Fun at the park!

My friend told me about this really cool park the other day that has ducks the kids can feed, and a bunch of other birds and fish and stuff. So Candee and I decide to pack a lunch and take the kids for a picnic and bird watching. We had lunch by this little stream then the kids fed the ducks and we even dug for dinosaur bones, to make it even better there was no fussing for the 2 hours we were there and the weather was perfect! It was actually really fun until the geese showed up...

The kids were mezmorized, it was awesome!!

This duck has funny hair like feathers. Watch out, MEAN MOTHER COMIN!!

You gotta watch this video, the Geese were not scared of us at all. They were actually coming toward us! They were so loud and freekin the kids out (except Kaden). Notice Candee's shadow on the ground trying to scare them so they would leave. I didn't catch all of her attempts to shew them away, but it was so funny to see her do a little dance, flap her arms and stomp tward them!

Catch up!

So, I have been a little behind with keeping up on new post's, so here are a few things we have been doing the past couple of weeks.

Finally!! The Skousen Fam. had another addition! JETT Robbie Skousen was born 2 weeks ago. Good job Matt and Candy he is so stinkin CUTE!!

Mark finally finished all of his mom's tables YAH!
(with Kadens help of course)

And some pictures of our DIRTBOARDING adventures! Well, I guess we actually havent been up to much. Or nothing more to take note of anyways.

Hopefully we will have a more eventfull weekend!

Kaden, if you only new!

Poor Kaden is already getting the birds and the bees lesson (totally kidding). He is learning for him self. He'll get it someday, and when he does, if he is anything like his dad, he is going to hate these pictures!

The 15th president of the LDS Church, Gordon B. Hinckley, passed away on Jan. 27, 2008 following nearly 13 years as the LDS church prophet. (Photo: LDS Church) SALT LAKE CITY - The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints died on Sunday at the age of 97.It was announced on Sunday evening that Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the LDS Church since 1995, died from issues related to his age.Born on June 23, 1910, Hinckley ascended to the church presidency on Mar. 12, 1995. For years, Hinckley served as the 15th prophet of the LDS faith as a successor to Howard W. Hunter.Hinckley became the oldest president in LDS Church history on Nov. 2, 2006 -- surpassing David O. McKay.Hinckley might be best known for his aggressive attitude in building LDS temples around the world. As of an. 2008, 124 LDS temples were operating worldwide. Prior to Hinckley's presidency, there were less than 50.


Most of you have probably already heard about the passing away of our Beloved Prophet President Hinckley. My first instinct after my Mother in law called to tell us the news was a little shock, then cry, then call my parents, then cry, then call all my siblings, then cry some more. But as I sit here and think of all the things that He has done for our church and specifically Me, I feel overwhelmed and don't really know what to say, and, I really stink at attempting to explain my feelings. Thank goodness for the plan of Salvation, specifically eternal families. I love President Hinckley! Every time I hear this special, special man speak he always leaves me feeling important and special to him and our Lord and Savior. One thing I really love and he always seems to talk about is being a wife and mother. When I feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of being the best wife for Mark and raising Kaden and our other children righteously, (no, this is not an announcement) He often reminds me of my special calling I have here on the earth as a wife and mother, and how we are not alone in our works. I leave feeling refreshed and strengthened. I think I am babbling and not making any since, so I just want you all to know I know the Church is true, and I know we are lead by a true prophet that lead us by God's direction in righteous works that will lead us back to our Heavenly Father. President Hinckley is an amazing man and I am grateful for him. What great things have come from a great Man. I know he is having an exciting reunion with his sweetheart, it makes me happy to think about that. They are so cute together! I am excited to see what lays ahead in these latter days!

Their warmth is infectious!

My hard working Boy's!

I love this picture. Kaden is such a smart little boy, sometimes to smart for his own good! He picks up on things so quickly, and understands so much it really amazes me. Thankfully, he has a good role model to look up to. Mark is such a good dad, he is always teaching Kaden new things. I am grateful that Mark grew up with an amazing Father that taught him the importance of focusing and doing your best while working hard, now Mark can pass those skills to our children. I can only hope and pray that when Kaden grows up he will have the same work ethic.

As for now, I have the privilege to see Mark all day, and Kaden gets to help him work... sometimes. In this picture Mark is building tables for his Mom's Nation wide traveling sculpture exhibit. Very cool!! I don't know much about what is going on, and I don't want to start any roomers, so as soon as I get more information I will let you all know. As for now, I can just say Angela is truly an amazing artist! Her depictions of Christ touch my heart, and spirit. Every time I see her work, it helps me remember why I Love my Savior. If you haven't seen any of her work you can look at her web sight http://www.ajsculptures.com/ . There are some other beautiful sculptures that she has completed, they are not shown on the web sight, but will be in the exhibit. Take a look anyways, they are awesome!

Kaden and I a couple of summers ago at the Church Museum in Salt Lake with Angela's Life size of Christ

And of course, you know what they say, WORK HARD, PLAY HARD!! We had a bonfire this past weekend to burn Matt & Candee and our Christmas tree's. Along with some other wood and junk that has been sitting in our dump trailer waiting for the burn. The kids loved it, and Kaden has officially had his first late night out in the desert.

2008 Already?

While the kids were all nuzzled in bed and dreaming of who knows what, we did bring in the new year with a bang!! And a new ROCK BAND!! Watch out, these guys are HOT!
!

i LOVE this time of year!

WOW!! I hope everyone had as much fun on their Christmas break as we did! I haven't had time to even look at the computer for the past week, we have been having to much FUN!! We were lucky enough to have all of my siblings here in AZ. this year to celebrate Christmas. Counting my siblings (and spouses) and their children, there is a total of 48 of us plus two that are on missions, and one on the way! Talk about a house full, lucky enough we were all spread out between 5 homes. There has been a grand activity every single day! Sometimes two in one day. Kaden had tons of FUN with all his cousins, and so did I. As it seems, I rarely saw or heard him because he was always to busy following someone else around instead of me! I especially love it when Mark gets to stay home and PLAY to! Seriously I LOVE this time of year when we get to spend time with our family and most importantly get to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I love him, and it is a huge blessing to me to be able to be on the earth at this time, and in this place, with an amazing family!

From candy making, to caroling, quad riding, zip-line, bird hunting, shopping, hiking, paint ball, clay pigeon shooting, service projects, volley ball, and everything in between!! There are to many details, and I wasn't so good with picture taking (because I was busy playing), so I will just share a few pic's of some of the activities! I Love my FAMILY!! We have so much fun together. Thank you MOM and DAD for having so many kids, and then putting up with all of us!

Christmas Candy!

Christmas play

Family quad trip!

Yes, that is a sling shot.

Wow Mom, That's HOT!Kaden doing what he does best.
This was probably the highlight of the holiday for me. A home maid ZIP-LINE! Probably because this is one thing we don't do often. Mark is so stinkin creative, I love it!!

Skousen family dinner. We had to reserve the church to hold the crowd! This is not everyone, but you get the feel. We also had a few games of some serious volley ball. To bad I don't have any pic's. It was quite the sight!

Bird hunting. Great face Mark!