6/14/12

cheap summer backyard fun

 My friend offered me some free sand and I couldn't turn it down. So I built a sandbox in my backyard! I already had the wood so the only thing I had to buy was one more load of sand to fill the thing full. This whole awesome thing cost me 10 bucks!
 My kids have loved this. I love how they can all play together; all ages enjoy it!

More summer fun:
Preslie worked hard to earn enough $$ for her new shoes. Hunter just shook his head, "Why would you spend your money on that?" Ah, boys. 
A girl after my heart.

Hunter and I went to cub scout day camp.

 We are having a great summer so far!

6/1/12

what have I done?


I love Mack's blonde, curly hair so much. I can't believe I ok'd this. I had a weak moment. I was tired of fighting that thick mop and fighting Mack to wash or comb it. And I know it embarrasses Dax when it is sticking up everywhere at church. I prefer a real haircut (or a mop) on little boys versus a buzz. It goes against my inner morals to have both my sons get buzz haircuts today. Although Mack looks still so adorable, I kinda thought he'd look less naughty if I cut his wild hair off.
Nope.

Here is the dress I finished for Quinn the other day. I love sewing little girl stuff!
 Quinn is growing up so darling and so fast. Today she climbed in the baby swing and said "HIGH, HIGH!" which is what she says whenever she gets on any swing.
 She also climbed in her shopping cart.
I just love that girl.

5/29/12

Yin and Yang

tender and rambunctious

little girl and Fat Boy

winner and loser

scoop and dump

push and pull

art and science

My breakfast the other morning was a sign.

5/22/12

the bash

My parents held a successful 3rd annual Grandchildren B-day party! Lots of fun. My bro from Oregon and his family were in town and my sis and her crew came from Idaho. My 2 younger bros were also there.

My little bro called me a few days before and asked me if I wanted to run a 5K when I was in town so we did Saturday morning! He couldn't stand the thought of his big sister winning him so he beat me by 10 seconds. My time was 26:53. I was pretty excited to cut 2 minutes off my time from the last 5K I ran. It was fun running with my brother and I won a ribbon! 3rd place in my age class (30-39) for females.

Back at Grandma's the kids had hunted for clues to find their b-day gifts and found that they got to go to Toys R Us to pick them out! A new toy for everyone!

My parents are so sweet. They had fun activities planned and my Mom had great food prepared. The kids did sack races, marshmallow gun wars, and archery. They stayed up too late and woke up too early.

My Mom's MS and other conditions have been bothering her for a few years and she hasn't been feeling well at all for the past few months. I know it was hard for her to do all she did for everyone. Sunday when we came home from church she was lying on the couch as pale as a ghost and could barely talk for all the pain she was in. Dad, Jason and Dax gave her a blessing and practically carried her to bed; she could barely walk. My heart aches to see my Mom so bad. I love her and look up to her and feel grateful for her everyday. I call her ALL the time to ask about gardening, cooking, fix-it jobs, landscaping, building, sewing, parenting, food storage-- you name it. She has done everything in her life and has worked her guts out in every capacity. It is hard to see my parents age and realize they won't be here forever.


I so cherish my health and ability to work, climb, run, dance, walk, clean, lift, and sleep and all the things my Mom and even my Dad cannot do easily anymore. I want to use my body to its fullest potential while I can. When I am 60, I don't want to say "I wish I would have enjoyed my good health more when I was younger." I need to enjoy my kids more too. All grannys say that about when their kids were young. That one is hard for me. Time is moving so fast, I can barely hold on. Preslie and Hunter are knocking on the door of their teenage years. I will turn Mack out into the public school system next year. Quinn literally turned into a little girl overnight- seriously. Yesterday she looked like a baby and today she looked so big I could hardly believe it.

I hope my kids will remember the fun times we had this weekend with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles and cousins! It takes a lot of work to get together but it's so worth it!

5/15/12

holy moly May

This month is half over and it has been pure crazy! To start off I hosted a birthday lunch for my friend Jo and some of her friends. This is the gal that started me into running and we've kept each other going all this time! I can't thank her enough for helping me get in shape.


Here is my little bro wrestling my kids. Mack is under there somewhere..
 We went camping for the first time this year and had a blast. Here is us in the car- just so excited to be going!

Actually the car rides there and back were just as eventful as the camping itself. Quinn threw up twice on the way there; both times she was sitting on my lap. So I was out of clean clothes before the trip began.
 And here is Dax fixing our flat tire on the way home. We were all covered in dirt, Quinn was down to her last pair of "clean" pants (covered in dirt and throw up stains) and no shirt and shoes. We all had to pee super bad but didn't dare walk into a public restroom, not even in Wal-Mart people, that is how bad we looked. Such memories! ahhhh...

Here is my rugged outdoorsman starting our fire with flint and steel..
 Us making s'mores..

 I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year! WHO are all these people that call me Mom? Wacky!
 Me with my babies. These two keep me running and smiling all the day long.
  Our newest project started this week....da da da DA! The backyard! 80 tons of dirt brought in and smoothed out. I just love heavy equipment. What would have taken me a year took 2 guys one work day! Man it looks so much better! I can hardly wait to get some sprinklers and sod. Wa-hoo.


Lots more to do but a great start!

Other news- I registered my 3 oldest for soccer. This will be their first time playing an organized sport. I really really hope it is a good experience for them!

We are busy busy and having a ball. A beautiful time of year and lots of fun things coming up!

5/10/12

yo, Idaho



We took a long weekend and visited my sis and her family in Idaho. It is hard to be so far apart but so fun when we get together. The kids get along beautifully; it just warms my heart to see my kids love their cousins so much. We were so priviledged to see 2 of my nieces and 1 nephew in their ballroom dance performance. Jennekah is a senior and has danced on her ballroom team for 8 years; she is really good and this was her last performance. I am so glad we got to see it.

It was a party all weekend with ice cream and candy at 10pm, sleepovers every night, roasting marshmallows, trampoline games, and Mack and the twins singing "You gotta believe in the Lord and the power!" over and over. I love my sis and her family!


5/1/12

dirt, babies, and teeth

 I have no idea what we did in April. Did it really come and go and I have nothing to show for it? We've been busy but with what I don't know.

Here are some highlights from the past week: Mack and I planted some seeds indoors and Quinn found them! Also I might mention that our vacuum was out of commission the day she did this.
Two of my friends welcomed a baby to their families last week so I saw two new babies in one day. My cute friend Tina is now a mother of 4! Welcome to the crazy club!

Dax and I went to the dentist today and I almost left in tears. I have been diligently brushing AND flossing every day for nearly 2 years and every time I go to the dentist I have a cavity. I eat a good diet and I don't drink soda. What more can I do? I am ticked about it!

I guess other than that my life is perfect so I can't complain too much (wink).