April Agenda

Zeak participated in the Mona Elementary School Science Fair this year. He came up with his project all on his own and with some help from his totally supportive and amazing mom he won the Excellence Award! He chose to do his project on the Action in Team Roping Ropes. He wanted to know if the engineered action of a team roping rope would improve the chances of catching and winning. Zeak had me take picture of him using three different ropes so that they could see what action was. Second, he had me take photos of the Junior High Rodeo in Toole. I had to keep a tally on who caught, how they placed, and then from that information and the photos Zeak put together his Science Fair Board. The conclusion of his project was if all elements are in the correct position, (the horse, steer, and rope) then yes the engineered action in a rope guarantees a catch. I was so impressed with the thought and effort Zeak put into his project. He did a great job and I was so excited for him when he was presented with his award.
Friday April 1st was a wonderful night for Dan and I. We drove through 3 hours of grueling North Bound traffic to enjoy the evening with some of the most wonderful people in the world. It was Dan's mission Reunion. The spirit was incredible and I have to wonder if the reunion when we die will be similar. Since I have never died and have not received any revelations on this matter I will go with my theory that this is what Heaven might be like. We were fed Brazil dinner that was delicious. After we had been fed physically we were fed Spiritually. It was so incredible. I so look up to President and Sister Prieto and hope to one day be like them. We spent the evening with the Snell's and they are so fun to be with, wish they lived closer so we could hang out more. It was truly the perfect start to a very spiritual weekend. Saturday was General Conference and a Baptism for our niece Madison. This photo says it all, how grown-up she is, and how excited she was to be baptized. The morning started early with Zumba for all the girls. Then, we were invited to a fun dinner that was unique to her and had such a special meaning behind it. We watched conference and attended the Baptism after.

Shannon, Lance, and their family stayed with us for the weekend. It was so fun for us to play host. Normally everyone stays at Grandma and Grandpa's house but with all of the families growing it is getting hard for everyone to stay there. We didn't mind at all. The Greers on the other hand might think twice about staying since we had a minor flood in the basement where they were staying. When arriving home from Zumba Shannon and I were greeted to the boys tearing up the carpet and vacuuming out water. We cleaned up as much as we could before needing to leave for the Luncheon. After the baptism I went out to move the desk and furniture that was soaking up more water we hadn't previously caught.

Sunday morning the kids woke up with very different opinions and views. The 6 inches of snow had the Greer children excited and wanting to go play. The Woodlands were groaning and wanting to go back to bed hoping it was all a bad dream. With a little coaxing the fun began with a fun snowball fight for all!

So glad tulips and daffodils can handle the snow.
Springtime is full of new life. Grandma Woodland always brings the kids tiny caterpillars that start out so small you can barely see them and they turn into creatures of beauty in no time at all. Kaci and Jake love to let their caterpillars go. I don't have any photos of this but my sister and her family stayed with us overnight and the kids let the butterflies go inside my house. They lost one of the butterflies. The adults were visiting in the front room and when Dan stood up he was sitting on the butterfly. All laws of science say the butterfly should have died but it was alive and well. So the next morning we set all the butterflies free. One of my new favorite sayings is When WiNGS develop BUTTERFLIES and CHILDREN fly AwAy!




The second weekend we went to Toole for a baby blessing. Brinely Fae Teeples. Ariel and Kaci are so happy to have another girl on their side!


I LoVe school projects that help my kids think and make them learn without knowing they are learning. This project turned into a friendly competition. The idea was to put a raw egg in something then drop it from off the roof of the school and see how many eggs didn't crack. Both sixth grade classes did this project. Dan had his idea which was balloons and duct tape when he tested it at Tina's it didn't work so he went to plan B and used saran wrap (press and seal because that is all I had) Tina wanted to fill her balloon with jello and let it set up with the egg inside. Hers was not a complete success in the testing stages either. We couldn't get the jello inside the balloon. The air from the balloon would push the jello out and then the jello wouldn't fill the balloon. So with some trial and error on both projects the day came to see whose egg was untouched. Tina wrapped her egg/jello/ balloon in plastic grocery bags and then put them in the ice cream carton left over from our ice cream sundaes the night before. And the moment of truth. Both were a success! I was helping in Jake's class with his Easter party and missed all of the action but it sounds like there were many creative ideas and success stories with the Egg drop. I just hope we will be able to convince the district and Mrs Wolhesfoth it is a great activity and tradition we should keep.
Jake's room mom this year was so organized and on the ball she had the parties completely organized and planned out from the treats to the activities. So my job was easy I just had to provide a portion of the treat and carry out the activities. I am grateful that my kids love me coming into the classroom and being apart of parties.
The first weekend of Spring break was like Christmas for the Woodland house. We were invited to the annual Church Ranch Branding. My kids all of them including my big one. Love this weekend probably more than Christmas.
Sometimes they get a little rowdy the competition and testosterone take over.

I love this photo I might need to blow it up with a saying so they know they can be friends, work together, and get the job done.
Zeak and Body Shepherd were a great team this year and really proved to be hands.
Only on the ranch with Grandpa Don as the cow boss can you get permission to have a rotten egg fight! ewwww!!!
And after two long days of branding the Dad's and Kids still had time for fun and games! Normally the men play a little farm yard basket ball. This year the kids started up a game capture the flag that lead to the Dad's joining in.
When they gathered the cows and calves before branding they had to leave a calve because it was sick and slow. Grandpa Don sent Body and Zeak to gather the calve. There were some who doubted they could do it. But, you can see from the look on their faces they did it. Then Jake and Tate cut out the mama cow and brought her in. I can hardly believe how big they are getting and how much they have grown since the first branding.

Kaci was happy to be there in her hat and boots and play with the kids.

Jake's job was to keep the mama cows away from the branding fire. He did awesome and stuck with it.

My Spring flower beds.

Our biggest surprise of Spring was this adorable little guy. This was minutes after he was born. Vanessa had come home to hang out with us and she asked Jake if he had a baby goat. He said no but it sounds like one. They went to investigate and came in just screaming. Dan had been waiting for his heifers to calve so I called him and said, "you got your first baby today." He was so excited and asked, "which heifer?" When I broke the news that it was not a heifer it was the GOAT Santa brought Jake for Christmas he was not thrilled. Not knowing what to do Zeak called our friends the Daniels' they raise she and we figured a goat had to be similar.
They were so awesome to come to our rescue. This photo is Cameron and Hadley trying to milk the mama. She was mean and wouldn't take care of her baby at all. So we milked her 4 times and then fed the baby in an actual baby bottle.
Jake was so excited and has been so good to take of his new friend. I am certain if I would let him he would keep the goat in the house. For several days Jake floated on cloud nine. One afternoon I was a bit shocked and a lot sad when Jake came in and said, "mom it is ok if I don't have any friends I have my goat and that is all that matters!"
This photo shows how little the baby was. Sparkles was so cute and must have known he would need a friend.
After all of the excitement of the baby we came in to color Easter eggs. Jake and Vanessa gathered duck eggs and we colored them. Cort was so tired from all the running and excitement that he had a little nap on the rug by my back door. Aunt Lisa didn't want him to miss out on the egg decorating so I woke him up. As you can see he was not impressed.

This little blossom is my hope that Spring is coming!

My baby nursery in the garage. Next year I hope to have a nursery set up out side with lamps, running water, with all the necessities for saving orphaned babies.

He looks like a lamb but he is an Angora Goat.

I had so much fun with my kids during Spring break. We did so much together. This was one of our favorite activities. We decorated Easter Sugar Cookies and delivered them to friends and neighbors.

Saturday we went to Fillmore. The kids actually went down Friday and had a sleep over. It was a cold rainy day but we still found a dry spell to go roll eggs at the sand hills west of Holden. My kids love this activity. I took the confetti eggs to throw and have fun with as well.

Zeak thinks he is to big for all the silly decorating and fun so he opted to hold Brinley while we colored eggs.

Grandma seeking revenge with a confetti egg.

Easter Sunday was so amazing. The music was amazing mostly because we had people who love to sing. The opening song felt like a huge gust of wind trying to blow me over it was so amazing. After church we took a few photos and then I made Easter Sunday dinner. I had an idea earlier in the week and it worked perfect. The kids helped a little but most of it I did. I set out the good China and prepared an extra plate for an extra special Guest! Everyone loved the dinner and asked to do it again soon. Might have to be our new Easter Sunday tradition.







Jake made a deal with Uncle Clay on his two goats. I really didn't think he would sell them especially since they were a gift from Santa. Jake is such a sentimental little guy and gets attached to everything!!! He didn't even cry and helped load them into the truck. Maybe it helps to know they are going to a good home and he will be able to see them on a regular basis. He know Uncle Clay and Cort love animals as much as he does.

Whew I am so glad this project is done and over. Not because it was hard or I hate the Animal Fair because I love Animal and Science fair. I just hated the fact that this consumed Jake's mind almost 24/7. He bugged me about printing photos and his reports even before we had specific instructions. He chose the Snow Leopard and now has a goal to see a Snow Leopard in person someday. He did a great job and I am very proud of him.
Yep this is the view of the month. If she isn't on the ice with her Ice skates then she is on her "roller glades." I am not sure what is going to wear out first my floor or her wheels. I am glad she has a love and passion.

What I learned in April is that I have the BEST Family in the World we are not perfect but we had a great month spending time with each other enjoying all of the simple pleasures this life has to offer. We celebrated a Beautiful Season and The Most Wonderful Holiday celebrating the most wonderful person to have walked the face of the earth. My hope is that my little family with come to know and love him more everyday and that we can follow his way and return to Him and or Father and Heaven.

Cause for a Royal Dinner

I don't watch much TV and when I do it is usually a brief glimpse at the weather. I knew there was going to be a Royal Wedding but I had no idea when until the night before. I wish I would have been a little more on top of things but none the less we took the opportunity for a little party. As I was watching the wedding earlier in the morning I thought why don't we have a royal dinner and then watch the wedding as a family. I was overall impressed with the wedding. She was modest, graceful, he was handsome and they seemed to be very much in Love. Even though theirs was a wedding with lots of people and publicity I thought it was very intimate and tasteful. Kaci was really excited and wanted to invite some friends over. She even when over and got Ty to dress up since the Durbins' let her down. We had homemade french toast with buttermilk syrup, and bacon. It was so delicious. Pretty sure it was on the Royal dinner menu but it should have been. Then we watched the wedding. The kids were not nearly as into as I was but they humored me. The dads even enjoyed it. This gave us a great teaching moment to talk about marriages and the differences between a temple marriage and civil marriage. We read teh book My Wedding Day by, Debra Pace Rowley. This was a simple explanation of a temple wedding with beautiful illustrations.



I am so grateful for my temple wedding. I am grateful for the covenants and promises we made. A temple marriage doesn't make marriage easier or less work it makes it even more work because their is more on the line. "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of our Heavenly Fathers plan and blessing it is and can be to My Eternal Family. I know that Families Can be Together Forever!

March Madness

March started rough for us everyone got Influenza B so while I doctored sick kids I remodeled my bathroom. I am a huge Cars fan and one night a few months ago I had this vision. I love the results. Because of Influenza Jake, Kaci, and I stayed home from the St George rodeo. I was so sad. Zeak did awesome in the ribbon roping placing 3rd and 5th and had some good runs in everything else just not enough to place him. I have no pictures because I wasn't there to take them.
The second weekend in March Aunt Shannon came for a visit. Her and Kaci have been planning an ice skating party since Porter's blessing. Everyone went and we had a great time. Kaci was in heaven having Aunt Shannon dote on her. Grandma Woodland even got on the ice for just minute. Brinley was very frustrated because she wanted to go fast but couldn't. She and Uncle Dan had a power struggle on the ice for a good 20 min. I am not sure who won but everyone left the ice smiling.
Mona Elementary has a rad kid program that is so good for our kids. They teach self defense to our kids and stranger safety. This is Zeak at graduation. I stayed long enough to watch him finish the course and then had to leave because Kaci was still really sick. She was sick one week better the next and fevered and sick again on Sunday for another week of sickness.

I LOVE St Patrick's day not sure why maybe because it is the day after my birthday. I decided this year to have a little fun and make green shamrock pancakes for breakfast. Jake thought I was awesome. He was lucky to have his Rad kid graduation on St Patrick's day hence all the green shirts.
Even though Kaci was still not 100 % she felt good enough to get dressed in her St Patrick's skirt her and Grandma Barnhurst made. She asked me why I couldn't sew I told her I didn't have patience to sew. When she was sewing with grandma she told her I just couldn't sew.
The 3rd weekend in March we spent in Toole at the Junior High Rodeo. We decided to enter Jake in the 5th and under rodeo as well. We were already there and the horses were there so why not enter him. He did awesome for being on a new horse. This was the State finals for the 5th and under and we warned Jake he wouldn't make it to the short go because he only had one rodeo. Much to our surprise as well as a few parents Jake did come back to the short go in poles. I was so proud of him. He ended up 9th overall and won a set of leather reins. He was so excited.

Zeak had some bad luck in Toole. He didn't place in anything and lost his good standings for state. I am not sure why we had such bad luck because he has practiced so hard. One thing for sure Zeak doesn't get discouraged very easy. He smiled and then asked if he could help with the 5th and under rodeo. He got to be the pick up man in the steer riding. He was so proud that his bull and heifer were used in the steer riding both days. Cody Wrights boys loved our cattle and wanted to buy the bull. This made Zeak's weekend he said to me, "Mom our bull is famous!"


Kaci finished her first session of Ice skating at the end of the month. She loves ice skating and showed lots of improvement. She is passed the first 2 levels and will start on level 3 in April. Grandma and Cort got to see her skate the last day and pass her test.
Dan loves to turkey hunt it is one of his favorite past times. This is the 3rd year in a row he has taken Jake turkey hunting. They have become good friends and enjoy this sport together. Their new goal is to take him Elk hunting. Dan is so attentive to Jake it give me comfort that if something were to happen to me or one of our kids Dan really could take care of us. Jake has come along ways and is very independent and mobile. The first year his dad came with him and had to help him do almost everything. The second year he had some buddies come with him. This year he came alone. He is living on his own in his own apartment. It is so fun to watch him and see the progress. And, it is so fun to see him out enjoying the great outdoors.

I don't have a photo of the last accomplishment in March but it is one I am very proud of. Our county also has a RAD Women Self Defense coarse. Since the kids were taking rad kids I decided it would be good for me to take the RAD Women coarse. Every Wed in March Tina, Taylei, and I went to a two hour class. Taylei could teach the coarse now and help her mom and I she was amazing. I feel more prepared and more confident that I could defend my self if I had to. The hope is that I never have to!

February Fun

Kaci was so concerned about the babies and watch closely as Grandpa and Mitch took care of them. They helped them get in where it was warm and made sure they were getting milk from their mamas. I am grateful for the farm and all the lessons learned out there.
While Dan and Zeak attended a ropin' Friday night before his birthday, Kaci and Jake went out to the church ranch to visit Grandpa and Grandma Berezay this time of year is crazy busy at the church ranch with calving season. So we took them some dinner and they took the kids out to see the new babies. Kaci loved seeing them but was scared to death. I love how this photo shows her trusting her older brother. This photos speaks a 1,000 words.
Zeak and Shane are roping partners for eternity I am sure of it. Their birthdays are one day apart. Zeak's on the 26th and Shane's on the 27th. For the last 3 years we have spent their birthdays roping and this year was no exception. The only change was it was just the two of them this year. They got matching shirts and all. I am glad that Zeak has such a great person to look up to and grateful that Shane isn't to old or to cool to hang out with us still.
Grandma Nelson is so amazing. She takes everyone to pizza at the Pizza Factory for her Birthday. This year it happened to be on Zeak's birthday as well. We look forward to this party every year and enjoy spending time with the family.

Zeak came home the end of this month with a huge surprise. He was the terrific kid for February. He loves things like this. This is what Mrs Bradley said about him. The Terrific Kid in Mrs. Bradley's 6th grade for Febrauary is Zeak Woodland. Over the past few months, Zeak has really been working towards getting all of his assignments done and turned in. Mrs Bradley has noticed that Zeak has been listening better in class and has been working towards setting goals for himself. He is nice to others and strives hard to do what is right. Zeak is a good student with a big heart. He is always willing to help wherever he can. Thanks for all you do, Zeak.
I am so proud of him for this award and I agree that he has tried hard and set some big goals for himself he is really growing up.
Jake earned his bobcat and his geologist belt loop and patch he also earned 3 beads. He thrives in scouts. Zeak was there for the social and Jake is there to learn and absorb all the information he can get. They did crystal gardens that he was fascinated with and he loved the space dome that they just participated in. I am glad he loves scouting I think they learn valuable things and having been in scouts a short time I am grateful for the leaders who have the patients and desire to serve these boys.

Kaci started ice skating lessons and she loves it. She was so excited she could hardly sleep the night before. We were there a half hour early. They started her in a class that was way to advanced and put her back in the beginning group. She is to advanced for them because they are scared to death of the ice and wont even stand on their skates. But she is learning and loving it.
The Monday before Zeak's birthday we were having trouble with Jake and Kaci again so Dan decided to take Zeak to dinner for his birthday. Zeak got to pick the restaurant. He chose Red Lobster. Dan sent me this picture from his phone that is why the quality is so bad and the txt read. Man this kid can eat a ton! He had Lobster, Alaskan King Crab, shrimp scampi, cocktail shrimp, and a large desert. He did bring me home a slice of his chocolate cake when I commented on how much there was left Dan said, "ya that is 1/4 of it!" No wonder he wrestled 165 in 6th grade.
Kaci loves preschool she is so creative and fun. This is her M homework the instructions were to use something that starts with "M" and fill in your m. You could use macaroni, M stickers, marshmallows, ect. She said, "let use mud." I was so impressed with her creativity until I facebooked Mrs. Blackett and found out that she suggested it in class. I am still proud of her because she was the only one in both classes to be brave enough to use mud. (Or a mom dumb enough to let her)

Mona Elementary still has a tradition of making homemade valentine boxes. My boys kill me they have one track minds. Jake got a duck egg and used it in his valentine box. Zeak couldn't go without his horses so they shared a stall with all of the valentines.


At the beginning of the month Kaci was so excited to put out Valentine decorations she told me that Valentines was her favorite holiday. I asked her even better than Christmas she said, "yes!" Inquiring why she said, "it is because it is so pretty and full of Love I just love all of the heart decorations." So the thought came to me why not let her celebrate her favorite holiday. So we planned a little party for her and she picked the dinner and the decorations. We made desserts and hair bows. It was so much fun we might have to have more girl parties. Jake got to hand out with Grandpa Barnhurst, Uncle Clay, and Cort. Dan and Zeak went to the Klondike. Zeak was so excited to go on his first scout camp out. He wasn't worried about the snow and cold. Him and Dylan White were the tough guys with strength and endurance thanks to wrestling.
This is what happens at the Woodland house when your mom has had enough. I am trying not to yell and scream as much so Saturday I had reached my limit. I just handed the two of them their coats told them they had 5 seconds to be outside and they had 1 hour to have the dog kennel spotless. Don't mess with the frustrated mom it could get ugly.


The month started off with a trip to Sunny St George! Kathryn and Jeff were blessing their adorable baby girl. Kamryn. We spent Saturday enjoying the sun and the red rocks. Saturday night all of the adults went to dinner it was a nice enjoyable to visit with out so much noise. Sunday was a beautiful day the blessing was amazing and the dinner was yummy. We stayed and watched the Super Bowl with everyone. I didn't really watch I just visited with everyone and chased the kids. It was a wonderful visit and we hated leaving the beautiful sun and come back to the snow.