March MaDneSs

Actually I haven't done much of the 'mad-dash' of spring cleaning this last month. (Even though I should be diving into my completely unorganized rooms). That's okay. Like my mother-in-law has once told me... "the mess will always be there". Take a break and go enjoy life, I say!

Look at those faces! What a thrill!



My dad had a huge peice of carboard and decided to be creative with it. He stuck it out on his hill and what do ya' know, a homemade slide!

The kids have also discovered that the tree out front is GREAT for climbing! Hopefully no broken arms any time soon.

And the little man got a hair cut. Like everyone's been saying... he doesn't look so little any more. I sure love this little boy!

Mary Poppins

Today we flew our kite.... I forgot how mesmerizing it is to watch a kite catch the breeze and take flight, and then gently sway high in the sky. At times I wonder what it would be like to be a kite.

As you can tell, the owner of the kite is... Alex. :)

I love Carson's expressions, the awe and excitement of a kite in the sky!

The Simple Things

When you're at Walmart and for a brief moment you freak out because you can't see your kids. Then you turn the corner and see them giggling to each other, while cuddling with ridiculously soft, over-sized teddy bears.

When you're washing the dishes and you hear the sweet sound of laughter because your boys find it quite funny to be under the table.

When you watch your baby explore something new and fill with utmost curiosity and happiness! We just got a treadmill.

When your daughter comes running to you yelling with impatient excitement! And you see the confidence shine as she shows her new creation. A hammock.

Our life is pretty simple here. But these small and simple things leave the greatest and most long-lasting joy. These joys are what makes life worth it.

Featured Birthdays!

Yes..... it seems like I'm always talking about someones birthday! Family, including extended, just keeps growing, so MORE BIRTHDAYS! And in my family birthdays were celebrated with a bang.... so they are an exciting event for us, and to me, worth talking about! :)

Jeremy and Alex were browsing the toy aisle together for about a half and hour, and found their new fetish... guns. That's all he was talking about if you ever asked him what he wanted for his birthday. And thanks for family and friends his wish came true!

These noisy things sure put a grin on his face... especially when he can make his older squeal with them. ;)

Despite his constant shooting at her, (which now we have a rule, NO SHOOTING CAMI), she still loves her little brother. We had a movie night for Alex's birthday, and yup Mac n' Cheese! What kid doesn't like it!

Favorite thing about him: His passion!

We sure love you Alex!!

OTHER BIRTHDAYS:

My little niece McKenzie celebrated with style!
Favorite thing about her: She always walks on her tip toes!

Kenzie's party mates!


And my older brother hit the big 3-0!!
Favorite thing about him: His phone calls to see how things are going, letting us know he cares.

2 WeeKs NoTicE

(WARNING!!! A TRUCK LOAD OF PICTURES! more than I have ever posted before... alot has happened over these last 2 weeks)
Wow... these last 2 weeks have been quite eventful! Let's see where did we leave off... oh yes, Christmas goodies. This year I wanted to make those gooey n' nummy Christmas Wreaths to hand out to neighbors and friends. The kids wanted to help me with the sprinkles, of course. (Normally you use those hot red dots... but for some apparent reason they are a Thanksgiving item???? According to the lady at Safeway.) So with my sprinkles the kids went through 2 BOTTLES of them.... as you can tell Cami got alittle carried away with the sprinkles.

During this time we attended a ceremony where my sister recieved an award for her athletics and was put up on the Hall of Fame in her old high school, picture and all. Way to go Jess!


A few days before Christmas, I let the kids paint their wooden sleighs that they'll redo every year... hopefully next year Cami will do without the tacky blue polka dots. :)

The night before Christmas we let the kids open one gift... which is always new Christmas pajamas. Of course Alex started doing flips when he saw he got his awesome Optimus Prime pj's!

We also had several family members over from both sides to play games, have snacks, and get ready for Santa! Man our kids sure love their cousins!!

Nope... no pictures of the kids opening up their gifts on Christmas morning. It would have been all wrapping paper anyway... but we snagged a picture in front of the fireplace with Jeremy's sister Launa. That was such a treat to have her up here with us for Christmas!!

Birthday #1: The day after Christmas we had a family birthday celebration for Cami's 6th! She requested cheese pizza, (yes that is an extra gigantic pizza, about the size of 3 larges) and 'store-bought' cupcakes with the extra big frosting (yes she said they HAD to be store bought :O]).

Because there was no snow she wanted to try to go iceblocking... well, as my sister is demonstrating, that didn't quite work with the ground having absolutely NO percipitation on it.

Then the kids said, "Let's just try the sled!" Ummm... nope that didn't work either, of course. :)

So... grandma Cheeto was the smart one and went and grabbed some black garbage sacks! Despite the lack of snow the kids had a blast anyway, and the adults got quite a work out!

Birthday #2: About a month ago I could tell Cami was in deep thought. So I asked her what she was thinking... "Well mom, how come you always decorate for everyone elses' birthday and not mine?" Come to think of it... she's right. But, in my meager defense, with her birthday being so close to Christmas, it DOES make it alittle difficult. But I wanted to change that this year. So the morning of her birthday I woke of at 4 a.m., took down all the Christmas decorations, went the store to get balloons and party plates/napkins, and set it all up with wrapped presents. But what really topped it all off, was that it SNOWED on her birthday! You should have see the look on her face! You could tell, she felt extra special that day. :)

The night before I found out Cami had invited a couple of friends over for her birthday, which was another great wish of hers. She had only gotten to two friends... she would have invited the whole primary and everyone in her class at school if she could! I pondered on that for a brief moment... CHAOS! Luckily the children she talked to, were able to fulfill another birthday wish. I didn't even have time to make a cake... so I let the kids decorate it. Great idea! Each taking a section, they had a blast!

LOADED WITH FROSTING AND CANDY!

As you can tell... it had a slight affect on this little girl. ;)

She made me feel pretty good about it all when she wrote me a note on her new stationary, "This is the best birthday ever!"

When there's snow, there's snow gear. The next day after breakfast I bundled up all the kids and took them to the park to play in the snow. Carson did great!... we lasted a whole hour out their without any cold fingers! Look at that little marshmallow!

I think Alex was smiling? :)

I had to take a picture of the beautiful view out our back door. It was magestic in the snow. Can you see our dog blended in the picture? :)

Next come New Years... and the morning of New Years Eve Jeremy made these to die for, double stuffed French Toast! Over I HOP anytime!

During Christmas break we had my neice over to spend the night.... and I had to take a picture of their adorable 5 gallon bucket snowman they created!

And now it's 2010! Sent it off with a bang, (live fireworks at Grandma and pa's house!), and started with a kiss! I'm excited for the new year... and I'm ready to start fresh, do something new, and see what this year brings. Happy New Year To ALL!!

Birthday Bash and Out the door!

I love my dad, and for most who have met him... they would say the same thing. He is a genuinely loving person with a kick of 'Goof' in him. With a surprise we all wished him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY this weekend! If I had to pick 3 things that were my favorite about him it would be:

1. His jokes... usually so corny you still have to laugh!
2. His affection... he is always one for giving hugs just to let you know you are loved.

3. and His generosity... seriously, he'd give his arm to you if you needed it.

We love you dad, goofy and all! :)

P.S. On the way out the door this morning I had to grab my camera and take a couple of pictures of the kids all dressed in their Christmas outfits. It was a very short session. :)

Even though I got some decent pictures most of it was like this:

and when it was over I felt like this: