The memorial service I went to today

If you notice a red white and blue umbrella on the bottom of the screen in a few shots. That was me adn my boys :)

Our Memorial Day

What a wonderful Fun Memorial Day!!!!
So we started the day out right. I actually got up like i have been wanting to and did sit ups, push ups and some other stretches and strengthening activities adn I read two chapters in my scriptures and got ready all before the kids got up for the day. Then we got packed up for our outing and set off to the Veterens Cemetary in Eagle. It is so Beautiful there adn with the flags "Everywhere"....it made our day very fullfilling.
We enjoyed a ceremony held at the cemetary that was wonderful!
We started out with a beautiful prelude from the 25th Army band then the national anthem, pledge of allegiance then they released "A breath of heaven"....about 50 white doves. They were beautiful! Then they had some ceremonial tradiotions had butch Otter speak and a few other cool things then there was a cannon salute. There were 4 cannons and it lasted for about 5 minutes. They were loud adn shook ya with each one set off. This was done by the Idaho Civil War Volunteers. Then we had the rifle salute done by the marine corps which you can see them behind Gideon and Bridger's picture. After that "taps" was played then a fly over from Mountain home AFB whish was AWESOME!! Then Amazing grace was played on the bagpipes. So all in all it was great to be there and I felt very patriotic today. We visited Grandpa adn grandma Haskett's grave at the cemetary. It rained but but it fit the mood of the ceremony well.
I am so grateful to my family members for living a legacy of love and passing that onto the next generation. I am grateful for those who served our country adn for paying the price for our freedom. Happy memorial Day everyone. I hope you had a good one!

HOLY SMOKES!!!

We are going to Spangdahlem Germany and we report there on October 31 2010. I'll post more info later. We are SOOOOOOOOOO excited. we should be there for around 3 years. :) Here we come Germany!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!

Friday and Saturday nights :)

It has been fun to play with friends and cousins lately. I watched a friend of mine from McCall who brought her kids over to play while she hung out with family down here. We were so excited to see them. I am so glad she thought of me to watch her kids. Saturday night it was with the cousins. I was so excited to get a smile out of the little girl. She is so cute! We had lots of fun and the boys have really enjoyed being with their friends from McCall and their cousins this weekend.

Free Family Summer Movie Festival Schedule

Free Family Movie Festival
Tuesday's and Wednesdays @ 10 am
At Edwards in Boise and Nampa!!!
Boise Stadium 22 & IMAX
7701 W Overland Road
Boise ,ID 83709-1628
208-377-9603
06/22/2010-06/24/2010 Muppets From Space (G)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)
06/29/2010-07/01/2010 Tale of Despereaux (G)
Coraline (PG)
07/06/2010-07/08/2010 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)
Astro Boy (PG)
07/13/2010-07/15/2010 Charlotte's Web (G)
Planet 51 (PG)
07/20/2010-07/22/2010 Rugrats The Movie (G)
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG)
07/27/2010-07/29/2010 Rugrats In Paris (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
08/03/2010-08/05/2010 Wallace and Gromit (G)
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)
08/10/2010-08/12/2010 Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)
Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)
08/17/2010-08/19/2010 Doogal (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG

Nampa Stadium 14
2001 North Cassia Street
Nampa ,ID 83651
208-467-3312
06/22/2010-06/24/2010 Tale of Despereaux (G)
Coraline (PG)
06/29/2010-07/01/2010 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)
Astro Boy (PG)
07/06/2010-07/08/2010 Charlotte's Web (G)
Planet 51 (PG)
07/13/2010-07/15/2010 Rugrats The Movie (G)
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG)
07/20/2010-07/22/2010 Rugrats In Paris (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
07/27/2010-07/29/2010 Wallace and Gromit (G)
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)
08/03/2010-08/05/2010 Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)
Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)
08/10/2010-08/12/2010 Doogal (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)
08/17/2010-08/19/2010 Muppets From Space (G)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)


BOISE MOVIES UNDER THE STARS:
(Julia Davis Park Bandshell in Boise)

® June 27: “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” rated PG

® July 18: “Kung Fu Panda,” rated PG

® Aug. 22: “The Wizard of Oz,” rated G


CABLE ONE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT IN MERIDIAN:
(Settler's Park in Meridian (Meridian rd and Ustick rd.))

® June 5: “Nim’s Island,” rated PG

® June 12: “Speed Racer,” rated PG

® June 19: “Babe the Gallant Pig,” rated G

® June 26: “Space Chimps,” rated G

® July 3: “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” rated PG

® July 10: “Hotel for Dogs,” rated PG

® July 17: “Journey to the Center of the Earth” 3D (free 3D glasses for the first 2,000 people), rated PG

® July 24: “The Princess Bride,” rated PG

® July 31: “Kung Fu Panda,” rated PG

® Aug. 7: “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” rated PG

® Aug. 14: “Horton Hears a Who,” rated G

® Aug. 21: “The Sound of Music,” rated G

® Aug. 28: “The Tale of Despereaux,” rated G

My kids being everything boy and Couponing

I gave a go at couponing at Walgreen's and got some really good deals. I think I will do better my next go around and not buy everything I want that is a good deal. :) But over all I saved $53 total. That was at Kmart to and that stuff isn't in the picture. I am not telling you how much I spent over all but I saved A LOT!~ I got 4 boxes of hair dye (for my crazy fun moods I get into) for 1.50 each. yes and 3 of them are blonde. I am going to try it, I don't know when but sooner than later :)
The boys are always having so much fun in a mud puddle at the end of the driveway. I wish I was having as much fun as they are :) Good times!

The History of Memorial Day (from military.com)

The History of Memorial Day

From Military.com

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well.

Today, cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon and Columbus, Ga., claim the title, as well as Richmond, Va. The village of Boalsburg, Pa., claims it began there two years earlier. A stone in a Carbondale, Ill., cemetery carries the statement that the first Decoration Day ceremony took place there on April 29, 1866. Carbondale was the wartime home of Gen. Logan. Approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried.

Official Birthplace Declared

In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community-wide or one-time events.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities.

It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

Some States Have Confederate Observances

Many Southern states also have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19 and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day.

Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those that attend today’s observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.

The origins of special services to honor those who die in war can be found in antiquity. The Athenian leader Pericles offered a tribute to the fallen heroes of the Peloponnesian War over 24 centuries ago that could be applied today to the 1.1 million Americans who have died in the nation’s wars: “Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.”

To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

© Copyright 2010 Military.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Memorial Day Tribute Arlington Cemetery

(I know this is on my blog already i just wanted to record it for future reference :)
When you think of Arlington cemetery you think (well at least I do)of the men and women who have died in WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Germany, and so on but I didn't really think about the huge sacrifice men and women my age giving of their lives to better our Freedom and others by fighting for our God given rights. Let us turn our thoughts to them on this Memorial Weekend and to this beautiful country we live in and fight along with them for our rights and our freedoms. I am so grateful for the many people who gave their lives so that I (we) might live a better, happier life here in America. I am so grateful to my Grandfather LaVaghn Haskett for serving in WWII and giving his all to the cause of Freedom. I love him so much and most of all I Love my husband who joined the Armed Forces last year and for taking that step into the unknown to be an instrument in the Lord's hands and being where we know He is supposed to be. I am so proud of him and the adventure that awaits us. I hope we all might take some time this weekend to remember those who have past and pay tribute to them, especially those who gave their lives for us. Thank You to those in Section 60 for all that they have done.

http://shock.military.com/Shock/player.html?vid=34acb32c57c74692ae43be7c18d7c6db

Beautiful (quick) slideshow on Memorial Day

http://www.military.com/memorial-day/slideshow/

I love Monday Mornings

This is actually from the other morning but I just love having the cousins play together. They are getting to know eachother so well and making some real good memories along the way. What a bunch of cuties!

Great Week!

Joseph chillen in the Library talking to us on the computer. I am Loving SKYPE!


I got a phone and a web cam shipped to Joseph and we were able to talk to each other face to face on skype and got to call each other A LOT. The boys loved it and I knew they would. It was their first time seeing their daddy in almost 3 months and it was so cute. They tickled each other and played and sang songs and it made our weekend. It has been so nice to speak to my husband A LOT more now. So i put the kids to bed and then talk to Joseph on the phone till he's too tired since it is an hour later there. This experience has really drawn us closer as a couple where in some circumstances you would think it would either drive you apart or put stress on the relationship and it does the opposite for us. I love him more than I ever have now and I am like a giddy high school girl whenever I think about him. Life is good and I miss Joseph terribly but I know what we do has a purpose and if we follow what we are supposed to do we will be blessed for it. I am so grateful to have an amazing husband like Joseph. He really is a strength and a light to me. There isn't a minute that goes by that i don't think of him. I am so grateful for the life we have had together so far and look forward to much more ahead together as a family.

For Daddy!

Gideon worked hard to make a very 'Holey' picture. He loved punching holes in it and got them evenly distributed. He wanted you to have this picture daddy. :)




Bridger worked very hard to make you a picture and when he was finished he said "mailbox" but since I couldn't send you this I thought I would take a picture and send it to you instead. We love you Daddy!!! ~ Love, Gideon and Bridger

The boys new sleeping bags...YIPPI!!

Great deal on the bags, (Cabelas) nice and warm and lite....Can't wait for more great weather to Camp in. :)

At the park with Larissa and Ev

Larissa and I ~ It has been a true treat to see her and be with her. She is one of those friends that you could miss talking to for months adn then pick up right where you left off. She is amazing and an awesome Mom. She's expecting too and it is going to be a suprise!! Thanks Larissa for being the greatest Girlfriend a girl could ask for like 10 YEARS.





We went and hung out at Settlers park in Meridian and it was a really awesome park and very easy to loose track of your little one. They had a swings area, big toys and slides, little toys and slides, rock climbing, music instruments, splash park area and so on. It is great but you really can't relax much at this park. Your child could be all around you in like 5 seconds so if you go make sure you have the buddy system or something.