Christmas Cheer

A few things that have made me smile in the past couple of weeks:

PJs, hot cocoa, and a snow day!

Shepards (the one in the middle in particular)

Piano recitals - Mason (middle with blue and white stripes) had his first piano recital last week and it was so much fun to watch him.
Preschool programs. They always make me happy. Drew did all the actions to the songs (no singing, but all the actions). How cute is he!

Out of Gas

The other night around 10pm Mark and I were downstairs and heard one of the boys get up and go to the bathroom. We didn't think a lot of it. When we came upstairs a while later this is what we found.

Tradition!

The day after Thanksgiving we lug all the boxes and the tree from the basement and get decorating. Well, actually this is the first year we've lugged the tree from the basement, we went artificial which has been a little sad, but at least now I don't have swollen hands and itch like crazy. Anyways, we had a great time decorating and getting things ready for Christmas (with Mannhiem Steamroller playing in the background as usual). Once the decorating is finished we always take a few pics.

All I want for Christmas...

Are a whole bunch of front teeth!

Way over due

Since I haven't been able to get pics on and now I can I am putting on a few from the Halloween week. I know over a month late, but I know that Grandmas and Grandpas wanted to see some of the boys in Halloween costumes.


These pics are from Drew's Pumpkin Patch field trip on Oct. 29th.
Who needs expensive playground equipment when hay bales are so much more fun.

This picture is for Mark - it's gotta be a John Deere.

Feeding the goats. Drew loved feeding the goats. I was surprised at how he just kept feeding them despite the fact that they lick your hand to get the food. There were lots of kids who tried it once or wouldn't try it all, but Drew thought it was great.

Picking the perfect pumpkin.

Trick-or-Treat!

Obi-wan Kanobi (is that how to spell that?)

Spider Man

Anikin Skywalker

Giving Thanks

Today we spent the day with some wonderful friends. We ate, talked, laughed, ate some more, and just enjoyed. Our kids went crazy and ran circles around the house and all the while I loved it. I feel like no matter where we live the Lord brings great friends in to our lives and for that I am grateful.
After our friends left we vegged for awhile and I got to talk to my brothers. How grateful I am that we live in a place that has technology that makes it possible to talk to family a thousand miles away. We then had our nightly scriptures and prayer and we talked. I love that, just sitting upstairs talking together, the five of us. We talked about our blessings. We talked about how no matter where we live or how many times we move that we always have each other. We are a family and we share love and that makes it all good. There may be trials and hard things, but we have the Lord and our family and our faith.

I am truly blessed.

7 Random Things...

So my friend Lindy has tagged me and now I will share 7 random things about me (you may or may not know).

1. I do not enjoy running that much, I have to convince myself to do it every time. I like the feeling it gives me afterward and the results. But truthfully I would rather not.
2. I love the smell, feel, and look of a brand new book.
3. The beach is one of my all time favorite places to be with my family - and yet I live in Iowa.
4. I do not know how to parallel park.
5. Raw meat scares me, I must sanitize everything several times including myself when I am cooking with it - Mark says OCD is involved in this.
6. If I could I would go to Starbucks everyday and get a Hazelnut flavored hot chocolate with whip cream (ever hear of the Latte effect with finances, too bad I studied that in school).
7. Throwing the football with my kids on a fall day makes me extremely happy!

You know it's bad when....

So I was at the park with my kids on Friday. There was another pregnant woman there and she started up a conversation that went something like this.

"So you look like you're in the same boat as I am." The way she said it made me think that she was coming towards the end of her pregnancy. I responded that yes I was. I then asked her when she was due and she said in two weeks. I proceeded to tell her I still had until February. Her mouth drops open - "NO WAY!"
I tried to defend myself by saying it was my fourth, which she then replied that it was her fourth too. I was then very grateful that one of my children needed assistance on the monkey bars.

Eventually

Eventually I'll get all my Halloween week uploaded. For some reason my computer will no longer allow me to put pictures on my blog. I'm going to have to get Mark figure it out. So for now, no pics...just my thoughts.

Berry Patch Farm

Today we went to a farm for our annual fall pumpkin patch trip. We went some place a little different than we've been to before and it was so much fun! There were pumpkins to buy, but the most fun was picking raspberries and apples. We picked a ton of raspberries and a about 15 pounds of apples, had a hayride, and an all around very happy time. We missed Mark a lot as we did the farm trip without him. Though I don't think he minds too much as he is attending a BYU football game at this moment in Provo. It was a perfect sunny 75 degrees - the perfect fall day - I loved the time with my kids. Everyone was happy, content, and I did not hear one complaint for over 2 hours. That is what I call a success!!!

Picking Raspberries

The fruits of our labor

On the hayride

Apples!

Mason took this one...and in case you are wondering, yes I am pregnant! I know we haven't told a lot of friends who aren't here seeing the ever growing tummy. And as for the gender of the baby...a boy! We are very consistent don't you think?

Best Buds

I love weekend mornings when Mason, Dallin, and Drew are all playing together. When they play all together in the morning they tend to have lots of dialogue and imaginative play. I guess being fresh from sleep they all have more of the creative juices flowing. I really enjoy getting breakfast ready listening to them enjoy being together. On Sunday morning I came down and they were just goofing off and I got some cute pics of the boys. Mason happens to be on the bottom of all creations and his face shows just a bit of strain. But oh the fun they were having.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my sweet husband's birthday! I just wanted to tell him how much I love him...he is my best friend. He is an amazing father who gets down and wrestles and then gets up and reads with our children. I watch as he goes each day and provides for our family feeling very blessed that there is the ability to stay home and be with my little guys. Thank you babe for your love and friendship and being who you are. Happy Birthday!

First Days

I'm always a little sad when it's time for the kids to go back to school. I really enjoy hanging out with them during summer. I also know that they really enjoy going to school to learn and be with all their friends. Mason and Dallin went back to school on August 18th.
Today was Drew's first day of preschool. I took him with very mixed emotions. I have really grown to love our one-on-one time these past couple of years. Drew is definitely a mama's boy and I love that. So today I dropped Drew off with all the pictures, hugs and loves, and encouraging words. Then got in the car and shed a few tears. I love my kids getting older and learning new things, there are just times when I wish time didn't move quite so fast. I love you Mason, Dallin, and Drew!

Mason and Dallin's first day - August 18th.

Drew's first day - today. He is so proud of his new back pack.

Sticky Fingers

The boys found a tree frog who really liked climbing all over the boys. They thought it was great fun. It's so much fun to hang out with my boys they just love to discover and enjoy.

Better Late than Never

I have been wanting to put these pictures out of our wonderful time with my family in the Colorado mountains for a long time now. I started with the pictures in Colorado Springs and now I'll finally post the ones from up in the mountains. Thank you family for a wonderful visit!

Spending a rainy afternoon just hanging out.

Having fun at the pool (heated I might add). Though the days were warm, the nights get very cool so they keep the pool heated so that you don't freeze thank goodness.




Fishing with Grandpa and Dad.

Family Pictures
Drew being extremely cooperative as usual. Something about the whole family in the picture seems to bother him.

Fun Happenings

Mason got his Bobcat in Boy Scouts awarded on July 30th. He was supposed to get it two months ago, but because of some cancellations and what not, the awarding happened nearly three months after he did all the achievements. Mason got into scouts right after his 8th birthday and then did all he had to do for his Bobcat within the first 4-5 weeks. He did it all on his own. I am so proud of him. He loves cub scouts and is more than well on his way to getting his Wolf! Mason we love you!

After the awards they launched rockets they had built. It was a lot of fun. Especially watching the boys all run after the rocket on it's way down.

So these two pictures are just for fun. Drew is doing his Saturday chore of "swiffering" the bathroom floors. I just loved what he picked out to wear this particular day. The navy blue Buzz Lightyear socks that are almost worn out, but not quite (you can see the holes in the heels). In the summer matching is optional around here - in the school year mom gets to choose the outfits.

Right after I took the previous picture I came down stairs to Dallin vacuuming. I ran right back upstairs and grabbed the camera. Dallin does NOT like loud noises, can you tell? Mark got the vacuum out and then left Dallin to it - I guess Dallin went and got these ear muffs (or whatever you call them) that we got for a Monster truck rally we went to and used them! I love you Dallin!

Dallin is our resident gardner. He has mini sunflowers, a basil plant, and a bean plant all in pots on our deck. The sunflowers he planted from seeds, the basil he bought little from the farmer's market, and the beans came home from school in a baggie with a wet paper towel. It's been so fun to watch them grow. We love the sunflowers, fresh basil to eat, and the four beans we got from the plant. Too cute!