Tunes on Tuesday

Being that the 4th of July is upon us, I decided that the whole month of July will be patriotic songs. This one is by Luke Strickland. I know that there are problems in the US {don't even get me started on the politics} but no matter what is going on I know I live on the best place on earth. We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful place. I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about bombs going off or about my kids living in a war torn country.



"American, by God's Amazing Grace" by Luke Stricklan

Bottom of my boots sure are gettin' worn
there's a lot of holes in this faded uniform
My hands are black with dirt and so is my face
I aint never been to hell but it couldn't be any worse than this place.
Tell my wife don't worry 'cause I know what to do
it makes you feel better sometimes, but don't know if it's true.
I know if I die it's just my time to go
but I pray to God every day that I may get back home.

Well when you've seen what I've seen things don't seem so bad
quit worrying 'bout what you aint got,
thank God for what you have
'Cause I could be raising my family in this place
but I was born an American by Gods Amazing Grace.

For the last twelve months I've had a new address
the neighborhood smells like sewerage and the streets are lined with trash.
You never know what's gonna be the next thing to explode
but unlike these people, I have another home.
It breaks my heart to see these kids out on the streets
walking barefoot through the trash, diggin' for something to eat.
I give them what I got, just to let them know I care
and I thank God it's not my son that's standing there.

Well when you've seen what I've seen things don't seem so bad
quit worrying 'bout what you aint got, thank God for what you have
'Cause I could be raising my family in this place
but I was born an American by Gods Amazing Grace.

You want to talk about it, you better keep it short
cause I got a lot of lost time I gotta make up for.
Really don't care why Bush went in to Iraq
I know what I done there and I'm damn sure proud of that.
You got somethin' bad to say about the USA
you better save it for different ears 'less you want to crawl away.
And I laugh in your face when you say you've got it bad
until you've spent some time on the streets of Baghdad

Well when you've seen what I've seen things don't seem so bad
quit worrying 'bout what you aint got, thank God for what you have
'Cause you could be raising your family in this place
but you were born in America, By God's Amazing Grace!!!!

This week lets remember the blood that was shed in the past for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Lets remember that is being shed to keep us safe day after day. They are fighting so you don't have to.

Thank you to the men and women who are serving, the vets {thank you honey, you are my hero} who have served and those that are growing up and wanting to serve our country. There is no greater thing.

A little flour goes a long way.

Tommy helped me to make rolls today {which I have a really good recipe to, that one day I'll share} After we were done Tommy still wanted to play with the flour. Ok, what ever. I put some flour in a bowl and let him have at it at the table. Well... 2 hours later.... it was time to clean up. Here are some funny pictures.

James started playing in the flour, and the two of them played together for awhile.

What a cheap thing to entertain kids!

Tim is mad at me because I won't let him add water to the flour mess. I"m just mom, what do I know???

Oh, the fun!

I think Tommy ended up with more on him than anywhere else. But again... 2 hours of entertainment!

Red, White & Blue Swap

I totally LOVE doing swaps, and Mamarazzi is a great host!!! This time it was Red, White and Blue themed. I love shopping for these and even more than that, I love getting something unexpected in the mail.

Debra was my partner. Her hubby is in Texas right now, while she is still in Utah. My heart goes out to you Debra, I know how it feels to live with out the hubby.

While the husband and I were watching a movie, he says,"Oh, you got this in the mail" {Have I not taught the husband anything?? Packages should be rushed to the person immediately to be opened!} So I opened it up and pour out the contents.

First off there were Laughy Taffy's, I love Laughy Taffys, and I look forward to Halloween for that reason. So we started munching on that. {we just finished the popcorn, so it was nice to have the sweet after we had salty} And I had one with a joke that was actually funny. Are you ready? **If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring???*** {read down to the end for the answer}

That with the startburst was so yummy to have. There were only red Starbursts, so she probably went through a couple bags to have so many to put in for me.

There was a cute shirt from Kohl's, some note cards with blue envelops, and a magnetic notepad. I really like these and always have a stash around the house, so I can just pull out the next one. There are some red TicTac's that look really good {taking to church with me}

She sent some her favorite lipgloss, it's pink... I like it, I'll try it tomorrow.She was going to send me red. Thank you for not... I've tried red, and I'll say it... I look like a hooker with red lipstick/lipgloss.

I got a little manicure set, and some sockies.

My favorite was the syringe. It's a pen! I pulled it out and was kinda creeped out that I would get a syringe, but at closer inspection, it is in fact a pen.... that write with red ink. I love it!!

Thank you Debra for the great package, and Mamarazzi for hosting, you do a great job!!









{A: Pilgrams.... I thought it was so funny!!}

Poems by James and Tommy

We have been learning about dinosaurs and James and Tommy wrote some poems.

Dinosaurs

Some dinosaurs were mean,

The meanest things we've ever seen.

We've seen some fly

Way up high in the sky.

We like to find their bones,

They are not orange like caution cones.

But now they are all dead,

So I think I'll go to bed.

-James and Tommy

Dinosaurs Died on Earth

Paleontologist find their bones.

They find the bones in every country they will live in.

And asteroids hit the earth and then the dinosaurs died.

And they were covered with dirt and mud.

And then paleontologist find their bones.

The end.

-James

These were writen totally by them. I think they are really good, and was really proud of them.

What the world needs... Wednseday

More Saturday morning cartoons.

Tunes on Tuesday

This is a song by Train. It is one of my favorite songs. I actually was able to go to one of their concerts when we were here last time in Sierra Vista. The lead singer, Pat Monaham, said that this song was dedicated to all those that lost a spouse due to war.


{I couldn't find the video that I wanted, so just close your eyes and listen to the music}

"When I Look to the Sky" Train {My Private Nation}
When it rains it pours and opens doors
And floods the floors we thought would always keep us safe and dry
And in the midst of sailing ships we sink our lips into the ones we love
That have to say goodbye

And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that won't seem to let me go
Cause when I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here

And every word I didn't say that caught up in some busy day
And every dance on the kitchen floor we didn't have before
And every sunset that we'll miss I'll wrap them all up in a kiss
And pick you up in all of this when I sail away

And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that I hope will never leave

Whether I am up or down or in or out or just plane overhead
Instead it just feels like it is impossible to fly
But with you I can spread my wings to see me over everything that life may send me
When I am hoping it won't pass me by
And when I feel like there is no one that will ever know me there you are to show me

Cause when I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here

What I like about this song is that it puts things into perspective. How many times have you left something unsaid because you where to busy to sit and have a conversation. When was the last time you let loose and danced in the kitchen together? Stopped where you where and looked at that sunset. We don't know when the end will be, and often time there is no forwarning.

The reason why this song hits home is because of our situation. When the husband was in Iraq there were a couple weeks that I had panic attacks. I was really depressed, and just felt something was wrong. I didn't say anything to him until he came home, and comparing our time lines, during those times were the times that he was in a dangerous situations. I'm so thankful that the Lord protected him.

I try really hard not to leave things unsaid. Sweetie, I love you and I'm so glad that I can have you here with me everyday, touch you every day, and tell you that I love you every day. When the day come that one of is gone, I want you to know that you make me so happy, and I can spead my wings and I hope that I can always do the same for you!!

He's fine.... no need to call CPS

Today James was playing with tape {again}... Now normally if it was regular old Scotch tape it would be no big deal. But... it was the big tape, and the big dispenser. He has tangled this dang thing of tape so many times. So after getting it tangled... again... I took it away and told James that if he played with it again I was going to tape him to the wall...

Well I didn't tape him to the wall.... that would peel the the paint. So I taped him to the door. Put your jaw back up... you would do it to. And besides.... I had to follow through.

See, the difference between me and you is that I don't make empty threats....

First Father's Day!!!

Happy {first} Father's Day honey!!!

Yes, we have been married for 9 years and the husband has been a father for 5 of them, and missed them all. {we have military training to thank for that}

He is a wonderful father! Always willing to play with the boys, and helping them "fix" things. He is doing a wonderful job teaching the boys about the gospel, and being a wonderful example to them of a priesthood holder is.

I love you so much!! I hope that this is the first of many more Father's Day that we get to spend together!!

If he wasn't so dang cute, I would sell him

We had a pretty normal day today. It started with a walk with Tim. I mentioned a walk and before I could roll out of bed Tim was already half dressed {surprisingly had his legs in his pants the right way.} We went out with the dog and looked at every ant hill we could find. I did lunges and squats while he tortured the insects.

I got home and remembered that I needed to pray, good thing I did because the day just got better....

First stop.. Walmart. I had to get some last minute things for a baby shower I was throwing with my neighbor. While we were there the boys wanted to pick up one last thing for dad for Father's Day. I did a quick head count... 1,2,3 and turned the corner. Was looking at things and realized that there were only two in the fight that was going on. {oh, crap} Called his name.... nothing. Run back grab the brothers and start my trek looking for the my other child. I see him holding the hands of two workers. I yell down the aisle, "that's my kid" they turn and look at me and ask Tim, "is that your mom?" {I'm totally patting my self on the back for letting him have that cookie before breakfast} He yells back {because that's the only volume he has} "Yeah!!!" They believed me....

So after that trip and one to the dollar store because I was NOT going to pay $10 for an umbrella when I could get them for a $1!!!

After that we went to the Library. Everything here went well. Tommy {of course} has to go to the bathroom... and well, it wasn't to pee. So I thought it was better for him to strip down at home rather than at the Library... We gather our things and head out. Tim grabs some random book {or so I thought} and takes off running through the Library weaving in and out of all the people. Trying not to draw to much attention to myself I run after him without screaming. I finally catch up to him at the check out desk, but not before he throws the book up and over the desk and nearly hit the lady in the process.

I get a dirty look from her as she is picking up the book off the floor and holds it up. I tell her that although it looks like it I need it I wasn't going to be checking out the book "Parenting for Toddlers" today.

{I'm sure she has it sitting on a shelf waiting for me for our next visit.}

The Shirt was Found

So to understand this I have to take you back aways. About 6 weeks {yes that says weeks} after Tommy was born I was having a hard time putting him to sleep. He was great when he was on my shoulder but as soon as I laid him down he would fuss then wake up again. Steve was in Iraq at the time and I was at my wits end. Picking him up again for the 5th time {it was better to have him sleep on my shoulder than to have Tommy wake up James and then have two crying babies} I planning on him sleeping with me so that I could at least pretend to be a happy mommy in the morning. I put him down... for the 6th time.... because I really had to pee, and had not yet mastered how to do it while holding a sleeping baby. Again he started to fuss when I heard something... really, it was a voice, probably my own as I like to talk to myself, but that's another story. It said "Give him your shirt" I thought for a moment and then I heard it again, "Give him your shirt." So I did. I took it off and laid it near Tommy, he grabbed it and snuggled it against him and went to sleep. ***And slept through the night***

Tommy carried this thing around with him where ever we went. He always had it with him. He would get really nervous if it wasn't on his bed at night {so I learned to wash it during the day, but after his first nap} He never liked the pacifier, all he needed was the shirt.

About 6 months after we moved to Sierra Vista {Tommy was 2}, he lost his shirt. Holy Moly, there was tears, and tears, and tears. I really felt bad that we could not find his shirt. I really thought we had looked every where. Well I guess not. I'm not sure why I was pulling the cushions off on the couch, but low and behold... the shirt. It was found. You can tell that at one point it was loved very much, because it doesn't even look like a shirt any more. And it had to be tied in knots many times to keep it together.

Tommy carried it around with him for about a day and then lost it again. Next time I find it, it's going straight into his box.

Moral of the story... It's ok if you talk to yourself. You might give your self some good advice and then be able to sleep.

What the world needs... Wednseday

More home made suckers. This was a really fun activity that we did with the boys, and the suckers turned out really pretty.

The RIGHT way or the WRITE way??

I found this from another blog and well... it just makes you think.

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down. English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.

Just makes you think huh... and no wonder our kids have a hard time learning to read and understand our language.

Tunes on Tuesday

So for a couple years I would hunker on Monday nights and watch 7th Heaven. The series is over and the Camdens are all grown, and now there are reruns. {We are trying to save money so we only have basic and you know your TV situation is bad when you are watching QVC and HSN because there is nothing else on.} I love the theme song to 7th Heaven.

7th Heaven - opening song
7th Heaven
When I see their happy faces, smilin' back at me...
7th heaven
I know there's no greater feelin' than the love of family
Where can you go
When The world don't treat you right?
The answer is home!!!!!!!!!
That's the one place that you'll find,7th heaven.
Oooooooh!
7th Heaven
7th heaven

There really is "no greater feeling than the love of family" and I'm glad that I can experience that. And I know that whether it's the home I made with the husband, or the one that I grew up in I know that I always have a place to call home.

The husband and I watched a great movie tonight. Emma Smith: My Story All I can say is wow. Her faith was strong and the strength that she had to endure the hardships that were place upon her was amazing. She truly was an elect lady.

I just wanted to share that. If you haven't seen this movie, go watch it. It will defiantly touch you no matter what faith you are.

Karma.... Sweet Karma

So it's no secret that I have three boys incredibly close in age... {how could you not know, I blog about it all the time} What you don't know is that I have three really good friends, my Yaya's if you will. And when I told them that I was pregnant with our third {Tim} and that there would be less than 3 year between the three of them there was laughing, hysteria, laughing until there was tears, and I'm sure that some even laughed until they peed {Em}. Well I have come to say "Girls.... Karma's a B%*#@"


Let me tell you about my wonderful Yaya's....


First there's Emiliean, she's the one that's the crazy one.... yeah, that's pretty much right. When we met in Monterey she just had one child... a very adorable brown eyed boy. Through the next couple years they tried for more, she was able to get pregnant but not able to stay that way. Well low and behold she conceived and 9 months later got another boy. {we were all very excited for her} Then, 9 months after #2 was born, I get a call.... "I pulled a Leah" she said. Yes, before her second was a year old, she was knocked up again. Oh, the irony!!! So now they are blessed with three boys.


The next Yaya, is Jen. {Martha Stewart you have some serous competition with this woman!!} I was introduce to her by Em while we were in Monterey as well. We crashed with them twice as we were in between places, and our friendship grew. {if you want to test out a friendship, stick 4 adults, 1 child, one dog in a two bedroom apartment... oh but wait... you have to add that the two women are pregnant, and both husbands just got word that they are deploying, oh, the hormones, and the tears!} Anyway.... Jen did it the normal way, have a baby, wait a little bit and have another. Lucky for them both were boys and lucky for me they were the same ages as mine {built in friends}. She found out she was pregnant while they were recently here in Sierra Vista, they thought for sure that this one would be the little girl that they want... I need to take a moment.... Ha Ha Ha. Yes, it's ANOTHER boy. Again... 3 boys!!!!


Oh, and then there is the Yaya, Brianna. She is such a great person, and you can't help but love her. {and she up for anything, and when she starts to giggle her stories get funnier} So when we met Brianna, she had no kids and we all cried when she lost her first baby to miscarriage. Then we all happy when she told us she was, in fact pregnant, and then laughed {and laughed} when she said it was twins.... the tears and pee came when she said it was boys. As fate would have it... and what happens in Paris, stays in Paris, unless that is of course a baby in the womb then it comes back home to the states with you. So here she was, a country away, and pregnant... BEFORE THE TWINS WERE ONE!!! How crazy would it have been if it were yet another boy, but alas, Brianna had "our" first girl.

Girls I love you!!! You know that. I just had to laugh that Jen would be adding yet another boy to our crew. Here's the count.... Boys-11 Girls-1

It's Official.....

Yes... it's now official. We have sold our house. We are having to pay out of pocket. Not a lot but still, not what I wanted to do. But looking around our neighborhood and Sierra Vista in general, we are really lucky to have sold it as fast as we did.... a month and a half!!

So where do we go from here? Well let me tell you.... The boys and I are going to stay with my sister-in-law in North Carolina for a couple of months. Steve is going to be in Florida looking for starting school, and looking for a job.

{so if you are in Florida, specifically the Daytona area, and have a room the husband can rent for a couple months.... let me know}

So here we go {again...} packing, moving, uprooting and planting again. I"m looking forward to our new adventure, and I'll keep you all updated.

What the world needs... Wednseday

More Determination!

{Tim spent all morning putting together the Geo-Tracks. He worked and worked until he was done. Good job son.}

Home Town Swap....

So Shannon at the Nut House hosted a home town swap. So I sent stuff to someone about Arizona, and I was happy with anything from back East. Well "Aunt Spicy" who lives in the DC area sent me some GREAT stuff. I opened the package and pulled out the way cute bag. It has blue designs with an off white background. {looking at her blog I think she made it!! Either way it's great} And I thought it was perfect! The colors totally remind me of the east coast, I don't know why but they do. I got some great stickers of the DC area. And some books. I love books and so do the boys. The first on is "N is for our Nation's Capital" by Marie and Roland Smith. And a guide book to Washington DC. Seeing that we are moving to Florida I'm hoping to make it up to see some of the stuff on the East Coast, and DC is definitely high on the list. I love guide books, and I totally love being a tourist. And then there was a game "City walks with kids, Washington DC" Everything was great! Aunt Spicy was really thoughtful.

I love doing swaps! I get great stuff and get to make some great friends. Go peek in on Aunt Spicy, you'll really like her blog!!

Tunes on Tuesday

How often do we say that we are "too busy", or "just a minute" to our kids? How often do we think, "I can't wait until they are older"? I think sometime we as a society are pushing our kids to grow up so fast. We have their schedules booked before they are even able to walk. If we take a step back and just enjoy them as they are, all they want from us in return is to play with them. We need to let our kids be little and experience childhood. And even sometimes "let them sleep in the middle"

Let them be Little by Billy Dean

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little
Let them be little

Before we know it they will be grown and gone. The house will be quiet, and finger prints washed away long ago. Enjoy it now.

Sitting... just sitting,

Ok, everyone stop for just a moment, you hear that??? Quietness.... Right now it's quiet. The husband needed to get into be early to be up for an early meeting, and the boys are asleep, after listening to them giggle for about a half hour. {or screaming at each other, but I believe in hoping for the best, don't you?}

Anyway I was thinking about the boys and all they {we} have been through. Did you know that James lived in 5 different houses before he was one? {oh the joys of the military}

I really feel so lucky to be their mom. They bring so much joy {and crazy} to my life. I still think that the Lord thought it would be funny to see me with three kids under three, but I wouldn't change it. Wait..... nope, I wouldn't change it.

Now most {normal} people wait a year before thinking about another kid, we were blessed with a pregnancy 6 months after James. And then a year after Tommy was born, we were expecting again. If thing were to go as we had planned we probably would only have two of these boys.... {3 in less than 3 years = crazy} But I truly can not picture my life with any of them.

My oldest.... so full of drama! Everything is an act. His imagination runs wild when he plays. He loves to learn and asks for the meaning of every thing. He loves to be taught, and to be read to. It's fun watching him learn in Primary, and he reminds me of the simple truths of the gospel. He loves to sing. He is slowing growing out of wanting to be snuggled, but every now and then he'll let me hold him. Even though he's not a big snuggler anymore, he loves to have hugs, and I'm thankful that a hug and a kiss still solve his problems and hurts. He and I have been through so much together, between moves and deployments, some times it's hard watching him grow and become more independent, not needing me as much and yet I love seeing his wings stretch and trying new things. He is determined to do what he sets his mind to.

The middle.... He was born while the husband was gone. And although he loves his dad it's me who he clings too. He is so funny and has the funniest quirks. Self proclaimed vegetarian, with the occasional hot dog, loves all things vegetable {except bell peppers} He is a clown and always makes me laugh with the crazy things that he does. He knows what he likes and what he doesn't and once he sets his mind to something there is no changing it. He trys really hard to be helpful and keep his brothers out of trouble. He is my snuggler, and will always let me hold him. His day is a lot better if he has has his snuggle time in the morning. He brings me flowers every day, and tells me I'm beautiful. {who doesn't love that?}

The baby.... I have laughed and cried with this child. Born 10 weeks premature and, thankfully, has had no lasting effects from it. He is so strong willed and will conquer the world with his determination. Every thing he does is with fire in his eyes. It has been hard for him to learn that there is a pecking order and he is still the youngest. Always quick with an "I'm sorry" it's hard to be mad at him when he flashes that smile. He keeps me on my toes, as he is so full of mischief. Being the youngest doesn't stop him from trying everything his brother do. If they jump he will to. This boy adores his father, and given the choice will choose him over me. Having the boys so close together, I don't remember the other two at this age, so it's been fun to really see a two year old. I cherish the quiet moments that I have with him.

I love these boys so much and they keep me grounded in a crazy sort of way.

The rest of the vacation...

This was a great vacation! Mainly because I actually had a chance to relax and enjoy the down time. And... I got to read a book. A real book, one with more than 30 pages and there were no rhymes!!

Anyways... before we left we were just checking to make sure that we had everything packed. I was getting shoes for all the boys, Church shoes, Tennis shoes, and sandals. Well, I could only find one Tommy shoe. The husband and I searched all over the house, really top to bottom! So we just left it and finished packing up. {more on this later...}

We were able to spend time with both my family and the husbands family. And it was nice to make some good memories. Before we went to Provo for a BBQ, we stopped at the Orem Cemetery. The husband was able to help a friend make Benji's headstone but hadn't seen it finished. So to celebrate Memorial Day we went up to the Cemetery to pay our respects to Benji. A great brother, and brother-in-law! I wish everyone could have had the opportunity to meet a great man. Memorial Day was a good one.

The boys at Benji's headstone. {we love and miss you Benji}

Later that week we were able to go to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Pointe {Why do they put an 'e' at the end of Pointe??} The boys had a great time looking at all the dinosaurs.

James standing next to the leg of a Brontosaurus.
All 4 of the boys weigh as much as a ???? {totally forget what kind of dinosaur} but it was a heavy one.

James and his dad looking at the effects of erosion....or boys playing in the mud, take your pick.

For those that don't recognize my kids without injuries on there face. Apparently Tim had the truck that James wanted... this was the end result of that. {look at those beautiful blue eyes}

The favorite souvenir to the places that we go. The boys love getting smooshed pennies. {and I love that they get something for 51 cents}

We were able to spend some time with some of the husbands friends that we hadn't seen in a while. And sad for us there were many friends that we didn't get a chance to see. {Joseph & Amy, and Cayde & Brianna we love you both and sorry we missed you.}

Oh... remember the Tommy shoe? Yeah well we found the other one. Tommy packed it. So with one she and home in Arizona, and the other one is with us in Utah. So Tommy got a new pair of shoes out of the trip, but don't worry, not only can he run faster, and jump higher, he can also kick harder.... I love the power of shoes!!

We have a great system to keeping the sanity on the long drive that we have. We make the trip in two days. We have a FABULOUS person to stay with in Vegas. My wonderful Aunt Connie. The boys just love her. We were able to spend a day with her and we had a really good time. We were able to go to the Natural History Museum, and then to lunch. We thought about going out for dinner but in the end just decided to put some steaks on the grill. That ended up being the best thing. The boys got to play in her warm pool {the hot tub} and I think there was more water outside of the hot tub by the time they were done. Aunt Connie is dating and has a great boyfriend that was great with the boys. It was really nice to just hang out with her.

Tommy being a safari tour guide. I think he might need a smaller hat.
See.... The husband did help make our kids. Tim looks so much like him.

Ok, this is a cute picture of Tommy but really I put it in to show you all how tan I am {vain I know but there you have it}

The way cute husband.

Proof to the boys that they do have a mom. Usually I'm taking the pictures, so it's nice to get pictures of me every now and then {kinda a perk to having an Aunt who is a photographer}

Aunt Connie with the boys.... Do you see Tommy. I'm not sure what he is doing but I thought it was so funny.

The rest of the drive home was uneventful, and because we left so early, we made it back about 4:00 in the afternoon. {plenty of time to get some laundry started}

This was a really fun trip and probably the last for a little awhile to see the family. I'll fill you in later on that one.

Here's to the missing {but not really} Tommy shoe.

Another great swap!!

Here is another GREAT swap with Mamarazzi. She does a great job getting all of these organized. This one is Red, White, and Blue. I love all things American!! And because I was hoping against hope that I would make it in this swap, I have already picked up a couple cute things. And lucky me.... I was the second one in {after Mamarazzi of course}


{ok, can someone please tell me how to put a {cute} button on a post!!}

Functional Family....

We went up to Utah to see my family, we had a great time hanging out, having a BBQ and letting all the cousins play together. Oh, all the kids have a great time together. We also had some time to get in some family pictures. I love my family but oh, the pictures always end up being a great event. Anyone standing by would just laugh.... at Grandpa setting the camera and running to get to his spot. Trying to get all the kids to look at the camera and not at Grandpa running. But wait... put the binkis back in and give the kids what ever they want to make them smile.... We did get a great picture. {and some family ones}

Here is the family all happy... or at least trying to be.

All the girls in the family....
Here we have Boys to Men.... {Get it??? I make myself giggle}

So after the pictures we got the grill fired up for the Manti Chicken {because it wouldn't be a family function with out it} and a ton of other good food. Carolyn made a great salad!!

After the food, which much have had crazy pills in it, Grandma got out the slip n slid. Which was fun, what would a slip and slide be with out tears... so we had some. Ok so with that out of the way, the party really got started!! All the big kids got in on the action. {Just so you all know I LOVE having a blog so I can show great pictures of my family, and anything else that I want... so her is a snippet of the day. Really this is only a few shots that I got of these crazy people}

Here is Grandpa flying out of the water, who knew old men can fly.

Here comes Grandma down the slide.{what a spunky woman!}

Now these next two pictures are a little PG-13, just for all of the sensitive ones.... or anyone under the age of 13}

My beautiful sister Eliza.... and her cleavage

My great brother-in-law Nick, and a butt crack....

Here is the husband coming down the runway. There was a contest to see who could slide the farthest off the slip n slide.... {yes we are really mature} Anyway, Hyrum {brother} went first and did really well. Then Rodney {brother} went next and slide further than Hyrum. And then Steve took a turn.... he blew them out of the water {literally} and totally out slide my brothers. {what a proud moment for me}


Picture of one of my other sisters falling, Sariah actually got pretty far before she fell... I was impressed.
A bunch of crazy people with out shirts.... wait.. Rod you forgot to take yours off... oh, sorry you did.... {and I thought my farmers tan was bad.} So here we have wet t-shirts, and boys with no shirts...

It was so fun, and that will forever be a day that we talk about. I'm so glad that we can get together and have a great time. Thanks family for making it such a fun time!!!

So after that... I guess this picture shows the true personalities in this crazy.... but very functional family.

{totally worth clicking on to enlarge}

What the world needs... Wednseday

More slip 'n' slides!!!

Tunes on Tuesday

We were on vacation and all James wanted to listen to 1985 by Bowling For Soup. We had a deal, we would listen to it once a day. {and only once} So James... this one is for you. And this is the song that I will always think of when I think of this trip.


"1985" Bowling for Soup

Woohoohoo Woohoohoo
Debbie just hit the wall
She never had it all
One Prozac a day
Husband's a CPA
Her dreams went out the door
When she turned twenty four
Only been with one man
What happen to her plan?
She was gonna be an actress
She was gonna be a star
She was gonna shake her ass
On the hood of white snake’s car
Her yellow SUV is now the enemy
Looks at her average life
And nothing has been alright since

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

She’s seen all the classics
She knows every line
Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink
Even Saint Elmo’s Fire
She rocked out to Wham
Not a big Limp Bizkit fan
Thought she’d get a hand
On a member of Duran Duran
Where’s the mini-skirt made of snake skin
And who’s the other guy that's singing in Van Halen
When did reality become T.V.
Whatever happened to sitcoms, game shows

(on the radio was)Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

She hates time make it stop
When did Motley Crue become classic rock?
And when did Ozzy become an actor?
Please make this stop Stop!
And bring back
Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 1985

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

Yes, James knows the words to this song. {most of them} but I think he likes the beat the best. It is really funny listening to him sing what he thinks the words are. I think it's time that I introduce James to Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Blondie.... hopefully I'll still be cool when the boys are in high school.

We are back.... and there are presents!!!

We are back from vacation and we had, it was so fun. It's really nice to be back {as always}. Here is a taste of what is to come this week. A slip 'n' slide contest that the husband won {this is a fun one}, family pictures, dinosaurs, a missing shoe, time with Aunt Connie, Tunes on Tuesday and What the world needs Wednesday, and last but definitely not least a tribute to coaching track.

First I have to tell you about my FABULOUS present that was waiting for me when I got home. I signed up for a swap with Mamarazzi {so fun!} You should all definitely stay up with here so you can get in on the next one. I was paired up with Amy {Keeping up with the Schultz Family}.

Here is all the great stuff. First off, Amy decorated the box {I'm going to do that next time} so it was so fun to see it when I got back from vacation. I got a pink Gatorade, Kiwi-Strawberry. A great movie, "13 going 30". A bandanna {the cute one there with the yellow boarder} and a pink wrap. Rachael Ray's magazine, and tons of goodies... which I hid right away. I love my boys but I like my goodies too. Amy was so cute, and her dog Timmy sent treats to my dog Captain, and her daughter sent juice boxes to my boys. I totally love this! It was so fun. Amy it was so nice getting to know you and your family. Thank you for all the fun stuff and sharing your favorite things with me.

Thank you Mamarazzi for coordinating the swap.

Peek back this week to see what we've been up to.