Happy Birthday Cheri...

Happy Birthday Cheri! To my fun, hip, lovable, giggly, funny, sensitive, talented, trusted, little sister. I hope this day is filled with understanding, enlightenment, sleep, cake, and of course a call from your favorite sister-- me. We have always had a funny bond and this picture brings a smile to my face every time I see it. It makes me remember that we conquered high school, we lived through college, we fell into marriage, and we are surviving motherhood together. I can't wait to see what one more year will bring. I'm sure it too will be filled with adventures, late night snacks, water parks, and a few card games. Thanks for being a good sister but more importantly a really great friend. I love you Bear! Happy Birthday!

Spider..boy

...and the super hero fun continues. He is so cute and way too into the spiderman identity...that's what makes it so very funny.

family fun...

I'm cleaning the kitchen the other day and the kids start swirling around me with my zucchinis. They have decided that the misshapen ones make good play guns. YIKES! ( I later found out that my Mom taught them how to do that-- thanks Mom!)

Here is Rugby with some serious ammo...
Brecky double gunning it...
Charlie's youngest angel--- Zoey! Nice pose sister!
I think someone just goosed Rugs...
smooshy Zoey...

my little dare devil...

Em has become quite the little dare devil. He is rarely without his super hero cape. He thinks it gives him extra super powers. I don't know where he gets any of this stuff from-- ok, it's me. I can't help myself with the super hero junk-- but Tim can't either, so I suppose they are doomed for a life of cartoons and super hero conventions....

Ode to Cereal...

Cereal oh how I love you....

my little sunshines...

I was hanging out with the kids this morning and I got a few great shots. I was trying to capture the sweetness in their eyes. I just love these guys and I think you can tell by these pictures...

beautiful Brecky... sweet Zoey...

(who is sick of her mommy taking pictures)

good boy Rugby... with a few summer freckles...

peanut buttered Rugby...
big boy Emerson...
(an extra shot for Cassie-- I know you miss this guy)

painting fun...

I've been working very intensely on my project for the stake and I needed to get some craft samples done for my meeting tomorrow. Which means-- if I'm crafting-- we're all crafting. So 30 minutes later when I have them all situated with their crafts, I can finally start mine. We had a lot of fun and a lot of mess...

I'm pretty sure I couldn't fit one more thing on my table. We had every inch covered in paint and glue. One of Breckyn's little creations

(all of their crafts were from the dollar section at Michael's)

Emerson painting up his masterpiece. He likes to use a smeary technique.... very professional.
Zo and her magic wand.... beautiful! Rugby's mask that was suppose to be a pirate but it got a little over painted. I helped him out with a little bit of glitter. So now it's a Martigrau pirate...heee hee!
Mr. Cool ready for a day of fun...
Here is an updated version of the addition per Cassie's request. Notice it's from a little ways away because I didn't want to go all the way over there while the kids were swimming. Maybe next time...

Em, caught again with his one true love-- cereal.
Rugby dressed up his Mr. Pigglesworth (yes, he named it himself) as Batman. I think this is the first time I've ever seen a pig with abs!
My big girl Brecky-- she is looking so old...

Happy Birthday Max...

Max insisted that none of us sing Happy Birthday-- candle blowing only. He is such a funny little guy and very original. We just love him!

We had a little party for the birthday boy today. He turned four yesterday and it was a good day. He had "Cars" cupcakes and lots of fun presents. Here are a few shots from the festivities...

Max and his cake-- so happy!
...a little in the belly... and even happier!
The girlies enjoyed them too (as noted on their frosted little faces).
He got lots of cool cars and even a transformer-- sweet!
"hmmmm... I think I got a little on me..."

Emerson, one blue cupcake closer to becoming a smurf.

a long week...

It's been a while since I've posted because I've had a stressed week. Too many things and too little time. I'll try to make up for it with some posts this week. In the mean time, here's a little glimpse of last week...
I let the garden go for only three days and I discovered this!!!! I had 11 zucchinis, 7 squash, 9 peppers, and a bunch of beans. Yikes! My tomatoes are just starting to turn red so next week should be exciting as well. I went on a veggie delivery spree spreading the love to everyone. Let me know if you want some.... I have plenty.
I came downstairs to find Emerson making himself breakfast this morning. I asked all the kids to wait a little bit for breakfast because I had a million things to get done before church this morning..... the waiting didn't last long. When I walked into the kitchen he peeped his head out from behind the cereal and said, "sorry Mommy..." when he got caught. But honestly, who could get mad at this face?

shopping...

Yesterday I desperately needed to go to the store and taking all four of my children for a long journey didn't sound that appealing to me. We had a few attitude clashes and not that smooth of a morning but I still really needed to get my list of things done-- NOW. So I schemed up one of my better plans....and it worked. I explained my dilemma to the kids and asked for their help in making it a "team" effort. My idea was if they helped me, I would let them spend some of their money at the store. (I didn't' have to spend more money and they felt cool that it was their cash that they got to slowly count out to the cashier) If that went well, I promised them a quick trip to the pet store to look at the animals. IT WORKED!!! They bought some weirdo stuff.... but it changed their whole outlook of going to the store. When it was for them, they were cool with it. It was perhaps the best day I've had with the kids the entire summer.... yeeeha!

Here is a sample of Zoey's purchases... She bought these sunglasses at Old Navy for $1.97 (I'm teaching them the value of a smokin' sale at a young age) and she purchased the bandanna at Michael's for $1. The purse is what she carried her sweet sweet moola around in.
She really got into her new look. Not so sure where she got the bandanna idea from-- but she can totally pull this look off.

No! NO! NOOOO!!!!

It's dinner time and I'm standing in the kitchen trying to decide between tacos or spaghetti...again. I'm thinking about how frustrating my day was today and Tim walks in. I started off loading all of the things on my mind and wondering out loud, "How do I get myself into these things?" (which we all know the answer to but prefer to pretend that we don't) Tim, who is in a cut and dry mood, says, "It's because you can't say two letters.... N...O....." I can't say "no" and I am well aware of this fact and do not need reminding...... Every time my brain says NO my mouth says YES!!! IDIOT!!! "Can you watch my 500 kids in addition to your 4 million?"......ah, (say no say no) Yeah, sure, that's no big deal.... (idiot!!!) "Can you be in charge of a really big out of control activity for the stake?" ahhh.... (say no-- say no!!) Sure, I'd be glad to help you out!! "Can you please drop what you are doing and help me all day long aimlessly?" (people don't actually say that one but that's what really happens) ahhhh... (say no-- say anything but yes) Yes, and I'll bring the refreshments. (ugh!!!!! I live to torcher myself!!)
Needless to say my plate is full and there is a reason why I married Tim. He was sent here to tell me things I already know and make me feel better about it. I know I can't say "no" but, I'm working on it... the really painful slow way that makes me want to gouge my eyes out and tattoo the word NO on my forehead.
So after all of this soul searching I did what any desperate woman would do.... I made myself a pan of brownies, got a big old glass of milk, and started myself a nice hot bath..... I think I'll work on my issues tomorrow...

it's a jungle...

Here is proof of how out of control my garden is. I went for a few short days to Utah and I came back to this ginormous zucchini!!!! My garden is a jungle and it keeps getting bigger by the minute. I'm thinking of letting Breckyn open her own veggie stand at the end of our driveway. Then she'd be one financial step closer to taking over the world...

the little men...

Cam Cam the dancing pony....

Here is the new little man...

two cute boys...

I'm back from my trip to Utah. It was too too short. I didn't get to squeeze those boys enough. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of those handsome little men...

I spent a lot of time in the back seat with Cam Cam and we took advantage of the impromptu photo time...
his best fishy lips...


He indeed does love mustard...
my little puppy....
look at that cute little outfit...
all that fluffy hair!!!
the perfect grandpa picture...awwww...
little man in a big seat...

The Baby...

I'm here in Utah enjoying every last minute with this new precious little baby boy Rex and I knew you would all want a peek at him. He is a big boy weighing in at 8lbs. 9oz. and measuring 22 1/2 inches long. He has a beautiful head of dark hair and a cute little face I just love to squeeze. Welcome to the family little man...
Here I am with the little nugget...
..he is just so precious!
He's awake!
The other handsome man, Cam Cam visiting Rex at the hospital.
Coco and Rex
Cass, Cam, and Rex
The proud proud mommy-- she is so in love!
Rex and his favorite aunt...
Grandma for the 10th time and still loving it...
Grandpa and his newest little man...