What I Love About The Lavold's

In a few weeks Doug, the kids and myself are heading to Arizona to visit my family. It has been nearly 2 years since we have all been able to go. I'm very homesick to say the least! Just for fun I thought I'd post what I love about each member of the family I grew up in.

Dad- I love that he met a cute mormon girl named Barbara Brewer at age 20 and that they fell in love and married...and that he gained a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and to this day remains an active, faithful member of the LDS church. I love how much time he spent with us kids growing up especially taking us on lots of camping and hunting trips. I love how he is always willing to run errands for anyone and chauffeuring us anywhere we desire

Mom- I love her amazingly strong work ethic. I love how she is so willing to help out her kids in any and every way possible. I love that she is always full of helpful advice (Dr Mom)! She may not have a college degree like the rest of the family (except me) but she is smart and I think she has the most common sense! I love being silly, naughty, ornery, and laughing with her.

Laura- I love that she is a math professor! We have used that to our advantage many times. I love that I have been able to live near her for most of the first 30 years of my life and got to share in family experiences with her. I love that she is a very hard working person and worked hard, went to college for at least a dozen years, and raised 4 children all at the same time. I love that she is not a neat freak (like myself)!

Lisa- I love her pretty green eyes. I love how in her late 30's she became a mom; we were worried she wouldn't get that opportunity. She is a great mom! I love her cooking/baking...amazing! I love her temper. She can be feisty but I love that because she wont let anyone walk all over her. She is a strong woman.

Aaron- I love that he is an amazing dad! Who would have known that he would turn out to be such a great dad? I love his crude sense of humor (mine is much the same way). I love that he is great with computers, he has even helped me out over the phone. I think that is amazing. I love how he wears shorts and sandals year round and doesn't seem to care what anyone thinks about that. Or anything else for that matter. Good old laid back Aaron!

Richard- I love that he turned out to be nice! (We fought constantly the first 16 years of my life) I love his one brown eye, one blue eye because it is so unusual and cool. I love that he comes to my parents house for lunch most days. I know they love getting to visit with him. I love that he is an incredibly hard worker in supporting his family. I love his smile...he has a great smile.

Jason- I love that he is finally getting married!!! I love his crazy, whacked out, gross sense of humor. The foolish seer will always be a cherished memory. I love the 'poop on the toilet seat in Jerome' story. I love how he is so tall that he makes me feel tiny. I love his pale blue eyes.

I could go on and on but I wont. I have been blessed to be born into a great family and I am looking forward to seeing them all soon.

Apple Time!

It is peak apple picking season here. They are wonderful! This morning I took Arissa, Ariana, and Allison and Tate Stevens to a farm a few miles north of our home. We had a good time picking and eating. Honey Crisp apples are the best for eating...especially with carmel dip! We also picked a peck of Mac's. I'm looking forward to making a yummy apple crisp with those tomorrow.

The New Scoutmaster...and Court of Honor

Doug didn't last long as the Ward Mission Leader. After about 2 months he has been called to be the scoutmaster...again. I believe this is the 3rd time. This plaque our former scoutmaster Will Croff made for Doug in appreciation for his help with scout camp this summer.


Dakota won the "dry duck" award. His scoutmaster said he never wanted to go swimming. Is this really my kid?!? Oh yea...we live in Wisconsin where the water is COLD!

When flags get worn and faded, they are retired (burned). Doug made the fire pit and Dakota got the honor of placing the flag in the flames.

Arissa's Braces

On September 4th Arissa got braces. She has handled it very well and is taking good care of her teeth. She is even enduring the teasing by her siblings because she has braces AND glasses!

Mom Breakfast

A bunch of us moms got together after the kids were in school for breakfast at Machine Shed. It was so nice to get to visit with everyone and have a yummy breakfast together. We had a VERY over-the-top server that kept us smiling. It will be a morning I wont forget for a long time!

Back to School Time!!!

Alayna and Dakota started school on Tuesday, Arissa and Ariana yesterday. Its a great feeling! I love my kids to death and the first few weeks of the summer are great but after that I slowly loose my mind and cant wait for them to get back in school. I find that they do much better with a set schedule, and less time at home to make messes and fight with eachother!

Alayna is in 10th grade at Appleton North High School

Dakota is in 8th grade at Einstein Middle School

Arissa is in 5th grade at Odyssey Charter School

Ariana is in 3rd grade at Ferber Elementary School

Picnic at High Cliff State Park

Doug, Arissa, Ariana and myself had a great time at the lake Saturday with the Summers family. We had a picnic, watched the girls swim, and got to relax and chat.

Ariana and Chloe waving to us.

Arissa with the pretty lake and trees behind her.

Ariana and Gracie coming out from playing ball in the lake.

I've Been Tagged

My friend Janette tagged me. For those of you who aren't familiar with this; you list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, and 3 facts about yourself. Then list 5 people you are tagging and let them know by commenting on their blog (or e-mailing).

Joys:
My family
Travelling
Being outdoors

Fears:
Death of my husband/kids/parents
Alayna's driving
Cancer

Goals:
Loose 10 lbs
Cut down to 2 cans of diet coke a day
Get my life/home better organized

Current obsessions/collections:
Diet coke (I'm down to 4 though)
Reading
Making lists; currently working on a major to-do list and Christmas list (I want to be ready early this year!)

Facts:
I'm a 4th generation Arizona native (and proud of it!)
I drink WAY too much diet coke
I'm kind of a tomboy (my mom would say "not very ladylike!")

I'm tagging Camey, Jen Brewer, Tessa, Stacy, Sabra