages reminding me how much fun they're having. Last night she told me they were drinking a bottle of Malibu with my name on it but I told her that was impossible because I'm pretty sure I drank that bottle Saturday night:) I hope they are having fun though because if anybody deserves it, it's them. Love you guys! Greyson and Andee are doing well, Grey is REALLY excited for school to get out and Andee is REALLY excited for school to start. I think they are both looking forward to it warming back up though so they can get back outside. I however will be heading off to the dentist in the morning for yet another root canal, needless to say that's about all I'm thinking about right now. Good times at the Jewell's. I promise to update more frequently, hope ya'll are doing well. Happy Spring! H

Hostler's Train Show!

This weekend was the annual Hostler's Train Show at the Union Station in Ogden. We went down for a while and the kids got to check out TONS of model trains in all different sizes. There were even plenty of Thomas the Train sets and also a Lego train display that was very cool! After visiting all the display's and seeing all of the Super Nerds & Wierdos that attend this show yearly, we went out and the kids got to climb around on all the real locomotives they have stationed right outside of the museum. Needless to say the kids had fun regardless of all the creepy pedifiles that were hanging out around there. I must say, people are really wierd sometimes. This week has been another busy one for us, the kids have been spending alot of time outdoors because the weather has been so nice. Hope everyone is doing well! Heidi

Yea!!! The Gateway!

I know it has been a while since I have posted anything, it has been a CRAZY week! I finally had a weekend off with actually nothing planned so I planned something and took the kids and their cousin Brigham down to the Children's Museum at the Gateway. For those of you who don't live here, the Gateway is an awesome outdoor adventure with shopping, restaurants and activities for everyone! We rode the Front Runner train down to Salt Lake City and walked the 2 blocks over. Needless to say the kids had a blast and I think the train was their favorite part, I know it was mine! If you get a chance to do this ever, please do! It is enjoyable for everyone! Also, Happy Birthday today to my sister Wendy! I won't mention your age, all that really matters is that your older than me! :) Heidi

Sleepover!

After Andee's party yesterday Greyson and his BFF in the whole world decided to have a sleepover. Kaleb and Greyson have been "Best Buds" since we moved back here. We used to live across the street from his family in North Ogden and these 2 have really missed being that close. Needless to say it was so much fun! I have to say I really enjoy Kaleb and if you know me you know that it takes a pretty special kid for me to enjoy! Thanks for staying over Kaleb, Greyson & Andee had a blast! Heidi

Happy Birthday Andee girl!

Today was Andee's birthday party. Although she doesn't officially turn 5 until Monday, today was the day we celebrated with lots of friends and family! It was a hectic crazy day, I had to work until 12:00 and I foolishly scheduled her party at 2:00 so I think I bit off more than I could chew with this one. Thankfully Grandma & Grandpa stepped in to help me round up some last minute items and it was a success! Thanks Mom & Dad! Andee had a great time and so did all of the kids, it was VERY chaotic for a while but worth it for sure! Happy Birthday Andee! I can't believe 5 years have gone by. I love you Princess! Heidi

Snow Day!

Yesterday it started snowing and never stopped. I just thought I would post a few pictures of my house so that you can get a glimpse of what snow removal may have been like yesterday! Thanks to my awesome neighbors for bailing me out a few times too! I know that all my good friends in Great Falls are laughing right now and feeling no sympathy at all but give me a break guys, it's been 6 years since I left, I forgot about this @#!!^%! If I ever am able to leave my driveway again, I'm moving to Hawaii! Aloha!

The Beginning!

Well here we go, I am finally learning how to blog! This blog will follow the craziness I call my life with my 2 adorable children and my 6 insane animals! Yes I said 6, get back up on your chair. This begins with me, Heidi, my 7 year old son Greyson and my 5 year old daughter Andee. We are then followed (literally) by 4 dogs Toby, a 10 year old German Shorthair Pointer;Sage, a 10 year old mutt; Harlee, a 7 year old (special needs) German Shorthair Pointer; Oakley, a 5 year old Weimaraner; Vegas, a 2 year old cat and Baylee, a cat of unknown age. Yes it is craziness almost all the time but I do love it. On top of all of this I spend 12 hours a day with many more crazy animals as I am a vet tech at Burch Creek Animal Hospital. Greyson is in the 1st grade and Andee will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. I personally can't wait, school has proven to be the cheapest daycare I have found yet. We are living in Eden, Utah and it is so beautiful up here, plenty of room for the kids and dogs to play. I hope you enjoy following our adventure's, thanks to my good friend Codie Jo for turning me on to this blogging thing. Enjoy! Heidi