Merry Christmas and Happy Scrapping!

Christmas in our home was a fun and happy day. Everybody seemed happy with the gifts they received (even the clothes!). We got around 12-18 inches of snow and with the wind blowing as hard as it was, there were places we had to shovel with over 2 feet of snow! Thank goodness for our kind neighbors with snow blowers and four wheelers with plows. They definitely help us out all winter. We are so lucky. Scott and I got a laptop with photoshop elements and I have been happily learning all kinds of new skills to begin scrapbooking in digital. Part of my first assignment is to upload my first digital page to the web, so here it is. I'm quite proud of myself and very excited to be learning something new. It's a little addicting! I'm going to have to pace myself so that things continue to happen around the house, like laundry!

Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?

Oh what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is . . . HOT! Hot, Hot, Hot! This summer more than ever before, the kids have loved being outside in the backyard with any kind of water toy they can get their hands on. Sprinklers, slip n slides, balls ... you name it, they love it. Popsicles must be included, of course! If I'm being honest, I have also loved this spring and summer, actually having a backyard to enjoy. I just don't find myself dripping wet as often as the kids do!

The Graduate!

Tuesday night Garrett graduated... from preschool, that is! He turned 5 years old last month and now he's a preschool graduate! WOW! All he can talk about is when Kindergarten is going to start! He is so happy and excited to go. I'm working up to it. I'm a little nervous about having him ride the school bus and get to his class by himself. I'm nervous to have him out of my care every day. I'm kind of sad that my time with him at home with me is quickly coming to an end. On the other hand, I'm very excited for him to make new friends. I'm happy for him to gain some more independence. I'm grateful that he won't be bored and that he will continue to learn new things every day. I'm so appreciative of his cute preschool teacher, Miss Wendi, who made school so much fun. Garrett loves her and always felt so happy and safe when he was with her. She has made school such a fun experience and is largely responsible for Garrett's excitement and positive feelings about school next year! Thanks, Miss Wendi! What would we do without you?

Eight is Great!

It's hard to believe that my little girl turned 8 years old this weekend! What a big day. I can remember like it was yesterday holding her in my arms for the first time and what the first few sleepless nights were like. I can't believe that was 8 years ago! Then I look at the 3 cute little boys I have and it gives perspective to me. I can see exactly how much has happened in the past 8 years! It's hard for me to accept the truth ...that I'm growing older right along with them. Grace had a party with her friends and with the Moore's and Smith's - it was a Very Busy weekend! We are so grateful to be so close to all of them. It's always fun to gather with cousins, aunts and uncles. We have been so blessed! For Grace's birthday, I wanted to list 8 of the MANY reasons I love her so much.

1. She has the cutest, most contagious giggle!

2. She is an excellent student- Straight A's (let's hope it stays that way!)

3. She is the BEST big sister and a Huge help to me.

4. She likes to read her scriptures and tries to do what's right.

5. She likes to do crafts, just like I do!

6. She loves to help out in the kitchen with any baking, cooking, or cleaning I'll let her help with.

7. She loves to play games and is very patient with the boys while we all play.

8. She reminds us to have FHE each week and even helps out with the lessons.

I am one lucky mom to have such a TERRIFIC daughter. I am so proud of her! I love you my sweet Gracie girl!

View from my Kitchen Window

Every now and then things get quiet. There is no whining. There is no crying. There is no fighting. This is usually when I begin to worry and wonder where everybody is. This happened the other day. It was sunny outside, and as I looked out the kitchen window, I saw all three of my boys outside playing NICELY together. The key word being NICELY! I stood at the window and watched as they took turns pushing each other on the swing, as they played pirate ship on a big rock, and raced around the backyard. It was great! They are such good friends, (Most of the time), and it was so nice to see them play. I won't kid you, it didn't last forever. In the blink of an eye one of them was crying, two were arguing over their weapon of choice, and it was back to noise as usual. But for that brief moment, I loved the view from my kitchen window.

Kite Flying & Cupcakes!

This weekend we had one of those rare and wonderful Saturdays - the kind where there is nothing you Have to do, only things you Want to do! It was great! It seems like things have been pretty busy lately, so it was nice to have Scott home all day. We worked in the yard, finishing up all the the little jobs we've been putting off for another time. It felt great to get them done. That evening we went to our nephew's birthday party at the park. We had a great time with our family. Rebekah always makes such wonderful meals - it's as good as any restaurant I know! The little kids love playing with their cousins and seeing their aunts, uncles, & grandparents! But let's be honest - is there anything in the world as good as a cupcake with LOADS of frosting? Top it off with a Scooby Doo Ring, and you've just made any kid's day! Our kids were in Heaven, and their faces showed just how great it was! We also flew kites. It was the perfect day and was so much fun. I can't even remember the last time I flew a kite, so it was fun for me, too! Everyone was able to get them up and flying -- what a great way to spend a Saturday night. It was so fun. Thanks Clint, Rebekah & the kids! We had a wonderful night!

Ahhh...Spring!

I must admit, I love Spring the most of any season. Fall is a close second, but there's just something wonderful about watching the snow melt, the grass turn green and see the first flowers of spring come from the ground. It always puts us in a good mood when we see the first daffodil or tulip pop through the ground. I love the smell of freshly mowed lawn, the scent of the blossoms in the trees and the sound of neighbors and kids out on walks for the first time in months! I love to chat in the front yard as they all walk by. I really love the rain! Maybe it's something from my childhood in Seattle, but I really love a good rainstorm. Now I don't proclaim to be one who loves yard work or knows all kinds of wonderful things about plants and trees, but I do enjoy having a pretty yard to spend time in. I do get quite a bit of satisfaction after working outside and pulling all the weeds, planting a garden, and watching the progress of all our plantings grow. It feels good to just stand back and look at all the progress we made. I like working outside with the kids, and they seem to like just having me out with them. Last spring and summer we were just putting in the backyard, so this is the first spring that we've had a yard here in our new home. I love it! It feels so great. The kids like to be outside and I love being able to let them out and not worry about them. Here are some pictures from the trees and flowers in our yard, blooming for the first time. I really love spring!

Batter Up!

So both Grace and Garrett have been playing tee ball this spring. They have had such a great time. Both of them like to bat, but Grace likes to play in the field, too! After every game she tells us how many balls she fielded and what they were like. She has really loved playing and something she wants to continue. It has been fun to see so many people at the ball park, too. We've bumped into people from our ward, our extended family, and even people we worked with 10+ years ago. It's been great to catch up with people. I will admit, however, watching 4 kids at a huge park filled with hundreds of people has it's challenges, too. Keeping Mitchell and Bryson occupied for 2 hours is one of the biggest! By the time we head home, everybody's exhausted, but happy to have been outside playing. I love spring!

Lucky Me!

I was thinking about my little family before we went to church today. I had to teach RS about Righteous Traditions, so I had been thinking about our kids and family all week. Yesterday all the kids got new haircuts and look so handsome & cute. After they were dressed and ready for church I stopped and just looked at them. In between the melt downs, the runny noses, the spilled cereal and all the commotion, I got this tiny peak at the amazing potential they each have. They are each so different, so unique. I wonder what they will be like as they get older. I wonder what each of them will become. One thing I know for certain is that they are very special. (I know, spoken just like a mom!) I know they have many things to accomplish and much good to do while they are here on Earth. I hope that Scott and I can create righteous traditions in our family so they can gain testimonies of their own and do all they have been saved for this time to accomplish. It's very humbling to think of the responsibility we have to teach and train and love them. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity. When my kids found me today after church, and I saw their happy, smiling faces, their untucked shirts, and tried to focus as they all shouted at once all about what they learned in Primary, I just had to think to myself, "Lucky Me."