Trapping Gophers 101

Morgan is finding the gopher hole with a long screwdriver.

Garrett has decided that the girls need to learn how to work, by the age of 8 both of us were doing lots of jobs on the farm. We thought it would also be good time to teach the kids about earning their own money for Disneyland and saving for something special. We talked to my dad and he so kindly found some jobs that the girls could do to earn money. One job was trapping gophers. They get $2 for every one they trap. They have spent so much time out in the fields, they have 15 traps, the first week they got 36 gophers, the 2nd week they got 38. They cut off the tails and take them to grandma every Saturday to get paid. They divided the money between the 3 of them. So far $49 each. They have a Disneyland jar they put their money in. I told Natalie today how much money she had to pay for tithing, she said "Mom I don't want to pay tithing I worked so hard for this money". I told her, yes you did but you would be sad if you don't pay it Natalie, plus Heavenly Father will bless you to find more gophers. It was a cute moment we had.

Brooklyn loves to go, when she hears them talk about going out she runs and puts on her john deer boots and grabs her coat. I think she likes the 4 wheeler the best.

 Natalie and Brooklyn riding
Madalyn finding the hole. The weather this day was nice they have been out in the rain and even the snow.

 The girls have really impressed me, they are so excited about their "Gopher Trapping Business". They get off the bus, run to the house and get changed they are ready right away. They are not even scared to touch the gophers with gloves on. Me on the other hand had a hard time getting use to it.  The kids keep telling me "Mom you can't be afraid". But I can now take the girls out on the days Garrett works and we can do it just us girls.

 Garrett has impressed me, I thought that he would take all the kids out there and he would end up doing all the work but I was totally wrong. He taught the girls how to do it all, and explained why they do each step. It's been a good bonding time for them. They all get so excited when they come in the house and tell me they trapped 13 that day. That's the most in one day It will be nice in a few years when they can do it all by themselves.

The next job the girls have been doing is setting up pipe in the hay fields. We did it Friday after the kids got home from school. The night before Garrett was telling the girls that we were going to be laying out lots of pipe tomorrow. The kids all started screaming with excited and then said "WHAT IS THAT". We just looked at each other and laughed. As kids we were never excited about that.

 Friday turned out to be a pretty warm day. They kids loved it, they set the pipe out and then we had to stake them all done so they don't fall over. These pipe don't get moved everyday.

I'm so excited for the kids, they have done a great job!!

Elden Smith Jenks

Garrett's grandfather passed away on Sunday, March 4th 2012. He will truly be  missed by all his family, I'm so glad that we know where he is and that we can return and live with him again. I wish I could have seen the reunion in heaven with John and Elden. I'm so happy he is enjoying time with his son. It's been 12 years since they last saw each other.

Our thoughts and prayers are with grandma right now, I hope see fells the Lords hand over the next few months. (Jay, Grandma Glenna, and Garrett)

The oldest son from each family was the Casket Bearers.
It was cold and windy at the graveside.

Jenks Family weekend

 While we were in Tri-Cites before the viewing of grandpa, we took the kids to the fire station. The kids loved seeing all the big fire trucks.

 Abby, Madalyn, Natalie

 Going for a ride, I think we had 7 kids in the truck.

Swimming at the hotel, Madalyn and Jace doing camel fights.

 Morgan and Jenna

Brooklyn and Grace. We enjoyed having Trenton and Maren and Jared and Kendra's Families stay at our house. The kids really enjoyed the time with their cousins. It's a good thing we had ok weather so they could play outside, the four wheeler ran non stop.

Swimming

 My kids can't get enough of swimming, good thing summer is almost here.

Cuddle Bugs

 Brooklyn loves to cuddle at night, Madalyn enjoys it also but I think only cause Brooklyn want to be right next to someone. The other night I went to check on the kids before going to bed myself, and I found these two just like this. Brooklyn the past months has wanted to lay on top of you when you put her to bed, or just lay her head on your tummy. So precious!!!

Madalyn-8   Brooklyn-21 months

You can never have enough...............DAD!!

On Monday we surprised the kids and rented a hotel room in Tri-Cities, we didn't have school Monday or Tuesday. What a perfect time to do this. The kids get points for doing their jobs and extras around the house so they cashed in their points for movie tickets. So we also went to the movies, to a few pet stores the kids always want to go see the animals (Morgan wants a turtle for her birthday), and ate at Pizza Hut. I needed to go to Target and Brooklyn was asleep so Garrett stayed in the car with Brooklyn and I took the 3 other girls into the store with me. While we were in Target Madalyn found a purse that she just could not live without, I tried so hard to talk her out of it but she wanted to use her own money. She saves her money really good so I told her she could buy it, then of course Natalie starts crying saying she is going to use her money and buy one also. Natalie doesn't have very much money saved but she didn't care if it took all her money. So we walked out of the store with 2 new purses. When we get to the car the girls were so excited to show Garrett what they had bought. Garrett tells them they didn't need them and that they have a dozen other purses each at home (which they do). Madalyn says: "well dad I don't have a blue one at home"
Garrett: "yes you do, I picked it up yesterday and threw it in your room"
Madalyn: "ok I do but it doesn't have sparkles on it"
I just laughed so hard, I think we are going to have many more conversation like this, and Garrett is out numbered. POOR GUY.
What is it and women and purses, I'm the same way...........But Garrett's the same with fishing poles or guns for hunting.
It was fun to listen to the two of them. The teenage years are going to be ruff.

Happy Valentine's Day

 We love you!!!! We had a great Valentine's Day, well the girls and I did. Garrett had to work on Tuesday. The Saturday before Garrett took all of  us girls out to Red Robin for an early Valentine's Day present. It didn't turn out as good as we hoped, Brooklyn was a nightmare. (But I guess she did have a double ear infection). We realize why we don't do restaurants anymore with the kids.

 Monday night for FHE we decorated sugar cookies and took them around to people, then we went to visit Candy Grandpa Don McGary.
Brooklyn didn't enjoy making cookies.

 Valentines Day Morning the kids woke up and I had made heart shapes PINK pancakes, we do that every year. They also had a new shirt to wear that day.

weekend

I was making cookies over the weekend. We were dipping half in chocolate, I left the room and came back to this. I ran and got the camera and got a few pictures.

I hope it taste good!!!!!!
Playing SORRY game

We can't wait for Spring

It was warm enough to ride the electric scooters. We ended up taking Natalie's back and she got a Nintendo DS XL. The scooter was to powerful for her. She could not control it, after crashing hard into the house, gate and garbage can she said she wanted something else. This summer she can practice the 2 girls' and then when she is older we will get her one. Madalyn and Morgan just love theirs. Lots of fun for them.

Baby Brooklyn

 My Baby is growing up so fast, she is almost 20 months old. I can't believe she will be 2 soon. She loves her bag pack. It use to be Natalie's but she gave it to Brooklyn. When I tell the girls to get ready for school to go get their bags Brooklyn runs to get hers. She wants so badly to go on the bus or go with Natalie to preschool.

 Brooklyn loves babies. This just happened over night. Before Christmas I wanted to get her a doll as one of her presents but she didn't play with doll so I didn't but a week after Christmas she fell in love the babies. She also now loves Hello Kitty.

 "A little Mother in training" Brooklyn is talking a lot, she will try and say just about any word. She has started putting words together, knows about 8 animal sounds, and the color pink. He favorite word is "MINE" or "I don't know".

I wish she could stay this age forever. This is our favorite age between 1-3 years old.