Monfredi Posse

2nd Grade Program

2012-05-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Conner's 2nd grade class did a patriotic program towards the end of the year. They learned lots of songs and Conner had a couple different parts that he had to recite. Sometimes he gets a little nervous when he is up in front of people but he did great and even sang a little bit in the microphone!

Neighborhood Preschool

2012-04-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

For this year, a couple moms from our neighborhood did a little preschool and took turns teaching each week. It was a lot of fun and pretty easy to do. However, it did make me have a greater appreciation for those teachers that do it everyday with more than just 4 kids!

This was from my last day teaching. I taped all of the letters to the floor and we danced around them and played different games with the letters. It was a lot of fun.

And here are the kiddos that were in our class. Ryder and all the girls. I think he had fun with them, but I know the girls were a little disappointed when they found out that I didn't have any princess dress ups at my house!

Karate

2012-04-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Conner signed up for a karate class through the city recreation. He was so excited about it and I loved that it was inexpensive and that we didn't have to commit to a full year of lessons. He had so much fun and learned a lot. He decided to perform some of his karate moves for his class talent show. He did a great job and came up with his whole routine all by himself. It was great!

This is from his last lesson at karate. They did a show with everything they had learned, had a fun little party and he advanced to a Yellow belt!

Easter 2012

2012-04-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

We spent Easter in Mayfield this year. It was fun and the kids always have a blast going down there. It still seems strange to go to Mayfield and not have my grandma there. There are so many great memories of my grandma and celebrating Easter in Mayfield will always be one of them.

We had fun coloring Easter eggs.

Conner had tons of fun helping do cows with all of the boys.

At first Paxton wanted to stay away from the cows until Uncle Todd helped him "ride" one of the calves and then that was all he wanted to do.

After our picnic lunch, we went out to Easter Hallow and rolled eggs down the hill. It has been a while since we have been able to go out to the fields because usually it is too muddy. But we had lots of fun.

February

2012-02-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

February must have been a slow month because I didn't have many pictures, but really it was just as crazy as normal, I just didn't take any pictures.

We signed Paxton up for Basketball. This is the same group that does the special needs t-ball that we did in the Summer. I didn't get to go to any of his "games" because I had to work for the tax company every Saturday but Mark took him and said that he had fun. There weren't very many little kids playing so Paxton had a bunch of helpers and Ryder and Conner got to play too.

Paxton decided to liked bowling better than basketball!

Paxton's 6th Birthday

2012-01-31T22:30:00.000-08:00

Paxton is growing up. He is really turning in to such a fun little boy. He has a great little personality and I just wish that I knew what was going on in that little brain of his. He definitely keeps me on my toes.

Happy 6th Birthday to my little man!

He is getting really good at saying No! But we are still struggling to get any other sounds out of him. But No is progress!

Conner's Special Day

2012-01-31T22:00:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that this day has come and that I am old enough to have a child this old. Conner was baptized on January 7th. I am so proud on my little boy. He is so sweet and has such a kind and caring spirit.

Grandma Olsen

2012-01-31T20:18:00.000-08:00

Once again, I never thought this day would come but on January 16th, my amazing Grandma Olsen passed away. She had been sick and was transferred up to the hospital here in Provo. She spent several days in the hospital and was just not able to recover.

My grandma was an amazing lady. I look up to her in every way and she was such a wonderful example to me.

One of my most memorable moments of my grandma was right after Paxton was born and Conner was just barely 2 years old. I was having a really hard time because Paxton had just been released from the hospital and Conner decided that he didn't need to take naps anymore. It was in the afternoon and I was really tired and struggling with Conner trying to get him to take a nap and Paxton was fussing and crying in the other room. I honestly didn't know what I was going to do with myself and I didn't think that I could make it through the day when my grandma just showed up at my door. I had no idea that she was coming but it was the perfect moment. She sat down and read books to Conner for a long time and gave me the time that I needed to take care of Paxton. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren so much and I am so grateful that Conner was able to really get to know her and spend time with her.

This is just one of the many wonderful memories I have of my grandma. I wish miss her so much and am sad that my children won't have the memories that I have of her. I hope that they will be able to remember how wonderful she was.

Right after Ryder was born

This is at our families cabin. Often when we were up there on a Sunday we would have a little devotional.

Good & Bad

2012-01-31T20:05:00.000-08:00

We had quite a major change in our family in January. Mark was unfortunately laid off from his job. We had no idea that this was going to happen and quite a shock for us. In the end, even though it was extremely hard, we both knew that it was for the best. He really enjoyed the work but it was time for a change. Mark is such a great worker and has so many talents that we knew that he would be able to find something and after just a couple weeks he was able to get a job with a good company that he really looks forward to working with for a long time.

I was also able to get the most perfect job for me. I started working as a customer support person for a online tax preparation company. I get to work from home and it couldn't have come at a better time. It is just for the tax season but it works out perfectly for me. I am so grateful that I stumbled on this job and that it worked out so well for me.

Needless to say, January was very stressful but I have really felt so blessed during this time. We are so grateful for wonderful family and friends that care so much about us and really show their love for us in so many ways. We are truly blessed!

January 2012

2012-01-31T14:02:00.000-08:00

January got off to a great start for us. Paxton came down with some sort of Pox virus. It didn't seem to bother him but he just looked awful. He's a trooper though. I can't believe how well he handles all of the things that he goes through. He is one amazing little boy.

I decided to join a few friends in a Photography challenge for the month of January. I did pretty good for the first week or so but then life got pretty crazy and I didn't finish it out. I'm sad that I didn't but I did have fun with what I did do and learned a little more about how to use my camera. Here are a few of the pictures I took.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

We decided to spend Christmas in Castle Dale this year with Mark's parents. I am amazed at how much planning and time Christmas takes, and then it is over in 15 minutes! The kids were so excited. Especially Conner, who woke up at 2:30 in the morning and COULD NOT go back to sleep. Finally the little boys woke up just before 6. So the fun began...

It was a fun and very long day. I think we were all exhausted by bedtime!

Olsen's Christmas Party

2011-12-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

The kids were allso excited when Santa made a quick surprise visit at our family party. He read us a story about what he does the rest of the year and everyone got to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Ryder had to really think about what he wanted. He is such a funny little kid!

We love the new pajamas we get from Grandma & Grandpa Olsen every year!

My Big One!

2011-12-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

I got to celebrate my big 30th birthday amongst all the excitement of Conner's birthday. I don't think it has sunk in yet that I am 30. I still feel like I'm 21! At least most of the time!

Conner's 8th Birthday

2011-12-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

Conner was so excited to turn 8! We decide to have a party with friends this year and Conner wanted to have a Harry Potter theme. We had fun making potions and decorating wands and eating owl cupcakes.

We celebrating with family on Sunday. Conner decided that he really wanted a BB gun for his birthday. After much contemplation, we decided to get him one. But made sure he understood that he can only use it with Dad helping him. We don't want to "Shoot his eye out!"

Conner is such a great kid. He is so kind and truly cares about everyone around him.

Conner's Award

2011-12-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

Conner was awarded the Citizen of the month in December. He are so proud of what a great kid he is.

United Angels Christmas

2011-12-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

We love going to the United Angels Christmas party. This year the kids were very excited to see Santa. Paxton was quite assumed by him this year.

Mark's 32nd Birthday

2011-11-21T15:38:00.000-08:00

The kids and I surprised Mark with a present for every hour of his birthday. Conner kept a close eye on the clock all day long to make sure we didn't miss an hour. And Mark had a good time guessing what the next present was going to be.

Happy Birthday babe! We love you so much!

Our New Shed

2011-11-10T15:33:00.000-08:00

The latest project at our house has been a shed in our backyard. We are building a pretty big shed to hold the usual yard stuff and also keep our wood covered.

I love that Mark is so handy and can do this stuff without having to pay someone else to do it. (Although it might get "finished" if we hired someone to do it)

Trunk-or-Treat Fun

2011-10-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

On our way to the ward Trunk-or-Treat

Mark and I had fun dressing up this year. He even had a truck to go with our costumes.

Olsen's Halloween Party

2011-10-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

Here are the boys at the annual Olsen Family Halloween Party. They always have lots of fun dressing up in their costumes and have really spent the whole month of October in them.

Carving Pumpkins

Paxton and Ryder had so much fun carving pumpkins. Paxton did not want to stop!

October fun!

2011-10-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

We have been staying really busy lately. I keep thinking that things will slow down someday, but I don't know if that will ever happen.

Over fall break, the boys and I spent some time making applesauce. They were all so excited to help me and I gave them all a job to do. It ended up taking me a lot longer than if I didn't have little helpers but it was fun.

We had our primary program on the 16th. And all I have to say is that I am so glad it is over! I tend to really stress about stuff like that. But it turned out wonderful! I never thought that I could do something like this, but I love my calling and being with all the wonderful children in our ward. I am so grateful for their sweet testimonies and the things that I learn from those children every week. And especially all the people that I get to work with!

I never thought this day would come, but we got Mark on a horse! He was able to take half a day off and come with us to ride. He wouldn't admit that he had fun but I think he did!

Hee Haw Farms

2011-10-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

We were able to attend the Halloween party for United Angels at Hee Haw Farms this year. It is always so much fun and the kids look forward to it every year. They have so much fun going down the huge slide and playing in the corn, along with all the other activities they have there.

Thanks United Angels Foundation!

Got Wood?

2011-10-03T19:45:00.000-07:00

We do! We had our annual wood cutting party over the 1st weekend in October. I have to say that I look forward to this every year. It is a lot of work but it is so much fun.

This year ended on a high note by getting 1 last tree. It ended up being huge and Mark's chainsaw got stuck and he had to take it completely apart to get it out.

Thanks to both of our parents for always helping us!

Down sydrome Awareness Month

2011-10-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to make you all "aware" of the cutest, most fun, happiest, little boy with Down syndrome that brings joy to my life everyday. We love you Paxton!

Oh September!

2011-09-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I can't remember much of what happened in September. Pretty sad, huh! I had to go back and look through pictures and I don't have very many. So here is a brief snapshot.

We spent Labor day up Hobble Creek just having fun. We packed a picnic and built a fire in a nice little camping spot. We tried to go on a little hike but Paxton had other plans and so our little hike turned into a 2 minute walk.

I spent one entire day with some lovely ladies from the neighborhood doing frozen corn (33 dozen!). It was lots of work but its always fun when you are with fun people!

Other than that, we have just been doing the same old everyday stuff.