Grandma Moore turns 80!!!!

Isn't she beautiful?

If you know Nadine Moore you are indeed a blessed individual! I love my Grandma with all my heart, and was grateful to be there for her birthday bash and celebrate her life and its impact on those who know her. Her daughters threw her a surprise birthday party on May 26th, and her home was packed with family and friends, from near and far! It was a fitting tribute to her, I love you Grandmother Dearest! Here are a few of my favorite moments with her:

• Getting lost in Chicago in 2003 with her and my Grandpa, I think I prematurely developed a few gray hairs that afternoon
• Playing rook with her, I waited many years for that moment!
• Canning peaches with her, 2012
• Receiving my first set of scriptures from her and my Grandpa when I was baptized, 1994
• Going to two Time Out for Women events with her, 2011 and 2012
• Having Family Home Evening at her house when I was visiting one summer many years ago, I'll never forget how I felt that night as we gathered together, 1996
• Going to Playmill theatre for the first time with her, it was an exciting experienc, 2006
• Traveling to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 2005 and 2006 to see the Bar J wranglers perform
• Visiting LDS historical sites in Missouri when her and Grandpa came to visit our family in 1999
• Seeing my Grandma and Grandpa in the congregation when I gave my talk of family history in 2011 and played the violin

I could go on and on because I have so many memories, she has 26 grandchildren and great grandchildren to match that number, but she took the time for me, she took the time for each of us. I want to be like her when I grow up, for I don't know a person more Christ-like than this dear woman.

Farewel to Joy School

 Joy School was a blast! The kids were awesome, and my boys accomplished so much and learned a great deal from their classmates and teachers. I am so grateful that Meieli Hales asked us to be a part of this Joy School group last Fall in 2011. We had a little Joy School graduation in May, the boys really enjoyed this accomplishment and were proud that they had finished Joy School. This fall will be different, with Kimball in school and what not. There was no interest from any of the other mothers in being in the Joy School again in the fall so Brandon and I will be doing our own preschool at home while Kimball is in school. We hope to do Joy School again though, perhaps next year in 2013, the year before Brandon starts kindergarten.

The kids lined up to graduate... it was super windy that night, they were hanging onto their hats the whole time

Behind that tassel is a little boy named Brandon

Hold on tight there bud

Kimball getting his "Diploma" from Kelli, one of his teachers

Brandon receiving his dipoloma

Zach Attack on the move!!

 It is always a bitter sweet moment when your baby starts to walk! You are excited for them to be learning a new skill, but groan inwardly knowing that they are about to be into everything:) Zach was ready in May to be mobile though, and he hasn't stopped since! He is a mover that is for sure, constantly on the go. 11 months is the average age for a Matusek boy to walk, Kimball and Brandon were completely mobile at this age as well.

He is a crazy little guy now, a climber of tall tables. He hoists himself up on the chair, and then onto the kitchen table and just sits there, with a perfect birdseye view of his whole world. He can see what mom is up to, his brothers outside the window, and have access to any goodies on the table. It drives me crazy! Which is why the gate has taken up a permanent position blocking him from access to the kitchen. Life with Zach attack can be pure madness at times, but it is beautiful madness nonetheless.

Spring 2012 Soccer

 We had a great spring soccer session! Kimball really thrived this time around, something clicked between last fall and this spring and he just picked up on everything. Brandon, well lets say that it was a good try, it is just not his cup of tea at the time. He didn't listen to a word his coach said and was content with sitting on the sidelines.

Mike was a great support for them, he would help the coach when needed and cheer our boys when out on the field. We had a few games where special spectators came along to see them play. Mor-mor was there for a few games and then we had Corey and his family watch them for a game. We are not going to sign the boys up for soccer this fall, because we are already going to let the boys take some swimming lessons at the Recreation center. Perhaps another round of spring soccer will be in order in 2013.

Mitch, the boy's coach, playing a little game with the boys to 

keep their attention

Coming in for a water break

Practice time before the game

The coach often had to run along with Brandon, to encourage him along

Kimball and Brandon waiting for the sky to fall:)

I forgot to change the picture's orientation, so just tilt your head sideways

Mike walking on the outer edges of the field to encourage Brandon

Easter 2012

Eating candy after our family easter egg hunt

 We had a great Easter Celebration this year. Our festivities were complete with a "Walk with Christ" at a local LDS chapel here in Pocatello, an Easter egg hunt in our back yard, an egg hunt at Mor-Mor's house, and an Easter basket search on Easter morning. For me the highlight of our celebrations was definitely the "Walk with Christ" event. The depth of the presentation really brought home for me why we celebrate Easter, and helped me focus on my Savior. My children were touched by what they saw, and asked us all sorts of questions about Jesus and the life he lead and about his death and resurrection. My kids would tell you that their favorite part was all the egg hunts, but that comes at no surprise to anyone right:)

Mom and Zach

Perfect Kimball Smile

Matusek line up

All ready to search for eggs in the backyard

On the hunt

Trying to spot any bright colors in the grass

Zach attack!!

Whoa, these are full of candy! Who knew?

So happy to have found their baskets on Easter morning

Easter egg hunt at Mor-Mor's

Super-hero/Jedi/Pirate/Jet-pack guy

FLORIDA

Zach on the plane (no fun for anyone!!). We couldn't afford to pay for 4 tickets to Florida, so unfortunately Kimball and Brandon had to stay with family in Pocatello, Rexburg, and Utah. They had a blast back here, but we still feel guilty that they couldn't go. Zach was free and he is also still nursing, so along he came with Mom and Dad. It was a LONG trip to Florida, lets not repeat that ever again... PLEASE oh please! We arrived at Chris and Steve's place at 1:30 in the morning, just thinking about still makes me cringe! Chris and Steve were so gracious to offer a place for us to stay. We have spent only a handful of hours with them since our marriage, and to stay with them for almost a week was much needed "bonding" time for all of us. 

Mike and Zach at Blue Springs

Testing the temperature of the water, brrrrrr

Zach's first swing adventure, all smiles

Going on an evening stroll at the park. Being able to spend time with Kevin, whom we never get to see, was indeed a very bright highlight to our trip. He is a very smart and polite young man, and fun to hang out with. I can't believe that he is 7, he was only 4 months old when Mike and I got engaged and I met him for the first time, sheesh where have those seven years gone?

Sand fun with Zach, Mia, Kevin, and Mike. How can you go to Florida and not go the Beach? That would be like going out to a restaurant and not eating anything:) What a great day, playing and lounging at the beach, being mistaken for an Italian, Mike spending about 45 minutes talking to a group of Italians after I cleared up that I am not Italian. The only things that I can say in Italian are a few phrases that I have picked up from Mike. They were a great group of people. The beach was packed, but we hardly noticed, we were too busy enjoying ourselves.

Beach baby! Zach loved it! He added a new item to his diet for one day, he tried to eat the sand.

The happy couple before Mia took out her endowments and they were sealed. I love the temple in the early morning light, it paralleled the day perfectly, the dawn of a new life for Nate and Mia. What a blessed day! I was able to go with them early and be Mia's escort through the temple. That was a beautiful experience to be with her. I had to leave before the sealing to be with Zach. Mike was with Zach during the endowment session and then we rendezvoused to switch the baby and he joined Nate and Mia to be a part of their sealing.

It was a day that we will never forget, the Temple affords us so many precious experiences in this life.

We were able to go see the house that Chris and Steve are trying to purchase, and it was raining pretty good. I snapped this pic of Nate carrying an armload of umbrellas to our car, too funny! We weren't planning on getting out of the car, but since he was putting so much effort into getting umbrellas, how could we not? I hope they get the house, it has a lot of charm and character, perfect for those two.

In 2007 when Mike and I visited FL together for the first time, we were introduced to Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, FL. I dream of the food that we eat there at least once a week... the corn fritters, the AMAZING rock shrimp, juicy lobster, sweet crab, scallops... wow, the best food ever I swear! We went there again in 2009 when we visited for Steve and Christian's wedding, 2 years was too long to not go to Dixie's. Well if 2 years is too long, 3 is unbearable! We had to go, no matter what on this trip, and lucky for us, everyone wanted to join us. . . Kevin surprised us all, he ate a whole Dixie special and then started picking off everyone's plate for more seafood. Great times. We ended our trip on a high note, General Conference, a trip to Gemini Springs, a soccer game with the Matusek brothers and Kevin, and eating out all together again. We sat in the restaurant long after the meal was over and just talked, laughed, and enjoyed the evening. We left early the next morning... barely made it to the airport on time. I have never almost missed a flight, and it was a stressful experience, one I hope never to repeat. I am surprise I didn't develop an ulcer after that, I was so worried that we would miss the flight while we were sitting in traffic and then again when we were in line at security. We made it home safe and sound, got out boys back, and settled back into our life and routine. We have our next FL trip planned though, and we are thrilled!

All in a days mess

March 20, 2012 was a complete mess! Motherhood is messy though:) the boys spread mud all over the window, Brandon accidentally knocked the soap pump to the ground, shattering it to pieces sending soap everywhere and Zachary pulled half of my canned goods out of the cupboard. I love my boys to pieces, but goodness, they are messy. Speaking of messes, there is a big pile of sticks on the lawn that my boys call their stick fort and dishes to be done... Looks like its another messy day at the Matusek household, bring it on!

2 left feet

A few weeks ago I told Brandon to go get his dress shoes on so we could leave for church. This is how he came out, two different shoes, different sizes, and both of them designed for the left feet! Brandon is the last person on this earth who needs to be wearing two left shoes, he is clumsy enough as it is. We didn't notice until we came home from church, and we all had a good laugh:)

Time out

I have created such wonderful memories in time out, I don't think my children can say the same thing:) Last year I was able to go to the Time Out for Women here in Pocatello. What a great weekend that was! When the time came to get tickets for the Time Out for Women in Idaho Falls this year, me, my mom, grandma, and sister in law just had to get tickets. I looked forward to this weekend for months, and when March 16th and 17th came around I was so ready to go to time out:)

My favorite presenter at this year's event was John Bytheway, his message was stirring and thought provoking. He spoke about marinating, relating the process of marinating meat to our spiritual potency. His thoughts were, in short, that what we surround ourselves with become a part of us just as a marinade soaks into the meat and becomes a part of that meat. I have asked myself often since that night, what am I marinating in? What kind of music am I listening to? What shows do I watch on television? What am I surrounding myself with? Another highlight from this year's time out was going to lunch at Babe's with my Grandma, mom, and cousin. SO SO good! I ordered an asparagus and ham quiche and their homemade chicken noodle soup. It was delicious and fresh, I am definitely going there again!