Happy Birthday Jarren!!!

( Jarren in 2006, since I did not have a digital camera when he was born and all his baby photo's have been scrapbooked.)

I can not believe Jarren turned seven on March 7th. He has been such a little angel and peacemaker in our family. He loves his brothers so much and takes really good care of them when I am busy with something else around the house.
Jarren was born March 7, 2002 at 10:10am weighing in at 8.5 pounds and 21 inches long. He was our biggest baby. I was in Labor for 12 hours, which began on the evening of March 6th when I had just settled into bed and was not feeling well and contractions on a consistent bases. About midnight we called the hospital and told them that contractions were about 5 minutes apart. Which they advised for us to come in. It had been snowing lightly that evening so the roads were a slick making John drive slower then normal. I had called my mother earlier that day to tell her to think about coming out since we knew that it would be any time. Glad I did, because she arrived about 2 hours after we got checked into the hospital. Things seemed to be moving along well, but after 6 hours I really had not changed much since I had gotten there. So the doctor feared that I had stalled and the doctor started pitocin to help me get my labor moving forward. I was very nervous , because of being told that I could not have an epidural do to the rods in my back for scoliosis. Yes, it turned out that there is a difference in labor pains off and on pitocin. I was not handling it very well. The nurse sent for a spinal. I was in so much pain to voice my thought on if they can not do a epidural how are they going to do a spinal. But the Doctor tried for about 30 minutes, with seven stabs to my back had to give up. I was told that when he left the room he had tears in his eyes, because he felt bad that he could not relieve my pain. Shortly after that came the contraction telling me it was time to push. Thank goodness, because all the pain seemed to go away until Jarren's head crowned. I only had to push for 15 minutes. I could not believe he was here and that I was a mom. Even with all the pain he was so worth it.

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For Jarren's birthday we kept things simple and had a party here at the house. Not sure if eight 7 year old boys is really simple, but it all turned out well. We played some games on the Wii, had pizza, played some more, ate cake, and opened presents. Jarren loved having his friends over from the neighborhood and from school. John was ready to run away when it was all over with.
The Cake!!
Eating pizza just before lighting the candle and singing happy birthday.
Jarren's friends Isaac and Dylan playing in their cake!
Jarren opening his presents.
One last group picture. Boys will be Boys!!

After all the party fun, we met up with my dad, brother Sean and his wife Natalie for dinner and more birthday fun. Jarren had chosen the Olive Garden.
Sean and Natalie at dinner.
Jarren the birthday boy!! Jacob next to him.
An more presents!!! can we say spoiled. Jacob, Jarren and Joseph with his stinky binky.

Pagosa Springs,CO

In February my parents took us all to Pagosa Springs, CO for Presidents weekend to do some snow skiing and R & R.
Once we got all checked in and settled into the room the boys were ready for bed. John was tuckered out and passed out on the couch. Saturday morning we had pancakes, bacon, and eggs followed by getting Jarren and Jacob fitted for ski rentals. This was Jarren's 2nd year of skiing and Jacob's 1st year. They were so excited about getting up on the mountain. Sunday was our day up on the hill. The boys caught on really fast. I was nervous when I came down to check on them and saw that they were already getting on the ski lift. After skiing we all went and climbed into the hot tub to relax our sore bones. Joseph had spent the day with my sister in law Natalie who is expecting her 1st baby and my 1st niece through my side of the family. It was such a nice weekend, which we really needed at the time. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Jarren, Joseph, and Jacob starting to settle into their new sleeping quarters for the weekend.
Joseph not liking his new sleeping assignment. But loves where daddy passed out. Poor John he was so tired from driving all day.
Jarren and Jacob making sure the skis and boots fit for the big day.
John and I loving the beautiful views and ski weather.
Jarren and Jacob after we have picked them up from ski lessons. They are looking good.
Video of the boys coming down the mountain.

Jr Jazz Basket Ball

So back in January Jarren played Jr Jazz basketball. As part of playing they got to attend a Utah Jazz player appearance. I was not able to go so this was a father son moment. They had a great time and Jarren was so excited that he got meet Deron Williams! Jarren thought it was the coolest thing and was so excited when he got to give him a high five.
Me and My Dad!! Waiting for D-Will
Deron was talking about the importance of teamwork and focus. He took several questions from the audience. Deron's a regular guy and is a Jr. Jazz Dad himself! He watches Disney movies with his daughter plays video games. Deron and I engaged in a brief conversation and agreed that Coco Puffs make the best cereal milk.
Left to Right: Cooper,Braden,Bridger, and Jarren after meeting D-Will!


Jarren has learned so much this year playing basketball and really has enjoyed getting in the game!
Jarren dipping down for a shot during warm up.

Jarren running the ball just before game time.

Let the Games begin!

A small video clip of Jarren playing ball.

More Snow Time Fun!!

My sister and her husband gave the boys sleds for Christmas. So with the big snow storm creating a small hill the backyard. The boys wanted to give them a test run. So we suited up and went out back. I hope to take them out to a bigger hill near our home on the fresh snow that is falling as speak. So stay tuned for more sledding.
Jarren
Jacob
Joseph

Here is a video of them enjoying the snow.

The Joy Of Christmas

John's take on the Christmas Holiday Fun

Lego’s and Pooping Snowman!!!

It’s the most comical time of the year! Well, at least it’s like that for the Files Family. We feel blessed to have wonderful family and friends who care enough to clutter our counters with cheese balls, sparkling cider and sugar cookies. Next year, I’m giving everyone some Trim Spa so they can burn off all the Holiday fat from consuming the massive amounts of cookies, candy and overcooked Turkey.

Christmas morning, the kids were up at 6:30 so Heidi and I stumbled out of bed and she grabbed a few Pepsi’s while I poked around in the garage trying to find the tools needed to free the presents from their cardboard and plastic prisons. I felt like a one man demolition crew and once our living room was re-decorated with shards of plastic and cardboard, the line of tired salivating children formed begging me to bring to life, their shiny new toys which require batteries. Once the dust settled, I was able to lick my wounds from opening the toys. No sooner than I was able to bandage myself up, my living room turned into a UFC octagon and the fights broke out over who’s illegally playing with the other’s toy. Joseph won the battle this year as he chucked his shake ‘n’ go car at Jarren’s head and impaled Jacob with his Clone Wars Light Saber. So with the living room destroyed, and me being the walking wounded, I managed to shovel a small portion of our driveway so we could head over to Heidi’s parents house for our traditional family breakfast and round two of opening presents. Heidi’s mom spoiled us with a Wii and I consumed 1 pound bacon for breakfast. Heidi watched a movie on my iPod that I can’t mention because she would end up in a federal prison. After dinner, we loaded up all of our crap as best as we could in the confined quarters of the Truck and made our way home. The day after Christmas, we went to a movie and saw Bedtime Stories and picked up some accessories for our Wii. On Saturday, we headed up to Smithfield and again, we found ourselves huddled around cheese balls, popcorn balls and room temperature cold cuts. Yum!!! It was nice being together with everyone for the Holidays and enjoying our gift exchange. The boys got some toy cars and in their stockings, they got a little plastic snowman that disperses candy out of an escape hatch on it’s bum, the snowy bowel movement is collected in a hat. Oh, and I must mention that when the snowman is bumped, shaken it plays the most irritating Christmas song. Unfortunately, we were driving home on snow packed roads so we were kept in the holiday spirit by way of this irritating snowman with irritable bowel syndrome who sang for the entire three hour drive home.

On a more serious note, we are thankful for everything we have and wish all who read this a safe and prosperous new year. You are always in our thoughts. Scroll down and look at some pictures.

This Slide Show starts out Christmas Morning, Christmas afternoon at my parents, with the big family Christmas moment at my grandparents two days later.

What Did You Find Out Side Christmas Morning?

We found lots of snow and more snow. It later started snowing even more. It is a good thing we borrowed my Dad's truck because we would have never made it out of the drive way in the van. But we took these pictures after we did some snow shoveling and our neighbor used his four wheeler w/snow plow attachment. Thanks Austin!!
The Front of our house.
The Front at a side angle.
Looking across the street.
Looking up into the Cul-da-sac.
Our back deck.

Guitar Hero, Preschool Fun, & Snow Days

On Sundays after church we usually go to my parents place for dinner followed by watching movies or playing video games. So this one Sunday the boys want to battle with Grandpa on Guitar Hero. It was fun to watch.
Grandpa Kowallis, Jacob up set that Grandpa is better then he, and Jarren waiting his turn. I just have to say this picture makes me laugh. Everyone is so serious.

Also in December 2008 Jacob's preschool class put on a little Christmas program that was a lot of fun. Jacob loves Christmas songs. When ever driving around town you will hear him singing Jingle Bells.
Jacob as they enter for their program.


Jacob in a video with his preschool class singing Jingle Bells.

Just before Christmas we got a very large snow storm and the kids just had to go out and play in it with friends.
Jarren starting to make a big snow ball, with Issac ready to chuck his snow ball at Jarren.
Jacob running through the snow and Issac stopping to see if the snow taste good.


Fun video of the boys having a snow ball fight.

A Visit With Santa!!

This past December 2008 our church had a Christmas party where Santa came and the kids got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Jarren told Santa that he wanted a WII spelled W-I-I. I thought it was so funny! Jacob said that he wanted something Speed Racer and Joseph did not last long. I was able to get a picture of the boys with Santa and I didn't even have to stand in the long lines at the Mall and pay an arm and a leg for my photo of crying children.
Jarren
Jacob, who is hard to get him to look at the camera.
Joseph still unsure.

As part of the Church Christmas party they had all the kids in the primary come up and sing some Christmas songs. You can pick out Jacob in the front wearing gray with stripes.

Catching UP-Thanksgiving Fun

So, it has been almost a month since I said I was going to get things caught up. Time got away from me. Sorry, but you now can enjoy all the fun things that have been going on around here.


Back in November Jacob's preschool class put this cute little Thanksgiving program on. I have included a little video where you will see that Joseph felt he needed to part of it. And Yes that crazy Binky is in his mouth. He seems to read my mind when I have taken it and hid it from him.
Jacob there on the end in black/red stripes with his pilgrim hat, that they made in class.
Jacob up close

Here the video I took of one the many songs they did. Jacob did not sing much but it was still cute.