The Matusek Family

Baby Shower and Baby Monica!!

I love it when my sister or sister in laws are pregnant, it is so fun! Daymi was pregnant with her 4th baby (3rd girl) most of this year. Her c-section date was June 27th, and in preparation for that babies arrival, her friends threw her a baby shower on June 16th. It was a fun little party, it was good to see her pregnant one last time before Monica came.

Monica was born on June 27th at 8:02 am at the Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, ID. She weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and she measured 19" long. What a darling little thing she is!

I had a great time on Thursday the 28th being able to see Monica and take Abby, Elena, and Kelvin out on the town. We went to the park, swimming, to the movies and then home again for dinner. Congrats Corey and Daymi!

Pool+Rope Swing=Magic

Do I need to say anything else? I believe these pictures say it all:)

Massacre Rocks

June 1st-2nd: Matusek Family Campout at Massacre Rocks!!!!!
Summer isn't summer without a few camping trips, our first trip was to Massacre Rocks state park. It was a perfect weekend, complete with fishing, hot dogs, smores, lots and lots of dirt, a hike or two, little to no sleep, flapjacks over the fire, and lots of memories made! We would definitely return to Massacre rocks to camp, it is a scenic area and the campsites are well taken care of. We didn't have any problems with snakes, although we saw plenty of their holes in the dirt. The ants were pesky in a few areas, but they weren't near the campfire or our tent and table, so no worries. What a great family trip!

Mike making sure all the gear is in the car

Two boys geared up for an adventure

Hotdog time

Yes that is ketchup on my little man's face, so darn cute that Brandon is!

Keeping hydrated

Going for a little hike

So beautiful and picturesque

My back was so sore at the end of this trip, having a baby in a carrier does a number to one's body... sleeping in the car didn't help either

Reflections Choir

I posted a while back about being in a Choir called Reflections. I have been singing now for 3 years, although it doesn't feel like 3 years! I can't think of a better way to spend my Wednesday mornings September through May! I have made some good friends with some of the best women in Pocatello. I consider it a delight to sing with these ladies at various nursing homes in the Pocatello area and also at community events like Feed the 5000, Martin Luther King Jr Day, and other events. Whether or not we do lift the hearts of those around us, I am a better person for the time I dedicate to singing.

Memorial Day 2012

Corey, Daymi and their 3 lovely kiddos (and one on the way) were up for Memorial Day. Sadly we didn't make it to any grave sites as is our tradition, I was bummed. We had lots of fun though, as we usually do, hanging out at Mor-Mor's house. The kids love flying down the street on the scooters, playing with bubbles, and writing with the sidewalk chalk. Fun times, things are definitely looking up for the summer time... lots of fun around the corner! A great way to start the summer of 2012!

Elena flying down the hill on a scooter

Abby, Kimball, Kelvin, and little Shelby (a little girl I babysit)

Kimball, Abby, Elena, Kelvin, and Brandon all on scooter or bikes

Bubble time

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:)