4th of July

 

Let’s try this again, shall we.

 

So for about a year now I have actually been journaling in a journal {gasp} instead of a blog.  I have seriously enjoyed the creativity that flows when I hold a pen to paper.  But I am noticing that lately I only journal and draw on Sundays…at church.  Although I enjoy the artsy part of it, I can type faster than I write so I started this blog up again…for journaling purposes.

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That being said, let’s get on with it.

E (9), Iz (5), Elle (3)

Look at these cute munchkins!  When I look at this picture I see three amazing little miracles…with mustaches.  I am so blessed to be able to be their mother.  Mothering is so much easier as the kids get older.  I know it’s crucial to be a fabulous mother from day one, but MAN, those babies are so hard.  Or maybe it was just my babies that were so hard.  COLIC. ALLERGIES. ECZEMA. FORMULA.  They are so much more enjoyable now and I say that with  no shame.  I have made a great effort to enjoy every stage of childhood with my children and I think just have that mind set has made me a better mother.  I really enjoy playing with my kids now.

I love that I can have a sarcastic conversation with E and he gets it.  I love that he can watch his sisters if I have to run to a neighbors house.  I love that Iz and Elle can play with each other and entertain each other without needing constant help from me.  Although, half the time I am saying, “Don’t fight!” or “Please get along.”  {Add referee to my many hats.}  They are amazingly fabulous children who teach me everyday how to be a better person.

Ethan recently reminded me of a talk at the last LDS General Conference: “Mom, do you remember that talk that said there should be no yelling in the home…just a family?”  That little comment brought me back to reality.  That these little humans listen and watch everything I do.  I impact them more than I know…and I want that impact to always be for good.

Family Night at Boondock’s

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Sadly, we haven’t ever had a family vacation…just my little family.  That little fact has been getting on my nerves quite a bit last year. Knowing that Ethan would be off-track until January 18th I really wanted to plan something fun in Salt Lake City and have a mini-“stay”cation.  Well, finances and a smart husband wouldn’t allow it so we decided to just have a memorable night at Boondock’s in Kaysville.  We had never been there, but Ethan has always wanted to go so we just did it! 

What a fun place!!  As you can tell from the pictures we all had a blast!  Ellie was content to wander around and see all the lights and hit the buttons on the games.  Izzy was so over stimulated she couldn’t stay in one spot for too long.  Corey and I split up and he was in charge of following her around while I guided Ellie’s interests to do what Ethan wanted.  Ethan had the time of his life.  I think he played 10 games of Skee-Ball and every other game in the place at least once. 

As we were leaving (3 hours later) he hugged me and said, “This was way better than any vacation, Mom.”  What a sweet kid right?  Well, he has also never been on a vacation, but now I am not so sure how we are ever going to top Boondock’s.

My Kidlets

Christmas 2010

There is nothing like Christmas with children.  It’s just magical!  I am always up before my children making as much noise as I can to wake them up.  I love seeing their eyes get wide and excited to see that Santa has come.  It’s a feeling like no other to see my kids open a present they have “asked Santa” for all year long.  I just love Christmas with children.

   

After the morning excitement, we went to the Vandenberg’s for breakfast.  They always make so much yummy food when we come over.  We had scones, eggs, biscuts and gravy, etc.  Pam & Rich had just bought a new tv and go this little remote control car with their purchase; the kids each had a turn going for a ride.  Except Izzy; she wanted nothing to do with the thing. 

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Then it was off the Kari and Michael’s house to see my Mom and enjoy a ham dinner.  It’s so much fun to get my siblings together and our children.  We laugh and laugh.  I usually leave our family functions with a headache from laughing so hard.  Today was no exception.  We decided to do the 12 days of Christmas to my Mom this year as she is enduring some hard times right now.  She absolutely loved it!  Then as she gave each of us a present she told us each of a special memory she has of us.  Yeah, it was a pretty emotional thing.  I love my mom!

 

Perfect ending to a great day!

 

Christmas Eve Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was one of the best Christmas Eve parties we have had.  It was soooooo fun.  Decorations were beautiful!  Food was amazing!  Games and Talents were unbelieveable!

Grandma Great bought all the grandkids and great grandkids pajamas and a little toy.  Ellie looked like a little snow princess.  Izzy was rockin’ her green warm ups.  And Ethan was too busy with his cousins to hold still for a decent picture.  My mom managed to get a family picture of us though:

This year Corey and I orchestrated our version of “A Minute to Win it.”  Good times!  We laughed so hard and had a lot of fun trying to involve every age group.

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Locks of Love