What a Beautiful Mess

Drill State

2010-02-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

The Wolverines did so great this year! So fun to watch. They put so much time and work in! I am proud of them. Fun pics! I love the last one. Great facial expressions.

2010-02-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

HoOpS

2010-02-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

Basketball season's in full swing. With four kids playing we've logged quite a few hours in on the bleachers. It's been a good ride this year. I get a kick out of Kam's "tough girl" attitude. What a hoot. They have all played hard, and been so fun to watch.

2010-02-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

2010-02-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

2010-02-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Back to Reality

2010-01-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

It was so nice to take a break from the our hectic schedule and just be home together for awhile. Sure we had the occasional knocking over of the Christmas tree, and the constant tracking in of mud, but we also had fun playing games, telling stories, watching movies and staying in our pjs until noon (ok, I'm not going to lie, sometimes the pjs stayed on all day).

2010-01-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

Dancing Girls

The Can Can

2010-01-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas Time

2010-01-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

All the kids slept in the same room the night before Christmas

Coming down the stairs on Christmas morning

Jake made this chair for Kinley in woodshop

2010-01-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

Kamrin, Caleb and Kinley at the elementary school Christmas program and Kadin at her choir concert

2010-01-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

Trimming the tree

2010-01-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving

2010-01-06T13:38:00.000-08:00

2010-01-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

2010-01-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

shelling pecans for pie

Homecoming Game

2009-10-06T09:58:00.001-07:00

So fun to have Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Matt and Damon, Samson and
Madelyn visit that weekend!

Homecoming Dance

2009-10-06T09:47:00.001-07:00

getting ready

sweet

2009-10-06T09:45:00.001-07:00

trying to leave

2009-10-06T09:39:00.001-07:00

Poor kids ...having to deal with crazy camera mom.

Kadin and cousin Damon after the dance

2009-10-06T09:36:00.001-07:00

Babydoll Photo shoot

2009-10-06T09:34:00.001-07:00

This is what I found on my camera recently. What funny girls. I
especially like the undressed babies and the one with nail polish on
her face:)

almost there

2009-10-06T09:29:00.001-07:00

I got a little teary eyed watching my boy run. I don't know what it
is about running that gets me every time. I saw someone wearing a
t-shirt there that day that said,"If it wasn't hard everyone would do
it!" .. It's good to do hard things.

Cross Country

2009-10-06T09:24:00.001-07:00

Jake heading for the home stretch with a fellow team mate.

cousins

2009-10-06T09:22:00.001-07:00

Zach Trav and Michael

Football

2009-10-06T09:20:00.001-07:00

Zach hiking the ball to Travis

The Reunion

2009-09-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

The Doyles

2009-09-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

FuN iN tHe SuN

2009-07-28T08:25:00.001-07:00

2009-05-08T10:59:00.001-07:00

I have spent the entire morning trying to update, and I'm still not caught up. But life awaits:) I need to go take down the outdoor Christmas lights. Yes I realize it is May:)

Grandpa and Grandma

2009-05-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

We had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Doyle, Uncle Matt, and Damon,
Samson, and Maddie. We love those days! That's what it's all about
right there:)

Zach

2009-05-08T10:34:00.001-07:00

Zachary turned 12 in March and was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood
the same day as Kamrin and Samson were baptized. It also happened to
be the same day as a the general priesthood session of conference. He
got to attend with his dad, brother, cousins, uncles and Grandpa Mark who were
visiting for the big day.

Fun with cousins!!

2009-05-08T10:18:00.001-07:00

We have been enjoying having Travis and Adrianne's family so close.
It does my heart good to have the family together.

Little White Dress

2009-05-08T10:11:00.001-07:00

My mom bought me a white dress,
Not red or pink or blue.
Said it was a special dress
Like very other few.

Ther has been just one before,
A dress now put away.
That I wore sometime ago
upon my blessing day.

As a little baby
Clothed in my first white dress,
My father held me in his arms,
there to name and bless.

So pure and clean was I just then,
With time to grow and learn
About the Father's plan for me
My glory I must earn.

Now I've reached the age to judge
the wrong road from the right,
And I am here to be baptized
in this dress of white.

So once again I'm free from sin,
The path is clear to me.
I'll grasp the rod and hold on tight,
I vow with certainty.

Just as mud would stain my dress,
sin would stain my soul.
The key is to repent or bleach,
for whiteness is my goal.

And if I try my very best,
Then richly blessed I'll be,
Wearing inside God's holy house
White dress number three.

So today I make this pledge:
I'll strive to choose the right,
Through this sacred baptism ordinance
In my second dress of white.

Author Unknown

Baptism Day

2009-05-08T09:51:00.001-07:00

Kamrin and her cousin Samson were baptized on the same day, April 4.
It was a wonderful time for everyone there.

Wolverines

2009-05-08T09:24:00.001-07:00

In March Kadin's dance team held a review to perform all their dances
from the year. Their dad's escorted the girls out as they were
introduced.

Wrestling

2009-05-08T09:07:00.001-07:00

Talk about accelerated heart rate for an extended period of time, and
I'm not talking about the kids!!

End of Winter Snow Storm

2009-05-08T08:41:00.001-07:00

This is our back yard after a snow storm the end of February. Pretty Pretty.

5th and 6th grade dance

2009-05-08T08:23:00.001-07:00

Zachary was so thrilled (mortified) to participate in the 5th and 6th
grade dance this year. They had learned several different styles of
dance, as well as dance ettiquette (escorting your partner to the
dance floor, thanking her for the dance, and walking her back to her
seat). Then they got to perform all that they had learned for their
parents. I think the kids especially enjoyed having thier parents
descend like the papparazzi for an extended photo shoot:) (Don't tell
him you saw this on my blog)

Caleb Mark Koopmans ~ Big 10

2009-02-09T15:00:00.001-08:00

CK

2009-02-09T14:58:00.001-08:00

qb

2009-02-09T14:54:00.001-08:00

little monkey

2009-02-09T14:52:00.001-08:00

c

2009-02-09T14:51:00.001-08:00

:)

2009-02-09T14:49:00.001-08:00

Our baby boy is 10!! Caleb is full of energy, and keeps our lives
exciting. He is such a sweet boy, and we are so happy that he's part
of our family.
Happy Birthday bud!

Back on the Court

2009-01-12T10:04:00.001-08:00

The boys and Kams are back in basketball. Seems like it was just
basketball season. Man that year went fast. Anyway..it's so fun to
watch them improve from year to year.

Fun in the snow

2009-01-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve we went to Dammeron Valley to spend the evening with
Shawn and Kim and their family. The dad's pulled the kids behind
4-wheelers on tubes and sleds. So much fun! Then we came inside for
hot chocolate, then dinner, and a cozy Christmas Eve together.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

2008-12-20T22:02:00.001-08:00

So we put a few mattresses in the unfurnished living room at
Thanksgiving time to accomodate extra folks. We've had so much fun
reading stories at night by the Christmas tree, all snuggled up on
them, that we have yet to remove them. This is what I found the other
night when I came home. :)

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-12T17:05:00.001-08:00

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas Lean Your Ear This Way

2008-12-12T16:50:00.001-08:00

Grateful

2008-12-03T19:23:00.001-08:00

We had such a fun Thanksgiving this year!! We were lucky to have Ade
and Trav and their boys, Grandma and Grandpa Koopmans, Jodi and Craig
and fam, Marty and Michelle and girls, and Tif with Samson and
Madelyn. I think we counted 29 in the house!! There were all kinds
of fun things going on like, fishing, target shooting, watching Meg's
soccer games, and hiking to the sand dunes. Best of all we just got
to spend time together and enjoy visiting, laughing, and EATING!
Thanks everybody for the yummy food, and good company. Love you all!!

sounds a little fishy to me

2008-12-03T19:10:00.001-08:00

Motley Crew

2008-12-03T19:06:00.001-08:00

All the boys getting ready to go do some target shooting

fun at the sand dunes

2008-12-03T19:04:00.001-08:00

Ade bustin' one out

2008-12-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

We be jammin'

2008-12-03T18:54:00.001-08:00

Karaoke with the cousins

Dance Dance Dance

2008-12-03T16:59:00.001-08:00

Kamrin and Kinley and their friends getting ready for their first
performance of the year.

Grandpa Jacobs

2008-11-13T10:51:00.001-08:00

We just got back from Vale, Oregon yesterday. We were there to pay
tribute to my Grandpa, John Haines Jacobs. Our hearts are heavy, but
how grateful we are to have known him and to be a part of this great
big wonderful family that is his legacy.
I will remember him best for his love of and dedication to his wife of
66 years and his family, his faith, his love of horses, yodeling, hard
work, farming(especially corn), pulling taffy, his laughter and his
smile.
I will miss him so much, but I am determined to live my life the way
he did...with God and family at the center, with hard work, lots of
laughter, and music.
Love you Grandpa.

Halloween Pals

2008-11-13T10:03:00.000-08:00

Kadin and Tessa

Jake, Rob and Jacob

2008-11-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

Wow

Zach, Caleb, Austin and Joey

2008-11-13T10:00:00.001-08:00

Now that is scary!

Kamrin and Allison

2008-11-13T09:59:00.000-08:00

Twins!

Kinley and Emma

2008-11-13T09:58:00.001-08:00

Snow White and.... the Chicken?

Best Apple Pie Jam

2008-10-22T12:19:00.001-07:00

We know someone with an over-abundance of apples, and they let us come
and pick a bunch.
I found the yummiest recipe for apple jam and thought I'd post it:

4 cups tart apples, peeled and chopped small
1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
4 cups sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 (1.75 oz.) box dry pectin
1 teaspoon butter

1)Measure apples in a measuring bowl, and add enough water to fill to
the 4 cup line (with apples still in bowl)

2)Add pectin, butter, spices and lemon juice

3)Bring to a boil

4)Add sugars and bring back to a full rolling boil. Boil 1 minute

5)Ladle into jars leaving 1//4 inch headspace

6)Process 10 minutes in a hot water bath

Yeild 3 pints

Mom's apron

2008-10-22T12:02:00.001-07:00

This apron was made for me by my Grandma Jacobs. Kinley wanted to
wear it this morning so I told her all about it, then of course, I had
to take a picture:)

Jake

2008-10-11T16:17:00.001-07:00

Jake breakin through the line.

Zach Attack

2008-10-11T16:11:00.001-07:00

I love this picture..You can see where Zach (light blue sleeves) has
broken through the line and is about to sack the quarterback.

The Big Boys

2008-10-11T16:05:00.001-07:00

Homecoming game

2008-10-04T18:59:00.001-07:00

Kadin got to hold the American flag when the drill team and
cheerleaders did "flags" for the National Anthem at the homecoming
game last night. She did a great job in their dances too. Several
people commented on how fun she is to watch. She really does have a
great presence.

Kams in Action

2008-10-03T13:20:00.001-07:00

Pumpkins!

2008-10-03T13:04:00.001-07:00

I love Autumn! The perfect temperatures, back to school, football
games, harvest time, the look and smell of the turning leaves. I love
everything about it.
Last night Brandon and the younger kids picked all the pumpkins from
our garden and piled them around our front door. There are about 30
of them.

Jake on the 8th grade float

2008-10-03T07:29:00.001-07:00

Kadin on the drill team float

2008-10-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

Caleb on the flag football float

2008-10-03T07:27:00.001-07:00

Homecoming Week!

2008-10-03T07:09:00.001-07:00

It's homecoming week in Enterprise. On Wednesday the traditional
homecoming parade made it's way through town. Zach, Kamrin, and
Kinley got to ride on the elementary school's "reader's float".
Kinely was so excited to ride on the float, but is still mad that she
missed out on the candy. She says she wants to watch the parade next
year instead. :)

LAGOON

2008-09-23T13:52:00.000-07:00

What a fun day!! I remember coming here when I was a kid. Riding
those same old rides, and alot of new ones,with my kids was a blast!
We arrived at 11 a.m. and no one was ready to leave until closing time
at 10 p.m. We were exhausted!!! By the time we got to Grandma
Koopmans' house everyone was crashed out accept Dad (the driver).

Caleb

2008-09-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Caleb at his flag football game. He is an intense boy from the word "go".

wild wild west

2008-08-31T10:34:00.001-07:00

This was taken at Lagoon in Pioneer Village. We had our choice of
costumes... formal, cowboys and cowgirls, or outlaws. It was
unanimous. Outlaws it was!!

Happy Harvest

2008-08-31T10:27:00.001-07:00

Our garden has taken on a life of its own this year. We have canned pickles and relish, and we try to share with our neighbors as much as we can, but I think they are as tired of cucumbers and zucchini as we are!!